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Pet blessing draws Muskies baseball to host first tourney at Champion hounds galore Town Crier Friday, July 29, 2016 Volume 21, Issue 29 Est. 1995
St. Stephen to collect hazardous waste
photo by Mindy Peterson
Perry Rollings of Sartell, a member of Unity Spiritual Center of Sartell, holds on tight to the leashes of Kaiser the German Shepherd and Polly the pug/terrier who sit patiently on the lawn during the pet blessing on July 24. For more photos, see page 3.
The City of St. Stephen will collect all household hazardous wastes from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 at the St. Stephen City Hall, 2 Sixth Ave. SE. Sponsored by the Stearns County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, this event is free. Check the county website for the list of accepted and not accepted items.
St. Stephen to host National Night Out
The City of St. Stephen will celebrate National Night Out from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2 in the Lower Smoley Field. Among the activities are yard games, snacks and face painting, in addition to visiting with members of the Fire Department and Stearns County Sheriff’s Department.
Don’t forget to register for Bluegrass tickets
The Newsleaders has a limited amount of FREE one-day tickets to the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Fest, a fourday music and camping festival Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 11-14 at El Rancho Manana, Richmond. For tickets, please email advertising@ thenewsleaders.com with your name, phone number, city and amount of tickets requested by noon Friday, Aug. 5. Your name will be placed in a drawing and winners will be notified via email.
St. Cloud VA seeks Vietnam vet photos
The St. Cloud VA Health Care System is committed to publicly thanking and honoring military veterans who served during the Vietnam War era, and is seeking photographs of area veterans who served in the military at any time during the period of Nov. 1, 1955May 15, 1975. Spouses or nextof-kin of deceased Vietnam War era Veterans are also encouraged to submit photos of their loved ones. In honor of their service, the veteran photographs will be displayed online and in exhibits at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center and VA Clinics in Brainerd, Montevideo and Alexandria. Participation is voluntary and written consent is required from all participants. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on July 29 criers. For additional criers, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers
by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Champion Field in Sartell will be one of the “star” attractions during five days in August when the Beckstrom Sartell Muskies baseball team and the Sartell Stone Poneys co-host the Omann Insurance Invitational Tournament, the first time that particular eight-team event has ever happened at the Sartell venue. What made the tourney possible, more than anything, were the major improvements to Champion Field achieved in recent years, thanks to thousands
of hours of volunteer work and many thousands of dollars of contributions by so many organizations, businesses and the City of Sartell. The tournament games are slated for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 6-7; and will continue Friday-Sunday, Aug. 12-14. There will be four games played on each of those days, most starting at 11 a.m. and the last game of each day starting at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students ages 12-18 and $1 for anybody under 11. “We now have a bull pen, a concession stand and in-field improvements that make the field really look nice,” said Randy Beckstrom, manager of the Muskies team and coordinator of the upcoming tournament. “We have a great sound Field • page 9
Annual ‘Take a Day Off’ set for July 30 by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
An annual family-fun event, dubbed “Take a Day Off at the Mississippi River,” will again take place Saturday, July 30, at Stearns County Mississippi River Park. The free event is set for 10 a.m.-4 p.m. rain or shine.
The park is located seven miles north of Sartell along the River Road (CR 1). There are many activities scheduled, including canoeing, a kids’ 1k trail run/ walk, paddlesports, birdhouse-building, fishing, face-painting, archery and many educational booths where participants can learn
about animals, insects and other critters, shoreline buffers, groundwater, invasive species and more. A bus will be provided for anyone who wants or needs a ride to Stearns County Mississippi River Park. The bus will depart from the YMCA parking lot at 10:30 a.m. and return to the Y at 2:30 p.m. The
bus is limited to 50 people, so call the Y at 320-253-2664 to reserve your spot. Food will be available onsite to buy from the Axle Grill, but we encourage you to pack a healthy lunch. For more information about the event, visit www.stearnscountyswcd.net/pages/ TakeaDayOFF/.
Sophomore Atikinson thrilled about skills learned at camp by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
When Avery Atkinson received an email in one of her classes she had been chosen as one of 20 Americans to attend a We Day Leadership Camp in Arizona, she burst into tears. The daughter of Deana and Glenn Atkinson of Sartell, Avery will be a sophomore at Sartell High School when school starts in September. The honor was so unexpected, with so much competition, she never seriously thought she’d be selected for a Bright Future Award and the leadership camp participation. But she was, and the shock of it stunned her into an emo-
tional meltdown, a “puddle of tears,” as she put it. But they were most definitely happy tears. Three other young Minnesota students were also chosen for the camp among the 20 Americans, in addition to seven Canadians – a camp membership total of 27. Their ages ranged from 7 to 17. Recently, Atkinson returned from the six-day We Day Leadership Camp in Arizona, a camp located between Patagonia and Nogales, which is next to the Mexican border. The mission of We Day is to help young people make a difference locally and globally by nurturing compassion in youth and giving them the tools to create transformative
contributed photo
In southern Arizona, We Day Leadership Camp participants relax after building a rock dam. Avery Atkinson of Sartell is third from left in front. social changes. We Day is a branch of the larger organization known as Free the Children.
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One of those skills is leadership, and that’s what the We Day Leadership Camp was all Camp • back page
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2 If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sartell Police Department at 320-251-8186 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320255-1301 or access its tip site at www.tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for crime. July 7 12:25 a.m. DWI. 15th Street S./ Mockingbird Loop. DWI. While on routine patrol, an officer observed a vehicle in which the driver showed signs of impairment. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Upon speaking with the driver, the officer noticed signs of impairment. The officer conducted field sobriety tests on the driver. The driver failed all tests administered. The driver was placed under arrest and transported to the Stearns County Jail. 9:07 a.m. Welfare check. Pinecone Road S. Officers were dispatched for a complaint of gas smell at the Great Clips Salon. Officers arrived on scene and cleared the building of people. Officers stood by for scene safety while the fire department checked the building for gas. July 8 2:06 p.m. Accident. Hi-Vue Drive. Officers were dispatched for a motorcycle crash in which the driver was unresponsive. Officers arrived on scene and met with the now-responsive driver. The driver had a cut above the eye. The man was checked out by Gold Cross Ambulance. July 9 9:42 a.m. Traffic stop. Riverside Avenue S. While on routine patrol an officer observed a vehicle driving down the center lane of the roadway, passing another car which was in the proper lane for route traveled. The vehicle pulled over before the officer activated his lights, the officer approached the car and the driver stated he knew what he did was wrong. The driver was cited for driving left of center (unsafe passing), careless driving and released. 10:04 p.m. Loud party. Starlight Drive. Officers were dispatched to a loud party complaint.
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Complainant stated they asked the neighbors to turn the music down, but the music has not been turned down yet. Officers arrived and spoke to the homeowner who turned the music down to an appropriate level. July 10 3:50 a.m. Welfare check. 15th Street S. Officers were dispatched to the report of a female walking around outside for over an hour in the pouring rain. The officer was able to locate the female and identified her from prior contacts with her. The female stated she was outside prior to the rain starting and that her roommate left and she was unable to get into the building or apartment. The officer was able to gain access to the apartment building and the female’s apartment. The female stated everything was fine and did not want any further assistance from the officer. 6:20 p.m. Intoxicated person. Second Street S. Officers were dispatched to a report of an intoxicated male found sleeping by the woods and acting strangely. Once officers arrived, they noticed the male had fallen off of his bike. Officers were able to identify the male from prior experience with him. Officers transported the male to his residence, but no one was home to care for him; the officer dropped the male’s bike off at the home. Officers transported him to a second location where they found someone willing to take care of the male until he was sober. 11:58 p.m. Suspicious activity. 2 1/2 Street N. Officers were dispatched to the report of two teen males walking around caller’s house, and the caller did not know who they were. Officer arrived in the area and used the thermal-imager camera but were unable to locate the two males. The officers noticed a lot of extra traffic and people outside this night due to the new Pokemon geocache game. July 11 10:58 a.m. Theft. Oak Pond Court. Officers were dispatched to a theft of two lawn chairs stolen off the complainant’s patio sometime between the hours of 11 p.m. and the time of the call. Officers responded and had the complainant sign and fill out the
proper paperwork. No suspects. 6:43 p.m. Hazard. Riverside Avenue. Officers were dispatched to a hazard at Riverside and First N. and the stoplights were under water to the overpass due to the storm. Officers stood by with lights until the storm drains were able to catch up. 8:43 p.m. Hazard. Pinecone Road. Officers noticed Pinecone Road and 2 1/2 Street N. were flooded due to the storm and large amounts of rain. Officers blocked Pinecone Road from Second Street S. to Fifth Street N. and 2 1/2 Street N. on both sides. The water cleared from the road after approximately a half hour and officers were able to clear. July 12 4:59 a.m. Suspicious vehicle. Pinecone Road S. While on routine patrol, an officer noticed a vehicle parked in a parking lot by itself. The officer also noticed the windows were foggy. The officer checked the area and was unable to locate anyone. 3:27 p.m. Assault. Brookwood Lane. Officers were dispatched to a complaint of sisters who were fighting, and one was refusing to leave the home. Officers arrived and talked to both parties separately. Both parties denied the fight being physical, and neither wanted to press charges. Officers were able to get the sister who does not live there to leave, and she packed up some of her property, and officers informed her she could pick up the rest of her property at a later date. 11:10 p.m. Assault. Cougar Lane. Officers responded to a call of a physical domestic assault that had occurred. The victim was given access to Anna Marie’s shelter and spoke to them over the phone. The suspect was arrested and booked into the Stearns County Jail. July 13 4:14 a.m. Assault. Fourth Avenue S. Officers were dispatched to a call of a domestic assault between a male and a female party. The victim was given the victim-rights information. The suspect was arrested and booked into the Stearns County Jail.
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People
Friday, July 29 2016
contributed photo
Congratulations Sartell 14UAAA Gopher State team for winning the North Division with a record of 11-4. Team photo includes (front row, from left to right): Will Schiffler, Zach Harren, Brady Schmidt, Thomas Ellis and Matt Sieben; (back row) Coach Jay Vierzba, Dom Hagy, Ben Gerten, Coach Mike Nesland, Tanner Ertl, Wes Nesland, Coach Bill Schmidt, Gage Vierzba, Dylan Gerdes and Coach Tom Schiffler.
contributed photo
Several area youth scored big in the soccer division of the Star of the North Games held in the St. Cloud area in late June. Congratulations to the Central Minnesota Youth Soccer Association 12-year-old girls “Thunder” soccer team for winning the championship. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Maggie Fernholz, Emily Koepp; (middle row) Lily Weitzel, Hadliegh Baynes, Carly Koopmeiners, Hailey Eibes (Sartell), Lauren Schmitz (Sartell) and Libby Lommel; and (back row) Coach Tom Eibes, Renee Virtue, Olivia Hennager, Tani Watkins, Meghan Corbett (Sartell) and Peyton Mathiasen (Sartell). Stephen Gabrielson, of Gabrielson Law Offices in Sartell, has been recognized by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys as one of the Ten Best Personal Injury Attorneys for client satisfaction. One of the most significant aspects of the selection process involves attorneys’ relationships and reputation among his or her clients. This is the second consecutive year Gabrielson has been recognized for this award. Chloe Ree, Sartell, will be among 78 first-year medical students this fall attending the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. Dr. John D. Anderson, Sartell, is the new chief of pharmacy services at the St. Cloud VA Health Care System. In his new role, he oversees all phar-
macy programs and services for the health-care system, including the 388-bed medical center in St. Cloud and VA outpatient clinics in Brainerd, Montevideo and Alexandria. Anderson has extensive experience providing direct patient care and medical therapy-management services in both individual and group clinics in the areas of diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and anticoagulation, among others. Anderson received his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry/chemistry in 1995 from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., and received his doctor of pharmacy in 2000 from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. He completed his pharmaceutical care residency in 2001 at the Paynesville Area Health Care System.
Published each Friday by Von Meyer Publishing Inc. Publisher/Owner Janelle Von Pinnon Production Manager Tara Wiese
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Editor: Dennis Dalman Assignment Editor Frank Lee Designer: Troy Goracke
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Newsleader staff members have the responsibility to report news fairly and accurately and are accountable to the public. Readers who feel we’ve fallen short of these standards are urged to call the Newsleader office at 363-7741. If matters cannot be resolved locally, readers are encouraged to take complaints to the Minnesota News Council, an independent agency designed to improve relationships between the public and the media and resolve conflicts. The council office may be reached at 612-341-9357.
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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, July 29, 2016
3
Pet blessing draws hounds galore photos by Mindy Peterson
At left: Hashbrown, a Lab-pitbull mix, sticks a tongue out and grins widely as the dog’s owners Heather Crosthwaite and her husband J.J. of Avon pet the dog on the grounds of Unity Spiritual Center in Sartell July 24 before the blessing of the animals and pets, which the pastor credited as great and loving companions. At right: Central Minnesota Therapy Animal Association member Joyce Salzer of Cold Spring cradles Ike the Yorkshire in her left hand while petting Nahlah the Great Dane with her right hand during the blessing of the animals and pets July 24 at Unity Spiritual Center in Sartell. In past pet-blessing celebrations, participating pets have included dogs, cats, reptiles and even a horse. Below: Members of Unity Spiritual Center hold hands in a circle while surrounded by their pets.
Four Time IBMA Event Of The Year
Four Time IBMA Event Of The Year Nomin
Unity Spiritual Center member Stephen Murphy of St. Cloud scratches the neck of Kalli the Golden Retriever July 24 during their attendance of the blessing of the animals and pets, which was inspired by a reverence of all forms of life.
August 11-‐‑14, 2016 -‐‑ El Rancho
Richmond MN, 30 Minutes W of St Cloud (I-‐‑94 Exit #153 at Avon,
August 11-‐‑14, 2016 -‐‑ El Rancho Mañan Richmond MN, 30 Minutes W of St Cloud (I-‐‑94 Exit # 153 at Avon, 9 mi S on Cou The Year Four Time IBMA Event O Off The Four T ime IBMA ear ominee! Nominee! Four Time IBMA EEvent vent Of T he YYear NN ominee! THE TRAVELING MC COURYS – CLAY H
Thanks to the following sponsors! Trobec’s Bus Service Inc. Cornerstone Insurance Agency Sentry Bank Viking Industries St. Stephen Sportsmen Club St. Stephen Storage VNOSCARPARTS, LLC
Thanks to the following business who donated trivia question prizes! Auto Value Gilleland Chevrolet McKay’s Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram Tenvoorde Ford
THE HORSENECKS – CANOTE BROTHERS – PERT’ N THE TRAVELING MCCOURYS – CLAY HESS BA plus The Revelers, Hogslop Stringband, Monroe Crossing, Bob & Lynn
August 11 22016 -‐‑-‐‑BROTHERS El l R Rancho ancho añana Pushing Chain, S1-‐‑14, arah M ae & The Boys, HM and P’icked Bluegras August 1-‐‑ 4, 016 irkeland E M añana THE H ORSENECKS – C1ANOTE –Mañana P ERT NEAR SAND Aug. 11-14, 2016 -BEl Rancho Richmond MN, 30 Minutes W of St Cloud (I-‐‑94 Exit #153 at Avon, 9 mi S on County 9)
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plus The Revelers, Hogslop Stringband, Monroe Crossing, Bob & Lynn Dixon, Poor Benny, Pushing Chain, s& SSThe s Instrumen Beautiful M ain Stage haded Seating Area ss S3huttle 5 H f Concerts s Nightly Dances s ATime W elcome & Safe E Campground wMae ith howers Beach ours Toransportation Sarah Birkeland& Boys, Hand Picked Bluegrass, Dick Kimmel & Co, Long Gone, s s s Over 2 0 W orkshops P lenty o f C ampground J am S essions 3 0 Merchant & Children’s Activities King Wilkie’s Dream, Halvorson Family Band, No Man’s Stringband, More TBA THE TRAVELING M CCOURYS – CLAY HESS BAND T HE TStage RAVELING M CCTOURYS – CsLAY HESS AND s SArea s huttle ransportation A W elcome & SB afe Environment Campground with Showers & Beach Beautiful Main • Shaded Seating • 35 Hours of Concerts • Nightly Dances Instrument Showcases TChildren’s HE HActivities ORSENECKS – CANOTE BROTHERS – P• ERT ’ N• EAR S ANDSTONE Culinary Job Opportunities! • Over 20 Workshops • Plenty of Campground Jam Sessions 30 Merchant & Food Booths Campground Tplus HE TH ORSENECKS – CSANOTE BMThu-‐‑ ROTHERS –& Safe PBERT ’ NEAR SANDSTONE he R evelers, H ogslop tringband, onroe Crossing, ob & Lynn Dixon, P oor Benny, Broch un Camping P ackage (– per p erson) with Showers & Beach • Shuttle Transportation • ASWelcome Environment • Kids are Free! Are you looking for a new employment opportunity which offers a Come f or t he D ay – C amp f or t he W eekend C all f or plusC T he Revelers, Hae ogslop Stringband, Monroe Bob & Lynn Dixon, Poor Benny, & Co, Pushing hain, Sarah M & The Birkeland Boys, C Hrossing, and Picked B luegrass, Kimmel Admission Thu hru Sae un p lus nimproved camping Tluegrass, hu, Fri, &D ick SKat nights, 95 Gate, $ friendly and collaborative working environment? Consider joining us Pushing Chain, Starah M &D Tream, he Bu irkeland Boys, FH and PB icked D immel & o, $ T Long T ime Gone, King Wilkie’s Halvorson amily and, BN o Man’s Sick tringband, M Core BA
Come for the Day – Camp for the Weekend – Cal
Come for the Day – Camp for the Weekend – Call for Brochure
at the College of Saint Benedict! Applications are being accepted for multiple part-time and full-time job opportunities in the department of Culinary Services!
Sous Chef • Station Chef II Lead • Catering/Banquet Server
For more information and to apply online, please visit http://employment.csbsju.edu. Women, individuals of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The College of Saint Benedict is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Thu-‐‑Sun Camping Package (per p erson) Long Time Gone, King Wilkie’s Dream, Halvorson Family Band, No Man’s Stringband, More TBA s SS s& sp Beautiful Main Stage haded Seating Area s 35 cH ours Single of C N Dances IG nstrument Admission Thu thru un plus unimproved amping Toncerts hu, D Fri, at nights, $95 ate, $85 AShowcases dv, $75 Mem ay T Sightly ickets (per erson)
Thursday-Sunday Camping (per person): unimproved camping through s Package slenty sJ am s 0 Beautiful Main Stage Shaded Seating Area 35 Ho ours of Concerts NSunday ightly Dplus ances Instrument S& howcases Children’s Activities Over 20 Workshops PAdmission f CThursday ampground Sessions 3 Merchant FThursday, ood Booths Admission oAne dsay, nver o c2amping, $s20 Thu o STAdvanced, un Gate, $Member 30 F&ri r s0 SMat Gate, 25 Aooths dv (any da Saturday nights $95 Gate, ay ickets (J$75 per pessions erson) sFriday sSingle so 3 Children’s ctivities O 0 Workshops T Pransportation lenty oD f $85 Cr ampground am S erchant & $ Fs ood B s Shuttle s A W Campground with Showers & B& each elcome SAdvanced afe Environment Kids Are Free! Admission one day, no Schowers amping, $each 20 person): Ts hu oAdmission r STun Gate, 30 no or Sat G& ate, $25 dv (any 20 Member A sF ri s dKay) Shuttle ransportation A W elcome Safe Environment ids A$re Free! Campground with & B(per Single-Day Tickets one $ day, camping, $20 Thursday orASunday Gate, Come for $30 the Doray – CGate, amp or the eekend – Call (any for $25 f Advanced (anyW day) $20 Member Advanced day)Brochure Come for Friday the DSaturday ay –Thu-‐‑Sun Camp f or t he W eekend Camping Package (per person) – Call for Brochure
800-‐‑ 6335-‐‑ 3037 www.MinnesotaBlueg 800-‐‑ 635-‐‑ 037 www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org 800-635-3037 www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Admission Thu thru Sun plus unimproved camping Thu, Fri, &( per Sat pnerson) ights, $95 G ate, $85 Adv, $75 Member Adv Thu-‐‑Sun Camping Package
Presented bbyy the tThe M innesota &D ay Old-‐‑Time M Association and mof$ade ossible Admission hu thru Sun plus uB nimproved camping Thu, Fri, &made usic Sp at npossible ights, $in 95 Gate, $85 Adv, 75 Mp ember Adv in part by the Single Tickets (and per erson) Presented Minnesota Bluegrass &luegrass Old-Time Music part by the voters Minnesota through Presented y the MState innesota Bluegrass &Support O ld-‐‑Time MAssociation usic Aari ssociation and made possible in $cultural p art b y the vfund. oters of dMay) innesota Admission one day, no Arts camping, $20 TO hu or Sun Gate, $30 r Sat $25 A dv day) 20 ember A dv (any ab Minnesota Board grant, toF legislative appropriation from the arts and heritage Minnesota State Arts BOperating oard perating SDthanks upport go(rant, tate, hanks to a( lany egislative aMppropriation from the a Single ay Tickets per pG erson)
Minnesota State Arts Board Operating upport hanks to a Glegislative appropriation from the arts and cultural herit Admission one day, no camping, $20 TShu or Sun gGrant, ate, $t30 Fri or Sat ate, $25 Adv (any day) $20 M ember Adv (any day)
800-‐‑635-‐‑3037 www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org 800-‐‑635-‐‑3037 www.MinnesotaBluegrass.org
Presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-‐‑Time Music Association and made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a l egislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Presented by the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-‐‑Time Music Association and made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
4
Our View
Help save a life; give the gift of blood
The American Red Cross has been sending out a clarion call for more blood. Blood donations are typically down in the summer months, this summer especially, probably because prospective donors and repeat donors are on vacation, according to American Red Cross officials. In the past three months, blood donations are 39,000 fewer statewide than usual. In the United States, someone needs blood every two seconds, and 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day, not to mention 7,090 units of platelets and 10,100 units of plasma, also every day. Those three blood components are derived from donations of blood and are used in various transfusions for different needs. The average red-blood-cell transfusion to patient is three pints. Some patients need only one transfusion. Others, however, require regular transfusions throughout their lives, such as people who were born with sickle cell anemia. A single serious injury, say, from a car accident, can require as many as 100 pints of transfused blood during the victim’s recovery process. Some people think all donated blood can be stored indefinitely – not so. The red-bloodcell components of blood, for example, can be stored for only 42 days after the donation, at which time they are not able to be used. Plasma and platelets can be frozen but only up to one year’s time. Thus, the constant need for ongoing blood donations. It’s not hard to see why ongoing blood donations are so important and why a decrease in donations over time is such a serious concern. According to the American Red Cross, about 6.8 million people, men and women equally, donate blood at least once a year in the United States. About 50 percent of them are repeat donors, donating several or more times each year. About 26 percent are first-time donors and 24 percent are occasional donors. Most people who donate blood say they do it because they have a strong feeling of obligation to help somebody else – always a good idea to do anything. Those who don’t ever donate say they have phobias about needles or just never think to donate. Still others say they are afraid they will catch a disease from needles. Fear of needles is understandable, to some degree. But, in fact, most people have been given shots or have had blood drawn many times in their lives, and a needle poke or two certainly didn’t harm them. In the blood-donation procedure, new and sterile needles are used in each case and then discarded. Used needles are never re-used on donors. As for “never thinking about donating,” maybe it’s time more of us do think about it, and then act upon that awareness. It’s not hard to imagine one day, sooner or later, a loved one will need transfusions of blood. Think how grateful you and they will feel that there is enough blood supply to match their critical, life-saving needs. There are periodic blood-transfusion sessions that take place in places throughout the greater St. Cloud area. Donations can also be given every week – almost every day – at the St. Cloud Area Blood Donation Center at 1301 W. St. Germain St. in St. Cloud. For more information or to find out when and where to donate, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org.
The ideas expressed in the letters to the editor and of the guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Newsleaders. Letters to the editor may be sent to news@thenewsleaders.com or P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374. Deadline is noon Monday. Please include your full name for publication (and address and phone number for verification only.) Letters must be 350 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for space.
Opinion
Friday, July 29, 2016
Hillary’s the glue that unites Republicans Is Hillary Clinton the glue that unites the fractious Republican Party? That seemed to be the case during the National Republican Convention in Cleveland last week. A rabid hatred of Hillary reached obsessive levels. The gathering often resembled a kangaroo court led by a lynching party in the Wild West, especially when failed presidential hopeful New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took to the stage to rattle off a list of “indictments” of Hillary’s supposedly sneaky, treacherous, anti-American, criminal behavior. After every charge he leveled against her, Christie would ask the crowd “Guilty or not guilty?” as if the convention hall were an impromptu courtroom or a rally at a witch-burning. The crowd, whipped into a fever pitch, would yell “Guilty!” and then scream “Lock her up! Lock her up!” I thought any minute they were going to howl with chants of “Hang her high!” Virtually every one of Christie’s indictments was either blatantly false or based on misinformation, distortions or wild exaggerations. And, lest we forget, Hillary has not been found guilty of criminal wrongdoing in the Benghazi incident, much as a congressional committee tried and tried again to prove, spending millions of dollars on their futile fishing expedition. Nor did the FBI recommend an indictment. It’s true the FBI director termed Hillary’s email server methods extremely careless and, yes, Hillary has some explaining to do on that score, absolutely. Hillary, like all the rest of the pols center-stage in Cleveland, has made plenty of mistakes. But to blast Hillary, as Christie and that crowd did, for being responsible for just about every international disaster and atrocity during her tenure as Secretary of State is
Dennis Dalman Editor ludicrous, and red-meat baiter Christie knew full well his rabble-rousing nonsense was just that – nonsense. But truth be damned; truth didn’t matter because sinister fantasies fueled by Hillary-hatred united the crowd. On the second night, another failed presidential hopeful, Sen. Ted Cruz, made an utter fool of himself (again) by snubbing Trump, a blunder Trump cleverly took advantage of by using stagecraft for one-upmanship, appearing on stage to cheers as Cruz was booed off stage, having to hustle away, wife in tow, into the oblivious night. Trump is, indeed, a master showman. Later, up stepped yet another failed presidential candidate who’d been trounced by Trump, the somnambulistic Dr. Ben Carson. In a classic case of guilt-by-association, Carson tried to tie Hillary to 1960s leftist neighborhood organizer Saul Alinsky, who referred to Lucifer once in one of his books. If Hillary liked Alinsky, then surely she must admire Lucifer, too. Carson should have been embarrassed at his sly-and-stupid attempt to hint that Hillary is some kind of devil worshiper, but he wasn’t embarrassed. Nor were the delegates; they ate it up. The unspoken convention rule was this: Say whatever you want about Hillary, true or not; just make sure it’s bad and the badder the better. Trump’s acceptance speech was a long rant during which his ego bulged like fat in Spandex, much to the rap-
turous applause of the delegates. The gloom-doom speech, which he shouted from a face distorted by anger, was punctuated by exclamation points of Hillary-hatred. “Nobody knows the system better than me, which is why I’m the only one who can fix it,” Trump’s gargantuan ego promised, adding he would immediately stop attacks against cops as soon as he takes office Jan. 20. This “miracle worker” will stop terrorism, bring to America millions of new jobs and trillions of new dollars, help the working poor, replace Obamacare with a wonderful health-care system for all and reform the tax code – oh, and yes, let’s not forget “The Wall.” He’ll clean up the corrupt messes and rampant violence unleashed by Obama and by that Bonnie and Clyde of modern politics – slick Willie and his consort, the Crooked Hillary. Gee, ain’t we lucky, though? Starting Jan. 20, The Donald will give us the moon, the stars and then some. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and his new name is Donald Trump. Other than the anti-Hillary frenzy, there were some effective moments at that convention. Mrs. Trump’s speech was warm and charming, even if parts of it were cribbed from First Lady Michelle Obama. The Trump children were all eloquent and articulate in their efforts to “humanize” their father. Trouble is, The Donald himself should start showing that warm, allembracing human side, if he’s capable of it, rather than letting his family vouch for him. What’s needed is a kinder, gentler Donald Trump with a few workable real-world ideas if he wants to win the presidency. He’s not likely to win it by spewing more kneejerk bluster, more shameless braggadocio and even more Hillary-hating, Hillary-bashing, Hillary-baiting.
He waved; let’s all wave more often
When I first moved into my townhome in Sauk Rapids in autumn of 2014, my life was a matter of running here and there and trying to accomplish way too much more than my hours would allow me. As it is with any new homeowner, it was a hectic first few days that required me to make many trips to and from my new abode. The location of my new habitat demanded I pass by the Good Shepherd complex just south of my dwelling on an almost daily basis. It was on one of those first ventures into the Benton Drive hub of retail outlets that I saw him. It was a moderately warm day in September 2014 and I was eager to accomplish all my pre-planned chores before the sun set. I drove by that Good Shepherd multiplex and there he was. He was sitting in his motorized wheelchair and as I passed, he waved. I, of course, was way too intent on accomplishing my specific resolves to even think about his presence by the side of the road. In my little world of “must be dones,” I was obligated to make, again and again, a trip past Good Shepherd. Again and again, there he was and he waved. “Well,” I said to myself, “this won’t last long with winter setting in.” As that early winter dropped upon us in 2014-2015, complete with a frigid November that was, unfairly, too cold too early, I would take that same route. And yes, there he was, bundled against that Minnesota seasonal bitterness. And he waved. It was inevitable.
Paul Ritzenthaler Guest Writer For the first time, I waved back. January 2015. I don’t know who hated those zero-to-whatever-below days more: me or my dogs, who had to suffer through potty duties (I’m referring to the dogs’ potty duties here). But in my travels – to the grocery store or wherever – there he was, seemingly unperturbed by those hostile weather conditions. And, yup, he waved. Now, I waved back on a regular basis and tooted my horn to let him know that I loved that wave. Then came the spring of the year and he disappeared. Each time, I would pass by his usual waving place and I would look for him. Now my candor turned to concern. I wanted to drive into the parking lot, go into Good Shepherd and ask about my waving compatriot but I didn’t because of my fear I would look like an idiot. So I continued on my way. Then, one day, alack and alas, as I made my way past Good Shepherd, there he was. He waved! And I waved and hit my horn and said (under my breath) “Amen.” Forever after that, up until the last episode, when I passed by and he waved, I waved back and smiled
and always honked. I wish I could give you a happy ending to this story but come the spring of the year 2016, my waving friend disappeared again – this time for good. I still drive by and wave to no one there. I know Good Shepherd is a place where people grow old comfortably and move on to another sphere. I wonder if, in this world of confrontation and conflict, we took the time to wave at each other as we drove down our lanes of destination, what might be. Maybe, just maybe, things might be a little less confrontational and a little more affable. How many times has it happened that (in the course of vehicular activities) we have been given the beloved finger – no, not a waving finger? Wouldn’t it be wonderful, though, if that finger was surrounded by four others that were waving? Perhaps we should all take a lesson from this gentleman who waves somewhere still and realize that in the short span of our lives, there should be a lot less hostility and a lot more waving. In the interim, I say, “Wave on,” unknown friend, wherever you are and God bless you. Paul Ritzenthaler has spent most of his life working in broadcasting before retiring but still keeps himself busy by announcing baseball games at the Municipal Athletic Center in St. Cloud, golfing and trying to keep up with his two dogs Dani, a Sheltie, and Tucker, a Shi-Tzu, at his home in Sauk Rapids.
Friday, July 29, 2016
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St. Cloud area 12th healthiest in the nation by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
People tend to be healthier and live longer in the St. Cloud metro area compared to just about anywhere else, according to 24/7 Wall Street, a Delaware-based analysis company. St. Cloud (including the surrounding cities) was listed as No. 12 in the healthiest cities in the United States. Rochester, Minn., ranked first. Four other Minnesota cities placed among the top 25 – Mankato, No. 9; and Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, No. 13, right after the St. Cloud metro area. The analysts at 24/7 Wall Street used all kinds of heath-related statistics to come to their conclusions: the premature death rate, adult obesity rate, percentage of adults without health insurance and median household income – to name just four criteria. Altogether, two dozen measures of health factors and health outcomes were used, which were culled from the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps program, which is a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The study had this to say about the St. Cloud area: • Premature death rate: 251.6 per 100,000 residents. • Adult obesity rate: 27.4 • Percentage of adults without health insurance: 5.5 percent. • Median household income:
$54,985, meaning half of the households make more than that, half make less than that. • The study did have a bit of less-than-sterling news with the good news. It stated: “When it comes to staying active, residents of the St. Cloud metro area are at a distinct disadvantage. Only 68.3 percent of area residents have adequate access to places for physical activity such as recreation centers or parks. In contrast, 84 percent of Americans have adequate access to such locations. Despite the disadvantage, area residents are slightly more likely to regularly participate in physical activity than most Americans. In the St. Cloud metro area, 79 percent of adults are physically active compared to 77 percent of American adults. Remaining active is an important component of a healthy lifestyle, and life expectancy in St. Cloud is about three years longer than it is across the country.” The study notes life expectancy in the nation is now at 78.5 years and even though that number trails many other countries’ life-expectancy rates, it has climbed steadily in the United States during the past century and the first 16 years of this century. The study also found there is a direct correlation between people’s ability to afford and to access health care and their longevity numbers as shown in the nation’s 25 healthiest cities/regions. In addition, there is a direct connection between income and health because finan-
cially-secure families are much more likely to afford medical treatments and healthy foods on a regular basis. They are also more likely to get the kind of preventive check-ups that can catch medical problems before they reach the crisis stage. Also noted in the study is that in the healthiest cities, rates for smoking, obesity and other unwise behavioral factors were less than in other places. No. 1 rated Rochester received a rave review from 24/7 Wall Street. This is the citation: “Home to one of the Mayo Clinic’s main locations, it’s perhaps no coincidence that Rochester, Minn., is the healthiest city in the United States. Adults in Rochester report an average of only 2.4 physically unhealthy days a month, the fewest of any U.S. city. When area residents need medical attention, there is no shortage of medical professionals in the area. There are roughly 180 primary care physicians for every 100,000 area residents, more doctors per capita than in any other U.S. city. Area residents are also less likely to smoke, more likely to be physically active and less likely to be obese than the average American. Life expectancy in the Rochester metro area is a near-nation-leading 81.2 years.” The following are the 25 healthiest cities/areas in the nation:
Rochester, Minn. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, Calif. Ames, Iowa.
Boulder, Colo. Iowa City, Iowa. Provo-Orem, Utah. Logan, Utah. Burlington, Vt. Mankato. La Cross-Onalaska, Wis. Fort Collins, Colo. St. Cloud metro area. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington. San Francisco-Oak-
land-Hayward. Fargo, N.D. Corvallis, Ore. Lincoln, Neb. Dubuque, Iowa. Appleton, Wis. Santa Rosa, Calif. Madison, Wis. State College, Penn. Ann Arbor, Mich. Lawrence, Kan. Portland, Maine.
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Friday, July 29, 2016
photos by Dennis Dalman
Above: On a very hot and humid July 22, visitors saunter along on the grounds of the big lot in downtown St. Stephen to enjoy the staggering variety of classic vehicles on display at the St. Stephen Car Show.
Visitors enjoy vintage vehicles from yesteryear by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
The parking lot across from St. Stephen Catholic Church was bright with blazing colors and gleaming with shining chrome during the annual St. Stephen Car Show on July 22. Despite oppressive humid heat, many people took the time to stroll leisurely back and
forth across the huge shadeless lot, admiring the long rows of vehicles – some of them hearkening back as much as 100 years. The vehicles and their owners came from far and wide, but most of them were from Central Minnesota. The colors were breathtaking: candy-apple reds, canary yellows, fiery oranges, bubblegum blues. The old cars, so
lovingly restored, caused many visitors – especially senior citizens – to reminisce about the “happy days” of youth in the 1950s and 1960s when their parents or they themselves drove a car “just like that one there, that 1957 Ford Fairlane,” for example. And many visitors, as they strolled past the long lines of vehicles, “oohed and aahed”
at the imaginative ways the classic cars had been restored back to “life.” There were chuckles, too, such as from the people beholding an aqua-colored Volkswagen “Bug” with a miniature replica of a redand-white Volkswagen camper “parked” on the “Bug’s” top carrier. People at the show refreshed themselves with plenty of wa-
ter, pop or beer available at vendor booths that lined the grounds. Some ducked into the shade of the church grounds across the street, others popped into the nearby bars for a cool one or two. Visitors, using ballots, voted for their favorite cars. At the end of the event, toward 8 p.m., prizes were given to the winners.
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photo by Dennis Dalman
This deep-green Studebaker goes back quite a ways – 1925, to be exact. Frank Vouk of St. Stephen bought it that year from the Eich Studebaker Co. in St. Cloud.
Great Northern Theatre Company presents Shrek the Musical! Aug. 4-6 (evening) Aug. 7 (matinee) Aug. 10-12 (evening)
Held at Rocori High School, Cold Spring Show time 7:30 p.m.; Matinee 2 p.m. Adults $17; Seniors $13; Students $10 Tickets: 320-241-GNTC or GNTC1.com Kids, adults, it doesn’t matter your age, Shrek The Musical is some of the best fun you’re going to have at the theater this summer.
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Friday, July 29, 2016
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Tom Bearson Foundation fundraiser a success photos by Carolyn Bertsch
At left: Heavy rainfall delayed some events for the second annual Tom Bearson Foundation Golf Outing held July 23 at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course in Sartell, but the sun later came out and found these five golfers in good spirits. They are (from left to right): Todd Hubbard of St. Cloud, and Rod VanSurksum, Gordy Meyer, Amy VanSurksum, and Michelle Meyer, all of Sartell. The event was a fundraiser for projects initiated by the foundation done in the memory of Bearson, an 18-yearold Sartell resident and high school basketball player who was murdered in the Fargo-Moorhead area in 2014. The killing of the North Dakota State University student has not yet been solved.
At right: Bean-bag tournaments were one of the activities taking place July 23 during the second annual Tom Bearson Foundation event at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course in Sartell. As her opponent, Craig Trettin of Plymouth, looks on, Erica Traut readies to toss a bean bag. Traut was Bearson's girlfriend.
Renegades win final game of regular season by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
The Granite City Renegades semi-pro football team defeated the Twin Cities Sabercats on July 23 in the final game of the regular season. They won 40-18 at the game played at St. John’s University in Collegeville. Head coach Brett Weaver said team quarterback Ryan Fay and running back Michael Iver-
son led a powerful offense with Fay going nine of 13 in the air for 193 yards and four touchdowns. Iverson caught one of those touchdowns and also ran one in. Renegade player Sean Hayden led the ground game with 85 yards rushing. Their defense had a solid lead with Kyle Crozon’s five solo tackles – two for losses and two sacks, and Houston Spooner and Pat Lopez capturing two fumbles. Weaver
said defensive coordinator Jake Hutt has done an outstanding job this season running one of the best defenses the Renegades have ever had. The Northern States Football League playoffs begin Aug. 6, and the Renegades are the No. 3 seed. The team, which includes members from Sartell, Rice and St. Joseph, for example, will travel to Minneapolis to play the South Metro Patriots.
contributed photo
The Granite City Renegades semi-pro football team handily defeated the Twin City Sabercats, 40-18, during the final regular-season game held July 23 at St. John’s University, Collegeville. They are now ranked No. 3 in the Northern States Football League, which will start playoffs Aug. 6.
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Friday, July 29, 2016
LEGAL NOTICES CITY OF SARTELL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS REZONING AND THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF SANDSTONE VILLAGE 3 PLAT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That the Sartell City Council will hold public hearings at 6 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, on Monday, Aug 8, 2016 in the council chambers of the Sartell City Hall, to consider the rezoning and preliminary plat of Sandstone Village 3 Plat. The request is to rezone the property from R-3 Multiple-Family Residential District to R-5 Planned-
Unit Development. Both public hearings have been requested by PEI Properties, as an applicant. The site is located just north and east of County Road 4, west of 19th Avenue. Mary Degiovanni Administrator Publish: July 29, 2016 contributed graphic
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS REZONING, VACATION OF CERTAIN EASEMENTS AND THE PRELIMINARY PLAT BLACKBERRY RIDGE WEST NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That the Sartell City Council will hold public hearings at 6 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016 in the council chambers of the Sartell City Hall, to consider the rezoning, vacation of certain easements and preliminary plat of Blackberry Ridge West. The request is to rezone property from AG (Agricultural) District to R-1
Single Family Residential District. Both public hearings have been requested by Pete Yarmon as owner and applicant. The site area is 19.50 acres and is located just south of 35th Street North and east of 33rd and 34th Street N. Mary Degiovanni Administrator Publish: July 29, 2016
Publish: July 22 & 29, 2016 CITY OF SARTELL PRIMARY ELECTION NOTICE TO VOTERS AUG. 9, 2016 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN Sartell Middle School; residents of that a primary election will be held Stearns County Sartell Precinct #6 in the city of Sartell, Counties of (east of Pinecone Road and north Stearns and Benton, State of Min- of 12th Street North), will vote at nesota, on Tuesday, the 9th day of Sartell Middle School; residents of August, 2016, between the hours Stearns County Sartell Precinct #7 of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Residents of (west of Pinecone Road, north of Stearns County Sartell Precinct #1 2-½ Street North, and that portion (east of Pinecone Road and south north of Third Street North that of Second Street South), will vote lies west of 19tg Avenue North), at the Sartell Public Utilities Build- will vote at Celebration Lutheran ing, 230 Fourth Ave. S.; residents Church, 1500 Pinecone Road; of Stearns County Sartell Pre- Residents of Benton County Sarcinct #3 (east of Pinecone Road, tell Precinct #2 (east of the Misnorth of Second Street South, and sissippi River), will vote in the south of Fifth Street North), will Chapel Area at Country Manor, vote at Messiah Lutheran Church, 520 First Street NE. 320 Fourth Ave. N.; residents of Stearns County Sartell Precinct #4 The following city offices will be (west of Pinecone Road, south of on the ballot: 2-½ Street North and that portion south of Third Street North that COUNCIL MEMBERS – TWO lies west of 19th Avenue North), (2) FOUR-YEAR TERMS will vote at Sartell City Hall, 125 Pinecone Road N.; residents of Mary Degiovanni Stearns County Sartell Precinct City Administrator #5 (east of Pinecone Road, north of Fifth Street North and south Publish: July 22 and 29, 2016 of 12th Street North), will vote at
In this cutaway view of a rain garden, a profusion of native vegetation is clustered in plantings in a depression area of a yard. Water from gutters and down spouts from the home rush down to the rain garden where they gather in a pond and are then slowly absorbed by the deep roots of the plants while other excess water slowly filters deeper into the ground. The native plants also attract birds, bees and butterflies.
Register for rain garden workshop, tour by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Sartell residents who would like to learn about rain gardens at an Aug. 4 workshop andtour should register by Aug. 1 by calling Sartell Community Development Technician Nate Keller at 320-258-7316 or by emailing him at Nate.Keller@sartellmn.com. There is an enrollment limit of 25 people for the rain-garden presentation, made possible by the Sauk River Watershed District and the City of Sartell. The workshop-tour will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. at Sartell City Hall. After participants receive rain-garden information, a tour will be given of some of the outstanding rain gardens in the city. Participants will receive books on native plants, informational folders and seed packets to start their own rain gardens. Several gift certificates will be given from area nurseries.
Chef-Abbey Guesthouse Saint John’s Abbey is accepting applications for a part-time (24-hour per week) benefit-eligible chef in the Abbey Guesthouse Dining. This position provides hospitality service to guests, provides high-quality food and assistance with setting up and organizing spaces for special events. Applications are accepted online at: http://employmentosb.csbsju.edu
At the workshop, participants will learn how to identify native plants, how to distinguish between native plants and weeds, how best to maintain rain gardens and the options for cost-sharing programs. A rain garden is a planted depression or hole that allows rainwater runoff from impervious areas (roofs, driveways, walkways and parking lots) to collect in the lower rain-garden area to be slowly absorbed. That way, runoff storm water can be absorbed into the ground rather than running into storm drains, and the river or other waterways. Rain gardens can help reduce erosion, flooding and keep polluted water out of storm drains, streams and rivers. Rain gardens can reduce the amount of pollution getting into storm drains by 30 percent. Besides their environmental functionality, rain gardens are aesthetically pleasing as a na-
tive-plant flower and grass-plant bed at the edge of a yard. About 10 years ago, the rain-garden concept was introduced to Sartell at city council meetings, and now there are scores of rain gardens all throughout the city, brightening up residential and commercial property while helping prevent erosion and pollution. Usually, native plants are planted in rain gardens because they are hardy perennials with deep roots that efficiently absorb water and nutrients while being drought-tolerant. Such plants can include shrubs, ferns, wildflowers, tall grasses and other vegetation that comes up every spring. Some rain-garden owners also like to put some annuals in the gardens (often in pots) for variety and for splashes of color. Rain gardens act as temporary ponds under which runoff water can be slowly absorbed into the ground where it most belongs.
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Call the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader at 320-363-7741 if you would like to be in the Business Directory.
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Friday, July 29, 2016
9
Is Sartell ready for cellular water-metering? by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
In the future, all water meters in Sartell might become so high-tech cellular that residents can instantly know how much water they use day to day and even if there is a leak and the homeowner happens to be on vacation. The vacationing homeowner would be notified instantly via cell phone or online messaging because the “smart” water meter would detect the leak and send a wireless message. At a recent Sartell City Council meeting, council members listened to a presentation about water meters made by the Metron-Farnier Co., based in Boulder, Colo. Already some of the high-tech water meters from a different company (Johnson Controls) have been installed at
Field from front page system, bathrooms and a press box.” Beckstrom joined the Muskies in 1989. In 2013, the team won the Class C state championship. “The Muskies have been in existence since 1979, but it took all those years to finally make Champion Field what it is today,” Beckstrom said. “People don’t realize how much work and time
various places in Sartell as part of an 18-month pilot project. The city may entirely convert to such meters in the not-toodistant future. The Metron-Farnier water meters are part of a cellular metering system that uses Verizon 4G (Long-Term Evolution) Network, with all data hosted by Microsoft Azure. No added infrastructure or maintenance is required for the system. Each of the meters records data in five-minute intervals, which is sent to a tower the way cell-phone messages are sent. The data includes how much water is being used at any given time and place, as well as any problems that can occur, such as leaks. If a problem occurs, the homeowner or business is alerted instantly via a smart-phone application. The meters also have an automated
upload/download function for billing reads. The metering system can be adapted by a city over a period of time. Cities currently changing to the system, over time, include Blue Earth, Buffalo, Shakopee and Winona. There are many benefits to the metering system, as summarized by Sartell City Administrator Mary Degiovanni. For example, it would reduce city-staff time spent on reading meters. It would also eliminate the confusion of summer sewer bills being based on winter water-use, which can fluctuate widely based on when the winter readings are made. Degiovanni noted a large number of residents never turn in a water-meter reading, which leads to large bills or confusing credits when staff reads the meters and adjustments are made
went into that field – a lot of it by team members – and how much work it is to maintain. The original founding members of the Muskies went through so much work just to get the field started so many years ago.” Beckstrom noted the 21-member Muskies themselves earned a berth in the tournament at Champion Field after defeating Clear Lake July 23 by 7-3 in a Region 1C Amateur Baseball game. The Muskies play in the 15-team Lakewood League. The other teams likely to be in the tour-
nament are St. Joseph, Clear Lake and Foley, Beckstrom noted. Teams from the Eastern Mini-League that might be in the tournament, depending on upcoming games, are among the following: the Sartell Stone Poneys, Braham, Chisago Lakes, Hinckley, Mora, Nowthen, Quamba and Rum River. Beckstrom and others are now putting together a printed booklet for the tournament and are looking for sponsors to be named in the booklet. Anyone interested should call Beckstrom at 320-250-7775.
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between estimates and actual water usage. The new metering system, she added, would also make it much easier for water/ sewer customers to track their own usage and for water-leak disputes to be resolved. About 10 years ago, automated water-metering systems were installed in some Sartell businesses. The meters were “read” by staff driving by the business, reading the meters electronically from vehicles. It takes about a day and a half to read the meters in that manner, said Public Works Director John Kothenbeutel. Kothenbeutel said automated water-metering systems are excellent because they can detect and warn about water leaks, which include leaky toilets – a huge cause of wasted water, Kothenbeutel noted. He also noted in Sartell, about 500
contributed photo
Sartell Muskies’ Andrew Deters singles in a recent 8-0 win over the Foley Lumberjacks.
million gallons of water are pumped from wells each year. Another benefit to cellular meters is customers can see print-outs of their water usage hour by hour, showing spikes of usage throughout the day or night. That way, people can learn to be more waterwise, more efficient, especially in such factors as watering of lawns and gardens. Council members expressed interest in the cellular meters. They would be ideal for alerting people about freeze-ups or leaks, council member Steve Hennes said. Such a system is “smart,” said council member Pat Lynch, adding, “It’s the way the world’s going.” The council took no action since the meeting was merely informational, but the council will revisit the proposal in the near future.
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Friday, July 29, 2016
Sauk Rapids Farmers’ Market provides food, laughs and entertainment photos by Carolyn Bertsch
At left: As his father Dan Eichers looks on, little baseball enthusiast David Eichers, 6, of Sauk Rapids gets his ball autographed by Luke Ringhofer, a catcher for the St. Cloud Rox. Below: The Sauk Rapids Farmers Market brings not only fresh fruit, vegetables and homemade baked goods but also a variety of entertainment for shoppers to enjoy. Pictured (from left to right) are Sartell High School seniors Matt Schnettler, Logan Payne, Kyle Cielinski and Dan Erickson. They comprise the band, “Side Project.”
Register now to take part in Cookout with Cops by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
The ever-popular Cookout with Cops will take place Thursday, Aug. 25 in Sartell, and those who plan to attend should register as soon as
possible to make planning possible for its organizers. Call 320-258-7365 to register. Anyone 55 or older is invited to the free event. Cookout with Cops will take place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25 at the
St. Francis Xavier Church’s Gathering Place. Cookout with Cops is an annual summer event hosted by the officers of the Sartell Police Department. It’s a way for older folks and officers to get to know one another, and
safety and health concerns mutual to one and all. Hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, other fixings and refreshments will be provided. At this year’s gathering, personnel from Gold Cross Ambulance will be on the
scene, as well as a speaker from the Violent Offenders Task Force and possibly a canine with its police officer, according to Amber Molitor, community-service officer for the Sartell Police Department.
Peanut is a neutered, 7-year-old Rat Terrier mix. He’s been around children of all ages and had several dog friends in the past, too. Peanut is quite the wiggler, and his little tail never seems to stop wagging. He loves being around people and in no time will worm his way onto their laps and into their hearts. Peanut’s housetrained and will whine at the door when he needs to go outside. He came to the shelter because he has a very high prey drive and will go after chickens and cats. A home without any small animals would be ideal for this little dog. Peanut weighs 19.8 pounds.
“Helping one animal won’t change the world … but it will change the world for that one animal!” Dogs - 12 Kittens - 31
Puppy - 1 Rabbit - 1
Cats - 37 Guinea pigs - 7
Tri-County Humane Society 735 8th St. NE • PO Box 701 St. Cloud, MN 56302
320-252-0896
www.tricountyhumanesociety.org
Hours: Monday-Thursday Noon-6 p.m., Friday Noon-8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday Noon-5 p.m.
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, July 29, 2016
Community Calendar Is your event listed? Send your information to: Newsleader Calendar, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374; fax it to 320-363-4195; or, e-mail it to news@thenewsleaders.com. Friday, July 29 Brat sale, sponsored by St. Joseph Y2K Lions, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2 Saturday, July 30 Sauk Rapids Farmers’ Market, 8 a.m.-noon, First Street and Second Avenue next to Manea’s Meats, downtown Sauk Rapids. Brat sale, sponsored by St. Joseph Y2K Lions, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. Monday, Aug. 1 Benton County Historical Society,
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. Market Monday, 3-6:30 p.m., parking lot of Hardware Hank, Seventh St. N., Sartell. marketmonday.org. Tuesday, Aug. 2 National Night Out, 6-9:30 p.m., 320245-4182. ci.stcloud.mn.us. Zootopia, Movies in the Park, 9 p.m. or dusk. Millstream Park. 101 Fifth Ave. N.W., St. Joseph. Wednesday, Aug. 3 St. Stephen City Council, 6:30 p.m., St. Stephen City Hall, 2 Sixth Ave SE. Thursday, Aug. 4 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 First St. NE, Sartell. Family Farmers’ Market, 2-6 p.m., River East parking lot, CentraCare Health Plaza, 1900 CentraCare Circle, St. Cloud. 320-252-2422. Rain Garden Workshop and Tour, 6-7:30 p.m., Sartell City Hall, 125 Pinecone
Road. 320-258-7316. Great River Regional Coin Club, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Miller Auto Marine Sports Plaza, 2930 Second St. S., St. Cloud. 320252-8452. Friday, Aug. 5 Walk-a-Thon, sponsored by Independent Center Inc., 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Sauk Rapids Municipal Park, 1001 River Ave. N. 320-252-4146. Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. St. Joseph Area Historical Society open, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Old City Hall, 25 First Ave. NW. stjosephhistoricalmn.org. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2 Saturday, Aug. 6 Sauk Rapids Farmers’ Market, 8 a.m.-noon, First Street and Second Avenue next to Manea’s Meats, downtown Sauk Rapids. VA Summer Games, 8:30 a.m. opening ceremonies, VA Hospital, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud. 320-252-1670.
LEGAL NOTICES CITY OF SARTELL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS REZONING AND THE PRELIMINARY PLAT OF FERCHE SOUTHWEST 35 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That the Sartell City Council will hold public hearings at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, 2016 in the council chambers of the Sartell City Hall, to consider the rezoning and preliminary plat of Ferche SW 35. The request is to rezone the property from Agricultural to R-5 PlannedUnit Development. Both public
hearings have been requested by Four Points Development, as an applicant. The site is located just south of Robert’s Road and East Pinecone Road (east of Coborn’s Superstore). Mary Degiovanni Administrator Publish: July 29, 2016
OFFICIAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC TESTING OF THE AUTOMARK EQUIPMENT AND OPTICAL SCAN VOTING MACHINES TO BE HELD IN THE CITY OF SARTELL, MINNESOTA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public accuracy test of the AutoMARK equipment and the M100 optical scan voting equipment to be used at the Aug. 9, 2016 Primary Election will be held at 6:30 p.m Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016. The test will be conADOPTION PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, and continued support afterwards. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. 855-390-6047 (MCN) AUTOMOBILES DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 1-800-283-0205 (MCN) DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 855752-6680 (MCN) EMPLOYMENT/HELP WANTED PAID IN ADVANCE! MAKE $1000 Weekly!! Mailing Brochures From Home. Helping home workers since 2001. No Experience Required. Start Immediately! www.centralmailing.net (VOID IN SD, WI) (MCN) MANAGER NEEDED:$$ SIGN ON BONUS! Immediate opening for a FARM MANAGER of a 3,000 sow farrow to wean unit near Curlew, IA. RELOCATION PACKAGE AVAILABLE. Swine experience required. Highly Competitive Wage and Comprehensive Benefit Program that includes Health Insurance, Simple IRA, In-
CITY OF ST. STEPHEN LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC ACCURACY TEST The City of St. Stephen will hold a Public Accuracy Test of its election machines at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, 2016. The City will test the AutoMARK (ballot-marking machine) and the M100 (ballot-counting machine). The public is welcome to view the test as the City prepares for the State Primary on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016. St. Stephen City Hall 2 Sixth Ave. SE
ducted at Sartell City Hall, 125 Pinecone Road N., in the city of Sartell.
/s/ Cris M Drais City of St. Stephen City Clerk
Mary Degiovanni City Administrator
Dated: July 25, 2016 Publish: July 29, 2016
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11 LEGAL NOTICES
CITY OF SARTELL PUBLIC HEARING TEMPORARY FAMILY HEALTH-CARE DWELLINGS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: All interested persons are invited That the city of Sartell will hold a to attend to voice their opinion. public hearing at 6 p.m, or as soon Written comments will be accepted thereafter as the matter may be until the date of the hearing. heard, on Monday, Aug. 8, 2016 at the Sartell City Hall, for the pur- Mary Degiovanni pose of considering action on tem- City Administrator porary family health-care dwelling options in the City of Sartell. Publish: July 29, 2016 ISD #748 SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SARTELL, MINNESOTA CALL FOR BIDS FOR MILK AND BREAD PRODUCTS (Annual Needs 2016-2017) SECTION A MILK SECTION B BREAD Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the Board of Education, District 748 Public Schools, Stearns-Benton Counties, Sartell, Minn., until 1 p.m., Central Time, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016, for the purchase of MILK AND BREAD PRODUCTS as listed by section above and according to specifications on file in the Office of the Director of Business Services, District 748 Public Schools, Sartell District Service Center, 212 Third Ave. N, Sartell, Minn. 56377, at which time the bids will be opened publicly and read aloud in the board room located in the Sartell District Center, 212 Third Ave. N, Sartell, Minn. 56377, and tabulated for review by staff members who will make recommendations to the Board of Education for their consideration at a later meeting. At that time, copies of the tabulation will be available to interested parties or the bids otherwise made public and the Board will take action thereon. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Director of Business Services, District 748 Public Schools, Sartell District Center, 212 Third Ave. N, Sartell, Minn. 56377, 320-656-3721. 640-8195 (MCN) A PLACE FOR MOM. The nation’s largest senior living referral service. Contact our trusted, local experts today! Our service is FREE/no obligation. CALL 1-800-4425148 (MCN) Switch to DIRECTV and get a $100 Gift Card. FREE Whole-Home Genie HD/ DVR upgrade. Starting at $19.99/mo. New Customers Only. Don’t settle for cable. Call Now 1-800-203-4378 (MCN) 19.99/mo. for DIRECTV – HD Channels + Genie HD DVR + 3 months FREE HBO, SHOW, MAX & STARZ + FREE NFL Sunday Ticket! Call Now 1-888-552-7314 (MCN) ADT Security protects your home & family from “what if” scenarios. Fire, flood, burglary or carbon monoxide, ADT provides 24/7 security. Don’t wait! Call Now! 1-888-607-9294 (MCN) GET HELP NOW! One Button Senior Medical Alert. Falls, Fires & Emergencies happen. 24/7 Protection. Only $14.99/mo. Call NOW 1-888-840-7541 (MCN) Life Alert. 24/7. One press of a button sends help FAST! Medical, Fire, Burglar. Even if you can’t reach a phone! FREE Brochure. CALL 800-306-1404 (MCN)
Bids are to be submitted in an opaque, sealed envelope addressed to the Director of Business Services, District 748 Public Schools, Sartell District Center, 212 Third Ave. N, Sartell, Minn. 56377, and clearly marked on the outside “Bid Proposal for MILK AND BREAD PRODUCTS.” Each bidder must furnish with each proposal a certified check or bid bond in the amount of 5 percent of the bid made payable to the Treasurer of District 748 Public Schools, Sartell, Minn. 56377, to be forfeited as damages in case the proposal be accepted and the bidder fails to enter into a contract with the Owner or fails to deliver services as specified according to the provision of these bid specifications. The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities in bids. BOARD OF EDUCATION ISD #748 Sartell-St. Stephen Public Schools Steve Wruck Director of Business Services Publish July 22 and July 29, 2016
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Camp from front page about. “They (the counselors who taught the camp programs) showed us the many different ways to become a leader, how to step up to become one,” Atkinson said. One of the skills they were taught was to be confident in public speaking, and Atkinson is glad they did because she has always been “terrified” of speaking in public, she noted. Now, that fear factor that hounded her has been lowered, and she believes she will be able to give a public speech without quaking. Atkinson’s topic of passion is the horrors of child abuse,
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com and she is determined to be a leader with others in an effort to stop the abuse. “I want to raise awareness about it and find connection with others who are trying to end it,” she said. The camp in Arizona was extremely hot, as hot as 120 degrees, and that kind of heat was almost unbearable, Atkinson noted, but it was worth enduring because what she learned was so valuable. “To me, being a leader means someone who is not afraid to do things other peo-
ple are afraid to do,” she said. “A good leader must be brave, connect with people and show goodness through example.” At the camp, the participants learned about sustainability and how much society wastes, such as purifying water that is used in flushing toilets. One of their hands-on projects was to build a rock dam, one that can slow the flow of water so the water can be effectively used rather than draining away into the ground. “We waste so much, and all of us have to learn to do things
differently,” Atkinson said. “I also learned at camp how we often don’t notice or appreciate the things around us and the things people do for us. There were two cooks at the camp who did all the cooking for the 27 of us. Those two ladies did an amazing job.” Atkinson’s favorite subjects in school are social studies and the sciences. She also enjoys photography, volleyball and track. She has two siblings, an older brother named Harper and a younger one named Foster.
Friday, July 29, 2016 Her dream career, she said, would be to become a profiler for the FBI or some job in the field of radiology or ultrasound. Atkinson gives high marks to teacher Karrie Fredrickson, who teaches a leadership unit. It was Fredrickson who posted the Leadership Camp opportunity on a class website, which piqued Atkinson’s interest and caused her to apply for the chance. It was a chance, she soon learned, that paid off and turned into a puddle of tears – happy tears.