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7 Second Avenue Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper”
Vol. 161, No. 20
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
(USPS 482-240)
A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
August 26, 2015
Clafton dreams of future as singer-songwriter by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY ANNA SALDANA
Aaron Clafton played a show at the church he attended growing up, First United Methodist Church in Sartell on Aug. 20. After playing shows in Bemidji and Duluth the past few years, Aaron Clafton has returned to Central Minnesota to play shows for his hometown crowd.
Music is a part of daily life for many people, but for 22-year-old Aaron Clafton, music has become his way of life. Growing up, Clafton could often be found listening to his grandpa, Ken Clafton, play at the cabin and at performances around the Grand Rapids area. Since then, Clafton has taught himself how to play the guitar and has gotten into singing, particularly in country music. “Country music is what I grew up listening to and it’s what I find real,” Clafton said. In high school, Clafton was a part of the choir and his passion for singing has grown tremendously since graduating in 2011. Like many avid music fans, Clafton has a favorite artist whom he admires, one that he looks up to when creating and recording his own songs – Eric Church. “I just think he’s so different and not afraid to push the envelope with his music, and his songwriting is so different from what you hear on the ra-
dio,” Clafton said. Clafton hopes to become a singer-songwriter known in the Nashville scene, and he recognizes that he’s on the right track for that. In spring of 2015, he released his debut album “Running Wild,” which has 10 original songs. “It was something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and it happened that I found the right guy to record it,” Clafton said. “I had songs I felt confident in to put out there for people to hear. I’m at the right place in my life where I can put an album out.” From fall of 2014 to spring of 2015, Clafton was able to write all 10 songs on his album, and record them. Clafton’s grandfather played piano for two songs in the recording studio. His favorite song on the album is called “Evaline,” which is about a man who moves to Nashville with his girlfriend to pursue his music dreams. When things don’t work out for his music career or his relationship, the man sells his guitar
Clafton continued on pg. 2
Ciderfest brings fall flavors More than 1,500 tickets sold for inaugural event by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
ST.CLOUD – Despite the blowing winds and imminent chance of rain, crowds still gathered at Joe Faber Field Aug. 22 for St. Cloud Ciderfest. The event, which hopes to be annual, was the first of its kind in the area and brought over 30 vendors – to sample their hard cider to approximately 1,500 guests – for a chance at the People’s Choice Award. Milk and Honey Ciders of Cold Spring took home this year’s trophy with their Heirloom Cider. The event, which took two years of planning for Leighton Broadcasting’s Christian Medford, developed from the St. Cloud Craft Beer Tour the company sponsors. “Two out of the last three years the people’s choice award at the craft beer event in St. Cloud happened to be some form of a hard cider. With that in mind, Ciderfest was born,” Leighton said.
Senior quarterback Mathew Johnson leaps into the end zone in Saturday’s 33-20 win over Princeton that snapped a 22-game losing streak and started a new winning streak for the Storm. Senior running back Korey Keske rushed for 110 yards and three touchdowns to help lead the Storm. For the game story and reaction from head coach Bill Magnuson, turn to page 8.
District enrollment continues to increase by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
As the Sauk Rapids-Rice communities continue to grow, enrollment within the district continues to increase. This is a result of new homes and apartments around Sauk Rapids, as well as open enrollment for the district. Despite the ever-increasing numbers, district administration is watching class
sizes to maintain them. In other school board news: • The district is refinancing their bonds, totaling roughly $43 million, which will save about $600,000 per year for taxpayers. • The two remaining Chinese teachers had their final interviews on Aug. 24, and are expected to arrive in Sauk Rapids within the first week of September.
Extra patrols combate intoxicated drivers by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Tom Bernhardt, of Sauk Rapids, transfers pork from a Big Green Egg to a container where it will be pulled apart to be served during the inaugural Ciderfest in St. Cloud Aug. 22.
“The Midwest is typically 5-10 years behind the coasts when it comes to trends,” said Dan Lynch, distributor for SapSucker Farms Yellow Belly Small Batch Hard Cider from Mora. “Hard cider, al-
though always around and in Although the event cenour history, has made a recent tered on Central Minnesota’s comeback in the last couple love for apples, and the hard of years, but is still taking off cider derived from fermentin the area. I see a lot more Ciderfest growth in the industry before continued on pg. 5 it levels off in Minnesota.”
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office will have extra patrol on the roads, as part of a statewide effort to combat individuals driving while intoxicated from Aug. 21- Sept. 7. “It’s time to take a stand against those who choose to get behind the wheel after drinking,” said Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck. “Don’t be afraid to speak up. Take the keys away from a friend or loved one, and find them a sober ride home. It could save a life, even yours.” More than 25,000 drivers are arrested for a DWI in Minnesota each year, which averages out to three arrests
per hour throughout the state. In the last five years (20102014), there were 479 drunkdriving related driving-related deaths in Minnesota. The enhanced DWI enforcement campaign is a component of the state’s Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) program. The program works to create a safe driving culture where motorists can practice and promote safe and smart driving behavior. TZD focuses on four strategic areas to reduce crashes – education, enforcement, engineering and emergency medical and trauma response. Tom Souvannaphong
Intoxicated drivers continued on pg. 2
All dogs welcome Safety first at community event
Rice Women of Today sponsor annual bicycle rodeo and cookout by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE – The Rice Women of Today along with the Rice Police Department, other sponsoring nonprofits and area businesses hosted their fourth annual Bike Rodeo and Cookout on Aug. 19. The community event allowed children ages 4-12 to participate in activities themed around bicycle equipment safety and safe riding practices. There were 94 preregistered children, along with seven additional same-day registries bringing the total to over 100 participants. This number was up from 2014’s participation by over 20 chilPHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER dren. Rice Police Chief Ross Hamann goes through safety checklists with brothers Isaac, 7, (left) Bicycle rodeo and Jack Czech, 5, at the Rice Women of Today Bike Rodeo on Aug. 19.
continued on pg. 2
Boarding kennel provides more than a place to stay by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
Jackie Steckling started her business based on a passion, a need and her love for animals. Now, 14 years later, Dogs Inn is thriving. “I wanted a job where I could stay home,” Steckling said. “I checked into it and got started. There aren’t enough boarding kennels in the area.” Even today, Steckling recognizes the need for boarding kennels. Her 22 kennels are often full, particularly in the summertime. Dogs Inn is situated in the country east of Rice. The wooded, secluded area is something that dog owners
often like. “I had a client who drove to drop her dogs off and then drove back to Minnetonka. She wasn’t going north or traveling anywhere,” Steckling said. “She just liked the country setting and the price.” While residing at the kennel, the canines have the opportunity to socialize and get some exercise. Every four hours, or four times a day, the dogs are let outside to the running pen. Steckling matches them up with playmates based on temperament and activity level. “You might have a rat terrier and a lab playing together,” Steckling said. The dogs get to play and run with the other dogs for a half hour before they are brought back to their kennels. “My objective is for them
Dogs Inn continued on pg. 3