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Teacher Appreciation page 6B Vol. 163, No. 3
New Look. Same Local Coverage since 1854. 11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN 56379
Thursday, April 27, 2017
NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK APRIL 23-29
Double the blessings
Pykas conceive with the help of IVF BY ELIZABETH BETHKE STAFF WRITER
RICE — In America, according to the National Infertility Association, one in eight couples struggle to build a family. For four and a half years, Katie and Steve Pyka, were that statistic. However, on Oct. 7, 2016, the Pykas welcomed two baby boys into their arms with help from in vitro fertilization (IVF). “I have always felt like my purpose was to be a mother, and it was the one thing I wanted most – something I thought I would never be,” said Katie, who has endometriosis. After marrying in 2013, Katie and Steve, both of Rice, experienced several ectopic pregnancies, which included a ruptured ectopic pregnancy that resulted in surgery to remove the non-viable pregnancy and one of her fallopian tubes. We were at the point where if I became pregnant we couldn’t get excited because we knew it probably wouldn’t last. Each failed pregnancy was putting my life at risk,” Katie said. Katie underwent surgery in June of 2015 to remove her remaining fallopian tube for her own safety. The surgery meant that the Pykas would no longer be able to conceive a child naturally. “Just the thought of being 31
with no kids and removing my tubes scared me. After the surgery, I could never decide to try having a child naturally again. That was just something I had to process,” she said. For nine months following the surgery, the Pykas’ journey was a rollercoaster. In September 2015, Katie was given medication to regulate her hormones. A month later, Katie was scheduled to begin the IVF process. “A few days before I was supposed to go in, I ended up in the hospital with bleeding from stomach ulcers,” Katie said. The appointment was rescheduled for December. However, shortly after the appointment was made, Katie discovered her estrogen levels were too high and a known cyst was further developing. The Pykas continued injections to reduce Katie’s estrogen and shrink the cyst in hopes of being in a safe range to retrieve her eggs. The injections were unsuccessful and Katie was urged to begin birth control to regulate her cycle again. “IVF is a major waiting game, it was very difÀcult,” Katie said. “The experience was consuming and draining.” Steve agreed. “There was setback after setback,” he said.
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PHOTO SUBMITTED
Steve and Katie Pyka hold their 6.5-month-old twin boys, Sylas (left) and Sawyer, on Easter Sunday. The Pykas struggled with infertility for 4.5 years before using in vitro fertilization to have their two sons.
A passionate poet
BY ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – Tracy Rittmueller loves to read poetry, so much that it has grown into her passion over the years. “I can’t remember the beginning of my journey with poetry, because it’s always been a part of who I am,” Rittmueller said. “My grandmother often read poems to me when I was a preschooler. Poetry is a very underappreciated form of art because people aren’t exposed to it. Rittmueller’s passion includes two of her favorite poems: “Sunday Morning,” by Wallace Stevens and “Musse des Beaux Arts,” by W.H. Auden. “These two poems have just really struck a chord with me,” Rittmueller said. “It’s interesting that “Sunday Morning” is one of my favorites because I totally disagree with his philosophy. But, every time I read it I still Ànd the language and form beautiful, despite my disagreement.” Rittmueller’s passion further developed into a teaching role 25 years ago. “I’ve never had a student who hasn’t become turned on to poetry in some way,” Rittmueller said. “I once PHOTO BY ANNA SALDANA had a student who was so moved by Tracy Rittmueller is an avid poetry reader, writer and teacher. Rittmueller Marie Howe’s poem “How Many will be handing out poem books April 27 at Coborn’s and Rock Creek as Rittmueller: page 2 part of National Poem in Your Pocket Day.
Air boat quotes presented to council, no action taken BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
costs onto the current quote. The council did not act on either quote. It will defer to committee for recommendation to the council for future purchase. A third quote was solicited from Lake Assault, in Duluth, but the company declined as they are currently seven months behind in production. In other council news: • The city began Áushing its water lines Monday. Cloudy and discolored water should not alarm residents. Let the water run until clear. This process could take up to three weeks. • Approved and authorized an addendum to annual on-sale liquor license for Old Capital Tavern’s Àve-year anniversary celebration June 16-17. • Approved appointing Tony Steineman to the planning commission for the remainder of 2017. • Approved Ryan Winter to Àll the vacant utilities position, pending pre-employment testing. • Approved Ànance director Jack Kahlhamer’s continuing education request. • Approved a 50 percent fee reduction for a Habitat for Humanity house project.
SAUK RAPIDS — The Sauk Rapids City Council received an update on the future of a Àre department air boat at Monday’s meeting. Jason Adamski, father of high school student Madelyn Adamski who has been spear-heading the fundraising efforts, presented the council with two quotes and a recommendation. The air boat with training will cost roughly $72,000 plus additional equipment, such as head-sets, life preservers and wet suits. The majority of funds have been raised throughout the surrounding communities. Adamski said the air boat committee is endorsing the American Airboat Corporation, even though the particular quote was nearly $9,725 more than that of the quote from Alumitech, Inc. Adamski said the owner of American Airboat has been extremely pleasant and timely to deal with, even bringing the cost of the air boat down $10,500 by collecting donations from various parts suppliers. He also acknowledged the fact that most training fees are covered in full by American Airboat, whereas Alumitech, Inc. would add those Sauk Rapids Council: page 3
Mrs. Evora is all about the kids Sorokie volunteers at elementary school BY ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – Evora Sorokie is often asked where she gets her energy. For her, the answer is easy. “It’s all because of the kids and the people I work with,” Sorokie said. “That’s always been obvious for me.” Sorokie worked for the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District for 35 years before retiring in June 2015. She was the long-time media secretary at Mississippi Heights Elementary School (MHES), and despite her retirement, she always knew she’d be back to the school. “I enjoy being around those young kids so much,” Sorokie said.
“Being around them and seeing their looks when something they’ve been trying to learn clicks in their mind is so rewarding. I knew when I retired that I’d be back before too long because I would miss it, especially the smiling kids.” Sorokie is now a volunteer for MHES – stepping in as a paraprofessional, media specialist and anywhere else she is needed for an absent staff member. Most often, she has Àled books and listened to kids read, but has also taught kids how to do origami, among a number of other things. “The kids enjoy having me around the school again,” Sorokie said. “And the teachers are always asking me to come back and I am more than willing, because the staff
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PHOTO BY ANNA SALDANA
Evora Sorokie reads to a group of students at Mississippi Heights Elementary School (MHES). Sorokie, now retired, volunteers for the school after working in the district for 35 years as the media secretary of MHES.