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Softball Preview: page 7
New Look. Same Local Coverage since 1854. Vol. 162, No. 50
Park plan kick-off scheduled BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE — The city of Rice will hold one of two open house events for residents who wish to weigh in on the future of parks and trails. Bolten and Menk, the engineering Àrm awarded the bid of the comprehensive park plan, will host a kick-off event Tuesday, April 18 at 6 p.m. The Àrm will present its current work based on prior survey results and will answer questions. They will also enlist feedback from community members. Currently, a steering committee of about 15 individuals is working with the Àrm to create the comprehensive plan. In other council news: • A posting for a recreation manager is open once again. The personnel committee will be reviewing the current salary and adjusting accordingly to attract interest in the position. Applicants are urged to call the city at (320) 393-2280 or visit the city’s website http://www.cityofrice.com for more information. • A public hearing will be held on April 24 for input regarding an application for conditional use submitted by Burski Excavating Inc. The business would like to purchase a property at 204 Ninth Ave. NE, Rice and move their business to this location. The plot is currently zoned business B-2. In addition to adding onto the current building being sold, the company plans on building an additional cold storage building. They would also like to see an additional access constructed. • City clerk Stephanie Roggenbuck informed the council that many of the dog licenses in the city are lifetime licenses, but rabies records have not been kept up to date. Dog owner are encouraged to contact the city with proof of current vaccinations. Roggenbuck will be sending letter to affected parties. • Tom Haaf, of Sauk Rapids, spoke to the council in opposition of the proposed Sauk Rapids-Rice School District $87 million dollar referendum. • Approved the 2017 ditch cutting quote from Chuck Ertl. • Adopted a resolution accepting a $500 donation from the Rice Lions to be used by the Àre department. • Accepted the retirement of Mike Kampa from the Àre department. • Amended and authorized
Rice city council: page 2
11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN 56379
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Lumberjacks: Silver Cup Champions
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
The Granite City Lumberjacks are the 2017 NA3HL Silver Cup Champions. The team defeated Michigan’s Metro Jets 2-1 April 2 at the Canlan Ice Arena in Romeoville, Ill. This is the third Silver Cup Championship the team has won in six years. Read the full story on page 8 of the Sauk Rapids Herald.
A genealogist from the start Lezer continues life-long passion BY ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
FOLEY – Pat Lezer, a native of Sauk Rapids, once scheduled a trip full of stops at different cemeteries around Minnesota and Wisconsin. While that may seem odd, it is second nature to Lezer as a part of her ongoing genealogy research. “I’m always looking for a name I recognize. Particularly in the Upper Midwest region, there are so many names that are familiar,” Lezer said. “I look at those names and then when I get back to my computer, I look it up to see where they fall in and what their family is like.” Lezer’s passion of genealogy started when she was a child, listening to her parents talk about their extended family, and
becoming increasingly curious on the facts of her family’s history. “It just kept going from there,” Lezer said. “I really enjoy genealogy because there’s always something new to Ànd out. I get a lot of help from my family members too, which often leads to more information I would have never known.” Lezer has looked extensively into her family history, as well as her husband’s. Her research goes back to the early to mid 1800s. “I have a few missing pieces in each family, but most of the information is there. The one piece I can’t seem to Ànd is when and how my great-grandfather got over here from Prussia, but I keep looking,” Lezer said. “I get really excited when I Ànd new information, not just on our families, but just Ànding new things in general.” Over the years, Lezer has looked through Àles at the Benton County and Stearns County Historical Societies, as well as
Lezer: page 2
PHOTO BY ANNA SALDANA
Pat Lezer has been a genealogy enthusiast since she was a child. To date, she has over 79,400 names entered on family tree maker and has dozens of binders Àlled with information in a room at her home.
Impacting the lives of children Johnson will receive 2017 BriAnna Kruzel Growing Up Big Award BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS — When Kevin and Jackie Johnson adopted their son Karl when he was just 5-months old, they vowed to surround him with support that would help him thrive. “I’m literally evidence that it takes a village to raise a child. From an early age, my mom made it evident she wanted to have a whole bunch of people ready to support me. My parents built that social support system, that village,” said Karl, a 2013 graduate of Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. “So going into middle and high school, and then college, I made it a point to participate in community service and have kindness, compassion and authenticity. That’s how I was raised, so building relationships was a real priority for me.” Because of his commitment to community, character and integrity, the St. Cloud State University
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Karl Johnson is the 2017 BriAnna Kruzel Growing Up Big recipient. As well as participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters, Johnson coordinates the “Voices of the Homelessness” awareness exhibit in St. Cloud.
student and former Big will be presented with the 2017 BriAnna Kruzel Growing Up Big Award at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Magic Moments Gala April 7 at the St. Cloud River’s Edge Convention Center. Kruzel, the award’s namesake who passed away unexpectedly in September 2013, had a drive for volunteerism and was an active participant in BBBS as both a Little
and Big. An annual award recipient is selected by a committee comprised of members of Kruzel’s family, a BBBS board member and agency volunteers. “It was really signiÀcant,” said Karl, of being chosen. “I actually sat down in my supervisor’s ofÀce and wept because I was so overwhelmed with gratitude.” Current United Way intern
and an active soccer coach and youth-group leader, Karl has never participated in activities for the glamour of awards. But he said having something tangible that represents the time and energy you have put into people is rewarding. “I’ve spent my whole life building relationships and creating space that is safe, empowering and encouraging,” he said. “School and
professionals don’t put value on that. Even saying it sounds pretentious. But it’s the least superÀcial you can get.” Karl began his journey as a Big Brother in 2010 as a sophomore in high school. He was matched with three different Littles during his time. He said the opportunity to mentor changed his life and held him more accountable. “Everyone knows I love volunteering, spending time with kids and that I think it’s important to give your time. But mentoring was different,” Karl said. “Every moment you spend with these kids actually matters. When you mentor somebody and are closely and consistently pouring into somebody like that — you judge yourself more. You’re really held accountable and think about your actions. It pushes you to be a better person.” Karl’s service to the community has not stopped. He currently is involved with two projects in central Minnesota that befriend the less fortunate. “Voices of Homelessness” is a traveling exhibit that brings awareness to the region’s homeless families. Over the past Àve years, there has been a 42 percent increase in the number of families experiencing homelessness in central Minnesota. In 2015, 450
Johnson: page 3