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“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper” Vol. 162, No. 39
11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN 56379
“Give Kids a Smile”
Aiming high Becker receives ExCel award by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Dentist Chris Mertensotto, of Pearl Dental, will participate in “Give Kids a Smile” Feb. 3. His daughter, Isabella, is a patient.
Pearl Dental partakes in cost-free care by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS — When children exit Pearl Dental Friday, Feb. 3 needing a mouthful of work, their parents may still be leaving with a smile. That’s because they won’t have to pay for the future Àllings. In efforts to give back, Dentist Chris Mertensotto and his practice are participating in “Give Kids a Smile.” “These kids are not going to come to the dentist for a number of reasons. Whatever it may be, the family hasn’t established a scenario where they are visiting regularly,” said Mertensotto, who bought the Sauk Rapids business in 2009. “‘Give Kids a Smile’ is an opportunity for us to try and help them out. It gives the families the opportunity to see how everything works, be educated and allows us to point out any problems they might have.” “Give Kids a Smile” is a nationwide philanthropy event. In Minnesota alone, over 2,000 dental professionals will volunteer their time to help as many as 4,000 children ages 18-years or younger. Pearl Dental will schedule roughly 60 patients for half-hour appointments that consist of X-rays, exams and cleanings. Then, they will follow up with particular patients who need additional work, such as Àllings and sealants, at a later date. This is the third year the business
has participated. All work is cost-free. “The program is designed to be for the advantage of low-income families, but the phone call could come from anywhere. It’s not designed for someone who can afford it or who has insurance to come in for a free cleaning. It’s for the people who would normally not have the opportunity,” Mertensotto said. The dentist said sometimes Ànancial barriers keep families from visiting the dentist, and the long-term effects of the neglected care can cause more problems for the children as adults. “The danger for kids is their teeth are smaller and the enamel is thinner too. In a child’s tooth, the cavity only has to decay about one millimeter before it’s inside the tooth. An adult tooth is bigger and thicker, so you have more time to address those problems,” Mertensotto said. He recommends that by the age 1 a dentist or pediatrician look at the child’s mouth for any malformations or problems, and that by the age 2 parents begin to establish a relationship between the dentist and child. “Bring them in, hold them in your lap and let us take a quick peek. I want that kid to feel like they are at the amusement park. We’ll have them go up and down in the chair and get a ride. Open big like a lion and count their teeth. Give them a high Àve and a prize and get them out of here,” he said. This also allows Mertensotto to educate parents on preventative measures and set the family up for success. The dentist advises children to brush twice a day (especially before bed) in a circular
Pearl Dental continued on pg. 2
SAUK RAPIDS – Bailey Becker is no stranger to being a leader. As an eighth -grader, she was named captain of the Storm girls basketball team. She also captained the volleyball team this past fall. “It’s really fun being a captain, but being an eighth grader and leading a team was nerve-wracking sometimes,” Becker said. “You have to think of things on the Áy, especially on the court during a game. Even though I’m not a captain now, my teammates, and even the captains sometimes, will look to me for direction on the court. It’s pretty cool to be looked up to like that.” Becker is Sauk Rapids-Rice High School’s 201617 recipient of the Minnesota State High School League’s ExCel award. The award recognizes high school juniors who demonstrate an excellence in community, education and leadership. The program recognizes students who exhibit leadership qualities, participate in MSHSL activities, work voluntarily in their community and make satisfactory progress toward graduation. Becker is a three-sport
athlete, competing in volleyball, basketball and softball, an “A” student, and involved in student council, DECA, Minnesota Honor Society, Jazz Band and LINK. And that’s just her school activities. Outside of school, Becker helps with Magicians youth basketball and volunteers at Living Waters Lutheran Church. “It gets to be overwhelming sometimes, and my life gets very busy. But I wouldn’t give up any of it,” Becker said. “I really enjoy everything I’m involved in. And my family is there to support me on my roughest, most stressful days, so that’s helpful too.” Becker structures every day, making sure she can be involved in games or practices, get her homework done and still Ànd time to de-stress and relax a little. “I’m usually not home until 6 p.m. or so on a practice day. Game day it’s even later, but I come home and eat supper,” Becker said. “After that, it’s homework and then either play a little piano or watch some TV to relax. I always laugh at people who ask when I have free time because it’s so rare. I’m never free until after eight most weekdays, and that’s pushing it. Weekends, though, I try to take more time for myself. I sleep in a little bit and do things with my family and friends.” Becker recognizes how hard she works and how much
January 19, 2017
PHOTO BY ANNA SALDANA
Bailey Becker is an “A” student and three-sport athlete. She also coaches youth basketball, volunteers at her church, and participates in student council, DECA, MHS, Jazz Band and LINK.
effort she puts into each of her commitments. “I’ve worked hard, so it’s really cool to be recognized
for it, that the school sees the effort I put in,” Becker said. “I’m very honored to get this award.”
Wrapped in prayer
Sacred Heart blankets provide comfort to those in need by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS — Regardless of the dipping mercury during the winter months or other external circumstances, one church group has continued their ministry of covering people in the warmth of prayer for nearly 20 years. Eight women — Vicky KueÁer, Marilyn Kaschmitter, Char Kipka, Martha Kirchner, Rose Leither, Laverne Reischl, Dolores Robak and GraceAnn Wolter — continue to meet the Àrst Wednesday of each month to prepare materials for Ànished prayer blankets which will be distributed by the
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
GraceAnn Wolter (front, from left), and Vicky KueÁer; Marilyn Kaschmitter (back, from left) and Laverne Reischl are four of the eight women who make prayer blankets at the Church of Sacred Heart.
their Catholic community. of Sacred Heart, Sauk RapThe women are all widows ids. “The widows of the parand members of the Church
Sacred Heart blankets continued on pg. 3
Words everywhere
Leeb studies dictionary, Scrabble board for spelling bee by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – Braedyn Leeb immerses himself with words every day by reading books, playing PHOTOS BY ANNA SALDANA
Leeb is the reigning thirdplace winner for the district spelling bee. The new champion will be named at the Jan. 23 competition.
Scrabble and studying the dictionary. His parents, Dale and April, started reading to him when he was just days old. “He has loved reading ever since,” April said. “I see him reading a book almost every day.” Leeb enjoys adventure stories the most, but as he’s reading, he focuses on the words. “Reading books and the dictionary helps me study for the spelling bee. I usually spend a good amount of time preparing for the bee,” Leeb
said. “I’ve tried out all three years and last year I was the third place winner. I had a lot of pride in myself. It was fun to win that.” April said her son takes after his older sister Marissa, who also competed in spelling bees and made it to the state level once. “Marissa was a good speller,” April said. “He took after her, and it was fun to watch. By watching Marissa compete in spelling bees when she was younger, I think it sparked his interest more.”
Leeb continued on pg. 2
Braedyn Leeb enjoys playing Scrabble as a way to prepare for the spelling bee each year. He also reads books and studies the dictionary to learn new words.