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BENTON AG Section B
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11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN 56379
Sinclair resigns as superintendent
Seasonal routine
Position vacant July 1, 2020 ily,’” Sinclair said. “That was eye-opening for me.” Sinclair has worked SAUK RAPIDS – for Little Falls CommuniThe Sauk Rapids-Rice ty Schools, Brainerd PubSchool District will be lic Schools and Sauk Rapgoing through another ids-Rice Public Schools. transition at the close of In each district he has been involved the 2019-20 with projects school year. that required Superintenextensive dent Aaron community inSinclair anteraction and nounced his behind-theresignation at scenes work at the Dec. 16 the expense of school board family time. meeting. Beginning Sinclair will at the Jan. 6, serve through 2020, organiJune 30, 2020. Superintendent zational meet“I absoAaron Sinclair ing, Sinclair lutely love and the school being the superintendent of Sauk board will discuss the disRapids-Rice and being a trict’s next steps including part of this community,” areas of focus in the final Sinclair said. “However, six months of Sinclair’s it has become clear to me position, the transition to that I am not able to be a new superintendent and the father and husband I how best to move the disexpect myself to be and trict forward. Since stepping provide the leadership the Sauk Rapids-Rice School into his role, Sinclair has District requires. My fam- helped address open enily is and always will be rollment, collaborate with the business community my priority.” Sinclair has no future and elected officials, implans or employment, plement security upgrades but said the decision was and pass the Pleasantview sparked by a close friend. Elementary School ref“He said, ‘When you erendum, amongst other wake up in 20 years, you projects. We felt we found the won’t wish you worked more but wish you had right fit with Aaron and more time with your fam- respect his decision,” said Ryan Butkowski, board chair. “It was obviously a very thought-out and wellintended decision for his family. I appreciate your service to the school district.” Amidst the decision is celebration for Sinclair’s family. “There were tears of joy at home which was validating for me,” Sin-
Bemboom busy amid winter holidays as UPS driver
BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER
OBITUARIES...PG. 4 • Linda L. Neu • Diane A. Schloeder • Marilyn J. Schueller
BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY ANNA HINKEMEYER
Greg Bemboom stands in front of his UPS Inc. delivery truck Dec. 17 in Sauk Rapids. Bemboom has been delivering packages for UPS in Sauk Rapids for 17 years, but has worked for the company for 28 years.
SAUK RAPIDS – Awaiting a package, you watch the tracking information on your phone for the approximate delivery window. If you live in Sauk Rapids, the man who delivers the merchandise may likely be Greg Bemboom. Bemboom, a Sauk Rapids resident, has worked for UPS Inc. for 28 years and has been driving delivery routes since 1995. “I love getting to know the people on my route,” Bemboom said. “When the Sauk Rapids route opened up for bid 17 years ago, I knew I wanted it. It makes a big difference when people know their driver.” During the holiday season
when parcel shipments increase, Bemboom’s hours in the truck follow suit. From Thanksgiving through late January, Bemboom averages over 50 hours each week. A typical day in July or August has about 120 stops with 220 packages, but Bemboom’s busiest day this holiday season was Dec. 6 when he delivered 550 packages at over 320 stops. “It is a very stressful job this time of year, very hectic,” Bemboom said. “I think I have been here so long though that I am used to it. You learn to take it one stop at a time.” After arriving at work at 7:45 a.m. each day, Bemboom organizes his truck. During the busy season,
Bemboom page 3
Advent, a time to prepare Zimmerman explains the four-week reflection period BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – Amid the hustle and bustle of shopping for gifts, baking desserts and family gatherings, Advent encourages reflection. Area churches are ending the third week of Advent. Among them is Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids. “Advent is such a short but special season,” said the Rev.
Advent page 3
PUBLIC NOTICES
School board page 4
Vol. 165, No. 37
PHOTO BY ANNA HINKEMEYER
The Rev. Ralph Zimmerman lights the third candle on the Advent wreath Dec. 18 at Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids. The Advent season began Dec. 1 and will conclude Christmas Eve which then begins the Christmas season.
• Minden Township Notice of Filing - pg. 0 • Sauk Rapids Township Notice of Filing - pg. 0 • Watab Township Notice of Filing - pg. 0 • Mayhew Lake Township Notice of Filing - pg. 0
• Benton County Board of Commissioners Reg. Minutes, Dec. 3, 2019 - pg. 0 • Benton County Summary Budget Statement 2020 - pg. 0 • Assumed Name - 34917222-4
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Silent Night, Holy Night These area churches invite you to join them for worship this Christmas season!
Rice
Graham United Methodist
2255 135th St., NE, Rice (320) 393-2145 Sunday School Program and Youth Group Play, Dec. 22, 9:00 am Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24, 8:00 pm Sunday Service, Dec. 29, 9:00 am
Petra Lutheran Church
1049 1st Ave N, Sauk Rapids 320-252-0120 www.petralutheran.com Sunday Service, Dec. 22, 8:00 & 10:30 am Christmas Eve Candlelight, Dec. 24, 6:30 pm Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 9:00 am Sunday Service, Dec. 29, 8:00 & 10:30 am
Riverside Church: Sauk Rapids Campus
Shepherd of the Pines Lutheran 1702 W Highview Dr, Sauk Rapids 1950 125th St NW, Rice (320) 393-4295 sotpministries.com Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24, 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm
763.263.2410 www.MyRiversideChurch.com Christmas Services: Sunday, Dec. 22, 9:00 am & 10:45 am Sunday Service, Dec. 29, 9:00 am & 10:45 am
Sauk Rapids
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Discovery Church
700 18th St. NW, Sauk Rapids (320) 251-5767 www.discoverychurchmn.com Sunday Service, Dec. 22, 9:30 am Christmas Eve Service, Dec. 24, 7:00 pm Sunday Service, Dec. 29, 9:30 am
Harvest Fellowship Church
400 2nd Ave N, Sauk Rapids (320) 529-8838 harvestmn.com Sunday Worship, Dec. 22, 9:00 am & 10:45 am Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24 • 4:00 pm (No Childcare) Christmas Day Julotta Candlit Worship, Dec. 25, 6:30 am at 2011 Hillcrest Dr, St. Cloud
2875 10th Ave NE, Sauk Rapids (320) 251-8115 www.sacredheartsaukrapids.org Sunday Mass, Dec. 22, 8:00 am & 10:00 am Christmas Eve Mass, Dec. 24 4:00 pm & 10:00 pm Christmas Day Mass with Interpreter, Dec. 25, 10:00 am Sunday Mass, Dec. 29, 8:00 am & 10:00 am Holy Day Vigil, Dec. 31, 5:30 pm Holy Day Mass, Jan. 1, 10:00 am
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Members of Trinity Lutheran Youth Ministry – Reagan Hackett (front, from left and Mallory Linkert; (second row, from left) Carly Hackett, Logan Herbst, Sophia Hackett, Emily Heyne, Drew Heyne, Noah Linkert and Evan Linkert; (third row, from left) Justin Hackett, Lindsey Hackett, Anika Wicktor, Alivia Hejhal, Jen Heyne, Randy Heyne and Brian Linkert; (fourth row, from left) Jill Linkert, Shirley Skuza and Lisa Hejhal – and Daryl Sheetz (back), of RJ’s Stables, gather at the Sauk Rapids Public Works building Dec. 8 in Sauk Rapids. The group participated in a wagon ride to Good Shepherd Community and Trinity Lutheran Church, stopping along the way to sing Christmas carols for the assisted living residents.
Youth ministry spend a Sunday caroling SAUK RAPIDS – Members of Trinity Lutheran Youth Ministry gathered Dec. 8 for its second annual wagon ride through the city of Sauk Rapids. The evening trip began at the Sauk Rapids Public Works building and traveled to Good Shepherd Community where they shared carols before riding to the church for pizza and refreshments.
Alivia Hejhal (from left), Maggie Philabaum and Jayden Felche construct fleece blankets as part of a Trinity Lutheran Youth Ministry service project Oct. 23 in Sauk Rapids. Over 40 youth participated in the event that benefited children at the St. Cloud Hospital and Pathways for Youth.
Trinity Lutheran Church
2163 Mayhew Lake Rd NE, Sauk Rapids (320) 252-3670 www.trinitysr.org Sunday Morning Service, Dec. 22, 8:30 & 10:30 am (Please bring a breakfast item to share.) Christmas Eve Service, Dec. 24, 3:00 & 5:00 pm Sunday Worship, Dec. 29, Christmas Day Service, Dec. 25, 9:00 am & 10:45 am 9:00 am Sunday Night Worship, Dec. 29, Sunday Morning Service, Dec. 29, 6:30-8:00 pm 8:30 & 10:30 am
Living Waters Lutheran Church
St. Cloud
Abounding Joy Lutheran 6000 Co Rd 120, St. Cloud (320) 217-8784 www.aboundingjoy.org Sunday Service, Dec. 22, 10:00 am Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24, 6:00 pm Sunday Service, Dec. 29, 10:00 am
Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas Àlled with Love, Joy and Peace!
A team of Percheron horses, owned by RJ’s Stables of Sauk Rapids, pulls the Trinity Lutheran Youth Ministry Dec. 8 in Sauk Rapids. This was the second year the group took the horse-drawn tour through town.
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1911 4th Ave N, Sauk Rapids (320) 255-1135 www.lwlcmn.org Sunday Worship, Dec. 22, 8:30 & 10:30 am Christmas Eve in the Barn, 5400 Golden Spike Rd NE, Sauk Rapids, Dec. 24 Noon, 1:30, 3 & 4:30 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, Dec. 24 • 6:00 & 11:00 pm at the Church FREE Christmas Dinner at Noon Dec. 25
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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | Page 3
NEWS
Bemboom from front delivery trucks do not leave for their routes before 9:30 a.m. Other times of the year, Bemboom said he can be on the road 30 minutes earlier. “It really depends on the number of packages,” Bemboom said. “This time of year, there are so many more, so it
PHOTOS BY ANNA HINKEMEYER
UPS Inc. driver Greg Bemboom organizes his truck in between stops Dec. 17 in Sauk Rapids. Bemboom has been delivering packages for UPS since 1995.
help us prepare and focus on things like hope, love, peace and joy. It is much more about those things and having patience than it is about the hustle and bustle. Spending time with scripture is a good way to practice that.” Some churches decorate slowly for Christmas, but Sacred Heart keeps the Advent decorations up until the final Mass of the fourth week of Advent before changing the decorations out for the Nativity scene and Christmas trees. Among the Christmas preparations, however, Zimmerman focuses on waiting. “I really enjoy the quiet prayerfulness most in the Advent season,” he said. “I try to do the best I can to make time for it wherever I can. It reflects the reason for the season as we lead up to Christmas. It calls people’s attention to the fact that Advent comes first.”
Advent from front
PHOTOS BY ANNA HINKEMEYER
The Advent wreath sits inside Sacred Heart Parish Dec. 18 in Sauk Rapids. The wreath has four candles – three blueviolet and one pink – to celebrate each week of Advent.
truly a time of reflection and prayer that starts with Advent.” While churches often celebrate similarly, families have many options to commemorate the time of reflection and preparation on their own. A commonality for families with children is the Advent calendar, where the child can pull open a section each day for a prize like a small toy or a piece of candy. Another option is a Jesse Tree, where families read a Bible story surrounding Jesus’s family tree and then hang an ornament. Reading the Gospel of Luke is another common practice leading up to Christmas. While it may not line up directly with the Advent timeline, the tradition starts Dec. 1 by reading the first chapter and continues through Christmas Eve. By the time Christmas morning arrives,
those reading the Gospel of Luke will have read the entire account of Jesus’s life. “Reflecting with the Bible scripture is an important aspect to the Advent season,” Zimmerman said. “The Advent season is meant to
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UPS Inc. driver Greg Bemboom visits with employees at Great River Federal Credit Union while dropping off packages Dec. 17 in Sauk Rapids. Bemboom’s busiest day on the job this season was Dec. 6, where he made over 320 stops and delivered 550 packages.
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and out of the truck, you name it. There are so many safety aspects to worry about.” Over the years, Bemboom and his family have shifted their Christmas plans to accommodate his job. While UPS does not deliver packages Christmas Day, they do Christmas Eve. However, drivers usually complete their routes by 5 p.m. With the support of his family, Bemboom feels it is all in a day’s work; his family will be there when he parks the truck for the day. “It comes with the territory,” Bemboom said. “After being here 28 years, I know how it works. I will never know when I’m going to be home. When my kids were younger, it was harder to not be home, but I don’t feel like I am missing as much anymore. It is certainly hectic and stressful, but I enjoy what I do and the people I get to meet.”
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Ralph Zimmerman of Sacred Heart. “In the church, it is a focused time of preparation and getting ready for Christmas. I always use the three P’s in reference to Advent – promise, prophets and pregnancy. It’s as simple as it is, really.” Advent is the fourweek season of the Christian liturgical year leading up to the birth of Christ. In the Roman Catholic faith, Advent is symbolized by the blue-violet color and wreath, according to kZimmerman. Four candles – three violet and one pink – adorn the evergreens. The pink candle symbolizes Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent. The readings for Catholic Mass rotate every three years and are currently in cycle A, focusing on the Gospel of Matthew. In this Gospel, the first week of Advent focuses on the genealogy and reminds of the second coming. The second week introduces John the Baptist, the third is of rejoicing and the fourth is of preparation as Mary and Joseph make their way to Bethlehem. “Advent is the beginning of a wonderful time of year for the church,” Zimmerman said. “We go through Advent and Christmas, then celebrate the Holy Family, the Solemnity of Mary on Jan. 1, the Epiphany of the Lord Jan. 6 and the baptism (of Jesus) Jan. 12. It is
takes longer for our staff to load the trucks.” Bemboom is comfortable with his route and said his customers are comfortable with him. In a society where porch pirating is a common occurrence, Bemboom helps prevent theft by placing packages in inconspicuous areas. Bemboom said he has a list of garage door codes for people along his route to help further prevent theft. While on his delivery route, Bemboom dresses in his brown uniform – shorts and Tshirts for summertime delivery and long thick pants, shirts, jackets and hats for frigid delivery days. With the extra gear, colder temperatures and possible snowstorms, Bemboom said completing deliveries can be a challenge. “There are so many things that can slow you down,” Bemboom said. “The roads can be slick, there can be icy conditions in areas we get in
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Page 4 | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
Sauk Rapids Police Department activity Dec. 9 1736 hrs: Officers dispatched animal control for a cat on the 1900 block of Highview Drive East. The cat was brought to the police department until it could be transferred to the Tri-County Humane Society. Dec. 10 1833 hrs: Officers responded to the railroad tracks near Second Avenue South and Benton Drive for a vehicle stuck on the railroad tracks after colliding with a snowbank. Vehicle was removed from tracks shortly after officer arrival. Dec. 13 2248 hrs: Officers responded to the 1800 block of Osauka Road Northeast for a vehicle pulling a sled of juveniles around. Officers were unable to locate the vehicle. Incidents: 46 parking violations, 24 traffic stops, 19 medical calls, 15 assists, 12 welfare checks, 12 various calls, 8 suspicious activity reports, 8 accidents, 8 civil complaints, 8 animals, 7 thefts, 5 alarms, 4 human services reports, 4 domestics, 4 tows, 2 child, 2 disturbances, 2 suicidal persons, 2 records checks, 2 predatory offender registries, 2 frauds and 2 vehicles.
Rice Police Department activity Dec. 10 1922 hrs: Officers responded to a complaint on the 2300 block of Pine Road Northwest from someone who sold an item and received counterfeit money from the buyer. Officers collected video and other evidence. Incidents: 4 various calls and 2 thefts.
School board from front
clair said. “I have enjoyed my time here and am proud of the accomplishments. I will be able to drive by Pleasantview in a few years and be proud of the work of the district and community coming together. I feel like we have listened to the community, and I hope I am leaving the district in a better situation than when I found it.” In other board news: - Approved the 2020 levy in the amount of $10,262,207.90, an increase of $1,323,909.19 over 2019. This year’s levy is broken up with $4,282,692.31 in the general fund, $274,283.75 in the community service fund and $5,705,231.84 in the debt service fund. - Approved Ehlers Investment Partners to act as the district’s investment manager and TD Ameritrade International to act as an official depository for the 2020A bond proceed funds belonging to the district. The board also approved Ehlers to issue $35.87 million in general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $37.125 million. - Twenty-two district representatives visited elementary schools in Otsego, Wayzata, Chisago Lakes and Princeton Dec. 16. All of the schools have been built within the last four years, and the trip was meant as a way to brainstorm for the Pleasantview Elementary School rebuild. Each of the representatives on the trip will submit feedback to be considered by the design team. - Sinclair shared a number of awards being given to the school board at the upcoming Minnesota School Board Association conference Jan. 16-17, 2020, in Minneapolis. Sauk Rapids-Rice is one of five in the state receiving the board of distinction award. Lisa Loidolt will receive an award for leadership development. Tracy Morse will receive the director’s award. Robyn Holthaus and Mark Hauck will be presented president’s awards. Ryan Butkowski will be recognized as a 2020 rising star.
11 Second Ave. N., Unit 103 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 (320) 251-1971 Sauk Rapids Herald (USPS 21690) is published weekly, 52 times a year, by Star Publications, 11 2nd Ave N, Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379-1651. Second-class Postage paid at Sauk Rapids, MN 56379. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sauk Rapids Herald, 11 Second Ave N, Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379-1651.
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County elected officials will see raises in 2020 Commissioners approve salary increases BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
FOLEY – Benton County’s elected officials will see extra dollars in their bank accounts come 2020. The board of commissioners set salaries for itself and the elected positions of auditor-treasurer, county attorney and sheriff. Auditor-treasurer Nadean Inman, sheriff Troy Heck and county attorney Philip Miller will have a 4% increase applied to their salaries, effective Jan. 1, 2020. Inman will be
salaried at $97,344, Heck at $114,736 and Miller at $123,735. Miller is one of the county’s highest paid employees. When the county issued its salary notice per state statute of their three highest paid employees in October, the position of county attorney was identified alongside county administrator, occupied by Monty Headley who was salaried at $133,099 in 2019, and human services director Robert Cornelius, who was allotted a $119,621 salary in 2019. Commissioners A. Jake Bauerly, Spencer
Buerkle, Steve Heinen, Warren Peschl and Ed Popp will see a 2.5% increase in pay. Each commissioner will receive a 2020 salary of $30,162, a $736 increase over 2019. The per diem for commissioners remains at $60. In other board news: - Approved the 2020 Benton County levy and budget. The county will operate on a $45 million budget in the next year, reducing spending by $624,878. Commissioners levied $20,119,369 – an increase of $392,835 – for 2020. - Approved fee schedule changes for 2020. Added fees include a $20 fee for an auctioneer’s license, a temporary liquor license fee of $50, a gam-
Final 2020 Benton County Levy Revenue Fund ...................................... $12,079,773 Highway .....................................................$2,078,162 Human Services .....................................$4,945,247 Debt Service ................................................ $949,187 Capital Projects-Highway ..........................$67,000 Total Certified Levy ............................. $20,119,369
bling license application fee of $10, a delinquent and forfeiture publication fee paid at actual cost, and late fees for renewing liquor and tobacco licenses after expiration. The county will also add a $500 fee for a planned unit development amendment which is consistent with what has been charged in the past, but the fee was never listed. - Approved a 2.5% wage increase for nonunion employees, effective Jan. 1, 2020. - Appointed Paul Wesenberg and Greg Bruestle to three-year terms on the park board, expiring June 30, 2022. The two had originally been appointed to a one-year term each which expired June 30 to create staggering terms after the park board’s reimplementation. - Reappointed Scott Johnson (district 1), Dan Gottwalt (district 2) and Jane DeAustin (district 5) to three-year terms on the board of adjustment and planning commission. The terms will expire Dec. 31, 2022.
Pulse on people
Benton County marriage applications ter of Joel and Trisha Bemboom of Rice, studBrent Daniel Ackerman and Trista Aubrey ied in Greco-Roman during the fall semester Buckalew, both of Sauk Rapids. 2019 through the Center of Global Education at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph and St. Sartell students graduate from MSU Moor- John’s University in Collegeville. Bemboom is a head junior psychology major at CSB. MOORHEAD – Minnesota State University The Greco-Roman program gives students the in Moorhead will award degrees to more than 500 opportunity to explore classical subjects of histostudents during its fall commencement program ry, religion, art history and literature while living Thursday, Dec. 19, in the university’s Nemzek in modern day Athens and Rome. While students Fieldhouse. The 1 p.m. ceremony will include two are exposed to Greek and Italian language, coursSartell High School alumnae who are receiving es are taught in English, both in the classroom bachelor’s degrees. Olivia Garner is receiving a and on historical and archaeological sites or in degree in graphic design, and Kia Grindland is museums. The focus is based on a structured curreceiving a degree in elementary inclusive educa- riculum, always leaving room for the exploration tion. of opportunities presented by the intellectual and For those who cannot attend commence- cultural resources of Greece and Italy. M. Sheila ment, it will be streamed live online at https:// Nelson, associate professor of sociology and firstwww.mnstate.edu/registrar/graduation. year seminar at CSB and SJU, is the director of the trip for fall 2019. Bemboom studying in Greco-Roman ST. JOSEPH – Megan Bemboom, daugh-
Advertising: Our ad takers have no authority to bind Deadlines: The deadline for most news in the Herald is noon on Wednesthis newspaper, and only publication of an advertisement day. Exceptions are obituaries which have a deadline of 10 a.m. Thursday. shall constitute final acceptance of the advertiser’s order. The deadline for advertisements in the Herald is 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Letters: Letters to the editor and other opinion articles are welcomed. Letters must be signed with first and last name and include address and phone Subscription Rates: Free in Sauk Rapids and Rice number. Letters should be short and to the point (400 words or less). We P.O. boxes, city routes and rural routes. reserve the right to edit lengthy letters. Benton, Stearns or Sherburne Counties $50 per year Corrections/Clarifications: The Herald strives for accuracy. If you would Other counties and outside Minnesota like to report a factual error, please call (320) 251-1971. $55 per year $5 per month for snowbirds Mark Klaphake Joyce Frericks Missy Traeger Jeff Weyer Pat Turner Brian Dingmann Amanda Thooft Maddy Peterson Natasha Barber Maria Bichler Kayla Hunstiger Anna Hinkemeyer
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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | Page 5
Linda L. Neu
Mass of Christian Burial was 11 a.m. Dec. 16 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sauk Rapids for Linda L. Neu, age 68, who passed away Dec. 12, 2019, at the St. Cloud Hospital surrounded by her family. The Rev Ralph Zimmerman officiated and entombment was at Hilltop Mausoleum in Sauk Rapids. Visitation was from 3-7 p.m. Sunday at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids and one hour prior to the services Monday at the church. Parish prayers were at 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Linda was born May 6, 1951, in St. Cloud to Clifford and Alfrieda (Kampa) Jacquemart. She
Linda L. Neu
married Duane Neu June 19, 1971, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Minden Township. Linda graduated from Foley High School in 1969 and has lived in the Sauk Rapids area most of her life. She worked in customer service for PCI, Merrill May, Astound, and Capital One. Linda was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where
Marilyn J. Schueller
A celebration of life will be a later date for Marilyn J. Schueller, 77, of Sartell, who passed away Monday, Dec. 16, 2019 surrounded by her loving family at Edgewood Senior Living in Sartell. Marilyn was born Sept. 8, 1942, in St. Cloud to Theodore and Emma (Schuster) Olson. She married Henry Oehrlein and they later divorced. She married Arnie Hodel and they later divorced. Marilyn then married Ervin Schueller and they divorced years later. She lived in Sauk Rapids for 30 years and in Sartell for the last 34 years. Marilyn was a teacher for Reach-
Marilyn J. Schueller
Up/ Head Start for many years and also worked for Catholic Charities for a number of years before her retirement. Marilyn loved country music, dancing and being outside in the sunshine. She was very approachable, had a kind spirit and loved to laugh and have fun with
Diane A. Schloeder
Diane a. Schloeder, 81 passed Dec. 10, 2019. A Celebration of Life will be noon Sunday, Dec. 22, at the Ulitmate Sports Bar in Waite Park. Diane was born Sept. 29, 1938, in Princeton to John and Evelyn (Boyn) Erickson. Diane grew up in St. Cloud and on the river in Sartell. After high school she moved to Minneapolis and became a beautician. Afer returning to the St. Cloud area she was
Diane A. Schloeder
united in marriage to Donald L. Schloeder for 16 years. She also worked at the St. Cloud Hospital for
she was involved with the bazaar and was a former usher. She volunteered at the Benton County Historical Society. Linda was an avid Vikings fan and enjoyed Bingo, crocheting, coffee, stovetop popcorn, Jello wiggles, the cabin in Motley, and Riverside Resort. She had a great sense of humor and was known for her one liners. Her grandkids lit up her life and were very special to her! Linda is survived by her husband of 48 years, Duane of Sauk Rapids; daughters and son, Jen (Tim) Smith of Cambridge, Sarah Neu of Sauk Rapids, Phil Neu (Kari Hommerding) of Sartell, and Emily (Lance) Wurm of Silver Lake; sisters and brothers, Judy (Clarence) Kiffmeyer of Sauk Rapids,
Jerry (Kathy) Jacquemart of Foley, Elaine Kowski of St. Cloud, Mary (Curt) Jurek of Foley, Bill (Barb) Jacquemart of St. Cloud, Donald (Linda) Jacquemart of Foley, Roger Jacquemart of St. Paul, and Carol (Jim) McNaughton of Monticello; and grandchildren, Gabby, Garrett, Kylin, Kayzley, Quinn, Corbin, and a baby on the way. Linda was preceded in death by her parents; father-inlaw and mother-in-law, Marvin and Kathleen Neu; and brother-in-law, Syl Kowski. Obituary, guest book and video tribute available at http://www. williamsdingmann.com R-51-1B
her friends and family. Marilyn will always be remembered for loving her grandbabies and spending time with her family and her beloved dog, Bella. Survivors include her sons and daughter, Mark (Kim) Oehrlein of Brainerd, Scott (Mary) Oehrlein of St. Cloud, Paul (Barb) Oehrlein of Anchorage, Alaska, Robin (Greg) Hadley of St. Cloud and Jamie (Jennifer) Oehrlein of St. Joseph; sisters and brother, Lois (Duane) Paulson of St. Cloud, Rosemary (Vernon) Bullock of Silver Bay, and Ken (Maxine) Olson of St. Cloud; 15 grandchildren; three great grandchildren with two on the way and her cherished best friend, Gail Beckner. She was
preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Ted, Jr., Carl, Robert and Richard Olson; and sister, Helen DeLaney. To honor Marilyn’s life, memorials can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, MinnesotaNorth Dakota Chapter at https://alz.org/mnnd or to Alzheimer’s Association 600 25th Ave S,, St. Cloud, MN 56301. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for St. Croix Hospice for the excellent and compassionate care that was given to Marilyn in her final days. Obituary and guest book available at http:// www.williamsdingmann. com R-51-1B
18 years. Diane enjoyed sewing, fishing, vacations out west with her kids and her dog “Scratch”. She was a strong willed, feisty, honest, hardworking woman who had a great sense of humor. Diane is survived by her son Brandon Schloeder and daughter Joli Schloeder, both of St. Cloud. She also has two younger siblings, Beverly Eich of St. Cloud and Patricia Crane of Waite Park. The family would like to thank Gary Vogtlin, St. Cloud for his compassion
and generosity, as well as longtime friend Pat Wesp and Julie Orth. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband on Sept. 10, 1995, and infant sons, Roy Lee and Eric Stephan Schloeder; and longtime companion Bobby Sura of Holdingford. A special thank you to Tom Frericks of the Ultimate Sports Bar in Waite Park for his generosity and services to help us in celebrating Diane’s life. R-51-1B
Rice man hits it big
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Mark Larson smiles in shock after winning over $112,000 playing Martian Invasion at the American Legion Post No. 473 Nov. 26 in Rice. Larson received the payout from the electronic game company, Pilot Games Inc. of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, last week.
Larson wins over $112,000
RICE – The season’s first snowfall did not bother Old Creamery Café owner Mark Larson. As schools closed and community members prepped for cold weather Nov. 27, Larson felt pretty secure after winning over $112,000 the evening before. After playing an electronic gambling device for about six hours at the American Legion Post No. 473 in Rice Nov. 26, time and patience paid off. Larson hit the progressive jackpot on a $1 bid at 11:27 p.m. and won $112,130.24. He was playing the flash bingo game, Martian Invasion. Pilot Games which is headquartered in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, began in St. Paul in 2014. The company has six partner offices in Minnesota.
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Page 6 | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
EDITORIAL
Christmas pests
If you buy live Christmas trees or branches for decoration, please inspect them for pests that may be infecting them. Elongate hemlock scale, boxwood blight, oriental bittersweet, gypsy moth and other insects or diseases may be hiding on your holiday BY LINDA G. greenery. Consequently, ChristTENNESON mas trees and live plant decoraGreen and tions should not be disposed of Growing in in compost piles or other places Benton County where pests can survive the winter and then cause damage in the spring. Detailed descriptions and information on these pests may be found by doing an online search but here are abbreviated versions. Elongate hemlock scale are actually small insects that eat the sap of plants. Once they start feeding, they tend to remain on one plant, but the immature insects may be spread by birds or the wind. They may appear as small, yellow-brown parallel-sided spots on the underside of conifer needles. This insect was found in Minnesota on holiday greenery in 2018 and 2019 but has not yet been found on Minnesota trees. The small spots that may look like soil are eggs overwintering on the needles. Look for yellow banding on the top of infested needles or spots on the undersides. Infestation causes the crowns of conifer trees to be thin. This insect typically overwinters as an egg or as a female insect carrying eggs. Boxwood blight is a fungus easily transported on infected boxwood greenery that is used for wreaths, etc. Boxwood blight has become a serious threat to nursery production and to boxwoods in the landscape. Spots on the undersides of the leaves may be a sign of infection. It has been found in 22 states but not yet in Minnesota. Oriental bittersweet has bright orange berries that are attractive for use in holiday decorations. However, the plant is on the Minnesota noxious weed list. If the berries are left outside where birds can eat them, the seeds may be moved to places where the plant can germinate and grow in new locations. American bittersweet is a native plant that does not cause damage. It has orange fruit capsules where the oriental bittersweet capsules are yellow. The fruit inside the capsules is orange on both plants. Oriental bittersweet grows so vigorously that it chokes out native plants, and the weight of its vines can break tree limbs. The thick foliage of these vines can also put too much shade on understory plants. Gypsy moth eggs may also be hiding in holiday greenery. Once hatched and grown into caterpillars, these voracious eaters can defoliate entire trees. This moth and the emerald ash borer can hitchhike on firewood, so it is best to buy wood locally and to use it all at one time. Currently only Lake and Cook counties are gypsy moth quarantined in Minnesota. Our close neighbors, Stearns and Wright counties, are EAB quarantine areas. All of these pests may be misidentified, so it is best to report them or other unusual things found on your holiday greenery to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 888-545-6684 or arrestthepest@state. mn.us. If possible, take a picture and include it with your report. A specialist can confirm the identification. You may keep up to date on pests by subscribing to the Plant Pest Insider through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture online. Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener and Tree Care Advisor.
Letters to the editor welcome
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E-mail to natasha@saukherald.com
A hymnal blessing
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. I cannot read nity to celebrate this first coming of Jesus. Let us remember that although Satan bruised this sentence without singing it. This his heel on the cross, Jesus is coming hymn was written by Louisa M. R. again and will crush Satan’s head. Stead (1850-1917). The chorus of the As we spend our time here in the song is written as follows: meantime, take Jesus at his word, rest “‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, upon his promise. Each day is anothand to take him at his word; er day of grace, more time for you to just to rest upon his promise, go and sin no more. Our time is short and to know, ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ and eternity is at stake. Put the phones Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! down when you are with family and How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! BY MERCY NYGAARD friends and make Jesus’s name known. It is time to stop running this race on O for grace to trust him more!” Life by Faith your own as if you can accomplish Louisa and her husband had a anything that will benefit you past this daughter and named her Lily. Hymnologist life. Kenneth Osbeck describes a major turning “O for grace to trust him more!” point in the family’s life. “When the child was years of age, the family decided one day to enjoy the sunny beach at Long Island Sound, New York. While eating their picnic lunch, they suddenly heard cries of help and spotted a drowning boy in the sea. Mr. Avoiding consequences Stead charged into the water. As often happens, however, the struggling boy pulled his rescuer By James A. Hovda, Rice On the electronic news, I noted with interest that under water with him, and both drowned beBoston Marathon bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, is fore the terrified eyes of wife and daughter. appealing his death sentence handed out in federal Out of her ‘why?’ struggle with God during the court. His actions killed and seriously injured many ensuing days glowed these meaningful words people – innocent citizens who wanted to watch the from the soul of Louisa Stead.” finish of a race. This awful event inspired the lyrics of the Dzhokhar had no trouble taking life. Now that it hymn, “Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” Louisa is his turn, and he does not want to go that path. It is Stead’s hymn was first published in Songs of a common theme: causing trouble and not wanting to Triumph (1882). face the consequences. This hymn brings me much peace and joy. My daughter hand lettered the title and I put it on our Christmas card this year. When I look at The birth of Christ our family’s picture under the words my daugh- Pat Fouquette, Sauk Rapids ter wrote, I marvel at what God can do when History records the birth that day you simply trust him. Through trials, through Around the world, as all will say pain, through uprooting and stripping away A man-child is born in a land afar and swallowing pride, God can transform our Known of this birth by a single star attitudes and desires into what we could never Gifts were given, as he were a king have imagined. Mankind through age would praise and sing “Just to rest upon his promise.” Centuries have passed, each year on that day God has given many promises in the Bible All will remember this child where he lay and the one we can rest in, no matter what hap- Solemn and peaceful around the earth pens in this time here on earth, is the promise As the world recalls the day of his birth God gave when he turned to the serpent and Still o’er the land the setting is peace said, “And I will put enmity between you and As love and warmth, the day will release the woman, and between your seed and her Down through time even strife and scorn seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall Not forgotten this child was born Christmas it is called when joy fills the air bruise His heel.” God promised to Adam and Eve that day, Peace of heart in man everywhere not death that they deserved but life, and that Centuries ago, a child of that day through their life, Jesus would come one day Still captures the heart of man as they say as our Savior. Each year we get the opportu- Merry Christmas
Letters to the editor
EDITORIAL
SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | Page 7
November weather, phenology in review Weather: Warmer and more precipitarespectively. tion than last year. The average high and low Phenology: All the normal winter temperatures were 35.7 and 23.8 degrees, rebirds are here. Keeping the feeders snow-free spectively – about 3 degrees warmer than last has been a challenge, but we are rewarded year. The warmest and coldest days were 47 with a lot of bird activity. Several bald eagles degrees on Nov. 19 and minus 2 degrees Nov. have been on the lake, sitting by the edge of 12. This was one of the earliest below zero open water and looking for fish. As more snow days in November. Last year, the last half of accumulates on the ground, the birds pay more November was cold. attention to the feeders and the heated bird Precipitation-wise, we received 1.33 BY JIM HOVDA bath is a popular place. Rice inches for the month that included melted Little Rock Lake: The lake froze over snow from 7.2 inches of the white stuff. Last Nov. 8. Last year, it was Nov. 10. I thought year, only .95 of an inch of precipitation from 4.3 inches the lake might reopen because of an extended stretch of of snow. Still, the year total is much more that 2018. It 40-degree weather. There was quite a bit of open water is at 37.44 inches compared to the previous year’s 33.62 in the center of the lake and by the creeks. inches. We started a large snow event Nov. 29 that inAccording to Minnesota State Climatologist Pete cluded snow, sleet and snow pellets. The snow blower Bolay, there was just not enough open water to declare was on the attack for the second time and it is only No- the lake reopened. Only three other years do my records vember. This cyclone bomb was sort of a dud, ending reflect earlier ice-overs of the lake. Dec. 2. Ice conditions on the lake will be challenging as Local weather records: November can be a month the warm weather, rain and snow cover will prevent the of drastic change. The record cold and warm were 23 forming of quality ice for the anglers. Little Rock Lake degrees below zero in 1905 and 75 degrees in 1911. A could be a dangerous place. When will the open water 98-degree difference. The most precipitation and snow turn to ice? were 4.16 inches in 1922 and 25 inches of snow in 1983,
BREAK CROSSWORD
Rethinking a Christmas tradition
inn like that. It’s too messy. The stable is Say what you want about Christmas – it probably cleaner.” is a time of tradition. I am sure there was more than one sigh Food, songs, services, stories, even of relief from the audience, actors and disome television shows have become Christs mas traditions. One of those, with roots at rectors as the play was back on track. d least 800 years old, is the Christmas pagThe story got me wondering if it is posg eant. When regulation of the first Christmas sible that in the retelling of the story over the past 2,000 years, the part of innkeeper enactment started is not really known. What Mirrors e is known is that most people have a pretty has been misunderstood? In the Christmas of Smoke t clear idea about what is supposed to be said story, there are only two villains. One is by HERMAN LENSING - and what the participants should look like. King Herod and the other is the innkeeper at o Bethlehem. Herod is a documented historiThere are whole generations of people t who reached their mid-teens and early 20s thinking cal person who had moments of homicidal insanity. The s shepherds wore bathrobes and towels; that kings wore, innkeeper’s name is unknown to history, but nobody d well, fancier bathrobes and crowns of cardboard, and wants that part in the pageant – simply because he turns . angels have wings that could not possibly get that angel the holy family away. Doves, cows, donkeys and sheep n off the ground. Those elements do not matter as long as get better public relations from the Christmas story than h the story is told and the well-known formula of the story the innkeeper. But might, in the retelling of the story, the innkeeper s is adhered to. The elements familiar to us: the angel appears to have been misunderstood? Might the innkeeper, instead Mary, she and Joseph go to Bethlehem, they are turned of being cold and heartless, have been doing Joseph and away from the inn and go to the stable, the Christ child Mary a favor? And, might all the generations of tellers is born, the angels, shepherd and the magi appear, and of the Christmas story been missing an act of kindness? Consider traveling conditions about 2,000 years “Silent Night” is sung, the audience is wished Merry ago, especially in the province of the Roman Empire Christmas and then dismissed. Sometimes the final song changes, sometimes gifts called Judea. Most people who traveled did not consider are given to directors or teachers, but the formula is staying at inns. There were not that many of them and pretty much down pat which was why I read with inter- so made arrangements to stay with family and friends est a few years ago when an actor almost upset an entire along the way. That was fine if you had family connecnarrative. The pageant was going according to tions and friends. schedule with Mary and Joseph knocking on the door The inns of the day were not the hotels of today or even and asking the innkeeper for a room. The innkeeper’s a low-grade motel. They were focused on carrying for role is pretty straight forward. The family is told there the animals of the various caravans that came through is no room at the inn and wished good luck. The door is an area. They tended to have a stable or yard for the animals. A building with a large room or two on the ground shut in their faces. At this point, the pageant I was reading about al- floor where those who were traveling with the animals most went completely off course. Nobody knows why could sack out for the night. The upper stories, if there the actor playing the innkeeper said what he said. But, were any, were for the owners and their family. With for whatever reason, the innkeeper said, “Well, of the number of people coming into Bethlehem for the course. Come in we have room for you.” He then turned census, extra space was at a premium, and those rooms would have been crowded. around and walked back into the inn. When Joseph and Mary showed up looking for There might have been a few subdued chuckles, but I will almost bet there was a collective gasp from some someplace to stay, the first thought going through the in the audience. Backstage his schoolmates were prob- innkeeper mind was, probably, “Don’t let the baby be ably wondering what went wrong and what they were born here.” Joseph and Mary might not have been too excited supposed to do. An older sibling was wondering how their little brother could have blown that line. Some par- about the possibility either. Having a baby in the crowdents or grandparents were hoping nobody knew what ed inn was probably not what they had in mind. Then, the innkeeper has an idea. His stable, while family that kid was from. All everybody knew was that a story that had been filled with animals, did have a bit of space. It was not a told countless times for about 2,000 years was suddenly great place, but there was some privacy. He may have in danger of coming to a jarring halt. However much offered it to them. Joseph and Mary probably figured it was the best one wants to debate the exact year and month of the Nativity – Jesus being born in a stable in Bethlehem they would get offered in the circumstances and agreed. Maybe the innkeeper is not someone turning away is pretty much cornerstone of the story. If Joseph and Mary do not go to the stable, then a lot of what follows, people asking for help at his door. Maybe, just maybe, including some well-rehearsed songs, are not going to the innkeeper is one more person from the Bible who came to the aid of people he did not know who needed make sense. The scene, and play, were saved by some quick help. Seen in that light – helping strangers in need – might thinking from the actor playing Joseph. Taking a breath, he turned to Mary and said she should wait for a bit. He he not be the one who started the tradition of Christmas mercy? walked into the inn and came out a short time later. “Let’s go,” he said to Mary. “I wouldn’t stay in an
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Page 8 | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
NEWS
WHAT'S HAPPENING Saturday, Dec. 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Holiday Make Tuesday, Dec. 24, 1:30 p.m. – Christmas in a Barn. and Take. For ages 6-12. While supplies last. Great Christmas Eve service with live animals, characters River Regional Library, 251 Fourth Ave. N., Foley. from the biblical story of Jesus’s birth. Presented by the Living Waters Lutheran Church. 5400 Golden Saturday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m. – The Nutcracker Bal- Spike Road, Sauk Rapids. let. Presented by Stroia Ballet Company. For the 35th consecutive year, Stroia Ballet Company brings this Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2-3 p.m. – Christmas Eve Pagholiday classic to stage. Paramount Center for the eant. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4310 County Arts, 913 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. For tickets or Road 137, St. Cloud. more information, call 320-259-5463 or visit http:// Tuesday, Dec. 24, 3 p.m. – Christmas in a Barn. www.paramountarts.org. Christmas Eve service with live animals, characters Saturday, Dec. 21, 6 p.m. – Blue Christmas. Wheth- from the biblical story of Jesus’s birth. Presented by er we are traveling in our grief journey or standing the Living Waters Lutheran Church. 5400 Golden in support of others in our church family and com- Spike Road, Sauk Rapids. munity who celebrate this season with heavy hearts. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. Tuesday, Dec. 24, 4-5 p.m. – Christmas Eve Pageant. Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4310 County N., Sauk Rapids. Road 137, St. Cloud. Saturday, Dec. 21, 7 p.m. – The Nutcracker Ballet. Presented by Stroia Ballet Company. For the 35th Tuesday, Dec. 24, 4:30 p.m. – Christmas in a Barn. consecutive year, Stroia Ballet Company brings this Christmas Eve service with live animals, characters holiday classic to stage. Paramount Center for the from the biblical story of Jesus’s birth. Presented by Arts, 913 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. For tickets or the Living Waters Lutheran Church. 5400 Golden more information, call 320-259-5463 or visit http:// Spike Road, Sauk Rapids. www.paramountarts.org. Wednesday, Dec. 25, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. – ChristSunday, Dec. 22, 3-8 p.m. – Sable Inn Victorian mas Day Dinner. Hosted by Agape Warriors MinisChristmas Open House. Stroll through the decorat- try. Free and open to all. The Waters Church, 1227 ed home while being entertained by carolers and harp Pine Cone Road N., Sartell. music. Ice skating (weather permitting) and horse Wednesday, Dec. 25, noon – Christmas Day Dindrawn sleigh rides. Proceeds benefit the CROSS ner. Gather at 11 a.m. Meal at noon. All invited. LivCenter in Foley. Sable Inn Bed and Breakfast, 10631 ing Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Glen St., Foley. Sauk Rapids. For more information, including ride Monday, Dec. 23, 6-8 p.m. – Holiday Open Skate. arrangements, call 320-255-1135. Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, 1204 Fourth Thursday, Dec. 26, noon to 4 p.m. – Holiday Open Ave. S., St. Cloud. Skate. Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, 1204
Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud. Friday, Dec. 27, noon to 4 p.m. – Holiday Open Skate. Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, 1204 Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud. Friday, Dec. 27, 2-5 p.m. – Open Skating. No pucks, sticks or horseplay. Skate rentals available at rink office. Children under age 13 must be accompanied by an on-site adult. Sports Arena East, 1410 Third Ave. S., Sauk Rapids. Saturday, Dec. 28, 5-7 p.m. – Fireworks at the Country Lights Festival. Festival includes cookies, hot chocolate, music and bonfires and ends with a brief fireworks display. Sartell Community Center, 850 19th St. S., Sartell. Monday, Dec. 30, 7:30 p.m. – Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience. Paramount Center for the Arts, 913 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. For more information or tickets, visit http://www.paramountarts.org. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. – Tonic Sol Fa – New Year’s Eve. Paramount Center for the Arts, 913 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. For more information or tickets, visit http://www.paramountarts.org. Thursday, Jan. 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Great River Regional Coin Club Monthly Meeting. Miller Auto Marine Sports Plaza, 2930 Second St. S., St. Cloud. Thursday, Jan. 2, 7 p.m. – American Legion Post No. 254 Monthly Meeting. VFW Post No. 6992, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids.
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BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 3, 2019 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on December 3, 2019 in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN with Commissioners Warren Peschl, Ed Popp, Spencer Buerkle and Jake Bauerly present and Commissioner Steve Heinen absent (excused). Call to order by Chair Bauerly was at 7:00 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Peschl/Popp unanimous to approve the amended agenda—add item: Collective Bargaining Agreement with Operating Engineers Local 49, Representing Highway Maintenance Workers. Chad Popp (2281 – 165th St NE, Rice), Denny Popp (2028 – 165th St NE, Rice), Shawn Hackett (1730 – 165th St NE, Rice) and Mary Popp (2028 – 165th St NE, Rice) were present under Open Forum to inquire about the possibility of tarring a two-mile stretch of CR 40 between CR 78 and Highway 25. Several members of the group noted that this is a tar-ready road and an opportune time to tar in conjunction with the CR 78 project. Chair Bauerly announced that the County Board is conducting a Truth in Taxation public meeting on the County’s proposed 2020 budget and levy; the purpose of this meeting is to take questions and comments from the public. Monty Headley, County Administrator, presented a summary of the major factors in the proposed 2020 budget and levy: • The proposed 2020 levy increases 1.99%, or $392,835 from 2019, to a total of $20,119,369 • With this proposed change for 2020, the ten-year average levy change for Benton County is a 0.87% increase (the proposed 2020 levy is $169,000 higher than it was ten years ago) • The proposed levy keeps the increase below the 7.8% expected growth in the County’s payable 2020 tax capacity, which translates into a reduced County tax rate in 2020; the estimated 2020 County tax rate will fall from 61.5% to 58.16% of tax capacity (down from a peak of 77.74% in 2013) • The proposed 2020 operating budget totals $45,067,381, a decrease of $624,878, or a 1.4% reduction from 2019 • The proposed levy increase is comprised of the following major elements: o Employee compensation and benefits $551,053 o Additional County Program Aid (245,061) o Funded “Policy Issues”(new funding) 271,943 o All other operating and capital budget changes (185,100) Total Levy Change for 2020 $392,835 • The proposed budget includes the following “Policy Issues”: o An additional Supervisor positionin Human Services,based on a Human Services study recommendation to reduce the number of direct reports for current supervisors ($93,387) o Abolishing a vacant Community Health Specialist position to help fund the new Supervisor position ($81,082 in savings) o A Deputy Director position for Human Services as recommended by the Human Services study ($114,048/$81,599 net levy after revenue offsets) o A part-time position for the License Center to address increased customer volume at the DMV counter ($18,552) o Adding $35,000 to Auditor-Treasurer for increased election year expenses o Funding a new payroll and Human Resources information management system ($17,612) o Using $36,875 in reserves for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) for the Sheriff’s Office o Using the County Board’s contingency account in 2020 to fund a new leadership training program for County managers • The 2019 State Legislature increased County Program Aid (local government aid) by $27 million statewide; this increase, plus the County Program Aid formula, provides Benton County with an additional $245,061 in Aid for 2020; the County’s total certified County Program Aid for 2020 is $2.7 million; without this additional County Program Aid, the County’s proposed levy increase would be 3.2%. Headley explained where the county’s resources come from (45% from property taxes) and where the dollars are spent (salaries, wages and benefits make up 50% of the total “all funds” budget); the top three functions of Human Services, Highway and General Governmental comprise 73% of the County’s proposed 2020 budget. He noted that the County’s outstanding bonded debt has been substantially reduced in recent years and, consequently, the debt service that is necessary for that. Headley presented a listing of approved 2020 policy issues as well as a summary of funding to outside agencies. Chair Bauerly called for those wishing to speak during the public meeting portion. John Dvorak (4914 – 45th St NE, Sauk Rapids) commented “...I recently had an appraisal to refinance and the county assessed it $200,000 more than what the bank would consider its value...something has to be done to determine how you come up with those values for these bigger properties...” (This portion of the meeting concluded at 7:22 AM) Popp/Buerkle unanimous to approve the Consent Agenda: 1) approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2019 as written; 2) approve 2020 Tobacco
PUBLIC NOTICES
SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | Page 9
License Applications—Coyote Moon Grille; Holiday Stationstore #348; Pojo’s Store; Hasso Briese American Legion Post #473; Gilman Liquor Store; Pine’s Edge Grocery; and Shady’s Railside; 3) approve Material Purchase Agreement with Minnesota Paving & Materials and authorize the Chair to sign; and 4) approve final payment to Knife River, Inc. for Construction Project 005-2019BO—Seasonal Bituminous Overlay Project, and authorize the Chair to sign. The next item on the agenda was a public hearing to consider Ordinance No. 476, amending Ordinance No. 387, The Cove Planned Unit Development District. Roxanne Achman, Department of Development Director, explained that the developers of The Cove (Watab Township) are requesting to amend Ordinance #387, which establishes The Cove, for the purpose of combining several lots throughout the development; the combination of lots will result in an overall reduction of 17 lots. Jim Brownson, President of The Cove Development Company, stated that this project started many years ago; it is his hope that the larger lots will be more appealing to the market. The public hearing was opened at 7:28 PM. Russ Pikus (5635 NE River Road, Sauk Rapids) pointed out that he owns the outlot and everything south of that line to Frost Road—approximately 108 acres for future development. Pikus stated his plans to build a home on a combination of three lots. With no one else wishing to address the County Board, the public hearing was closed at 7:31 PM. Peschl/Popp unanimous to approve Ordinance No. 476, amending Ordinance No. 387, the Cove Planned Unit Development District, as recommended by the Planning Commission, and authorize the Chair to sign. The next item on the agenda was a public hearing to consider preliminary approval of a major plat entitled “The Cove Replat”, submitted by property owners Cove Development Company (Jim Brownson) and Next Phase LLC (Russell Pikus). Achman explained that, in order to combine lots, the applicants must go through the full preliminary and final plat process; due to the number of lots, this is considered a major plat and must go through additional public hearings. She noted that an infrastructure installation agreement is in place and the township streets within The Cove were recently completed and accepted by Watab Township; the final infrastructure that needs to be installed for this development is the waste water treatment facility. Achman added “...in 2009, the infrastructure agreement was amended for the second time...the first time was to extend the time period in which the waste water treatment facility had to be installed...the second time it was amended it was discovered there needed to be a certain amount of homes installed before it would even make sense for a waste water plant to be installed...and that number was 31... since then, Jim has been working with the MPCA on a new design for a waste water treatment facility that would allow him to install it now and increase the size of it as the need arises...the Development Code states, and the infrastructure agreement states, that these items must be completed either by a deadline or before we are allowing building permits...we are asking the County Board to recognize that The Cove needs to either renew their infrastructure agreement to include new financial surety to cover the costs of that, or the infrastructure needs to be installed prior to final plat approval...as of now, we only have one escrow amount available to us and it is not nearly enough to cover the costs of the infrastructure that needs to be installed...we are asking that one of those items be approved as a condition of the preliminary plat approval...” Brownson stated “...the original system couldn’t be installed...the County and the MPCA required 31 houses to make it effective...we’ve been pumping out of lift stations until we get to 31 houses... since that occurred in 2006, they’ve come up with a package plant system...we can put in the first phase of that system now...the permit is still sitting with MPCA...I was hoping to have the permit tonight...after the permit, we need a 30-day public notice on the system...we can’t really start putting it in until spring...we put $450,000 in an escrow account which can only be used for the treatment plant...that was our estimate of the system...in addition to that, there is $185,000...that the County has access to...right now, there is approximately $650,000 in the system...we got an initial bid, with a 10% contingency, was $460,000...the funds are actually there to build it...the County doesn’t have access to the escrow but I’ve given Roxanne and Michelle all the documents...so they know I can’t pull any of that money for anything other than that treatment plant...I was hoping there was a way that we could start selling some lots...I did request of Roxanne...if somebody were to come in and buy two lots that are part of this...and we vacate the drainage easement between the lot lines...would they be able to start construction before we have the treatment plant finished...” Michelle Meyer, Assistant County Attorney, explained that the Development Code requires 125% of any project be in a financial surety that the County Board has access to; she noted that the County technically has no access to the $450,000 that Mr. Brownson has referenced. Meyer commented “...the option is that he can either finish installing all of that before you give final plat approval...if he is not able to do that, then we would have to amend that improvements agreement and require that 125% surety...if he wants the plat approved sooner...regarding selling two lots and vacating that easement, technically he could do that...but then the new owners would need to sign off on the plat...” Buerkle commented “...I would sure like to see this thing going forward...and still hold the county harmless...” Bauerly asked the question—can this preliminary plat be approved and the final plat deal with all these details? Ach-
man stated that the Board could approve the preliminary plat, but the final plat would not be allowed to come forward until either the waste water treatment facility is completed or a new infrastructure installation agreement, with sufficient financial surety, is established prior to final plat approval. The public hearing was opened at 7:47 PM. Russ Pikus (5635 NE River Road, Sauk Rapids) commented “... in regard to Outlot M...that’s the only one of mine...I do believe that that could be built on prior to...” Achman confirmed that if Russ Pikus wanted to come forward and final plat just his lot, he could do that. With no one else wishing to address the County Board, the public hearing was closed at 7:49 PM. Achman clarified that Watab Township recommended approval of the preliminary plat and have accepted the roads; there were a number of residents at the Planning Commission meeting in support of allowing this lot combination to occur. Peschl confirmed that the Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat with the conditions as previously noted. Buerkle/Peschl unanimous to approve the preliminary plat of “The Cove Replat”, with the condition that the waste water treatment facility be completed, or a new infrastructure installation agreement with sufficient financial surety be established prior to final plat approval, as recommended by the Planning Commission. Administrator Headley provided a summary of the ratified Operating Engineers Local 49 agreement for 20202022, noting that the County is in active negotiations with the other seven union groups. Buerkle/ Popp unanimous to approve a collective bargaining agreement with Operating Engineers Local 49, representing Highway maintenance employees, for the period of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022, and authorize the Chair to sign. Board members reported on recent meetings they attended on behalf of the county. Under Commissioner Concerns, the Board briefly discussed the requests under Open Forum to pave a stretch of County Road 40. It was noted that although the five-year plan includes paving some gravel roads, that particular road is not in the current plan. The Board also discussed the idea of making a better effort, as a county, to advocate for Broadband dollars; this will be a topic of discussion at a future Committee of the Whole. Peschl/Buerkle unanimous to set Committees of the Whole: December 5, MN DNR Meeting for Residents and Stakeholders of Morrison and Benton Counties to Learn More About the Sustainable Use of Groundwater in the Little Rock Creek Area Plan Implementation; and December 17, Benton County Boundary Commission Public Hearing. Buerkle/Peschl unanimous to adjourn at 8:13 PM. A. Jake Bauerly, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-51-1B
FILING NOTICE MAYHEW LAKE TOWNSHIP Affidavits of Candidacy may be filed with the Clerk at 5248 115th St. NE, from 8 a.m. December 31, 2019 to January 14, 2020 at 5 p.m. for the offices of: 1 - Supervisor - 3 year term 1 - Clerk - 2 year term 1 - Treasurer - 1 year term Filing fee is $2.00 Polls open 12 - 8 p.m., March 10, 2020 Annual Meeting 8:10 p.m., March 10, 2020 Questions: Call Lawrence Thell, Clerk 320-250-5966 R-50-2B
CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter 333 (1) The exact name under which the business is or will be conducted is: 3491722-4. (2) The address of the principal place of business is: 100 South 2nd Ave Ste 101, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota 56379 United States. (3) List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, OR if an entity, provide the legal corporate, LLC, or Limited Partnership name and registered office address: BENTON TAX SERVICE LLC, 100 South 2nd Ave Ste 101, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota 56379 United States. (4) By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath. Judith Zanoth 12/16/2019 R-51-2P
Page 10 | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
Football Contest CONTEST RULES 1. 2. 3.
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Anyone can enter except employees of this newspaper Contest judges are the newspaper staff. Winners will be announced in next week’s Sauk Rapids Herald. Entries due at office by 12 p.m. on Wednesday. Sauk Rapids Herald 11 Second Ave. N., Unit 103 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
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SPORTS
SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | Page 11
Vikings defense squashes Chargers In last Sunday’s mustwin game against the Chargers in Los Angeles, the Minnesota Vikings and their opportunistic defense showed up in a major way. The Vikings forced seven turnovers en route to a 39-10 demolition of the Chargers, and this was exactly the type of game Mike Zimmer’s team needed as they gear up for two huge regular season games to close out the regular season and a potential playoff run. While I acknowledge the 5-9 Chargers are not exactly a juggernaut, they are not chopped liver either. Their resume includes wins over the Packers and Bears, and before Sunday, all of their losses were by seven points or less. Going into Los Angeles and whipping the Chargers by 29 establishes the Vikings as a serious playoff contender. The Vikings continued to do what they have successfully done all year – take care of business against the teams they are supposed to beat. That, combined with 10-plus wins, is usually enough to get a team into the playoffs. It is not every day a defense can force seven turnovers against an NFL offense. The Vikings had not forced seven turnovers in a game since Sept. 24, 1995, when they picked off Jim Miller and Mike Tomczak six times in a rout of the Steelers. On Sunday, the Vikings offense was consistently presented with excellent field position due to their ball-hawking defense, and they were able to convert many of those short fields into points. Honestly, things could have been better. The Vikings settled for Dan Bailey field goals after four of their forays into Chargers territory and left quite a few points on
by ANDY THAYER Sports Columnist
the field. However, other than one interception on a ridiculously athletic play by Melvin Ingram III, the Vikings offense did what they had to do in this game – take care of the ball and continue to extend their lead. Anthony Harris, Mike Hughes and Harrison Smith all intercepted passes from Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers who looked uncomfortable all day and could not find a groove against the persistent Vikings pass rush. The Vikings also forced five fumbles, recovering
four of them. Danielle Hunter was an incorrigible disruptor all afternoon, routinely setting up shop in the Chargers backfield and wreaking havoc. Hunter, who recently became the youngest player in NFL history to rack up 50 sacks, is evolving into more than a pass rusher. In addition to ranking fourth in the league with 13.5 sacks, he is also developing a nose for the football. He forced two fumbles Sunday, and if that becomes a recurring element of his game, he will become one of the very best defensive players in the league à la Khalil Mack and Cameron Jordan. One concerning development from Sunday’s game was a shoulder injury to running back Dalvin Cook who has been the team’s best and most consistent offensive weapon all year. With two massive division games looming against the Packers and Bears,
Public Notice NOTICE OF FILING FOR SAUK RAPIDS TOWNSHIP ELECTION Notice is hereby given to qualified voters of Sauk Rapids Township, Benton County, State of Minnesota, that filing for town officers will be held for a two-week period beginning Tuesday, December 31, 2019 and closing on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at five o’clock p.m. Affidavits of Candidacy shall be filed, with the Township Clerk by appointment between the hours of nine o’clock a.m. and five o’clock p.m. from December 31, 2019 through January 14, 2020 at 4074 5th Avenue NE, Sauk Rapids, MN (please call for 320-250-7413 for an appointment) or at the Sauk Rapids Town Hall (4651 Mayhew Lake Road NE, Sauk Rapids, MN) January 14, 2020 from one o’clock to five o’clock. Filings will close at five o’clock on Tuesday, January 14, 2020. The filing fee is $2.00 and must be paid at the time of filing. Offices to be filled at the March 10, 2020 Annual Elections are: Clerk for a two-year term Supervisor for a three-year term Absentee voting can be accomplished with the Sauk Rapids Township Clerk by appointment between the hours of 9 o’clock a.m. and 5 o’clock p.m. from February 9, 2020 through March 9, 2020 at 4074 5th Ave N.E. Sauk Rapids, MN (please call 320-250-7413 for an appointment) or at the Sauk Rapids Town Hall located at 4651 Mayhew Lake Road NE, Sauk Rapids, MN on Saturday March 7, 2020 between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Posted by Daryl Sheetz Clerk Sauk Rapids Township R-50-2B
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I am sure Cook will do everything he can to be on the field. However, rest might be the best decision for Cook because the Vikings are going to need him on the field in January. Mike Boone did an excellent job in relief of Cook on Sunday, rushing for 56 yards and two touchdowns while putting the nail in the Chargers’ coffin. Alexander Mattison and Boone should provide a reasonable facsimile of Cook’s production if Cook needs a couple of weeks to get right for the playoffs. The Vikings are a formidable and balanced team, and all they need to do is win one of their last two games in the friendly confines of U.S. Bank Stadium to clinch a playoff berth. However, if the defense can continue to play like they did in Los Angeles last Sunday, the ceiling for this team goes from playoff hopeful to Super Bowl contender. Were the defensive improvements sustainable, or are the Chargers just a bad team that has already thrown in the towel on the 2019 season? We will find out Monday night when the 11-3 Packers come to town for a holiday showdown with huge playoff implications.
Public Notices
NOTICE OF FILING FOR MINDEN TOWNSHIP ELECTION Notice is hereby given to qualified voters of Minden Township, Benton County, State of Minnesota that filing for town office will be held for a two week period beginning Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019 and closing on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Affidavits of Candidacy shall be filed with the township Treasurer by appointment between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from December 31, 2019 through January 14th, 2020 (please call 320-251-9074 or 320-333-7978 for an appointment.) Filing will close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2020. the filing fee is $2.00 and must be paid at the time of filing. Offices that will be filled at the March 10th 2020 Annual Elections are: Clerk for a two-year term Supervisor for a three-year term Absentee voting can be accomplished with Minden Township Treasurer at the Minden Town hall located at 2989 Golden Spike Road, Sauk Rapids, MN on Saturday March 10th 2020, between the hours for 9:00 am and 12:00 noon. Posted by Esther Ebnet, Treasurer Cynthia Abraham, Clerk Minden Township FR-50-2B
NOTICE OF FILING FOR WATAB TOWNSHIP ELECTION Notice is hereby given to qualified voters of Watab Township, Benton County, State of Minnesota, that filing for town office will be held for a two-week period beginning December 31st, 2019. Affidavits of Candidacy shall be filed with the Town Clerk by appointment between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from December 31st, 2019 through January 14, 2020. In addition, the office of the Town Clerk will be open from 1- 5pm on January 14th, 2020. Filing will close on January 14th ,2020 at 5:00 p.m. Filing Fee is $2.00 and must be paid at the time of filing. Offices to be filled at the March Annual Election are: Clerk for a Two-Year Term Supervisor for a Three-Year Term Absentee Voting will be at the Clerk’s Office of the Town Hall on Saturday, March 7, 2020 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and noon. There will also be a question on the ballot as follows: TITLE: Adoption of Option B of Form of Government QUESTION: Shall Option B, providing for the appointment of the Clerk by the Town Board, be adopted for the government of the town? Date: December 11, 2019 Christopher Davis, Clerk Watab Township R-50-2B
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Page 12 | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
SPORTS
Gymnasts top Maple Lake SRR prepares for first home meet BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER
The Storm gymnastics team had a successful week of competition on the road, traveling to the Annandale Middle School for the Annandale Holiday Invitational Dec. 14 in Annandale and Maple Lake High School in Maple Lake Dec. 17. Sauk Rapids-Rice earned fifth place in Annandale and won the dual in Maple Lake, 131.45-124.95. SRR has time off from competition until Jan. 2, 2020, where the team hosts its first meet at 6 p.m. against Brainerd. SRR 131.425, Maple Lake 124.95 Bars and floor were the hot performing events for the Storm in Maple Lake Dec. 17 as they earned the win over the Irish. On bars, the Storm claimed the top four spots as well as sixth place. The floor event was similar with the Storm claiming the top four along with seventh place. “The meet went well overall,” said Elizabeth Walek, head coach. “I am very proud of the team and our performance.” SRR also claimed the top three spots all-around with freshman Liberty
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PHOTOS BY ANNA HINKEMEYER
Senior Morgan Thompson stretches out during her beam routine Dec. 17 in Maple Lake. Thompson earned a score of 7.85, good for fourth place in the event.
Kosloski in first, eighthgrader Samantha Caruth in second and freshman Carley Weisenbeck in third. One key member missing from the varsity lineup in Maple Lake was junior Justus Floren who typically competes in all four events. Vault: 3. Kosloski 8.7, 4. Bella Rudolph 8.675, 5. Morgan Thompson 8.625, 6. Weisenbeck 8.55 and 9. Caruth 8.1. Bars: 1. Caruth 8.15, 2. Anna Walz 8.025, 3. Weisenbeck 7.6, 4. Kosloski 7.575 and 6. Sophia Markfelder 7.4. Beam: 1. Kosloski 8.175, 4. Thompson 7.85, 5. Caruth 7.75, 7. Weisenbeck 7.35 and 10. Katelyn Fouquette 7.0. Floor: 1. Weisenbeck 9.05, 2. Caruth 8.55, 3. Ava Plemel 8.45, 4. Kosloski
8.35 and 7. Elie Weinert teams at the invitation7.95. All-around: 1. Koslos- al with a team score of ki 32.8, 2. Caruth 32.55 and 131.85. Vault: 7. Thompson 3. Weisenbeck 32.55. Annandale Holiday In- 8.75, 11. Weisenbeck 8.55, 16. Floren 8.4, 18. Kosloski vitational and 25. Caruth 7.9. Weisenbeck was the 8.35 Bars: 9. Caruth 8.15, 15. leader of the Storm gym- Walz 7.65, 19. Markfelder nastics team Dec. 14 in 7.4, 20. Floren 7.3 and 22. Annandale. Throughout Weisenbeck 7.1. Beam: 3. the meet, she placed 11th Weisenbeck 9.2, 9. Caruth on vault, 22nd on bars, 8.5, 14. Kenzi Schmitz 8.1, third on beam and fifth 18. Floren 7.75 and 19. on floor. Weisenbeck’s Thompson 7.7. Floor: 5. achievements accumu- Weisenbeck 9.0, 11. Floren lated to sixth place all- 8.45, 15. Plemel 8.4, 23. Ca7.9 and 25. Thompson around finish. Caruth and ruth 7.55. All-around: 6. WeisenFloren also represented beck 33.85, 9. Caruth 32.45 SRR in the all-around and 13. Floren 31.9. placings, taking ninth and Teams: 1. Stillwater 13th, respectively. 139.35, 2. St. Michael-AlDespite the strong bertville 137, 3. Annandale representation, the Storm 134.35, 4. Delano 133.1 and placed fifth of the five 5. SRR 131.85.
Senior Katelyn Fouquette performs a jump during the beam event Dec. 17 in Maple Lake. The Storm won 131.425-124.95 over Maple Lake.
(Above) Freshman Liberty Kosloski flips over the platform on vault Dec. 17 in Maple Lake. Kosloski took first all-around at the meet, helping the Storm to a 131.425-124.95 win over the Irish. (Right) Eighthgrade athlete Samantha Caruth performs her routine on beam Dec. 17 in Maple Lake. Caruth took fifth in the event.
C
SPORTS
boys hockey
SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | Page 13
Boys basketball falls short in second-half comeback
Boys hockey falls to Pine City, Monticello Team is 2-6 heading into break BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER
The Sauk Rapids-Rice boys hockey team is on a competition hiatus for the next two weeks. SRR was hoping to organize a tournament at Sports Arena East but plans faltered, giving the team ample practice time. “Our biggest chal-
lenge has been playing consistently both offensively and defensively,”said Ken Karna, head coach. “Our returning players have been our leaders so far, and I am looking for some of the first-year players to step up as the season progresses.” Prior to winter break, the team lost 6-0 against Pine City Area hockey Dec. 12 in Pine City. SRR then hosted Monticello Dec. 13 at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids, losing 5-2. The team heads into a
busy schedule with its next game at 7:15 p.m. Jan. 2, 2020, against Rocori-River Lakes at the River Lakes Civic Arena in Richmond. Monticello 5, SRR 2 Despite the 5-2 loss, Karna had positive vibes from the Dec. 13 game against Monticello in Sauk Rapids. “That was one of the best games we played lately,” Karna said. “We just had a few defensive mistakes that cost us.” The Magic were the first to score, less than one minute into play. Two min-
girls hockey
SSRR edges out Moorhead in 1-0 win Girls to host holiday tournament Dec. + 26 ontact ty C BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER
Junior forward Rachel Wieland and senior goalie Chloe Stockinger combined to make for a big third period Dec. 13 against Moorhead. Sartell-Sauk Rapids-Rice earned a 1-0 win over the Spuds on the heels of a 3-2 overtime loss to the Brainerd-Little Falls cooperative team Dec. 12. The Storm’n Sabres hosted both games at Bernick’s Arena in Sartell and will remain at home for its holiday tournament Dec. 26. The team will welcome those from New Ulm, St. Cloud and Fargo. SSRR 1, Moorhead 0 Possession and focused play kept the score tight Dec. 13, but SSRR struggled to score. Head coach Mar-
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Anderson said the Storm’n Sabres narrowly missed scoring opportunities. Wieland found the net 8:07 into the third to put the Storm’n Sabres in the lead and secure the win. Both teams sat six minutes on three penalty infractions. SSRR outshot the Spuds 31-15. Stockinger made 15 saves in the net. Brainerd-Little Falls 3, SSRR 2 (OT) After a scoreless first period, SSRR pulled ahead, scoring two goals within 35 seconds of each other in the second period. Senior forward Anna Orth slashed the first one in at 6:21, assisted by senior forward Mallory Heder. At 6:54, sophomore forward Kelly Carriere was assisted by junior defender Morgan
Cromwell on the team’s second goal. Brainerd scored twice in the early minutes of the third to tie the game, and the two teams pushed each other into overtime play. “Brainerd is probably the best team in the section and ranked in the state,” Anderson said. “Pushing them to overtime was a very good game for us.” SSRR matched the speed of the Warriors but got tired in the third. SSRR had trouble clearing the zone, and Brainerd scored. “Overall, we liked how we played and would like to continue that aggressiveness moving forward,” Anderson said. Brainerd outshot SSRR 40-18. They had four infractions totaling eight minutes while SSRR sat six minutes on three infractions. Stockinger made 37 saves for SSRR.
utes later SRR junior forward Brandon Bokelman found the back of the net with assistance from senior forward Frank White. The back-and-forth continued as Monticello scored again 3:50 into play. Junior defender Carter Kayser scored the Storm’s second goal of the game 10:07 into the first. After the first period, the Magic found three more goals – two in the second and one in the third – to run away with the win. The Magic outshot SRR 44-28. The Storm had six minutes in the box on three infractions; Monticello had 18 minutes on nine infractions. Junior Riley Weinand made 39 saves. Pine City 6, SRR 0 With 52 attempted shots from the Dragons, the Storm had a hard time gaining possession and scoring opportunities in the Dec. 12 game at the Pine City Civic Center in Pine City. SRR had 23 shots on goal. The Storm sat six minutes in the penalty box while Pine City had four. Weinand had 46 saves in the Storm net.
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In the first half, SRR fell short in all aspects of the game, but as the second half opened up, the Storm defense started putting immense pressure on the Otters, limiting passing and play around the court. SRR also had several players netting 3-point shots to boost the score and narrow the gap. SRR 23 39-62 Fergus Falls 43 20-63 SRR: Ethan Opsahl 16 points, Josh Schloe 14, Kobe Lee 9, Eli Moilanen 8, Alex Harren 8 and Landry Seaman 7. Sartell 60, SRR 48 The Storm hosted cross-town rivals from Sartell Dec. 13 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. The Sabres won 60-48. “It was a disappointing game for us,” Peterson said. “We held them defensively where we expected, but we didn’t shoot well at all.” Senior forward Schloe, who is normally a high scorer from the field, went 5-21. He did, however, wrap up 11 rebounds with 13 points. Sartell 26 34-60 SRR 20 28-48
The Storm boys basketball team had a wild game against the Otters at Fergus Falls High School Dec. 17 in Fergus Falls. Sauk Rapids-Rice lost 6362. SRR also faced Sartell Dec. 13, where they lost 60-48 at home. SRR competes in the 2019 Granite City Classic tournament where they will play Minneapolis Patrick Henry at 5:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at St. John’s University in Collegeville. The tournament is sponsored by Breakdown Sports USA. Fergus Falls 63, SRR 62 The 63-62 final score Dec. 17 in Fergus Falls is deceiving of the work that went into the tale of two halves for the Storm basketball team. “We were behind 20 at the half and were behind by 27 at one point,” said Derek Peterson, head coach. “It looked pretty grim for us, but in the last 10 minutes, we made a 35-9 run in one of the most incredible comebacks I have ever been a part of. If we would have made SRR: Opsahl 14, Schloe the final basket, it would have been one of the most 13, Lee 8, Seaman 6, Carter Loesch 4 and Harren 3. incredible wins.”
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Otters defeat Storm 63-62
Page 14 | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
SPORTS
Boys swim ties with Tigers
PHOTOS BY ANNA HINKEMEYER
Alex Lucas races in the 200 yard freestyle event Dec. 12 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Lucas took sixth with a time of 2:20.79.
Teams ends Sauk Rapids meet at 93
Tucker Hendrickson competes in the 200 yard individual medley Dec. 12 in Sauk Rapids. Hendrickson took first in the event.
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BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER
The Storm boys swim and dive team kicked off its first season as a Section 8AA team Dec. 12, taking on conference and section foe St. Cloud Tech at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. The dual ended in a tie of 93 points. “We had a number
Hayden Zabinski finishes the breaststroke leg of the 200 yard individual medley Dec. 12 in Sauk Rapids. Zabinski took fifth in the event.
of chances to outscore down a few guys which them, but we were also would have certainly helped,” said Ray Nelson, head coach. “One of our focuses this season is to not concern ourselves with score and to think about progression.” Nelson said the team performed well and made its talent apparent while showcasing depth. “We feel we have set ourselves up for success this year,” Nelson said. “We are looking good at this point in the year, and we are excited for what is to come.” The Storm had three first place finishes by individuals in the meet – Tucker Hendrickson in the 200 yard individual medley, Elijah Grabinski in diving and Isaac Freese in the 100 yard breaststroke. The 200 yard freestyle relay team of Freese, Hendrickson, Ethan Moriak and Garrett Feuling also took first. SRR hosts the Brainerd Warriors at 6 p.m. Jan. 2, 2020, at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Cole Bonovsky swims the backstroke in the 200 yard medley relay Dec. 12 in Sauk Rapids. He and his team in Sauk Rapids. finished the race in 1:46.34.
200
MR:
2.
Cole
Bonovsky, Isaac Freese, Daniels and Tucker Hendrickson 1 minutes, 46.34 seconds; 3. Jack Christoferson, Preston Johnson, Cris Villagra and Steven Ritten 2:00.29; and 5. Hayden Zabinski, Kobe Knettel, Jaxon Young and Jack O’Brien 2:10.36. 200 FS: 2. Ethan Moriak 1:58.20, 3. Cash Walz 2:02.88, 4. Daniels 2:08.75 and Alex Lucas 2:20.79. 200 IM: 1. Hendrickson 2:21.37, 5. Zabinski 2:32.90, 6. William Nielsen 2:34.22 and Preston Johnson 2:56.13. 50 FS: 2. Garrett Feuling 24.35, 4. Freese 24.70 and 5. O’Brien 26.15. Diving: 1. Elijah Grabinski 236.35, 3. Zabinski 148.65 and 5. Reid Johnson 110.05. 100 FLY: 3. Daniels 1:04.07, 4. Villagra 1:09.68, 5. Ritten 1:12.32 and Young 1:18.11. 100 FS: 2. Feuling 53.95, 3. Bonovsky 54.53 and 5. Nielsen 58.50. 500 FS: 2. Moriak 5:28.33, 3. Walz 5:30.83, 5. Ritten 6:26.56 and Christoferson 6:05.29. 200 FSR: 1. Freese, Hendrickson, Moriak and Feuling 1:38.53; 3. O’Brien, Walz, Nielsen and Young 1:47.71; 4. Zabinski, Preston John-
Boys swimming page 16
SPORTS
SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | Page 15
junior hockey
Putting their skates forward Lumberjacks impress at annual showcase BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER
Game-changing moments mean more on the Olympic-sized ice sheets of the historic Super Rink in Blaine. So, when Granite City forward Troy Dahlheimer snuck the puck past Coulee Region goaltender and former Lumberjack Michael Janke to give his team a 4-3 lead, capping a two-goal comeback, it felt like a culmination of the effort the team has put together in the first half of the 2019-20 season. “I think we proved we have the ability to play in tight games, play from behind and play when we have a lead,” said D.J. Vold, Lumberjacks assistant coach. “If you come out and see us play, we hope to have the same effort every night.” Dahlheimer’s dazzling performance and Bailey Huber’s 12 saves in relief were enough to push the Lumberjacks past the Chill by a score
of 5-3 Dec. 17 in the final game of the annual NA3HL Showcase. “We did a good job of putting our best foot forward and showing we could play at the next level,” Vold said. “We used our speed pretty well, and I thought we did a good job of getting pucks to the net.” Despite outshooting Coulee Region 15-4 in the first period, it was the Central Division contenders who found themselves with an early stranglehold on momentum. The Chill converted three of four opening period shots into goals, forcing star goaltender Nate Johnston out of the game. “They buried the chances they had in the first period,” Vold said. “We get everyone’s best effort because everyone wants to beat us. They came out firing, and we found ourselves in a hole to start the game.” Huber’s entry into the contest sparked the Granite City offense, who started out the second pe-
riod in a frenzy. Captain Ryan Pogue tallied his long-awaited first goal of the season 39 seconds in to cut Coulee Region’s advantage in half. Second-year defenseman Jacob Schuldt evened the score off a dish from standout scorer Carson Simon to knot the high-scoring affair up at three. “Jacob Schuldt had a good showcase,” Vold said. “He’s a bigger body, and he’s not afraid of using it. He did himself a lot of favors this week in getting to where he wants to be.” This game, however, was about Dahlheimer who recorded two goals and an assist as Granite City clawed back into the game. “He’s good at playing at high speeds,” Vold said. “The extra room helped him even more to wind it up and keep going.” The Lumberjacks, after a 2-1 showcase outing, are 20-5 and remain in second place behind North Iowa in the West Division standings. They will enter their holiday break with confidence and will face the New Ulm Steel at 7:10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, at the
New Ulm Civic Center in New Ulm. “They’re a good team, and they’re going to be in the hunt for the playoffs,” Vold said. “We need to be ready to go and be excited to play after the break.” Northeast 4, Granite City 2 The Northeast Generals hold claim to a deadly offense not many NA3HL teams can match. Entering Monday night’s game against the Lumberjacks, the Generals were responsible for a league-high 187 goals as three of the top five scorers in the nation represent Attleboro, Massachusetts. The Lumberjacks gave Northeast all it could handle, but the Generals pulled out a 4-2 victory behind scoring leader Kolye Bankauskas’s three points Dec. 16 at the Super Rink in Blaine. Both high-scoring offenses remained in neutral in the early goings, as neither team found the scoreboard in the first period. Granite City, in the midst of a season-high six-game winning streak, struck first early in the second period. Defenseman Landon Johnson re-
girls basketball
Girl ballers defeat Braham second. “We had a couple stretches where we struggled to make baskets which hurt us,” said Jon Roesch, head coach. “We are improving, especially ting baskets and defense. on the defensive end.” Senior center Shayna Freshman guard Payonk led the team with Grace Roesch scored nine 17 points. points for SRR, leading Fergus 45 36-81 the team. SRR 19 19-38 Sartell 26 32-58 SRR: Payonk 17 points, SRR 17 22-39
Hold bombers to 20 points per half BY ANNA HINKEMEYER STAFF WRITER
The Storm girls basketball team had home court advantage for three games this week – Dec. 12 against Braham, Dec. 13 against Sartell and Dec. 17 against Fergus Falls. SRR lost against the Sabres and the Otters but started the week with a substantial win over Braham. SRR will participate in the Monticello invitational Friday, Dec. 27, in Monticello. Game times and opponents have not yet been set. Fergus Falls 81, SRR 38 The Storm had a tough matchup as they hosted the Otters from Fergus Falls Dec. 17 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. The girls fell short in net-
Ady Froiland 6, Noel Reberg SRR: Grace Roesch 9, 5, Kyanah Evans 4, Mia Rog- Payonk 8, Evans 6, Rogholt holt 4 and Mackenzie Felch- 6, Felchle 5, Froiland 2, Rele 2. berg 2 and Keanna GuggisSartell 58, SRR 39 berg 1.
The Storm competed SRR 69, Braham 40 well against its Sartell riSauk Rapids-Rice vals, scoring 17 points in had a significant win over the first half and 22 in the Braham Dec. 12. The girls
“We played with much better intensity,we got the ball into our posts with success, we rebounded well, and we competed well.” - Coach Roesch
held Braham at 20 points per half. “We played with much better intensity,” Coach Roesch said. “We got the ball into our posts with success, we rebounded well, and we competed well.” Baskets came from across the roster, with 11 players contributing to the win. Payonk posted 10 points each half. Freshman guard Felchle, Roesch, freshman guard Belle Haddy, Evans, junior forward Froiland and senior guard Reberg also contributed in the first half, giving SRR a 35-20 lead at the half. Braham 20 20-40 SRR 35 34-69 SRR: Payonk 20, Evans 12, Reberg 8, Rogholt 8, Roesch 5, Felchle 4, Froiland 4, Emily Schloe 4, Teagin Schmitz 2, Haddy 1 and Guggisberg 1.
ceived a feed from Spetz and bested Northeast goalie Justin Simmons for the tie-breaking score 1:10 into the period. Bankauskas evened the contest 10 minutes later as the teams entered the second intermission deadlocked at one. Simmons contributed 36 saves on 38 Lumberjacks shots, picking up the win over fellow rookie Huber who collected 23 saves on 27 shots. The vaunted Generals offense finally showed up in the third period. Forwards Stephen Gerbis and John Musella tallied timely goals within one minute of each other to jumpstart a Generals surge. Granite City man-
aged to close the gap with 37 seconds left in the hard-fought affair, but Bankauskas recorded his 41st goal of the season to secure a Northeast victory. Granite City 4, Great Falls 1 The Lumberjacks entered Blaine’s Super Rink playing superb hockey with every component of their squad firing on all cylinders. The showcase, however, gives every player on every team motivation to succeed as a big-stage opportunity to play in front of scouts and colleges. Granite City em-
Lumberjacks page 16
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Page 16 | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
From there, it was a blueprint. Jonah Jangula and Nathan Green found the back of the net 1 minute, 31 seconds apart, and all of a sudden, Granite City was up on the then21-win Americans by three goals. Eight Lumberjacks recorded a point as former Monticello Moose Dahlheimer teamed up with defenseman Jack Helle to score an ice-cold shorthanded goal at 16:57 to escalate Great Falls’ sorrows. Johnston impressed in his first ice time in two weeks, shutting down an electric Americans offense previously scoring 5.7 goals a contest. The Rogers native denied 19
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braced that opportunity and challenged themselves, putting together one of their finest appearances of the season in a 4-1 win over the Great Falls Americans Dec. 15. The Lumberjacks
were shot out of a cannon to begin the first period, excelling in the offensive zone. The sizzling-hot Cody Dias tallied an unassisted score at 3:31 to quickly give his team the lead.
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Willmar WarHawks vs. Granite City Lumberjacks at Armadillo Deck Sports Arena
widened. Blake Spetz registered his first career hat trick in two periods, and Huber came up big with 24 saves as the Lumberjacks thrashed the Blizzard 5-1 Dec. 13 at Runestone Community Center in Alexandria. Spetz’s first tally on the night started the scoring with the second-year center pushing the puck past Alexandria’s Bailey Rosch at 16:57. Rookie forward Josh Baker put together an impressive night, recording a goal and an assist. The starting line of
Dias, Green and Nick Plautz continue to decimate the opposition. Each skater recorded at least one point. Spetz scored twice in the second period, including his hat trick-clinching mark with 17 seconds left as Granite City led by four entering the final period. The win bumped the Lumberjacks to 18-4 on the season. North Iowa’s 2-1 loss to Rochester Dec. 13 allowed Granite City to gain two points in the West Division standings.
Boys swimming from pg. 14 son, John Moran and Noah Blodgett 1:55.75; and 6. Talen Remer, Daniel Agre, Chris Anderson and Ian Eichers 2:51.17. 100 BK: 3. Bonovsky 1:03.14, 4.
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Christoferson 1:09.63 and 5. Villagra 1:18.67. 100 BR: 1. Freese 1:05.12, 2. Hendrickson 1:07.87 and 6. Preston Johnson 1:23.92. 400 FSR: 2. Bonovsky,
Daniels, Moriak and Feuling 3:37.31; 3. Christoferson, Walz, Nielsen and Villagra 3:57.21; and 5. Ritten, Lucas, Moran and Matt Woeste 4:18.10.
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of 20 Great Falls shots to pick up his 10th win in as many outings. Despite the multidimensional showing, the Lumberjacks were scheduled for two more difficult showcase showdowns. Granite City 5, Alexandria 1 On March 17, 2018, the Alexandria Blizzard topped the Lumberjacks at Sports Arena East, a declaration of strength. The teams were deadeven in speed and skill. Now, nine months later, the gap between the programs has once again
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Isaac Freese swims the breaststroke leg of the 200 yard medley relay Dec. 12 in Sauk Rapids. Freese helped the relay team to a second-place finish.
Leading the
Josh Schloe
Parents: Eric and Lorraine Schloe Accomplishment: Senior co-captain of the Storm boys basketball team.
Leading the Storm is
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What is your favorite part about basketball? The competition it gives me to push myself and my teammates to become better players.
How do you make a difference at school? By spreading Storm pride and keeping a hard work mentality in the school.
What is your best meet to date? Our game at Sartell last year.
Which teacher has impacted your education most? Mr. Rasmussen. He has always pushed me to go beyond average and kept me motivated to do the best of my ability.
How do you prepare in the minutes leading up to competition? Lots of music to pump myself up along with talking to the rest of the guys to make sure we are on the same page. What is your favorite Storm tradition? Singing the school song after a win. What other activities are you involved in at school? Football, Minnesota Honor Society and Storm Leaders.
What is the best advice you have ever received? Luck comes from hard work. What is your favorite meal, movie, social media and song? Alfredo, “Stand by Me,” Snapchat and “Fish Outta Bacardi” by Quadeca.
Saluting great accomplishments in the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School
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Paul’s Fireplace Wood strikes a cord yearround in homes, businesses BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Paul Wilczek Jr. and Sharon Wilczek stand in front of dried, split and crated wood at Paul’s Fireplace Wood Dec. 11 in Little Falls. The mother-son duo operate the business which supplies wood to residential and commercial accounts.
Lakes areas and commercial restaurant accounts such as Rafferty’s Pizza, Famous Dave’s and Punch Neapolitan Pizza. The company also ships nationwide. The idea for the business, at 17502 Heron Road, Little Falls, was sparked over 35 years ago when the Wilczek family
built its first home in a dense wooded area. Clearing the oak trees for construction, Paul’s father began selling hand-split wood to area residents. Soon, the endeavor expanded and the family began harvesting the raw agricultural material and building an inventory. “He started selling 100
cords a year back then, and we’re up to 2,500 (cords per year) now,” Paul said. Working with contractors who clear land for the Department of Natural Resources, Paul’s Fireplace Wood receives the majority of its inventory in the winter months. The wood arrives as
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erry Christmas ! M From Rod, Jake, Paula, Nate and everyone at Fluegges Ag!
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LITTLE FALLS – Nothing brings as much comfort as the sound and warmth of a crackling fire when below-freezing temperatures and winter winds have Minnesota residents in retreat. The Wilczeks, of Little Falls, know this well. Owner Sharon Wilczek and her son Paul Wilczek Jr. operate Paul’s Fireplace Wood – a company that has built its business on the ambiance of the flame. “We don’t do a lot of the boiler fuel; we don’t do bulk heating,” said Paul, operations manager. “We sell some of our scraps that way, but the majority of it we call pleasure burning.” The Wilczeks said pleasure burning is any type of recreational fire where people are relaxing and taking in the atmosphere of a dancing fire. The bulk of their patrons include residents that span from the Twin Cities metro through the Brainerd
8-foot logs. Employees process the wood into 12-, 16- and 24inch lengths and split the wood into smaller diameters, ranging from 1.5-8 inches. “We get it hauled in straight maple, straight oak, straight birch and then we’ll do different blends of 50% birch, 25% maple and 25% oak,” Paul said. All orders are custom, and the company also supplies woods such as cherry, apple, mesquite and hickory which are used to add flavor with cooking or smoking. Sharon, who is the office manager and accountant, works with each customer to supply the best blend of wood for their needs. “The mixture of the oak, maple and birch work really well,” Sharon said. “The birch is the wood with the white bark. It starts a little easier and gives you that snap, crackling, roaring fire, but yet that oak and maple are in there to give you that nice heat on those cold, cold evenings. When you have a mixture of wood, they have a choice of fire. Sometimes, if you just want the ambiance and you’re entertaining, you’ll use more birch. But yet on those
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Page 2B | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
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Applications due by Dec. 31 ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is reopening enrollment in its Dairy Assistance, Investment and Relief Initiative program for eligible milk producers through the end of the year. Producers who have locked in five years of coverage through the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency’s Dairy Margin Coverage program and who have not already successfully enrolled in the DAIRI program can apply. The MDA has issued $3.4 million to about 1,800 producers representing more than 1,550 farms in Minnesota through the program in its first round of payments. Producers not yet
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21 in Louisville, Kentucky. The team placed fourth. The six-member team of Myra Arvig, Christopher Borash, Erin Borash, Kaitlyn Czeck, Justine Meyer and Seth Walls advanced to nationals after winning regional project bowl competition in Foley and the state contest in Sauk Rapids earlier this year. They
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application. All materials must be postmarked by Dec. 31. Producers who are successfully enrolled and have received their first check do not need to take any action. They will automatically receive a second payment. However, producers who submitted incomplete applications and have not received a check must return any requested information by Dec. 31 to be eligible for the second payment. For additional information and the application form, visit https://www.mda.state. mn.us/dairi.
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successfully enrolled will not receive the first-round payment but may receive a check for the second round which will be determined after all new enrollments have been received. In order to qualify, farmers must have produced less than 160,000 hundredweight of milk in 2018. They will be paid based on production levels, up to 50,000 cwt. of milk produced in 2018. An application form, an IRS Form W-9, a copy of their DMC enrollment form and a statement from their processor(s) detailing the amount of milk produced in 2018 are required to complete an
have studied all aspects of poultry to prepare for these competitions. Myra Arvig, daughter of Scott and Sarah Arvig, is a member of Stearns County 4-H. Myra is a junior at Upsala High School in Upsala and has been in 4-H for 10 years. Christopher and Erin Borash, children of Ron and Ann Borash, are members of the Morrison County 4-H program. Christopher, a senior, and Erin, a sophomore, attend Royalton High School in Royalton. They have been members of 4-H for 13 and 11 years, respectively. Kaitlyn Czeck, daughter of Tom and Melissa Czeck, is a member of Stearns County 4-H. Kaitlyn is studying at North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, and has been in 4-H for 14 years. Justine Meyer, daughter of Marvin and Rita Meyer, is a member in Stearns County 4-H County. She is a senior at St. John’s Preparatory School in Collegeville and has been in 4-H for 13 years. Seth Walls, son of Scott and Cyndi Walls, is a member of Stearns County 4-H. He is studying at the University of Minnesota in Crookston and has been involved in 4-H for 14 years.
BENTON AG
SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | Page 3B
PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER
Rows of split, dried and crated wood line the stockyard at Paul’s Fireplace Wood Dec. 11 in Little Falls. The business has the capability to dry its wood within a natural gas kiln or have it air dry for a minimum of 12 months.
Wilczeks from front cold evenings, you’ll put more oak and maple in there which has the tendency to burn more as low red coal.” Paul’s Fireplace Wood is one of nine Minnesota Department of Agriculture certified firewood producers in the state. They purchase their wood green in order to supply a premium product and prevent spreading disease. “That’s why we buy them green,” Sharon said. “Then they’re not bug infested. The foresters go through and check the wood to make sure it’s not infected or under quarantine. … We don’t sell tree-trim wood, diseased wood tree tops, dead fall.” Green wood needs to be dried in order to burn properly. The business’s stockyard is streamlined with rows of crated split wood. Some product is what the industry calls
Boxes of kindling are stored in a warehouse Dec. 11 at Paul’s Fireplace Wood in Little Falls. The business is located at 17502 Heron Road, Little Fall, alongside Highway 371. A natural gas kiln is ready to be unloaded at Paul’s Fireplace Wood Dec. 11 in Little Falls. The kiln can dry 10 cords of wood in 48 hours.
seasoned and are allowed to air dry for a minimum of 12 months. Others are placed in the kiln; logs can arrive Monday and be cut, split, dried and delivered by Friday of the same week. “We have a natural gas kiln that will do 10 cords in 48 hours,” Paul said. “It will bring it from 100% moisture down to 30% moisture. … And more and more is going through the kiln because of the volume we are going through. We can’t sit on 2,500 cords of
wood for a year and a half. … Before we used to run (the kiln) a couple times a month. Now, as soon as a batch is done, the next batch is in. It’s pretty much continuous.” Presentation is also important to the Wilczek family. No matter if the wood is shipped by truckload, crate, box or bag, the business makes it a point to provide a uniform product. “When we do deliver to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, unlike local, it has to look good in
that garage or look good outside on that front porch – where all the pieces are pie-shaped, uniform,” Sharon said. “Anything that doesn’t make the cut or has a knot, we throw aside, and we don’t deliver that.” Paul agreed. “That’s part of the sale – presentation,” he said. “You want to look at a nice stack in your garage or wherever you choose to stack it.” With rotating inventory and restaurant sales, Paul’s Fireplace Wood thrives year-round, but residential sales rise as the temperature falls. The Wilczeks said delivery peaks from September through February, and there is always a rush after the first snowfall and before the holidays. “When the weather turns, people decide to get wood,” Paul said. Birch logs rest at Paul’s Fireplace Wood Dec. 11 in Little And, since the early Falls. In addition to firewood, the business sells logs for ’80s, the Wilczeks have decorative purposes. Paul Wilczek Jr. loads a pickup bed with firewood Dec. 11 in Little Falls. The business been filling that need. sells about 2,500 cords of wood each year.
FROM
May joy, hope and happiness be yours this Christmas season.
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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | Page 5B
BENTON AG
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Dealership tends to maintenance, repairs so you don’t have to BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
Aldrich Tractor understands that a smooth-running operation relies on many working parts. That is why the Verndale dealership takes service so seriously. Located at 19828 Highway 10, Aldrich Tractor repairs and maintains a diverse selection of equipment through the work of its six-member department. “Service is our main goal,� said Tim Current. “We
service anything from skidsteers to tractors to balers.� Current is the owner of Aldrich Tractor. He purchased the business in 2012 and has worked with the dealership for over 30 years. “I come from the service department side of the business originally,� Current said. “I was a mechanic and then I ran the shop.� Aldrich Tractor is an authorized dealer of Bobcat, Bush Hog, Gehl, McCormick, Massey Ferguson, Hesston by Massey Ferguson and
Vermeer, but their capabilities are not limited to those brands – no matter the machinery name, the staff is up to the task. Their proficiencies also span modern to vintage equipment, ensuring its clients can maintain or extend an implement’s useful life. “We’re not just a Bobcat and we’re not just a Gehl; we have knowledge on multiple lines of equipment,� Current said. The dealership’s onthe-farm and roadside repair services ensures customers are literally able to make hay while the sun shines. With the convenience of Aldrich Tractor’s parts department, mechanics are able
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to meet agricultural producers and construction crews on site. Current said that with volatile weather patterns, unexpected equipment failures can quickly become crises, and the flexibility of having a mechanic come to them is a benefit to customers who are in a time crunch. “Mother Nature has been a fight so when the sun is out it definitely is an emergency,� Current said. When the repair is too severe to be done on site, the family-owned business can retrieve and deliver equipment for its clients using the company truck and winchequipped trailer. The service department not only offers its assistance when used equipment is down and out; they take pride in educating their customers, ensuring users are successful
down the road. A technician will accompany clients to their fields to help answer any questions that may arise as machinery is put to use. “With every new piece, or new baler, we send someone out to get the customer going,� Current said. “There are always monitors that are different; not all new balers are field ready. There is always some fine tuning that has to be done in the field so we’d rather be there with you, getting these set up so everything is working properly.� And, Aldrich Tractor instills the expectation that all customers are treated like family. “Whether you spend $1 or $50,000, we try to make sure everyone is treated the same,� Current said. “We try to service the people who service us.�
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Improving Elk River watershed trends Grant funds allow Benton SWCD, land owners to collaborate
D
BY ANN WESSEL MINNESOTA BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES
MAYHEW LAKE TOWNSHIP — Brandon Rehnke started his beef operation with three Jersey calves and earnings from three off-the-farm jobs. Five years later, he is improving his Benton County feedlot and pasture with assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Clean Water Funds from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources allowed Benton Soil and Water Conservation District staff to design, install and certify the project. It is part of a two-county, $1.9 million effort to improve water quality in the Elk River watershed by reducing how much phosphorous enters Mayhew Lake in Benton County and Big Elk Lake in Sherburne County. Phosphorous feeds algae that turns lakes green. Landowners working with Benton SWCD staff have installed 36 best management practices since 2016, drawing from two Clean Water Fund grants totaling $500,000. NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program dollars allowed staff to leverage those grant funds. Landowner contributions — generally 25% of project costs — and Minnesota Department of Agriculture dollars rounded out the balance. Water quality monitoring results are starting to show improving trends. Projects tied to the most recent grants built upon work of the Elk River Watershed Association, a joint powers board that formed 25 years ago. About 275 projects have been installed throughout the watershed since 1994. Kelly Molitor spent two years completing environmental assessments and outreach in Benton and Sherburne counties for the Elk River Watershed Association. The position was funded by part of a third, $182,500 Clean Water Fund grant from BWSR. Molitor now works for the Stearns County SWCD.
PHOTO BY ANN WESSEL
Brandon Rehnke stands on his beef operation June 19 in Mayhew Lake Township, Benton County. With Environmental Quality Incentives Program assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rehnke is working with Benton Soil and Water Conservation District staff to make feedlot improvements that will benefit water quality in the Elk River watershed.
WATERSHED: The 613-square-mile Elk River watershed spans Benton and Sherburne counties, and includes bits of Morrison and Mille Lacs counties. The Briggs Lake Chain — Big Elk, Julia, Rush and Briggs lakes — lies within the watershed. The Elk River joins the Mississippi River in the city of Elk River. ELK RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION: The joint powers board is composed of both counties and their SWCDs. Its primary focus has been reducing non-point pollution sources. FUNDS: $500,000 in 2016 and 2017 Clean Water Fund grants. As of midDecember: $1,492,904 in USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service assistance, $337,792 in The 613 -square-mile Elk River watershed spans Benton and Sherburne counties. It includes a bacteria-impaired stretch of the Elk River, and nutrient-impaired Big Elk Lake and Lake Orono. Clean Water Fund projects benefitting Mayhew and Big Elk lakes also benefit downstream waters — including a stretch of turbidity impaired river south of Big Elk Lake. “We haven’t reached clean-water goals in some of these water bodies, but we’re getting closer,” said Dan Cibulka, Sherburne SWCD water resource specialist. “I think there’s a lot of great work being done with the agricultural community. There’s a lot of great work being done with our urban and suburban (community). … When we’re talking about water quality, what we’re really talking about is land management and how that affects water quality.” Elk River monitoring
landowner match, $29,560 in nonmatching Minnesota Department of Agriculture funds (including $4,560 from the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program). PROJECTS: As of mid-December, 36 projects had been completed through two Clean Water Fund grants targeting phosphorous reduction in Mayhew and Big Elk lakes. They included 14 erosion control projects, 14 cover crops, four feedlot projects, two test plots, one wetland restoration and one stream crossing. ANNUAL REDUCTION ESTIMATES: About 1,165 tons of total suspended solids, 2,015 tons of soil loss prevented, 1,446 pounds of phosphorous and 3,633 pounds of nitrogen.
data hinted at a decreasing trend in bacteria levels, based on the percentage of samples exceeding state standards. Maythrough-September annual averages date from 2012 through 2018. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency staff received preliminary 2019 data Nov. 1. Those results will be finalized sometime in 2020 after MPCA and SWCD staff discuss results. Data showed trends of improving phosphorous and chlorophyll-a levels from 2006-18 in Elk Lake and from 2009-18 in Lake Orono. Lake Orono’s chlorophyll-a levels have met the state standard each year since 2014. The rest did not meet state standards. Chlorophyll-a indicates the presence of algae. Both lakes showed improving water clarity trends. From 2010-18, Lake Orono has met the state shallow-lake standard
of 1-meter clarity. “The data that we have are showing we’re moving the needle in the right direction,” Cibulka said. “Hopefully we can continue to identify areas that are in need of conservation work, and then work with landowners to put those conservation practices in the ground.” Benton Countybased NRCS district conservationist Pat Gehling said Benton County traditionally has been among the state’s top livestock producers, and poultry barns boosted that number. In Sherburne County, land use is a bigger mix of agriculture, lakeshore homes, hobby farms and suburban developments. “Animal production is pretty prevalent within the Elk River watershed,” Gehling said. “Livestock numbers on a per-square-
Rehnke page 8B
SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | Page 7B
Children’s Christmas
to omit the usual exchange of gifts so Editor’s note: The following exwe decided to have a white elephant cerpts are quoted from portions of the Christmas party at our farm. December 1932 Successful Farming “Each member brought some armagazine. ticle for which he had no further use, “For many thousands of people this or that he especially wanted to get rid is going to be a different Christmas. of. I placed a number on each package It is fellowship, love, understanding, and a corresponding number on a slip sympathy that is most needed this year. of paper. The slips were well mixed and All the tinsels and lights, all the extraveach guest drew one. agant show, cannot take the place of the “Grandpa acted as Santa Claus, real spirit of Christmas. This should be predominately a children’s Christmas. BY ROGER STROM wearing a costume that he’d scraped And that need not be done extravagantThe Business of Farming together somewhere, and the children loved him. He read the number off each ly as the greatest happiness comes from package, and the person holding that number rethe simple things of life. “39 bushels of ear corn has the same heating ceived the gift. In this way all personal element was value as one ton of Iowa coal. Coal is selling for eliminated, and no feelings were hurt. No one was to $12 per ton, and corn for about 13 cents per bushel. open his package until all had been distributed. Then It makes sense for farmers to burn their corn instead the fun began. “Arnold, the big 6-foot athlete drew a tiny pair of buying fuel. “Inexpensive gift ideas included fruit cakes or of baby socks. Henry got an old-fashioned corset plum puddings and packing them in colorful foil or cover. Myra, an elaborate cut-glass whiskey deglossy cellophane with perhaps a modernistic box canter and glasses. The biggest laugh came when or two, tied with the gayest of ribbons. A washcloth Grandpa opened his enormous box. It contained a that is lovely and soft for use on a baby or an in- blank check book on the bank which had closed its valid may be made of several thicknesses of gauze doors and in which all the family had lost money – a stitched together on the machine. Colored thread real white elephant. “I served dinner afterward, but this year we plan may be used to add a decorative look. “I want to tell you what a lot of fun we had last to make it (carry-in dish) style, and we plan for a year without spending a penny for gifts. There are bigger and better white elephant party. And, the fifteen in our immediate family – uncles, aunts, password at the front door will not be: ‘Ain’t times cousins. All live on neighboring farms or the nearby awful?’ but ‘Merry Christmas.’” … just sayin’. town. Last year financial losses made it necessary
Do not overlook the importance of water
BY EMILY WILMES University of MN Extension
The most common factor making water unsatisfactory for livestock is high salinity. High salinity is an excessive concentration of dissolved salts. Other factors that can affect water quality are nitrates, sulfates, alkalinity and toxic elements. The best way to find out the
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quality of your water is to have it tested. A quality analysis can test for total coliform bacteria, pH, total dissolved solids, salinity, hardness, nitrates, sulfates and toxins. Knowing what is in your water is important because certain factors can affect livestock performance, cause health problems and even lead to death. Besides testing, there are a few ways you can make sure your animals have high quality water. First, if your livestock get water from tanks, clean those tanks regularly. In the same vein, animals that have individual water buckets (such as calves in hutches) need to have their pails cleaned and disinfected regularly. If
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The earth is 75% covered in it. Our bodies are made up of more than 60% of it. We can only survive four days without it. I am talking about water. Water is considered one of our most important natural resources and is the most essential nutrient to our diets. That is not only for humans, though – it is true for livestock too. Most livestock can survive for two months without food but cannot go more than one week without water. Water is important to all animals as it is required for bodily functions like digestion and lactation. It is also important our livestock are getting high quality water.
your animals have access to ponds or streams, try to limit those access points in order to keep the water clean. Keep in mind livestock should have access to clean, fresh water at all times. Water is an essential but often overlooked nutrient for all livestock. Giving our animals plenty of fresh, high quality water will ensure peak health and optimum performance. The best way to know what is in your water is to have it regularly tested once a year.
Produce Safety Rule training available for farmers Four events less than 90 minutes away ST. CLOUD — Beginning in December, University of Minnesota Extension, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and other partners will host 10 produce grower safety trainings around the state. Trainings will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and take place in St. Cloud Jan. 15, 2020, Rogers Jan. 30, 2020, Willmar March 10, 2020, and Isanti March 19, 2020. If your farm is not excluded or exempt from the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule, at least one supervisor or responsible party from your farm must complete a training that uses FDA-recognized curriculum or equivalent. The courses offered here will satisfy this requirement. Course topics include produce safety regulatory requirements and best practices related to worker health and hygiene; crop inputs (soil amendments); domestic and wild animals; water use; and testing for pre- and post-harvest operations, such as irrigation and washing. While training is required for farms covered by the Produce Safety Rule, all growers interested in learning about produce safety, good agricultural practices and the FSMA Produce Safety Rule are encouraged to attend. Learning about and implementing produce safety practices can help protect your farm and business, can help you get a GAP audit, if needed, and help keep our food safe and healthy for all. These dynamic courses will be co-led by experienced fruit and vegetable farmers and staff from University of Minnesota Extension and the MDA. Training participants are eligible to receive a certificate of completion. Farms covered by the rule only need to have a responsible party complete training once to meet the rule’s requirements. Register at http://www.psp. tix. No walk-ins are accepted. Fee includes training materials, lunch, refreshments and a certificate of attendance. If you have questions about the training or need assistance in figuring out if your farm is covered by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule, call 651-5393648 or email producesafety.mda@state.mn.us. You can also reach out to extension educator Katie Drewitz at 320-255-6169, Ext. 1.
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Page 8B | SATURDAY, DEC. 21, 2019 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
BENTON AG
Rehnke from front
PHOTO BY ANN WESSEL
Landowner Brandon Rehnke (right) talks with Kelly Molitor, Benton Soil and Water Conservation District technician, and Ed Popp, Benton County Commissioner, about conservation practices June 19 in Mayhew Lake Township, Benton County. Popp also serves on the Elk River Watershed Association Board and Molitor has since taken a job with the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District.
tough on the skid loader. Navigating the hill could be challenging — especially in the winter. “You’re sitting on
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mile basis are generally higher than other parts of the state. Dairy is transitioning out a little bit, but a lot of beef has come in its place.” Rehnke converted the dairy barn on his 13-acre home site into a calf barn with room for about 80 Holstein feeder calves. Using the existing setup for beef cattle would have been convenient. The barn opens onto a pasture with a creek at the bottom of the hill. But, it did not meet MPCA setback requirements and posed a few challenges. “Everything I was doing was operating on a hill,” Rehnke said. “(Now) I’m on flat, level ground. The feed’s closer and it’s easier to feed.” Driving across the rough pasture was
a hill that’s icy and the cows all see the feed so they’re charging the gate,” Rehnke said. Now, cow-calf pairs occupy a hard-surface feedlot designed to contain and filter runoff. The $240,000 in improvements also included a concrete scraping lane leading to a 50-by-80-foot roofed stacking slab with 4-foot walls and six months’ storage space. Runoff enters a sediment control basin. Some evaporates. The rest filters through a series of grassed and gravel strips before entering a
grassed waterway. “It allows for some expansion,” Rehnke said. “It keeps me in compliance for years to come. I can grow. It helps significantly with growth.” His status as a beginning farmer qualified Rehnke, 30, for a slightly higher rate of EQIP assistance. “It’s a challenging time,” he said. “I think (for) a lot of our beginning farmers it’s probably not their primary income. A lot of times that’s how they do get started. It’s a secondary job, or they
STONE PICKERS
have a secondary job. Farming is not an easy business to get into.” Rehnke did not grow up on a farm, but he grew up working on neighbors’ farms. He still works full-time for the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and operates St. Cloud Spray Foam and Central Minnesota Ag Services, a mobile repair business. As he builds his herd this winter, Rehnke is seeking rental pasture land. By early December, he had lined up two sites totaling 70 acres. On his own 10-acre pasture, the new seeding flourished. But a wet fall delayed work. Rehnke plans to finish fencing that will allow rotational grazing and keep the cattle out of the unnamed Elk River tributary in 2020. Clean Water Funds and NRCS assistance have allowed producers to cut some of the risk associated with practices such as rotational grazing or cover crops. Benton County Commissioner Ed Popp serves on the Elk River Watershed Association board and farms near Rice. He recalled how farmers’ thinking has changed over the decades. “We were in the go-go ’70s and ’80s where you plowed up everything,
and irrigation came in, and you wanted every inch of cropland you could get,” Popp said. “Fertilizer was cheap, and commodity prices were relatively where they’ve been for the last four years. So, it was just do all of the acres you could do and put on all of the nitrogen you want.” That is no longer the case. Input costs increased. Commodity prices remained low. “The cost-sharing at 75% is a big thing, because otherwise landowners just can’t afford to move forward,” Molitor said. Gehling elaborated on how the NRCS and SWCD partnership has helped farmers. “EQIP tends to be fairly stable funding, and we can typically get financial assistance,” he said. “But quite often the amount of cost-share is fairly low.” NRCS might fund 40% of an erosion control project, for example. “It’s been a great opportunity for the Elk River Watershed to come in with some supplemental funds to piggyback with our EQIP funds so that it makes the projects affordable for the farmers,” Gehling said. “That’s been the key in getting a lot of things done.”
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