11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN 56379
Boys hockey page 23
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Same Local Coverage Since 1 8 5 4 .
Vol. 164, No. 41
Sauk Rapids man burns art with red-hot glow BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS – In a small house on the southwest side of Sauk Rapids, stacks of wood line the outer edges of Pat Fouquette’s living space. The chunks of white-colored softwoods have been transformed from plain lumber to masterpieces by the hands of the Foley native. Fouquette is an artist. Although he has practiced his creativity through sketching and painting on mediums such as paper, canvas and granite, Fouquette has plunged into the art of pyrography, more commonly known as wood burning. Wood burning often brings to mind the elementary-skilled etchings produced with carbon paper and a kit. Many people
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Pat Fouquette, of Sauk Rapids, sits next to a wood-burned panel Jan. 21 in Sauk Rapids. Fouquette practices pyrography, the art of wood burning.
have tried their hands at the pastime, but few develop their abilities into the detailed level found in Fouquette’s pieces. “I went from hobby art to
fine art,” Fouquette said. “It’s still considered a hobby art in all the circles, I think. My idea was to raise it and develop it into fine art.”
Fouquette’s artistic abilities country school wall. His teachers were recognized early on. As an were so impressed, they sent the elementary-aged student, Fou- piece to St. Cloud State Univerquette drew a Santa Claus and Fouquette page 3 eight reindeer which spanned the
Skroch appointed Rice Mayor BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE – Members of the Rice City Council approved unanimously to appoint council member Brian Skroch to the position of Rice Mayor Jan. 22. Skroch has served as a council member for roughly 14 years. After hesitation in last week’s meeting as to the depth of his interest in the position,
Skroch let the council know his decision at Tuesday’s council meeting. “I know we discussed the appointment to the mayor position, and I know I emphasized I would be interested in it – I definitely would be …,” Skroch said. There was little discussion from remaining council members Bryan Anderson, Chris Scheel and Paula Kampa, who all said they were supportive of Skroch before voting. “I gave it a lot of thought, discussed it with my family and we came to the conclusion it was something I always have wanted to do,” said Skroch after the meeting of his decision to step into the role. “This was as good of time as any considering the situation (the city of Rice) was in. … I will also say I did get a lot of phone calls of
support from the community, which also very much helped my decision.” The council then motioned to publicize the vacant council seat left by Skroch and accept letters of interest from residents who wish to be considered for the position. Because Skroch was elected to his most-recent four-year term this past November, the appointee will serve two years through the November 2020 election. The remaining two years of the term will be put to vote at that time. Letters of interest for the vacant seat can be submitted at city hall through 4 p.m. Feb. 14. The council will decide at its Feb. 19 meeting as to the number of people they will in-
Rice City Council page 3
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Brian Skroch will be officially sworn in as the Rice Mayor in February. The Rice City Council unanimously approved Skroch’s appointment at the Jan. 22 meeeting in Rice.
PUBLIC NOTICES • City of Sauk Rapids Public Hearing - Road Improvements - pg. 14 • City of Sauk Rapids Public Hearing - Liquor License - pg. 22 • City of Rice City Council Appointment - pg. 14 • Benton County Ord. No. 470 - pg. 14 • Benton County Board of Commissioners Public Hearing - pg. 14
OBITUARIES • Dale R. Kalla • Christine L. Marsh