The Star Post 01-18-2023

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Wednesday, January 18, 2023

For the kids, the community

Celebrating

400 Block update

BY CAROL MOORMAN | STAFF WRITER

Editor’s note: The Star Post will feature each of the three components of the Feb. 14 $34,805,000 bond referendum over the next three issues – Restore and Rebuild Our Aging Community Spaces $18,435,000, Provide Safety and ADA Accessibility for All $4,305,000 and Invest in Career and Technical Education Classrooms $8,185,000. Other project pricing includes site improvements $2,175,000 and interest and issuance costs $1,705,000.

As the sun was starting to rise Monday, Commercial Contractors Company workers from Melrose were inside the Lisa’s On Main building working on securing the west wall

PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN

For the kids and the community.

That’s how Melrose Area High School swimming and diving coach Nathan Meyer described a new eight-lane, 25-yard long by 20-yard wide pool and 350-seat spectator section, along with other new and upgraded amenities in the Restore and Rebuild Our Aging Community Spaces component of a proposed $34,805,000 facilities project school district residents will vote on Feb. 14.

Referendum page 3

25 years 25 years

Albany Captains and Leaders organize ‘Jam the Gym’

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER

Bring your pop tabs and sign up for prizes Friday, Jan. 27 at the Albany Area High School gym in Albany.

That’s when the Albany High School Captains and Leaders host the annual “Jam the Gym” night for the Ronald McDonald House Charitable Foundation.

Emily McLachlan, Kendall Buerman, Audrey Rieland and Raelynn Hennen are chairing this year’s event, which dates back over 25 years.

The event is sponsored by the high school’s Captains and Leaders group.

“People are asked to come in and bring their pop tabs,” Hennen said. “They will get their names put in a drawing for a bunch of prizes from local businesses.” For several weeks, Captains and Leaders members have been collecting donations, either merchandise or cash, for the drawing, which will take place during halftime of the second game that night when the boys take on Osakis

Special baby

Heinzes welcome first baby in 2023 at CentraCare-Melrose

BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER

“Special,” was Adam Heinze’s answer when asked what it was like holding his and wife Brianna’s newborn son, Brayden Timothy, soon after Brayden was born Jan. 9 at CentraCare-Melrose Hospital in Melrose.

Brayden is special in more ways than one. He is the Heinzes’ first child. He is also the first grandchild for Adam’s parents, Tim and Bonnie Heinze, of Elrosa, and the sixth grandchild and second grandson for Brianna’s parents Allen and Bev Lieser, of Belgrade. His great-grandparents include Dave and Carol Heinze, of Elrosa, and Florence Dingmann, of St. Cloud.

Brayden page 3

BY

Adam and Brianna Heinze hold their son, Brayden Timothy, Jan. 10, at CentraCareMelrose Hospital in Melrose. Brayden, born Jan. 9, is the first baby born at the Melrose hospital in 2023.

at 7:15 p.m. The boys follow the girls who will play Pierz starting at 5:45 p.m.

Rieland said it “will be a full night” of work for the Captains and Leaders as they will set up before the games, collect pop tabs, conduct the drawing and hand out prizes.

While the Captains and Leaders organize “Jam the Gym,” the whole school supports the effort by collecting pop tabs for that night.

“All elementary and middle school kids are aware of it,” said McLachlan, one of 35 Captains and Leaders members.

The group is made up of students nominated by coaches and advisors from various high school teams and organizations.

According to the Ronald McDonald House website, their mission is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families.

“We believe when families are together, they cope better. We believe no family should have to deal with their child’s medical crisis alone,” the website stated.

“Jam the Gym” night will help support that.

Brayden

BY

and

members Raelynn Hennen (from left), Emily McLachlan, Kendall Buerman and Audrey Rieland, Jan. 11 at Albany Area High School, talk about “Jam the Gym” night, an annual fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House. The event will take place Jan. 27 in the high school gym during a doubleheader basketball game.

Avon half-cent sales tax resolution heads to

St. Paul

Sen. Howe’s office working on draft legislation

BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER

Avon’s effort to extend a 2019 half-cent tax is about to enter the legislative hopper. City administrator and clerk Jodi Austing-Traut told council members during their Jan. 9 meeting the half-cent sales and use tax resolution and documents were sent to the Minnesota House and Senate. The League of Minnesota Cities is also providing its review. Avon can collect $1.5 million with the tax and has already collected $625,000 for two street projects. Suncrest’s street and storm water improvements and the Avon Estates entrance were done in 2020-21.

Tax page 3

PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN

Swimming and diving coach Nathan Meyer (from left) and athletes Adam Wilwerding and Hallie Drossel stand in the spectator section overlooking the six-lane Melrose Area High School pool Jan. 12. A proposed new pool would include eight lanes with spectator seating increasing from 175 to 350.

COMMUNITY COVERAGE 127 YEARS

Melrose resea Hiltner happy ‘A Team’ has fi Gymnasts sco

PHOTO

MIKE KOSIK Captain

Leaders

PHOTO

CAROL MOORMAN

Danielle Sagissor

(Below) Kylie Judes displays holiday spirit by wearing a hat Jan. 9 during the Albany Elementary School holiday concert “Celtic Carols and Canticles” at the Blattner Energy Arts Theatre in Albany. She sang “There Was a Pig” with the second grade class.

Albany Elementary School presents

Car s + Canticles’

(Right) Elise Wehseler accompanies her third grade classmates on a tambourine Jan. 9 during the Albany Elementary School holiday concert “Celtic Carols and Canticles” at the Blattner Energy Arts Theatre in Albany. The class was singing “Christmas in Killarney.”

A darkened stage and candles contribute to the reflective atmosphere of “Silent Night” Jan. 9 during the Albany Elementary School holiday concert “Celtic Carols and Canticles” at the Blattner Energy Arts Theatre in Albany. The song, sung by first to third graders, concluded the program, which had been rescheduled from a December date due to the weather.

The hair of Harper Hennen (left) and Amelia Neuwirth (right) flies out as they twirl while dancing Jan. 9 during the Albany Elementary School holiday concert “Celtic Carols and Canticles” at the Blattner Energy Arts Theatre in Albany. The second graders danced to “Deck the Halls.”

(Left) Severin

plays a wooden block güiro Jan.

PHOTOS BY HERMAN LENSING

Linz

9 during the Albany Elementary School holiday concert “Celtic Carols and Canticles” at the Blattner Energy Arts Theatre in Albany. He and fellow second graders sang “There Was a Pig,” a traditional English folk carol.

First graders Colby Roering (front, from left) and Charlotte Schmitz, (middle, from left) Arabella Dick and Owen Hemmesch; (back, from left) Wyatt Rademacher and Canaan Botz accent a song with voices and bells Jan. 9 during the Albany Elementary School holiday concert “Celtic Carols and Canticles” at the Blattner Energy Arts Theatre in Albany. They sang “I Saw Three Ships.”

(Left) Third grader Williamina Galimah focuses on words to a song Jan. 9 during the Albany Elementary School holiday concert “Celtic Carols and Canticles” at the Blattner Energy Arts Theatre in Albany. The class sang “The Wren Song,” an Irish folk carol.

(Right) Third grader Penelope Winkels sings Jan. 9 during the Albany Elementary School holiday concert “Celtic Carols and Canticles” at the Blattner Energy Arts Theatre in Albany. She and other third graders sang the Irish pop song “Christmas in Killarney.”

“It’s not just about the competitive part, it’s about the accessibility for everyone who wants to use the pool,” Meyer said Jan. 11 before the start of his school day, as a teacher at Melrose Area Public Schools. “You have a variety of swim lessons in the pool, including for elementary age students. The pool is also used for educational purposes for phyed classes. There are students and adults with special needs that use the facility as well as a fair amount of older people who use it.”

Meyer has been somewhat involved in the planning process and said the biggest misconception is that the plan was solely to construct a big pool to host large swimming and diving meets. He said the scope of the pool portion of the project has been pared down to what is cost effective.

“We’re talking about a basic eight-lane pool with spectator space that will accommodate dual meets and smaller invites, not a huge Olympic size pool,” he said.

New pool construction would occur southeast of the current pool.

This $18,435,000 aging component includes replacing the high school gym floor for $685,000, replacing existing tennis courts for $835,000, a secured community entrance lobby and changing rooms for $1,930,000, conversion of the current pool space into a multi-purpose space for $1,615,000, storm shelter code mandated requirements for $2,140,000 and constructing an eight-lane, 25-yard pool with spectator seating for $11,230,000.

Superintendent Greg Winter, on Jan. 11, said before moving ahead with plans for a new pool, the school board discussed renovating the current pool area with a pool consultant.

“We were not given an exact dollar amount, just a recommendation from the pool consultant that it would not be cost-effective to renovate the pool,” Winter said. “Even if you spent the money to renovate the pool, you would still have a small pool deck and not enough spectator capacity.”

The pool was built in 1969 with six lanes.

“Six lanes were standard in 1969 and now eight lanes are standard,” he said.

Brayden

from front

Brayden is also the first baby born at the Melrose hospital in 2023, for which he and his parents received gifts from local businesses.

Brayden was delivered to this Brooten couple at 8:58 p.m., Jan. 9, by Dr. Lindsey Chmielewski, just a couple of days before his Jan. 14 due date. He weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 22 inches long.

When the new parents were told Brayden was the first baby born in 2023, Adam said, “We were surprised,” Brianna adding, “Nine days later.”

The Heinzes, both 28 and graduates of Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa High School, married in February of 2022. Adam is part-owner of Brooten Electric in Brooten, and Brianna works at Heartland Security in Melrose.

They were anxious to take their son home Jan. 11, where his room was ready to add blue baby boy accents.

“The cuddles,” was Brianna’s answer when asked what she is looking forward to.

Adam’s reason may take a few years to come to fruition.

‘I’m looking forward to him growing up and being my little buddy, my hunting

A

“The more space you have, the more you can utilize that with lessons and for community members, as well.”

The spectator balcony currently holds 175 people and would increase to 350 under the proposed plan.

“Swim programs have grown since it was built in ’69 and there are more spectators,” Meyer said. “When we host a dual meet, there isn’t enough room for everyone to watch, particularly with girls’ meets, and we’ve had to send people home. We can’t add any more seating in that area.”

More deck space is also needed.

Meyer said the pool is showing its age. As a 1999 Melrose graduate and swimming and diving athlete, he said, the pool was not as functional as it could have been and has become worse.

While upgrades and maintenance have been done, it is getting to the point that it is not cost effective to keep “putting a BandAid” on it, he said.

“There are issues with ventilation. The pumps and interworking of the pool are old,” Meyer said. “Areas are just worn out.”

The diving area does not meet the National Federation of High School’s recommended minimum depth for competition. Currently it is 10.5 feet deep, and the recommended depth is 12 feet.

“We’ve had kids who get down to the bottom quickly,” he said. “Our kids know how to dive safely, but

for kids coming from other schools used to the standard depth, it is an adjustment and requires caution.” There would not be a diving well with the proposed pool.

“It will just be a pool with two diving boards instead of one,” he said.

Controlling temperatures and chemicals in the pool are challenging. There is just a small crawl space for storage and the pool office is outdated, Meyer said.

He said pool usage is a big thing, with close to 1,250 pool participants a year. The pool is used during all three athletic seasons – for girls swimming and diving, boys swimming and diving and synchronized swimming.

“A pool that is used three seasons is rare, especially out of the metro area,” he said. “And in the summer, it’s probably one of the most used spaces at the school, on weekdays being utilized non-stop from 6 a.m. to about 8 p.m.”

Winter said the proposed pool facility would be compliant with the American With Disabilities Act to assist people who have challenges, including a ramping system in the pool. An elevator would go to the spectator balcony where there would be an area for people with wheelchairs.

The current pool area would be converted into a multi-purpose space for school and community activities, including dance and wrestling teams and for community education.

Girls exceed boys born at CentraCare-Melrose in 2022

BY CAROL MOORMAN | STAFF WRITER

There were 97 babies born at CentraCare-Melrose in 2022; 54 girls and 43 boys. December was the busiest month for births, with 14 babies born.

Ninety-seven births ties the all-time high since 2018 when 97 babies were also born, with 55 girls and 42 boys. In 2021 there were 87 births; 46 girls and 41 boys; 2020 totaled 93 births; 49 boys and 44 girls; and 2019 totaled 81 births; 49 boys and 32 girls.

Names for boys born in Melrose included Yadiel, Wesley, Everett, Benson, Walker, Blake, Ganon, Adrian, Yocdoni, Wyatt, Cooper, Bryston, Alex, Angel, Leo, Psalm, Adrian, Marcus, Milo, Jameson, Cameron, Trivit, Bradley, Yahir, Asher (2), Micah, Damian, Crew, Felix, Jett, Clint, Julian, Nile, Bryce, Levi, Bentley, Lennix, Reid, Joshua, Peter, Miguel and Sawyer.

Names for girls included Kinsley, Haddie, Ruby, Elizabeth, Reyna, Renata, Nova, Rachel, Yatzary, Myla, Elle, Allison, Ashley, Scarlett, Sydney, Zoe (2), Amelia, Brooklyn, Zendaya (2), Angela, Gemma, Lillianna, Camila, Hailey, Maryi, Hariana, Mel, Harper, Paityn, Maddie, Jaelyn, Arielle, Xiomara, Peyton, Emilia, Palmer, Kynzlee, Celia, Emersyn, Arizona, Everlee, Jeralin, River, Luna, Paislee, Everleigh, Elouise, Imogene, Arleth, Mia, Camila and Paisley.

buddy,” Adam said. The new parents look forward to starting their life

As part of the aging component, Winter said the tennis courts, used by the girls tennis team, physical education classes and community members, would be resurfaced.

The polyurethane floor in the high school gym will be replaced with a wood floor.

“The floor is not a competitive floor. It’s polyurethane over concrete,” Winter said. “There is no give to that floor. A regular wood floor has 45% give in the floor so with a fall there is more give and more safety.”

Winter said school districts with new construction are required by state code to build a storm shelter.

“Part of that came out of the tornado that decimated Wadena and their high school 10 years ago,” Winter said.

More bond referendum information will be presented during the two remaining community meetings at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Extra Innings Bar & Grill, 102 Lake Henry Ave. S., Spring Hill; and 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, at Meire Grove City Hall, 50 MN-4 S., Meire Grove.

There are four voting options. Voting will be Feb. 14 at the Melrose City Center, 225 First St., NE, in Melrose. Absentee voting is available at the Melrose Area Public Schools district office, 546 Fifth Ave., NE, Melrose, weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., now through Feb. 13. Enter through door No. 7. An absentee ballot can be mailed to district residents by contacting Melrose Area Public Schools at 320-256-5160, or residents can print an absentee ballot application on the district website and mail, fax or email it to the county. If the bond referendum passes, the design phase would be from March to October with construction starting in February 2024 and an August 2025 completion date.

Sunday, Jan. 22, 1:30 p.m. – 500 cards. Pondview Estate, 334 Golfview Dr., Albany. For information call 320-845-2419.

Monday, Jan. 23, 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Mental Health Support Group. CentraCare-Albany Clinic, 30 Railroad Ave., Albany. For information call the clinic at 320-845-2157.

Monday, Jan. 23, 6:30 p.m. – Melrose School Board Meeting. Melrose High School media center, 546 Fifth Ave., NE, Melrose.

Tuesday, Jan. 24, noon – Helping Hands Outreach Senior Dining Meal. Holdingford City Hall, 420 Main St., Holdingford. Programs are open to the public. Call 320-746-9960 for more information.

Wednesday, Jan. 25, 7 p.m. – AA Meetings. Back to Basic, at Tutti Frutti Marketplace, 38914 County Road 186, Sauk Centre. For more information, call 218-240- 1076. Big Book, Melrose City Center, 225 First St., NE, Melrose. For more information, call 320-241-3909.

Upcoming: Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m. – Schanhaar-Otte Post 7050 and Auxiliary meetings Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 7 p.m. – Melrose American Legion Post 101 and Auxiliary meetings. Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.

Tax from front

“Sen. Jeff Howe’s staff called me and said legislation is being drafted,” Austing-Traut said. “The LMC is working with five other cities that are asking for the same thing.”

Councilor Aaron Goebel asked for an explanation of key details of the legislation.

“It’s very specific, and it must have a cap,” Austing-Traut said. “You must identify your projects. What’s in our favor is we are not asking for additional projects.”

Goebel asked if lawmakers would approve ballot language. Austing-Traut said yes, adding voters would be asked to approve a question drafted in St. Paul.

“The question has to be simple,” she said. “It’s a sales and use tax involving the city boundary.”

She asked about a special election in 2023 or waiting until 2024.

Councilor Doug Schaefer wondered if waiting a year would affect future projects.

Schaefer was referring to approval of a $19,180 feasibility study for the proposed First Street Southeast project, which is expected to include areas of Dolphin Avenue Southeast, Char Avenue Southeast and Barracuda Avenue Southeast.

City engineer Jeremy Mathiasen said the project would involve widening the roadway and utility improvements, specifically stormwater and related drainage.

Goebel said he wanted to ensure the feasibility study would still be accurate even if there is a lapse that occurs before the city is financially able to complete the project.

Mathiasen assured the council the feasibility study would remain usable for a future construction project and be relevant if the half-cent sales tax is extended.

“When we have informational meetings, it would be good to show citizens we are making project movement,” Goebel said. “If we get the sales tax passed, we would already have First Street plans in place. People want to get the streets redone.”

as a family of three.

COURTESY OF MELROSE AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

preliminary site diagram shows locations of components of the proposed $34,805,000 Melrose Area Public Schools’ facilities project. Included in construction is a new 8-lane pool with spectator seating for 350 people.

Danielle Sagissor

Danielle Sagissor, 51, of Wheaton, passed away Jan. 8, 2023, at her home.

Funeral services were Jan. 13 at St. John Lutheran Church in Wheaton with the Rev. Dan Gifford and the Rev. George Sagissor III officiating. Organist was Theresa Thiel with special music by Marcy LeClair. Burial will take place at a later date. Danielle was born Feb. 25, 1971, in Melrose, to Mary (Graves) Sagissor and James Sagissor. Danielle attended Melrose Area High School and graduated in 1989. Danielle was highly active in sports. She enjoyed swimming, softball and basketball. After graduation Danielle attended St. Cloud State University. When Danielle left college, she settled down in Wheaton.

Danielle met and married her husband Scott Keaveny. Danielle and Scott exchanged wedding vows in November 1998. They then went on to have three children: Traeton, Preston and Maiya Keaveny. Danielle served many years in the food industry. She loved giving back to the community with her Home Alone for Holiday meal. Danielle was recently a manager at the American Legion Post 80 in Wheaton. She was also the head food service director of the Wheaton School District. Danielle not only loved giving back to the community, but she also loved giving back to others as well. She is known for her cooking skills. She will be deeply missed for her big heart.

Danielle enjoyed watching her children’s sporting events. Danielle enjoyed a cool day on the golf course. She also loved spending summer weekends at her parent’s cabin with family. Danielle loved skiing, tubing and playing yard games. She shared many laughs and memories

Holdingford council asked to deal with roaming dogs

Solutions given to address issues

BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER

Danielle Sagissor with family that will be cherished forever.

Danielle is survived by her children, Traeton Keaveny of Mankato, Preston Keaveny of Melrose, and Maiya Keaveny of Mankato; parents James (Monica) Sagissor of Wheaton, and Mary (Graves) Sagissor (John “Sparky” Schmidt) of Grey Eagle; sisters Chas Atkinson (Marty) of Melrose, Tina (Steven) Lundquist of Wheaton; Jana (Dustin) Peyton of Wheaton; Scott Keaveny (ex-husband) of Melrose; nephews and nieces Cameron (Becca) Atkinson of Clearwater, Kiersten Atkinson of Sartell, Carter Atkinson (fiancée Hannah) of Sauk Centre, Caden Atkinson of St. Rosa, Keetin Patrick of Melrose, and Bria, Keira, Leo Lundquist of Wheaton; great-nephew Cohen Atkinson of Clearwater; and aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

Danielle was preceded in death by her grandparents, Melvin and Rose Graves, Jim and Florence Lillehaug, Anna and Vern Kraus and Norb and Monica Schmidt; and uncles Steven Sagissor, Mike Middendorf and Bob Tomford.

Danielle will be loved and missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. To sign the online guestbook, watch the video tribute, service recording or livestream visit www. bainbridgefuneralhome.com. P-3-1B

THANK YOU

Thank you

We wish to thank families, friends and neighbors for the flowers, cards of sympathy, food and memorials sent at the loss of our mom, grandma and great-grandma, Dolores Pundsack.

Thank you to the staff at Melrose CentraCare Care Center for taking care of Dolores Pundsack.

We are so thankful to Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services for helping with the funeral arrangements.

Thank you to Fr. Daniel Walz and Deacon Ernie Kociemba for celebrating the funeral Mass and everyone else who was part of the Mass.

Thanks to the cooks for the meal.

Donnie and Debbie Hellermann

Danny and Nancy Pundsack

Dorothy and Ross Bade

Darrell and Cathy Pundsack

Dwayne and Jolene Pundsack

Delroy and Susan Pundsack

Denise and Benj Holmquist P-3-1P

The Holdingford City Council has been asked to address the issue of dogs roaming throughout the city.

At the Jan. 9 council meeting at Holdingford City Hall, council members were informed unattended dogs are an issue in parts of the community. Janel Heinen served as spokesperson for residents who are having issues with unattended dogs.

“Enough is enough,” she said after giving a list of issues related to the dogs. “We need something done about the dog issues.”

The list, which she presented to the council, included kenneled or leashed dogs being irritated by roaming dogs, dog defecating and urinating, and dogs charging and growling at people. She reminded the council a few years ago two residents were bitten by dogs.

“The last straw was when I went to get a package on my doorstep. It was wet and it stunk,” she said. “A dog must have urinated on my doorstep.”

The issues have been on going for a few years.

She thanked residents who properly restrain their dogs. Issues are not with dogs being properly restrained but those roaming loose.

“I can tell it is not the dog walkers, because I don’t have piles in my yard along the street side,” she said. “It’s throughout my yard.”

Besides the concerns, she provided solutions to address the issue. That included sending reminders to pet owners, including that pets must stay on the owner’s property or be leashed; and handing out rules and copies of the ordinance at license renewal times. When a dog license is obtained it

was suggested a photo should be taken of the dog and kept on file, which would help in identifying roaming animals. Other ideas included educating people on what to do when issues arise, like reporting the incidents, and if a dog bites someone, they should report it to the sheriff’s office. Initiating an annual three strike policy with two written warnings, followed by a fine after the third incident was suggested, and if there is a fourth incident in a year, the animal should be re-homed.

The council seemed receptive to the recommended solutions. Councilor Eric Berscheid reminded the council it has decided to raise fees. The council was informed a notice has been sent to an owner who has unlicensed dogs.

In other council news: – Scott Lange, city engineer, addressed the issue of the manganese level in well No. 3. Because of the high levels, the well is currently offline. City water is coming from well No. 2, which does not have the high levels. He

recommended the city prepare a notice on the concerns in the event the city has to bring well No. 3 online before the issue is resolved. He also informed councilors of a need to monitor and locate, if possible, how nickel is getting into sludge at the wastewater treatment plant. – The fire department reported 171 calls in 2022, with 130 being medicals. There were three structure fires, two vehicle fires and five other fires. Other calls were for motor vehicle accidents, severe weather, and there were 14 false alarms. Most of the calls, 99, were in Holdingford, with 50 in Holding Township. Others were in Brockway, Krain and Elmdale townships. – Steve Horvath, maintenance employee, reported moving a lot of snow in previous weeks. He said they would be moving snow to the softball diamond. In a related item, the council approved a $75 request for lawn ornaments damaged because of city snow removal.

Avon council approves $5,000 for city snow removal

Cul-de-sacs filled up quickly after recent winter storms

BY TIM HENNAGIR | STAFF WRITER

Avon city leaders have approved a $5,000 expenditure to remove excessive snow. Public works foreman Chuck Pelkey requested the funds during a Jan. 9 meeting.

Lange Trenching will remove snow as needed from city streets, namely the Suncrest and Pelican Lake Court cul-de-sacs.

Avon Estates sidewalks have also become a problem, Pelkey told city leaders.

Large amounts of snow have forced city workers to push the white stuff higher and onto sidewalks, which

residents are trying to keep clear.

“There’s not a whole lot of money for snow removal,” Pelkey said. “If we want Langes to come in, we’re going to have to pull cash out of the budget.”

Pelkey said his department is running into spots that are overwhelmed by snow.

He mentioned piled snow located near Rueter’s Auto Sales, 213 First St. NW.

“With the amount of snow on that lot, if we have a fast thaw this spring, that could post a significant problem,” he said, mentioning a

need for ditch maintenance.

Councilor Aaron Goebel asked Pelkey if it would be possible to dump the extra snow at Avon Estates, the wastewater plant or the city compost site.

“If we are going to continue to have 10 or 12 inches of snow during a two- or three-day period, I don’t want potential for drainage come spring,” he said. “If we have to move snow piles again, we can put them out at Avon Estates or the compost site.”

The council also discussed a potential “onetime” pass through to remove Avon Estates sidewalk snow.

Pelkey requested a budgetary line item for that removal.

Goebel motioned to authorize public works spending up to $5,000 to hire Lange Trenching to move excess

snow as needed. Councilor Katie Reiling seconded the emergency funding motion, which was unanimously approved by council.

“Don’t hesitate regarding the money,” Mayor Jeff Manthe said. “Now’s the time for clean-up. We have to get fire equipment through the culde-sacs. It’s a safety issue.”

Pelkey praised public works technician Ethan Smith, water and wastewater foreman Justin Kurtz, and water and wastewater technician Josh Blommer for removing snow.

“After the snows came, they were fantastic to work with,” Pelkey told the city council. “They started plowing at 1 a.m. and all three worked their tails off.”

Building collapses in Albany

ALBANY – The Albany Fire Department responded to a collapsed building with power lines down in the 200 block of Railroad Avenue in Albany around 12:15 p.m., Jan. 16.

Fire chief Gary Winkels said firefighters secured the area, and Xcel Energy was called in because of power lines that were down, and CenterPoint Energy checked gas lines.

The building, which was unoccupied, was being remodeled, he said.

The cause of the collapse, which affected much

the time.

of the 50-foot by 150-foot structure, was undetermined, as of late Jan. 16, Winkels said. Firefighters left the scene around 2 p.m.

news BRIEFS

Oakmont Capital Services celebrates 25 years, with satellite office in Albany WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Oakmont Capital Services celebrates its 25th anniversary in January.

Established in 1998 as an equipment finance broker with Joe Leonard, a certified lease and finance professional at the helm, the company’s journey has been a winding road to success over the past two and a half decades. OCS has matured into a direct lender with offices in both West Chester, Pennsylvania, and Albany and a staff of over 60 finance professionals. OCS’ mission is to provide a direct and exceptional commercial equipment finance experience with a focus on building relationships.

In 2010, Leonard acquired a small equipment finance company and obtained funding from multiple bank and nonbank sources. Later that year, Leonard and Megan Zoba partnered officially, and OCS continued its journey as an independent finance company.

By 2013, OCS began to develop a path to growth, launching a robust front-end system, having annual financial statements reviewed, and obtaining a warehouse line of credit to allow increased revenue through sales of small portfolios.

Through 2017, OCS continued to expand year-over-year in both revenue and employees while diversifying funding sources. OCS began to hold select equipment loans and leases internally, plus perform all asset management and collection activities in-house.

In 2018, OCS opened a satellite office in Albany, hiring 11 experienced equipment finance professionals. The addition of the team in Minnesota brought added strength and leadership in many operational and sales areas, along with a fresh approach to enhancing efficiencies and technologies.

Tours of Stearns County Jail, Law Enforcement Center offered Jan. 21 ST. CLOUD – Citizens will have a rare opportunity to take a tour of the Stearns County Jail and Law Enforcement Center, 807 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, during an open house 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 21.

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office will take the public on a walk-through of the LEC, which will include portions of the jail, shooting range, 911 dispatch center, interview rooms, workout area and the garage containing sheriff vehicles. Tours will run throughout the morning.

In addition to the opportunity to tour behind closed doors and catch a glimpse at the inner workings of the sheriff’s office, the public can see inside squad cars, a police dog in action, the drone used by deputies, SWAT vehicles and equipment and gadgets deputies carry with them – stun guns, defibrillators, car cameras and squad laptops.

Children will also have a chance to pick up free items. Plus, cookies and refreshments will be served.

PHOTO BY TIM VOS

The Albany Fire Department responds to a collapsed building with power lines down in the 200 block of Railroad Avenue in Albany around 12:15 p.m., Jan. 16. The building was unoccupied at

Kids and cars

When Hallie and Katelyn were little, we’d push them around the driveway in their little red and yellow cozy coupe car. They’d pretend to gas up with the garden hose and be on their way around the driveway again. And then they’d park it in the garage.

Ryan wasn’t thrilled about cozy coupe ownership. He didn’t want to spare the garage space for it.

The cozy coupe is long gone. Today, the garage – and driveway – is filled with Hallie and Katelyn’s Ford Fusions. Not a purposeful plan for our teenage daughters to drive matching cars, it just worked out that way.

By Sonya Hoffarth

Four cars and a three-stall garage don’t add up, especially over Christmas break with Hallie home from school. Ryan played a fun game of musical cars every morning, moving Hallie’s car so he could back out of the garage, and then moving Hallie’s car back behind his spot lest Katelyn forget that Hallie is home, that Hallie’s car might be behind her on the driveway, and Katelyn backs into it. At least the cozy coupe was easier to move.

One snowy day, Katelyn came home from school and couldn’t get her car up the driveway. So she parked

as she said – on the side of the street. Only she wasn’t actually on the side. More like in the middle of the road. In her defense, the snow made it tough to see where the curb might be. Nonetheless, I came home to her car sitting basically in the middle of the road – a really precarious position, especially if the snow plow comes through.

The girls and I frantically shoveled snow until we could get her car into the driveway. And the neighbors waved and smiled as they maneuvered around her car, seeming to understand the plight of kids and cars.

This past week Hallie took her Fusion to college, her first stint of car ownership on her own. Ryan bought her a car battery booster pack for those cold days when her car won’t start. He taught her how to connect it to her battery to jump her car.

He checked her spare tire and noticed her Fusion must have come without a tire iron. So he pilfered the tire iron from Katelyn’s Fusion for Hallie. He figured he’d rather bail out Katelyn close to home rather than hiking it to Hallie on her college campus if there is a flat tire. And I assured him I’d ask my dad if he has an extra tire iron lying around the farm somewhere. I better get on that.

Dad, any chance you have an extra tire iron?

Hallie made it four days on campus without car trouble. Somehow, she couldn’t get her dome light off. In trying to fix her light, she ended up latching her passenger door open, which meant she couldn’t close her door. There may have been a few tears, but between friends on campus, her Uncle Bryan on FaceTime, and Ryan and I keeping her calm, she figured it out. In the end, after over an hour on the phone, she discovered she was pushing the wrong button when trying to turn her dome light off.

Ryan and I rolled our eyes about kids and cars.

I’m not sure life years ago with the little cozy coupe was any easier. The girls occasionally skinned their knees or toes, and I seem to remember one incident after the girls had outgrown it but they climbed into it anyway. There were tears when they couldn’t get out. Regardless, it seems like my kids’ cars should still be that little cozy coupe rather than matching Fusions.

School improvements will have positive impact on students, community

By Stacey Austing-Jacobson, Community Education director and Melrose

community member

In the 19 years I have worked at Melrose Area Public Schools, I’ve watched kids grow up, right before my eyes. I’ve seen preschoolers learning to zip their jackets and suddenly they’re high schoolers greeting me in the hall.

I take joy and pride in building connections and relationships. Community Education, caring about our community, is my vocation, and my heart travels with me each day to work.

A community supports schools, supports students and gives them opportunities to learn, grow and prosper. It is my hope that a majority of our community will see the importance of the Feb. 14 bond referendum and see the positive impact the improvements at our school will have on our children and also our community.

What improvements are proposed? To make our school building more accessible for people of all abilities, to update our career and technical education areas, to update tennis courts and build a new standard 8-lane pool. Every improvement made will impact student learning, opportunities, growth and health. These are needs. We need our community to support this, to ensure our students are given the best opportunities we can offer. A strong school enriches our community.

Please make sure you have the facts about the referendum. Accurate information can be found on the school website. I plan to vote yes for the future of our students and the future of my community – our community. I hope you will consider voting yes, too.

Now is not the time to approve a bond referendum

By Josh Thieschafer, Melrose

In light of the decision of the Melrose School Board to again go out for a referendum vote, I felt the need to write this letter to the editor. Let me first start by being clear, I am not here to argue the merits or needs of the Melrose school facilities. That has been researched, documented and presented to the voters. Each person can judge for himself or herself on that.

It isn’t often a high school basketball game makes front page news today. It was even rare 100 years ago. But a match between Holdingford and Upsala received that attention in the Dec. 28, 1922, Holdingford Advertiser.

Maybe it should have. The area high school basketball tradition is a good one. Still, chances are none of them will ever replicate the ending of a Holdingford game a little over a century ago

Hosting Upsala, Dec. 21, 1922, Holdingford High School’s basketball team was involved in a low scoring affair. A total of 32 points were scored. When that game was played rules and play style were different. Basketball was, and still is, evolving.

When the game was played basketball was slightly over three decades old. It had been invented in 1891 by James Naismith in New York. He wrote 13 rules about how to play. The game spread across the U.S. and quickly became a winter sport in urban and rural area.

In the early days, there were unique gyms. On some courts, players had to weave around pillars, and good players used them as picks to clear away opponents or for ricocheting passes. Hoop sizes varied, and some hoops were just mounted on walls, which discouraged hard drives to the basket. There is a report of one court being L-shaped.

One thing that was the same was the 10-foot height for baskets, but initially there weren’t always backboards. They were added when a number of courts were in pits with walk areas above them. Some spectators would kick at a ball during games. Those challenges were not common when the 1922 Upsala-Holdingford game was played because by the 1920s there was more

standardization.

There were big differences, though, in timing of games and scoring. Games were generally played by quarters, not halves, and there were more jump balls. All tie-ups were jump balls (not alternating possession) and jump balls were used after each basket and to start each quarter. Those elements, as well at the lack of 3-point baskets and shot clocks, led to low scoring games.

Over the years, rules on fouling, dunking and free throw shooting changed, and 3-point shots were allowed, changing scoring and pacing of the game.

None of those is what made the Dec. 21, 1922, game between Upsala and Holdingford unique – and worthy of a front page article.

According to the Advertiser article, the game went back and forth. Upsala took a quick 4-0 lead, but Holdingford led 8-6 at the half. In the second half, Upsala held a 16-12 lead late in the game, only to have Holdingford rally to tie the score at 16 with two minutes left. Neither side scored again before time ran out.

Naismith’s 13th rule stipulated that in the event of a tie “the game may, by agreement of the captains, be continued until another goal is made.”

That seems pretty clear. The first to score would win the game.

What the rule did not do was mandate that there had to be an overtime. It required both sides to agree to play, and Upsala, for whatever reason, opted not to play. As a result, the final score of the game was 16-16.

It is doubtful there will ever again be such an ending or that many games will have only 32 total points scored.

A unique basketball game A time to live

I used to work with a guy, an older gentleman, who had long been retired but was generous enough to offer us a few hours of his time each month.

Whenever we needed help, we would call him and he would come. The few times he was not available were when he or his wife had a doctor’s appointment, he would be out of town for one of his grandchildren’s sporting events or school concerts or he traveled to St. Paul to participate in the March For Life. He was, by all accounts, a religious man, yet he didn’t boast about it. The proof was in his attitude toward others and in his daily kind words and gestures. He was resolutely pro-life and besides his annual Capitol trip, he would also pass out literature one night each week in front of the Planned Parenthood facility in St. Cloud.

STAFF

He told me the day he had to quit working for us was because they had sold their house to move to the Twin Cities to be closer to his grandchildren. I have not spoken to him in the two years since then, but I often wonder how he felt last year when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and left a woman’s right to an abortion up to the states.

I have an uncle who once told me Roe v. Wade would never be overturned. He claimed anti-abortion politicians would want it in place so that they could use it as a political tool during election cycles. Now that it has been overturned, it is instead the pro-choice groups that are up in arms. Many voters in the last election stated abortion was the determining factor in how and who they voted for. That is sad.

Science has it right. Abortion stops a beating heart. Many doctors have it right when they accept that the viability of an unborn child is somewhere around 20 to 24 weeks. And those who march for life have it right when they display their banners and raise their voices for the protection of the unborn. Who don’t have it right are those who profess that this is about women’s rights and lifestyles. They would suggest one person’s wants and needs supersedes another’s and that no one should be able to interfere with their choices.

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The reason for my letter is to bring up, remind and have a discussion about the timing of this referendum, which was voted down six months ago. We are currently experiencing an inflation rate that is at a 40-year high. We are currently experiencing a market that has interest rates rising at every Fed meeting. The Consumer Price index is up year over year. Plainly put, wages are not keeping up with the costs of living. While this is not the fault of the school board, I question the wisdom in voting to approve a $34,805,000 building bond.

I work in the construction industry on commercial projects for a living. I see and experience the trials and difficulties every day of these projects. There are allocations on many products from concrete to sheet rock. There are impossible lead times on electrical breakers, HVAC equipment, doors and hardware, cabinets and appliances. This is one of the most difficult periods to successfully build in the past 30 years.

For those that argue that things will only get more expensive, I would disagree. These markets do shift up and down. Let’s take lumber for example. It is traded on the Chicago Mercantile exchange. As I am writing this, it is trading at $357 per thousand board feet. It peaked at $1,626 in May of 2021. This is just one example. There are many more.

The people I work with in the private sector, from investors, developers, contractors to vendors, are pushing projects off, putting projects on hold or canceling projects all together because they do not make financial sense to do right now. It is a bad investment. It is a bad opportunity. It is irresponsible. These are private entities doing what is best with their money.

I believe that a publicly funded project should follow their lead.

As for how the referendum has been handled, from lumping all issues into one vote, to timing of votes, to locations of voting centers, to distribution of information, that is for another article all together.

There is a better time to approve a bond referendum. This is not the time.

Is murder a choice? Is it not debatable? Last year studies show there were slightly under 25,000 gun related homicides in the U.S., a disturbing number that is glorified on newscasts nearly every day. If we classify abortion as murder, than some where between 600,000 and 900,000 unborn babies were killed in the U.S. in the past year. The higher of those numbers is nearly equal to the total number of deaths cause by heart disease in America, listed as the leading cause of death.

Minnesota is becoming a safe haven or sanctuary for those seeking to have an abortion. Because of the anti-abortion laws in many of our neighboring states, women are coming here to take advantage of our state’s support for reproductive rights. There is legislation at the Capitol to codify or systematically strengthen and broaden the law Minnesota currently has in place. This law would protect abortion at all stages of gestation for all reasons. There is a chance that abortion would become even more commonplace, more accepted. Perhaps one day, an abortion would take away your chance of attending your grandchild’s music concert or basketball game. That would be the saddest outcome and product of abortion of all.

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Letters Letters to the editor are welcomed. Letters must be signed with first and last name and include address and phone number. Letters are limited 350 words. Political letters to the editor that address ballot questions and candidates are $25 for 250 words or less. Political letters to the editor must be received by 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23, for the vote taking place Feb. 14. See political letters to the editor policy for additional guidelines.

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The Farmers Daughter

A Peek at the Past by Herman Lensing

Gymnasts show growth through productive Lakeville appearance

Melrose finds win in home gym

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

The Melrose Area Lady Dutchmen gymnastics team

finished fifth out of 16 teams Jan. 14 at the Lakeville North High School Invite in Lakeville.

Melrose Area, one of two Class A schools in the 16-team meet, scored 141.85. Courtney Althaus was second in the allaround, tying for 10th on the vault and floor routines while taking third on the bars and beam. Scores were not available at press time.

Melrose 142.975, LPGE 98.5

Getting in practice time has started bringing points to the Lady Dutchmen.

Melrose outpointed Long Prairie-Grey Eagle-Browerville 142.97598.5 Jan 12 at the Glen Thieschafer Memorial Gym in Melrose. It was the team’s best score in a dual competition.

“We got to practice this week,” said Katie Masog, head coach. “We have not been in a gym for four days in a row since before Christmas due to the snow. They’ve been working hard this week and things are starting to click again.”

It was not through the efforts of just one gymnast that the Lady Dutchmen dominated. The team earned

the top five spots in every routine and the top three allaround spots.

“We had hard practices, and it showed,” said Hannah Hoppe, beam champion. “When we get one good score, it gives energy for the next and it builds up.”

Hoppe has usually been the lead Lady Dutchman on the beam. The routine has

emerged as a team strength.

“We practice on beam, and they are comfortable on there,” Masog said. “During practice, they go there with a mission. It’s fun to see. We are trying to put harder skills in their routines.”

Hoppe finished second in the all-around to Courtney Althaus, who won the vault and bars routine. On

the bars, she outpointed runner-up Josie Eveslage by 1.1 points. “We had a lot more energy,” Althaus said. “We’ve been looking at the team scores, and we believe we can do something great as a team. We were hyped up to do our best as a team.”

That effort showed, as

Win keeps Huskies on top of conference

BY MIKE KOSIK STAFF WRITER

Albany’s 55-40 win over Cathedral gives them sole possession of the top spot in the Granite Ridge Conference. The Huskies met the Crusaders Jan. 13 at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud and jumped out to a 26-14 halftime lead.

“Our defensive execution was there all night long, holding them to 40 points overall, and their leading scorer who averages over 20 points-per-game was held to two,” said Cory Schlagel, head coach. “(I) absolutely loved to see how we were flying around, getting through screens and being physical in all aspects of that end of the floor.”

Hondl, with 17 points led the Huskies in scoring, with Gerads adding 14.

ALB 26 29-55

CATH 14 26-40

Albany: Hondl 17 (8R), Gerads 14 (6R), Ethan Borgerding 8, Reis 7, Andrew Olson 6 and Zeke Austin 3. Albany 75, EV-W 56

A last-second score to

Albany’s Zeke Austin shoots from

Albany started the final half with Gerads, Reis and Borgerding scoring a combined seven unanswered points. That gave the Huskies a good lead to build on as it stretched its advantage to as much as 21 with 10:50 left.

While the Eagles got within 14 a couple of times, the Huskies were up by 25 with a little over three minutes to go.

Schlagel said the game against EV-W was a carbon copy of Albany’s game a couple of nights before, when it hosted Pequot Lakes and had a second-half surge.

they all pushed each other to be better. In the floor routine, Maria Hinnenkamp emerged as the champion – but not by much. She finished with a 9.2, while Hoppe and Eveslage

with a 9.15, sharing runner-up honors.

“They have been working hard on floor,” Masog said. “We are working on

the little details, and it’s paying off.”

Albany’s Sam Hondl slams the ball through the hoop for a secondhalf dunk Jan. 12 at Albany High School in Albany. Hondl scored seven points to go with three steals.

Valley-Watkins Jan. 12 at Albany High School

Albany. Austin and the Huskies used a strong second half to pull away from the Eagles.

end the first half put the Huskies ahead, where it stayed in a 75-56 nonconference win against the Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles Jan. 12 at Albany High School in

Albany.

With one minute left in the first half, down 31-29, Austin and Gerads scored to put Albany up 33-32 to start the second half.

“Foul trouble in the first half, big runs in the second half combined with another great half of defense, and we pulled away for another nice home win,” he said.

Schlagel said the team continues to grow and the depth behind the starters produces at every game.

Huskies basketball page 10

PHOTOS BY HERMAN LENSING

Courtney Althaus executes her floor routine in front of her teammates at a dual meet Jan. 12 against Long Prairie-Grey Eagle-Browerville at the Glen Thieschafer Memorial Gym in Melrose. Althaus, who won the vault and bars, was the all-around champion.

(Right) Josie Eveslage finishes a pass, tossing herself backward during her floor routine at a dual meet against Long Prairie-Grey Eagle-Browerville Jan. 12 at the Glen Thieschafer Memorial Gym in Melrose. Eveslage tied for second as Melrose posted the top five scores on the routine.

Maria Hinnenkamp leaps above the floor to finish her move on the floor routine at a dual meet Jan. 12 against Long PrairieGrey Eagle-Browerville at the Glen Thieschafer Memorial Gym in Melrose. Hinnenkamp won the floor event and finished third in the all-around.

PHOTOS BY MIKE KOSIK

long range against Eden

in

Defenders wrestling places at Paynesville Tournament

Christen wins 126-pound

BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER

Every Sauk Centre-Melrose Defenders wrestler taking to the mat at the Paynesville Invitational Jan. 13 at Paynesville High School in Paynesville came to the victors’ podium.

Noah Christen came home with the championship in the 126-pound division, recording a 57-second pin and two dominating decisions. Mitchell Christen, 138, and Will Sjogren, 285, reached the championships of their division.

Sjogren had competitive matches after his quarterfinals pin. He faced fourth-ranked Spencer Eisenbraun of Paynesville in the semifinals and posted a 3-2 third-overtime win. In the championship, he fell 2-1 in overtime to sixth-ranked Logan Ash of Milaca-Faith Christian.

Mitchell Christen competed in four matches. After opening with a pin in the preliminary round, he had a third-period quarterfinals pin and a 12-8 victory in the semifinals. He fell 6-2 in the championship.

Dominic Kerzman, 106, had four good matches in taking third place. He had one pin and two decisions for his wins. The loss came in the first overtime of the semifinal round.

Jose De Los Santos-Morales, 145, and Isaac Frericks, 220, finished fourth; and Eden Rangel, 182, snagged fifth. Rangel was pinned in the first round and fell by injury default in the wrestleback semifinals.

SC-M finished with 98 points, taking sixth out of 11 teams. Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa took first with 213 points.

SC-M: 106: Dominic Kerzman went 3-1 and took third. He won 1:21, lost 6-4 (OT), won 5-0 and won 8-3. 126: Noah Christen went 3-0 and took first. He won 0:57, won 9-2 and won 8-2. 138: Mitchell Christen went 3-1 and took second. He won 1:51, won 5:26, won 12-8 and lost 6-2. 145: De Los Santos Morales went 2-2 and took fourth. He won 7-3, lost 11-2 (MD), won 4-3 and lost 1:37. 182: Rangel went 0-2 and took fifth. He lost 5:39, received a bye, lost by injury default and received a bye. 220: Isaac Frericks went 2-2 and took fourth. He lost 4:33, won 3-1, won 8-1 and lost 1:06. 285: Sjogren went 2-1 and took second. He won 2:50, won 3-2 (OT) and lost 2-1 (OT).

Champlin Park Rebel Girls Individual Tournament

The Defenders girls wrestlers earned two third places, a fourth and a sixth Jan. 14 in the Champlin Park Rebel Girls Individual tournament at Champlin Park High School in Champlin.

Lanna Walter took third in the 114 division, pinning her opponent in 28 seconds in the third-place match. She had won 10-6 in the quarterfinals but fell 8-2 to eventual champion Bernie Rock of Luverne.

Afton Vogt, 138, and Lili Raya Park, 165, both went 1-2 in taking third place. They were in round robin competitions.

SC-M: 114: Walter went 2-1 and took third. She won 10-6, lost 8-2 and won 0:28. 132: Katie Bueckers went 1-2 and took sixth. She lost 0:20, won 0:30 and lost 0:13. 138: Vogt went 1-2 and took third. She lost 1:19, lost 0:23 and won 5:18. 145: Kalli Schirmers went 0-2 and took fourth. She received a bye, lost 3:24 and lost 1:47. 165: Raya Park went 1-2 and took third. She lost 0:41, lost 0:46 and won 2:00. 235: Madyson Gerads went 0-2 and did not place. She lost 0:30 and lost 0:48.

Spectrum Triangular

SC-M won both matches at the Spectrum Triangular Jan. 12 at Spectrum High School in Elk River.

The Defenders had five pins in a 43-36 win over Spectrum and won seven of the 10 matches in a 60-21 win over Robbinsdale Cooper.

The win over Spectrum came with some nervousness. Pins and impressive decisions gave SC-M a 31-6 lead through the first seven matches. The Defenders knew it would receive a forfeit in the 285 match but could not relax. Spectrum came back with five consecutive pins for a 36-31 lead going into the 220 match. The winner would take the dual.

Isaac Frericks was up to the challenge and pinned his opponent in the second round to give SC-M the win. It was one of five Defender pins in the match.

Against Robbinsdale Cooper, SC-M had another six pins. Noah Christen recorded two pins in the contest, one coming in 49 seconds. De Los Santos-Morales, 145, had the team’s fastest pin. He walked off the mat 15 seconds in with a win against Robbinsdale Cooper.

SC-M 43, Spectrum 36

SC-M: 106: Tyaus Meyer lost 0:20. 113: Kerzman won 1:32. 120: Walter won

21 SC-M: 106: Meyer won by forfeit. 113: Kerzman won by forfeit. 120: Walter won by forfeit. 126: Noah Christen won 1:40. 132: Wiechman won 5:30. 138: Mitchell Christen won by forfeit. 145: De Los Santos Morales won 0:15. 152: Friedrichs lost 5:08. 160: Dan Frericks lost 1:44. 170: Avalos won 4:45. 182: Rangel lost 1:17. 195: Lara lost 3:00. 220: Isaac

Frericks lost 7-2. 285: Sjogren won 2:23. Sauk Centre Triangular

The Defenders posted a 39-36 win over United Clay Becker and were defeated 63-12 by West Central Area Jan. 10 in a triangular at Sauk Centre High School in Sauk Centre.

Kerzman went 2-0 in the triangular. Tyaus Meyer, 113, and Wiechman, 132, recorded their first varsity pins in the victory. Noah Christen, 126, also recorded a pin. De Los Santos Morales, 114, and Sjogren, 285, both lost 3-2 matches. Sjogren wrestled into triple overtime.

Huskies stay strong in conference slate

Albany girls basketball improves to 11-1

BY MIKE KOSIK STAFF WRITER

A 67-35 win over the Cathedral Crusaders has the Albany Huskies girls basketball team leading the Granite Ridge Conference 4-0 with an overall record of 11-1 on the season.

The Huskies traveled to Cathedral High School in St. Cloud Jan. 13 and, after a close first half, opened it up in the second for their latest win.

“It was a great basketball game at Cathedral on Friday night,” said Aaron Boyum, head coach. “I really think Cathedral came out with a lot of energy on both ends of the floor and shot the ball well, too. I give our girls a lot of credit for matching that intensity and playing with good overall energy as well.”

The Huskies led 30-23 at halftime but gradually wore down the Crusaders as the game progressed.

“I thought we were able to have our pressure defense play more of a role on the outcome of the game as the night went on,” Boyum said. “I was happy with the way we shared the basketball as a team and how people really stepped up in big moments when the situation called for it.”

Kylan Gerads led Albany with 25 points as Samantha VanHeel, with 12, and Alyssa Sand, with 11, followed.

ALB 30 37-67

CATH 23 12-35

Albany: Gerads 25 points (12R), VanHeel 12 (8R), Sand 11 (7R, 5S), Tatum Findley 5 (5A), Kayla Forster 5, Sophia Schiffler 3, Eva Schwenzfeier 3, Ellery Ehresmann 2 and Callie Holthaus 1.

Albany 58, Milaca 26

It was another defensive gem for the Huskies when it defeated the visiting Milaca Wolves 58-26 Jan. 10 at Albany Area High School in Albany.

Huskies basketball from page 9

“If our guys continue to understand their shooting stats and scoring don’t always dictate how well they played, we will continue to get better,” Schlagel said. “There are so many things that our players can do statistically other than scoring to help us win. When they believe in that and take it to heart, we will get tougher and tougher.”

Albany allowed just 11 first-half points while putting up 34.

“Very good overall team

year as far as getting the ball up and down the court.”

The Huskies scored 18 transition points and 20 off of turnovers in the Granite Ridge Conference game.

Heading into the contest, Milaca was one of three teams, along with Albany and Cathedral, with unbeaten conference marks.

While Huskies have not had too much pushback in games due to cancellations, it has been short on practice days.

“I think we are fighting through that,” Boyum said.

Given Albany’s record, it has done a good job of it.

Gerads with 15, Findley, with 14, and Sand, with 13, were the scoring leaders for the Huskies.

ALB 34 24–58 MIL 11 15–26 Albany: Gerads 15 (10R, 5A, 3S), Findley 14, Sand 13 (4R, 5S), Savanna Pelzer 7 (4A), Holthaus 7 and VanHeel 2.

defense, which sparked our offense,” Boyum said. “I thought our transition game was as good as it’s been this

PHOTOS BY MIKE KOSI K

Callie Holthaus looks for an open Albany teammate against Milaca Jan. 10 at Albany High School in Albany. Holthaus scored seven points in the conference victory.

Albany’s Savanna Pelzer drives for an uncontested layup against Milaca Jan. 10 at Albany High School in Albany. Pelzer was a positive offensive force, compiling seven points and four assists.

(Right) Albany’s Tatum Findley shoots from 3-point range against Milaca Jan. 10 at Albany High School in Albany. In the battle between the two Granite Ridge Conference rivals, the Huskies came out ahead 58-26.

Huskers girls basketball ups record to 10-2

Lady Dutchmen cannot overcome slow start

BY MIKE KOSIK AND HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITERS

The Holdingford Huskers girls basketball team’s latest win ups its record to 10-2 and gives them sole possession of first place in the Central Minnesota Conference.

“The girls are having a terrific start to the season and are continuing to improve in practice,” said Joel McDonough, Holdingford head coach. “Our primary focus this year has been on defense, trying to improve from last season in all defensive elements. On offense, we are trying out different motion offenses and different sets. With our team still being fairly young, we have a lot of time to adopt an offense that is more efficient than we are right now.”

Holdingford 55, Melrose 31

Holdingford took control of the game offensively and defensively, building to an 18-0 lead in the first nine minutes in a game hosted by the Huskers Jan. 13 at

Holdingford High School in Holdingford.

The Lady Dutchmen were stymied by the Husker’s press, which resulted in throwaways and steals. The shot clock was not used in the game.

Melrose’s Kaydence Bertram scored to end the shutout. She and Paige Gruber were the only Lady Dutchmen to score in the first half, which resulted in a 31-11 Holdingford lead.

“We wanted to come out firing on all cylinders and push the tempo offensively,” McDonough said. “Starting out with an 18-0 lead was the energy the girls needed to push the tempo and play tough defense. The girls took a lot of pride in disrupting all shots and rebounding. This pride and energy transitioned into offense. The girls followed the game plan well and were well prepared.”

In the second half, the Lady Dutchmen played bet-

ter in all dimensions, outscoring the Huskers in the second half.

“I thought our girls did a good job in the second half, especially after how Holdingford handled them pretty well in the first half,” said Evan Reller, Melrose head coach. “I think the girls played better in the second half. I was proud of their execution and their effort.”

Eight Lady Dutchmen scored in the game. Bertram led the team with seven points.

Makenna Hohbein was top scorer for the Huskers with 12 points, followed by Maddy Mitchell and Addy Pilarski with 10 each.

The low scoring, according to Reller, was a tribute to Holdingford.

“They are a very good basketball team,” he said.

MEL 11 20-31 HOL 38 17-55

4,

1.

4,

Melrose: Bertram 7,

Minnewaska Area 36, Melrose 28

Melrose kept it close in the first half, then fell 3628 to the Minnewaska Area

Holdingford SPORTS

Albany wrestling finishes seventh at Minnewaska

Lakers Jan. 12 at Minnewaska Area High School in Glenwood.

Paige Gruber kept the Lady Dutchmen in the game with 11 points. She held her own under the basket defensively, blocking three shots, deflecting five passes and taking in 10 defensive rebounds.

Heller, Bertram and Finken all hit 3-point shots. Bertram led the team with four steals.

MEL 12 16-28

MINN 15 21-36

Melrose: Paige Gruber 11 (3B 14R), Bertram 8 (3A, 7R, 4S), Heller 3, Isabelle Jaenicke 3 and Finken 3 (3R). Holdingford 41, EV-W 32

The Huskers hosted the Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles and had a close first half before rallying in the second for a 41-32 win Jan. 12 at Holdingford High School in Holdingford.

Holdingford led 14-13 and outscored the Eagles 27-19 in the second half.

The win kept the Huskers undefeated in conference play.

Pilarski led Holdingford with 15 points and Hohbein followed with 11. HOL 14 27-41 EV-W 13 19-32

Holdingford: Pilarski 15 (9R), Hohbein 11, Mitchell 6 (5R, 4A), Brooke Soltis 4, Leblanc 3 and Young 2.

Dancers rank with state’s best

BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER

The Holdingford Huskers dance team ranked with some of the best teams in the state Jan. 14 at the Cathedral Invite at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud.

The Huskers kick team finished third, while the jazz unit finished fifth.

The 10-team competition featured proven, high-level teams. The third-place trophy came with the knowledge the Huskers are among those teams. Taking first in the invite was Cathedral, the defending Class A champion.

Lac Qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd and Holdingford tied for second. They were well-matched.

“They (LQPVDB) finished third last year at state,” said Grayce Meyer, head coach. “A double tiebreaker was used, and we finished third.”

Taking fourth was Yellow Medicine East, runners-up at state last year. YME and Cathedral tied at state last year and Cathedral won on a tiebreaker.

“This competition was (composed of) the top teams in the state, so to place at all was an honor,” Meyer said. “Lots of tears for varsity kick to hear our name called amongst the best.”

No rankings or point scores were available when the paper went to press.

Wrestlers fifth in Bemidji

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

Holdingford finished

fifth at the Rick Lee Wrestling Invitational Jan. 13 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji.

The eight teams in the tournament all wrestled each other in dual competitions. The Huskers finished 4-3, defeating Brainerd 3630, United Central North 55-18, Thief River Falls 4227 and Tracy-Milroy 38-30. Its losses were to Frazee 3627, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle-Browerville 35-34 and Bemidji 32-18.

Wyatt Pilarski, 113, Masyn Patrick, 132, and William Pilarski, 145, all won six matches during the contest. Wyatt Novitzki, 120, had five pins in the seven matches. The fastest Husker pin was 34 seconds by Will Pilarski against LP-

GEB. The Huskers were 20-6 following the contest. Holdingford is currently ranked fourth in Class A as a team. Individuals with state rankings include Wyatt Pilarski, second at 113; Novitzki, third at 120; Patrick, seventh at 132; Will Pilarski, fifth at 152; Drew Lange, fourth at 160; Luke Bieniek, 10th at 170; and Jaxon Bartkowicz, eighth at 182.

Huskers won seven of the eight matches wrestled. Against Kimball, it posted a 55-13 win, recording five pins. The fastest pins were at

160: Lange won 9-1 (MD). 170: Lichy won by forfeit. 182: Bartkowicz won by forfeit.

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER

The Albany Huskies wrestling team finished seventh at the eight-team Minnewaska Invitational Jan. 13 at Minnewaska Area High School in Glenwood. Mason Plumski finished third at the meet. Nathan Kollmann, Carson Holthaus and Owen Carlson were fourth-place finishers.

Albany scored 63 points. Scott West finished first with 196 points. 106: Blake Iverson went 0-2 and took fifth. He lost 16-1 (TF 4:52), received a bye, lost 9-2 and received a bye. 113: Kollmann went 2-2 and took fourth. He won 9-3, lost 1:04, won 2-0 and lost 3-1. 126: Jimmy Carlisle went 0-2 and took fifth. He received a bye, lost 0:51, lost by medical forfeit and received a bye. 132: Holthaus went 2-2 and took fourth. He won 3:02, lost 3:34, won 2:55 and lost 2:34. 145: Carlson went 2-2 and took fourth. He lost 16-5 (MD), won 7-0, won by disqualification and lost 15-0 (TF 4:23). 152: Plumski went 2-1 and took third. He lost 2:21, received a bye, won 2:32 and won 5:19. 160: Ace Donabauer went 0-3 and took sixth. He lost 1:19, received a bye,

Pawettes put down solid results in Foley

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER

The Albany Pawettes high kick team finished fourth and the jazz team fifth at the Foley Invitational Jan. 14 at Foley High School in Foley.

The high kick team had 10 ranking points and 283 of 500 points. Alexandria was first out of seven teams with six ranking points.

The Pawettes jazz team received 14 rank points and 251 points, with Alexandria once again taking first, this time of 10 squads with three rank points.

Pierz Invitational

The Pawettes jazz and high kick teams each finished fourth at the Granite Ridge Conference meet Jan. 9 at Pierz High School in Pierz.

In high kick, the Pawettes had an 11 ranking point total and 291 of 500 in category points. For jazz, the

Senior Dining Menu

The

went undefeated winning the Kimball Quad Jan. 10 at Kimball High School in Kimball. Holdingford bene

tted from six forfeits in the 64-3 win over Sibley East. The

138: Boeckman won 3:04. 145: William Pilarski won 1:53. 152: Welle lost 14-5 (MD). 160: Lange won 7-1. 170: Harren lost 5-2. 182: Bartkowicz won 4-2. 195: Holdingford forfeited. 220: Scegura won 1:07. 285: Euerle won by forfeit.

Boys basketball tops Swanville

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER

The Holdingford Huskers boys basketball team jumped to a 33-20 first-half lead, which gave them enough points even as Swanville rallied in the second to snag a 69-63 victory Jan. 16 at Holdingford High School in Holdingford.

Jeffrey Hall led the Huskers in scoring with 20 points, while Lucas Provo and Tanner Tomasek had 12 each.

HOL 33 36-69

SWN 20   43-63

Holdingford: Jeffrey Hall 20 points (3S), Provo 12 (8R), Tomasek 12 (6R, 4A), Ryder Petersen 8 (5R), Dawson Hofer 5, Connor Breth 5, David Heinen 4 (3S) and Brandon Hall 3.

Kimball 79,

Holdingford 59

The Huskers traveled to Kimball High School in Kimball Jan. 13 and lost 79-59 to the Kimball Cubs in a Central Minnesota Conference matchup.

Provo led Holdingford in scoring with 18 points, while Hofer had 10.

HOL

Pondview Estates, 334 Golfview Drive, Albany 320-845-4070

Jan. 18-25

Wednesday: Pork loin, whipped potatoes, peas and carrots, applesauce, and bread.

Thursday: Spaghetti with ground meat, noodles, green beans, pears and breadstick.

Pawettes had a 10.5 ranking point total and 251 of 500 total category points. Cathedral was first in both jazz and high kick with four rank points in each.

Holdingford: Provo 18 (11R, 3A), Hofer 14 (10R, 3A, 4S), Jeffrey Hall 10 (8R, 8S), Tomasek 9 (6R, 3A), Petersen 6 and Brandon Hall 2. Little Falls 80, Holdingford 54

Holdingford was on the road Jan. 12 in a nonconference game against the Little Falls Flyers at Little Falls High School and lost 80-54.

Hofer was the top scorer for Holdingford with 16 points, with Breth getting 10.

HOL 26   28-54

LF 42 38-80

Holdingford: Hofer 16, Breth 10, Jeffrey Hall 9, Provo 9, Chase Lyon 5, Brandon Hall 3 and Tomasek 2 Royalton 65, Holdingford 48 Royalton raced to a 32-10 halftime lead, but it was a closer game in the second half in a 65-48 Husker home loss Jan. 10. Jeffrey Hall led Holdingford with 14 points while Hofer added eight.

HOL 10 38–48

RYL 32 33–65

Holdingford: Jeffrey Hall 14 (2S), Hofer 10, Provo 9 (10R), Tomasek 8 (6R, 3A), Breth 5 and Brandon Hall 2.

Friday: Breaded cod on bun, coleslaw, broccoli and banana.

Monday: Hamburger rice hotdish, peas, pears, bread and butterscotch pudding.

Tuesday: Pork chops, whipped potatoes, garden salad, applesauce and bread.

Wednesday: Barbecue chicken, scalloped potatoes, green beans, bread and fruit gelatin.

Menu items are subject to change.

Congregate senior dining is open, but call to register. If no answer, leave a detailed message, name and phone number

Paige Gruber 6, Jazmin Finken 5, Avery Birch

Ellie Heller 3, Courtney Revering 3, Nora Schwieters 2 and Shantel Gruber

Holdingford: Hohbein 12, Mitchell 10, Pilarski 10, Felicity LeBlanc 6, Trista Popp 6, Chesney Phillipp

Lindsey Klaphake 3, Ayla Young 2 and Precious Diakite 2.

Basketball from page 12

Paynesville 47, Melrose Area 44

The Dutchmen fell 4744 to the Paynesville Bulldogs Jan. 16 at Paynesville High School in Paynesville.

The game was a contest of runs, with the teams exchanging leads throughout the game. Behind the shooting of Connor Engelmeyer, Connor Anderson and Gor Ruey, the Dutchmen took a 21-19 lead into the halftime break. Paynesville got hot early in the second half and eventually built to a lead it did not lose. Melrose’s cold outside shooting resulted in

missed chances to tie the game in the final minutes.

MEL21 23-44 PYN19 28-47

Melrose: Engelmeyer 15 points (4R), Ruey 12 (3A), Anderson 11 (3A), Devin Orbeck 4 (10R, 4S), Fernando Estrella Becerra 2 and Hunter Goihl (4R).

Melrose 79, Benson 54

With a balanced attack, the Dutchmen defeated Benson 79-54 Jan. 12 at Melrose Area Elementary School in Melrose.

“In the second half, we picked it up,” said Engelmeyer, who scored 35 points. “In the first half, we shot pretty poor from the field. Our defensive intensity was better too.”

In the second half, Engelmeyer scored 26 of his points finding lanes to the basket or open spots on the

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perimeter. He, Ruey and Anderson each had three 3-pointers. Isaac Rosenberger added one more.

Inside, the team got ball to Ruey, who added 16 more points. Orbeck added another attack, hitting 4 of 5 second-half free-throw attempts.

Dusha pointed out scoring is only one aspect of play. All game long, the Dutchmen limited Benson’s scoring chances.

“It’s all about our preparation and developing winning habits,” Dusha said.

“We have to be good with defense.” More than once in the game, the Dutchmen had Benson worrying about the shot clock. Getting the ball back created more scoring chances.

“People know we will play through Engelmeyer and Ruey, but you can’t win with just two guys,” Dusha said. “Our guys have done a really good job of knowing where they can get their shots.”

3A, 4S), Ruey 16 (3R 3S), Anderson 9 (3R), Rosenberger 4 (3R), Orbeck 4 (6R, 3A), Westin Middendorf 4 (3R), Goihl 3 (5R), Ryan Herdering 2 and Funk 2. Melrose 71, Minnewaska 48

Four Dutchmen reached double figures in their 71-48 home win against Minnewaska Jan. 10.

Most of Ruey’s 18 points and Orbeck’s 13 points came from inside as Engelmeyer, 16 points, and Anderson, 10 points, hit from the outside. Engelmeyer had three 3-pointers, Orbeck added two and Ruey and Anderson both drained

one. “We are getting open shots and hitting them,” Anderson said. “That, and we are playing as a team and playing defense.”

MINN27 21-48

MEL39 32-71

Melrose: Ruey 18, Engelmeyer 16 (9R), Orbeck 13 (4A, 7R, 4S), Anderson 10 (3A), Funk 4 (3R), Rosenberger 4, Goihl 2 (4R), Breydon Dobmeier 2 and Maxwell Wehlage 2.

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Will Sjogren

Parents: Josh and Melissa Sjogren

Accomplishment: Senior wrestler at Melrose Area High School.

Bethany Gerads

Parents: Tim and Karey Gerads

Accomplishment: Senior and president of the Holdingford National Honor Society.

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Dynamite Dutchmen

What do you like most about being in wrestling? The need to persevere when doing something hard. It makes you strong in mind, soul and physically throughout your whole life.

What is your most memorable experience in a match or tournament? Last year defeating a guy from Central Lakes, who I lost to earlier but defeated him at sections.

What other activities are you involved in at school? Football and track.

What is something you’ve learned in class recently? I learned how to weld in robotics class. We are making a program for a picture that moves after it senses movement in front of it. I had to weld a picture frame from metal.

What are you looking forward to the most during the school

year? My culinary art class. I like to cook. How do you try to make a difference at school? Helping others with different classes. I help other wrestlers learn different moves and do the moves smoother. I lead people to the next spot they need to be.

What teacher has impacted your education the most? Mr. (Adam) Rushmeyer is fantastic at teaching different students in different ways and making the best of class time and letting everyone pitch in and have fun. He really knows how to teach.

What is your favorite restaurant and the meal you order? Mongo’s Grill. Nothing specific but maybe fried noodles. Then you grab a bowl and get whatever want. I usually take seafood, chicken, sausage, actually most of what is up there. You get an egg with it that is cooked right in front of you.

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NICHOLAS BUSHMAN

Parents: Jeffrey and Kathryn Bushman

Accomplishment: Senior honor band member who performed Jan. 7 in Milaca.

What is your favorite part about being involved in the NHS? Giving back to the community and being able to see how we are making a difference.

Tell us about a current project NHS is working on. We are in charge of organizing the blood drives at school this year. So far ,we have done two, with one more scheduled in February.

What other activities are you involved in at Holdingford High School? I participate on the trap shooting team and am FFA vice president.

What is your favorite memory from elementary school? Playing on the playground during recess, especially the tire swing.

| Holdingford, MN

How do you try to make a difference at school? I encourage students, especially those in NHS or FFA, to try new things within their organizations. If a younger student is hesitant about something, I try to offer positive encouragement to them.

What is something you’ve learned in class recently? How to wire four-way switches in basic electricity class. Tell us something about yourself most people don’t know. I love gardening.

What is your dream job? To own a garden center, a big greenhouse with all kinds of flowers and different vegetable plants for sale. I would also have a selection of cute pots and planters to choose from.

Purple Pride

How long have you been playing the tuba? I have been playing the tuba for six years, and it was my older brother, David, who introduced me to the instrument.

What did you enjoy most about being part of the honors band? I enjoyed meeting other people who played the tuba and being able to hear all the pieces come together so quickly.

Tell us about the day you performed. The band practiced in one-hour increments, taking breaks in order to “rest our chops.”

We had a 30-minute question and answer session with our guest conductor, Jerry Lukehardt, and we played after the choir did their pieces.

What other activities are you involved in at school? Usually, I am involved in the school’s theater performances, but most of this year has just been about saving money for college so I’ve been working more often. I also do pep band for football and basketball games.

Why is it important for you to be involved in school activities? It allows me to spend time with close friends and helps me show my support for my classmates and school, as a whole.

What are goals you would like to accomplish during the school year? I’m really happy I was able to make it through my college political science course, and I’m going to attempt to get a job as a nursing assistant at the St. Cloud Hospital.

What is one piece of advice you would give underclassmen to help them excel in academics or athletics? Put in the work. It may not feel like a whole lot if you’re consistent, but it adds up and it does help in the long run.

What are you thankful for today? My brother, David, is back from his advanced individual training in Virginia.

What are three words that describe your personality? Self- aware, theatrical and goal-oriented, as provided by an outside source.