The Star Post 01-25-2023

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Albany city leaders will consider proposed North Lake pedestrian trail

Residents fill council chambers during joint meeting with park board

BY TIM HENNAGIR | STAFF WRITER

Albany city leaders have agreed to determine the feasibility of developing a North Lake pedestrian trail.

Nearly half of the 40 people who attended a Jan. 18 joint meeting provided input about the proposal.

Park board members participated the hour-and-ahalf long meeting, which also reviewed recreational amenities.

Consensus was reached regarding a possible trail alignment located on the west side of Highway 238.

The joint meeting occurred at the request of Bryan Schiffler, Albany Chrysler Center dealer and owner. He has proposed the trail would be privately funded by donations or other in-kind services.

City engineer Jeremy Mathiasen presented three concepts: East side of the lake, on Highway 238’s west side (Red Line); east side of the lake, on the highway’s east side (Green Line); and west side of the lake, via sidewalks and Forest Avenue (Blue Line).

Mathiasen said his firm has not prepared a trail feasibility study and only had discussions with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Minnesota Department of Transportation.

400 Block update

“There’s so many things to consider here,” Mathiasen said. “We want to get public input tonight to make sure there’s interest in the project.”

Resident Trent Blais favored the Red Line option.

“I have school-age kids who ride and walk when the weather is nice,” he said. “Sixth Street, at times, is just as busy as Highway 238. I love the Red Line option. There’s not as many crossings.”

Schiffler said the proposed lake trail would connect Albany Area Schools’ new Early Childhood Learning Center and North Park to the school campus.

“We are trying to work with the city and privately fund a trail,” he said. “We don’t want to build something that no one uses. There are a lot of obstacles to this project.”

Resident Don Fischer asked if the park board has funds for maintenance of the trail.

Mayor Tom Kasner said design and construction of a trail has not been approved. The city has not determined how much money should be set aside for maintenance.

Resident Betty Marosek said she was not in favor of any proposed trail option where a sidewalk would abut private property.

“That would be an invasion,” she said.

North Lake page 6

D’Lish D’Lish

delight

Ritter, Duclos thrilled to be serving food for Sacred Heart wine and dine, the community

BY CAROL MOORMAN | STAFF WRITER

Life is delightful for D’Lish Coffee and Catering owners Shannon Ritter and Katelyn Duclos.

They are excited to be preparing chicken and dressing and roast beef entrees, plus a salad bar, for the Saturday, Jan. 28, Sacred Heart Catholic School Wine and Dine Dinner and Auction at the Freeport Community Center in Freeport. They are just plain happy to be serving a community they call home and love. “We kept the menu more of a Stearns County thing,” Duclos said about the Jan. 28 fundraiser for the Catholic school.

This year’s school fundraiser has a new

Accessibility

Referendum

would allow for Melrose Public Schools campus ADA updates

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 in the Jan. 18, 25 and Feb. 1 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.

On any given school day, there are eight to more than 15 students in the special education room in the portion of the Melrose Area Public Schools’ campus built in 1969, many who have learning and physical disabilities, including

name and new caterers, D’Lish Coffee and Catering, a Freeport business that opened July 9, 2022. Their silent and live auction features a variety of items made by students and donated by community members and businesses, including a fishing excursion with 1987 World Series champion Juan Berenguer and Timmy Linn, of Freeport.

D’Lish may be new to the area, but the owners are familiar faces, who have experience working in the food industry.

In fact, Duclos, 30, said they both worked at Charlie’s Café in Freeport, even together for a time.

D’Lish page 4

BY

MOORMAN Shannon Ritter holds a cup of coffee and Katelyn Duclos holds a scone Jan. 20 at D’Lish Coffee and Catering in Freeport. They opened this new business July 9, 2022, and will be catering for the Jan. 28 Sacred Heart School Wine and Dine Dinner and Auction at the Freeport Community Center in Freeport.

Melrose school district residents voice referendum concerns

BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER

Close to 50 people attended a Jan. 18 community meeting at Extra Innings Bar & Grill in Spring Hill about the proposed Melrose Public Schools building bond referendum, some expressing concerns.

The meeting was one of eight held around the school district between Jan. 10 and 19 to provide information on the proposed $34,805,000 bond referendum. Superintendent Greg Winter chaired the meeting, which was also attended by school board members Lee Uphoff and Melissa Poepping.

Student Troy Muellner and paraprofessional Karen Timp, on Jan. 19, situate themselves in a handicapped accessible restroom in the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center dressing room at Melrose Area Public Schools in Melrose, one of the few Americans With Disability Act compliant bathrooms around the campus. It is 200 yards from the special education classroom, where Muellner is a student.

the use of wheelchairs.

Currently, if a student with mobility limitations needs to utilize a restroom, they travel 200 yards to one of the few handicapped accessible restrooms at the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center.

As part of the proposed $34,805,000 bond referen-

dum, which school district residents will vote on or before Feb. 14, areas would be made compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act, a civil rights law enacted in 1990, that prohibits discrimination based on disability. The Safety & ADA Accessibility component of the building project includes

renovating existing locker rooms and the addition of an elevator, estimated to cost $3,845,000, and accessible bathrooms for close to $460,000. That includes an ADA bathroom in the special education classroom.

ADA page 3

If approved, the funds would be used for building and renovating CTE classrooms and labs; construction of and equipping a new swimming facility and converting the existing pool area into a multi-purpose activity space and storage; replacing the high school gym floor and tennis courts; updating locker rooms; Americans With Disabilities Act accessible improvements and site, grading and utility improvements.

Generally, people were not opposed to all elements of the project. Stressed more than once was the need to focus on academics, with one person saying, “A little more education and a little less sports.”

In response to that, Superintendent Greg Winter said the district enjoys a good reputation for college level classes, the entrepreneurial class offered and how the Career and Technical Education classroom improvements would aid in vocational options.

Referendum page 3

PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN

PHOTO

CAROL

Duane Moscho

It’s Sunday breakfast time

Green Grove Rod & Gun Club kicks off season

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What do you enjoy most about being part of the basketball team? Bonding with the team on bus rides.

What is your favorite thing to do on the court? Making corner 3-pointers.

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

Why is it important for you to be involved in school activities? You develop life skills, such as problem solving skills.

What is something you are proud you accomplished so far during the school year, and what is one of your goals in the remainder of the year?

I was proud of being a captain on our football team. A goal I have is too continue my leadership even though I am not a captain.

What is one piece of advice you would give underclassmen to help them excel in academics or athletics? Give your best every day. Your time in high school flies by.

What are you thankful for today? I am thankful I am on a team with a bunch of guys who would do anything for each other.

What are three words that describe your personality? Proactive, whole-hearted and affable.

Dynamite Dutchmen

What do you like most about being in basketball? I like the team aspect. I love how no one person can do everything. It is all five people on the court and everybody on the bench.

What is your most memorable experience in a game? Last year, during the first round of playoffs, we played at Spectrum and we won. It was really fun. It was a small gym and our first time there. It was a really small locker room too.

What other activities are you involved in at school? I am only basketball. I was in football. I was in soccer a couple of years ago. I was in baseball in middle school, so I tried them all.

What is something you’ve learned in class recently? In economics, we learned about market systems.

What are you looking forward to during the school year? Graduation and doing stuff with the senior class.

How do you try to make a difference at school? I talk to different people – the younger kids, the older kids. I just try to talk to everyone.

What teacher has impacted your education the most? Mr. (Ryan) Dusha is not only my basketball coach but a great history teacher. He makes history interesting, and I love learning about history.

What is your favorite restaurant and the meal you order? A little taco shop in St. Cloud called Giliberto’s. I order super nachos, with beans, avocados and all that.

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Parents: Elizabeth Chuol.

: Senior forward on the Melrose Area boys basketball team.

Parents: Steve and Kristi Imholte.

Current status: Senior

Brian Pung frosts sweet bread during the Jan. 8 Green Grove Rod & Gun Club annual breakfast at the Greenwald Pub in Greenwald. He is one of close to 100 members of this club, which has been around since the 1940s.

Bill Berg (left) and Joe Meyer fill their plates during the Jan. 8 Green Grove Rod & Gun Club annual breakfast at the Greenwald Pub in Greenwald. They were among the 450 people sharing a meal of eggs, fried potatoes, sausage, sweet bread and fruit.

PHOTOS BY CAROL MOORMAN

James Thull waves as Jayme Klaphake and he fry potatoes and eggs during the Jan. 8 Green Grove Rod & Gun Club annual breakfast at the Greenwald Pub in Greenwald. This breakfast kicks off the 2023 offerings of breakfasts by area clubs and organizations.

D’Lish from front

“The Heidgerkens (who owned Charlie’s back then) are my cousins, so I was pretty young when I started working there,” Ritter, 35, said.

Plus, they have known each other for close to 13 years. Ritter, the daughter of Ron and Elaine Ritter of Freeport, is a 2005 Melrose High School graduate, and Duclos, the daughter of Jeff and Deb Duclos, is a 2011 Melrose graduate.

Ritter said starting their own coffee and catering business was a dream come true for her, “plus I’m addicted to coffee.” It didn’t take much coaxing to convince Duclos that they should open a coffee and catering business.

“We both decided it was the right time in our lives,” Duclos said. “We needed to start thinking about us and deciding what was best for our future, and the path took us to opening our own place.”

The pieces of the puzzle fit together perfectly, she added.

Early spring 2023, Michele Schulzetenberg, former owner of Freeport Floral, which had been in the building, announced on Facebook she was retiring, and Duclos reached out to her on social media.

“Michele said she thought of Shannon and me right away, thinking it was the right building for us,” Duclos said.

The duo went for it. Before long, they had a building, financing and a plan.

And they had a name.

“I was pondering names for one week and suddenly D’lish came to me, and I said, ‘Yes, let’s do that,’” Ritter said.

The front part of the building was remodeled into a specialty coffee area, with a commercial kitchen in the back that includes a15-foot hood for venting and two convection ovens, a 6-burner flat top and two ovens, with a deep fryer area. Their walk-in cooler and other storage areas allow them to store food items.

These local girls used local contractors, Ellingson Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Electrical and Roof 1.

“They did a fantastic job,” Duclos said.

She admits it was not a “walk in the park,” working toward a goal of opening by July 9, 2023, in time for the church festival, but they did it.

“There were many moments I wanted to break down, and Shannon said, ‘We gotta keep going,’” Duclos.

They are grateful for the help and support from their families. Their food inspector was also a huge help.

“She simplified everything and walked us through things,” Ritter said.

Their offerings include specialty coffees, with seasonal additions, homemade baked goods by Ritter and a daily lunch special and Saturday breakfast brunch. A showcase features sandwiches and salads and baked goods.

“The coffee part is my responsibility, and the baking and catering is Shannon’s,” Duclos said.

With her business school education and bookkeeping background, Duclos is in charge of the business financials.

Having worked in the food industry for over 20 years, Ritter knew what people wanted when it came time to prepare menus.

“I focused on what people wanted, and we are open to other ideas,” she said.

Duclos said they are “stepping out with gluten free and vegetarian offerings.”

They are excited their catering business is taking off.

“Local businesses will get lunches for their office or out in the field,” Duclos said.

Six months into it, they are thankful for their “very good customer base,” Duclos said.

She loves that every day is a new experience, which often has her meeting new people.

“Just seeing the joy on their faces when they walk in because the building is so beautiful, and it’s a great atmosphere,” she said. “People can just sit and relax.”

Ritter said her favorite part of this whole starting a business experience is knowing she could do it.

“I’ve always been scared of jumping the gun, and, by doing this, I don’t have that fear anymore,” she said.

D’Lish Coffee and Catering is open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Saturday. Ritter is at the business by 3:30 a.m. making fresh baked goods, including pies and muffins.

“I love the morning,” Ritter said.

Duclos arrives around 5 a.m. to set out items for the day, and they have one part-time employee, Abby Heinen.

At 6 a.m., they are ready to welcome repeat and new customers, with hopes that D’Lish is a delight to them.

That is also Duclos and Ritter’s hope for quests who delve into D’Lish’s homemade entrees and salads at Saturday’s wine and dine.

James C. Thielman

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 27, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Avon for James “Jim” C. Thielman, 77, formerly of Avon, who died Dec. 17, 2022, at Bluffview Memory Care in Holmen, Wisconsin. The Rev. Edward Vebelun, OSB, will officiate, and burial will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls. Visitation will be one hour prior to services, at the church in Avon.

Jim was born Oct. 2, 1945, in Blackduck to Robert, Sr., and Elenora (Machtemes) Thielman. He graduated from St. Cloud Technical High School and completed two years at St. Cloud Technical Community College as an electronics technician before serving his country in the U.S. Army from 1965-67 during the Vietnam Conflict. The

Linda M. Welz

Linda M. Welz, 68, of Melrose, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer Jan. 15, 2023, at her home in Melrose. A memorial service was Jan. 20 at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose with the Rev. Julie Grothe officiating. Inurnment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery at a later date.

Linda Marie Hilleren was born Oct. 7, 1954, in Benson, to Palmer and Eileen Hilleren. She graduated from Benson High School in 1972 and furthered her education at Granite Falls Technical

Walter H. Beuning

Walter H. Beuning, 84, of Freeport, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family Jan. 18, 2023, at the Little Falls Care Center in Little Falls.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 23 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport with the Rev. Daniel Walz officiating. Inurnment was in the parish cemetery with military honors provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Walter Henry Beuning was born Feb. 21, 1938, in Freeport, to George and Ida (Klein) Beuning. He graduated from Melrose High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Walter was stationed in Europe where he provided support for the Vietnam Conflict. He

Teckla M. Scegura

Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Teckla M. Scegura, 98, of St. Anna and rural Avon, was Jan. 19 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Anna. The Rev. Gregory Mastey officiated with burial in the parish cemetery. Teckla passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Jan. 13, 2023, at Mother of Mercy Campus of Care in Albany.

Teckla was born Sept. 21, 1924, in Holdingford, to Peter and Mary (Trutwin) Czech. She graduated from Holdingford High School in 1943 and attended St. Cloud Teacher’s College. She taught

James C. Thielman

majority of his working years were spent transporting gas for Amoco and BP. He moved to Madison, Wisconsin, after his retirement. As a young adult, Jim coached baseball in Avon and later coached womens softball leagues. A favorite hobby was attending St. John’s University football games. After retirement, he enjoyed attending other sporting events in and around

Madison with his best friend and close companion, Rose. He used his love of nature to support his other twin hobbies of walking and photography. He was appreciated for his sense of humor as well as his kindness and generosity. He will be fondly and lovingly remembered. He is survived by Rose Severson of Verona, Wisconsin; daughter Melissa (Wade) Thielman of Trempealeau, Wisconsin; brothers and sisters LeRoy (Patty) of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Kate (John) Frye of St. Paul; LuAnn (Dan) Hufstedler of Plymouth; sisterin-law Margaret Thielman; nieces and nephews Dayna (Dan) Rae of Avon and Troy Thielman of Mound; as well

as many beloved cousins and extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert “Bob” Thielman, Jr. Special thanks to the caregivers at Bluffview Memory Care for their respectful and caring attention during his 4.5 years there and to St. Croix Hospice for their support during his final days. The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers. All memorials will be donated to Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison or The Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Avon. P-4-1B

“Our Country is in Mourning, A Soldier Died Today.”

College, graduating in 1973. She married the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Welz, May 4, 1973, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. Linda worked at the Greenwald State

Bank in Greenwald for 10 years and later worked at other jobs. Linda and Bob lived in Greenwald for 37 years, raising their three daughters. She loved spending time with her daughters and grandchildren. Linda enjoyed fishing, cooking and baking, reading, and sewing. She had made over 25 baby quilts and many more sewing projects. Linda enjoyed crafts of all kinds, including cutting and painting wood projects. Linda was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, who will be missed by all who knew her. Survivors include her loving husband of over 49 years, Robert “Bob”

Welz, of Melrose; children Wendy (Kayla) Welz, Sara (Erik) Haider and Laura (Mike) Revering; and eight grandchildren Alex, Ashley, Ragan, Courtney, Morgan, Derek, Brandon and Nathan. Linda was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Paul and Peter Hilleren and father- and mother-in-law Ted and Marie Welz. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose. P-4-1B

served for over three years and was honorably discharged in 1965. He was united in marriage to Lourdine Beste Jan. 16, 1965, at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. He worked as an implement mechanic most of his life. Walter was a founding member of the Stearns County Pioneer Club and was very active. He

was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport, Freeport Fire Department from 1974 through 1994, Stearns County Pioneer Club, Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion Inc., Minnesota Chapter 15 IH Collectors Club and the Young at Heart Club. Walter enjoyed walking and biking on the Wobegon Trail and collecting tractors. Survivors include his wife, Lourdine “Loura” Beuning, of Freeport; children Barb Beuning of St. Cloud, Ken (Joyce) Beuning of Andover, Sandy Beuning of Waite Park, and Kevin (Lisa) Beuning of Albany; grandchildren Trevor,

Anne, Grace, Joe, Monica, Thomas, Jennifer and Cody; and siblings Edward Beuning of Waite Park, Clara Williams of Melrose, Arthur Beuning of Avon, Leo Beuning of Idaho, and Carol Edgington of Florida. Walter was preceded in death by his parents and sister and brother Rosie Cheyne and Virgil Beuning. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Freeport.

“Our Country is in Mourning, A Soldier Died Today.”

blessed with 11 children. She was a member of the Christian Mothers at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and was a promoter for the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal. She worked at St. John’s University in the refectory. In August 1969, they lost their barn, and Teckla went to work at Holdingford Elementary School, as a teacher’s aide until 1975.

at the Lake Henry school in Stearns County from 1944-45. Teckla was united in marriage to Ludwig Scegura Oct. 20, 1945, at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Holdingford. They farmed near St. Anna and were

Senior Dining Menu

Pondview Estates, 334 Golfview Drive, Albany 320-845-4070 – Jan. 25-Feb. 1

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

Thursday: Swiss steak, baked potato, broccoli, pineapple and cheese bread.

Friday: Tuna noodle hotdish, mixed vegetables, orange slices, roll and brownie.

Monday: Chicken chow mein, rice, vegetables, mandarin oranges and egg roll.

Tuesday: Ham and potato soup, half chicken salad sandwich, apple slices and cookie.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, potato medley, vegetables, pears and bread. 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

She was very dedicated to her family and loved spending time with her children and their families. She treasured her 43 grandchildren, two step-granddaughters and 81 great-grandchildren with more to be welcomed. Teckla was a kind, loving, understanding and a very generous person and always put others first. Her faith was very important to her. She passed the virtues of faith and honesty to the many children she taught during her years as a faith formation teacher at Immaculate Conception Church, as well as to her family and friends.

Teckla is survived by her children, Susan (Claude) Toenyan of St. Rosa and their children, Paul, Karen, Gregg, Jason and Matthew; Patricia (Linus) Luethmers of Albany and their children, Judy, Jessica and Jason; and Ronald (Jane) Scegura of Avon and their children, Jennifer, Jeremy, Joseph and Michael; son-in-law Sylvester Geise of Freeport and his children, Gary, Jennifer, Daniel and James; Raymond (Juleen) Scegura

of Holdingford and their children, Katherine and Marie; Theresa (Tom) Studniski of Avon and their children, Tammy Jo, Tanya, Tracy, Timothy and Troy; David (Anita) Scegura of Avon and their children, Dawn, Dustin, Danel and Dylan, Jessica and Stephanie; Peter (Kathy) Scegura of Avon and their children, Andrew, Kimberly, Benjamin and Zachary; Diane (LeRoy) Hartung of Avon and their children, Brittany, Eric, Ryan, Crystal, Tracy, Heidi and Amber; and James (Tammy) Scegura of Avon and their children Amy, Kelly, Jody, Brian and Brandyn. Teckla was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband Ludwig March 19, 1983; son John Oct. 1, 2008; daughter Mary Nov. 24, 2022; great-grandson Ryan Toenyan; and her siblings, brothers Louis, Frank, Ted, Nick, James and Peter Czech Jr., and sisters Helen Czech, Eleanor Hiemenz, Florence Detloff, Marcella Hiemenz and Rose Mary Kociemba.

A special thank you to the staff at the Mother of Mercy Campus of Care for their kindness and compassion given to our dear mother. You made your campus her new home. We would also like to thank Moments Hospice for their loving care and help with Mom’s final days.

Arrangements made by the Miller-Carlin Funeral Home of Holdingford.

Linda M. Welz

Teckla M. Scegura

Walter H. Beuning

Baby shower bliss

There is nothing like a baby shower to brighten a dreary January day. That’s just what happened Saturday as we celebrated the impending February birth of a baby to my nephew, Chris, and his wife, Kieshia. So that means the Moorman and Trisko families – both of Melrose – will have an addition to their families, which I know Mom and Dad would be pretty proud of.

To me, it’s just hard to comprehend my nieces and nephews are all grown up and raising families of their own. It was just yesterday when they were little and running around Grandpa and Grandma’s Melrose yard, or Grandpa was taking Chris fishing down by the dam. Now they are parents.

Mom and Dad would be pretty proud of their five great-grandchildren, Skylar, Mia, Bryson, Claire and Wilder, with another two on the way, much like they were proud of their grandchildren. Along with Chris and Kieshia, my nephew, Adam, and Alexis are expecting a baby in February, so that means Bryson will be a big brother. Dad didn’t live long enough to meet any of their great-grandchildren, but Mom treasured time spent with Skylar and Mia. One of my favorite photos is of Mom looking down at baby Mia in her lap, as Skylar watches. Now they are 7 and 6 years old.

My sister, Audrey, the grandma; Kieshia’s mom Terry, the other grandma; Christina, Chris’ brother’s wife; and I, as the aunt, arrived early to decorate and prepare the food and

drinks, as we hosted a shower for this first-time mother.

The place filled up quickly as guests arrived carrying their baby gifts, which were placed on the fireplace perch. That included the gift I purchased from Décor & More in Melrose. Owner Pam was so helpful, much like she was last fall when I purchased a baby gift for my great-nephew Wilder, born to my niece, Krista, and husband Corey.

The afternoon flew by as people visited while eating. It was nice seeing people I haven’t seen for a while, including Anita, LuAnn and Joan, from my brother-in-law Jim’s side. Visiting during a happy occasion, instead of a funeral, is a plus.

The highlight, of course, was Kieshia opening her baby gifts. Oh, the cute outfits this baby will get to wear. I can just see Chris reading one of the many books gifted to his little baby. Or maybe not.

While many gifts were nice, there was one unique one. Kieshia’s friend Leah made a baby quilt out of material from the bridesmaid dress she wore on Chris and Kieshia’s wedding. It was adorable – or I should say will be adorable – as there were still stick pins in it, but Leah confirmed the quilt will be completed by the time Baby Negen arrives.

With the baby shower over, I can’t wait to meet this little bundle of joy for the first time.

That’s all part of the baby shower bliss.

Helping settlers

History about the expansion of Europeans into the Americas has reports of contact with Native Americans.

Many reports deal with the desire of Euro-Americans to acquire the land, and the Native Americans not wanting to move. There were a number of reasons for the 1862 Uprising, but those desires played a role.

Not all contacts, though, were necessarily confrontational or resulted in conflicts. Some of the early contacts were clearly a benefit to the settlers.

That is the impression when reading “The Fruit of Faith and Witness: The Story of St. Martin Parish, 1858-2008,” compiled by Paul Hughey. The book reports the area prepared for 1862 conflict and some attacks came as close as Richmond and Paynesville.

There is one family’s recollection of how their ancestor, among the first settlers in the area, got along with and was helped by Native Americans. It is interesting that most of those memories were usually about the women in the emigrating family and Native American women.

Their ancestor, the mother of a family settling in area, found the Native Americans were willing to help them if asked. The book states Native American women taught the family how to rescue water damaged flour that had become dough. They took the dough, let it dry and pounded it back into flour.

The Native Americans showed the woman how to use local growing plants for traditional medicines. One was said to help with colds, another helped with intestinal parasites

Letter from school is not a referendum ballot

By Roger Gysberg, Melrose

I would like to inform community members in Melrose School District 740 if you received a letter with a yes and no oval on it, that is not a school referendum ballot. Also, you will not receive a ballot by mail unless you apply for an absentee ballot. Anyone can apply by contacting the school or Stearns County.

Safety of our children at school is important during referendum vote

By Rocky Gysberg, Melrose

I am a concerned member of ISD 740 with all the current events in the news days. Do we really think letting people walking into our school to vote is the safest thing for our kids?

I have two kids in school and will agree that our community is safe, but I don’t see the need to open that door with no added security or metal detectors for a referendum vote when anyone could walk in, and once they are in the building, it would be too late.

I’m not worried about our community members, but we live in a time where incidents on I-94 occur. I feel this risk to our kids is totally unnecessary.

Reform, funding is needed for long-term care industry

By Jodi Danielson, Good Shepherd Community, Sauk Rapids

In October 2022, 11,000 older adults in Minnesota were turned away by long-term care providers because of staffing shortages? That number is staggering.

The long-term care profession has been in crisis for years, but, in my 20 years of service, I have never seen

and a third with sore throats.

It wasn’t only medicines that the woman received advice on. Shortly after the Uprising, while her husband was away, a woman noticed a bear occupying the covering over the well. The family tried chasing it away, including pelting it with stones and shouting at it. Native American women heard the noise, came to their homesite and immediately told them to stop. They said the attempts would only make the bear angry and it might attack them.

In an act, resembling the story of the first Thanksgiving, the Native Americans brought meat for the family while her husband was gone.

That woman’s memories of dealing with Native Americans were positive. She constantly stressed that the Native Americans generally helped the settlers, more than the settlers helped the Native Americans.

One of the woman’s granddaughters recalled her grandmother commenting on a reading the granddaughter had been assigned in school. Indians played a part in the story. An illustration accompanying the story showed an Indian standing on a settler and swinging a club at him. The granddaughter recalled the grandmother’s reaction was one of concern and to some degree disbelief.

Hughey’s book states the grandmother said, “I wonder what the white man did to that Indian? No Indian would kill a white man unless the white man had really done him harm. I don’t think that picture should be in the reader.”

One has to wonder how settler-Native American relations would have played out if views such as hers had been heard more often.

things this dire. I struggle to find a word strong enough to represent our current situation.

Competent, compassionate and caring staff are leaving our profession in droves because they don’t make a living wage and can’t stand to see older adults served without the best possible care. Some feel forced to leave the profession because they have to choose between family and mandates to work additional shifts. Staff are exhausted and can’t physically, emotionally and mentally do it anymore.

LeadingAge Minnesota reports Minnesota is home to the most severe caregiver shortage in the nation. That fact is terrifying.

Other industries can pass on increasing cost burdens to customers; we can’t. The state sets nursing home rates, and at current funding levels, we can’t pay caregivers the wages they deserve.

It was disheartening nothing was done to help long-term care providers last session. With a continued surplus, older adults must be a priority this session. Minnesota seniors have built our communities and done their part; we owe it to care for them in their time of greatest need.

We must reform the Elderly Waiver payment system, which pays for assisted living and memory care. We’ve been talking about it for years; it’s time to act.

Good Shepherd Community serves over 67% of our assisted living and memory care population on EW services. We can’t afford to do that when we get paid at rates less than what it costs to care for them and while in an economic climate where everything costs more.

We are calling on the Minnesota Legislature to adequately fund long-term care and reform the Elderly Waiver program so we can serve Minnesota seniors who desperately need our help. If you have a loved one in long-term care or who may need it soon, reach out to your legislators and ask for their help.

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Kayla Hunstiger

On Jan. 17, the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team held their annual “Pride Night,” celebrating the LGBTQ+ community.

In recent years the National Hockey League, like most other professional sports, and many other large corporate brands, have made a pitch to let the world know they support inclusion and LGBTQ+ rights.

They do so by hosting pride events, like the one in Philadelphia, which has made headlines because one of the players refused to wear a rainbow-themed jersey during the pre-game skate. Ivan Provorov is a Russian-born player (The NHL has a plethora of Russian and European players), who said wearing such a jersey was against his religious beliefs.

Despite him not participating in the pregame skate, he was in the lineup and allowed to play in the game. This, of course, triggered a wide array of keyboard warriors who took to social media to ridicule Provorov and label him a bigot and homophobe.

Provorov, to his credit, spoke to reporters after the game and simply said, “I respect everybody, and I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my (Russian Orthodox) religion.”

He told reporters that was all he was going to say, and really it is all he should have to say.

The entire scenario is another classic example of selective outrage, which has become such a common trait amongst those who like everyone to hear their opinion, especially on matters that have nothing to do with them but hate to hear other people’s opinions on the same matter.

For example, when Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game, people lost their minds and ridiculed him as an ungrateful, spoiled American-hating traitor. This viewpoint came largely from the right. Meanwhile, those on the left praised Kaepernick for taking a stand by taking a knee, pointing to his constitutional right to protected free speech and right to peacefully protest.

Now, with Provorov, it is those on the left who are ridiculing him and labeling him the same way the right labeled and trashed Kaepernick. Meanwhile, those on the right cite his freedom of religion and freedom of expression to do as he pleases.

Those who have selective outrage for one man and not the other points to the vast differences between right and left thinking and the hypocrisy that encompasses both. It’s the same with the 2020 riots and the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Those on the right believe the 2020 riots that destroyed cities are much worse than Jan. 6. Those on the left believe Jan. 6 was akin to 9/11 and one of the worst days in America’s history.

It’s crazy how so many people see two things that are eerily similar yet have completely different takeaways.

Even the Flyers coach, John Tortorella, years ago said he would bench any player who sat during the national anthem. But when Provorov protested “Pride Night,” he was able to play a regular shift. Tortorella has said he has since changed his mind about the anthem ordeal, which may or may not be true given his decision not to bench Provorov.

Maybe it would be better if hockey coaches coached, players played and fans watched. Kaeprnick kneeling and Provorov skipping the pre-game skate does not make them bad people, and is not a big deal.

I think it’s an important trait for one’s ability to take a stand. It’s called conviction, and it’s rare.

And it certainly doesn’t affect anyone’s life. It’s no different than an employee skipping a sloppy joe lunch at work because they are a vegetarian.

Personally, I take a more libertarian view. My beliefs and decisions are mine, and yours are yours. I may disagree with you, and you may disagree with me. It doesn’t make me a bad person, and it doesn’t make you one, either. If we canceled everyone we disagreed with, nobody would be married.

Provorov said it best. “I respect everybody and everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself.”

That’s good advice for all of us.

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ISSN: Print: 2834-5916 Online: 2834-5924

Albany baseball coaches receive rousing recognition

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER

Al Amdahl, who coached the Albany Area High School baseball team for 30 years, was inducted into the Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Jan. 20 at the Kirby Puckett Atrium at Target Field in Minneapolis.

Grant Johnson, who has coached junior high and ninthgrade baseball and served an assistant varsity coach for the Huskies under Amdahl, was also honored that day. He received the Rob Fornasiere Assistant Coach of the Year Award.

Amdahl retired after the 2022 baseball season. He compiled a 418-245 record and his teams went to the state tournament three time: 2005, 2008 and 2021.

In addition to coaching high school, Amdahl has coached Babe Ruth baseball in Albany for over 30 years. During that time, his teams advanced to the Babe Ruth World Series three times, finishing third in 2018 and 2019 and sixth in 2022. He has also coached VFW and American Legion baseball.

Amdahl was also a long-time assistant coach in football, receiving the Bush Nash Award in 2008, and excelled as a coach in academic areas. He was named the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 2013 and Minnesota Council on Economics Education Economics Teacher of the Year in 2015. He has coached championship teams in economics challenge as well as personal finance.

Coaches page 11

Free throws seal win for Huskies

Gerads, Hondl combine for 50 points

BY MIKE KOSIK STAFF WRITER

The Albany Huskies boys basketball team sank 10 free throws with just over a minute left to give them a 62-54 win over Rocori in front of a full Albany Area High School gym Jan. 23 in Albany.

Tysen Gerads, with 28 points, and Sam Hondl, with 22, combined for 50 of Albany’s points in the nonconference clash against traditional rival Rocori.

The Huskies broke a 1212 tie with six minutes left in the first half and never trailed after that. But, as Albany pulled ahead, the Spartans came back and never let the game get away.

The Huskies led by 14 with just over a minute left in the first half, but Rocori closed it by sinking five free throws. That cut Albany’s lead to nine at 26-17.

The Huskies led by 10 with just under 10 minutes left in the second half, 44-34, but Rocori chipped away. Albany’s lead was down to three with 1:16 left.

Hondl shot a three just as the shot clock was running out but was fouled while shooting. He went to the line and sank one, but Rocori was called for a technical

pair of conference wins for the Huskies.

foul. Hondl made one of his two remaining free throws, giving Albany a 54-49 lead. He then sank both of the free throws awarded on the technical foul, and Albany now had a seven-point margin at

56-49.

Albany retained possession and Gerads was fouled. He made one of two free throws on a one-and-one. He got the steal on the other end of the court and made

the shot to put Albany up 59-49 with 36 seconds left.

The Spartans, with 20 seconds left, hit a 3-pointer and made two free throws at :12.6.

On Albany’s next possession, Zeke Austin was fouled and he made both free throws. Carter Voss, with just about a second left, sank one of two free throws, ending the game.

The win ups Albany’s record to 11-1 overall. Rocori came into the game with a 6-6 record.

ALB 26 36-62

ROC 17 37-54

Albany: Gerads 28 points, Hondl 22, Austin 8 and Voss 4.

Albany 64, Little Falls 53

Coming off its 107-point game against Pierz a couple of days before, the Huskies had much more of a battle when it faced Little Falls Jan. 20 at Albany Area High School in Albany for a 6453 Granite Ridge Conference win.

Head coach Cory Schlagel said the game went the way he expected.

“They (Little Falls) are a blue-collar team that works extremely hard and knows its identity,” he said.

The Huskies led at the half 28-25. The game stayed close until the first three minutes into the second half when the Huskies began to pull away. Albany’s biggest lead was 54-40 at 7:49.

PHOTO BY MIKE KOSIK

Tysen Gerads shoots from underneath the basket as the Huskies took on the Little Falls Flyers Jan. 20 at Albany Area High School in Albany. Gerads eclipsed the 20-point mark in a

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Al Amdahl (left) and Grant Johnson hold their Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association plaques Jan. 20 at Target Field in Minneapolis. Amdahl was inducted into the Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and Johnson received the Fornasiere Assistant Coach of the Year Award.

Albany basketball page 11

Wrestlers win two more

BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER

The Holdingford Huskers wrestling team won two matches at the Bertha-Hewitt/Verndale/Parkers Prairie Triangular Jan. 19 at Verndale High School in Verndale.

Luke Bieniek clinched the 36-30 victory for Holdingford against BHVPP, posting a 4-3 win in the 170-pound match to give the Huskers a 24-18 lead. There were four matches left, with the Huskers guaranteed 12 more points through forfeits.

Prior to that contest, the match had been back and forth.

BHVPP is ranked as Lean and Mean by the Guillotine, while the Huskers are ranked fourth.

Pins by Wyatt Novitzki, 113, and Drew Lange, 152, helped create an 18-18 tie before Kolton Harren, 160, won a 4-2 decision.

The Huskers benefitted from four forfeits in a 66-12 win over Wadena-Deer Creek. Teagun Burg, 106, Lane Patrick, 113, Evan Petron, 132, Grant Welle, 145, and Jaxson Bartkowicz, 182, all won by pin. Welle’s victory came at 47 seconds and Bartkowicz’s at 33 seconds.

Holdingford 36, BHVPP

Holdingford: 106: Lane Patrick lost

Lady Dutchmen rally falls short

Girls basketball plays well under pressure

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

A solid second half of girls basketball came up two points shy of a Melrose Area Lady Dutchmen win Jan. 20 at Melrose Area Elementary School in Melrose.

The Lady Dutchmen fell 47-45 to Cathedral. They had trailed 23-19 at halftime but rallied to lead midway through the second half.

“In the first half, we weren’t doing a good job putting up screens and executing the little things more aggressively,” said Evan Reller, head coach. “That’s how we’ve got to play. We can’t control our offense if our shots are not going in, but we can control playing good defense.”

Girls basketball suffers third loss

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER

The Holdingford Huskers girls basketball team lost only its third game of the season Jan. 21, falling to Crosby-Ironton 81-55 at Crosby-Ironton High School in Crosby.

The Huskers led 37-34 at halftime, but Crosby-Ironton rallied for 47 points in the second half and kept the Huskers to 18.

Addy Pilarski led Holdingford in scoring with 17 points, with Makenna Hohbein following with 12.

The loss gives the Huskers a 12-3 record. It leads the Central Minnesota Conference at 6-0, with Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa in second at 6-1, 11-2 overall.

HOL 37 18–55

CI 34 47–81

Holdingford: Pilarski 17 points (6R, 5A), Hohbein 12 (8A, 3S), Maddy Mitchell 8, Trista Popp 7, Felicity Leblanc 6, Chesney Phillip 2, Brooke Soltis 2 and Lauren Soltis 1.

Holdingford 49, Paynesville 45

The Huskers won a close 49-45 contest against conference rival Paynesville Jan. 20 at Holdingford High School in Holdingford to stay undefeated in the conference.

The Huskers led 23-20 at halftime and outscored the Bulldogs 26-25 in the second half.

Lauren Soltis and Hohbein each had nine points to lead Holdingford in scoring.

HOL 23 26–49

PYN 20 25–45

Holdingford: Hohbein 9 (9R), Lauren Soltis 9, Pilarski 8 (8R, 4B), Mitchell 7 (5S), Brooke Soltis 6, Leblanc 6 and Popp 4.

Holdingford 67, Maple Lake 37

The Huskers scored almost all the points it needed in the first half on their way to a 67-37 win over the visiting Maple Lake Irish Jan. 17 at Holdingford High School in Holdingford.

Holdingford led at halftime 34-17.

Hohbein, with 18 points, and Mitchell and Pilarski, with 16 each, paced the Huskers in scoring.

HOLD 34 33–67

ML 17 20–37

Holdingford: Hohbein 18 (6R, 7A), Mitchell 16 (4R, 4A, 7S), Pilarski 16 (5R, 7B), Young 7, Leblanc 3, Popp 3, Mckenna Streit 2 and Lauren Soltis 2.

Boys basketball falls to EV-W

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER

The Holdingford Huskers boys basketball team lost a 76-46 Central Minnesota Conference game to Eden Valley-Watkins Jan. 19 at Holdingford High School in Holdingford.

The Eagles led 42-28 at halftime.

Dawson Hofer, 13 points, Connor Breth, 11, and Jeffrey Hall, 10, led Holdingford’s scoring.

HOL 28 18–46

EVW 42 34–76

Holdingford: Hofer 13 points (8R), Breth 11, Hall 10 (3A), Ryder Petersen. 8 and Tanner Tomasek 4 (8R). Holdingford 60, St. John’s Prep 53

The Huskers ventured into Collegeville and found its second win of the season, taking down St. John’s Prep 60-53 Jan. 23 at St. John’s Preparatory School.

No stats were available by press time.

Melrose Mainstreet Repair, Inc.

The Lady Dutchmen failed to cash in on scoring opportunities in the first half but hit enough baskets to stay competitive. Jazmin Finken and Kaydence Bertram both hit threes, with Bertram scoring 11 of her 15 points in the first half.

In the second half, Bertram led a strong defense that quieted the Cathedral offense and created turnovers. The Lady Dutchmen then worked the ball inside. Free throws by Bertram, Paige Gruber and Isabelle Jaenicke closed in on the Cathedral lead.

Then Gruber came through. Held to two firsthalf points, she scored seven unanswered points, including a 3-pointer, as Melrose took a 33-31 lead. A bit later, Madison Kuechle added another 3-pointer, as did Ellie Heller.

Cathedral rallied for a 46-43 lead, forcing Melrose to foul, and the Crusaders

just enough free throws to keep its lead. Jazmin

Finken, who was 4 of 4 from the free-throw line, dropped in two for Melrose with 12 seconds left, creating a 4645 game. Cathedral hit one of two with five seconds left, but time ran out before Melrose Area could get off a

final shot.

Reller felt the team had shown it could play in pressure games. The team found itself in a rare close game at the end.

“We haven’t had many close games,” he said. “I am really proud of the girls’ effort. I am proud of how hard

they fought.”

CATH 23 24-47 MEL 19 26-45 Melrose: Bertram 15 points (3R, 4S), Paige Gruber 13 (7R), Finken 7 (3R, 3A), Heller 5, Kuechle 3 and Jaenicke 2. Sauk Centre 60, Melrose 28 Sauk Centre dominated in a 60-28 Melrose loss Jan. 19 at Melrose Area Elementary School in Melrose.

The Streeters jumped to an 11-4 lead and never looked back. Melrose outscored the Streeters 11-2 at one point in the second half. It picked up on the play of Bertram, who passed the ball to open teammates for shots and played a good defensive game to slow Sauk Centre’s scoring. Steals by Heller and blocks by Gruber helped get the ball back for Melrose.

Nora Schwieters, Bertram and Alexa Toenyan had 3-point shots. Gruber scored eight points. SC 35 25-60

MEL 12 16-28 Melrose: Gruber 8 (5R, 3B), Bertram 7 (3R, 5A), Schwieters 3 (5R, 3S), Jaenicke 3 (4R), Toenyan 3, Heller 2 (3S), Avery Birch 2 and Finken (4R).

Big second half gives Huskies girls 32-point win

Albany on top of conference

BY MIKE KOSIK STAFF WRITER

The Albany Huskies girls basketball team took a 40-30 lead into halftime before coming out and outscoring Zimmerman 47-25 in the second half for an 87-55 win Jan. 19 at Albany Area High School in Albany. The Huskies took an early 11-2 lead, but the Thunder got rolling and tied it up at 19-19 with about eight minutes left in the first half. Albany broke the tie and were ahead 38-24 with

less than two minutes to go, but Zimmerman closed out the half with a small rally to close within 10.

The Thunder scored the first points to start the second half, but Albany went on a 15-0 scoring streak after that to lead 55-32.

“I was really pleased with the effort,” said Aaron Boyum, head coach.

Boyum said the press is a big part of the team, but felt the Huskies could have done better on getting back on defense and limiting Zimmerman’s transition in the first half. He made a decision at halftime to take the press off.

“Let’s just take the press away and just play good

half-court defense,” he said.

“I thought the girls executed it really well. We got a lot of steals early in the second half; probably had more transition looks early in the second half than we did in most of the first half.”

The Huskies had four scorers in double figures:

Tatum Findley, 26, Alyssa Sand, 19, Callie Holthaus, 13, and Savanna Pelzer, 12.

The Huskies stand alone on top of the Granite Ridge Conference with a 5-0 record, 12-1 overall. In second, at 3-2, are Milaca, Cathedral and Foley.

ALB 40 47–87

ZIM 30 25–55 Albany: Findley 26 points (4A), Sand 19 (13R), Holthaus 13, Pelzer 12 (7A), Kylan Gerads 9 (8R), Natalie Blonigen 5 (8R) and Eva Schwenzfeier 3.

PHOTOS BY HERMAN LENSING

Head coach Evan Reller (from left), Nora Schwieters, Ellie Heller, Alexa Toenyan and Ria Nelson celebrate Melrose taking a 33-31 lead during the Melrose-Cathedral girls basketball game Jan. 20 at Melrose Area Elementary School in Melrose. The Lady Dutchmen made a spirited comeback, but Cathedral found the 47-45 win.

Paige Gruber lets the ball go for two points against Sauk Centre Jan. 20 at Melrose Area Elementary School in Melrose. Gruber worked her way inside to tally eight points and five rebounds. hit

Rosettes take top 10 high kick honor

BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER

The Melrose Area Rosettes dance team competed in a 20-school invitational Jan. 21 at Yellow Medicine East High School in Granite Falls with high kick earning 10th place, finishing with 28 rank points. Cathedral, the champion, had five rank points. Melrose finished with 292 of a possible 500 points. The team’s highest rank was 7.5, but it had a 12 as its lowest rank. It received two 10s and had one eighthplace rank. Cathedral’s ranks ranged from one to three. The jazz team grabbed 264 of 500 points, earning 35 rank points and finishing in 11th place. Lac Qui Parle Valley/Dawson-Boyd was first with four rank points. Melrose had a 14.5 for its low rank and 7.5 for its high rank. Counting toward the team scoring were ranks of 13.5, 11.5 and 10. LQPV-DB received only one and two ranks.

Melrose: Jazz: 1. LQPV-DB 4, 2. Cathedral 6, 3. YME 9, 4. Zumbrota-Mazeppa 14 5. Lake City 14 6. Montevideo 21 7. Wabasha-Kellogg 23 8. Cannon Falls 23 9. Maynard-Clara City-Raymond/Renville

Fusion match expectations at memorable true team

Melrose-Sauk Centre places five in top 10

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

The team was seeded 11th of 12 teams and earned 11th in a tight contest among the final third of the competing teams. For a while, M-SC was looking at a higher finish.

PHOTOS BY HERMAN LENSING

24.5 less than ninth-place Grand Rapids. Champion Breck/Blake had

2,168 points.

Huskies wrestlers ninth in New London

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER

Owen Carlson finished first and Mason Plumski took second as the Albany Huskies wrestling team finished ninth Jan. 20 at New London-Spicer High School in New London.

Carson Holthaus and Nathan Kollmann both earned third place.

There were 10 teams competing at the invitational, with Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa coming in first place with 259 points. Albany had 80.5 points.

Albany: 106: Blake Iverson went 0-2 and did not place. He received a bye lost 13-9 and lost 7-3. 113: Kollmann went 3-1 and took third. He received a bye lost 1:44 received a bye won 12-0 (MD), won 4-0 and won 5-1. 132: Holthaus went 3-1 and took third. He received a bye won 0:53, lost 14-4 (MD), won 2:39 and won 9-2. 138: Reed Moulzolf went 0-2 and did not place. He lost 1:18, received a bye and lost 0:47. 145: Carlson went 3-0 and took first. He received a bye won 23-8 ( TF 3:33), won 3:21 and won 2:48. 152: Plumski went 2-1 and took second. He received a bye won 3:35 won 1:07 and lost 11-8. 160: Zach Gruber went 0-2 and did not place. He lost 1:16, received a bye and lost 9-0 (MD). Ace Donabauer went 0-2 and did not place. He received a bye lost 5-1 received a bye and lost by sudden victory 7-5.

Milaca-Faith Christian 51, Albany 20

Iverson, Holthaus, Carlson and Plumski all recorded victories as Albany lost 51-20 to Milaca-Faith Christian Jan. 19 at Milaca High School in Milaca. Albany: 106: Iverson won 14-8. 113: Kollmann lost 6-4. 120: Albany forfeited. 126: Double disqualification.

“We knew it would be a close battle eighth to 10th, but it was a close battle between ninth to 12th,” said Nathan Meyer, cohead coach. “Originally, we thought we finished 10th. When we looked through the results, we saw one of our diver’s scores had been entered wrong. That changed things a little bit.”

A M-SC diver had initially been awarded first place. The adjustment corrected the ranking and dropped the Fusion by one spot.

It was in diving where coaches saw one of the lessons they teach come into play. The team’s top diver, Andrue Stalboerger, struggled in his first few dives, but with resolve and a strong mentality, he came back to produce solid results.

“His last three dives were some of the best he threw in the entire meet,” said James Schreiner, cohead coach. “We were really happy to see Andrue not get frustrated and let his couple of dives be a detriment.”

Stalboerger finished ninth in the meet after his initial dives had him in the lower half of the 33-member competition.

“One of the things we teach is overcoming adversity,” Meyer said. “It was a hard start for him. For him to come back mentally from barely finishing in the top 20 to ninth was impressive.”

Stalboerger was one of five Fusion members to finish in the top 10 of their competition. Every event had between 33 and 48 competitors. The top M-SC finish was Adam Wilwerding’s third-place showing in the 100 backstroke. That came as he set a Fusion and Melrose Area record at 53.59 seconds, .45 of a second out of second place.

“That is under the state cut time,” Meyer said. “He was going against the best in the state and showed he belongs.”

Jacob Robischon earned eighth in the 100 butterfly, missing seventh by .19 of a second. He tied the Sauk Centre school record in the 200 individual medley and

10th

and Adam Wilwerding swam with Sevrin Anderson and Grant Eveslage in the 200 medley relay, which earned 10th place. They were the first M-SC unit to compete and set the tone for the rest of the meet.

M-SC take last place.

Early in the year, Meyer was not sure the team would be at the state true team meet. Injuries have taken contributors out of the lineup, and there are swimmers in their first year of competition.

“Their times improved a lot,” Meyer said. “They have come a long way. It’s exciting to see how much they have grown.”

The Fusion finished with 1,099 points, 10 more than Sauk Rapids-Rice and

Defenders place fifth at Pirate Wrestling Classic

Walter reaches 50th win

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

The Sauk Centre-Melrose Defenders finished fifth at the Park Center Pirate Wrestling Classic Jan. 21 at the Park Center Activity Center in Brooklyn Park.

There were boys’ and girls’ tournaments. The Defenders boys finished fifth with 105.5 points out of 18 teams. Hudson, Wisconsin, ranked in Wisconsin’s Division 1, took first with 214 points. Two Defenders wrestled for championships and three wrestled for third place.

Team standings were not kept for the girls’ tournament. The three girls wrestling for Sauk Centre-Melrose brought home two championships and a runner-up.

Girls

Lanna Walter earned first in the 120-pound division. The three wins she recorded included her 50th career victory. She had two first-period pins and took first with a 9-2 decision.

Lili Raya-Park never wrestled beyond the first pe-

riod in winning the 152-165 championship. Two of her pins were under 30 seconds in the round-robin format.

Kalli Schirmers faced just one opponent in the 138-145 division and was defeated in both matches.

SC-M: 120: Walter went 3-0 and took first. She won 0:30 won 0:51 and won 9-2. 138-145: Schirmers went 0-2 and finished second. She lost 0:50 and lost 1:27. 152-165: Raya Park went 3-0 and took first. She won 1:08 won 0:25 and won 0:26.

Boys

Both Mitchell Christen and Jose De Los Santos Morales earned runner-up medals in the boys’ brackets. De Los Santos Morales recorded impressive decisions in reaching the championship, and Mitchell Christen used a pin as one of his wins.

Dominic Kerzman, 106, won three matches. Will Sjogren, 285, who had a bye, won twice. Kerzman’s loss was to Osakis’ Reggie George, ranked second in Class A. Sjogren ended his day with a pin.

technical fall. SC-M: 106: Kerzman went 3-1 and finished third. He won 13-3 (MD), won 1:58, lost 4:51 and won 3:02. 120: Teddy Wiechman went 0-2 and did not place. He lost

2-1

went

2-0 lost

United Triangular SC-M fell 69-8 to Dawson-Boyd/LacQui

Montevideo United

win in the

200MR: 10. Adam Wilwerding Anderson Robischon and Eveslage 1 minute 45.36 seconds; 22. Alex Wilwerding, Nolan Fleischhacker Isaiah Zink and Zaron Olmschenk 1:55.14; 40. Rayden Weber Zander Olmschenk Samuel Stangler and Anthony Bierschbach 2:10.75; 47. Devin Crawford-Klinnert, Stalboerger, Aiden Felling and Spencer Marthaler 2:21.31. 200FS: 25. Thatcher Van Beck 2:00.51 43. Parker Sorenson 2:13.94; 45. Hunter Leslie 2:18.26 and 47. Sullivan Stumler 2:21.56. 200IM: 10. Robischon 2:07.15 25. Anderson 2:20.94 33. Fleischhacker 2:23.76 and 43. Zander Olmschenk 2:38.82. 50FS: 20. Eveslage 24.57, 23. Zink 25.17, 34. Stangler 26.58 and 38. Bierschbach 27.07. Diving: 9. Stalboerger 288.40 points 20. Marthaler 148.50 and 23. Zaron Olmschenk 93.95. 100FLY: 8. Robischon 56.46 30. Zink 1:06.22 39. Weber 1:13.09 and 40. Zaron Olmschenk 1:14.03. 100FS: 13. Adam Wilwerding 57.1, 26. Eveslage 57.12, 29. Alex Wilwerding 57.54 and 46. Felling 1:06.10. 500FS: 17. Van Beck 5:22.38 42. Sorenson 6:10.80 44. Stumler 6:24.58 and 45. Leslie 6:25.28. 200FSR: 17. Zink, Zander Olmschenk, Fleischhacker and Anderson 1:42.45; 26. Bierschbach Stangler Sorenson and Van Beck 1:46.59; 38. Felling Marthaler, Stumler and Leslie 1:58.42. 100BK: 3. Adam Wilwerding 53.59 20. Alex Wilwerding 1:03.00 43. Weber 1:18.21 and 45. Crawford-Klinnert 1:19.81. 100BR: 17. Anderson 1:07.18, 23. Fleischhacker 1:11.75 35. Zander Olmschenk 1:15.40 and 45. Bierschbach 1:23.47. 400FSR: 14. Robischon Alex Wilwerding Eveslage and Adam Wilwerding 3:34.49; 27. Zaron Olmschenk Stangler Sorenson and Van Beck 3:58.20; 42. Leslie Stumler Weber and Felling 4:27.08; 46. Marthaler, Sig Abel, Crawford-Klinnert and Graham Radjenovich 5:04.01. Monday Afternoon Ladies League Jan. 16 Team standings CWI 34-22 Mark’s Real People 32-24 K&S Pharmacy 24-32 Teals Liquor 22-34 Team high series Mark’s Real People 1514 CWI 1346 Teals Liquor 1237 K&S Pharmacy 1220 Team high game Mark’s Real People 540 CWI 484 K&S Pharmacy 420 Teals Liquor 418 Individual high series Jean Warner 439 Bernie Forster 406 Monetta Watry 399 Individual high game Jean Warner 161 Loretta Panek 148 Monetta Watry 147 Split: Bernie Forster 5-10 Albany bowling Thursday early • Jan. 19 Team standings Bowl Movement 28-4 Albany American Legion 24-8 J&L Woodworking 24-8 Rookies Bar 16-16 Interstate Service Center 16-16 St. Joe Meat Market 14-18 A.M.P.S. 14-18 Gary’s Dairy 10-22 Blue Team Sports 8-24 St. Joe Meat Market 6-26 Men Game Series Jacob Bates 245 660 Mike Ritter 233 630 Scott Bloch 222 598 Nick Rosen 215 Dave Loso 205 567 Scott Sand 203 Dennis Rakotz 203 594 Zach Wieling 563 Women Game Series Melissa Lommel 178 413 Debbie Merten 167 447 Lisa Stroeing 162 437 Nicole Pachan 120 340 LIKE OUR SPORTS PHOTO? To view more or to purchase, scan the qr code with your smart phone camera. Banquet & Fundraiser Heartland Chapter of the Minnesota Darkhouse & Angling Association THE BOB SHOW Entertainment PS4-2B-MT 19th Annual Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023 Freeport Community Center FREEPORT, MINNESOTA Children 5 years & under eat FREE Pre Sale Meal Tickets available at Hennen Lumber Co. or by calling 320-836-2135 or Tim Hennen 320-249-5019 DOOR PRIZES - INCLUDING(1) Lifetime Fishing License (Only 15 and under eligible to sign up) OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - NEED NOT BE A MEMBER Adults: Pre sales $14.00 • $15.00 at door Ages 6-12: Pre Sales $7.00 • $8.00 at the door Social Hour - 4:30 p.m. Chicken Dinner - 6:30 p.m.

Isaiah Zink races through the butterfly leg of the 200 yard medley relay at the Class A true team state meet Jan. 21 at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. A versatile swimmer, Zink competed in 100 butterfly and freestyle sprints.

Thatcher Van Beck paces himself in the 500 yard freestyle event at the Class A true team state meet Jan. 21 at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. Van Beck collected the top finish by any Fusion member in 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle races.

(Left) Andrue Stalboerger pulls himself into a closed pike position at the Class A true team state meet Jan. 21 at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. Stalboerger’s later dives helped him to a ninth-place finish.

(Above) Adam Wilwerding (right) watches as Sevrin Anderson enters the pool during the 200 yard freestyle relay event at the Class A true team state meet Jan. 21 at the Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. The two also swam in the 200 medley relay race.

earned

place. Robischon

Top spots helped bring in points, but every finish earned points for the squad. In no event did