Sauk Centre Herald 03-09-2023

Herald Sauk Centre

Library windows need replacing

Project had estimated $100,000 cost in previous years

BY BEN SONNEK STAFF WRITER

The unique, tall windows at Sinclair Lewis Library in Sauk Centre need to be replaced, but such an undertaking comes with a large price tag.

During Sauk Centre City Council’s March 1 meeting at Sauk Centre City Hall, City Administrator Vicki Willer brought up a critical point of the recently-received facility assessment of the local library, conducted by the Great River Regional Library system. As anticipated, the assessment identified the library’s windows as a critical area of the building that needs to be addressed.

“This facility’s need for windows has advanced quite a bit,” Willer said. “We had water infiltration into the library from the windows, and the wind blows inside the building in the winter, so we need to keep that in consideration when looking at funding.”

Marisa George, Sinclair Lewis Library service coordinator, has been feeling the effects of the library’s windows for years. By her estimation, the tall, Carnegie-style windows are original from when the library was built in 1904, and they have passed their prime.

“They really do need to be replaced,” George said in a March 2 interview. “Besides some putty, we have some felt shoved into the windows and then tape on the inside, just to keep them from blowing in, but sometimes you can feel some air blowing through at the top.”

During the summer storms in 2021, one window in the library’s office space blew open. Fortunately, the only damage sustained was to paperwork.

“We’re lucky there wasn’t any damage to our computers or server,” George said. “Our main server is back in the office room as well.”

During the 2022 rainstorm with high winds, water came in one of the windows in the back of the building. When the weather is not inclement, the windows still let out heat in the winter and also make it hard to keep the building cool in the summer.

While the city handles the library’s utility bill, George anticipates new windows will bring down those costs.

“I know, just from having replaced windows in my home, that it makes it more efficient,” George said.

Replacing the library’s windows will also pose a significant benefit to the books, as a stable humidity and temperature can help keep them in better condition for longer.

City council page 3

Fair weather for ice fishing

About 110 sixth graders tackle Fairy Lake event

BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER

March 3 was a fair weather day, with temperatures in the mid30s and hungry fish – in other words, a perfect time for the fifth annual Sixth Grade Ice Fishing Day on Fairy Lake. The Sauk Centre Conservation Club and other area businesses and organizations put on the activity to introduce students to the state’s signature winter pastime. In previous years, the fishing day was held in January, but it was delayed to late February because of the extreme cold, and

then it was delayed again to March because of the snow. Fortunately, the delays played into the event’s favor.

“It’s a beautiful day,” said Marty Sunderman with the SCCC. “The fish bite a little better when you get closer to March anyway, so it’s been good.”

About 110 students from Sauk Centre Public Schools and Holy Family School in Sauk Centre fished. As the event previously hosted between 90 and 110 students, this year was one of the best, if not the best, in terms of attendance.

Two from Sauk vying for dairy princess titles

Pageant March 11 at Freeport Community Center

BY CAROL MOORMAN | STAFF WRITER

ve Stearns County Dairy Princess titles Saturday, March 11, at the

Center, 307 Seventh St. SE, in Freeport.

Candidates include Bethany Gerads, 18, daughter of Tim and Karey Gerads of Albany and a Holdingford High School student; Marissa Hartung, 18, daughter of Mike and Nancy Hartung of Opole and a Holdingford High

Sold

School student; Emily Peters, 17, daughter of Jeff an Melanie Peters of Sauk Centre and a Sauk Centre High School student; Megan Ratka, 20, daughter of Kevin and Kathy

on Springfest

Winter continues auctioneering for HFS fundraiser

BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER

A good auction needs a good auctioneer, and Kevin Winter of Sauk Centre continues to be that auctioneer for Springfest, the largest annual fundraiser for Holy Family School in Sauk Centre. With his quick voice and eye for bidders, Winter, who works as an auctioneer throughout the year with Mid-American Auction Co., enjoys being part of this event that is about more

A auc fundraiser fo School in Sauk Centre. With his quick and a with Mid-American A abou than just raising money.

“I just love meeting the people,” Winter said.

“I Winte

“There are so many nice people to see, people you haven’t seen for a year or two, and it’s just a good

“There are so nice to see, peop haven’t seen for a social gathering.”

The 28th annual Springfest fundraiser was held March 5 after a two-year pause due to COVID-19 con-

The 28th annual w March 5 after a COVIDcerns.

Springfest page 2

vin Winter calls out bids the live rch 5 at School in Sauk Centre. Win the auctioneer for ever y live auction si raiser was started 28 years ago

Kevin Winter calls out bids during the Springfest live auction March 5 at Holy Family School in Sauk Centre. Winter has been the auctioneer for every Springfest live auction since the

PHOTOS BY BEN SONNEK

(Above) Students and volunteers spread out on Fairy Lake north of Sauk Centre during the March 3 Sixth Grade Ice Fishing Day. About 110 students and 50 area volunteers took to the ice for the event.

(Right) Sauk Centre Public Schools sixth grader Elijah Deters presents the fish he caught at the Sixth Grade Ice Fishing Day March 3 on Fairy Lake north of Sauk Centre. Deters won the prize for catching the biggest sunfish.

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK

Dairy princess page 4

Ice fishing page 2

Emily Peters andLanna Walter from Sauk Centre are among eight young ladies vying for fi

Freeport Community

Ratka

Township Day is March 14

Local government to elect officers, set levies, discuss issues

BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER

Township Day is Tuesday, March 14, when Minnesota’s 1,780 townships will hold their annual meetings. Township residents will voice their opinions on local issues with other township residents, discuss and vote on other local issues and vote directly on their annual tax levy. Many state townships will also hold their township officer elections.

The township is Minnesota’s original form of local government, established in the 1800s when Congress

Getty Township Supervisor: Ken Vogt

Treasurer: Tom Loxtercamp

Polling place: Elrosa Fire Hall, 207 State Street, 5-8 p.m.

Grove Township

ordered a survey that divided the Minnesota territory into 36 tracts of land. Today, the term generally refers to public corporations governed by a local board of supervisors, created to provide services to residents. Minnesota’s townships currently serve more than 914,000 residents, about 16.4% of the state’s population, according to the Minnesota Association of Townships. Township Day is held every year on the second Tuesday of March.

Area township candidates:

Ashley Township

Supervisor: Aaron Wiener

Polling place: Sauk Centre Senior Center, 321 Fourth Street N, 5-8 p.m.

Birchdale Township

Supervisor: Larry Bebus

Polling place: Birchdale Township Hall, 11343 Almond Dr., 4-8 p.m.

Supervisor: Brent Niehoff

Treasurer: Rita Woeste

Polling place: Meire Grove City Hall, 50 W. 4 S., 5-8 p.m.

Kandota Township

Supervisor: Allen Walter Polling place: Kandota Township Hall, 19329 County 2, 5-8 p.m.

Melrose Township Supervisor: Brian Dockendorf

Clerk: Cecilia Tylutki

Polling place: Melrose Town Hall, 41248 County Road 13, 5-8 p.m.

Raymond Township Supervisor: No candidate filed

Treasurer: No candidate filed

Polling place: Padua Pub Reception Hall, 33945 County Road 18, 5-8 p.m.

Sauk Centre Township

Supervisor: John Bosl

Polling place: Magnifi Financial, Highway 71 South, 3-8 p.m.

West Union Township Supervisor: Nathan Stelling

Treasurer: Monica Krebsbach

Polling place: West Union Fire Hall, 121 First St. W, 5-8 p.m.

CentraCare offers free colon cancer screenings through May

BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER

From March 1 to May 31, people 45 or older can receive a free immunochemical fecal occult blood test Take-Home Colon Screening kit.

While one of the most preventable forms of cancer if treated early, colon and rectal cancer are a leading cause of cancer death for men and women. Regular screening should start at

age 45 or sooner if there is a family history of cancer or other risk factors. Approximately 70% of people with colorectal cancer have no family history.

Pickup sites for the kits include registration desks at the Sauk Centre hospital, Baxter clinic, Long Prairie clinic, Redwood clinic and Benson hospital; the laboratories at the Eden Val-

ley clinic, the Paynesville hospital and the Richmond clinic; the Coborn Healing Center at CentraCare Plaza in St. Cloud; the St. Cloud Hospital Pharmacy driveup window; the second floor of the Monticello Specialty Clinic; and the Willmar Cancer Center.

Kits are limited, and a person must pick up their own kit.

The iFOBT screening

Sauk Centre Senior Organization Meeting: March 21, 2 p.m. at the Sauk Centre Senior Center. New members always welcome.

Pins and Needles Quilters Monthly Meeting: Second Tuesday of the Month, 7-9 p.m. at the Sauk Centre Senior Center, 321 4th St. N. Our goal is to promote the art of quilt making at all skill levels by discussion, lessons, and show and tell of your projects at our meetings. We welcome new members.

Catholic in Recovery/All Addictions Anonymous (CIR/AAA): held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday each month at 1 p.m. starting in Feb. 2023.

Located at Centre for Christ.

DivorceCare: support for those going through a separation and/or divorce, meeting every Thursday for 13 weeks at 6 p.m. beginning Thursday, Feb. 23.

Located at Centre for Christ.

GriefShare: Offering support for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Meeting every Tuesday for 13 weeks at 6 p.m. beginning Feb. 21.

Located at Centre for Christ.

Little Sauk Legion Auxiliary Unit 417 Meeting: Second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Little Sauk Legion. New members welcome!

Mental Health Support Group: Fridays from 2-4 p.m. at the Palmer House. We welcome anyone who suffers with mental health issues. Any questions, please contact Richard at 320-260-4233.

Sauk Centre History Museum and Research Center: Museum hours are Sunday and Monday - closed, Tuesday 1-5 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday 1-5 p.m., Friday 12-4 p.m. Located in the Sinclair Lewis Library building at 430 Main Street. Any questions, please call 320-351-8777.

Mental Health Crisis Line: 320-253-5555 or 800-635-8008. Crisis Response Team for Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties.

AA Meetings: Thursdays, 11 a.m. at United Church of Christ in Sauk Centre. For more information, call 320-429-1620. AA and Al-Anon 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays in Sauk Centre at United Church of Christ. Back to Basic Meeting, Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Tutti Fruitti in Sauk Centre. For more information, call 218-240-1076. Wednesdays Big Book Meeting at 7 p.m., Civic Center, Melrose. For more information, call 320-241-3909.

NA Meetings: Mondays, 7 p.m. at River of Life Church, Sauk Centre and Fridays at 11 a.m. at Eagle’s Healing Nest Chapel, Sauk Centre.

Alzheimer’s Support Group: The support group for people caring for someone with memory loss holds monthly meetings every fourth Thursday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m. at Alternative Senior Care, 418 10th St. S, Sauk Centre. For more information, call 320-352-3350.

Join Us in Worship

BELGRADE

BROOTEN

does not replace a colonoscopy, which is the best method to detect colorectal cancer. To schedule a colonoscopy, please contact your doctor.

To receive a free kit, a consent form – available at centracare.com – must be printed, completed and dropped off at a participating location. More information is available at centracare.com.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES CATHOLIC CHURCH 541 Martin Ave. | PO Box 69 320-254-8218 parishesontheprairie.org/parishes

ELROSA

STS. PETER AND PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH 302 State St. 320-254-8218 parishesontheprairie.org/parishes

While new windows are needed for the library, George understands why the city has not been able to move faster on the project. The library itself has contributed to the delay. For instance, its furnace unexpectedly needed replacing a few years ago, cutting into the funds available for the building.

Library window replacement estimates in previous years have come in around $100,000; the windows’ nonstandard size contributing to the increased price, and there is a good chance recent economic conditions have raised that cost even more, according to Willer. Additionally, it would likely take two years after the order is placed to receive the windows.

The city’s library fund would not be able to handle much of the replacement bill, as most of the fund goes toward the library’s operating costs. The city applied for a Minnesota Department of Education grant in 2021 to replace the windows, but they did not receive it at the time.

“We became aware of the grant with very few days to put that together,” Willer said.

With another round of grants on the way, the city is planning to apply again and hopes to receive at least a 50-50 matching grant. More information on possible funding options will be presented at a future council meeting.

The Sinclair Lewis Library was also closed March 6 due to a boiler malfunction that resulted in high concentrations of carbon monoxide.

Other city council

news: – This is the final year for the city’s mosquito control agreement with Clarke Mosquito Control

for spraying for mosquitoes in Sinclair Lewis Park for Sinclair Lewis Days. While a citywide agreement was offered when the agreement was made, the city did not take the option at the time. The city is now interested in renewing the agreement for services starting in 2024 and making the service citywide, and CMC has expressed willingness to offer that range again. Other similar cities have funded this kind of spraying through a one-time charge of approximately $10 to residents’ utility bills.

– Approved plans and authorized bids for the Authors Addition residential land. Construction is expected to begin June 1. The city has contacted the five property owners bordering the project about the grading and utility easements, which will be needed for a smooth slope from the Authors Addition and the existing residential land.

– Approved a cannabinoid license and a cigarette license for Sauk Centre Tobacco, Inc.

– Approved restrictions to the following fund bal-

ances: $11,453 to the library fund and $24,528 to the Small Cities Development Program fund. The library fund had $21,453 allocated, which exceeded the amount available, and the SCDP fund’s designation varies due to repayments and loans, and as the 2022 restriction is $13,540.72, it required a reduction in the fund balance.

– Accepted the following contributions: $130.05 from the men’s card playing group for the Sauk Centre Senior Center and $250 from the Sauk Centre Convention and Visitors Bureau and $100 from John Juelke for the Sauk Centre Fire Department.

– Approved an offsite gambling permit for Community Connections of Sauk Centre for a June 16, raffle at the Stearns County Fairgrounds in Sauk Centre.

– Approved a gambling permit for Sauk Centre Sno Cleats for a Sept. 24, raffle at the Sauk Centre Sno Cleats club house in Sauk Centre.

– The city’s acquisition of the former Depot Feeds building is nearing comple-

tion, pending final documents that need signing.

The next city council meeting will be at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, at Sauk Centre City Hall.

ST. DONATUS CATHOLIC CHURCH 301 Eastern Ave. 320-254-8218 parishesontheprairie.org/parishes

WEST UNION ST. ALEXIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH 11 Oak St. S 320-352-2563 parishesontheprairie.org/parishes

SAUK CENTRE

FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 124 4th St. N 320-352-5356 faithbc.org

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH 304 Elm St. S 320-352-3623 flcsauk.com

FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 620 5th St. S 320-352-2030

OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS CATHOLIC CHURCH Ash St. and 7th St. 320-352-2196 parishesontheprairie.org/parishes

ST. PAUL’S CATHOLIC CHURCH 304 Sinclair Lewis Ave. 320-352-2196 parishesontheprairie.org/parishes

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 504 Elm St. S 320-352-2827 saukcentreumc.org

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH 316 Maple St. 320-352-3447 www.facebook.com/

If you would like parishioners to see your church here, please contact Robin at 320-351-7837

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK

Book in hand, Sinclair Lewis’ statue stands in the snow outside the Sinclair Lewis Library March 7 in Sauk Centre. The Sinclair Lewis Library is in need of new windows, and their unique height makes them difficult and expensive to order.

Sauk Centre

POLICE ACTIVITY

Fifth graders create historical

Display of faith

Centre for Christ hosts Eucharistic miracles exhibition

BY BEN SONNEK STAFF WRITER

People of all faiths are invited to the Centre for Christ, 235 Main St. S., in Sauk Centre March 8-12 as they host the Eucharistic Miracles of the World exhibition, with display boards containing the documentation and photos of Eucharistic miracles. The exhibit will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, and there is no admission charge.

“I just want to see an increase of belief and love of the Eucharist,” said Kathy Knoblach, director of faith formation and junior high youth ministry at the Centre for Christ. “We’re supposed to believe without miracles, but they do help.”

The exhibit consists of 126 photographed and historically documented Eucharistic miracles from various countries since the Last Supper. It was started by Carlo Acutis, an Italian Catholic youth and amateur computer programmer who died of leukemia in 2006 at age 15 and

Dairy princess from front

of Cold Spring and a University of Minnesota-Twin Cities student; Kalie Ritter, 18, daughter of Glen and Leslie Ritter of Avon and Albany High School stu-

Having finished setting up the Eucharistic Miracles of the World exhibition, Centre for Christ members Caden Chamberlain (front); and (back, from left) the Rev. Greg Paffel, Sue Rick, Blanca Barragan, Amy Trisko and Kathy Knoblach take a break March 7 at the Centre for Christ in Sauk Centre. The exhibition will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through March 12.

is revered as a blessed in the Catholic Church. Before his death, he asked to travel with his parents to research the different Eucharistic miracles, but his health prevented him from completing them.

“He believed that, if everyone understood that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, nobody would ever miss Mass,” Knoblach said. “It’s also available on (Acutis’) webpage. He was very gifted with computers.”

dent; Sophia Schiffler, 17, daughter of John and Kristie Schiffler of Albany and Albany High School student; Lanna Walter, 17, daughter of David and Cathy Walter and a Sauk Centre High School student; and Grace Woitalla, 18, daughter of Keith and Patty Woitalla of Holdingford and a Holdingford High School student.

To be eligible for a dairy princess title, either the women, their parents or their guardians must be actively engaged in dairy farming; or they are employed by dairy farmers; or they raise calves or heifers for a dairy farmer; or they lease or own dairy animals housed at an active dairy farm.

The girls will be judged throughout the day March 11. Five young ladies will be crowned dairy princesses and three will be dairy ambassadors, all representing Stearns County dairy farmers throughout the year.

The program starts at 7:30 p.m. with a meal, followed by the coronation. The event is open to the public.

The newly crowned dairy princesses will have the opportunity to become a Princess Kay of the Milky Way finalist.

After Acutis’ death, the traveling photo exhibition of the Eucharistic miracles was organized with the help of the Rev. Bishop Raffaello Martinelli and the Rev. Bishop Angelo Comastri and has traveled across five continents.

Knoblach’s seventh to ninth grade religious education program has been studying the Mass this year. Whenever parents and students came together to study the Mass, Knoblach would pro-

vide an example of a Eucharistic miracle. She also knew about the Eucharistic exhibit and wanted to bring it in. The Catholic Church is also in the midst of a three-year Eucharistic revival, so the timing would be even better.

“It was a little bit difficult to find someone who had it close by,” Knoblach said. “Rockville has some of them, but Epiphany Catholic Church in Coon Rapids loans them out. The exhibit costs $7,000 to put together, so we worked through them to have it for a month.”

Centre for Christ previously hosted the Spanish version of the Eucharistic exhibit, and the English version has already been in the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa area and at St. Alexius Church in West Union, spanning the Parishes on the Prairie Area Catholic Community.

“We obviously can’t travel to all these places … to see these Eucharistic miracles, but we can read about them here,” Knoblach said. “You can read about it and see pictures, and we have activities they’re going to be doing with it. I hope it sparks something for them in their hearts.”

PHOTOS BY BEN SONNEK

(Above) Sauk Centre Public Schools fifth graders – Sabrina Engle (from left), Hank Bieringer, Hailey Carpenter and Parker Rokala – present, respectively, on Princess Diana, Jackie Robinson, Julia Child and Kobe Bryant for the Fifth Grade Visit with VIPs event March 3 at SCPS in Sauk Centre. Each student’s display consisted of a paper on their historical figure of choice and a project based on them.

(Right) Sauk Centre Public Schools fifth graders Dominic Felling (left) and Aubree Dirkes show their displays on Henry Ford and Sally Ride March 3 during the Fifth Grade Visit with VIPs event at SCPS in Sauk Centre. The presentation was open to the public, giving visitors the chance to learn about famous figures and the topics associated with them.

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK

Skydiving & marriage

“Has anyone ever not jumped?” That is the question Shawn asked his tandem jump instructor moments before he was free falling from a perfectly good airplane, about 10,000 feet above the ground, over Skydive Twin Cities, just outside of Baldwin, Wisconsin.

I will never forget the answer given by the instructor as Shawn dangled his feet out the door of the airplane. It was a quick, “No,” followed by, “We will jump on three.” The instructor rocked back and forth as he counted, “One, two.”

Kayla’s Korner by Kayla Hunstiger

On two, the instructor pushed both himself and Shawn out of the plane’s doorway. Later, once he landed safely on the ground, Shawn asked the instructor why he pushed him out on two and not three? The instructor smiled and chuckled as he said, “People can’t grab the side of the plane that way. It just makes the dives a bit easier.”

You may ask how Shawn got into this situation? Well, I took him there on a date years ago. Skydiving was one item on his bucket list, and I thought it would be great to share that experience with him.

Anyone who knows me knows I hate heights; however, I didn’t let that stop me. I went skydiving too. Shawn and I had been dating for a few months, and he showed me it’s ok to push yourself and try things that are scary.

Skydiving was one of the scariest and most exhilarating things I’ve ever done.

Fast forward about a year, and those same nervous and breathtaking feelings reappeared as Shawn and I prepared to say “I do” for the rest of our lives.

Marriage, like skydiving, can sometimes end poorly;

however, both can bring about so many great moments too. Preparation is key. Just like you learn the safety checks in preparation for your first jump, preparing for marriage and a life together is important too. But we mustn’t forget about continued preparation as time passes.

Would you skydive without ensuring your parachute was packed and secured properly each time? No. Special care goes into each dive you make.

I’ve been dating my wonderful husband for about 14 years now and have been married to him for a little over 11 of those years. Most of our time together has been great, some has been good and, if I’m being honest, some of the time has been okay.

As we navigate our seasons of life, children, other family members, friends, each other and our own health and wellbeing, each have added levels of joy and sometimes difficulty to our relationship.

Forgetting to share our wants and needs with one another has also provided some strenuous times to our relationship; however, without fail, when we remember to take special care to make sure our marriage is properly packed and secured – like our parachutes – then our communication always comes back around to save the day.

When we really take the time to get to know one another again, it’s interesting to me how things seem to become clearer.

Oddly enough, we can’t read each other’s minds; maybe that’s okay, though. I don’t know if that superpower would be of benefit to either one of us. I think we will stick to sharing our thoughts with one another. It’s safer that way.

Springing into sports

As the weather grows warmer and the snow starts to melt, there is one thing that comes to mind: spring sports. There is anticipation building around the school as people start to talk about practices starting while hopes of not practicing inside for too long start to dim. For softball and baseball players, track runners and golfers, waiting for the snow to melt feels like forever. Speaking from experience, there is almost nothing worse than having to hit softballs indoors day after day for a full month. The entire point of the sport is to be out on the field with a goal to hit the ball over the fence rather than into a net. Yet, I have a feeling my senior season will take a lot longer to get here than I hope, especially with the excessive amount of snow that keeps showing up. But, even though I may have to wait a little longer than normal, the wait will be worth it in the end.

I’ve been playing softball since fifth grade and baseball since I was three years old. Needless to say, I’ve pretty much grown up on the diamond. There is just something about playing a sport in pants on an extremely hot day while chewing Big League Chew. Realistically, it sounds like a rather odd concept. Telling people that I play a sport where someone is throwing a ball at

Life Hacks

By Missy Traeger

How to use common, everyday items to help with household problems!

If your favorite hat is dirty, apply stain stick and place it on the top rack of the dishwasher. You can stretch it over a bowl while it dries to keep the shape. There are also plastic hat cages that you can buy that will hold the hat and keep the shape when in the dishwasher.

Letters to the editor accepted

Letters to the editor and other opinion articles are welcome. Letters must be signed with a first and last name and include an address and phone number. Letters must be under 400 words and be submitted by Monday at 5 p.m.

Political letters endorsing or opposing a candidate, ballot measure or political party are subject to charges. Star Publications will charge a flat fee of $25 for 250-word or less letters. Display advertising rates will apply to letters exceeding the word limit. Payment must be received prior to copy deadline. They can be emailed to office@saukherald.com, mailed to Sauk Centre Herald, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378, dropped off at the office or scan the QR code to the left of this text.

Happy to be back at the Herald – in a way

I’m back.

Well, really I never left the Star Publications family. I just moved down the road seven miles from the Sauk Centre Herald office to Melrose close to 13 years ago to become editor of the Melrose Beacon, known now as The Star Post with the merging a few years ago of the Beacon and the Albany Enterprise. No, I am not giving that up. I’m adding to it. I know, call me crazy, but what is a fulfilling life if a person isn’t faced with new endeavors.

I’ve been asked to be co-editor of the Sauk Centre Herald along with Ben Sonnek, who has been at the newspaper five years.

Two heads are better than one in many jobs and that’s the case here. We will combine efforts to continue bringing you, our Herald readers, an interesting and insightful weekly newspaper. Ben and I will be meeting weekly to discuss story ideas for the next issue. That’s where you, our readers and Sauk Centre area residents, come into play. If you have stories ideas, contact me at carol.m@star-pub.com or 320-293-7368 or Ben at ben.s@saukherald. com or 320-352-6477.

Hokanson

me as hard as they possibly can while I try to hit it away seems rather psychotic. However, it’s been the activity that I’ve hung on to the longest. As a team, we are hoping for another deep push into sections like we have in recent years. With a younger team, this will be more of a challenge but an exciting one nonetheless. The baseball players continue to grow anxious to start as well with a hope to move higher up into the section seedings. The golf team will also be looking to improve and grow this season, but one of the most exciting programs to watch will be track. Many of my close friends run for the track team and seem very ready to put their offseason work to the test. The program keeps continuing to bring in more young talent while still showcasing their seasoned veterans. My friends have always tried to push me into doing track, but I’ve always said no due to my love for softball. Not to mention, I would never want to continuously run for a sport.

As the conclusion of winter sports draws closer and the weather tries to turn a new leaf, students and teachers alike start to focus their attention towards warmer weather and a final sports season. Regardless of how long it takes to get outside for practice, I have a good feeling that most sports will carry on the success that Sauk has been carrying all year, even if that includes the questionable choices of people who prefer to run nonstop as a sport.

Nothing will change much, except you may see my byline on articles more often and a From the Heart column occasionally.

I’m excited for this partnership with Ben, and, in a small way, to be back at the Herald, even though my main presence will remain at my office in Melrose. To reconnect with familiar faces and meet new people with a Sauk Centre connection for possible stories is invigorating.

I have missed many of the people I met during my many years with a physical presence at the Herald, where I advanced from a typist, hired by former publisher and mentor Dave Simpkins, to a writer and editor. I gained life-long friendships through articles I have done. Hugs have been commonplace when I ventured to Sauk Centre to shop and ran into someone I featured in an article years ago. Ben and I, in our writer positions, meet a variety of people. That’s what I love about what I do, sharing their stories. I tell people, ‘It’s not my story. It’s your story. I’m just the outlet.”

So, I am happy to be back and look forward to sharing stories with Sauk Centre Herald readers and residents.

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advertisements in the Herald is noon on Tuesday, in the Shopper noon on Wednesday and Classy Canary noon on Thursday.

Letters: Letters to the editor and other opinion articles are welcomed. Letters must be signed with first and last name and include address and phone number. Letters should be short and to the point. We reserve the right to edit lengthy letters. Corrections/Clarifications: The Herald strives for accuracy. If you would like to report a factual error, please call 352-6577.

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Hok’s View by Hailey

From the Heart by Carol Moorman

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: June

2014 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE:

$80,101.00

MORTGAGOR(S): James R

Proell, an unmarried adult

MORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Central Minnesota Credit Union, its successors and assigns

DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING:

Recorded: June 10, 2014 Stearns County Recorder Document Number: A1422646 ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: And assigned to: Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC

Dated: March 2, 2020

Recorded: March 5, 2020 Stearns County Recorder Document Number: A1564208

Transaction Agent: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. Transaction Agent Mortgage Identification Number: 1011283-0001100189-5 Lender/Broker/Mortgage

NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage:

DATE OF MORTGAGE: October 19, 2012

ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $283,500.00

MORTGAGOR(S): James

Hartung, a married man

MORTGAGEE: Mortgage

Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for iFreedom Direct Corporation, its successors and assigns

DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING:

Recorded: November 7, 2012 Stearns County Recorder

Document Number: A1383399

LOAN MODIFICATION:

Dated: May 30, 2018

Recorded: August 17, 2018

Document Number: A1527149

Dated: September 13, 2019

Recorded: November 4, 2019

Document Number: A1556116

Dated: February 3, 2022

Recorded: May 17, 2022

Document Number: A1632646

ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: And assigned to: PennyMac Loan Services, LLC

Dated: July 19, 2019

Recorded: July 22, 2019 Stearns County Recorder

Originator: Central Minnesota Credit Union Residential Mortgage Servicer: Nationstar Mortgage LLC COUNTY IN WHICH

IS LOCATED:

Property Address: 724 Birch St S, Sauk Centre, MN 56378

Parcel ID Number:

DESCRIPTION OF

Lot 6, Block 16, Robbins and Mendenhall`s Addition to the City of Sauk Centre, Stearns County, MN AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE: $69,707.10

THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; that this is registered property; PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above-described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:

DATE AND TIME OF SALE:

April 20, 2023 at 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: County Sheriff`s office, Law

Enforcement Center, 807 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, Minnesota to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorney fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns. If the Mortgage is not reinstated under Minn. Stat. §580.30 or the property is not redeemed under Minn. Stat. §580.23, the Mortgagor must vacate the property on or before 11:59 p.m. on October 21, 2023, or the next business day if October 21, 2023 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday.

Mortgagor(s) released from financial obligation: NONE THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

Document Number: A1548334

Transaction Agent: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.

Transaction Agent Mortgage Identification Number: 1000360-0000451811-0 Lender/Broker/Mortgage

Originator: iFreedom Direct Corporation Residential Mortgage Servicer: PennyMac Loan Services, LLC COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Stearns Property Address: 500 Huntington Drive South, Sartell, MN 56377 Tax Parcel ID Number: 92.56715.0545

LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 1, Block 1, Huntington Ridge Plat 2, Stearns County, Minnesota

will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:

DATE AND TIME OF SALE:

April 20, 2023 at 10:00 AM

PLACE OF SALE: County

Sheriff`s office, Law Enforcement Center, 807 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, Minnesota to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorney fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns.

If the Mortgage is not reinstated under Minn. Stat. §580.30 or the property is not redeemed under Minn. Stat. §580.23, the Mortgagor must vacate the property on or before 11:59 p.m. on October 20, 2023, or the next business day if October 20, 2023 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. Mortgagor(s) released from financial obligation: NONE THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THE RIGHT TO

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: July

PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.

DATED: February 22, 2023

MORTGAGEE: Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Wilford, Geske & Cook, P.A. Attorneys for Mortgagee 7616 Currell Boulevard, Suite 200 Woodbury, MN 55125 (651) 209-3300

File Number: 052468-F1 H-9-6B

VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.

DATED: February 24, 2023

MORTGAGEE: PennyMac Loan Services, LLC Wilford, Geske & Cook, P.A. Attorneys for Mortgagee 7616 Currell Boulevard, Suite 200 Woodbury, MN 55125 (651) 209-3300

File Number: 052438-F1 H-9-6B

CITY OF SAUK CENTRE

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

Electronic Bids will be received by the City of Sauk Centre, Minnesota on the QuestCDN.com website via the VirtuBid electronic bidding application. Only electronic Bids will be accepted for this Project. Bids will be received on the QuestCDN.com website until 11:00 A.M., CDT, Thursday, March 30th, 2023, at which time they will be electronically opened and reviewed for the furnishing of all labor, materials, and all else necessary for the following:

Authors Addition

In general, Work consists of the construction of site grading, sanitary sewer, water main, services, storm sewer, and streets within a new single family residential development. The Project consists of the following approximate quantities:

Structures

7.210 LIN FT 6” - 8” PVC Water Main

19 EACH 1” Water and 4” Sanitary Services

4,010 LIN FT 12” - 30” RCP Storm Sewer, Round 600 CU YD Rip Rap, Class III and V

2,900 LIN FT Concrete Curb and Gutter

8,400 TONS Aggregate Base, Cl 5 and Cl 2

3,130 TONS Bituminous Mixture, NW and W 50 ACRE Seeding w Mulch

Along with miscellaneous utility improvements, fittings, removals, restoration, signing, erosion control, and correlated appurtenances.

Complete digital Bidding Documents are available at www. questcdn.com. You may view the digital plan documents at no charge or download the digital plan documents for $45 by inputting QuestCDN eBidDoc #8414074 on the website’s Project Search page. Please contact QuestCDN.com at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in free membership registration, downloading, and working with this digital project information and vBid Online Bid Submittal. To submit an vBid online bid (which is required for this project) you must download the project bid document file from QuestCDN which will add you to the plan holders list and gain you access to vBid Online Bidding.

Direct inquiries to Engineer’s Project Manager, Keith Yapp, at (320) 260-2766.

The successful bidder must be a “responsible contractor.”

The term “responsible contractor” means a contractor as defined in Minnesota Statutes Section 16C.285, subdivision 3. Any prime contractor, subcontractor, or motor carrier that does not meet the minimum criteria or fails to comply with the verification requirements is not a responsible contractor and is not eligible to be awarded a construction contract for the project or to perform work on the project. A prime contractor, subcontractor, or motor carrier that makes a false statement under oath verifying compliance with the minimum criteria will be ineligible to be awarded a construction contract on the project and the submission of a false statement may result in termination of a contract awarded to a prime contractor, subcontractor, or motor carrier that submits the false statement. A prime contractor shall include in its verification of compliance a list of all of its first-tier subcontractors that it intends to retain for work on the project. Before execution of a construction contract, a prime contractor shall submit a supplemental verification under oath confirming that all subcontractors and motor carriers that the prime contractor intends to use to perform project work have verified to the prime contractor, through a signed statement under oath by an owner or officer, that they meet the minimum criteria for a responsible contractor.

Bid Security in the amount of 5 percent of the amount of the Bid must accompany each Bid in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders.

Bidders shall submit their bids electronically on the QuestCDN website. Bidders shall submit their proposals in accordance with the procedure established by QuestCDN. Bidders shall submit their proposals by the date and time set for opening Proposals. QuestCDN and the City will not accept Proposals submitted past the date and time for the opening of proposals. The Bidders shall submit the Proposal Guarantee electronically by the date and time set for opening Proposals. Bidders shall file an original hard copy of the Proposal Guaranty with the City within 48 hours after the date and time for the opening of Proposals.

PROBATE NOTICE

STATE OF MINNESOTA STEARNS COUNTY DISTRICT COURT SEVENTH JUDICIAL

DISTRICT Court File No: 73-PR-23-349

Case Type: Informal Probate

Notice of Informal Appointment of Personal Representative and Notice to Creditors (Without a Will)

In re the Estate of David Hagen, Deceased TO ALL INTERESTED

PERSONS AND CREDI-

TORS: Notice is hereby given that an application for informal appointment of personal representative has been filed with the Probate Registrar. No will

recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; that this is registered property;

PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above-described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:

DATE AND TIME OF SALE:

has been presented for probate. The application has been granted.

Notice is also given that the Probate Registrar has informally appointed the following:

Julie Hagen, 617 16th Avenue North, Sartell, MN 56377 as Personal Representative of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as Personal Representative, or may object to the appointment of the Personal Representative. Unless objections are filed pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 524.3-607, and the court otherwise orders, the Personal Representative has full power to administer the Estate, including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease

April 27, 2023 at 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: County Sheriff`s office, Law Enforcement Center, 807 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, Minnesota to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorney fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns. If the Mortgage is not reinstated under Minn. Stat. §580.30 or the property is not redeemed under Minn. Stat. §580.23, the Mortgagor must vacate the property on or before 11:59 p.m. on October 27, 2023, or the next business day if October 27, 2023 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. Mortgagor(s) released from financial obligation: NONE THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF

or distribute real estate.

Notice is also given that, subject to Minn. Stat. § 524.3801, all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the Personal Representative or to the Court Administrator within four (4) months after the date

THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.

DATED: March 3, 2023

MORTGAGEE: U.S. Bank National Association Wilford, Geske & Cook, P.A. Attorneys for Mortgagee 7616 Currell Boulevard, Suite 200 Woodbury, MN 55125

(651) 209-3300

File Number: 051936-F2 H-10-6B

of this Notice, or the claims will be barred.

/s/ George A. Lock Probate Registrar Date: 3rd March 2023

/s/ George A. Lock Court Administrator H-10-2B

The Owner reserves the right to retain the deposits of the 3 lowest Bidders for a period not to exceed 60 days after the date and time set for the Opening of Bids. No Bids may be withdrawn for a period of 60 days after the date and time set for the Opening of Bids.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive irregularities and informalities therein, and further reserves the right to award the Contract to the best interests of the Owner.

Vicki Willer, City Administrator City of Sauk Centre, Minnesota H-10-2B

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR A LIVESTOCK FEEDLOT PERMIT

Notice is hereby given per Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 116, that Klaphake Feed Mill Inc., has made application to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for a permit to make improvements on a feedlot with a capacity of 500 animal units or more. The Existing feedlot is located in the SW ¼, Section 14, Sauk Centre Township, in Stearns County.

The Existing facility consists of 75,000 Turkeys under 5 pounds and 75,000 Turkeys over 5 pounds for a total 1,725 animal units. There currently is 6, total confinement barns. The proposed expansion consists of replacing one of the existing barns with a new barn in a different location on the site. The final capacity will be the same number of animal units.

This publication shall constitute as notice to each resident and each owner of real property within 5,000 feet of the perimeter of the proposed feedlot as required by Minnesota State Law.

H-10-1P

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS

This may affect your 2024 property taxes.

The Board of Appeal and Equalization for the West Union Township will meet on April 13th, 2023 at 10:00 AM at the Fire Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to determine whether property in the jurisdiction has been properly valued and classified by the assessor.

If you believe the value or classification of your property is incorrect, please contact your assessor’s office to discuss your concerns. If you disagree with the valuation or classification after discussing it with your assessor, you may appear before the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization. The board will review your assessments and make corrections as needed. Generally, you must appeal to the local board before appealing to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization.

H-10-2B

Student Activities/Classes: We have the following new activities and classes. Please view the website for more information or contact us.

– Drivers Education Classroom Training: April 3-14. This class will be done via Zoom and each class begins at 4:30 p.m. 10 sessions.

Fusion finish season with record performances

MelroseSauk Centre sets high marks

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

Centre record in the 100 breaststroke. He finished at 1:02.00, missing 16th place by .15 of a second in a very competitive field.

“He is something else,” Schreiner said. “He is like a freight train; once his momentum goes, he gets going. He has been getting faster every time.”

by Brent Lieser SC Community Education Coordinator

– Spring Basketball: For girls in fifth and sixth grades and boys in fourth through sixth grades. The girls will work with Coach Bergman and the boys will work with Coach Kuefler. This is an opportunity for your child to get instruction from our great head coaches.

Adult Activities and Classes:

– Adult Indoor Pickleball: Wednesdays, 6-8:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1-3 p.m., in the elementary gym and cafeteria.

Registration Information: – Paper registration directions: Please include your name, address, phone number and the name of the class along with payment. Please contact us if you have questions.

– Online registration directions: Registration is accessed online at our website by selecting the RevTrak Online Store; then, click on the Community Education tile to bring you to our Community Education listings.

Contact information:

Angie Christians, Activities/Community Ed. Assistant, angie.christians@isd743.org or 320-3522258 Ext. 4006. Brent Lieser, Community Education Director, brent. lieser@isd743.org or 320-352-2258 Ext. 4005.

Follow us on Facebook @saukcentreschools or on Twitter @streetercommed.

The Melrose-Sauk Centre Fusion season ended with the team taking 20th place out of 32 teams March 4 at the 2023 Minnesota State High School League Class A Boys Swimming and Diving Meet at the University of Minnesota’s Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis.

There were several records set at the meet, and all Fusion participants either met or exceeded the expectations of them.

“They came down here and held their spots,” said James Schreiner, co-head coach. “That’s not easy to do.”

Adam Wilwerding’s second-place finish in the 100yard backstroke was the only Fusion showing in a championship swimming heat. He raced with eventual champion Jack Schurtz-Ford of Breck Blake the entire race, finishing at 51.46 seconds, 1.66 seconds out of first place. That time is now a Fusion and Melrose Area record.

“Adam swimming that 100 backstroke was outstanding,” Schreiner said. “He

PHOTOS BY HERMAN LENSING

Sevrin Anderson breaks through the surface of the water in the 100-yard breaststroke preliminaries at the 2023 Minnesota State High School League Class A Boys Swimming and Diving Meet March 3 at Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. Anderson set the Sauk Centre record in the event. worked at that all year. He knew his goal. His underwater work is second to none. From the start, he was right there.”

Adam Wilwerding’s final placement matches the best ever by a Fusion swimmer. In 1998, Paul Melling was runner-up in the 500 freestyle.

“He (Adam) had a strong performance that left no doubt he was well above them (the other swimmers),” said Nathan Meyer, co-head coach. “It was exciting to see him get that record.”

That was not the only record set. Junior Jacob Robischon came to the state meet seeded 17th in the 200 individual medley. He beat that prediction and swam on the last day.

“He does good on all four strokes,” Meyer said. “He is one of the more technically-sound swimmers in Fusion history.”

In the consolation heat of the event, Robischon set the Sauk Centre record with his 2:05.51 finish, ending up in 16th place in the final.

“I feel like it was as good as I could do,” Robischon said. “I put my all into it. I am a pretty well-rounded swimmer.” The individual medley calls for the swimmer to use each of the standard swimming strokes: breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke and freestyle. Robischon has done well in all of them as he improved his kicks.

“He did a better job with his work underwater,” Schreiner said. “You could see

that adjustment between section and state.”

The 200 medley relay team of Adam Wilwerding, Robischon, Sevrin Anderson and Grant Eveslage finished at 1:40.40, taking 12th with their best time of the year.

“It is a good collection of guys,” Meyer said. “We have strong stroke swimmers and Grant is good in sprints.”

Robischon had his best time of the year in the 100 butterfly preliminary, finishing at 55.19 and taking 20th place.

He later swam with Eveslage, Thatcher Van Beck and Adam Wilwerding as they took 20th at 3:28.22 in the 400 freestyle preliminaries. The event was a tough event to succeed in, as the top 16 groupings all completed the race in under 3:23.

Another Fusion member swimming well was Sevrin Anderson, who set the Sauk

Seven of the top 16 breaststroke swimmers were either from St. Thomas Academy or Breck Blake, the top two teams at the meet. All of the top 10 finished under a minute.

M-SC’s top diver, Andrue Stalboerger, completed the meet in 11th place, scoring 323.80 points. He reached that mark even though one of his dives was ruled a failed dive. Van Beck and Alex Wilwerding also swam in the preliminaries. Van Beck compiled an 18th-place, 5:17.1 mark in the 500 freestyle and Alex Wilwerding’s 58.37 was good for 21st in the 100 backstroke.

The performances of non-seniors at the meet have the coaches thinking about next year’s potential. They like the poise shown by younger members.

“A lot of young guys came down and are getting experience,” Schreiner said. “Next year, they will make up the corps.”

Sauk Centre archery snags second in Alexandria

Middle schoolers lead the way for Streeters

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

The Sauk Centre archery program, with one of the state’s top-10-ranked high school teams, is used to being in first place.

Recently, however, the team received an opportunity to come back from the taste of defeat, as the Streeters finished second, 30 points behind first-place Alexandria at the 2023 Alexandria Area High School Invitational March 4 at Alexandria Area High School in Alexandria.

“That’s one of those things I feel we needed a little bit,” said Jeff Schuster, head coach. “There’s an awful lot to be learned from having to chase somebody just ahead of you, and that’s something you can’t learn from being the top dog on the totem pole.”

Boasting a 3,291 scoring average at No. 8 in Minnesota, Sauk Centre received strong showings once more. Samantha Eekhoff shot 13 10s on her way to a 280 overall score, the sixth-highest mark among female competitors at the event, while Zach Klimek’s 278 was the highest boys score for the Streeters.

“Our ranking in the state has us billed at an average of 274.25 points per archer,” Schuster said. “Every athlete we can have shooting over that score puts us at a higher level of competition. Zach is rising above that right now and is going to do great things for us.”

Joining the top of the pack for Sauk Centre were a pair of ninth graders making waves in their first year of high school archery: Carly Gruenes and Colton Volkman, who each compiled a 275 score with 12 10s. Such performances continue to be vital for a Streeters squad always eyeing a way to improve.

“We’re currently only five points away from fifth place and 57 from first place,” Schuster said. “That’s something you can turn around in a tournament or two with hard practice.”

Sauk Centre’s middle school team was equally as impressive. Eighth grader Aubree Randall put together a signature shooting day in her second year of archery, finishing first out of all middle school girls with an outstanding 281.

“All athletes, especially in that middle school range, will be in and out of slumps,” Schuster said.

“With the precise nature of this sport, they see ebb and flow in their performance. She’s (Randall) worked hard to get herself out of a feeling like she wasn’t performing

to her potential. That’s a great thing for her.”

Right behind Randall at the top of Sauk Centre’s scoring leaderboard representing the first-place middle school roster was Alex Drevlow, whose 280 was the highest for any middle school boy in the three-team competition. Additionally, eighth grader Joseph Hoeschen thrived individually, earning a 274 for a new personal-best score.

“It’s not unheard of to have some middle school athletes really make headway and outshoot some of the older kids,” Schuster said.

Kyle Drevlow’s 250 paced the Sauk Centre elementary squad, who achieved a 2,734 score as the lone full team competing.

Next up for the Streeters is the Osakis Archery Invitational Saturday, March 11, at Osakis Elementary School in Osakis. Following that appearance is the Region 3 Tournament Saturday, March 18, and the 2023 Minnesota NASP State Tournament Friday and Saturday, March 24-25.

“You get to this time of the season, where the state tournament looms, every team, they’re coming and putting their ‘A game’ forward, because they know this is where the stakes get high and every meet could be your last,” Schuster said.

Jacob Robischon surges to the finish line during the 200-yard individual medley consolation heat at the Minnesota State High School League Class A Boys Swimming and Diving Meet March 4 at Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center in Minneapolis. Robischon, swimming the event for the last time this year, set the Sauk Centre record in the race.

Streeters earn season sweep of well-coached Dutchmen

Late scoring guides Sauk Centre to conference win

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

There is something to be said about a team’s ability to come back from daunting deficits.

The West Central Conference champion Sauk Centre Streeters boys basketball team have somehow found a comfort zone in closely-contested, high-pressure games, and they discovered this cool collectedness once more against the Melrose Dutchmen March 3.

After trailing 13-4 in the opening minutes and 32-23 at halftime, Sauk Centre strung together a spirited comeback, outlasting its longtime rival in a 66-62 win at a loud and raucous Melrose Area Elementary School gym in Melrose. It was the first time the Streeters had stolen a win in Melrose since Jan. 27, 2005.

“It’s a player game, and the players made plays,” said Kevin Kuefler, head coach. “Guys just stepped up and made plays and made shots, especially toward the end of the game.”

The Dutchmen boasted a significant size advantage and used this to build an early lead. Senior forward Gor Ruey and his 6-foot, 8-inch frame wreaked havoc on his home court, scoring nine of Melrose’s first 13 points, all from inside.

“I don’t think we played our best game, but I thought they played a very good game and played through their strengths,” Kuefler said.

Melrose continued to push the pace, even as the Streeters did not go away. The Dutchmen were not fazed by Sauk Centre pulling to within one possession at 25-22, putting together a 7-1 scoring run in the final minutes of the first half to seize momentum heading into halftime.

However, Sauk Centre stayed within rallying range behind a strong

stroke from beyond the arc. Sophomore point guard Damian Ahrens connected on a pair of 3-pointers and Ethan Riley buried a longrange try as the Streeters trailed by three once more at 39-36. Five different Streeters swished home threes as the team went 7-for-16 (43.75%) from 3-point range.

“In the first half, they made it clear they

What to make of a weird

would take charges on our drives,” Kuefler said. “We got caught in forcing the action a bit. In the second half, we did a better job of just getting rid of the ball before the charge and passing the ball.”

The conference matchup took several wild swings from there. After Sauk Centre took its first lead of the game at 44-43, Melrose fired back with energetic offensive sequences to snag a 52-44 advantage. Not to be outdone, Jay Neubert took matters into his own hands, scoring seven straight points for the Streeters, who stayed close at 54-51.

“The hardest thing about playing Melrose is they’re well-coached and it’s a crazy atmosphere,” Kuefler said. “We got adjusted to the game. We didn’t let that be a factor in how we won or lost. I think we stepped up and made plays.”

Another 3-pointer from Riley, a free throw from Matthew Warring and a field goal off a drive from Neubert tied the game at 59 with 2 minutes and 10 seconds remaining. It felt like every possession held the entire fate of the game in its hands from that point. Melrose’s Connor Engelmeyer exploited open space and hit a big-time 3-pointer before Neubert heaved a 30foot 3-point shot from just inside the Melrose ‘M’, cashing in a jaw-dropping three of his own.

Sauk Centre picked up one of the biggest defensive stops of its season after that, and Neubert and Andrew Drevlow clinched the game with a baseline bucket and a pair of free throws, respectively, ending an absurdly-long streak of losses in their rival’s building.

“Can you win there?”

Kuefler said. “That’s in the back of your mind. We were able to get past the mental side of it and found a way to win.”

The Streeters, seeded fourth in the Section 6AA Boys Basketball Tournament, hosted Rush City in the first round of playoff action March 8.

“Streaky” is a descriptor underselling how inconsistent the Minnesota Timberwolves have been during the 2022-23 NBA campaign.

Looking at the team’s schedule to this point reveals signs of progress followed immediately by stepping on a rake. From Dec. 10-Jan. 8, the Timberwolves lost three in a row, won three in a row, lost six in a row and won four in a row.

BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Sometimes, Minnesota has encouraging games that hark back to the team’s impressive run to the playoffs a year ago, and other times, its lifeless, lackluster performances frustrate a fanbase expecting far more from their talented team.

The latest swing in showings is a three-game winning streak, off the back of a dynamic offensive outing in a 138-134 victory over the Sacramento Kings, who possess the Western Conference’s third-best record. Anthony Edwards scored 27 points, including a few major buckets in the final minute and Mike Conley hit 7 of 12 shots for a 24-point night as seven Timberwolves reached double-digit scoring.

Such a game would make you think this team might be finally turning a corner, but such a moment is hard to know with certainty since Minnesota has had similar glimpses of promise.

What has seemingly snagged any hopes of Minnesota taking the next step is its mentality. Against the five worst teams in the NBA in terms of record – the Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets and Orlando Magic – the Wolves are 4-8, an abysmal mark against squads hardly competing for anything other than pride and draft position. While they tend to play well against playoff contenders – Minnesota is 16-16 against teams with a .500 record or better – that is hardly something to rely on.

Ultimately, I would expect Minnesota to make the playoffs even despite the struggles. With Conley at point guard, Rudy Gobert has looked more like the All-Star-caliber center the Wolves traded for, Edwards is continuing his ascent as one of the best young players in the league and other pieces like All-Defensive Team candidate Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson, Taurean Prince and newcomer Nickeil Alexander-Walker make Minnesota a tough team to defeat on any given night. That being said, I do not expect my blood pressure to return to its normal levels when watching the team on game days.

PHOTOS BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Junior Ethan Riley puts up a shot near the basket during the first half of the Streeters 66-62 win March 3 at Melrose Area Elementary School gym in Melrose. Riley scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds in the victory.

Junior Andrew Drevlow tries to drive past Connor Engelmeyer of Melrose during their West Central Conference matchup March 3 at Melrose Area Elementary School gym in Melrose. Sauk Centre opened the Section 6AA playoffs at home March 8, with

quarterfinals March 11 at St. John’s University in Collegeville.

Streeters boys hoops found heroics from multiple sources

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

Entering the 2022-23 winter season, the Sauk Centre Streeters boys basketball team understood what they needed to do to achieve one of their team goals and win a loaded West Central Conference: establish an identity.

The Streeters knew they were not the largest team in the world; without significant length at the forward position, simply bullying opponents in the paint for points was not possible.

However, what Sauk Centre possessed at a sheer-improbable level was versatility, and behind their ability to seemingly do a little bit of everything, the Streeters are the 2022-23 West Central Conference champion.

“Everybody has a role,” said Kevin Kuefler, head coach. “It’s been a group effort. I think we do a lot of little things that add up.”

If winning were constrained to an equation, Sauk Centre has all of the necessary terms. While junior all-time leading scorer Jay Neubert’s capabilities as a playmaker and the team’s vast array of bucket-getting options certainly add offense, the team has prided themselves this season on their much-improved defense. Against a stronger overall schedule than previous years, the Streeters have allowed 55 points per game, a product of being able to place its defenders in multiple positions of comfort.

“Most players on our team are versatile defenders, meaning they can guard different types of players,” said Matthew Warring, senior guard. “Throughout the game, you get switched onto different matchups, and being able to guard that switch is a huge part of our team.”

With their players playing almost exclusively manto-man defense, the Streeters have found success holding their opponents to contested shots, leading to missed shots and rebound opportunities. Sure, Sauk Centre is not a sizable team based on height, but scrappiness has gone a long way.

“As a team, we preach the term, ‘Gang rebound,’” Kuefler said. “That speaks to the stats. We have five guys averaging four-to-six rebounds. Nobody is getting 10, but we have multiple guys chipping in.”

This defense has then translated to offense, where Sauk Centre’s identity has shifted as the season has progressed. Early on, the Streeters adapted a very modern approach, launching 3-pointers with a high degree of regularity. This allowed them to put up a lot of high-scoring performances in a 10-2 start, including a 78-61 win over Border West at the Grand8 Holiday Tournament in Perham.

“We shoot a lot in practice, specifically the shots we get in games, so when it comes to that big moment, we have the confidence to make it,” Warring said.

The big moments Warring alludes to have followed the Streeters at seemingly every destination. Sauk Centre grabbed a few wins in narrow-tight situations early in their season, such as a 72-65 win over BOLD Jan. 6 and a 58-55 victory in a thriller versus Montevideo Jan. 10. Sauk Centre was also prone to some late-game disappointments, however, losing back-toback games against Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta and Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jan. 26-27 with endgame sequences that were anything but satisfactory. This stretch, in Kuefler’s mind, was the campaign’s ultimate turning point.

“You can get knocked down but you have to get back up, but before you do, you have to learn,” he said. “We’ve learned from our losses. We’ve learned how to win the close game gradually throughout the year from losing a few early in the year.”

One key adjustment in finding clutch triumphs

was utilizing everything they had offensively. Kuefler noted that the team’s 3-point attempts per game moved from 30 per contest in the first half of the season to closer to 20 in the back half of their winter slate.

West Central Conference page 10

12818 Bayview Dr, Sauk Centre, MN 56378

Sauk

with

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

The Sauk Centre boys basketball team (front, from left) assistant coach Brian Riley, head coach Kevin Kuefler, assistant coach Trent Johnson and assistant coach Austin Kowski; players (second, from left) Matthew Warring, Carter Ziemer, Corey McCoy and Hunter Novak; (third, from left) Jeric Schloegl, Andrew Drevlow, Jay Neubert, Ethan Riley and Hunter Broich; and (back, from left) Damian Ahrens, Ashton Trisko, Jacob Drevlow, Troy Hansen and Noah Borgerding won the West Central Conference with a 12-2 record. Sauk Centre last won the conference championship in 2015. They gathered Feb. 28 at the Kristin and Todd Broich Farm for the photo. Not pictured Chad Herickhoff

The 2022-23 Sauk Centre

cast of Hayley Klockenga (front, from left), Christopher Polipnick, Abby Eiden, Sarah Trebus and Anastasia Polipnick;

(middle, from left) Nora Thompson, Julia Wehrman, Hailey Hokanson, Addison Hoffman and Liz Eiden; and (back, from left) Noah Campbell, Luke Middendorf, Jacob Schreifels, Steven Schreifels and Maizie Jennissen took second in subsection competition and third in sections.