Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Kort Plantenberg served a nine-month deployment in 2018 with the Guard’s Company C, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion in Kuwait. He will be honored posthumously June 17 as the 2023 Avon Spunktacular Days grand marshal.
Plantenberg honored posthumously as Spunktacular Days grand marshal
BY CAROL MOORMAN | STAFF WRITER
Kort Plantenberg spent his life doing what he was designed to do.
“Kort lived a life devoted to service and filled with love for family, friends, animals and nature, and he had a passion for flying,” his father Steve Plantenberg said June 7 from his and wife Laura’s Avon home.
Dr. Kurt Schwieters’ story is in a new chapter. He treated patients at CentraCare-Melrose 23 years.
For his caring ways and community interactions, he was awarded the CentraCare Foundation 2023 Caduceus Award May 18.
Receiving the award was bittersweet. Schwieters is now taking care of himself. In January he retired after dealing with a brain injury and cognitive deficit caused by Lyme disease. It was not an easy decision for him and wife, Mary, also a physician, but something he knew he had to do for his patients and himself.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
As the sun was starting to rise Monday, Commercial Contractors Company workers from Melrose were inside the Lisa’s On Main building working on securing the west wall
On Dec. 5, 2019, Sgt. Kort Plantenberg, 28, of Avon, and fellow soldiers and friends Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Rogers, Jr., 28, of Winsted; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Charles Nord, 30, of Perham, died in a Minnesota Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter crash, 10 minutes after it took off from St. Cloud during a mechanical test flight.
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN“He would put his hand on the patients and, in true understanding, say ‘I understand how you feel’ or ‘I’m sorry for what you are going through,’” Leah Vornbrock, Schwieters’ long-time clinic nurse, said during a video at the May 18 La Gratitude event at The Park Center in St. Cloud, adding, “He will be missed for his tenderness and his compassion.”
“Sometimes the Holy Spirit takes over and that’s the way I accepted it,” he said May 30. “This is my life and I will adapt.”
A faith-filled man, the Holy Spirit has had a hand in many aspects of Schwieters’ life.
After graduating from St. John’s University in Collegeville, he searched for his dream job – a biology teacher.
Dr. Kurt page 3
Avon city leaders members welcomed a unique financial contribution during the public forum portion of their June 5 meeting at Avon City Hall in Avon.
Parker Rosen, accompanied by her dad, Neil, presented a $260 cash donation to benefit the Avon Police Department’s K-9 program.
Rosen raised the funds by hosting a lemonade stand to benefit K-9 Maverick.
“Do you want to come up and show us?” said Mayor Jeff Manthe, referring to the wad of cash Rosen displayed when she walked up to the council dais.
Manthe asked Officer Landon Gudim, K-9 Maverick’s handler, to come up and accept the donation on the city’s behalf.
Gudim asked Rosen if she would like to meet Maverick. His suggestion brought smiles around the room and plenty of tail-wagging from the German Shepard.
Dad Neil Rosen said Parker had her lemonade stand up and running during Avon’s city-wide garage sales.
“People came up and didn’t care
about getting their change back,” he said. “Parker started her lemonade stand fundraising last year during Heritage Day. That money went to the Albany Fire Department.”
Parker did another lemonade stand collection during Albany’s Pioneer Days for the police department.
Manthe praised Maverick for his
service throughout Stearns County.
“He really gets around,” he said.
Councilor Katie Reiling asked when Parker’s lemonade stand would appear next.
“More than likely, it’s going to be at the next Heritage Day,” Neil said, referring to the Aug. 5 event.
The Schwieters family – Dr. Kurt (front, from left), Caroline and Joseph; and (back, from left) Dr. Mary and John – enjoy an April 2023 day at their home on Little Birch Lake in rural Melrose. Dr. Kurt Schwieters retired from his medical practice Jan. 3, after 23 years caring for patients at the Melrose medical facility.
Schneider’s last day is June 30
BY TIM HENNAGIR | STAFF WRITERAlbany city leadership will undergo a historic change June 30 when administrator Tom Schneider retires.
Schneider announced he will be leaving 35-plus years of city service in a letter presented June 7 to the city council at Albany City Hall in Albany. The letter was also listed as an agenda item.
“I began employment for the city in October 1987, never knowing how long I might stay, but after seeing so much opportunity ahead of me, I thought I may as well continue this journey,” his short letter stated.
Fast forward 35-plus years. Schneider watched the city’s population increase from 1,500 to nearly 3,000.
“After much deliberation, I have finally made the decision to retire from city employment on June 30, 2023,” he wrote, adding he was blessed to have worked with so many great individuals over the years.
Those individuals have include mayors, council members, park board, economic development authority, fire board and planning commission members, Schneider stated in his letter, which he also read aloud during the council’s June 7 meeting.
“I have also been extremely appreciative to have such great employers, past and present, who made my job a lot easier, for which I am grateful,” Schneider’s letter stated. “It has been a huge honor for me and my family to call Albany my home, having the privilege to live and work here my entire life.”
He closed the letter by thanking the current council for its guidance and support over a number of years.
“It has been a pleasure to have served you and the community of Albany,” Schneider wrote.
Councilor Keith Heitzman made a motion, seconded by Councilor John Harlander, to accept Schneider’s letter. City leaders unanimously approved the motion, setting up June 21 as Schneider’s last council meeting.
Schneider page 3
Dairy cows stand or lay inside a barn June 7 at Middendorf Farms north of Freeport, content to eat and drink when they want, as a light mist of water keeps them cool. Some are moved to another barn with a parlor system to be milked twice a day, but the majority are milked by six robots, which owners Chris and Deana Middendorf had installed in early December 2022.
Chris, Deana, and their children, Brooklen, 19, Westin, 17, and Macey, 13, are carrying on a dairy farm legacy started on this farm in 1961 by Chris’ parents, Tom and Rita Middendorf.
Like Chris, Tom is the son of a dairy farmer, raised on a farm southwest of Freeport.
The first-generation Middendorf’s initial herd of 24 milking cows in 1961 has grown in the hands of the second generation to 650 milking cows, and they farm 1,600 acres of corn and alfalfa, used mainly as feed for the farm animals. Two full time employees initially hired for milking have grown to nine full time and four part time employees.
One of Tom and Rita’s eight children, Chris always knew farming is a life he wanted, Chris said June 7 sitting around the kitchen table in their 120-year-old farm house with Deana, his wife of 21 years.
“Just the freedom to do what you want to do when you want to do it,” Chris said when asked what he likes about farming.
The farm was originally a Goebel homestead.
Chris remembers his dad and mom milked mornings and evenings, and Chris and his siblings – Karl, Diane, twins Lynn and Lisa, Janet, Tim and Julie – helped with milking, chores and fieldwork.
This Middendorf farm has been a First District Association-Litchfield patron since 1990, and Tom was on the board for more than 20 years.
In 1992, Tom and Rita added a parlor when it was clear Chris would be taking over the dairy operation.
Chris started the farm transfer by buying the heifers when he was in his 20s.
“Dad gave me the reins and let me run it,” he said. “But he still comes here and helps with fieldwork.”
One week before Chris and Deana, both 23, married in 2001, Tom and Rita moved to a neighboring farm, where Middendorf Farms heifers are pastured.
“I never left the farm,” Chris said.
Deana, who grew up on a beef farm near Remer, said she tried milking a few times, which wasn’t her niche, but she helps out in other ways, like doing the bookwork, similar to what Rita did years ago. Their children also pitch in.
In 2017 the sale of the farm to Chris and Deana was complete, with the dairy herd around 450. The name changed from T&R Middendorf Farms to Middendorf Farms.
Chris earned an advanced farm business management degree from St. Cloud Technical and Community College.
“They came here,” he said. “It was more of a hands-on learning program.”
Chris grew the business by adding barns, equipment and land.
“You have to grow a little every year to keep up with inflation,” he said.
He incorporated custom harvesting and pumping into the farm business.
Chris said it was a natural progression to go to robotic milking.
“We had to do something, because we basically outgrew our parlor,” he said.
Chris toured other farms with dairy robots when deciding which type of expansion to do.
“Initially, I wanted a rotary parlor but pricewise it was more than the robots. The parlor takes such a massive building to handle that structure and building costs were astronomical,” Chris said.
Along with the robots, there were other components of the expansion, like adding onto an existing barn for the robots, a new milkhouse for
a larger stainless steel bulk tank to hold the milk and offices with computers.
They went with six robots to handle the size of their milking herd. They milk close to 250 cows in their parlor barn, with the remaining 400 milked by robots.
It has been a process to get the cows used to being milked by robots. The first three days eight people, including Leedstone technicians, were onsite around the clock, in shifts.
“At first you had to go through the pens to get the cows. Some of them figured it out right away. The cows that didn’t come on their own, you had to bring them in there,” Chris said. “It took a solid three months to get them used to it.”
“They say three days, three weeks, three months, three years is the timeline for the cows to transition to the robots,” Deana said.
They started with cows that had the nicest udders and milked the fastest, and after they were well trained, they brought in more.
“Every week we brought up 20 new cows,” Chris said.
When a cow determines it is time to be milked, she walks up to a robotic milking
box, an electronic system indicating which cow is being milked. With sensors, milking cups attach to the teats of the cow from underneath, after sanitation. The robot continues to milk the cow until finished, detaches from the cow, and she is free to go from the machine. The milk flows into a clear container inside the milking unit and is piped into a 6,500-gallon bulk tank, where it is stored until a First District Association semi picks it up for
transfer to a milk processing plant.
The average robotic milking per cow, per day is 2.8.
“The computer tells us everything we want to know,” Deana said.
It was a learning experience as the Middendorfs found out what worked and what didn’t work.
“The new robots are pretty well dialed in now, not that things can’t go wrong with them,” he said.
Chris receives a notification on his cell phone if there is an issue with a robot. There is daily maintenance.
“The robots have to be washed twice a day by hand, and milk filters have to be changed,” Deana said.
“Alleys have to be scraped two times a day and bedding is added to the stalls twice a week,” Chris said. That doesn’t take into consideration the other jobs their employees are tasked with.
They are grateful for dedicated employees, which allows them to take vacations and Chris to play fastpitch softball in a league. The Middendorfs are quick to name their favorite dairy products.
“Milk and cheese,” Chris said, which is the same for Macey.
“Butter for baking and cheese,” Deana said.
Westin likes milk. Brooklen, who is away from home attending college in Duluth, likes milk and cheese.
They all like life on Middendorf Farms, where the family dog, Faith, is Chris’ constant companion.
“I am where I want to be,” Chris said.
“I was the most fired up teacher, but I couldn’t find a job,” he said.
Thanks to friend Karen (Sieben) Backes, a Melrose graduate, he became an admissions counselor at St. John’s University/College of St. Benedict.
Schwieters met Mary Litchy in college, and they had similar teaching stories. After finding information at the campus ministry office, Mary traveled to Honduras in 1989 to volunteer her medical skills at an orphanage, and Kurt accompanied her in 1993.
“That changed our lives,” he said. “We’ve been going ever since.”
The two were accepted into the University of Minnesota Medical School and got married. They completed medical residencies in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, before moving to Melrose to start their family physician careers, where each had a commonality – Mary’s grandparents, Phil and Agnes Theiler, and Kurt’s grandparents, Nick and Helen Schwieters and Sylvester and Francis Zech, lived in Melrose.
Raised in small communities – Kurt in Waseca and Mary in Montevideo – and wanting to be small town doctors, they became Melrose Hospital/CentraCare Clinic physicians July 19, 1999.
“It was a really good match … with a good team,” he said. “It was like a dream.”
With two Dr. Schwieters on staff, they were Dr. Kurt and Dr. Mary. They raised three children, John, Joseph and Caroline, in Melrose.
“By far, I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else,” he said. “This will always be home.”
Both of their parents –Glenn and Ann Schwieters and Jim and Carol Litchy –also moved back to Melrose. Schwieters’ medical practice focused on pa-
tient-centered care and building relationships.
“Patients are starving to be heard, to be understood,” he said. “In this society, where people are feeling overwhelmed, that idea, that someone cared and was with them, was very important to me.”
Alongside Schwieters, caring for patients, was Vornbrock.
“She knew who was related to whom, what the significance was between a Hellermann and Hollermann, and how many Frielers there were,” he said. “What I was able to do wouldn’t have been possible without Leah.”
He knew his patients in everyday life.
“These were people I stood next to in the store, sat next to in church or at a game,” he said. “Maybe there was a conflict, but people accepted that relationship. I wasn’t just their doctor; I was with them and we were in it together.”
He appreciates his family accepting his passion for caring for patients with their “that’s just Dad,” attitude,
On Saturday, June 17, Kort will be honored posthumously as the 2023 Avon Spunktacular Days grand marshal, during the 7 p.m. parade. A National Guard color guard will lead the parade. It’s the same parade Kort drove an Allis Chalmers tractor in when he was a youth.
“He’d be shaking his head,” Steve said of how Kort would react to the honor. “He was the type of young man that didn’t want attention on him.”
The first-born son of Steve and Laura and a big brother to Isabel “Izzy,” Kort was a 2009 Albany High School graduate. Steve said, as an old German Benedictine family from Stearns County, they wanted a short name for their newborn son.
“Laura and I were looking for a traditional German name, and we came up with Kort, an old version of the German form of Kurt,” Steve said. From an early age, Kort was obsessed with helicopters and flying. He liked fishing and hunting and served as a lifeguard and on a ski patrol. He helped friends and neighbors, liked solving problems and met challenges with unbreakable determination.
“He was very soft-spoken and really conscious of other people,” Steve said.
Max, his German Shepherd, was his companion and friend.
Kort was an accomplished marksman and skier and started formal biathlon training at age 12. He was a member of the 2018 National Guard All Guard Biathlon Championship teams, and the National Guard All Guard team trophy has been named in his honor.
“That was really touching,” Steve said.
Kort loved nature.
“If you couldn’t find him, he was on the water fishing,”
even when he had to leave or miss family functions.
“It’s not like it was heroic. Dairy farmers have the same commitment” he said. “It’s just what I did.”
He was nervous when word got out about his medical condition, but people were so “good, accepting me and helping me.”
Six years ago, he started experiencing severe fatigue and symptoms of illness.
“At first, I couldn’t even walk up and down a hill, and I’d fall asleep at lunch time,” he said.
Fellow Melrose physician Dr. Dante Beretta diagnosed him with Lyme disease.
“It was a brain injury that destroyed my visual cortex, and I lost the ability to do specific things. It was like I had a little stroke, but it wasn’t a stroke. The biggest problem was there was a mismatch in the parts of my brain that work the way it used to and the parts of the brain that are damaged,” he explained.
He cites the example of being in an emergency room with eight people with an overload of information be-
ing stressful for his condition. He took his wife’s advice.
“Mary said, ‘What would you tell patients? And then you need to do that,’” he said.
At first he cut down on his patient load. When issues with declining brain impairment continued, he decided to retire.
“The catalyst was patients’ safety,” he said, adding, “In the big picture, my brain can function in controlled environments.”
During a “very hard three-day process,” information was shared with CentraCare staff and his patients before his official retirement date – Jan. 3, 2023.
”I didn’t want people not to know,” he said. “They will wonder and worry and stories will come out of nowhere.”
He received support from family, friends, patients and throughout the CentraCare system.
“They (CentraCare) believed in me and, even though they have not seen this before, it (retirement) was the right thing to do,” he said.
Schwieters’ ability to be a family practice doctor may be over, but he could use his medical expertise elsewhere.
“I could teach and help in other ways, but I will never see patients again,” he said. “It’s a very big acceptance.”
He feels the best that he has felt in a long time and has time to spend with family and pastimes like reading. There will be trips to Honduras, where his wife continues to volunteer.
“I’m just Dr. Mary’s husband over there,” he said, smiling.
Dr. Kurt, the patient, is getting used to caring for himself.
For Dr. Kurt, the physician, it is a story he has heard many times from his patients.
“When it happened to me, I’m a different character in the story,” he said. “There’s no bitterness or why me. It’s more about, ‘Wow, it’s a different dream, different chapter.”
Matthew Alejandro Rodriguez Pacheco Jesus Rodriguez and Vianey Pacheco, of Sartell, are happy to announce the birth of their son, Matthew Alejandro Rodriguez Pacheco, at 3:33 p.m., June 3, 2023, at CentraCare-Melrose Hospital. He weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and measured 20.5 inches long.
Big brother, Gael, 11, welcomed him home. Matthew Alejandro Rodriguez Pacheco
John and Mary Jane Middendorf
Happy 70th Anniversary
John and Mary Jane Middendorf. We love you.
From all of your family
John and Mary Jane Middendorf
Monday, June 19, 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Mental Health Support Group. CentraCare-Albany Clinic, 30 Railroad Ave., Albany. For information call the clinic at 320-845-2157.
Tuesday, June 20, noon – Helping Hands Outreach Senior Dining Meal. Holdingford City Hall, 420 Main St., Holdingford. Programs are open to the public. Call 320-746-9960 for more information.
Tuesday, June 20, 6 p.m. – Western Stearns DFL meeting, potluck followed by 6:30 p.m. meeting. Locations vary in Melrose and Sauk Centre. Call Mitch Manoski at 320-282-8312 for location.
Wednesday, June 21, 6 p.m. – Holdingford School Board Meeting. Holdingford Jr./Sr. High School library and media center, 900 Fifth St., Holdingford.
Wednesday, June 21, 6:30 p.m. – Albany City Council Meeting. Albany City Hall, 400 Railroad Ave., Albany.
Wednesday, June 21, 7 p.m. – AA Meetings. Back to Basic, at Tutti Frutti Marketplace, 38914 County Road 186, Sauk Centre. For more information, call 218240- 1076. Big Book, Melrose City Center, 225 First St., NE, Melrose. For more information, call 320-2413909.
Upcoming: Tuesday, Aug. 1, 7 p.m. – Schanhaar-Otte Post 7050 and Auxiliary meetings. Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.
Steve said.
Kort had a passion for design and fabrication. At age 12, his first job was assembling new bikes, which led him to his interest of working with anything and everything that moves, Steve said.
An accomplished welder and woodworker, he made furniture for friends and family.
Kort sincerely cared about others and safety. After completing his studies at the University of Minnesota Duluth in criminology, he took a position with the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department.
Kort wanted no regrets when it came to him flying.
“We remember him coming home and sharing with us that if he were ever going to fly, it was important that he wait no longer,” Steve said. “He stated, ‘I am going to join the Minnesota Army National Guard to pursue flying rescue helicopters,’ and it was important to him to be able to take them apart and repair them.”
He enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard in 2016, as an aircraft electrician. Kort served a ninemonth deployment with the Guard’s Company C, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion in Kuwait. He returned from deployment and was hired as a federal technician mechanic at Army Aviation Support Facility 2 in St. Cloud. He was selected to start the state warrant officer program in March 2020 and then flight school the next fall in pursuit of his lifelong passion. His ambition was to work on helicopters during the week and fly them on the weekend.
Kort was deployed with Rogers and Nord to Kuwait and Iraq where they developed close friendships and flew together as part of operation Northstar Dustoff. Upon his return, he was scheduled to leave for flight school
Kort Plantenberg holds a large mouth bass he caught the summer of 2018 on Upper Spunk Lake
His dad, Steve, said they have many photos of Kort with fish since fishing was one of his many passions. training spring 2020.
The Dec. 5, 2019, crash changed his family’s life.
“When you reflect back, we were blessed. We, as a family, have a strong relationship, even though it was devastating,” Steve said.
They built a bond with the families of the other two soldiers who died in the crash and treasure the conversations with Kort’s friends.
“It’s been remarkable meeting his friends and realizing the many solid friendships he had and how close he was to so many people,” he said. “That makes you feel good.”
In memory of the loss of Kort’s life, the United States Congress passed legislation, introduced by Congressman Tom Emmer, to rename the Avon Post Office in his honor.
Steve admits, like many parents who have lost a child, not a day goes by that he does not think of Kort.
“There are things that remind me of him, or Laura and I and Izzy will talk about him,” he said.
If Steve is outside and hears a Blackhawk helicopter flying overhead, he gives a thumbs-up. The Plantenberg family of four had a strong bond, and often when they were together the conversation ended with three words.
“Whenever Kort and I would have a conversation, it would usually be something about fishing or working on a project, and we would end it with ‘I love you,’” Steve said. “In our culture, we don’t say those words enough. Look someone in their eyes, say ‘I love you,’ and give them a big hug.”
Kort would be the first to do so.
The Plantenbergs are grateful for the honor bestowed on Kort by the Avon community. They will gather with family and friends to watch the parade, knowing Kort is watching from above, still devoting his heavenly life to service, family and friends – and flying a Blackhawk helicopter.
Tuesday, July 11, 7 p.m. – Melrose American Legion Post 101 and Auxiliary meetings. Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.
Schneider will present a hiring timeline and transition strategy recommendations to city leaders at their June 21 meeting. He also serves as city clerk and treasurer.
The city will not use an outside firm to conduct a search for his replacement. That task will be completed in-house, Schneider stated in a follow-up email to The Star Post.
An existing employee in the city’s administration offices will be appointed deputy clerk by the Albany City Council, Schneider said.
Immaculate Conception Church
Mass will be celebrated at 10 am, all are welcome! Beautiful liturgy, great music and air conditioned.
GAMES & AMUSEMENT
Kid Games • Pull Tabs
Beer Gardens • Silent Auction
Bingo • Food Court
Paddle Wheel • Live Music
Music by 57 Chevy 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
FOOD COURT
Burgers, Brats, Taco in a Bag, Fetkuken, Hotdogs, French Fries
RAFFLE DRAWINGS
at 5:00 pm
– Gun Raffle
– Quilt Raffle
– Cash Raffle
St. Anna Sunday, June 25 11:00 am – 5:00 pm P24-1B-TV
The Melrose Area School Board approved continuing a levy referendum June 5 during a special meeting at the school in Melrose.
The approval continues the levy the referendum passed in 2017 that collects $200 per student.
“Passing the referendum will not increase anyone’s taxes,” Superintendent Greg Winter wrote on the school’s website. “It maintains what they are already paying.”
The total funds raised are $282,960. Of that, $257,259.58 is local tax levy and $25,700.42 is state aid.
When approved in 2017, the money was used to fund additional education costs, including college in school programs and technology.
“All of the reasoning for the levy in 2017 are still in effect in our schools in 2023. As a matter of fact, costs have gone up,” Winter wrote.
The need to reauthorize came out of this year’s state legislative session. In one bill school districts were given one-time authorization to approve an existing levy referendum, but school boards needed to approve that reauthorization by June 15, which was before the June 26 monthly Melrose School Board meeting.
The special meeting was called June 5 because a quorum (at least four members) of the board could meet to vote on the issue. The reauthorization passed on a 5-0 vote, with two board members absent.
Thank you
Thank you to family and friends for all the visits, prayers, food, cards and memorials for Tony. Thank you to the Coborn Cancer Center and the St. Cloud Hospital. A special thank you to Joanie and Eileen for the wonderful care at home. Also, thank you to Moments Hospice team for your great support. Thank you to Father Julius and Father Edward for the beautiful service, the musicians and the people who served lunch.
The family of Tony Cherne P-24-1P
OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 840 Lake Ave 320-845-2405 oursaviorslutheranalbany.org
AVON
AVON COMMUNITY CHURCH
204 Avon Ave. N 320-356-9001 avoncommunitychurch.org
HOLDINGFORD
COMMUNITY COUNTRY CHURCH
Across from school 320-746-0005 communitycountrychurch.org
FREEPORT
HARVEST CHURCH 338 Main St. W. 320-836-2997 harvestchurchfreeport.org
BIRCH HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCH
225 1st St. NE, (City Center) 320-429-2440 birchhillscommunitychurch.org
If you would like parishioners to see your church here, please contact Robin at 320-351-7837 or robin.b@star-pubs.com
Thomas E. Vos
Thomas “Tom” E. Vos, 85, passed away May 31, 2023.
At Tom’s request for cremation, Mass and placement of ashes were June 12 at the Church of St. Benedict in Avon.
Tom was born in Krain Township, Stearns County, to Edward and Veronica (Wolters) Vos, who preceded him in death. Tom will be dearly missed by his wife, Nansi, of 41 years; two daughters Louann Vos and Anika (Jamie) Klaphake; two sons Marc and Evan (Jessica); six grandchildren Alexis, Aubrey, Carter, Parker, Sophia and Trenton; and siblings Charles, Marie, Bernadette and Audry.
After graduation from Albany High School, Tom joined the U.S. Navy and served between Korea and Vietnam. He is a Purple Heart recipient. Following an honorable
Steven J. Stoermann
Steven J. “Steve” Stoermann, 56, of Holdingford, died peacefully with his wife by his side June 7, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd.
A Mass of Christian Burial was June 12 at Church of All Saints-St. Mary’s in Holdingford with the Rev. Gregory Mastey officiating. Interment followed in the parish cemetery.
Steven Joseph Stoermann was born Aug. 13, 1966, in Melrose, to Robert and Sylvia (Fink) Stoermann. He graduated from Holdingford High School in 1985. On Nov. 26, 2011, he was united in marriage to Terri Dingmann at Church of All Saints-St. Mary’s in Holdingford. Steve worked at Polar Tank Trailer
Henry M. Pohlmann
Henry M. Pohlmann, 61, of Melrose, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes June 9, 2023, at his home in Melrose.
Private family services will take place.
Henry Marcellus Pohlmann was born Jan. 2, 1962, in Melrose, to Francis “Lawrence” and Irene (Koopmeiners) Pohlmann. He was raised on the family farm where he enjoyed helping out, doing fieldwork and chores. During high school, Henry worked at Kraft Foods. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1980, and in 1981, he purchased a milk truck route from Mel Roering, which he owned and operated
Wayne R. Zenzen
Wayne R. Zenzen, 69, of Melrose, passed away June 11, 2023, at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud.
P3-TFN-RB
Thomas E. Vos discharge, Tom remained in California to attend college and graduated from Cal Poly State University, Pomona, with a degree in electronic engineering. Later, he received his business management degree at Stanford University.
Tom held numerous management positions with Hewlett-Packard in San Diego, Colorado Springs and Great Britain. In 1991, Tom became vice president and general manager of the Electronic
Instruments Group, which included facilities in Colorado, California, Washington, New Jersey, Korea, China, India, Canada, France and Germany. After his retirement in 1998, Tom and his family moved to Avon where he built his dream home on Upper Spunk Lake, near the family farm where he grew up. Tom was an active member of many organizations and boards including president of the Vos Family Foundation (2000-2020), Association for Retarded Citizens-California, Avon Lions, Catholic Charities (Circle of Hope), Church of St. Benedict, Boy Scouts of America, Elks Club, Project for the People of Paraguay, Birthline and the Boys and Girls Club of Central MN
(Board of Trustees and Partners for Hope).
Throughout Tom’s life, he enjoyed his books, woodworking, motorcycles, fishing and hiking with the Boy Scouts, but his love for God, his country and his family came first. Tom will be greatly missed.
The Vos family wishes to thank Assumption Home Community and St. Croix Hospice for their respectful caring attention to Tom and his needs.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Friday, June 16, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with the Rev. Arockiya Newton officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. June 16 at the church.
Wayne Richard Zenzen was born Oct. 4, 1953, in Melrose, to Edwin and Selestia (Enneking) Zenzen. Wayne
Steven J. Stoermann in Holdingford as a welder for 26 years, before the plant closed. He worked various jobs after that until his illness took over.
Steve was a family man. He enjoyed spending time with his wife and two girls. They went on many camping trips with friends and
as Pohlmann Trucking. He was united in marriage to Mary Rieland Oct. 20, 1984. The couple purchased the family farm and had three daughters. In 2009, Henry sold the dairy cows and started
Wayne R. Zenzen
graduated from Melrose High School in 1971 and graduated from Alexandria Technical College in 1973 in the field of
“Our Country is in Mourning, A Veteran Died Today.”
Arrangements were made by Williams Dingmann Funeral Home. In memory of Tom, those who wish may make contributions to the Boys and Girls Club of Central MN (St. Cloud) or the Project for the People of Paraguay, Avon. P-24-1B family. Steve also enjoyed riding his Harley, as well as snowmobiling. He was a member of the Holdingford Fire Department for 26 years and served on the parish building planning committee for the Holdingford cluster.
Survivors include his wife, Terri Stoermann; daughters Audra and Greta Stoermann; brother and sisters Sharon Stanoch, Sandy Kierzek, Tom Stoermann, Nancy Paggen and Julie (Steve) Notsch; parents-in-law, Marvin and Audrey Dingmann; brothersin-law and sisters-in law Craig Dingmann, Troy (Laurie) Dingmann and Kristi (Ronnie) Carlbom; and nieces and nephews Leann (Eli) Prottengeier, Nick (Angie) Stanoch and their children, Blake, Nolan, and Evalyn,
raising beef cows and crop farming. He started working at Rahn’s Propane and Oil in June 2009 until April 2021 when he started working at Land O’ Lakes.
Henry enjoyed bowling, playing softball and snowmobiling, especially in his younger years. He enjoyed riding his four-wheeler after work, checking the beef cows along the creek he truly loved. Henry had a big heart and would always help out whoever needed help fixing things.
Survivors include his daughters, Kali (Tyler) Schmiesing of New Munich and Micki (Joe) Orbeck of New Munich; grandchildren Beckett Schmiesing, Paiten
accounting. Wayne farmed all his life, taking over the family farm, which was in the family since 1890. He took pride in his crops and his dairy/beef cows.
He married Shirley Habiger Sept. 9, 1978, at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. Wayne was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. Wayne enjoyed traveling out west, reading, especially when it came to history, and drawing up plans for building projects.
He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Shirley Zenzen of Melrose; children
Emily Stanoch, Katelyn Stanoch, Ben Stanoch, Kayla (Nick) Richards and their children, Sage, Lincoln and Scarlett, Drew (Mia) Kierzek, and their son, Jack, Grant (Brittany) Kierzek, Brayden Kierzek, Kyle Stoermann, Taylor Notsch, Tanner Notsch, Jase Dingmann, Jackson Dingmann, Tucker Dingmann, Peyton Dingmann, Camille Dingmann, Caleb Carlbom, Brady Carlbom and Ashton Carlbom Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Sylvia Stoermann, and unborn child in 2014. Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.
and Ellie Bushman and Hazel Orbeck; brothers Fred Pohlmann and Danny (Ruth) Pohlmann; sisters Kathy (Dave) Welle, Rita (James) Geehan, Patty Ahrens, Eileen (Butch) Schneider, Teresa (Bill) LeClaire and Carla Hinnenkamp (Dave Anderson); many loving relatives and friends. Henry was preceded in death by his daughter, Tara Pohlmann; parents; brother Bernard Pohlmann; and sister Mary Ann Vener. Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose. P-24-1B
Matt (Missy), Mark, Beth and Ashley (Jens); granddaughters Julia and Amy; brother Art (Marilyn) Zenzen; sister Carla (David) Peschel; sister-in-law Sharon Slack; and numerous nieces and nephews. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Selestia Zenzen. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s Catholic School or cancer research. Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.
The views expressed by our columnists are the opinions and thoughts of the author and do not reflect the opinions and views of newspaper staff and ownership.
Like many moms years ago, my mom made homemade bread. Her bread pans were ages old but never wore out, even though she would bake eight or nine loaves of bread each week all of her married life and after that until her arms lost the strength needed to knead the dough.
She always made sure there was at least one loaf of bread in the freezer. You never knew when company was coming over and, of course, lunch had to be served, which may have included sandwiches on homemade bread.
Normally, Mom made plain white bread, using Robin Hood flour, of course. When the last of the dough wasn’t enough for a regular sized loaf, she made a smaller loaf, putting cinnamon and sugar on top, which was really good toasted. And if we were really lucky, Mom made caramel rolls with the homemade dough or what people sometimes call elephant ears, although Mom and Dad each had their own German names for this, which I am not even going to attempt to spell.
The smell of fresh bread filled the house when Mom made bread or overnight buns. And if a family member or neighbor came over, they often left with a fresh loaf of bread. If, for some reason, a loaf didn’t raise enough and it was a heavy bread, it was still edible, and Mom would send it home with good neighbors, Clyde or Virginia Tise, whose son, Larry, loved that bread because it also toasted so well.
There was nothing better than a meal of homemade bread and fresh fish, or a slice of homemade bread when it was still warm, with butter spread on it.
I never learned how to make Mom’s homemade bread. Not that I didn’t have the opportunity. But I did get her Banana Bread recipe, which I doctored up, adding a few more walnuts, and it tastes pretty good.
This year for our Riverfest Baking Contest Saturday, June 24, at the Sauk River Park in Melrose, the category is homemade breads, which was a suggestion from one of our previous participants. And I’ve tasted one of her loaves of fruit bread, which was very good.
There are many different types of breads, not just the regular white and wheat breads. I looked up homemade breads on the internet and it amazed me the variety of breads, each one sounding better than the next.
The only criteria for the contest is that it must be homemade bread. Anything made with homemade bread dough will do. Please put four slices on a plate; not the whole loaf. There is no limit as to how many varieties a person enters. The more the merrier.
Judging starts at 2 p.m., June 24. There will be someone at the Sauk River Park pavilion from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to register your entries.
If you have questions give me a call at 320-293-7368.
The judges have agreed to return again – Joyce Winter, Joe Gill and son Bobcat Ben and me. We will miss judge Sherry Ostendorf’s tasting expertise, but she has a family event and family comes first, we all know that. I appreciate the people volunteering – Laura Hellmann and JoAnn Nieland – to help with this contest and, of course, the people who will be entering their breads.
Below is a recipe to kickstart any entries. No, I have not tried it, but it sounds good and easy to make.
Rhubarb Bread
1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups diced rhubarb
1/2 cup chopped nuts
In a bowl, combine the sugar and oil and mix in egg, vanilla and buttermilk. Combine flour, salt, cinnamon and baking soda and add to moist ingredients. Stir in rhubarb and nuts. Transfer to two greased 8x4-inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.
The celebration of June as dairy month began in 1937 about four years after Prohibition ended.
Those two facts might not have anything in common other than, like during the Prohibition era, the local area also put Minnesota on the map in the dairy world. Today, ice cream, milk and string cheese are often featured at dairy promotions.
In the early 20th century, a different item was the dairy product. It was butter, and St. Anthony’s creamery made a good brand.
Information from the 1939 The Dairy Record publication shows the cooperative creamery in St. Anthony was among the nation’s best butter producers. In 1939, the highest graded butter in the Minnesota Creamery Operators and Managers Association was produced in St. Anthony
Butter is graded starting with a 100 point scale. The butter is examined for color, texture, flavor and saltiness. Depending on how it measures up in those areas, points are deducted. A score of 93 or better qualifies it as grade AA, the butter made from sweet cream; 92 to 92.99 is grade A fresh cream; and anything else is grade B, often made from sour cream.
A 1939 advertisement for the Cherry-Burrell butter churn stated, “It takes a mighty good buttermaker to win the Minnesota state championship in buttermaking.” The ad highlighted how the Cherry-Burrell churn, used by the St. Anthony creamery, made championship butter. The ad featured photos of the head buttermaker with the churn and the creamery building, the year the creamery had the 1939 state champion buttermaker. The creamery, though, really didn’t need the ad to promote the quality of its butter. It was winning contests and bringing attention to area creameries against tough competition.
The 1939 product coming from St. Anthony scored 94.5 to take the top state honors. The reserve champion
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earned a 94.44. The Oct. 11, 1939, The Dairy Record stated the 94.5 was the average for the year. According to the information in the ad, the butter scored a 94.00 in July and September (at the Minnesota State Fair), and 94.25 in October. It had, in its June production, achieved a 95.75 score.
It wasn’t only in Minnesota that it earned honors. The butter was entered in various state fairs where “scores have only dropped once below 95.00,” according to the ad.
The quality of the butter held up. In the 1939 National Cold Storage contest, where the stability of the product was tested, the St. Anthony butter entry scored 94.0. The butter received other national recognition before the year ended and the buttermaker received first place in a five-state area.
Over the years, some creameries have closed and others no longer make their own butter. Still, it is worth noting that for a number of years central Minnesota creameries and buttermakers were doing their part to raise the bar for producing dairy products.
When COVID-19 reared its ugly head back in early 2020, and as it slowly morphed into a pandemic, several reputable doctors and others were censored by big tech and shunned by major news networks for questioning the origins of the virus and the efficacy of the newly developed vaccine.
In Other Words by Bryan Zollman
As time went on, they also questioned the treatments given to those afflicted with the virus.
They were dubbed the “disinformation dozen” and some of them were completely banned from platforms, while all of them were consistently flagged for disinformation if they said something that went against what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the National Institutes of Health or the World Health Organization were putting out to the world.
Whether or not platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, where hundreds of millions of people get their information, were hoodwinked by the CDC, or paid off by big pharma, or just simply were naïve enough to believe everything Fauci said as gospel without any consideration for counter arguments, remains to be seen.
The drowning out of a counter narrative about the virus not only suppressed free speech, it elevated social media as the judge and jury of what was truth or fiction. No longer were two sides to an argument allowed. Those who offered an alternative narrative to the one being spewed consistently by the stakeholders of the virus were sometimes even labeled domestic terrorists.
One of the disinformation dozen is now running for president on the Democrat ticket. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., was tarred and feathered for his view on vaccines and treatments for the virus. He has since written a book about Dr. Fauci, giving the highly-esteemed doctor a less than desirable report card.
The book is loaded with facts that were suppressed by the mainstream media, and stories are surfacing that it wasn’t the media, but big pharma controlling the message. But people believed everything the media told them because that is how they have been trained. As RFK, Jr., states in his book, “Blind faith in authority is a function of religion, not science.”
Whether or not people believe RFK’s stance on vaccines, COVID-19, or anything else, is really not the point. The point is those in power, from the White House straight on down through the mainstream media and big tech, decided they didn’t even want you to hear his point.
Now he is running for president, and is polling around 20%. Twitter is now owned by freespeech absolutist Elon Muck, so RFK, Jr., is all over the airwaves, spreading his message.
He says he wants to run an American experiment on truth.
“We’re going to do a mass experiment, a new kind of mass experiment of what happens when you tell the people the truth,” he said.
This is undeniably refreshing.
However, the Democratic National Committee has already stated that RFK, Jr., will not be allowed to debate current president Joe Biden. In fact, nobody will. Rather than a free exchange of ideas, once again, others will be silenced. They already have their guy. The Republican National Committee did the same in 2020 with President Trump.
It shows that the American people don’t really get to choose from the best. They just get to choose what the DNC and RNC believes is their best chance to gain and hold power.
RFK, Jr., could be the firecracker America needs to blow the entire two-party political system up because he is the one candidate who is held in good favor by a large swath of Democrats, Independents and Republicans. If 20% of the people are diehard Democrat/Biden supporters and 20% are diehard Republican/Trump supporters, that leaves 60% of Americans who will decide the next election. Many of those 60% won’t essentially vote for Biden or Trump, but will vote against the other. RFK, Jr., can take that out of the equation.
As campaigning increases, so will the attacks against RFK, Jr., by both the left and right. He is a threat to their eternal quest for power, and in their eyes must be discredited.
No, the great debate we all want to see will not be held on a stage, but instead will be waged in the minds of Americans who do their own research on each candidate and ignore what the paid-off talking heads on television are telling them.
It’s time Americans realize the ones “they” don’t want you to hear are the ones worth listening to.
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Official Legal Newspaper for the cities of Albany, Avon, Freeport, Melrose and Holdingford; Independent School Districts 745, 738 and 740; surrounding townships.
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ISSN: Print: 2834-5916 Online: 2834-5924
Independent School District No. 745
Albany, MN 56307 INVITATION FOR BIDS FOR SCHOOL MILK AND RELATED PRODUCTS
Albany Area Schools is seeking qualified suppliers of milk for the district’s student nutrition department.
THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTIFICATION OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN: That default has occurred in the conditions of the mortgage dated October 17, 2016, executed by Jay H. Seguin, an unmarried man, as mortgagor, to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., a corporation, MIN 1012742-0000050450-7, as nominee and mortgagee for HomeServices Lending, LLC d/b/a Edina Realty Mortgage, through loan originator Kevin Kildahl, NMLS ID 1236759, recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Stearns County, Minnesota, on October 26, 2016, as Document No. A1480672, which mortgage conveyed and mortgaged the following described property, situated in the County of Stearns and State of Minnesota, which property has a street address of 144 30th Avenue North, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56303, property identification number 82.50381.0000, which mortgage was assigned to
Note: Items may be added to the agenda which have an immediate effect on the operation of the school district. An effort will be made to keep additions to a minimum. Amy Sand, Clerk P-24-1B
Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., by Assignment of Mortgage dated December 7, 2022, and recorded December 19, 2022 as Document No. A1646231: Lot Twenty-eight (28), Block One (1), Roosevelt Place, according to the plat and survey thereof on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder in and for Stearns County, Minnesota
That the original principal amount secured by said mortgage was $92,646.00; that there has been compliance with any condition precedent to acceleration of the debt secured by said mortgage and foreclosure of said mortgage required by said mortgage, any note secured thereby, or any statute; that no action or proceeding to recover the debt remaining secured by said mortgage is pending, or any part thereof; that there is claimed to be due upon said mortgage and is due thereon at the date of this notice, the sum of $88,875.15 in principal and interest.
That as a result of the aforesaid default, and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the said mortgage will be foreclosed by the sale of the above described premises with appurtenances,
SECTION 00 11 13
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
TITLE: Albany Early Learning Center
LOCATION OF WORK: Albany Early Learning Center 320 3rd Avenue Albany, MN 56307
OWNER: Albany Area Schools 30 Forest Ave, PO Box 40 Albany, MN 56307
CONSTRUCTION ICS Consulting, LLC
MANAGER: 1139 Franklin Avenue, Suite 1 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 (763) 354-2670
Contact: Kyle Walter kyle.walter@ics-builds.com
ARCHITECT: Wold Architects & Engineers 332 Minnesota Street, Suite W2000 Saint Paul, MN 55101 651-227-7773
STRUCTURAL: BKBM Engineers 6120 Earle Brown Dr., Suite 700 Minneapolis, MN 55340 763-843-0420
MECHANICAL & CMTA
ELECTRICAL 1331 Tyler St NE Unit 201
ENGINEER: Minneapolis, MN 55413 612-249-5600
CIVIL ENGINEER: BKBM Engineers 6120 Earle Brown Dr., Suite 700 Minneapolis, MN 55340 763-843-0420
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project consists of multiple work scopes for all of the work necessary for the renovation and construction of a 41,000 square foot early childhood facility, site improvements, parking lots, and all associated utilities and amenities.
BID DATE AND LOCATION:
Sealed Bids will be received at Albany Area Schools District
Office, 30 Forest Ave, Albany, MN 56307 then publicly opened and read aloud. Bids will be received and stamped-in prior to 2:00pm local time on June 29th, 2023. Bids submitted after allotted time will be discarded, NO EXCEPTIONS EXAMINATION OF DOCUMENTS:
Bidders may view drawings and specifications for the proj-
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Kreuzer at 6 p.m.
2. Roll Call
Present: Kreuzer, Hansen, Carbajal, Sands, Rueter, Sand, Dirkes
Late: Absent:
Student Representatives: Hudock, Seiler Absent: Bierbaum
3. ICS Presentation
Kyle Walter from ICS and John from Wold Architects presented the nearly finished designs for the Early Learning Center that will go for bids in June. Bid openings will be June 29, 2023, and bid awards will be July 11, 2023.
4. Student Representatives
The students presented their work on having a future mental health speaker. They were not able to complete the project this year. The board commended the current representatives for their accomplishments. Next year’s representatives will be two students from 11th grade and two students from 12th grade.
5. Albany High School Presentation
on June 12th at the Secondary School Building, District Office, 30 Forest Avenue, Albany MN, or by contacting Sue Clemen, 320-845-5075 or emailing sclemen@district745.org. Bids will be accepted until 4:00 p.m., on Friday, June 30, 2023 when they will be publicly opened and read aloud at the district office. P-24-1B CITY
CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes Chapter
ASSUMED NAME: Albany Fiber Communications.
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS: 131 6th Street, Albany, MN 56307.
NAMEHOLDER(S): Albany Mutual Telephone Association, 131 6th Street, Albany, MN 56307. By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.
/s/ Jared Johnson, General Manager 05/30/2023 P-24-2B
ce of the Construction Manager.
For Electronic access to the bidding documents, please con-
Mr. Bubna, High School Principal, presented and shared highlights for the high school from this year and some new programs and projects that are upcoming for next year. The College and Career Readiness service projects were a huge success for the students and community.
6. Student Activity Fee Increase
Scott Buntje, Athletic Director, presented comparisons of other districts with current fees. He proposed increasing fees to be in line with regional trends. Transportation issues were also discussed.
7. Teacher Development and Evaluation Plan
The Board reviewed the proposed changes to the TD & E Plan including the change to a new rubric.
8. Adjournment
Agenda completed at 8 p.m., a motion to adjourn was made by Member Carbajal seconded by Member Reuter. Supported by all present. Amy Sand, Clerk P-24-1B
which said sale will be made by the Sheriff of Stearns County, Minnesota, at the Sheriff’s office in the Law Enforcement Center, 807 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, Minnesota, on April 19, 2023, at 10:00 o’clock a.m., at public auction to the highest bidder, to pay the amount then due on said mortgage, together with the costs of foreclosure, including attorneys’ fees as allowed by law, in accordance with the provisions of said mortgage. The time allowed by law for redemption by the mortgagor, his personal representatives or assigns, is six (6) months from the date of said sale.
MORTGAGOR(S)
RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: NONE 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.
If the mortgage is not reinstated under Minn. Stat. §580.30 or redeemed under Minn. Stat. §580.23, the mortgagor must vacate the mortgaged property by 11:59 p.m. on October 19, 2023, unless the foreclosure is postponed pursuant to Minn. Stat. §580.07, or the redemption period is reduced to five (5) weeks under Minn. Stat. §582.032. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT BY A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE
DATED: March 1, 2023 Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., FOLEY & MANSFIELD, P.L.L.P. assignee of Mortgagee
By: Sean C. Mansfield Atty. No. 0400374 Attorneys for Mortgagee 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 1200 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF MORTGAGE
tact Raeann Wynn at 612-999-1566. The Construction Manager can also provide locations of Builders Exchanges holding plans for contractors to access. Bidders are responsible for any and all costs associated with the production of plans and specifications for their use.
BIDDING REQUIREMENTS:
Each Bidder must comply with the following requirements to reassure acknowledgment and recognition of their Bids: Bids must be accompanied by Bid security in the form of a certified check, cashier’s check, or Bid bond in the amount of 5% of the base Bid submitted, made payable to the owner, as guarantee that Bidder will, if awarded, enter into contract in accordance with contract documents and submitted Bid.
Submit Bid on the prescribed form, which is furnished with the specification, with full name and address of the Bidder. Completely fill in all blank spaces on the Bid Form, in ink or typewriter, in both words and figures.
Sign in longhand, executed by a principal duly authorized to enter into an agreement. If a Bidder is a co-partnership, then signatures on the Bid shall be by an authorized member of the firm, with the names and addresses of each member of partnership.
Base Bid and all alternate Bids shall be stated both in writing and in figures. In all cases, written and numerical figures must agree; otherwise at Owner’s option, it shall be cause for rejection of Bid. Complete form without alterations.
Submit alternate prices (Bids) for either increasing or decreasing the costs, as called for on Bid form and Description of Alternates. Submit a Bid for all alternates.
The owner may make such investigations as they deem necessary to determine the ability, competency, and responsibility of the Bidder to perform the work. Any Bidder shall furnish to the Owner all such information and data for this purpose, as the Owner may request. Owner reserves the right to reject any Bid if the evidence submitted by, or investigation of, such Bidder fails to satisfy the Owner that such Bidder is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of the contract and to complete the Work contemplated therein. The competence and responsibility of Bidder will be considered in making an award, including, but not limited to; (1) proof of financial responsibility, (2) quality of similar work, (3) amount of experience with similar projects, (4) facilities, personnel and equipment, (5) reputation for performance, and (6) the ability to complete the work within specified time. Owner reserves the right to reject any Bid where there is reasonable doubt as to the qualifications of the Bidder.
Owner reserves the right to: (1) accept Bidder’s Base Bid only, (2) accept any one or more of bidder’s Alternate Bids, in any order regardless of the order in which they were listed, (3) reject all Bids, (4) award contract based on their investigation of Bidders, as well as acceptance of alternates, all of which the Owner deems to be in their best interest, (5) waive informalities or minor irregularities in Bids and waive minor irregularities or discrepancies in Bidding procedure.
Upon award of Contract, Contractor shall provide AIA
A312 Performance and Payment Bonds in the amount of 100%
NOTICE
A copy of the current zoning ordinance and proposed changes are on file with the Planning and Zoning Department, Melrose City Center, 225 1st St NE, Melrose MN 56352 and is available for review during normal business hours.
All interested persons are invited to attend this hearing or submit written testimony prior to the hearing date, either in support of or in opposition to amending this ordinance. Written testimony should be sent to the Planning and Zoning Department, Melrose City Center, 225 1st St NE, Melrose MN 56352.
Dated this 9th day of June, 2023.
SHEILA HELLERMANN –COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR P-24-1B
FORECLOSURE SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN, that the mortgage foreclosure sale referred to in the foregoing Notice of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale has been postponed from : April 19, 2023 at 10:00 o’clock a.m. to June 8, 2023 at 10:00 o’clock a.m.
Said sale will be held by the Sheriff of Stearns County at the Law Enforcement Center, 807 Courthouse Square, in the City of St. Cloud, in said County and State.
If the mortgage is not reinstated under Minn. Stat. §580.30 or redeemed under Minn. Stat. §580.23, the mortgagor must vacate the mortgaged property by 11:59 p.m. on December 8, 2023, unless the foreclosure is postponed pursuant to Minn. Stat. §580.07, or the redemption period is reduced to five (5) weeks under Minn. Stat. §582.032.
THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT BY A DEBT COLLECTOR.
ANY INFORMATION
OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE
Dated: April 19, 2023. NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT
SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY
GIVEN, that the mortgage foreclosure sale referred to in the foregoing Notice of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale has been postponed from : June 8, 2023 at 10:00 o’clock a.m. to July 20, 2023 at 10:00 o’clock a.m.
Said sale will be held by the Sheriff of Stearns County at the Law Enforcement Center, 807 Courthouse Square, in the City of St. Cloud, in said County and State.
If the mortgage is not reinstated under Minn. Stat. §580.30 or redeemed under Minn. Stat. §580.23, the mortgagor must vacate the mortgaged property by 11:59 p.m. on December 8, 2023, unless the foreclosure is postponed pursuant to Minn. Stat. §580.07, or the redemption period is reduced to five (5) weeks under Minn. Stat. §582.032. THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT BY A DEBT COLLECTOR.
ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE
Dated: June 14, 2023. P-24-1B
of Contract Sum in accordance with General Conditions and Amendments to General Conditions.
BIDDING DOCUMENTS & SITE REVIEW:
Each Bidder (including subcontract Bidder where appropriate) is advised to visit the site and to fully inform themself and record their own investigations as to the extent of the Work, the extent of the work performed by other contractors under other construction packages, conditions under which the Work is to be performed, existing buildings and streets, conditions of the area, existing utilities and other features, type of soil, available facilities and difficulties that may be encountered in connection therewith, and other relevant items which will affect their Bid or the Work.
Prior to submitting a Bid, each Bidder is required to examine all of the bidding requirements, all Contract Documents, all drawings, and specifications for the Project (including those primarily for other Subcontracts). Contractors shall become thoroughly familiar with the scope of the Project and all factors and items of work which will affect their Bid or the Work, whether shown or specified in documents primarily for Work of others or Work of this Contract.
No extras will be allowed the Contractor as a result of misunderstanding of the extent of scope of the Work as a result of their failure to study and record their own findings. The submission of a Bid shall be proof that such examinations have been made and that Bidder has recorded their own investigation and has become thoroughly familiar with all contract documents (including all addenda). The failure or omissions of any Bidder to examine any form, instrument or document shall in no way relieve any Bidder from any obligation in respect to their Bid. Nor shall it be the responsibility of ICS or its counterparts to ensure you have read all documentation. This is the sole responsibility of the Bidder and its Sub-Contractor(s).
PRE-BID CONFERENCE:
A Pre-Bid conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. on June 19th, 2023, at Albany Early Learning Center, 320 3rd Avenue, Albany, MN 56307. If Bidders want to tour the site, a site review will take place immediately following the Pre-Bid conference. No extras will be allowed because of the Bidder’s misinterpretation as to the amount of work involved, Bidder’s own error, negligence, or failure to examine the site.
START DATE: Work will begin after receipt of the signed contract from the Owner. The anticipated award date is July 12th, 2023. Pre-construction and submittals work related to the project is to commence immediately after receipt of the signed contract. The onsite work will begin on the premises no later than August 7th, 2023.
SUBSTANTIAL AND COMPLETION DATE: The owner requires all work to be substantially completed by August 5th, 2024. END OF SECTION 00 11 13 P-24-2B
BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER
Melrose Area girls golfer Izzie Van Beck shot a 104 in the final round of the Section 6AA girls golf tournament June 6 at Blackberry Ridge Golf Club in Sartell.
The score, combined with her June 5 first-round score of 97, gave her a 201 total for the tournament and 21st place. She did not qualify for the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Girls Golf State Tournament, as golfers needed to be with the highest-finishing team or one of the top five finishers not on the top team to advance to state.
Melrose did not compete as a team on the final day. There were 32 individuals competing.
Van Beck finished 25-over-par on the par-72 course the first day and 32-over on the second. She reached par on one hole in the final round and was 1-over on eight others in the 18-hole round.
The lowest state-qualifying individual score, 171, earned eighth place. Abby Turkowski of Little Falls snagged the medalist score at 160.
The Freeport Black Sox brought exposure to its community June 7, when Black Sox Park played host to the Fox 9 Town Ball Tour.
The Black Sox-Avon Lakers game was part of the tour, as the Freeport community served as the focus of a few stories during the day. Fox 9 visited the community and highlighted different venues in the town. Charlie’s Café, D’Lish Coffee and Catering and Oak Station Coffee & Cone all were visited, and references were made to the historic church and school. A framed certificate, presented to the Fox 9 crew by Acting Mayor Tim Hennen, proclaimed June 7 “Fox 9 Town Ball Tour Day.”
The role of agriculture in the town was touched on and meteorologist Ian Leonard visited a cornfield and talked about the need for rain. He did say it might well rain before the night concluded.
BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER
Sophia Anderson decided to forgo the use of her driver at the Section 6AA girls golf tournament, and it paid off, as she finished fifth overall and qualified for the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Girls Golf State Tournament.
The Albany Area High School junior finished sections with a total score of 164 June 5-6 at Blackberry Ridge Golf Club in Sartell.
“I didn’t use my driver these last two days because I needed to stay in the fairway,” she said, noting Blackberry has challenging holes.
Anderson’s total was four strokes behind the tournament’s medalist, Abby Turkowski of Little Falls. She admitted to some nervousness at the beginning of the first day, but she said she pushed through it, “and I finished really well and I was excited for that.”
Her first-day score was 79, which tied her for second place.
Anderson said she is happy with how the season went after some struggles last season.
“I really came back this season and put a lot of hours in and got some good results, which I’m happy with,” she said.
This is Anderson’s first appearance at the state tournament.
The Huskies girls team finished second at 726 behind Pequot Lakes at 665. Third place went to Little Falls with 758.
“Anytime you go into the section, you want to feel you are playing your best of the season,” said Mike Sieben, head coach. “Yesterday (June 5), we had our best team score of the season. That’s what you want, to be peaking at the end of the year.”
Sieben said the season was very successful. The team won seven meets and the Granite Ridge Conference championship.
In addition to Anderson’s score, counting in the team score were senior Kaitlyn Lahr, ninth place with 176, junior Madi Ramler, 12th with 186, and sophomore Hannah Wolf, 23rd with 204.
Also on the course that day for the Huskies were senior Maggie Seiler, 24th with 206, and junior Taylor Moritz, 26th with 210.
The state tournament began June 13 and concludes Wednesday, June 14, at Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan.
The Black Sox history and Black Sox Park, though, were the focal points of the coverage, especially as the 6:30 p.m. game time neared. As fans, one of the larger crowds to ever see a Black Sox game, gathered, news anchors Randy Meier and Amy Hockert and sports director Jim Rich held interviews of players and coaches and Leonard conducted fan interviews and visited the concession stand.
The Black Sox’s history was reviewed through interviews with Mark Middendorf and members of the Sawyer family. Freeport manager Rob Mettenburg talked before the game and the Region 8C commission spoke on the Victory League.
Prior to the game, the Black Sox saluted former players Steve Anderson and Craig Sawyer and former player, manager and groundskeeper Craig Meyer. All three threw out a ceremonial first pitch. The game that followed was one of the best played in Avon-Freeport history. It was, however, not concluded. With a 2-2 score in the bottom of the seventh inning, the rains, predicted by Leonard, arrived in full force and play was halted. The teams have not set a date to finish the game.
The second round of golf in the Section 6AA boys golf tournament was a back-andforth battle between Albany and Pequot Lakes all day until the very end.
There would be ties and then one team would lead by one or two strokes, only to fall back and have the other team on top. But, as the final holes played out, it was Albany that had the edge.
When junior Zac Kreuzer sank a 40-foot birdie putt on hole 18, a cheer went up among Albany fans knowing the team had sealed the section championship and advanced to the Minnesota State
High School League Class
AA Boys Golf State Tournament.
Kreuzer was among the last group of golfers to finish June 6 at Blackberry Ridge Golf Club in Sartell.
The Huskies stood on top with a two-day score of 621, with the Patriots just four strokes behind at 625. Kreuzer also led the pack of 34 golfers that day with a score of 71 and a two-day total of 141 to take Section 6AA medalist honors.
Junior Joe Hoff was a few strokes back, followed
Albany Huskies boys golf team members head coach Kit Pennie
Silbernick, Josh Hoff, Bryce Soenneker, Joe Hoff, Zac Kreuzer and assistant coach Dan Brady celebrate winning the Section 6AA championship June 6 at Blackberry Ridge Golf Club in Sartell. The Huskies outpaced Pequot Lakes by four strokes to win the two-day event.
by freshman Josh Hoff and eighth grader Blake Silbernick. Those, along with Kreuzer’s score, made up the team’s total score.
Using an app on their phones, golfers can see holeby-hole results and know how their teams stand. Kreuzer received an update as he approached the tee at his 18th hole.
“I saw we were tied,” Kreuzer said. “Knowing that, I knew I needed a par or better here to solidify the win.”
He hit the ball off the tee right down the middle and breathed a sigh of relief. From there, it was a 9-iron shot that put him on the green.
“I had this 40-foot putt downhill for the birdie and all I’m thinking is ‘God, let me make two putts,’” Kreuzer said. “I got lucky and I saw it rolling, rolling, rolling and it
just trickled into the hole. It was spectacular.”
When the ball went into the hole, he said he felt relief and excitement.
“Like all of our hard work paid off in the end,” he said. “It just felt so good. It was awesome.”
To get to state was a total team effort, as the Huskies finished the first day just a stroke behind the Patriots. The second day, Albany shot 313 to Pequot Lakes’ 318.
“These last two days were everything I could hope for,” said Kit Pennie, head coach. “(Assistant coach Dan) Brady and I knew they had the potential to do it and they came out and did it two days in a row. For a young group like this to show that kind of poise back-to-back days is amazing.”
The section champion-
ship was the culmination of a successful regular season that saw the Huskies win the Granite Ridge Conference championship.
“Throughout the entire season, they showed consistent improvement,” Pennie said. “I don’t recall ever taking a step back; it was always moving forward.”
Last year, Kreuzer and Silbernick went to state as individual competitors. This spring, the whole team goes.
Also on the course for the tournament were sophomore Drew Lehner and freshman Bryce Soennecker.
Joe Hoff finished third overall with a 149 followed by Josh Hoff, 17th at 165, and Silbernick, 19th at 166.
The Class AA state meet began June 13 and concludes Wednesday, June 14 at Ridges at Sand Creek in Jordan.
The Albany Huskies finished as one of the top four teams in the Section 6AA baseball tournament, falling to eventual champion Foley 11-6 in an elimination bracket game June 6 at Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud.
The Huskies got off to a good start, scoring two runs in the first. Tanner Reis walked with one out, and with two outs, Devin Hansen delivered an RBI dou-
ble to score Reis. Hansen crossed the plate when Carter Voss hit a sharp grounder to third. A bad throw got by Foley’s first baseman, allowing Hansen to score.
Foley got those runs and two more back in their half of the first and added four more in the second for an 8-2 lead.
The Huskies found the scoreboard again in the third inning. Reis doubled, advanced to third on an Ethan Borgerding single and scored on a Voss groundout.
Albany scored another run in the fourth when Elliott Burnett reached on a walk, went to second on an Owen Carlson single and scored when Owen Sunderman grounded out.
The Huskies edged closer with two runs in the fifth. Albany scored off a Drew Cramlet single and a Voss groundout, making the score 8-6 in Foley’s favor.
The Falcons added three insurance runs in the fifth to pull away for good. Reis, Borgerding and
Hansen collected two hits each. The Huskies finished the season 11-14.
Foley went on to defeat Cathedral in the elimination bracket before facing Eden Valley-Watkins for the championship June 8. Foley had to win twice, and did, to advance to the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Baseball State Tournament.
The Opole Bears defeated the St. Wendel Saints 6-1 June 11 in St. Wendel.
With 5-4 records, Opole, St. Wendel and Upsala are tied for third place.
That the Bears and Saints are in that mix is a sign of their improvement over the past few years. Both teams have generally played well.
“There are a lot of young guys coming up who had great high school careers,” said Opole’s Tate Lange. “They are putting a lot of time in, coming to practice on Friday night and showing up early for batting practice on Sundays.”
Tate Lange is among them. He pitched a complete-game win and his threehit day contained first- and ninth-inning home runs.
The Saints had eight hits, including a home run from Austin Dickmann. Logan Harren slapped out three other hits, one a double.
“Guys are hitting the ball really well,” said Tyler Huls, Saints manager. “We have five or six hitting .300 and one or two over .400.”
Opole also had eight hits. Drew Lange’s two hits included a double that scored Max Posch, who had three hits. The others were held in check by the pitching of Rolando Ramos, who took the loss, and Austin Dickmann.
The Saints had a double by Brandon Dickmann and singles by Tanner Tomasek and Connor Breth, but Tate Lange kept them scattered
across nine innings. It came out to a win for the Bears and a tight race for third place in the Victory League South/West Division.
Upsala 12, Flensburg 2
The Upsala Blue Jays posted a 12-2 seven-inning win over the Flensburg Falcons June 11 in Upsala.
Levi Lampert’s four-hit day included a home run and a triple to drive in four runs. He pitched a complete game, striking out 10 batters.
Brock Cichon and Matt Swanson both doubled and Brady Burggraff and Jeremy Mugg singled twice.
St. Stephen 15, Freeport 8
The 6-1 St. Stephen Steves stayed atop the VL S/W, winning 15-8 over the Freeport Black Sox June 10 in Freeport.
The Black Sox, with a home run by Cody Rose, a double by Nate Mettenburg, two singles by Matt Johnson and singles by Trevor Sawyer and Jake Braegelmann, held an 8-3 lead after seven innings. Iver Papke had a solid five-inning start. In the final two innings, walks and errors let the Steves take the win.
Avon 9, Sobieski 3
The 5-1 Avon Lakers won 8-3 over the Sobieski Skis June 10 in Avon.
Elian Mezquita pitched six innings in relief of Dominic Austing.
Avon hit well, as Caleb Curry had four hits and Joe Dolan, Peyton Randall, and Carter Holthaus logged three hits each. Ryan Janzen and Carter Philippi each had two hits. St. Wendel 12, Flensburg 2
St. Wendel won 12-2 in seven innings over Flensburg
in Flensburg. Austin Dickmann homered twice and drove in six runs. Brandon Dickmann added a home run.
Peter Schumer earned the win.
Stearns County League
New Munich 12, Richmond 0
Ty Reller pitched six innings and Caden Sand finished in a 12-0 New Munich SilverStreaks win over Richmond June 11 in Richmond.
New Munich scored nine in the fifth inning, when Devin Hansen had two of his three hits. Brandon Holm doubled in three runs that inning. Hunter Goihl had a tworun double in the seventh.
Spring Hill-Meire Grove doubleheader
The Spring Hill Chargers captured 3-0 and 10-6 victories over the Meire Grove Grovers June 11 in Spring Hill. Ben Welle pitched a complete-game shutout in the first game. Spring Hill scored three in the eighth. Jamie Terres had two hits with two RBIs and Eric Terres had three hits with an RBI.
Matt Imdieke took the loss. Kurt Marthaler had three hits and a two-run single while Tyler Moscho added two more hits.
Hitting dominated the second game. Jamie Terres homered twice with three hits and Austin Schoenberg also homered. Dylan Gertken and Eric Terres tripled and Nelson added two hits.
Meire Grove’s Colton Meyer had four hits with a grand slam and Jordan Klaphake and Josh Olmscheid each had three hits.
Anthony Revermann earned the win, pitching eight innings. Josh Roelike took the loss, pitching five innings.
Greenwald 3, Roscoe 2
Brett Engelmeyer struck out 16 in the Greenwald Cubs’ 3-2 win over the Roscoe Rangers June 10 in Roscoe. Gabe Schwieters homered and scored twice; Frieler doubled, singled and scored; and Brett Engelmeyer added two more hits.
The Cubs led 3-0 until Chris Vanderbeek homered for Roscoe in the ninth. Engelmeyer got the final two batters to ground out.
St. Martin 3, Roscoe 0
Kyle Lieser singled and scored on Brady Goebel’s RBI single in the first, Ben Schroeder pitched eight frames for the win and Carter Thelen closed out a 3-0 St. Martin Martins win over Roscoe June 9 in St. Martin.
Schroeder struck out 13 batters.
Goebel led St. Martin with three hits.
Elrosa 10, Greenwald 1
Schwieters led Greenwald with two hits and scored in a 10-1 loss to Elrosa June 9 in Elrosa.
Tyler Hoffmann started and took the loss.
VL-SCL Classic
The Stearns County League had the edge in the Victory League-Stearns County League Classic June 10 in Avon.
The Elrosa-Avon matchup resulted in a 2-2 tie, Spring Hill topped Upsala 13-5, St. Martin won over Buckman 13-3 and Sobieski defeated Richmond 8-4.
