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Wednesday, August 23, 2023
The names of four candidates to fill one open Melrose Area School Board position will be on the Nov. 7 special election ballot.
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Keith Fischer, of Freeport; and Eric Seanger, Alan Schulzetenberg and Allen Wieling, all of Melrose, filed by the Aug. 15 deadline.
The position opened up when first term school board director Becky Klassen moved out of the Melrose School District and the board accepted her resignation.
The winner of the election will fill out Klassen’s term, which ends Jan. 6, 2025.
Words praising Kort Plantenberg’s love of family, friends and country were heard at the rededication of the Avon Post Office in his name Aug. 17.
“He was a friend to everybody,” said Jeff Manthe, Avon mayor, during the ceremony in front of the Avon Post Office.
Melrose School District residents can vote from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 7, at the Melrose City Center, 225 First St., NE, Melrose, the only voting precinct.
As the sun was starting to rise Monday, Commercial Contractors Company workers from Melrose were inside the Lisa’s On Main building working on securing the west wall
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMANChief Warrant Officer Candidate Kort Miller Plantenberg, 28, a member of the Minnesota National Guard, lost his life Dec. 5, 2019, near Kimball in a helicopter accident. Also perishing in the crash were James A Rogers, 28, of Winsted, and Charles P. Nord, 30, of Perham.
Plantenberg, the son of Steve and Laura Planten-
berg, grew up and lived in Avon and was a graduate of Albany Area High School. Manthe, who is a parttime employee at the Avon
Post Office, said his daughter, Molly, graduated from high school with Plantenberg in 2009. “She was devastated,
A bus carrying Senate Capital Investment Committee members
Aug. 15 took a left off of Interstate 94 traveling south over the bridge in Freeport. It was their first stop on a three-day northwest Minnesota tour of potential 2024 bonding bill projects.
They were in Freeport to tour the bridge which is slated for replacement due to safety and sightline concerns. The proposed project would improve the crossing, which is dangerous for pedestrians, vehicles, bicyclists and anyone moving farming equipment over County Road 11.
Freeport Mayor Mike Eveslage and city clerk/ treasurer Jon Nelson traveled to Albany to board the bus so Eveslage could explain to senators the need
tomorrow.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Sen. Sandy Pappas, State Capital Investment Committee chair, walks with Freeport Mayor Mike Eveslage on the bridge over Interstate 94 in Freeport Aug. 15. It was the committee’s first stop on a three-day bonding tour.
for a new bridge. The bus traveled over the narrow bridge in Freeport about the same time as
a piece of farm equipment, and they experienced what it was like meeting vehicles.
“As we were coming up over the bridge Chris (Middendorf) was coming over the bridge driving a tractor, and you could hear a gasp (from senators),” Eveslage said later that day.
While still on the bus he invited committee members to return in about six weeks at harvest time for farmers, when there is more agriculture-based traffic on the bridge.
Minutes later Eveslage led a walking tour over the bridge talking with Sen. Sandy Pappas, committee chair.
“It helped to be there in person and be on the bus and walk across the road and see how dangerous the road is because of the low visibility. I can see the danger for pedestrians, children, bicyclists,” Pappas said Aug. 16.
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as was I, as was everybody gathered here today and with so many in our whole area,” Manthe said about his death. “He served through-
out his life and finally ended up as a soldier, a proud soldier to our nation.”
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Albany council members have taken a second look at a position description for a new city administrator. A critical portion of an Aug. 16 discussion of the description involved a single word and two requirements.
Current interest in the post left city leaders wondering if the word “or” should remain in the Education and/or Experience section of a revised description.
During their Aug. 2 meeting, council members also discussed the need for a four-year college degree with interim city administrator Tom Schneider.
“The past description was a little ambiguous,” Schneider said. “I talked to city attorney Susan Dege, and after getting council direction she thought we should open this up for a wider search.”
Schneider said the city had two candidates who submitted applications and had some related work experience, but they didn’t meet the four-year college degree requirement that was advertised.
“There seemed to be a lot of emphasis on degrees listed in the job description,” he said. “We cleaned that language up.”
Schneider also reported during the Aug. 16 council meeting at Albany City Hall a council committee will review candidates.
Since the council’s Aug. 2 meeting, Schneider said he’s had individuals approach him with interest in the position.
He told the council there’s interest in finding someone local, an option Mayor Tom Kasner prefers.
“The word ‘or’ should be left in the job description,” Kasner said. “A person with a four-year degree might be gone from Albany in two years. I believe that’s probably what’s going to happen.”
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OBITUARIES page 4
PHOTO S BY C AROL MOORMAN
Carsyn Worms (front, from left), Zach Nelson, Mathew Klaphake and Prestyn Worms; (back , from left) Kevin Grossman and C
There was a countdown to start the fourth evening of Vacation Bible School Aug. 9 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Melrose. “10, 9,
8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, blastoff,” 112 youth and volunteer leaders sounded off in the church’s sanctuary filled with space and spaceship décor. The theme for the fiveday VBS Aug. 6-10 was Stellar: Shine Jesus’ Light with Bible buddies displayed around the room. Solo, the sunshine, was the Bible buddy on this day.
Children were launched on a cosmic quest where they had an “out of this world” adventure in fun, age-appropriate activities, while making new friends.
According to a scrapbook, VBS has been held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church since 1986. This year, along with the youth, there were 50 volunteers.
Before the Bible point for the day, leader Judy Weber asked youth what their God sightings were with answers butterflies, monarch, somebody in a spiderman costume, rain, giraffe, myself and frog.
“These are beautiful
God sightings. All these God sightings make you feel loved,” Weber said of words that would be written on stars and placed on the wall with God sightings from the previous three days. Following a short skit and singing songs, youth were released to do a variety of activities, including games outside and crafts and Bible stories inside.
Like in previous years, church pews were filled with family and friends Aug. 10, the final night, when there was a short program.
Countdown complete.
“That’s the goal of these in-person bonding tours, to see the project in person and realize how important it is to the people in the community.”
While the bridge is not structurally deficient, the catalysis to replace it stems back a few years to when the Minnesota Department of Transportation contacted the city with their plan to replace the bridge in 2027, Eveslage said. The city was given a few options, but they were all potentially costly to the city. After speaking with Sen. Jeff Howe, Eveslage contacted Sen. Torrey Westrom who wrote the original bill to add this Freeport project to a state bonding bill.
Eveslage testified before a transportation committee in April, with Westrom present. Howe was also present in support of the bill.
City engineer Dave Blommel, while waiting for the bus to arrive, told Westrom and Sen. Jeff Howe, who were standing on the south side of the bridge, that a survey showed close to 4,000 vehicles travel over the bridge daily.
The bridge over I-94
in Freeport was constructed in 1967. The only upgrade since then has been widening of the sidewalk on the east side.
At one time during overpass construction, there were only two homes on the immediate south side of the interstate. Since the bridge’s construction, Freeport has added four housing developments with a fifth coming this fall and has seen development on the south
side with an industrial park, a Lion’s Park, a community center, a baseball field, a softball field and other commercial growth.
“The bridge served its purpose at a time when the demographics were what they were,” Eveslage said.
“Right now, we are entering a final Welle housing addition and, on top of that, there is the industrial and commercial part and the park.”
When it comes to safety, Eveslage said, as a city, they would rather be proactive than reactive.
“There are daycares that have to cross the bridge to go to the park, and we are trying to prevent something bad from happening,” Eveslage said.
Along with the agriculture-related traffic, it is a busy interchange when people come home from work and during the summer when Oak Station Coffee & Cone is open.
When it comes to funding sources, MnDOT has allocated $3 million for this bridge replacement, now slated for 2028. The city of Freeport is requesting $5,000,000 in bonding bill money to reconfigure the interchange with I-94 going over County Road 11. To increase the safety of this interchange, the city is also looking to lower interstate lanes to allow for a lower bridge.
additional funding above the MnDOT allocation, for a bridge project.
“We take into consideration the capacity of the city,” Pappas said.
The entire list of 2024 bonding bill project requests total $7.4 billion, she said.
“Last year we funded $2.6 billion,” Pappas said. “Our bonding bills are very balanced. They support all of Minnesota.” She said the next round of bonding bill projects will receive approval late spring 2024.
Eveslage felt the tour, which included city council
Senate Capital Investment Committee members, local senators and Freeport City Council members and staff cross the Interstate 94 bridge in Freeport during an Aug. 15 walking tour. They met at city hall following the tour to discuss the potential bridge project, where committee members and local senators were treated to Charlie’s Café caramel rolls and D’lish Coffee and Catering muffins.
He added, “We know Kort is continuing to do what he always did – to be a friend, to serve and to love.”
U.S. Sixth District Rep. Tom Emmer and U.S. Seventh District Rep. Michelle Fischbach were instrumental in getting legislation passed to rededicate the Avon Post Office, and both spoke at the ceremony. Avon was once in the Sixth District but the most recent redistricting has it in the Seventh District.
The Albany American Legion Color Guard posted the colors to begin the program and to conclude the ceremony they rendered a rifle salute and retired the colors.
Emmer said Plantenberg “lived an amazing life.”
“Every day in Avon, Minnesota, when we go back and forth to the post office, we’re all going to remember Kort and his family, which I think is incredibly important,” he said. “Kort was a true Minnesotan.”
Born in St. Cloud and raised in Avon, Plantenberg graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
He became a Stearns County Sheriff’s Department correctional officer. He enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard and served in Kuwait and Iraq with Company C, 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion.
Following his return, he was chosen for the warrant officer program with the goal of attending flight school.
“What Kort did very few in our nation do,” Emmer said, referring to his service in the military.
In mentioning the others who lost their lives along with Plantenberg, “we will never forget,” he said. They “gave their lives in service for all of us, all
Minnesotans and to this great country. We will never forget their sacrifice.”
Emmer introduced legislation to rename the post office in honor of Plantenberg. The legislation was supported by Fischbach and every member of the Minnesota delegation; Republicans and Democrats voting for its passage.
“Thank you Steve and Laura, thank you for your sacrifice and son’s service,”
Emmer said. “This is just a small thing that can be done.”
Fischbach said she was honored to work on the legislation to rededicate the Avon Post Office.
“You can tell he loved his friends and family, and they loved him because of the turnout today,” Fischbach said. “We can never do enough to honor him. Dedicating this post office is just one small step.”
Eveslage told Pappas the city, which last year bonded for an infrastructure project, does not have
and economic development authority members, went well, calling it an “eye opening experience for the senators to see what life is like in Freeport,” with some admitting they had never been through Freeport before. That included serving them Charlie’s Café caramel rolls and D’lish Coffee and Catering muffins during a gathering in the council chambers near the end of the hour-long tour. “This tour was a tool that we, as cities, can use to help advocate for rural Minnesota,” Eveslage concluded.
Thursday, Aug. 24-Saturday, Aug. 26, 8 a.m.6 p.m. – Avon’s Largest Community Yard Sale. Wobegon Trail Park, 108 Second St. NW, Avon.
Monday, Aug. 28, 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Mental Health Support Group. CentraCare-Albany Clinic, 30 Railroad Ave., Albany. For information call the clinic at 320-845-2157.
Monday, Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m. – Melrose School Board Meeting. Melrose High School media center, 546 Fifth Ave., NE, Melrose.
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 7 p.m. – Freeport City Council Meeting. Freeport City Hall, 125 E Main St., Freeport.
Wednesday, Aug. 30, 7 p.m. – AA Meetings Back to Basic, at Tutti Frutti Marketplace, 38914 County Road 186, Sauk Centre. For more information, call 218-240- 1076. Big Book, Melrose City Center, 225 First St., NE, Melrose. For more information, call 320-2413909.
Upcoming: Tuesday, Sept. 5, 7 p.m. – Schanhaar-Otte Post 7050 and Auxiliary meetings. Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m. – Melrose American Legion Post 101 and Auxiliary meetings. Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.
U.S Sen. Amy Klobuchar could not be at the ceremony in person but spoke by cell phone. She thanked Emmer and Fischbach and said it was a team effort to get the post office named after Plantenberg.
“He lived a life of service,” Klobuchar said. “He answered the call of duty time and time again.”
When people go to the post office in Avon they will “forever remember his service and sacrifice,” Klobuchar said.
“Any time a post office is renamed in honor of a United States military veteran it is of special significance to public service,” said Angela Bye, Minnesota-North Dakota Post Office district manager.
By renaming the post office “we pay tribute to (Plantenberg) and all other service men and women who make significant contributions and sacrifices to our country,” she said.
It takes an act of Congress and the signature of the President of the United States to make it happen.
“Only those individuals of the highest esteem are considered for this honor. (Plantenberg) is one such individual,” Bye said.
Noonan, and
The Holdingford City Council approved a request for an exception to its trailer limit ordinance Aug. 14 at a regular meeting at Holdingford City Hall in Holdingford.
Jamie Pelzer, who operates a landscaping service, requested more than the three trailers on his property permitted under city ordinance. The trailers, he explained, were 20-foot trailers and all licensed.
“I keep everything in the back. None of them are junk,” he said. “I do a landscaping business and need more than the three I can currently have in the ordinance.”
The exception, he said, would be for summer months. The trailers would not be there at all times.
He said he had been told, verbally, he could have up to seven trailers. He came to the council after receiving a letter saying he was limited to three trailers.
Mayor Eric Berscheid acknowledged the letter and explained it had been sent out of order. It was not supposed to be sent until a letter explaining the problem had been sent.
The council’s permission came with provisions. The exception would be up to six licensed trailers; is for two years, at which time it would need to be renewed; and is contingent upon approval of the neighbors.
Landscaping improvement was part of a different approval. Jeff Burg, from the Holdingford Historical Society, asked for permission to improve the look of the front of the historical society’s building.
“We would like to put down some river rocks and some antiques to make it look less industrial,” he said.
The rocks and a split rail fencing would be placed on the tar in front of the building. LED lighting may be added to the fencing. The society recently had a mural painted on the front of the building. There has been discussion on installing an awning to protect it from direct sunlight and reduce fading. Burg did not see that happening in the immediate future.
“I got some bids back for that. I am guessing we will not be doing on awning,” he said. “We would have more money in the awning than in the mural.”
The mural will be painted with an ultraviolet coating to help protect it from fading. With the coating, the painting should last 20 years.
Improvements to other city properties were approved. Steve Horvath, maintenance department supervisor, said he received bids to improve the area near the RV dump station. It was built too low to allow easy emptying of camper tanks. The council approved a $3,700 bid from TS Landscaping to build a platform for the campers.
Another approval was for repairing floor tiling at The Muni, the Holdingford municipal liquor store. Tiles were damaged following a cooler leak earlier this year.
“A large section of the tile is getting bad,” said Jared Hillesheim, Muni manager. “They are starting to crack.”
The council approved a bid for work to be done by Hennen Floor Covering. Hillesheim had received three bids with Hennen being the lowest. The approval came with the recommendation to review all the costs. As presented at the meeting, the bid was $7,286 for the project.
In other council news:
– Hillesheim reported a very good business day from Holdingford Daze July 8. He is looking at how to make serving customers more efficient on that day.
“We learned some things that worked and some things did not,” he said.
– Action on requests for forgiveness of sewer fees was tabled as the council reviews how to deal with the requests. The sewer fees are based on water usage, but this summer there has been more watering of lawns and some pool fills. The council received requests for forgiveness of part of those fees amounting to over $600 from people who had additional sewer fee expenses for those reasons.
– Approved closing main street for an Oct. 7 Rockin’ Warriors fundraiser and a gambling permit for All Saints Church.
– Received positive reviews and approved a pay increase for city clerk Nicky Lahr.
ALBANY
OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 840 Lake Ave 320-845-2405 oursaviorslutheranalbany.org
Join Us in Worship FREEPORT HARVEST CHURCH 338 Main St. W. 320-836-2997 harvestchurchfreeport.org
Anna Mae C. Schneider
Anna Mae C. Schneider, 90 of Meire Grove, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family Aug. 15, 2023, at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Aug. 21 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove with the Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Interment was in the parish cemetery.
Anna Mae C. Arceneau was born Nov. 19, 1932, in St. Martin, to John and Theresa (Blonigen) Arceneau. She
was united in marriage to Leo Schneider Oct. 25, 1955, at St. Martin Catholic Church in St. Martin. They farmed five
Kathleen M. Poepping
Kathleen M. “Kathy” Poepping, 73, of Melrose, passed away Aug. 14, 2023, after a short battle with cancer at the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose with Deacon Ernie Kociemba officiating. Inurnment will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Melrose. A visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Aug. 24 at the funeral home in Melrose.
Kathleen Mary Poepping
Robert H. Hock
Robert H. “Bob” Hock, 76, of Melrose, passed away unexpectedly Aug. 14, 2023, at CentraCare-Melrose Hospital in Melrose, after a long but courageous battle with cancer.
A graveside service was Aug. 17 at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Freeport with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard. A Memorial Mass was Aug. 19 at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose with the Rev. Vince Lieser officiating.
Robert “Bob” Henry Hock was born as the eldest son to parents Robert H. Hock and Grace Mundon July 10, 1947, in Escanaba, Michigan. At two years old his family moved to Texas where Bob spent his childhood. Bob lived a full life with his wife, Doris, of 41 years. He pursued a career as an engineer and
Valerian “Larry” Luetmer, 90, of Annandale, formerly of New Hope, died Aug. 19, 2023, at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Annandale with the Rev. Kevin Magner as the celebrant. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. until the service Thursday at the church. Burial will take place at Assumption Cemetery in St. Cloud. Memorials are preferred to St. John’s University in Collegeville or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Valerian Norbert Luetmer was born Jan. 10, 1933, in Meire Grove, to Joseph and Marie Luetmer. He attended the parochial school in Meire Grove through eighth grade and graduated from Melrose High School. After working on the family farm for two years, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Army for three years
miles west of Meire Grove for 22 years until their retirement. The couple then moved into Meire Grove.
Anna Mae was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Meire Grove, Christian Women, St. Mary’s Society and the Poor Souls Society. She enjoyed gardening, watching television and reading.
Survivors include her sons, Rick (Carol) Schneider of Sauk Centre and Ken (Linda) Schneider of Sauk Centre; grandchildren Brian (Nicole), Sara (Dan), Scott (Tracy) and Kayla; greatgrandchildren Nathan,
Cloud and Alexandria until it closed. She then worked at Precision Optics in St. Cloud until she retired in 2015. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. Kathy enjoyed watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, along with other sports on television. Kathy was an avid reader and liked to crochet.
Brooke, Parker and Lydia; and sisters-in-law Joan Arceneau, Lucille Arceneau, Lorraine Inderrieden and Arlene Gully. Anna Mae was preceded in death by her husband, Leo Schneider; parents; brothers Alois, Norbert, Edwin, Bernard, Elmer and Clarence; and sisters Margaret Hellmann, Hildegard Lemke, Jenny Blommel, Dorothy Wenker, Betty Herzog and Della Feldewerd. Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.
PH-34-1B
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
MELROSE 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
was born March 7, 1950, in Melrose, to Frank and Mathilda (Thelen) Poepping. Kathy graduated in 1968 from Melrose High School. Kathy worked at Fingerhut in St.
Survivors include her siblings, Carol Poepping of Melrose, Pat (Dan) Weisser of St. Joseph, Marilyn (Chuck) Rademacher of Albany, Shirley (Jim) Knisley of Grove City and Jan (Ron) Haskamp of Melrose; 15 nephews and nieces Brett, Erik (Ann) and Jed (Molly)
an interest in purchasing cars and properties over the years. Bob also enjoyed fishing, especially catch and release, so they could get bigger for him to catch the next time. If there happened to be a Nascar race on television, you can bet Bob would be watching it. You might also find him reading a good book in his favorite chair.
Weisser, Josh, Erin and Adam Rademacher, Chad, Jeremy (Trina), Travis (Kim) and Blake (Kristina) Knisley, Janna (Jesse) Bjur, Katie (Peter) Erickson, Broc (Robin) Haskamp, Alyson (Glenn) Dirkes, and Jay (Marie) Haskamp; and 28 great-nieces and nephews. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mathilda Poepping. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Mary’s School in Melrose. Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose. P-34-1B
Ellering; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Robert H. Hock and Grace Mundon; brothers Billy and Ronnie Hock; parents-in-law Al and Lori Ettel; brothers-in-law Dave Merwin and Larry Shoemaker; and an infant niece, Amelia Ettel.
pioneer in the technical field for many years. He was also both proud and humble of his military career in the Air Force where he served a tour in the Vietnam War. Bob loved many things. He had a passion for learning and discovering new things and regurgitating information. He was always interested in technology and having the latest and greatest gadgets to tinker with. This extended into
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Doris Ann Hock (Ettel); son Robert (Kori) Hock; grandson Joey; brothers Johnny and Tommy Hock; brothers-in-law Fred (Judy) Ettel, Dick Ettel, Linus (Geri) Ettel, Gary Ettel, Mark (Michelle) Ettel; sisters-inlaw, Judy Merwin, Mary Shoemaker and Terri (Chris)
The family thanks the doctors, nurses and all the healthcare workers for taking care of Bob on his cancer journey. His will to live was extraordinary, and he fought an incredible fight. He will be missed.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.
“Our Country is in Mourning, A Veteran Died Today.”
St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Larry served as an usher, participated in Bible study and served on various committees and boards.
Valerian “Larry” Luetmer
during the Korean War. He served in the far east for over two years, mostly in Okinawa. When he returned, he attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, graduating in 1959 with a degree in business and economics. He married JoAnn Nies Aug. 18, 1962, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in St. Cloud. They made their home in New Hope. Larry worked three years as a bank examiner before joining Honeywell/ ATK, where he spent 31 years. After retirement, Larry and JoAnn moved to Annandale where they were members of
Council from front
Kasner added if the city raises the ante and demands a college degree, it might get three applicants.
That’s want happened in St. Joseph, he said. That city has had a run of short-term administrators.
“I don’t want future Albany councils to have to go through (a hiring process) over and over and over again,” he said. “I want to
do the best job we can with getting someone who will stay in the position.”
Schneider asked the council for direction regarding more newspaper advertising to increase interest.
“I can’t work as interim city administrator forever,” Schneider said.
During discussion, councilor John Harlander suggested the city consider
Larry was an outdoor enthusiast. He enjoyed hunting trips around the Midwest, fly-in fishing trips to Canada, and many trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. His favorite was deer hunting in northern Minnesota. Larry loved his family and enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s school and sporting events. He had many happy memories spending time with them fishing, walking in the woods and sitting around campfires at the family cabin near Emily. Larry and the family traveled extensively, visiting all but one state in the U.S. and all but one Canadian province. Larry’s hobbies included woodworking. He could build or fix almost anything. He loved capturing
photos during each trip and family event.
Larry is survived by his wife of 61 years, JoAnn Luetmer; daughter Ann (Mike) Erickson of Long Lake; grandchildren Amy and Luke Erickson; brother Al (Maureen) Luetmer; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Marie Luetmer; sisters Lidwina Stacy, Rose O’Connor, Colette Gates, Sister Nora Luetmer, OSB, and Marie Luetmer; brother Henry Luetmer; and cousin Mary Lou Harris.
Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Annandale. Guestbook, video tribute and funeral webcast can be found online at www. dingmannfuneral.com.
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“Our Country is in Mourning, A Veteran Died Today.”
advertising the position with the League of Minnesota Cities.
“I talked to someone who has a friend who works as a city administrator,” Harlander said. “I asked him, ‘Is he happy? Does he want to move over to us?’
You never know what you are going to get, but I think we need to open it up a little bit.”
Kasner commented on the city position’s importance and prominence.
Kasner was worried the city might be forced into a detrimental decision produced by strict adherence to a four-year degree requirement contained in job the description.
He suggested leaving the word “or” as part of the posted administrator description.
Other council members concurred with Kasner’s suggestion and the need for additional advertising, and leaving the four-year degree requirement language.
I walked into our community room Thursday morning to get my mail and walked out with three story ideas, including one about a book club, which I am excited to cover, promising to do so during the September gathering. That same afternoon I was working out at Melrose Fitness and a fourth story idea was given to me. A few weeks ago, while covering National Night Out at North Park in Albany, I walked away with two story ideas. I’ve lost track of story ideas I’ve received covering festivals over the years.
I love it when I am given ideas for articles, anywhere, anytime. That includes a community garden story idea from a church goer one Sunday morning while sitting in a St. Mary’s Catholic Church pew next to Mom before Mass started. There was also the time, after Monday night volleyball in Greenwald, when we were up at Woody’s Bar & Grill and a local farmer mentioned it was going to be his last time milking cows the next morning. So there I was about 5 a.m. in Dick and Marion Thull’s barn. I had to find the farm in the dark of night, and I have never been there before, so that was a true experience. Sometimes it’s the idea of knowing someone is doing something. Like the time my cousin, Karen, and her husband, Lenny Winkels, were canning cucumbers at their rural Albany farm, which was a true family affair with daughters, daughters-in-law and grandchildren participating. Oh, what a fun story that was to write for Country Acres. And then there was the time Melvin Hinnenkamp butchered chickens at his and brother Leonard’s rural Melrose farm. Now that was a true eye-opener and one I will never forget.
There are the times when I cover breakfasts, festivals
or school fundraisers and people are more than willing, usually, to let me take their photos, and more often than not I come up with some angle. It makes my job – and life so much easier.
Being approachable is important in many occupations, including mine.
People will often ask me where I get my ideas for stories. I tell them from everyday people, like you and me.
Yes, we have to run city council and school board articles, but it is often the feature stories that people will comment about to me after they are published.
Readers of our newspapers love reading stories about every day, down-to-earth people.
There are times I will ask someone if they would be willing to share their story, for one reason or another, and they will question why. But once we sit down and start talking they find they have a story to share.
In a few weeks’ it will be Albany Pioneer Days, and I will be wandering around the Stearns County Pioneer Club grounds. Three years ago, when I attended the event for the first time, covering it for the newspaper, I had no idea what I was in for. I walked into the saloon and around a round table sat a group of people so I started talking to them, not knowing them from the man in the moon. I hit the jackpot because they were Pioneer Club board members. That has led to a connection for future articles.
So, if you see me and have a story idea, I encourage you to approach me and let me know. I would love to add it to my growing list.
Everybody has a story to tell.
Is there a popular ice cream that received its name in Albany?
The hot days of recent weeks had more than one person thinking about an ice cream treat. Whether in a bowl or on a stick, in a cone or in a bed of fruit, ice cream is a treat that can help beat the heat. It has been so for a number of years, actually centuries, but until the advent of affordable and cheap refrigeration systems in the 20th century, ice cream was pretty much a food for the wealthy or very special occasions (often in the winter).
By 1920 ways were found to make ice cream available and keep it for more than a few hours, and it became a summer staple.
In 1923, the Albany Bottle and Ice Cream Company promoted that summer product with a contest. The May 23, 2023, issue of the Albany Enterprise contained an advertisement asking the public to help promote the latest product by a business. To receive three gallons of the ice cream, a person had to supply a suitable name for the new flavor. The winning name was to be selected from the submissions.
In the early 20th century, ice cream was available in the summer and had been for some years. Even before the American Revolution, people were making it. Even before Dolly Madison served ice cream in the U.S. capitol, it had been served in 1740 in Maryland. There were ads for ice cream in the 1777 New York Gazette. George Washington had an ice cream maker by 1784, and
Thomas Jefferson served ice cream in the White House at least six times.
Ice cream is even older than that. Chilled cream foods, sherbets and other dishes were served from China to Europe before Columbus crossed the Atlantic.
Those treats became possible with the harnessing of the endothermic effect. This is a process drawing heat from a substance to get it below freezing. Just when and where it was first used is unclear. The process spread once it was known it could be achieved by adding salt to ice. When a container of cream, milk, custard or pudding was placed into the salted ice, it was chilled to become ice cream. The U.S. became fascinated with the dessert. In the 1880s, many summer events would have someone churning ice cream. That became much more common after Agnes Marshall and Nancy Johnson developed handcranked ice cream freezers.
But as common as it was becoming, it was still a bit of a treat in 1923 when the Albany Bottling and Ice Cream Company placed its ad.
“We are offering 3-gallon ice cream to the person sending in the most suitable name for our new ice cream which was shortly put on the market” the ad read.
The contest closed about a week later. Unfortunately, the firm never published what the winning name of the new ice cream flavor was, so we don’t know if the name of any popular ice cream flavor originated in Albany.
Staff Mark Klaphake .....................General Manager .................................mark@saukherald.com
Joyce Frericks .......................Publisher ................................................joyce@saukherald.com
Missy Traeger .......................Sales Manager/Marketing................missy@saukherald.com
Natasha Barber ....................Manager ............................................natasha@saukherald.com
Nancy Powell........................Manager .................................................nancy.p@dairystar.com
Tim Vos ...................................Manager .......................................................tim.v@star-pub.com
Amanda Thooft ...................Production Mgr. .............................amanda@saukherald.com
Maddy Peterson ..................Graphic Design/Page Layout ............maddy@star-pub.com
Karen Knoblach ...................Graphic Design .....................................karen.k@Star-pub.com
Cheyenne Middendorf .....Graphic Design ................................cheyenne@star-pub.com
Annika Gunderson .............Graphic Design ......................................annika@star-pub.com
Jill Borgerding......................Office Assistant ............................................jill.b@star-pub.com
Carol Moorman ...................Editor ........................................................carol.m@star-pub.com
My wife and I have coffee most mornings out in front of our house. There was a time when a momma bird would swoop down low just to let us know not to go near the nest high above where she had her babies.
Those babies have since spread their wings and flown on to bigger and brighter skies. We’re not sure if momma is still around, but we imagine she knows exactly where her babies are.
In Other Words by Bryan
Zollman
We also used to have more cars parked on our street, but like those baby birds, those cars have hit the open highway. We sent two kids to college this week, leaving our home a little bit like that momma bird’s nest. Sure, the leaves still rustle in the wind, but there’s a lot less chirping going on. It’s just different.
For high school parents, this is an exciting time of year. While summer may have gone by much too fast, another hurdle has been cleared as a child moves up a grade and readies themselves for new challenges in the classroom and in their extra-curricular activities.
For those with high school seniors, it is a special time and an emotional one. Senior years are one last chance to be with friends at football games, pep rallies and in the lunch room. It’s one last year with your favorite teachers and one last dance at homecoming or prom.
Some parents are sending their kids to school for pre-school or kindergarten. Just like sending a kid off to college, it’s hard to drop them off or watch them get on a school bus trodding along with their oversized backpack on their little bodies.
One important thing I learned about parenting is every level of education and at every level of life, our kids will struggle some, and that isn’t just OK, it’s a good thing. It’s called learning.
As parents we can only teach them so much. Sooner or later, they have to figure things out themselves, and they will. We have strong, committed educators in our schools who will also help guide them on a path to success.
We went through a range of emotions this past week and will continue to go through them and adjust accordingly. Sad, yet proud. Nervous, yet excited. Worried, yet grateful.
If I have any advice, it would be this: Take the time to go get a coffee with your daughter or to play a game of catch with your son (or vice versa). Shoot hoops in the driveway, get in the car to go get ice cream, go see a movie together, play cards or a family board game, do a puzzle together, find a show the entire family enjoys to watch, take a day trip to a different town. Most importantly, put the phones away and have a good conversation.
That is what we will miss most, just sitting around the kitchen table or the counter and talking about just about anything and everything.
Most of all, remember that momma birds get two to three weeks nurturing their babies before they fly away.
We are fortunate to get 18 years with ours. Don’t waste a single day, because it goes by fast.
Freeport teen in Zion Township rollover ZION TOWNSHIP – A Freeport teen received non-life threatening injuries following a rollover Aug. 20 in Zion Township in Stearns County. According to the State Patrol, around 8:45 a.m., Trevor James Blonigen, 17, was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Impala north on County Road 33 near County Road 32 and the vehicle entered the ditch and rolled. He was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries.
St. Martin Fire and Rescue assisted at the scene.
SENIOR DINING MENU
Pondview Estates, 334 Golfview Drive, Albany 320-845-4070 – Aug. 23-30
Wednesday: Beef tips and gravy, noodles, broccoli cucumber salad and bread.
Thursday: Roast pork, whipped potatoes, vegetable blend and bread.
Friday: Chicken breast sandwich, half baked potato and green beans.
Monday: Polish sausage with fried onions and peppers, sweet potato and cookie.
Tuesday: Shepherd’s pie, garden salad and bread. Wednesday: Special of the day.
Congregate senior dining is open, but call to register. If no answer, leave a detailed message, name and phone number
Ben Sonnek ...........................Reporter .................................................ben.s@saukherald.com
Herman Lensing..................Reporter ...................................herman@melrosebeacon.com
Evan Michealson .................Reporter ..................................................evan.m@star-pub.com
Mike Kosik .............................Reporter ....................................................mike.k@star-pub.com
Tim Hennagir .......................Reporter .......................................................tim.h@star-pub.com
Jaime Ostendorf .................Marketing ...................................................jaime@star-pub.com
Neil Maidl ..............................Marketing ..................................................neil.m@star-pub.com
Robin Brunette ....................Inside Sales Representative .............robin@saukherald.com
Amy McChesney .................Bookkeeping .................................amy.m@star-pub.com.com
Gretchen Jennissen ...........Bookkeeping ........................................office@saukherald.com
Lorie Swedenburg ..............Receptionist/Circulation.....................lorie@saukherald.com
Logan Thomas .....................Sign Design ..........................................logan@saukherald.com
Kathy Banke ..........................Bookkeeping Mike Imdieke........................Bookkeeping
Albany Area Schools Albany, Minnesota 56307 Administration Of 4. School Food Service Program Update 5. Transportation Update 6. School Board Policy - First Read 1. 912 Academic Wall of Honor
fice Telephone 320/845-2171 –FAX 320/201-5878 Work Session Albany Area Schools – ISD #745 District Board Room 30 Forest Ave Albany, Minnesota 56307 August 23, 2023, 6:00 PM AG
7. Adjournment
Amy Sand, Clerk. P-34-1B
BONDS AND PROPOSAL TO ADOPT A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN THEREFOR
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the City Council of the City of Avon, Minnesota will meet on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 6:30 P.M. at the City Hall, located at 140 Stratford Street East in the City of Avon, Minnesota, for the purpose of conducting a public hearing on (a) the intention to issue general obligation bonds, the portion allocated to the Capital Improvement projects in an amount not to exceed $2,580,000 and (b) the proposal to adopt a Capital Improvement Plan therefor. The proceeds of the bonds will be used for the acquisition, construction, and betterment of a new public safety facility pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 475.521.
All persons interested may appear and be heard at the time and place set forth above.
If a petition requesting a vote on the issuance of the bonds is signed by voters equal to 5 percent of the votes cast in the City in the last general election and is filed with the City Clerk within 30 days after the public hearing, the bonds may only be issued upon obtaining the approval of the majority of the voters voting on the question of issuing the bonds.
PROBATE NOTICE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF STEARNS
DISTRICT COURT
SEVENTH JUDICIAL
DISTRICT Court File No: 73-PR-23-6028
NOTICE OF AND ORDER FOR HEARING ON PETITION FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
In Re: Estate of Rose Mary Matilda Schmiesing, aka, Rose Mary M. Schmiesing, aka,
Rose Mary Schmiesing, Decedent.
It is Ordered and Notice is given that on September 15, 2023, at 8:45 a.m., a hearing will be held in this Court at St. Cloud, Minnesota, on a petition for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the Decedent’s Will dated June 7, 2001, and for the appointment of Dennis Schmiesing, whose address is 225 Bernard Street (Meire Grove), Melrose, MN 56352, as personal representative of the Decedent’s estate in an unsupervised administration. Any objections to the peti-
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
2023 Active Transportation Sidewalk
Melrose, Minnesota SEH No. MELRO 172828
SAP No. 073-590-005
Notice is hereby given that Online Bids will be received by the Administrator until 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 7, 2023, via QuestCDN for the furnishing of all labor and material for the construction of 2023 Active Transportation Sidewalk. The bid opening will be conducted via Microsoft Teams, at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud:
2023 Active Transportation Sidewalk Bid Opening
10:00 AM, Thursday, August 7, 2023
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_N2ExNDQ4OTQtYjVmZC00ZmM1LTk1MmUtNjZjMzJkYTMyNmE2%40thread. v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22642f4553-88f1-43dc9a29-90842cd19d4c%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2248472820a408-4d5c-b262-d033b1c6fa20%22%7d
Meeting ID: 243 919 553 181 Passcode: 8kEvxn Or call in (audio only) +1 872-242-7640,,628245738# United States, Chicago Phone Conference ID: 628 245 738#
Any person monitoring the meeting remotely may be responsible for any documented costs. Message and data rates may apply. Major quantities for the Work include:
tion must be raised at the hear-
ing or filed with the Court prior to the hearing. If the petition is proper and no objections are filed or raised, the personal representatives will be appointed with the full power to administer the Decedent’s estate, including the power to collect all assets; pay all legal debts, claims, taxes, and expenses; sell real and personal property; and do all necessary acts for the Decedent’s estate. Notice is further given that, subject to Minn. Stat. § 524.3-801, all creditors having claims against the Decedent’s estate are required to present
the claims to the personal representative or to the Court within four months after the date of this notice or the claims will be barred.
Dated: 8/5/23
Mary B. Mahler Judge of District Court Dymoke Law Office, P.A. Scott E. Dymoke MN# 219174 300 Riverside Avenue NW P.O. Box 127 Melrose, MN 56352 Telephone: (320) 256-4205 Facsimile: (320) 256-7201 e-mail: sedymoke@meltel.net P-33-2B
the bottom of the page and the View Plans option from the menu at the top of the selected project page.
Digital image copies of the Bidding Documents are available at http://www.sehinc.com for a fee of $30. These documents may be downloaded by selecting this project from the “Project Bid Information” link and by entering eBidDocTM Number 8635046 on the SEARCH PROJECTS page. For assistance and free membership registration, contact QuestCDN at 952.233.1632 or info@questcdn.com.
For this project, bids will ONLY be received electronically. Contractors submitting an electronic bid will be charged an additional $42 at the time of bid submission via the online electronic bid service QuestCDN.com. To access the electronic Bid Worksheet, download the project document and click the online bidding button at the top of the advertisement. Prospective bidders must be on the plan holders list through QuestCDN for bids to be accepted. Bids shall be completed according to the Bidding Requirements prepared by SEH dated August 3, 2023.
In addition to digital plans, paper copies of the Bidding Documents may be obtained from Docunet Corp. located at 2435 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55441 (763.475.9600) for a fee of $75.
Bid security in the amount of 5 percent of the Bid must accompany each Bid in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders.
A Contractor responding to these Bidding Documents must submit to the City/Owner a signed statement under oath by an owner or officer verifying compliance with each of the minimum criteria in Minnesota Statutes, section 16C.285, subdivision 3.
ORDINANCE NO. 08-17-2023
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY OF MELROSE ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1989-1-A, AS AMENDED, AND ADOPTED BY REFERENCE AS CHAPTER 153 OF THE CITY OF MELROSE CODE OF ORDINANCES TO REZONE RAILROAD WEST FROM R-2, SINGLE FAMILY TO R-1, SINGLE FAMILY
Whereas, Minnesota Statutes Section 462.357 permits cities to adopt zoning ordinances for the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare.
Whereas, the Melrose Area Development Authority initiated a request for the rezoning of the plat currently recorded as Melrose Meadow View, being re-platted as Railroad West, from R-2 to R-1. This will be an underlying district, with a Planned Unit Development overlay.
Whereas, the property is identified in the City’s application and legally described as Outlot A, Outlot B, Outlot C, Outlot D, Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, Block 1, Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Block 2, and Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, Block 3 of Melrose Meadow View, according to the recorded plat thereof, Stearns County, Minnesota.
Whereas, the property will be identified after recording of the Preliminary and Final Plat for Railroad West as: Outlot A, Outlot B, Outlot C, Lot 1, Block 1, and Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, Block 2, of Railroad West.
Whereas, the existing parcel numbers on the property are: 66.37010.0382, 66.37010.0383, 66.37010.0384, 66.37010.0385, 66.37010.0360, 66.37010.0361, 66.37010.0362, 66.37010.0363, 66.37010.0364, 66.37010.0365, 66.37010.0366, 66.37010.0367, 66.37010.0368, 66.37010.0369, 66.37010.0370, 66.37010.0371, 66.37010.0372, 66.37010.0373, 66.37010.0374, 66.37010.0375, 66.37010.0376, 66.37010.0377, 66.37010.0378, 66.37010.0379, 66.37010.0380, 66.37010.0381. These will be re-assigned after the Railroad West plat is recorded.
Whereas, following notice and hearing as required by law, the Melrose Planning and Zoning Commission has adopted findings and conclusions recommending the rezoning of Melrose Meadow View/Railroad West.
Now, Therefore, the City Council of the City of Melrose, Minnesota, ordains: Section 1. The Melrose Planning and Zoning Commission’s findings and conclusions recommending the rezoning of the Melrose Meadow View/Railroad West plat, dated July 24, 2023 are hereby accepted and approved.
Section 2. City of Melrose Zoning Ordinance No. 1989-1-A, as amended, and adopted by reference as Chapter 153 of the City of Melrose Code of Ordinances, is amended for Melrose Meadow View/Railroad West, from R-2 Single Family Residential to R-1 Single Family Residential, with a Planned Unit Development overlay.
Section 3. This ordinance becomes effective on the date of its publication, or upon the publication of a summary of the ordinance as provided by Minnesota Statutes Section 412.191, subd.
4. Adopted by the City Council this 17th day of August, 2023. Tony Klasen, Acting Mayor City of Melrose
Attest: Patricia Haase, City Clerk
P-34-1B
NOTICE JOB OPENING CITY OF ALBANY ADMINISTRATOR/CLERK/TREASURER POSITION
The City of Albany is seeking a self-motivated, energetic individual for a full-time position as the City Administrator/Clerk/ Treasurer.865 CU YD Excavation - Common (P)
20,641 SQ FT 4-Inch Concrete Walk 100 SQ FT Truncated Domes
2,100 LIN FT Silt Fence, Type MS
1,000 LIN FT Sediment Control Log Type Wood Fiber
3,159 SQ YD Site Restoration
The Bidding Documents may be seen at the Issuing Office of SEH located at 2351 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 300, Sartell, MN 56377-2485, 320.229.4300, Dave Blommel, 320.229.4349, dblommel@sehinc.com.
The Bidding Documents may be viewed for no cost at http:// www.sehinc.com by selecting the Project Bid Information link at
Unadopted Minutes REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Albany Area Schools – ISD #745 District Office Board Room August 9, 2023
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Kreuzer at 6 p.m.
2. Roll Call Present: Kreuzer, Hansen, Carbajal, Sand, Rueter, Sands Late: None Absent: Dirkes
3. Public Forum
4. Agenda – Additions and Deletions Add: 8.4 Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Employee Intermittent Leave Request
5. Approvals
5.1 Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion by Carbajal, seconded by Sands, to approve the July 12, 2023 Regular Meeting minutes and the July 26, 2023 Work Session minutes as presented. Supported by all present.
5.2 Cash Flow Reports – June 2023
Motion by Carbajal, seconded by Sand, to approve the June 2023 Cash Flow Reports as presented. Supported by all present.
5.3 Acceptance of Gifts and Donations
Member Carbajal introduced the Resolution Accepting Donations and moved for its adoption. The School Board of Albany Area Schools, ISD 745, gratefully accepts the following donations as identified below:
Donor Item Designated Purpose (If any)
Avon CAPS $12,500.00 AVE Playground
Avon CAPS $318.66 Busing - Avon Field Trips
Albany Band Boosters $3,814.70 Busing Band Trip
MR Mechanical LLC $500.00 Archery Team
Tom and Sue Clemen $500.00 BEAT Performance Series
Member Hansen seconded the resolution and upon vote being taken thereon, The following voted in favor of: All present And the following voted against: None
Absent: Dirkes
Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
6. Consent Agenda
AFT:
Amber Swarthout - AVE Fifth Grade Teacher
Ashley Borth - Licensed School Nurse
Kristin Wolford - AMS/AHS Full-time Substitute Teacher
AFT Lane Change:
Mindy Arnzen - BA/BS Step 10 to BA/BS+30 Step 10
AFT Transfer:
Angie Lichy - ALE SpEd to AVE SpEd Teacher
Crystal Schlosser - AVE SpEd to ALE SpEd Teacher
AESP:
Wendy Gill - ALE Summer CREW Paraprofessional
Meghan Shannon - AVE Behavior Resource Room Paraprofessional
Keyandra Harren - Technology Assistant
Jean Kollodge - AVE K-5 ESY Paraprofessional
Joan Klaphake - ALE Custodian
Traci Vogel - AMS Paraprofessional
Cortni Hinton - AVE EC Paraprofessional
AESP Transfer:
Baelie Dirkes - AVE Paraprofessional to AMS Paraprofessional
At Will: Krista Dirkes - Payroll & Benefits Manager
Heather Marquart - Controller
Amy Rausch - Executive Assistant
Jeff Kociemba - Transportation Support
Lori Posch - Teaching and Learning Mentoring
Coaching/Advisors:
Sonya Hoffarth - Head Girls’ Softball Coach
Jason Mielke - Assistant Track Coach
Meghan Shannon - JH Volleyball Coach
Amy Wilwerding - Musical Director
This Work shall be subject to minimum wages and labor standards in accordance with the State of Minnesota.
The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive irregularities and informalities therein and to award the Contract in the best interests of the Owner.
Colleen Winter Administrator Melrose, Minnesota
Publish:
QuestCDN: August 16, 2023
City of Melrose website: August 16, 2023
The Star Post” August 16 and 23, 2023
P-33-2B
Kids Company: Ashten Dirkes - Kids Company Aide
Community Education: BEAT Tech - Andrew Burnett
Dance Camp - Olivia Maus
Music with Friends - Greta Jarrett
Softball Umpire - Dave Sutherland
Boys Basketball Camp - Cory Schlagel, Steve Schiffler, Andrew Hahn, Joel Bauer, Jordan Schiffler, Jake Gagne
HSP/Fundamentals: Aaron Schwenzfeier, Peter Maas
Resignations:
Susan Burg - ALE Paraprofessional, effective August 1, 2023
Robert Power - AVE Paraprofessional, effective July 24, 2023
Kristina Hemmesch - AVE PreK Professional, effective July 19,
2023
Jeff Kociemba - Director of Transportation, effective July 27,
2023
Renee Nelson - AVE Fifth Grade Teacher, effective July 10, 2023
Kyle Jansky - Technology Assistant, effective July 14, 2023
Megan Buttweiler - AVE Kids Company PreK Site Leader, effective August 25, 2023
Request for Severance:
Renee Nelson - AFT
Expenditures: 01 General Fund $1,667,312.15 02 Food Services $18,872.74 04 Community Services $67,252.64 06 Building Construction $465,894.06
Debt Redemption $1,017,788.9
Motion by Rueter, seconded by Carbajal, to approve the August 2023 Consent Agenda with the removal of the At Will contracts of Dirkes, Marquart and Rausch. Supported by all present.
7.1 Purple Pride
8.
Business
8.1 Enrollment Report
8.3 Board Direction for Request For Proposal on Transportation Contract
The board voted to request administration to develop a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking to better understand the cost, structure and ability of 3rd party transportation providers to manage school transportation for Albany Area School for the 2024-2025 school year. Motion by Carbajal, seconded by Hansen. Supported by all present.
8.4 Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Employee Intermittent Leave Request Motion by Rueter, seconded by Carbajal, to approve the MOU as presented. Supported by all pres
9. Committee Reports
9.1 Community Engagement Committee
Cassie Novak, Community Education Director, and Craig Waldvogel, Director of Technology, are looking at options for updating the website to be more easily accessible for users. BEAT season tickets are being capped at 600 so single sale tickets can be available. There are currently 560 season tickets sold. The Early Learning Center demolition started last week. Groundbreaking is set for September 20 at 5 pm.
10. Superintendent Report Superintendent Okerlund reported on current staffing needs of the district. Avon Elementary has an opening for a First Grade Teacher and the high school has two openings for Special Education Teachers. The district also has paraprofessional positions open at the elementaries and middle school.
11. Adjournment Agenda completed at 7:00 pm, a motion to adjourn was made by Member Carbajal, seconded by Member Rueter. Supported by all present.
Amy Sand, Clerk P-34-1B
GIRLS SWIMMING AND DIVING
Head coach and number of years coached: Jolene Breth, second year.
Assistant coaches: Jessica Westbrock.
Key returners: Madison Tschida, senior, butterfly and sprints; Kendall Isder, senior, distance; Kirstyn Sand, senior, breaststroke; Kylie Breth, junior, sprints and relays; Shailyn Welinski, junior, breaststroke and butterfly; Grayce Johnson, junior, distance; Lynn Arvig, freshman, distance; Maggie Gross, freshman, sprints; Brooklyn Kuklok, sophomore, backstroke; and Afton Scegura, sophomore, breaststroke.
Strengths to the team: We have a lot of competitive girls who work hard and are very determined. They all work together and are very close.
What are challenges your team will face? None. Which players do you expect to take on a larger role this year? The ninth-to-11th graders will be more of the go-to girls to help bring in points for the team.
What type of team-building exercises do you incorporate into the season? They go places like Summerland, have races like triathlons, movie nights and biking for ice cream.
What life lesson do you want your athletes to learn? Hard work is what gets you ahead in life. No matter how the race falls, always support each other and stay positive.
Head coach and number of years coached: Molly Klatt. This is my second year coaching at Holdingford, but I have coached three years of club ball before I came here.
Assistant coaches: Kiley Loven, JV; and Jill Slivnik, C squad.
Key returners: Makenna Hohbein, senior outside hitter and setter; Maddy Mitchell, senior outside hitter and setter; Addy Pilarski, junior middle; and Gabby Bruns, sophomore libero.
Strengths to the team: Our team chemistry is very strong, and they want to try new things to gain more tools for game play.
What are challenges your team will face? Getting used to playing as almost an entirely new team, since we lost eight seniors last year.
Which players do you expect to take on a larger role this year? I expect my seniors and captains, Makenna Hohbein, Maddy Mitchell and Jada Mosey, to take on a larger role of leading this young team to playing hard and being great teammates on and off the court.
What type of team-building exercises do you incorporate into the season? We plan to incorporate more fun activities at the end of every practice to help the girls continue to see the joy of playing volleyball and being a part of a team.
What life lesson do you want your athletes to learn? I hope these girls will learn how to be great people on and off the court. We really stress classroom success to ensure every athlete has the opportunity to go to college one day if they choose to do so. They know, as coaches, we care about them on and off the court and hope to equip them with the ability to be great leaders in all aspects of their lives.
GIRLS SOCCER
Head coach and number of years coached: Sam Tate, two years; and Peter Maas, two years.
Key returners: Callie Holthaus, senior center midfielder; Kylan Gerads, senior outside midfielder; and Savanna Pelzer, senior forward.
Strengths to the team: Versatility and work ethic of the players.
What are challenges your team will face? So many new players. All are willing to learn and grow their skills, but many players have between zero to two years of experience under their belt.
Which players do you expect to take on a larger role this year? Callie Holthaus, being the leader in the middle of the field, controlling the movement of our offense. Tatum Findley, keeping control of the back line and keeping them intact.
What type of team-building exercises do you incorporate into the season? Last season, we did a Just Dance competition with snacks and other games at school. We also work to incorporate games like soccer bocce ball and sprinting tic-tac-toe into practices and pairing new players with each other.
What life lesson do you want your athletes to learn? They can grow as individuals within a sport they play and use the interpersonal skills later in life as well.
GIRLS SWIMMIN AND DIVING
Head coach and number of years coached: Dana Crumley, first year as head coach, eighth coaching at Albany. Assistant coaches: Erin Harren.
Key returners: Senior Trista Hoffarth was sixth in the 50yard freestyle at sections last year and played a key part in all three relays.
Strengths to the team: Our swimmers are tenacious and ready to step into new events and leadership roles. We have a great group of younger swimmers who are strong in multiple strokes and distances.
What are challenges your team will face? We had a large group of talented seniors graduate last year. Our smaller team size this year (only three seniors) means that everyone will need to step up to fill all the events. Which players do you expect to take on a larger role this year? Along with Trista Hoffarth, we will look to seniors Sara Eiynck and Amy Butkowski to take charge in butterfly, freestyle and relays. We also have talented juniors and sophomores to swim our distance, IM, breaststroke and backstroke.
What type of team-building exercises do you incorporate into the season? We have a beginning-of-the-season get-together at one of the swimmer’s houses. Other things we do are all-team relays during practice, traveling to West Fargo to swim in a meet, pre-conference and section dinners and cheering for each other at meets.
What life lesson do you want your athletes to learn? The sport of swimming teaches numerous life lessons. The ones I especially want to pass on to the swimmers are determination, confidence in themselves and their teammates and the ability to deal with the ups and downs of life while never giving up on their goals.
Head coach and number of years coached: Brian Hines, 26th season, 16 as assistant, 10 as head coach. Assistant coaches: Faith Fourre, JV1; Amber Swarthout, JV2; and Kaesha Madden, C.
Key returners: Hannah Klein, junior outside hitter and captain, 197 kills, 65 ace blocks, 75 digs, 27 ace serves and nine assists in 2022; Paige Lauer, junior libero, 90 digs, three ace serves and four assists in 2022; Ava Hines, junior defensive specialist, 26 digs and 22 ace serves in 2022; and Kelsey Lobitz, sophomore right hitter, 41 kills, 32 ace blocks, 38 digs and five assists in 2022.
Strengths to the team: This team has a lot of fun, focus and grit. The athletes enjoy playing the game of volleyball, work hard at getting better every day and have a never-give-up attitude.
What are challenges your team will face? None. Which players do you expect to take on a larger role this year? Bridget Goebel, senior outside hitter and captain; Paris Mellesmoen, senior middle and right hitter; Hailey Shay, senior right hitter; Ellery Ehresmann, junior setter; Hailee Stich, junior outside hitter; Olivia Lemm, junior middle hitter; Anna Schiffler, junior defensive specialist; and Brynn Panek, sophomore middle hitter. What type of team-building exercises do you incorporate into the season? We have Rick Rassier of Teamwork Motivation Training come out to the team to incorporate fun and challenging activities. The team is also built on working hard together, team dinners, going to events (college volleyball matches, Miracle League softball game, etc.) and achieving common goals in matches.
What life lesson do you want your athletes to learn? I want my student-athletes to learn how to collectively work together to achieve a common goal. Balancing sports, academics and personal life situations allows student-athletes to learn how to manage these things to prepare them for the future. High school volleyball will be a small part of our athletes’ life journeys, but I hope they have tons of memories they make along the way.
GIRLS TENNIS
Head coach and number of years coached: Sara Engelmeyer, seventh year as head coach, nine years total. Assistant coaches: Dennis Rademacher and volunteer coach Jamie Klasen.
Key returners: Alexis Baumann, senior, is my No. 1 singles, and she has been a key player the last few years. It will be exciting to watch her continue to grow in her last season with the team. Jessica Pohlmann, senior, is returning at No. 1 doubles this year. She has been a constant athlete performing at a high level. Anessa Redepenning, junior, will be a returning doubles player that has switched from playing singles for part of the year last year and now will continue to play doubles. She has the height to really be a presence at the net. Her positive attitude is contagious, and the girls really look up to her. Gretta Hellermann, sophomore, is going to be my No. 2 singles. She has really worked hard to gain speed, skill and the mental game behind the scenes. She is a bright light on the court and really loves the sport. Macy Davis, senior, will be playing second doubles. She comes with smart play and power. All of these ladies are strong, competitive and role models for younger girls. They are there to support all of their teammates and want to have fun while learning lifelong skills.
Strengths to the team: Positive attitude and the willingness to try new things. We are working on getting stronger at the net and serving. The team supports each other, and I think that is so important.
What are challenges your team will face? We have a lot of younger players who have not played on varsity before. We will have the challenge of learning how to move with our teammates for doubles and having the mental game to get better every match and not get down when we are not winning.
Which players do you expect to take on a larger role this year? My key returners listed above are all taking on big roles. My No. 1 and No. 2 singles have both moved up a spot and now will have to learn to play at a higher level. My first and second doubles team will also be different, and we will have different groups learning how to play together. I currently do not know who my doubles teams are going to be. Jada Rausch, sophomore, is one athlete that is going to take on a larger role. She played exhibitions last year and will be playing No. 3 singles this year. This is a big step and she will have to learn how to mentally and physically play the game. I only have five returning players that played on varsity last year, so I have a lot of new players that will need to take a larger role.
What type of team-building exercises do you incorporate into the season? This year, I am going to implement words the team can talk about at each practice and match.
I hope this will make them connect tennis to their everyday lives. We play many games within practice that allow the team to work together to accomplish their goal.
What life lesson do you want your athletes to learn?
I want my athletes to learn to love the game I love while becoming people with courage and integrity who will show leadership, be compassionate and show perseverance throughout their lives.
Head coach and number of years coached: Nathan Meyer, 22nd season as head coach.
Assistant coaches: Sandy Rasmussen, Spencer Van Beck and Mady Sufficool.
Key returners: All-State returners: Hallie Drossel, 12th grade, state champion 100 breaststroke, All-State 200 individual medley, 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay; Makayla Zirbes, 12th Grade, All-State 200 medley relay; Brooke Ruoff, 10th grade, All-State 200 freestyle relay. Section meet top-16 finishers: Leah Seanger, 12th (200/500 free); Theresia Nathe, 12th (diving); Elli Dockendorf, 11th (diving); Jaiden Smith, 11th (200/500 free); Georgia Anderson, 10th (100 fly/100 backstroke); Madisyn Von Wahlde, 10th (100 breaststroke); Ava Wensmann, 10th (200 IM/100 fly); Ella Erdmann, ninth (100 breaststroke); Maggie Frieler, ninth (200/500 freestyle); Lauren Reed, ninth (100 free/100 back).
Strengths to the team: We return many point-scorers from last year’s Section 6A championship team. So, we have some experience but also have big shoes to fill from athletes that graduated. We are very strong in the stroke events and have a lot of depth also in those events, which gives us lineup flexibility. We also have an experienced distance freestyle group and strong returning divers, so while we do have shoes to fill, we have a lot of strong areas as well.
What are challenges your team will face? We have strong free sprinters, such as Brooke Ruoff and Lauren Reed, but we will be looking for more young athletes to continue to develop in the sprint freestyle events. It is an area where we could find younger athletes step up. We had a number of girls who got experience last year at the section and state true team meets on our 200 and 400 free relays and could be athletes who could step into bigger roles in those sprint free events.
We also had a section realignment and out of our section went Alexandria and Minnewaska/Morris and into our section came Tech and Cathedral/St.
John’s Prep. At first glance, that might seem like an advantage, but Tech returns a very strong and talented team, and Cathedral always brings strong athletes to the
section meet. I would say our section got tougher with the realignment.
Which players to do you expect to take on a larger role this year? We have 45 girls on the team and 24 of them are athletes in the two middle grades: ninth and 10th grade. That is a time you often see swimmers really step up and into bigger roles, so we have a large group of girls that could certainly do that and take their performances to the next level. We will obviously need big leadership and performances from our junior and senior classes and will likely receive varsity contributions from athletes in eighth grade as well, but our ninth and 10th grade athletes and their improvement and development will likely be what determines exactly how the season shakes out.
What type of team-building exercises do you incorporate into the season? We have already done full team practices and do things like pizza parties after team pictures or after meets. The team is going to do different team-bonding activities throughout the season. The biggest challenge is having the grades mix, seventh graders getting to know the seniors and that sort of thing. Trying to encourage and foster that collaboration and team-building is important, so we try to find ways for the grades to mix at practice, not daily, but from time to time.
What life lesson do you want your athletes to learn? Swimming and diving is a challenging sport that requires dedication and commitment and very often resiliency. Those are skills that help people in any career path they decide to take part in. Swimming and diving demands a work ethic that is an important trait for all students to learn.
Head coach and number of years coached: Emily Reller, year five.
Assistant coaches: Jennifer Traeger and Colleen Schmiesing and junior high coaches Briana Schmiesing and Jordan Morgan.
Key returners: Ria Nelson, senior setter. Last season, she led the team in set assists. Avery Birch, senior right side. Last season, she led the team in kills. Alea Berscheit, senior middle. Isabelle Jaenicke, senior middle. Kaylee Ellering, senior outside. Last season, she was second on the team in kills. Hannah Hoppe, senior outside. Last season, she was third on the team in kills. Olivia Schmiesing, senior defensive specialist. Alyssa Stordahl, senior defensive specialists.
Strengths to the team: We return a lot of key players and a large number of seniors this season. Our strengths lie in our versatility and power in the front row. We will be working to fill back-row positions throughout the season to make sure to have depth in all positions. We also are strong behind the service line, which will help in keeping other teams out-of-system and give us the best possible chance to win matches.
What are challenges your team will face? We need to fill back-row positions, but there are a lot of seniors and underclassmen that are up for the challenge. We see younger leadership emerging, which will help as we progress through the season. We also have newer players that will be playing varsity for the first time, so it will be important to incorporate their strengths into the lineup. Which players to do you expect to take on a larger role this year? Alea Berscheit will be asked to step up and take bigger swings in the middle, and Alyssa Stordahl will also see some time in the back row. We hope to utilize underclassmen as we progress through the first few weeks and they become comfortable with the speed of the varsity game.
What type of team-building exercises do you incorporate into the season? The seniors and other leaders of the team like to organize a bonding day that includes food, games and tie-dying socks. The girls love to come up with these ideas and plans and it allows for the leadership to unfold. We also allow the girls to have a Secret Sister throughout the season, where they exchange small gifts before each game, and this allows the older girls and younger girls to build a relationship.
What life lesson do you want your athletes to learn?
Dutchmen volleyball hopes to mold the athletes into strong, confident and powerful women. We hope to see the girls play with purpose, unity, responsibility and energy in every game. Volleyball is more than just wins and losses, and the girls show up every day with a positive attitude, ready to build positive relationships with their teammates and learn a few things along the way.
The Melrose Area Lady Dutchmen girls tennis team fell in two matches at a triangular Aug. 21 at Osakis High School in Osakis.
Melrose fell 4-3 to Wadena-Deer Creek. The Lady Dutchmen won three of the four singles matches as Alexis Baumann, No. 1 singles, posted a 6-4, 6-4 win; Gretta Hellermann, two singles, had a 6-2, 6-4 win; and third singles performer Jada Rausch earned a 6-2, 6-2 victory. Hailey Hammond fell 1-6, 0-6 at No. 4 singles.
In doubles, Jessica Pohlmann and Anessa Redepenning, No. 1, fell 2-6, 4-6; No. 2 Macy Davis and Jenna Butkowski fell 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-10; and Rachel Welle and Kendall Beuning suffered a 5-7, 3-6 loss at No. 3.
In Osakis’ 7-0 sweep of Melrose, the singles results were No. 1 Baumann lost 0-6, 0-6; No. 2 Hellermann lost 2-6, 2-6; No. 3 Rausch lost 0-6, 2-6; and No. 4 Beuning fell 0-6, 1-6. Doubles contests saw No. 1 Pohlmann and Redepenning falling 2-6, 3-6; No. 2 Davis and Butkowski losing 4-6, 0-6; and No. 3 Ramona Lurken-Tvrdik and Welle dropping their match 2-6, 0-6.
Melrose Triangular
The Lady Dutchmen tennis season has started, as Melrose dropped a pair of matches Aug. 18 at a triangular at Melrose Area High School in Melrose.
In a 7-0 loss to New London-Spicer, second singles performer Hellermann was the only Lady Dutchman to go three sets, falling 0-6, 6-4, 6-10. No. 1 Baumann fell 3-6, 0-6; No. 3 singles competitor Rausch lost 0-6, 1-6; No. 4 singles Butkowski lost 3-6, 1-6; No. 1 doubles duo Pohlmann and Redepenning fell 3-6, 4-6; the No. 2 doubles combination of Davis and Addison Kemper lost 1-6, 1-6; and No. 3 doubles pairing Welle and Hammond were defeated 2-6, 0-6.
In a 5-2 loss to Sartell, Hellermann posted a three-set 6-3, 3-5, 10-7 win. The No. 1 doubles team of Pohlmann and Redepenning registered a 7-5, 6-0 victory. No. 1 singles Baumann fell at No. 1 singles 4-6, 2-6; Rausch lost 4-6, 4-6 at No. 3 singles; and fourth singles representative Butkowski fell 3-6, 3-6. In the second doubles match, Davis and Kemper fell 2-6, 5-7; and Beaning and Lurken-Tvrdik had 0-6, 0-6 losses at third doubles.
