Freeport City Council members put a pause on cannabis businesses in town.
They approved a moratorium on potential businesses during their Aug. 29 meeting at Freeport City Hall so they can update their zoning ordinance or until the January 2025 deadline the state has imposed.
BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER
Art “Buddy” Thober still has his confirmation book he received when he was confirmed with 12 classmates in 1940 at Immanuel Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in Farming Township.
This 96-year-old Albany resident has many memories of a church of which he has been a life-long member, along with his parents and nine siblings. Like the early years when women sat on one side of the church and men worshiped on the other side.
“I sat with mom on one side of the church until I was con-
firmed and then I sat with Dad,” he said Aug. 23 sitting around a table in the church narthex with his wife, Carol; Julie Blank and Yvonne Bardson, of Albany; the Rev. Fred Kutter, former pastor from 1998 to 2020; and the Rev. David Steege, current pastor. Kutter and Steege are two of the 15 pastors who have served the
BY HANS LAMMEMAN | STAFF WRITER
Rodney Ebnet has spent most days over the past 28 years behind the wheel of a Holdingford school bus, transporting students to school as the sun rises and back home after a day of learning.
Ebnet page 3
congregation since 1873.
Thober recalls Sunday services in English and German.
“I think I could still say the Lord’s Prayer in German,” he said.
Church page 3
When it comes to use of cannabis on Freeport public properties, the council directed city staff to follow Stearns County’s newly passed ordinance outlawing the use of marijuana in public spaces. The county ordinance was updated Aug. 23 to include banning smoking or vaping any cannabis substance in restaurants and bars, parking lots, sidewalks or county land and parks.
On May 30, Gov. Tim Walz signed an expansive cannabis legalization bill into law, allowing the recreational use of cannabis for adults 21 and older starting Aug. 1. In 2022, Minnesota legalized the sale and consumption of edibles containing small amounts of hemp-derived THC.
“We will, no doubt, be talking about cannabis until you are tired of it,” city attorney Scott Dymoke told council members.
The state statute, he said, does not give cities a lot of discretion when it comes to cannabis.
“You can’t say, ‘No we don’t want it,’” Dymoke said.
Cannabis page 3
BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER
Isaiah Gilk, 14, of Greenwald, saw a need at his grade school alma mater, St. John’s-St. Andrew Catholic School, and addressed it.
The result is a gaga ball pit and two new benches at the Greenwald playground as his Eagle Scout project.
“They were popping up everywhere,” Isaiah said Aug. 15 looking over the pit. “Sacred Heart (Catholic school in Freeport), St. Mary’s (Catholic school in Melrose) and Melrose elementary all have one, so I thought St. Johns’-St. Andrew’s should have one.”
The idea of a pit at the school appealed to him. His brothers, Jackson and Andrew, attend SJ’sSA’s school.
Gilk page 4
a break inside the church basement from
Kutter said when he was pastor and looked up baptism and confirmation dates, some were written in German.
Thober said what kept him a life-long member was this church stuck to the “true faith and didn’t subtract or add anything to the Bible.” Carol joined him as a member in 1966 when they married.
“It’s the closeness of everybody,” he said.
Kutter called it a “traditional” church.
“Most of us love it here because we know exactly what to expect, … and there aren’t going to be any surprises,” said Bardson, a 35-year member who came from a larger Missouri Synod congregation.
“It’s such an awesome church,” said Blank, 59, a life-long member.
Immanuel Lutheran Church dates back to the 1870s when Lutheran families from Wisconsin settled in the vicinity, according to historical information on the Farming Township website.
Families arrived from Germany, Russia and other parts of Minnesota. The summer of 1873, a congregation was organized by the Lutheran Missionary, the Rev. Vetter.
Immanuel Lutheran Church is considered the mother church of the Missouri Synod denomination in Stearns County, Bardson said.
In 1879 the growing congregation built a log house for the new pastor, and with their growing numbers they saw the need for an actual church building constructed of logs in 1884. After some remodeling to expand the space, it was determined a larger building was needed. In 1902 the larger and present
church was built.
“My grandpa, Carl Hamann, helped build this church in 1902,” Blank said. “It was dedicated Dec. 4, 1902.”
In 1910 a new school was built behind the present church.
Thober attended the parochial school in eighth grade.
“The first two hours were catechism,” he said.
In 1977, after closing sometime earlier, the school was moved to the Pioneer Grounds in Albany.
Thober said there also was a parsonage where the pastor lived.
“There was a little barn, and they had a horse and cow, which was milked,” he said.
In 2011 there were 138 communicant members and
19 Wednesday school children. Kutter, reading from the history book, said in 1948 there were 365 souls.
“That would be baptized (members) with 285 communicants,” he said, Blank recalls at Christmas the church would overflow with people, and “they put up chairs.”
Thober said at the Christmas service everyone received a bag of goodies.
“And they always did a children’s service,” Kutter said.
A bell, delivered to the church by horse and buggy Sept. 24, 1916, is still rung by hand every Sunday.
“They paid $640 for the bell,” Blank said.
The bell was also rung to let people know someone had passed away; one toll for each year the person lived.
At one time, the east side of the original church basement was used for bowling, Thober said.
“When they redid the church, they found there was stenciling, and they took a pattern and Arlon Gilk did it all over and it’s still there,” Kutter said. “His mother, Merlyn Gilk, was the organist.”
Blank said the original altar and windows are still in place, although the windows have a protective covering.
“At one time, the ceiling was painted a light blue, to look like the sky,” Blank said.
Thober recalled volunteers removing the pews and revarnishing them.
The upkeep and maintenance of the church is still mostly done by members, who support it financially.
Reading again from a history book, Kutter said
Throughout his tenure, Ebnet has cemented himself as a Holdingford icon by providing consistent service to three decades of local youth.
Ebnet’s dedication to his job and community was recognized at a state-wide level in front of an audience full of his colleagues and friends July 27 at River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud as he was named the 2023 Administrator of the Year by the Minnesota Association for Pupil Transportation.
As the transportation director of a small district-owned fleet consisting of 18 buses and four vans, his list of day-to-day responsibilities includes bus maintenance, routing, training and driving – among a handful of other duties required to keep the wheels on the bus turning.
In the words of Holdingford Superintendent Chris Swenson, Ebnet truly bleeds Husker Green. He
grew up in Holdingford, graduated from Holdingford High School in 1983, has worked for Holdingford Public Schools for nearly the entirety of his adult life and calls the area his home.
“Rodney is a consummate professional,” Swenson said. “He has been part
their fiscal policy was to “gather the money, then do the project.”
“You have a good, giving congregation,” Steege said.
There are currently around 135 members, with 35 to 40 regularly attending the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service.
“Our service has been the same forever,” Blank said.
Kutter said the familiarity, whether of the service or Bible teachings, has been a “drawing card.” Their hymnals have a 1941 copyright date, although they have purchased new copies over the years.
“The togetherness is great,” Steege said. Bardson said some new members are like a sponge, soaking it all in, including Blank’s son-in-law who “loves it here,” Blank said. “We planted the seed.”
Committee members are hoping former and current members attend a 150th anniversary celebration Sunday, Sept. 10, which starts with a 10 a.m. service, and a second service at 1 p.m. Leading up to this, they held special events, June 11, July 9 and Aug. 23, at the church, including during which women wore hats and the men sat on one side and the women on the other side. Their oldest living confirmand, Esther (Lemke) Valenta, 106, has attended these pre-anniversary celebrations.
“We have a very special church here,” Blank said.
“I hope it continues and never ends,” said Thober, the oldest active living church member.
“By the grace of God,” Kutter concluded.
Nicholas Schwieters and Michelle Sauer, of Sartell, are happy to announce the birth of their daughter, Lydia Katherine Schwieters, at 7:07 a.m., Aug. 25, 2023, at CentraCare-Melrose Hospital in Melrose.
She weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 21 inches long. Lydia Katherine Schwieters
Friday, Sept. 8, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Albany Community Blood Drive. Albany Community Senior Center, 741 Lake Ave., Albany. For information or to make an appointment call Edna at 320-291-6623.
Sunday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Breakfast and Bake Sale. St. Michael’s Catholic Church basement, 102 St. Michael Ave. N, Spring Hill.
Monday, Sept. 11, 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, Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m.— Avon City Council Meeting. Avon City Hall, 140 Stratford St. E, Avon.
Monday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. — Holdingford City Council Meeting. Holdingford City Hall, 420 Main St., Holdingford.
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m. — Melrose American Legion Post 101 and Auxiliary meetings. Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 6 p.m. – Albany School Board Meeting. District office, 30 Forest Ave., Albany.
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m. — AA Meetings. Back to Basic, at Tutti Frutti Marketplace, 38914 County Road 186, Sauk Centre. For more information, call 218-240- 1076. Big Book, Melrose City Center, 225 First St., NE, Melrose. For more information, call 320-241-3909.
Upcoming: Tuesday, Oct. 3, 7 p.m. — Schanhaar-Otte Post 7050 and Auxiliary meetings Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.
“You can subject it to zoning controls the same as any other business, and, as part of that, you can adopt an interim ordinance while you study what is the appropriate location (for a potential cannabis business) and how do you adjust the zoning ordinance.”
He said it is anything from planting and growing cannabis, warehouse distribution, processing and including retail shops.
“It’s a bigger picture than just retail,” Dymoke said.
As part of the state statute, a cannabis office will be initiated to come up with models for cities as guidelines for incorporating cannabis into their zoning ordinance.
“Last I heard, they haven’t even appointed a director,” Dymoke said.
He said Freeport liquor establishments, by virtue of their liquor licenses, are able to sell THC edibles and infused drinks.
of this community forever. Anybody that has kids ride the bus will have glowing things to say about Rodney.” Ebnet’s career as the district’s transportation director was foreshadowed by an experience when he was a Holdingford student
on a ride home from his bus driver, Kathy Welle – now one of his coworkers. He failed to alert Welle that she passed by his house, and he stuck around for the ride as Welle dropped his classmates off at home.
Ebnet from page 3
“I stayed on the bus the whole route, then she dropped me off on the way back,” Ebnet said. “Being a bus driver for years, I should’ve spoken up and said, ‘Kathy, you missed my spot.’ But I didn’t; I just rode around with her to see what the countryside looked like.”
After graduating from high school, he pursued a technical degree in maintenance of heavy trucking equipment. It wasn’t long before he returned to his alma mater, eyeing his current position as a long-term career.
“I can honestly say this was my dream job,” Ebnet said. “The previous transportation director that was here, I knew he was planning to retire, and I just waited for the opportunity. When he retired, I applied.”
Holdingford Elementary School teacher Jim Stang said Ebnet has made a significant impact on students and staff since he joined the crew in 1995.
“Somehow, between fixing buses, working with children, drivers and families, Rodney finds time to visit the elementary and high school connecting with staff and students,” Stang wrote of Ebnet in a nomination letter to the MAPT. “His positive outlook on life and his kind, caring heart, coupled with his sincerity, brings joy to our schools.”
Twelve years ago, Ebnet joined the district’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports team, helping define the Husker High Five – now a standard practice of students and staff to provide positive reinforcement to students.
“This year, Rodney partnered with our school social worker, school psychologist and elementary principal, carving out RTI (Response to Intervention) time to meet with bus drivers to create improvement plans, celebrate and recognize children that go above and beyond as bus friends and riders,” Stang wrote.
Ebnet said it was an honor to represent his hometown district and receive the Administrator of the Year award.
“It was awesome for me to receive it as part of a smaller school district,” Ebnet said. “I don’t think our smaller school districts get the recognition that we need because we are not that big and well known.”
Despite snowstorms, downpours, the occasional difficult roads and other challenges, Ebnet says he hopes to continue serving students from the front of the bus for many years to come.
Pondview Estates, 334 Golfview Drive, Albany 320-845-4070 – Sept. 6-13
Wednesday: BBQ chicken, half baked potato, mixed vegetables, baked apple slices and bread.
Thursday: Pork roast, whipped potatoes, broccoli, fresh cantaloupe and bread.
Friday: Breaded pollock, red potatoes, baked beans, fruit salad and bread.
Monday: Hamburger tomato casserole, garden salad, mixed vegetables and bread.
Tuesday: Chicken ala king over a biscuit, peas and carrots and orange wedge.
Wednesday: Salisbury steak, paprika potatoes, carrots and bread. Congregate senior dining is open, but call to register. If no answer, leave a detailed message, name and phone number
ALBANY
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
Sister Mary Pat Burger enjoys being part of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish community. Like many parishioners, Burger, a Franciscan sister, who has lived in the church rectory 11 years, volunteered days before and on the Aug. 27 fall festival.
“They are so wonderful,” she said of the parishioners. “Everybody works together.”
That was the case all around the church grounds. Among workers in an outside kitchen, three generations of parish families were completing their usual tasks. Jeanette Gerads; her daughter, Nikki Middendorf; and her daughter, Ellie Middendorf, sliced pies. On the other end of the table, Sandy and Charlie Boeckermann made coffee with help from their son, Ricky, and his twin daughters, Aurora and Melanie. Inside the church basement Jake Gerads and Jason Keppers were getting ready to fill coffee pots. In the south corner of the
Sister Mary Pat Burger prepares to eat a homemade meal Aug. 27 in the St. Francis of Assisi Church basement in St. Francis during the fall festival. Burger lives in the rectory and is an active community member, volunteering during the festival, which includes working in the fancywork stand after eating.
church basement, Lloyd and Judy Lashinski sliced tomatoes, while Sara (Herzog) and husband Jonathan Bauer and her brothers, Matt and Nick Herzog, made cucumbers and coleslaw. Outside, in the takeout order booth, Chad and Niki Koopmeiners, Chad’s mom Deb Koop-
meiners, Cheyenne Wuebkers and Clara Pflueger filled close to 170 orders.
Parishioners and volunteers from other communities make for a successful fall festival that started with a 10 a.m. Mass with music by LaVerne and the Star-
lites, followed by games, music and other food on the grounds.
As the church bells rang to indicate the 10 am. Mass time, lines grew for the 11 a.m. homemade chicken and ham meal. Two-monthold Emma Arceneau was content to drink from her bottle held by mom Kelli, while they sat under a tent near the outside line. Her sister, Chloe, was eager to eat chicken, cucumbers and cooked carrots.
By quitting time, 1,647 people were served the homemade meal.
Burger spent the afternoon volunteering in the fancywork stand, asking people who donated items how they made them since she does not do fancywork. Friday she helped with carrots, and Saturday and Sunday she laundered towels. She talked about how she came to live in the rectory.
“Fr. (Mike) Kellogg asked our community if anybody was interested in living here, to be a presence in the parish,” Burger said. “That’s what I do. I help set up for Mass. I’m in choir.”
And she volunteers during the fall festival.
“Sister is a true blessing to us,” Joyce Koopmeiners said.
Burger feels blessed to be part of the parish.
HARVEST CHURCH 338 Main St. W. 320-836-2997 harvestchurchfreeport.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
Gilk had been looking for an Eagle Scout project ever since he joined Troop 68 in Melrose, as a second grader. He is going into the ninth grade, and there was a deadline he had to meet to become an Eagle Scout.
“You have until your 18th birthday to become an Eagle Scout,” Isaiah said.
Eighteen-years-old was not the deadline Isaiah was trying to meet. His dad, Steve, was a Scout who earned the Eagle rank.
“He wanted to beat his dad,” said Kathy Gilk, his mother. “His dad became an Eagle Scout when he was 15 years old.”
Isaiah presented his idea, which included another improvement, to Mary Miller, St. John’s-St. Andrew’s principal.
“After Mass, his younger brother would come out to play, but there were no benches for parents or family to sit on,” Kathy said. “He offered to build the benches.”
Miller was all for the project. It would address a playground problem for the school. She did have one request.
“She said it was fine as long as it didn’t interfere with Barley Days,” Isaiah said.
A gaga pit is an octagon-shaped structure about 30 inches high. Inside the
area a dodgeball-like game is played. “You hit the ball around until it touches someone. The ball has to stay on the ground. You can’t throw it,” Isaiah said. “When you get hit by the ball, you are out.” The game is played until one person is left. The name and game are said to have come from Israel. Most sources say gaga is based on a Hebrew expression meaning “touchtouch.” It was said to have spread from Israel to other countries through summer camp exchange programs. There is another story about one person who saw
it being played and said participants looked like a bunch of infants playing “goo-goo ga-ga.” Whatever the story, the game spread internationally and quickly became popular at elementary schools.
Isaiah was involved in all aspects of the project, from raising the funds to paying for the materials to gathering people to help build it.
“Counting everybody’s hours, we have about 79 hours in the project,” Isaiah said. “I had to get the lumber cut. We built it from scratch.”
An Eagle Scout project
encourages the development of organizational skills for all elements of the project. Acquiring the lumber and materials required fundraising. Isaiah caught a break in his fundraiser, with local businesses donating to his project.
Isaiah organized the work schedule and work days.
“We had about 10 people who worked on it,” he said. “The main construction was May 20. We did some touchup in June and on June 20 put the plaques on.”
The pit was used almost from day one.
“The kids were really excited about it and were using it every day,” said Miller, Aug. 15 while watching camp students playing a game. “It was really neat to have it from an alumnus.”
With the work done, he submitted his project documentation to a board of review. He then had to wait to see if it was accepted.
“I heard on Aug. 8 I had made Eagle Scout,” Isaiah said. “I now need to hear from the national office. They make sure all the dates of my badges are right.”
The official ceremony awarding him the badge will take place later this year.
During Barley Days and other times this summer, he saw students play in the pit and people relaxing on benches. That is reward enough for Isaiah.
Walking around the St. Francis of Assisi Church grounds Aug. 27, taking photos during the parish’s fall festival, I had plenty of conversations with people, and more than a handful told me they listened to Joe Gill and me on KASM Radio Wednesday morning.
I thanked them and promised to say good morning to them on the radio three days later, which I did.
Having a local radio station is wonderful. Much like a local newspaper, it is a great connection to the communities we serve – and beyond.
We need to appreciate – and utilize – those local businesses. They support our communities. Too often, we take them for granted, thinking they will always be there – until they aren’t. It’s kind of like people. We think our parents will always be around, but in the back of our mind we know the day will come when we are orphans, as one person pointed out to me as she went through the line at the funeral home during Mom’s wake.
Most of us thrive on connections with people, and small communities thrive on small town businesses. They often go hand-in-hand.
I can go into the local grocery store for a few items and 45 minutes later come out with bags filled with items. And the time length isn’t because I was searching for food, although sometimes that is the case when items are moved around. It’s because I stopped to talk with people – or someone stopped to talk to me.
I know people who are homebodies; people who are quite content to stay home. Even if there is an opportunity to travel, they choose to remain at home. Mom was like that. It took encouragement to get her out of the house, but once she arrived at our destination she had a good time.
I can’t tell you the number of times I picked her up after work and said we’re going to Rice to visit my sister, Audrey, and her husband, Jim. And I never warned Mom
we were going on a road trip. Glancing at her sitting in the passenger seat, I could tell she was enjoying the ride as she commented on a new house going up, how good or bad the crops looked, the airplane that looked like it took a nosedive in a field just east of Holdingford or pumpkins for sale at the end of a driveway. Going on short road trips, like this, are great. But people are often surprised when I tell them I have never flown, and I’m quite content to keep my feet on the ground. I have no desire to travel to far off lands, unlike my niece, Krista, who in her young life, has seen more of the United States than I have in my 67 years, and that’s the case with her and husband Corey’s 9-month-old son, Wilder, also.
I realize there is a big world out there, but I would rather travel down a country road that is new to me and see the sights – with hopes of not getting lost. And if I do, I can just stop and ask for directions. We have plenty to see and do locally. That goes for theater also. I would rather watch local people in a production on the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center stage in Melrose than travel to the Twin Cities for a show. There is nothing like watching people I know on stage, plus I am supporting the arts, locally. Check out ways to connect locally, whether it’s a visit to a local attraction, like a park, Hemker’s Park and Zoo in Freeport, Tutti Fruitti Market Farm’s Oktoberfest in Sauk Centre or the Van Beck family’s upcoming Fall Farm Fest in rural Freeport and Albany Pioneer Days in rural Albany. Take a trip to the local grocery or hardware store or restaurant or with your mom or dad checking out the countryside. You might be surprised at what you discover. Plus, you never know when I will say good morning to you on KASM Radio, especially if I see you out and about and you mention you heard us on the radio.
As strange as it sounds, a 17th century anti-tobacco advocate and a central Minnesota community have a link.
According to Robert Vogt’s book “The Arban Way,” published for the 1973 centennial of Sacred Heart Parish in Arban, the town was initially called Young’s Settlement. The Catholic parish was organized in 1873, one of the first in that area. Vogt, and other historians, show the community changed the name to Arban sometime in the late 19th century.
One of Vogt’s sources said the town took its name from Pope Urban. It is not really clear why the name Arban was used. Vogt’s conclusion, based on something he was told, was that the U was misunderstood as an A, leading to the spelling.
Vogt speculated the name honored Pope Urban VIII, the last pope with that name. If so, it is fitting because, like Urban VIII, Arban left a legacy, even though it, like Urban VIII, is gone from all but memory.
Urban VIII, born Maffeo Barberini, reigned as pope from 1623-1644, producing high and low points. He encouraged adoration services, supported missionary efforts in the Far East and in the Americas and forbade enslaving American natives who came to Jesuit missions. There were concerns over his political alliances with Richelieu of France; military expansion of the Vatican States; excommunication of Galileo, who Urban considered a friend, because of Galileo’s view on the order of the universe; shamelessly appointing relatives, friends and family members to high positions in the church and secular governments; and the cost of his policies. Some of his proclamations still reverberate throughout the church, among them that individuals should not be venerated as saints without church sanction.
Urban VIII was also among the first public officials in the world to take a stand against tobacco use. The effects of that stand are felt today and not only in the Catholic Church.
Throughout this session, the Democrat majority bulldozed a wide range of controversial bills into law with their narrow trifecta majority. One of the policies my Republican colleagues and I expressed major concern with is the legalization of recreational marijuana. With critical safety issues and numerous health and social problems, we made it clear this legislation was not ready to become law in Minnesota.
Yet, Democrats chose to ignore the warning signs. And only a month into legal recreational cannabis use, there are all kinds of problems popping up as we speak.
First, this legislation is written in a way that allows for cannabis use almost anywhere, including by our schools, churches and libraries. This issue is at the center of a recent MinnPost story titled, “Where you can and can’t smoke marijuana in Minnesota come Aug. 1.” In this article, Sen. Lindsey Port (DFL-Burnsville), the bill’s Senate author, shares, “Cities can put ordinances in for outdoors as they do with cigarette smoking. But assuming that the city doesn’t have an ordinance against it, you could smoke outside, in parks, if you’re a certain distance from children’s play areas.”
As noted by the bill author, its true municipalities can enact ordinances to regulate public marijuana use. However, there was a very short time between municipalities understanding they needed to enact ordinances and the legalization of cannabis Aug. 1. This means cities and counties are now scrambling to pass local laws governing the public use of marijuana in outdoor public spaces.
I applaud local governments trying to implement common sense restrictions to keep our children safe from exposure to this newly legalized but silently harmful drug. At least 10 cities have temporarily banned cannabis sales, and I strongly urge more local government leaders to take the time and consider what’s best for raising young people in your community.
Additionally, Minnesota is in a period where it is legal to possess and consume cannabis, but it is illegal to buy or sell it (except for certain dispensaries on tribal land). Proponents of legal marijuana maintain that decriminalization reduces crime by deterring marijuana production and sale away from underground markets. The illicit market, however, is an even greater problem because marijuana possession is no longer a crime, and this is exactly what California experienced after legalizing cannabis in 2016.
A 2021 article by The Guardian notes the illegal marijuana market continues to thrive in California and is far from the law-abiding, successful sector that was anticipated. This is reflected by California business owners who shared that, “high taxes, the limited availability of licenses and expensive regulatory costs have put the legal market out of reach.” I believe this is likely the fate of Minnesota’s legal cannabis market too.
Further, with state-licensed dispensaries not expected to open until 2025, there are few legal options for obtaining cannabis in Minnesota. We have already seen cases of illegal marijuana sales due to confusion, misinformation and misunderstanding of the law. For example, law enforcement stepped in when a man was illegally selling marijuana plants outside of a tobacco shop in Faribault. A Mahnomen smoke shop was raided by police for illegal marijuana sales. These are just a couple examples of known illegal marijuana sales, but even more concerning is the massive illegal market that continues to go on behind the scene in our state.
Besides the strong confusion surrounding the complex marijuana law, I would like to emphasize the troubling health and social problems related to cannabis use. Sure, there are some possible positive medical benefits, which is true of a lot of powerful drugs used for legitimate medical reasons to treat a specific disease or condition. This is why Minnesota already legalized medical cannabis. However, the harmful side effects of cannabis use must not be ignored.
Researchers are cautioning against the rise in what’s called “marijuana use disorder,” where habitual use of the drug often adversely impacts a user’s life. And startlingly, there is a spike in suicides for those who start using it.
Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy adviser to Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton, noted, “There is a massive increase in mental illness as a result of this increase in marijuana use. We know that today’s marijuana use can quintuple your risk of psychosis and schizophrenia which is the worst thing you can imagine. It increases about six times the risk of suicide. We have a suicide epidemic in this country.” Even doctors who served under Democrat presidents are warning of the dangers of marijuana.
Additionally, around 30% of people who use marijuana become addicted, with the risk of developing a use disorder significantly greater if you start during youth or adolescence. Data also shows marijuana negatively affects attention, memory and learning, and this is especially true for adolescents. This data raises a concerning question of what effect will legal marijuana have on the well-being of Minnesotans?
In addition to health and social problems related to marijuana, legal cannabis also raises critical safety concerns. With cannabis now legal in Minnesota, impaired driving is a concern for our state’s law enforcement officers. Currently, if a motorist is suspected of driving under the influence of marijuana, there is no breath test to reliably detect the presence and concentration of THC. Therefore, how could we legalize marijuana without the tools to properly assure the driving public that they are safe against marijuana-impaired drivers?
With the smoke starting to settle, it’s clear Minnesota was not yet ready for this new law.
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Shortly after Europeans came to America they were introduced to tobacco. In short order tobacco was imported to Europe. Its use became widespread with people smoking, chewing and sniffing tobacco everywhere, including during religious services.
There were, at that time, prohibitions against drinking and eating during services, but nothing about the use of tobacco. That ended when Urban VIII decreed a band on tobacco use in churches worldwide. To make sure people knew he was serious, he said a violation could lead to excommunication. The possibility of excommunication lasted for a century until Benedict XIII removed it. Even today, it is very rare to see anyone using tobacco products in any church. Arban, like its namesake, appeared in history. Although it didn’t have the worldwide impact Urban VIII did, it did leave a mark and memory in the local area.
The Sacred Heart Church was closed in 1989 and the building was moved to the Albany Pioneer Days grounds. There are still services and Masses held at the former church site in Arban, a lasting legacy to the people who had a hand in its history.
Summer is almost over and kids are back to school.
Remember to yield to pedestrians and also pay attention to the buses and the stop arms.
We are seeing an influx of scams concerning computer problems or computers or accounts being hacked.
If you are contacted by any organization or people stating such things, and they are requesting you pay them using Bitcoin or gift cards, please call someone to verify before giving your hard earned money away. They sound real and even may call from what appears to be real phone numbers, but no legitimate organization will ask you to get cash from your account and drive to a Bitcoin machine and deposit it in their account.
If you have any questions please call your local law enforcement or call the banks or companies directly they say they are a part of, but don’t use the phone number the scammers have provided you with. Have a great rest of the summer and a great start to the school year to students and teachers.
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BY ANN WESSEL CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Eleven Stearns County livestock producers within the Sauk River Watershed, including two in Spring Hill and Lake Henry townships, have installed manure storage solutions and adopted management plans that curb runoff and benefit water quality in the nutrient-impaired Sauk River Chain of Lakes.
What started with a $392,500 Clean Water Fund grant from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources targeting five feedlots most susceptible to runoff grew to a $1.9 million endeavor that leveraged nearly $1.5 million in Environmental Quality Incentives Program assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Across those 11 farms, Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District and NRCS staff worked with producers to install eight stacking slabs and seven manure storage basins and to implement nutrient management plans affecting 1,664 acres.
“You’re reducing nutrients, runoff from fields,” said Stearns County SWCD Project Management Supervisor Nathan Hylla, who has since left the SWCD to start his own business.
“Producers get long-term storage for their manure, whether it be poultry, beef or dairy, and they utilize those nutrients when they can use them, and then incorporate them so they’re not running off into our streams, lakes and rivers.”
The region’s high water table and rolling topography made the targeted feedlots more susceptible to runoff. Clean Water Funds supported the technical assistance SWCD engineers made available to farmers.
David
12
quality
At four of the 11 sites, the state grant provided costshare for construction.
Seven sites tapped only EQIP assistance to offset construction costs.
“These Clean Water funded projects add a lot of flexibility,” said Stearns County SWCD Conservation Planning Team Manager Mark Lefebvre, referring to a list of potential projects that await funding and to competition for EQIP assistance. “Even if they would be funded in EQIP, with the increased cost of some of these projects, some of these farmers aren’t going to go through with it unless they get supplemental funding.”
In September 2020, Hylla and Mike Hemmann, a Stearns County-based NRCS civil engineering technician who has since moved to NRCS’ Glencoe office, visited two farms where stacking slab construction had just finished. At both sites – the Kevin and Shirley Klaphake farm and the David J. and JoAnn Meyer farm – the slabs were built to store poultry manure.
“I wanted to be environmentally-safe. Instead of putting our manure on the ground all the time and
stacking it for a whole year, I wanted to have a stacking slab so water doesn’t leach into the ground,” said Klaphake. “We probably wouldn’t have been able to do this project without the assistance.”
With Shirley and his father, Eldred, Klaphake raises chickens, hogs and cattle on 320 acres in Spring Hill Township. Adding poultry in 1990 and hogs 10 years later allowed Klaphake to sell the 35-cow dairy herd but stay on the family farm. The Klaphakes typically raise six batches of 42,000 chickens a year.
The 56-by-96-foot covered stacking slab near the poultry barns holds 12 months’ storage. Previously, poultry manure was stored on the ground until fall when it could be spread on the fields. Nearly three years after construction finished, Klaphake reflected on another benefit:
“When you clean the barn out, you don’t have to worry about mud,” Klaphake said in July 2023. “It’s worked out very (well). In the fall, too, when you haul it away, you’re always on dry cement. You’re not outside if it rains or something, trying to load in the mud.”
A few miles down the road, in Lake Henry Township, David J. and JoAnn Meyer added poultry to their 1,000-acre crop and cattle farm in 2015.
“We were looking to diversify a little bit to help pay our medical insurance. That was what we could do to have a steady monthly income,” Meyer said.
The Meyers worked with Hemmann on a previous project. They, too, had been storing litter from six batches of 42,000 chickens a year on the ground.
Having 12 months’ storage makes it possible to incorporate that nitrogen source in the fall. Dry manure is also easier to load and spread in the field.
“I think the value of the manure is worth a lot more to me now, being it’s more consistent and it’s more dry and it’s more of an even spread in the field,” Meyer said in July 2023. Previously, manure sometimes had to be spread when it was wet, resulting in too much in some spots and not enough in others. Now, Meyer said, “How you set your spreader, that’s what you get when you apply.”
There is one drawback. This winter, Meyer said snow drifted into the roofed
40-by-100-foot stacking slab, an issue he fixed with a stack of bales.
Like Klaphake, Meyer appreciated the convenience.
“It seemed like this past winter every time our birds went out (to be processed) it was either a snowstorm or a rainstorm or bitterly cold, so it was nice to have that building,” Meyer said. “We were able to get the barn cleaned out right away.”
The Meyers’ three daughters – ages 21, 19 and 16 – and their 11-year-old son also help on the farm.
“I’m hoping doing this building will help with the next generation coming up,” Meyer said.
The Klaphakes, too, were looking ahead when they installed the stacking slab and tried new practices.
“Farmers are trying to do the best they can to keep the waters clean – your rivers and creeks,” Klaphake said. “We want to prepare for the future, so things are there for the youngest generation to take over.”
Klaphake worked with Lefebvre on what they can do to help keep their soil
intact instead of the wind or rain washing it away.
“We’ve been slowly working with him to change how we’re farming,” Klaphake said. “Years ago, my grandpa and dad plowed everything.”
One of the changes Klaphake made to become certified through the Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program was on his 120 acres, he switched from moldboard plowing to chisel plowing, which leaves some residue on the field. So far, Klaphake said he’s liked the smoother fields but has concerns about weed suppression.
On his own, Klaphake started working with cover crops. For the fourth consecutive season, after this summer’s oat harvest he planned to hire an air-flow applicator to seed a radish-turnip cover crop on about 35 acres where he’ll plant corn next spring.
“Producers are trying to do the right thing out here environmentally, to protect water quality,” Hemmann said.
The start of the season brings a great deal of emotions. Unmatched excitement for the beginning of competition. Nervousness on how you will perform.
For the Albany Huskies football team, however, another emotion quickly set as the first half of their season opener progressed: frustration.
The New London-Spicer Wildcats, the reigning Class AAA champions, stormed into Herges Stadium and came away with a 48-20 win Aug. 31 in Albany, courtesy of 35 firsthalf points.
“It felt like one of those rainclouds was on you,” said Mike Ellingson, head coach. “They were doing everything right, and we were on the opposite end of that spectrum.”
NLS established the tone 12 seconds in, breaking off a 65-yard touchdown run to take an early lead. By the time the first quarter had wrapped up, the Wildcats led 21-0, with running back Mason Delzer dashing for his second of four touchdowns on the night.
“They were winning the line of scrimmage,” Ellingson said. “Our guys were having a hard time scraping
it, and it felt like their guys were surging well. He had whatever he wanted, and it was because of that line-of-
The Albany volleyball team got off to a good start in Granite Ridge Conference competition, defeating Cathedral 3-0. The Huskies won 25-19, 25-19 and 25-22 Aug. 29 at Albany Area High School in Albany.
“It was a really big team win for us tonight,” said Brian Hines, head coach.
In the first set, the Huskies recovered from a 0-3 deficit and scored six consecutive points to take the lead, which they never gave up. Albany also fell behind early in the second set, but again rallied to go ahead.
The Huskies broke a 9-9 tie in the third set and kept the lead to the end.
Hines said the team did a nice job serving and passing the ball in the back row.
scrimmage battle.”
Albany’s offense fumbled the ball twice in their own territory in a nightmarish opening 24 minutes, with both turnovers leading to Wildcat touchdowns. Following two second-quarter scores, NLS took a 35-0 advantage into the break, and it was at this point that Ellingson knew, more than anything, the Huskies needed to prove something in the second half.
“I think the halftime speech had very little to do about Xs and Os and had a lot to do with pride, being able to look one another in the eye after this game, knowing dang well we didn’t quit,” Ellingson said.
Albany, as it turns out, did not quit, turning to a high-flying passing attack to produce points. Quarterback Andrew Olson connected with Jack Rieland for a 43-yard touchdown at 9:28 in the third quarter before hitting Hunter Hamann for an electric 33-yard touchdown seven minutes later. Olson finished the opener completing 8 of 13 passes for 117 yards.
“We got our protection in place to get guys blocked up and get Andrew some time,” Ellingson said. “He proved he can deliver the ball. That’s something we can build off of.”
on the run in the third
a completion
For serving, Ellery Ehresmann was 14 of 16, Ava Hines 13 of 14, Kelsey Lobitz 11 of 14 and Paige Lauer 13 of 13. Lauer had four ace serves and Hines and Lobitz earned three each. Hannah Klein was the team’s kills leader with 16. She also had eight digs, as did Lauer. Ava Hines had six digs while Ehresmann had 27 set assists.
A 4-3 loss Aug. 31 to Benson/Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg ended a run of consecutive wins for the Melrose Area girls tennis team.
Melrose had defeated Lac Qui Parle Valley 5-2 Aug. 29 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose. The team won twice at the St. John’s Prep Invite Aug. 28 at St. John’s University in Collegeville.
BKMS 4, Melrose 3
The Lady Dutchmen wins came from Gretta Hellermann, 6-4, 6-3, second singles; Macy Davis and Addison Kemper, 6-2, 6-3, second doubles; and Ramona Lurken-Tvrdik and Rachel Welle, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, third doubles.
Alexis Baumnn lost 3-6, 2-6 at No. 1 singles; Jada Rausch fell 3-6, 2-6 at third singles; and Butkowski dropped her fourth singles match 7-5, 6-5. Jessica Pohlmann and Anessa Redepenning fell 6-7 (3-7), 0-6 at No. 1 doubles.
Melrose 5, LPQV 2
Winning in straight sets were singles players Baumann, No. 1, 6-4, 6-4; Hellermann, No. 2, 6-4, 6-3; and the doubles pairing of Pohlmann and Redepenning, No. 1, 6-4, 6-3; and Lurken-Tvrdik/Kendall Beuning 6-3, 6-3, third doubles. Rausch, third singles, added a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 win. Welle, fourth singles, fell 1-6, 2-6; and Kemper/Butkowski had a 3-6, 6-2, 6-7 (4-7) loss at No. 2 doubles. SJP Triangular
first down Aug. 31
The Huskies rallied from a 35-0 first-half deficit to put three touchdowns on the board in the second half.
The Albany Huskies swim and dive team lost to Sauk Centre 72-29 Aug. 31 in a meet hosted by the Huskies at Albany Area High School in Albany. Albany results: 200MR: 2. Mya Justin, Teagan Crumley, Sara Eiynck and Trista Hoffarth 2 minutes, 6.24 seconds. 200FR: 2. Mckenzie Eiynck 2:18.49. 200IM: 2. Crumley
50FR: 3. Hoffarth 26.88. 100FLY:
Sara Eiynck
100FR: 3. Lauren Hennen
500FR: 3. Mckenzie Eiynck 6:22.65. 200FSR: 2. Crumley, Sara Eiynck, Mckenzie Eiynck and Hoffarth 1:56.10. 100BK: 2. Justin 1:11.19. 100BR: 2. Crumley 1:18.75. 400FSR: 2. Justin, Mckenzie Eiynck, Hennen and Hoffarth 4:14.98. Becker Relays Albany’s first competition of the sea-
son came at the Becker Relays Aug. 29 at Becker High School in Becker. No team scores were calculated at the meet, but the Huskies did win an event and earn several seconds in the varsity competition. Albany results: 200 medley: 3. Justin, Crumley, Sara Eiynck and Hoffarth 2:06.67. 3x200 freestyle: 2. Kalla, Justin and Mckenzie Eiynck 7:13.16. 400 medley: 2. Hoffarth, Crumley, Rayvin Pullins and Sara Eiynck 4:56.53. 200 freestyle: 4. Amy Butkowski, Hennen, Mckenzie Eiynck and Hoffarth 1:54.17. 200 butterfly: 1. Buersken, Pullins, Crumley and Sara Eiynck 2:06.89. 850 freestyle: 3. Buersken, Pullins, Justin and Mckenzie Eiynck 10:28.84. 300 breaststroke: 3. Pullins, Riley Becker, Butkowski and Crumley 4:05.99. 400 freestyle: 3. Mckenzie Eiynck, Hennen, Butkowski and Hoffarth 4:14.80.
Down 35-14, Albany looked to be turning the tides after forcing NLS into a 3rd-and-19 situation, but the Wildcats sprung off a 65-yard run to keep the chains moving and keep their foot on the pedal. NLS accumulated two more trips to the end zone before Albany’s Adam Dennis added a final touchdown on a 56-yard run.
The Huskies will reignite an area rivalry against the Melrose Area Dutchmen at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 8, at Melrose Area High School in Melrose.
“This matchup hasn’t happened since 2012 in a playoff game,” Ellingson said. “Our kids are excited. I know we’ll get Melrose’s best effort against us.”
Wins in a 7-0 sweep over St. John’s Prep were 6-4, 6-0 from Baumann at No. 1 singles; 6-2, 6-0 from Hellermann at No. 3 singles, 6-1, 6-2 from Rausch at No. 2 singles and 6-1, 6-0 from Welle at No. 4 singles; double wins were 6-1, 6-1 from No. 1 Pohlmann/Redepenning, 6-0, 6-1 from No. 2 Butkowski/Kemper and 6-1, 6-0 from No. 3 Beuning/Lurken-Tvrdik.
The Lady Dutchmen defeated Sauk Rapids-Rice 4-3. Winning at singles was No. 1 Baumann, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4; and No. 4 Welle, 7-5, 6-2. The doubles winners were No. 1 Pohlmann/Redepenning, 6-1, 6-3; and No. 2 Butkowski/Kemper 4-6, 6-2, 10-5. Losses
Hellermann,
No. 2 singles
