Star Post 09-20-2023

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Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Avon council gives preliminary fire hall bond approval

Capital improvement plan has bond maximum of $2.58 million

BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER

Avon city leaders want to issue a maximum of $2.58 million in general obligation bonds for a new fire hall.

That amount and a capital improvement plan for the project were approved Sept. 11 by the council during their monthly meeting at Avon City Hall in Avon.

The city is proposing issuance of the bonds later this year once bids for the fire hall project are received.

Current plans call for expanding the current public safety facility, at 140 Stratford St. E., by roughly 8,500-square-feet. The expansion will include four apparatus bays, equipment storage areas and locker rooms.

sWeEt sWeEt

400 Block update

On a high

Melrose researching policing options pg 3 Hiltner happy to carry on legacy pg 7 ‘A Team’ has first baby boy in 2017 pg 16 Gymnasts scoring with the best pg 10

Melrose woman named state fair supreme baker

BY CAROL MOORMAN | STAFF WRITER

Candy Freeman is on a baking high. She received the Supreme Baker Award during this year’s Minnesota State Fair. The person who tallies the most points for ribbons earned from their creative baked product entries receives this honor. Freeman entered 21 items and received ribbons for eight, including two first place blue ribbons, two second places, two third places, one fourth place and one fifth place.

Overall she earned 13 ribbons out of 33 total entries, which included five ribbons in the bee and honey category.

“I’ve never earned that many ribbons before.

I was thrilled,” she said Sept. 6 still on a sweet high more than one week after her award notification. “I think it’s because I take a variety of things in creative products, from a tea ring, yeast bread, quick bread, Bundt cake, to an angel food sponge cake.”

The icing on the cake came when she demonstrated her blue ribbon Bourbon-Chocolate Tipsy Cake Aug. 29 in the Creative Activities building kitchen at the fair.

“I made three cakes so people could eat it,” said Freeman, of rural Melrose, who, over her state fair years of competition, has won the Grand Cake Award twice.

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 MOORMAN

David Drown Associates provides finance-related management services for the city of Avon, including property tax impact analysis. Jason Murray works for the Minneapolis firm and is Avon’s financial adviser. Murray attended a Sept. 11 public hearing for the capital improvement plan and fire hall bond and provided background on the preliminary project bonding schedule.

Fire hall page 3

This year, when she made her prize winning cake for competition she put her iconic 1959 Barbie doll inside the Bundt pan.

“She looked very cute in the Bundt

of service service Sense

pan,” Freeman said. Freeman has been entering state fair items since 1996, following in the footsteps of friends Lois Thielen and Jean McDonald. Thielen was a creative baked products ribbon winner this year, along with Kelsey Oja, a Melrose High School graduate, and Rita Meyer,

Freeman

Rose Baggenstoss talks about her passion for putting together puzzles Sept. 15 in her Albany apartment. She has had a sense of service her whole life, something she learned from her parents, John and Terry Baggenstoss.

Baggenstoss

BY CAROL MOORMAN |

walks her way through life

WRITER

Rose Baggenstoss lives a life of service.

For 38 years, she was the friendly face who served food and refreshments at Hillcrest Family Restaurant/Stubby’s Tavern

in Albany, now Bear Crest Lounge, until she quit Aug. 28. She would walk from her downtown apartment to and from work each day – wherever she needed to go, for that matter, since she does not drive.

Baggenstoss page 3

PHOTOS SUBMITTED Candy Freeman demonstrates her blue ribbon BourbonChocolate Tipsy Cake Aug. 29 in the Creative Activities building kitchen at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights. Freeman earned eight creative baked product ribbons and the Supreme Baker Award.

Kelsey Oja (left) and Candy Freeman stand outside the Creative Activities building on entry day Aug. 19 at the Minnesota State Fair in Falcon Heights. Freeman has been entering items at the state fair 27 years, while Oja, a Melrose High School graduate and family friend, is relatively new to competition

from Meire Grove.

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PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN

STAFF

PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING Stacy Schuller works with Alfred Kill to get a Fairbanks Type Y oil engine running Sept. 14 during Albany Pioneer Days at the Stearns County Pioneer Club grounds in rural Albany. The engine was used on a riverboat. .

Pioneer Days page 2

Jeff Lund feeds wood into the firebox of the 1907 30 horsepower Advance engine used to drive the sawmill Sept. 14 during Albany Pioneer Days at the Stearns County Pioneer Club grounds in rural Albany. As the engineer, Lund operated the engine.

Tim Raleigh watches corn feed into the elevator taking it to the corn sheller Sept. 14 during Albany Pioneer Days at the Stearns County Pioneer Club grounds in rural Albany. The sheller separated the kernels from the cobs sending it out the chute on the right.

Dale Lueck (left) provides information on his honey to Mike Matakovich Sept. 14 during Albany Pioneer Days at the Stearns County Pioneer Club grounds in rural Albany. The honey booth was part of the flea market.

Cousins Al Cunningham (left) and Ron Sanford enjoyed a break in rocking chairs outside the main street general store Sept. 14 during Albany Pioneer Days at the Stearns County Pioneer Club grounds in rural Albany. The two try to get to Pioneer Days each year.

Vicki Beuning (from left), Nancy Nelson and Lorene Deford sit in a sewing circle Sept. 14 during Albany Pioneer Days at the Stearns County Pioneer Club grounds in rural Albany. They were working on crocheting, knitting and sewing projects.

Jim Keats makes a final repair to get a 1907 Fairbanks Morse engine running Sept. 14 during Albany Pioneer Days at the Stearns County Pioneer Club grounds in rural Albany. The repair was successful and the engine started and ran during the event.

Travis Prodzinski, of the Minnesota Central Model Railway Club, watches a train move through the railway exhibit Sept. 14 during Albany Pioneer Days at the Stearns County Pioneer Club grounds in rural Albany. The exhibit was housed in the former railroad depot.

This page is sponsored by these businesses:

Jane Haugen

Jane Haugen, 84, of New Hampton, Iowa, died Sept. 9, 2023, at New Hampton Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral Services were held Sept. 15 at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Hampton, with the Rev. Kevin Frey officiating. Interment was Sept. 19 at Atwater Union Cemetery in Atwater, Minnesota.

Online condolences for the Haugen family may be left at www.hugebackfuneralhome. com.

Arrangements were made with Hugeback-Johnson

Linda Pant

Linda Pant, 77, of Sauk Centre, passed away Aug. 29, 2023, at CentraCare Care Center in Long Prairie.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 30, at PattonSchad Funeral Home of Melrose with the Rev. Janine Olson officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later date. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m., Sept. 30, at the funeral home.

Linda Mae Caulk was born May 8, 1946, in Madison, South Dakota, the daughter of Lester and Marie Caulk. She grew up on a farm south of Junius, South Dakota. She graduated from Madison High School in 1964 and later received her LPN certificate from Bemidji Area Vocational School in 1980.

She was married to Tom Crawford in 1966. They had two children but divorced in 1979. She married John Rohr in 1980 with that marriage ending in divorce in 1992. She had been employed at Fingerhut and at Quebecor and other jobs in the St. Cloud area.

Linda is survived by two children Lisa (Tom) Guzek of Melrose and Douglas

Kerry CEO visits Albany

Donates to school’s playground project

ALBANY – Oliver Kelly, president and CEO of Kerry North America, visited Albany Sept. 11 and toured the Kerry facility on main street, formerly owned by Kraft-Heinz.

Jane Haugen Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton.

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Catalina Valencia, director of business development, and Della Ludwig, workforce strategy consultant, at Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, were invited for an informational meeting and toured the plant with their leadership group.

Kelly also gave a $10,000 donation to the Albany Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization for their playground expansion.

Kerry is the world’s leading taste and nutrition

Linda Pant

(Danielle) Crawford of Foley; four grandchildren Christopher (Bethany) Crawford, Nicholas Guzek, Haden Hoffman and Rylie Crawford; one sister Marilyn (Gary) Carson of Wood River, Nebraska; one brother Vernon (Deb) Caulk of Mesa, Arizona; one brother-in-law Don Larsen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; one sister-inlaw Marla Caulk of Madison, South Dakota; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister Shirley Larsen and one brother Curtis Caulk.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

A Public Hearing regarding the proposed revocation of Stearns County Road 171 in Melrose Township will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at the Melrose Township Hall, located at 41248 County Road 13, Melrose, Minnesota. The portion of County Road 171 proposed to be revoked is located between County State Aid Highway 17 and 360th Avenue, in Sections 5 and 6 of Melrose Township. The revocation is being considered as part of a road trade in which Stearns County would assume jurisdiction over 405th Street between County Road 169 and County State Aid Highway 13 in Section 23 of Melrose Township. Those unable to attend but wanting to submit comments can forward comments to Jodi Teich at 455 28th Avenue South, Waite Park, MN 56387, or by email at jodi.teich@stearnscountymn.gov.

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CORRECTION

Join Us in Worship

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

FREEPORT 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

“The restaurant was open from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m., and we always had two waitresses on at closing,” she said.

Even late at night she was not afraid to walk home six blocks.

“It was a different time back then,” she said. “We didn’t have everything that is going on now.”

The weather didn’t bother her, when it came to walking.

“A couple of times the boss called and said, ‘Don’t come in,’ or they would come and get me,” she said.

She had four sets of bosses and said the tran-

partner for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical markets. They innovate with their customers to create great tasting products, with improved nutrition and functionality, while ensuring better impact for the planet.

It has 147 manufacturing locations world-wide, 49 in North America, including four locations in Minnesota: Albany, Blue Earth, Owatonna, and Rochester.

P3-TFN-RB

sition was smooth when ownership changed from the Sands to Herb and Sandy Eggert, as Hillcrest Family Restaurant, and later Sandy Eggert and sisterin-law Joyce Thull, and in July Terry Torrence, as Bear Crest Lounge and Family Restaurant.

Being organized, knowing her orders and checking her tables was a must. She recalls the Fourth of July this summer, when she was the lone waitress and also was behind the till, with new owner Terry Torrence bussing dishes.

“Terry looked at me and said, ‘how the (heck) did

Singers needed for Grey Eagle chorus’ Advent concert

you do it?’” Baggenstoss said.

When asked how many pairs of shoes she has gone through – working and walking – in the 38 years she said, “Lots,” admitting being on her feet all day was one of the challenging parts of her job.

When asked her favorite food at the restaurant, she said, “Everything.”

She is quick to say what the favorite part of her job was.

“The people, because there was such a variety,” she said. “You listen to their stories and form friendships. I’d walk down the street and horns honked and people waved because they recognized me.”

News BRIEFS

GREY EAGLE – The Grey Eagle Community Chorus will begin rehearsals for its annual Advent concert at 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24, at Grey Eagle United Methodist Church, 30422 County Road 2, Grey Eagle. All area singers are invited to join the group under the direction of Joan Wingert. Wingert has an extensive background in conducting singing groups and teaching music.

All rehearsals begin at 3 p.m. If you cannot make the first rehearsal, the second rehearsal is Sunday, Oct. 1.

The concert will be at 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 3, at Grey Eagle United Methodist Church. Part of the concert program will be “Godspell at Christmas,” a choir cantata written by Stephen Schwartz and arranged by Wingert, the conductor. The remainder of the concert program will include the Grey Eagle community handbell choir and a selection of seasonal choir numbers.

For questions and additional information, contact Robert Kutter, 320-491-5604, or email bkutter@meltel. net.

Baggenstoss, admittedly not one who needs fancy frills, is taking time off before she begins searching for a new job.

“If my needs are met, I’m fine,” she said. She treasures more time to embroider, which she learned from her mother, working on jigsaw puzzles and watching sports.

“I love sports, high school, college and professional,” she said. “I try to make as many Albany High School sports as possible,” which she can walk to if it is a home game.

Chances are, her new job may be within walking distance – and service related.

Stearns Bank acquires majority of Contract Capital Corporation

ST. CLOUD – Stearns Bank N.A., a financial institution in Minnesota, has acquired a majority stake in Contract Capital Corporation.

CCC provides specialized financing services to Managed Service Providers. In addition to Stearns Bank acquiring a majority interest in CCC, Stearns Bank is well-positioned to provide additional capital for CCC to take advantage of the extensive market opportunities for growth and diversification in the Information and Communications Technology industry.

CCC has developed specialized expertise in the fast-evolving ICT landscape as middle market and growth companies opt to deploy their capital in growth investments and acquisitions rather than investing their hard-earned capital into owning and self-managing their technology assets. With the increasing dependency on the most up-to-date technology and high-security data centers, CCC carved out a financing niche for MSPs offering the most evolved technology-as-a-service model. This financing allows MSPs to install, service and manage the mission-critical technology equipment, communication systems, and secure data centers for middle-market and growth companies as they move away from committing capital to own and self-manage their technology to the technology-as-a-service model.

CCC’s specialty financing services add depth and diversification to Stearns Bank’s already strong nationwide financing capabilities, pairing particularly well with Stearns Bank’s nationwide equipment financing division.

In this ever-evolving technological landscape, where the cloud-based industry and managed services are flourishing, technology system updates and cutting-edge cybersecurity are essential for most every business, rather than a nice-to-have luxury for only the largest businesses.

Baggenstoss from page 3

There was an inaccurate statement in the “Pure happiness” article in last week’s The Star Post. Jason Luxem is the assistant to the head groundskeeper at Meadowlark Country Club in Melrose.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Sarah Neuwirth (front, from left), Ashley Borth, Jordan Banister, Amy McGuire, Julianna Kuhn, Cory Klemmer, Oliver Kelly, Della Ludwig and Francis Brady; (back, from left) Tom Kasner, Tom Schneider, Jeff Trout and Christopher Schmitz gather during a check presentation from Kerry North America Sept. 11 at the Albany Elementary media center in Albany. The $10,000 donation kicked off fundraising for the school’s playground addition.

Cory Klemmer (front, from left), Patricia Hansen and Catalina Valencia; (back, from left) Francis Brady, Oliver Kelly, Jeff Trout, Della Ludwig and Christopher Schmitz gather Sept. 11 inside the Kerry North America plant (formerly Kraft-Heinz) in Albany. Kerry North America is the world’s leading taste and nutrition partner for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical markets.

The views expressed by our columnists are the opinions and thoughts of the author and do not reflect the opinions and views of newspaper staff and ownership.

Townships question Holdingford fire service contract length

BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER

The city of Holdingford is proposing a six-year contract with townships in their fire service area. The townships are proposing less.

“We are not signing anything over five years,” Dave Yurczyk, of Holding Township, told council members during their Sept. 11 monthly meeting at Holdingford City Hall in Holdingford. “We’d like a three-year contract but will go with five.”

The Holdingford Fire Department provides fire/ rescue services for Holding, Brockway and Krain townships and the city of Holdingford, with mutual aid calls to Avon and Two River townships.

I was hungry for a poached egg the other day. As a child I hated eating poached eggs. Mom cracked an egg in a dish and then placed it into a pot of simmering water with the lid on until the whites were set and the yolks were still runny. I was —and still am —not a fan of runny yolks, so chances are that’s why I didn’t like poached eggs in my youth, but I’ve grown up and have become acclimated to food I once hated.

Now give me a piece of buttered toast with cinnamon and sugar on top, and I could scarf down more than one slice.

From the Heart

by Carol Moorman

We all have our favorite foods —now and years ago.

Liver and onions was a monthly meal growing up. To this day, I cannot stand even the smell of this food, a favorite for some people I know. I’d turn my nose up at roast beef also. Mom would put the raw roast, potatoes and carrots in her small, oblong, black with white speckles roaster and bake it in the oven. I didn’t have a fondness for any of those three foods, much less when they were all together, but we had to eat what was on our plate — and everything was on the plate.

For those foods I didn’t have a fondness for, I tried hiding them under the side of the plate, but if I got caught it was worse because I had to eat the food cold. You would have thought I would have learned that lesson quickly, but I kept doing it and kept eating cold food.

To this day I cannot eat cooked carrots or cooked peas, but I will eat them raw. It’s similar, but the opposite, with tomatoes. Quite a few times this summer I was offered raw tomatoes and nicely turned them down as I don’t eat raw tomatoes, but give me tomatoes in a hot dish or chili, and it is just fine. Mom loved raw tomatoes, but tomatoes didn’t like her. She was allergic to them in the raw form, with swelling of her throat that blocked her airway. But she could eat tomatoes in hot dishes, on pizza, etc., doing so sparingly just in case her throat started to swell. Dad ate raw tomatoes, putting either salt or sugar on them.

Chicken was on the menu most Sundays growing up. Mom cut up the chicken and fried pieces in flour on the

Favorite foods —or not Time to fire up the stove

The romance of having wood heated stoves and fireplaces forgets about the chores and challenges.

As the homes of the late 19th century came into the 20th century, people’s attitudes about wood heat changed. Part of the reason was that wood was not always readily available just out the back door. If it was, it still took work to make it usable in the house.

As the first quarter of the 20th century rolled around, a new way of heating was promoted to the American consumer, and at least one Albany business was busy getting the word out. The promotion said something about who would be expected to use the stove.

“Every woman is entitled to the convenience and comfort of this new American Gasoline Gas Stove,” proclaimed an ad by Wertin Brothers of Albany. The business promoted a range fueled with gasoline as the best solution to the traditional wood, coal or oil fueled cooking ranges.

“Every objection to the old kitchen range with its dust, dirt, ashes, constant craving for fuel and almost unbelievable heat is overcome in this American stove,” the ad read.

Non-wood burning stoves had been used for a while and people, to some degree, were familiar with using petroleum-based products for lights and heating. Gasoline lighting was common in cities. Oil and/or kerosene lanterns had been in use for more than a century.

One of the advantages gasoline stoves had over wood was better control of the heat. Many recipes of the wood/ coal era gave heating directions of slow, moderate or hot, depending on whether a person was making soups, baked goods or some breads. Gas heating allowed for better and more constant control of the heat.

stove and baked it in that same black roaster in the oven or covered pieces with a Shake and Bake coating and put it on a cookie sheet, which was baked in the oven. Now, if she made homemade chicken noodle soup, that was just fine, as long as I could pick out the cooked carrots.

Who would have thought I was such a picky eater? My Aunt Loretta Didier knew my dislikes but she fooled me anyway. She knew I didn’t like squash, so one day she invited me over for dinner, and she served what she said was pumpkin pie for dessert, and that’s just what it looked like. After I took the first bite she asked me how it tasted and I told her good. Then she told me it was squash pie. She had to eat the rest of that pie piece, and I had to eat my words.

Of course, with most main meals we had meat, potatoes, vegetables and homemade bread, and if it was a Sunday meal, there was homemade pie for dessert. We always sat, as a family in our same chairs, around the kitchen table to eat the food – breakfast, dinner and supper. Prayer before and after the meal was a must, and if any one of us five Moorman children got up before the ending meal prayer was said, we had to do dishes. You see, each of us was assigned a week to wipe dishes, so whomever’s turn it was to wipe dishes was all smiles. Mom always did the dish washing. When we had company for a meal, I would usually be the dish wiper as I didn’t like washing dishes, but thankfully my sisters, Audrey and Laura, would step up to that plate. I was also known to get out of dish duty completely, running to the bathroom when it was time for that task.

Looking back now, it was kind of funny, but I’m sure my sisters didn’t think so at the time, so Audrey and Laura, thank you for putting up with your older sister’s antics.

I’m thankful that even though times were tough sometimes, like many families, we never went without a meal, even if it was often a meal with some type of wildlife entrée. Dad was a good provider, and Mom was a good cook —poached eggs and all.

Currently no contract has been signed by the townships.

According to Mayor Eric Berscheid, 10 years has been the contract length in the past.

Along with their proposed shorter contact time, townships presented a formula for sharing costs, based on recommendations from the League of Minnesota Cities and Township Associations. They felt the current formula was not fair to the townships.

Councilor Jayme Opatz asked if it was the same formula as previously presented, and it was acknowledged it was.

Berscheid said the council had worked with the townships on the formula and split costs down the middle. The townships pointed out most of the calls came from Holdingford.

The council response was most of the calls to the department are for medical calls, and Holdingford has an assisted living facility, which increases the number of calls in the city limits.

“If their numbers are out, there is not much difference,” Berscheid said.

No agreement was reached at the meeting. The city council held firm to its stand that the formula and contract was fair, while townships did not care to sign for more than five years. The city had agreed to seven years at a prior meeting. At this meeting, Berscheid and Opatz agreed they would come down to six years.

The Holdingford council agreed to provide a revised version of the contract for the townships to present at their next township meeting.

Also during the meeting, Keith Hommerding, Holdingford Fire Department chief, presented the year-to-date report. It showed through August the department responded to 108 calls, including three building fires, three car fires, six grass fires and a dumpster fire, nine motor vehicle accidents and 80 rescue/ medical calls. Six calls were canceled. The most calls, 51, were in Holdingford. Township calls came from Holding, 37; Brockway, 14; and Krain, six.

The fire department asked the council to consider increasing the hourly pay of members. Currently the starting wage is $9.50 an hour.

In other council news:

— The council held two separate closed meetings related to two city employees, one for preliminary consideration of allegations against liquor store manager Jared Hillesheim and another to evaluate the performance of James Vouk, part-time grounds and facilities specialist.

Following the meeting on Hillesheim, the council unanimously voted to terminate his employment effective immediately. The specific allegations were not made public.

The American Gasoline Company was familiar with gas stove cooking. Founded in the 1890s in Albert Lea, the company produced the American Kampkook stove, one of the first fossil fuel stoves designed for campsites. It claimed its gasoline gas stove, designed for kitchen use, operated exactly like the Kampkook stove and would be a real blessing to the modern kitchen.

“The smoke, soot, smell and tedious low efficiency of the ordinary oil stove are eliminated because the American (Gasoline Gas Stove) burned a clean blue flame,” the ad stated.

Not everyone was convinced the stove was as perfect as it sounded. While gas ranges and stoves were being used more often in England as an affordable alternative to wood and coal and by European chefs primarily because of the control of heat, in the United States there were various concerns.

Some saw gas as something to be used for lighting and increasingly in automobiles. There were concerns over the taste of the cooked food on the stove, how safe it would be to cook with a gasoline tank on a stove and how they would store the fuel.

The ad addressed those concerns pointing out that a gallon of fuel could run a burner set on high for 16 hours; the container tank was made of brass and burners didn’t clog.

The use of the stove would not only make lighter work for cooking, according to the ad, it would enhance the appeal of the modern kitchen.

“The American Gasoline Gas Stove is neat and symmetrical and finished with black enamel,” boasted the ad. “It is a stove every woman will be proud to own and glad to use.”

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

After the meeting on Vouk, the council voted unanimously to terminate his employment effective immediately based on his performance evaluation.

—Approved thank you resolution for Raymond Bloch who completed his Eagle Scout project replacing Welcome to Holdingford signs. He returned $308.84 of the $1,000 the city had available from insurance for the project.

The project replaced signs that had been damaged. Some of the funding came from insurance. Berscheid asked city staff to see if the newer signs were also insured.

—Two requests for sewer fee forgiveness were approved. The fee is based on water usage. Some residents used large amounts of water to either fill pools or start new seeding and asked that a portion of their fee be forgiven. They also felt a policy regarding requests for sewer forgiveness should be established.

—Welcomed Dave Blommel as the city engineer.

—Passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of cannabis products in public places.

Letters to the editor accepted

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

A Peek at the Past by Herman Lensing

Lady Dutchmen take Park Rapids Invite

Melrose swimmers, divers grab dual victory in winning week

BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER

The Melrose Area Lady Dutchmen girls swimming and diving team earned first place in the three-team Park Rapids Invite Sept. 16 at Park Rapids Area High School in Park Rapids.

The team had 460.5 points. Runner-up Park Rapids finished at 443, and Sauk Centre seized third at 359.5.

“We had good results overall,” said Nathan Meyer, head coach. “Some of our outstanding swims came from younger swimmers.”

Brooke Ruoff, Hallie Drossel, Georgia Anderson and Maddi Kraemer won the 200 medley relay and Jaiden Smith, 2 minutes, 9.8 seconds, and Lauren Reed, 2:10.47, finished in the top two spots in the 200 freestyle. Drossel won the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke by six seconds.

The Lady Dutchmen often finished consecutively, as Anderson and Kraemer took third and fourth in the 100 butterfly; Makayla Zirbes and Reed were third and fourth in the 100 freestyle; Viere and Leah Seanger earned sixth and seventh in the 500 freestyle; Anderson and Nathe grabbed seventh and eighth in the 100 backstroke; and Ella Erdmann and Jaelyn Mayers finished eighth and ninth in the 100 breaststroke.

Theresia Nathe, Bella Kuechle, Josie Eveslage and Elli Dockendorf earned 2-4-5-7 finishes, respectively, out of 15 divers.

The closest race was the 200 freestyle relay, where Drossel, Kraemer, Erdmann and Reed finished at 1:47.88, .23 of a second out of first place.

Melrose results: 200MR: 1. Ruoff, Drossel, Anderson and Kraemer 1:56.42 seconds. 200FS: 2. Smith 2:09.8. 200IM: 1. Drossel 2:18.35. 50FS: 3. Kraemer 26.84. Diving: 2. Nathe 193.35 points. 100FLY: 3. Anderson 1:07.56. 100FS: 3. Zirbes 1:00.36. 500FS: 3. Smith 5:57.6. 200FSR: 2. Drossel, Kraemer, Erdmann and Reed 1:47.88. 100BK: 2. Ruoff 1:04.25. 100BR: 1. Drossel 1:07.61. 400FSR: 3. Smith, Zirbes, Reed and Ruoff 4:03.7. Melrose 139, Minnewaska/Morris 36

Despite the 139-36 Melrose win, there were some close races when the Lady Dutchmen hosted the Minnewaska/ Morris Gators Sept. 12 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose. It started in the first race of the night.

The quartet of Reed, Mayers, Drossel and Ella Klaphake finished first at 2:06.07, .15 of a second faster than the runner-up squad of Anderson, Erdmann, Kraemer and Victoria LaForge and only .61 of a second faster than the third-place time of Zirbes, Madisyn Von Wahlde, Ruoff and Nicole Rademacher.

“We put different kids in different strokes and kind of split up our relays to have a good race, and they did,” Meyer said. “It was a fun way to start the race and gave us some momentum.”

A number of swimmers moved into different events throughout the race, and the Lady Dutchmen generally had first-place finishes. Even in the events they did not take first, they came close.

Wensmann took the lead in the final lap of the 200 individual medley against the Gators’ Lyla Stadtherr but was second by .25 of a second. Nathe took second in diving while Dockendorf and Eveslage earned fourth and fifth.

“We had some good scores tonight, and Minnewaska/ Morris has good divers,” Meyer said.

The 200 freestyle relay mixed experience and youthful potential as Drossel, Anika Berscheit, Von Wahlde and Erdmann swam to a second-place finish.

“They swam well and just about touched out Minnewaska/Morris at the wall,” Meyer said.

In the 100 butterfly, Anderson, first, and Ruoff, third, both had season bests, swimming an event they usually do not swim. The 100 backstroke saw a 1-2-3 finish from Ruoff, Zirbes and Kraemer. In the 100 breaststroke, Drossel was the clear winner while Erdmann, with a 1:21.41, took fourth with a season-best time. Drossel had a season-best time in the 50 freestyle.

“We saw a lot of good things and had a lot of good swims,” Meyer

Huskies soar to fast-paced win over Streeters

Albany football wins second game in a row

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

The Sauk Centre Streeters did not have an answer for Jack Rieland with the open field in front of him.

One glance at the stat sheet does not tell the story; the Albany wide receiver only logged one catch for 31 yards offensively. However, the senior made several unbelievable plays in the area slugfest, returning a kickoff return 84 yards for a touchdown and picking off Sauk Centre quarterback Damian Ahrens and taking it the distance for a 50-yard interception return and score in Albany’s 66-20 win Sept. 15 at Michael Field at Herges Stadium in Albany.

“His offensive performance doesn’t stand out, but his kick return and interception return sparked us into what the game resulted in,” said Mike Ellingson, head coach.

Early on, it was a battle of who could execute better: Sauk Centre’s aerial attack or the physically-imposing run game of the Huskies. Albany scored just over five minutes into the contest on a 50-yard scamper from Joseph Schmitt, but Sauk Centre was ready to match with a 52-yard passing touchdown less than two minutes later.

Then came Rieland’s special teams heroics. The standout athlete made several Streeters miss on his remarkable journey to the end zone, mixing in a few spin moves and ending the play with a touchdown.

“That spun things in our direction and we capitalized

Stadium

defensively and got rolling from there,” Ellingson said.

“That was a huge momentum shift in the game.”

The Streeters did not immediately cede control of the matchup to Albany,

fighting back with another big play in the form of a 68yard touchdown catch from Jay Neubert, who created a deadly receiving duo alongside Jeric Schloegl for the Huskies to deal with.

Albany sweeps Flyers in volleyball

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER kills. Ellery Ehresmann and Paige Lauer shared the top spot in digs with 10 each. Ava Hines was 17-for-18 serving with one ace, Lauer was 13-for-13 serving with one ace and Brynn Panek was 10-for-13 with four aces. Ehresmann had 29 set assists.

The triumph bolstered the Huskies’ record to 11-1 and 2-0 in the conference.

The

“We needed to know where No. 1 (Neubert) and No. 5 (Schloegl) were,” Ellingson said. “It was a good challenge for our boys defensively, and I thought they did a much better job come the third and fourth quarter.”

Albany’s Adam Dennis broke loose for a 25-yard rushing touchdown in the closing minutes of an action-packed first quarter. He totaled 59 yards on the ground in this one, with Schmitt’s 136 yards leading the way for the Huskies’ 326-yard rushing performance as a team.

“It’s honing in and perfecting what we do best and making people try and defend that,” Ellingson said.

“That’s the fun part about playing these games, the chess match that happens.”

The Huskies gained separation in the second quarter. Quarterback

Andrew Olson picked up a 5-yard rushing score and a 37-yard strike to Ethan Meyer within two minutes, with Rieland giving the home crowd another exciting sequence with his pick-six 51 seconds later.

Dennis tallied his second touchdown of the game with 2:13 left in the half, all but putting the game out of reach at 46-14.

“Over the last six quarters, we’ve put together some points, and I think the kids are starting to get more comfortable with the system and each other,” Ellingson said.

Albany outscored Sauk Centre 20-0 in the second half, with Schmitt, Tyler Hoffarth and Carter Fischer finding the end zone for rushing touchdowns.

The Huskies improved to 2-1 with the energetic win and will face the dangerous Pierz Pioneers at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22, at Pierz High School in Pierz. SC 14 6 0 0-20 ALB 19 27 7 13-66 Albany results: Passing: Olson 4-10, 94 yards, 1 TD. Rushing: Schmitt 14 carries-136 yards-2 TDs. Receiving: Meyer 1-37-1.

Chrysler Pacifica

Chrysler Pacifica

Chrysler Pacifica

James Lehner (from left) and Haiden Linn combine to bring down the Sauk Centre ball-carrier Sept. 15 at Michael Field at Herges Stadium in Albany. The Huskies defense struggled early but buckled down in a convincing victory.

Albany quarterback Andrew Olson fakes a handoff on a pass play in the first quarter against Sauk Centre Sept. 15 at Michael Field at Herges Stadium in Albany. Olson threw for 94 yards and a touchdown in a 66-20 win.

in Albany. Meyer’s touchdown was one of four scores for the Huskies in the quarter.

The Albany High School volleyball team traveled to Little Falls and swept the Flyers 3-0 in a Granite Ridge Conference clash Sept. 14 at Little Falls High School in Little Falls.

Huskies won 25-15, 25-12, 25-21. Hannah Klein led the Huskies with 14

Melrose tennis sees week of shutouts

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

The Melrose Area Lady Dutchmen girls tennis team split its two most recent outings and shutouts were the result in both.

The team fell 7-0 to Staples-Motley Sept. 18 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose. It earned a 7-0 win Sept. 12 against Long Prairie-Grey Eagle/Upsala/ Swanville in Melrose

Staples-Motley 7, Melrose 0

All matches were decided in two sets in the Staple-Motley contest, with the doubles units forcing longer matches. Jessica Pohlmann and Anessa Redepenning had 3-6, 2-6 contests at No. 1 doubles and the No. 2 doubles team of Macy Davis and Addison Kemper lost 3-6, 1-6. Rachel Welle and Ramona Lurken-Tvrdik fell 0-6, 2-6 in the third doubles match.

For the singles matches, No. 4 singles Jenna Butkowski scored four wins in her 2-6, 2-6 loss, Alexis Baumann had 0-6, 1-6 losses at first singles and second singles representative Gretta Hellermann and third singles competitor Jada Rausch each had 1-6, 1-6 losses.

Melrose 7, LPGE/U/S 0

Melrose allowed only 11 points in its 7-0 win over LPGE/U/S.

No. 2 singles performer Hellermann and fourth singles player Butkowski took their matches in shutouts. The No. 3 doubles unit of Welle and Lurken-Tvrdik gave

up one point in their 6-0, 6-1 win. Winning with 6-1, 6-1 scores were No. 1 doubles duo Pohlmann and Redepenning and the second doubles grouping of Davis

and Kemper. Baumann, No. 1 singles, and Rausch, No. 3 doubles, had 6-1, 6-2 wins. Melrose’s match at Yellow Medicine East Sept. 14 was halted

Two

Coaching/Advisors:

Albany girls swimming and diving earns 12th at Border Battle

BY MIKE KOSIK STAFF WRITER

The Albany Huskies girls swimming and diving team was among 13 teams who competed in the Border Battle meet Sept. 16 at Hulbert Aquatic Center in West Fargo, North Dakota. The Huskies finished in 12th place with l73 points. First place was won by Sartell-St. Stephen with

by Sands, seconded by Rueter , to approve the August 9, 2023 Regular Meeting minutes,

August 23, 2023 Work Sessions minutes, and the August 28, 2023 Special Meeting minutes as presented. Supported by all present.

seconded by Dirkes to approve the July 2023 Cash Flow Reports as presented.

by all present.

Hansen 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) Gathering Grounds $500.00 BEAT Performing Arts Series American Legion Post 482 $1,000.00 BEAT Performing Arts Series Everything Signs $500.00 BEAT Performing Arts Series Magnifi Financial $500.00 BEAT Performing Arts Series Albany Chrysler Center $2,500.00 BEAT Performing Arts Series Schlenner Wenner & Co $500.00 BEAT Performing Arts Series State Farm - Dina Pierskalla

Avon

City of Albany $750.00

Albany Jaycees $500.00

Summer Recreation

Series

Video Streaming - Athletics

Member Rueter seconded the resolution and upon vote being taken thereon,

The following voted in favor of: All present

And the following voted against: None

Absent: None

Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.

6. Consent Agenda

AFT:

Darcy Ramler - AVE First Grade Teacher

Kristin Wolford - LTS AMS Special Education Teacher

Melissa Rothstein - AHS Special Education Teacher

AFT Lane Change:

Judy Eibensteiner - MA+15 Step 10 to MA+30 Step 10

Katelyn Rusch - MA+15 Step 10 to MA+30 Step 10

Shanna Wahlstrand - BA/BS+30 Step 10 to MA Step 10

Laell Welle - MA+15 Step 6 to MA+30 Step 6

Peter Maas - MA Step 7 to MA+30 Step 8

Tim Coleman - MA Step 10 to MA+15 Step 10

Melissa Johnson - MA+15 Step 10 to MA+30 Step 10

AESP:

Tiffany Bjork - AVE K-5 Paraprofessional

Courtney Engelmeyer - AVE EC Paraprofessional

Wendy Gill - Summer Custodian

Breighana Dirkes - AMS Paraprofessional

Ashley Lange - AVE EC Paraprofessional

Samantha McLaren - ALE K-5 Paraprofessional

Peyton Dirkes - AVE K-5 Paraprofessional

Michaela Bergeron - AHS Paraprofessional

Matthew Wielenberg - AMS/AHS Custodian

Faith Borgerding - Kids Company PreK Camp & WAC Site Leader

Tammie Ebensteiner - AHS Paraprofessional

Breanne Skroch - AHS Paraprofessional

Shelby Engebretson - AVE K-5 Paraprofessional

AESP Payroll Change:

Lindsay Herdering - AHS Paraprofessional, 4 days/week to 1 day/week

Megan Buttweiler - AVE Kids Company PreK Site Leader to Kids Company Assistant

At Will:

Aubrey O’Malley - Director of Transportation

LOA:

by rain and is tentatively scheduled to be played Wednesday, Sept. 20, in Granite Falls.

Alisa Schmidt - Concessions Coordinator

Mary Sand - JV/JH Girls’ Soccer Coach

Amber Swarthout - JV2 Volleyball Coach

Community Education:

BECC Supervisor - Nathan Sand, Brianna Dotseth, Rowan Ellingson

HSP/Fundamentals - Mason Bierbaum, Makaela Zierden, Peter Maas, Aaron Schwenzfeier

Volleyball Camp - Kaesha Madden

Football Camp - Steve Schiffler, James Mader, Dave Huberty, Mike Ellingson, Todd Kuhn, Jake Gagne, Zach Dingmann, Brian Bierbaum

Dance Camp - Olivia Maus, Sarah Amberg

Resignations:

Molly Luzier - AVE First Grade Teacher, effective August 7, 2023

Rineke van de Ree - AVE K-5 Paraprofessional, effective August 15, 2023

Jean Kollodge - ALE Paraprofessional, effective September 1, 2023

Amy Engelmeyer - ALE Food Service Aide, effective September 5, 2023

Job Description: Grounds & Outdoor Facilities Coordinator

The following checks were issued in paying claims: Wire transfers and checks 105608 - 105884

Expenditures: 01 General Fund $1,233,246.53

02 Food Services $37,088.10

04 Community Services $90,450.71

06 Building Construction $369,047.86

Motion by Hansen, seconded by Rueter to approve the September 2023 Consent Agenda as presented. Supported by all present.

7. Reports

7.1 Student Representatives - Oath of Office Board members and attendees welcomed Ben Christman, Allison Hahn, Shelby Horning, and Nick Merdan to the board. The new Student Board Representatives took their oath and participated in their first board meeting.

7.2 Student Representatives

7.3 Purple Pride

8. Business

8.1 Enrollment Report

8.2 Adoption and Certification of Proposed Tax Levy

Motion by Hansen, seconded by Dirkes to adopt and certify the proposed tax levy. Supported by all present.

8.3 Set Truth in Taxation Public Meeting

Motion by Dirkes, seconded by Rueter to set the date for December 13th, 2023, at 6 p.m. in the district office board room at the secondary school. Supported by all present.

8.4 Lease Agreement Between Albany Area Gymnastics Association and Albany Area Schools

Motion by Sands, seconded by Sand to approve the lease agreement between AAGA and Albany Area Schools. Supported by all present.

8.5 COVID Plan Review and Approval

Motion by Hansen, seconded by Dirkes to approve Albany Area Schools 2023-2024 COVID Plan. Supported by all present.

8.6 Memorandum of Understanding regarding Girls’ Gymnastics Coaches 2023-2024

Motion by Rueter, seconded by Sands to approve the MOU as presented. Supported by all present.

8.7 Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Girls’ Soccer Coaches 2023-2024

Motion by Hansen, seconded by Dirkes to approve the MOU as presented. Supported by all present.

8.8 Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Relocation Fees

Motion by Rueter, seconded by Hansen to approve the MOU as presented. Supported by all present.

8.11.2 418 Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School 8.11.3 419 Tobacco-Free Environment; Possession and Use of Tobacco, Tobacco-Related Devices, and Electronic Delivery Devices; Vaping Awareness and Prevention Instruction

8.11.10 513 Student Promotion,

9. Committee Reports The Fifth Monday meeting took place on August 24, 2023. There was discussion about the cost per mile for gravel and tar roads and the changes in transportation within the district.

10. Superintendent Report After much work on making major adjustments to the transportation model for the district due to staffing challenges, the start to the school year was rather smooth. In all buildings we are focused this year on working with teachers to reflect on their practices and find ways to grow as teachers.

In our Elementary buildings, we are working with a new program called Catalyst that is focused on helping teachers communicate more clearly, effectively, and efficiently with students in order to maximize instructional time and reduce the amount of time correcting or redirecting students.

11. Adjournment Agenda completed at 7:20 p.m., a motion to adjourn was made by Member Dirkes, seconded by Member Rueter. Supported by all present. Amy Sand, Clerk

P-38-1B

PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING

Gretta Hellermann reaches for the ball during a return Sept. 12 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose. Hellermann was one of two Lady Dutchmen to win with a shutout.

Melrose girls soccer falls twice

BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER

The Park Rapids girls soccer team found ways to get past the Melrose Area Lady Dutchmen defense, scoring on four breakaway goals to win 4-0 Sept. 16 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose.

The Lady Dutchmen did have scoring opportunities with a number of shots fired close to the goal, but they could not get them into the net.

Natalie Ambriz Botello led the team with eight shots on goal. Melrose goalie Tia Primus had 18 saves. SJP 3, Melrose 0

The Lady Dutchmen fell 3-0 to St. John’s Prep Sept. 15 at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph.

Primus had 10 saves. Melrose had chances to score, with Ambriz Botello recording six shots on goal.

Football cannot stop Thunder Hawks

Montevideo run game stifles Melrose

BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER

The Melrose Area Dutchmen football team fell 33-7 to Montevideo Sept. 15 at Montevideo High School in Montevideo.

The Dutchmen stopped the Thunder Hawks on their first drive, as Jose De Los Santos Morales intercepted a pass in the end zone. Melrose followed that play up with another strong one, creating a hole for Anthony Berscheit, who carried the ball to the Montevideo 47-yard-line.

The rest of the quarter was a defensive struggle, with the teams finishing the first quarter tied 0-0.

Montevideo established its ground game in the second quarter to take a 20-0 lead into halftime. The Thunder Hawks finished with over 300 yards rushing.

The Dutchmen had one of their best drives at the start of the third quarter. Runs by Berscheit, who gained 74 yards; and Jackson Mayers, who had 36 yards; passes from Logan Schad and catches by Sam Wehlage, Isaac Rosenberger and Hudson Bitz moved the ball into Montevideo territory.

Wehlage capped that drive by taking a handoff and running 17 yards into the end zone to end the shutout. Schad followed with the point-after kick.

The Dutchmen then held Montevideo out of the end zone until the fourth quarter.

Most of the game, though, Melrose was playing defense. Besides De Los Santos Morales’ interception, the team had a 2-yard sack by Riley Elfering. The Thunder Hawks added a rushing and passing touchdown in the final quarter, usually running the ball and getting into the Dutchmen’s defensive backfield.

Berscheit and Brady Kuhlmann each participated in nine tackles. Elfering, Ryan Gysberg, Berscheit and Kuhlmann all had tackles for loss.

The Dutchmen are 0-3 overall and 0-2 in the Mid Northwest White District standings. They play Sauk Centre at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 22 at Sauk Centre High School in Sauk Centre.

ALBANY BOWLING CENTER

Dutchmen soccer continues interesting streak

Melrose wins first home game of season

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

The Melrose Area Dutchmen boys soccer team topped St. John’s Prep 2-1 Sept. 14 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose, ending a victory drought.

The win, the team’s second of the year, was the first in 19 straight home matches for the Dutchmen. The last time they won in Melrose was Sept. 22, 2022, in a 3-0 decision over Minnewaska Area.

The Dutchmen controlled the ball and pace of the game and exploited an opening in the SJP defense. All game long, Melrose sent passes downfield for Alexis Ambriz Becerra, Alonso Montañez Martinez or Brandon Sanchez to run to. All three had repeated shots on goal.

“We have a couple that are quick, and we are getting them to use that a little more,” said Mauricio Perez, Jr., head coach.

It was a credit to SJP goalie Charlie Wang that Melrose did not have more goals. Interestingly, the first Dutchmen goal, coming at 28:41 of the first period, was not set up by passes.

Montanez Martinez stole the ball in the SJP end and worked himself into a one-on-one with the goalie and punched it into the net. It was the kind of focus Perez had been waiting for all year.

“We’ve been telling them one of the main things

Miguel

Brandon Sanchez sends the ball in front of the goal Sept. 14 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose. Sanchez scored an unassisted corner kick goal in Melrose’s game against Minnewaska Area Sept. 12.

is intensity, and they are getting the hang of it,” he said. On the other end of the field, Melrose’s defense limited SJP scoring chances. Goalie Adan Lara Ambriz had 12 saves in the game. “I was confident in my defense that they would

stop my opponents that come in our area,” Lara Ambriz said.

SJP tied the score with 22:30 in the first half, putting the ball in off a rebounded save by Lara Ambriz. Three of their shots-on-goal came in the flurry.

Melrose kept up the

pressure but could not get the ball past Wang until the second half. With 16:59 left, Sanchez sent a high kick over the SJP defense. Montañez Martinez raced past defenders to the ball and pushed it past Wang for the lead.

The lead held up, giving the Dutchmen the win and creating another streak. It was the third consecutive home game Melrose has not lost. The team had tied 1-1 in its two previous home games this year.

Melrose 1, Minnewaska Area 1

The Dutchmen and Minnewaska Area played to a 1-1 tie Sept. 12 at home.

Sanchez scored 90 seconds into the contest, giving the Dutchmen a 1-0 lead. He kicked the ball in from a corner kick without an assist.

Minnewaska Area tied the score 15 minutes into the second half.

Adan Lara Ambriz finished with 10 saves.

Albany girls earn 12th at Lucky Lindy

BY MIKE KOSIK STAFF WRITER

The Albany Huskies girls cross-country team nished 12th among 23 teams at the Lucky Lindy Invitational Sept. 14 at Little Falls Country Club in Little Falls.

Eva Lundgren crossed the finish line at 20:13.5 seconds to finish 29th among 162 runners.

The next four runners

finishing for the team score were Tessa Lundgren, 60th, 21:33.7; Laina Kalthoff, 72nd, 22:02.1; Bella Schiffler, 73rd, 22:02.7; and Sydney Dingmann, 117th, 23.29.7.

Alexandria finished rst with a score of 78. Albany’s score was 331.

In the boys race, Carter Schwalbe finished first for the Huskies, coming in 12th overall in a field of 171 runners with a time of 16:37.3. Also finishing for Albany was Keegan Eibensteiner, 79th, 18:19.5;

The Huskie boys did not have

a

Finishing

Lady Dutchmen cross-country 3rd at NLS

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

The Melrose Area girls cross-country team took third at the Little Crow Invitational Sept. 14 at Little Crow Golf Resort in Spicer.

The team earned 153 points without a top-10 finisher. Redwood Valley, with four in the top 10, had 37 points to take first out of 14 teams.

Maria Hinnenkamp’s 21-minute, 11.29-second finish gave her 12th place in the field of 101 runners. Danica Kerzman clocked in at 21:34.91, taking 17th place.

Three others finished the race in under 25 minutes. Kaitlyn Klasen’s 23:02.25 was 32nd, Zoe Hoeschen came in at 23:17.88 for 39th place and a 24:16.51 effort brought

Greta Von Wahlde to 57th place. Von Wahlde’s finish was crowded, as three runners finished within 1.06 seconds of each other.

The top finish was 18:57.97 by St. John Prep’s Olivia Pauly.

The Melrose boys team’s best time was 18:51.37 by Tim Wilwerding, who earned 40th out of 103 runners. SJP’s Nick Hanson, 15:59.03, was first.

SJP had the top two finishes but Dassel-Cokato took first out of 15 schools with 68 points. Melrose Area was 13th with 307 points. The other Dutchmen runners were somewhat grouped, as Sawyer Frieler, 20:17; Malachi Piche, 20:20.40; Sullivan Stumler, 20:29.89; and Isaiah Zink, 20:39.24, finished 64th, 65th, 67th and 71st, respectively.

PHOTOS BY HERMAN LENSING

Abonce Garcia moves the ball around a Minnewaska Area defender Sept. 12 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose. Abonce Garcia’s drives helped set up Dutchmen scoring chances.

Collin Goebel, 102nd, 18:46.6; and Mason Plumski, 106th, 18:50.3.

PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON

Albany’s Keegan Eibensteiner races near a pack in the Lucky Lindy Invitational Sept. 14 at the Little Falls Golf Course in Little Falls. He was the second runner from the Albany boys team to finish.

(Left) Tessa Lundgren races to the finish line in the Lucky Lindy Invitational Sept. 14 at Little Falls Country Club in Little Falls. The Albany girls finished 12th among 23 teams.

a full team competing in the race.

first among 25 teams was Perham with

score of 65.

Neutzling, Schoenberg enter hall of fame

Area baseball contributors remember careers at ceremony

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

The area amateur baseball community saw two members inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame Sept. 16 at River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.

Jeff Neutzling, an Albany Area High School graduate, former University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Golden Gopher, Avon Laker and Dassel resident; and Randy Schoenberg, a Spring Hill native, former Spring Hill Charger and manager and Melrose Area High School graduate were members of the 2023 class. Others inducted were Dean Brinkman, Sleepy Eye; Mark Davis, St. Peter; Dave Fischer, Pierz; and Jeff Wollin, Litchfield.

Brothers Warren and Wayne Cook of Sleepy Eye and Redwood Falls, respectively, were inducted as the Glenn Carlson Award inductees for their work as organizers, coaches, promoters, writers and umpires.

Neutzling and Schoenberg mentioned how the induction was a tribute to the support shown by families and communities.

Randy Schoenberg (left) and Jeff Neutzling (right) hold their certificates of induction into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame Sept. 16 at River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. They were inducted as members at the association’s 60th annual banquet.

Both had favorite memories of a specific game. For Neutzling, he talked about an exhibition game late in his career while playing with the Dassel-Cokato Saints.

The Dassel team was trailing and ran out of pitchers. Neutzling volunteered to pitch and was eventually put on the mound.

“As the baseball gods would have it, we made a comeback and at the end of the game. The winning pitcher was Jeff Neutzling,”

he said.

The opponent was the Cold Spring Springers, who had often drafted Neutzling as a catcher for post-league play. Neutzling played on two of Cold Spring’s state championship teams.

“I had been drafted by them many, many times and threw a lot of batting practice to them,” he said.

“I think I got their number.”

For Schoenberg, there were two memories that stood out. One was the game where he and his son

Girls swimming and diving finish strong at Milaca invite

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER

The Holdingford High School swimming and diving team had a strong finish at the Milaca Invitational, placing fourth among six teams Sept. 16 at Milaca High School in Milaca.

The Huskers had one third-place finish and four fourth-place finishes.

Foley finished first with 390 points while Holdingford had 170 points.

Volleyball team

Shawn hit back-to-back home runs.

“His just went over the fence; obviously, mine cleared the trees,” he said.

The other was an upset win over then defending state champion Sobieski in the state tournament. His son Austin pitched in that game.

Schoenberg summed up his acceptance by saying, “I am humbled and honored to accept this award, and congratulations to my fellow inductees.”

Melrose girls tame Tigers in exciting match

Volleyball sweeps

MACA

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

The Melrose Area volleyball team played one of its best matches of the season, defeating Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta 3-0

Sept. 14 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose.

“After a few losses, we worked in practice and stepped it up a lot,” said Kaylee Ellering, who had six kills. “We worked well

as a team and we played well. Having all players on tonight, that worked well for all of us.”

Isabelle Jaenicke led the offensive attack with nine kills. When she was not hitting, Hannah Hoppe put down seven kills or the ball went to Ellering and Alea Berscheid for six kills each.

The win gives Melrose a 5-5 record overall and a 3-3 record in the West Central Conference.

“It took a couple of weeks with some close five-set losses,” said Emily

Huskies rebound from first loss, defeat Crookston

Pelzer records hat trick at Melrose soccer invitational

BY HERMAN LENSING & MIKE KOSIK STAFF WRITERS

Albany’s Savanna Pelzer found three goals in the Huskies girls soccer team’s 3-0 win over Crookston Sept. 16 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose.

Pelzer gave Albany a 1-0 first-half lead, scoring after she and a Crookston defender collided going for the ball about 10 minutes into the game.

Consistent offensive pressure by Albany and good defense kept the score at that margin when the half ended. In the second half, Pelzer took the ball on a breakaway, getting ahead of defenders and beating the goalie for her second goal.

The third goal came as Madison Fischer passed the ball ahead to an open spot. Pelzer picked it up on the run and got clear for a third goal.

On the other end of the field, goalie Alyssa Sand handled all 12 of Crookston’s shots at the net to maintain the shutout. Following these saves, Albany’s defense cleared the ball to the offense, who finished with 14 shots on goal. Cathedral 4, Albany 0

The Huskies lost their first match of the season when they hosted Cathedral Sept. 12 at Michael Field at Herges Stadium in Albany.

The Crusaders scored three goals in the first half and added a single goal in the second to win 4-0.

Sand had 26 saves for Albany.

Albany had one shot on goal, which came in the first half. Cathedral came into the match with one loss on the season against five wins.

Reller, head coach. “They helped us with some things we needed to tweak.”

Melrose kept a gamelong lead for a 25-20 first-set win. In the second set, Ellering gave the Lady Dutchmen a 10-point serving run that sealed a 25-13 win. Ellering finished the night hitting 20 of 22 serves with an ace. Ria Nelson, who had an ace serve, hit on 12 of 13 serves, and Berscheit was 11-for-12 serving.

“Everything was working well,” Reller said. “Everyone was being consistent and making smarter plays.”

The team handled everything MACA sent to them. Ellering led the team with 19 digs and Allie Hoppe had 12 digs.

The final set was again back and forth and stood 16-15 in favor of Melrose when it gave the ball to Ellering. She served the team to a 21-16 lead, setting up a 25-18 match-winning victory.

“We have a lot of girls who do really well if we can maintain that consis-

tency,” Reller said. “Our hitting was on, our defense was on and everyone played well.”

Minnewaska Area 3, Melrose 2

The Lady Dutchmen’s 3-2 loss Sept. 12 at Minnewaska Area High School in Glenwood was a night of redemption and frustration.

Rebounding from a 2517 loss, Melrose won 25-20 in set two only to be edged 25-19 in the third set. Down 20-16 in the fourth set, the team forced a fifth set with a 27-25 win. Minnewaska Area jumped out to a five-point lead in the finale, taking a 15-11 win and the match.

Allie Hoppe, 23 serves, and Avery Birch, 13 serves, had perfect nights from the line. Hannah Hoppe led the team with three aces.

Hannah Hoppe brought 14 points to the team with kills. Nelson aided the effort with 34 assists. Defensively, Berscheit had six blocks and Allie Hoppe came through in the back row with 25 digs.

High

defeats

ACGC in 5 sets

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER

The Holdingford Huskers volleyball team won 3-2 against Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City in a Central Minnesota Conference matchup Sept. 14 at Holdingford High School in Holdingford.

The Huskers took the first set 25-20 but dropped the second 26-24. They came back to win the final two, 2520, 25-21.

“The girls are putting it together and are currently on a four-game win streak and playing like a true team,” said Molly Klatt, head coach. “It’s nice to see them finally finding their groove.”

Maddy Mitchell led the team in serves with 21, while Brooke Soltis had three aces. Mitchell also had 71 set assists. Makenna Hohbein was the team leader in kills with 24 and digs with 14. Addy Pilarski had four blocks.

Holdingford 3, Osakis 2

It was a record-setting

night for the Huskers Sept. 12, as Hohbein broke the school record for kills in one match with 32. The previous record was held by her sister, Riley, with 25.

The night also saw the Huskers defeat the Osakis Silverstreaks 3-2 at Osakis High School in Osakis.

“It was a great night all around, and I could not be more proud of my team for helping Makenna reach this milestone,” Klatt said.

The Huskers won the first two sets 25-13, 28-26. The Silverstreaks came back to win the next two 25-20, 26-24 to tie the match. Holdingford won the fifth game, 15-10, to take the win.

Hohbein, in addition to being the team’s kill leader, also had the most digs with 18. Pilarski had 25 serves and Soltis had three aces to lead the team in those categories. Hohbein had 79 set assists and the team’s lone block.

Football downs Cathedral in drubbing

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER

The Holdingford Huskers started scoring in the first quarter and never stopped on their way to a 46-13 football win over the Cathedral Crusaders Sept. 15 at Holdingford High School in Holdingford.

Holdingford scored a touchdown in the opening quarter and added 22 points in the second for a 28-7 halftime lead.

Holdingford’s first touchdown was on a 16-yard pass play from quarterback Drew Lange to Masyn Patrick. Luke Bieniek added the next two second-quarter touchdowns, a 34-yard run and a 2-yard plunge. The ensuing two-point conversions were good by Kolton Harren and Bieniek.

Bieniek had a hand in the next touchdown, the third of the second quarter, but this one was on a pass play to Patrick covering 36 yards.

Bieniek’s third touchdown of the game came in the third quarter on a 70-yard run.

Lange ran the ball in from 10 yards out for a 40-7

lead nearing the end of the third quarter. Jaxon Bartkowicz put the final points on the board for Holdingford with a 1-yard run into the end zone.

“The kids are executing well,” said Luke Mitchell, head coach.

Lange threw for 140 yards and one touchdown and no interceptions on eight of 13 attempts. Bartkowicz was 2-for-2 passing for 42 yards and no interceptions and Bieniek was 1-for-1 for 36 yards and a touchdown.

Patrick led Holdingford’s receivers with three catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Bieniek and Beau Johnson each had three receptions for 42 yards each. Mavrick Novitzki caught one pass for 31 yards.

Bieniek carried the ball nine times for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Lange had 10 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown and Patrick had four for 39 yards.

The Huskers travel to 0-3 Maple Lake Friday, Sept. 22.

CTH 0 7 0 6-13 HOL 6 22 12 6-46

PHOTOS BY HERMAN LENSING