Sauk Centre Herald 9-21-2023

See you at the parade

Bear Trap Bear

still catching customers still customers

Bar founded by Walker, Vogt celebrates 40 years

BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER

Felling to be grand marshal at NDSCS homecoming

BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER

What started as one college’s enrollment error in 1962 led to Mike Felling leading fundraising efforts at the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota – and that, in turn, has led to him being selected as the grand marshal for the college’s homecoming parade Saturday, Oct. 7. While Felling does not consider his contributions to have been that great at NDSCS, he is honored to be a part of this celebration and has already heard from people looking forward to his arrival.

“(Wahpeton) is a small town,” Felling said. “People I knew when I stayed there and people I didn’t know, they called me up and said, ‘See you at the parade.’”

After graduating from Sauk Centre High School, Felling joined the Army from 195760; he was stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and toured Germany. He then enrolled at Dunwoody Institute for Graphic Arts in Minneapolis in 1961, but by August, a couple of months after he had completed the paperwork and paid the fees, he was informed he would not be able to attend. The school had over-accepted for the 1961-62 school year and had decided to prioritize students from the Twin Cities area, but they encouraged Felling to re-enroll in 1962.

That was when Felling was approached by a Sauk Centre friend who had another suggestion.

“Dick Schwartz says, ‘You should’ve gone to Wahpeton anyway; it’s a better school and it runs like a junior college,’ so that’s what I did.”

Felling studied graphic arts while in NDSCS, and he was recruited to their football team, the Wildcats, in his first year. He was one of several people on the team who had previously served in the military.

Felling page 3

It has been 40 years since friends and classmates Barry Walker and Steve Vogt decided to see what it was like behind the bar, establishing the Bear Trap just north of Sauk Centre. Today, while city limits now enclose the bar and the ownership has changed once, not much else has changed about the longstanding establishment – and for Pat Winters, the Bear Trap’s current owner, that is a good thing, a testament to its founders and the people who supported them.

“It’s always going to be the Bear Trap, and no matter what happens, I want people to always associate the Bear Trap with Barry and Linda (Walker),” Winters said. “They put everything into this place, …(and) I never want to lose that tie back to the 35 years before I took over. I never want to walk in here and not see Barry’s mark on the place, no matter what.”

Bear Trap page 3

Overcoming the stigma together

September recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month

BY HANS LAMMEMAN | STAFF WRITER

People in every community across the globe have their own challenges with mental health. Facing internal battles is part of the human condition, yet the topic is often stigmatized and not spoken about openly.

The Central Minnesota Mental Health Center recently launched a campaign to raise awareness about its crisis service hotline for individuals in Benton, Stearns, Sherburne and Wright counties.

The crisis number, 320-253-5555, is available to anyone seeking help, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

CMMHC wants individuals struggling with mental health to know they are not alone. The project’s tagline clearly depicts its mission: “If life is not OK, it’s OK to call. Any time. Any reason.” Mental health organizations across the country recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Month.

Mental health page 2

Harvesting begins

Dust flies as potato harvesting commences Sept. 18 in Sauk Centre. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the condition of potatoes in Minnesota is 59% good and 26% excellent; corn is 35% fair, 33% good and 8% excellent, and soybeans are 36% fair, 38% good and 8% excellent.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

A photo of Cody Randall sits on a table lining the sidewalk at the Eagle’s Healing Nest campus during the 2023 Panda Project July 24 in Sauk Centre. The 2023 event was the third annual Panda Project fundraiser at the Eagle’s Healing Nest.

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK

Pat Winters gets out the welcoming bear statue at the Bear Trap Sept. 18 in Sauk Centre. The Bear Trap was founded in August 1983 by Barry Walker and Steve Vogt. (Top) The Bear Trap sits ready for the next day’s business Sept. 18 in Sauk Centre. The building was formerly the Eagle Inn restaurant.

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK

At his home in Sauk Centre Aug. 31, Mike Felling gets out a photo of the North Dakota State College of Science 1962 football team, of which he was a member, when they were inducted into the college’s sports hall of fame around 2013. Felling went to NDSCS in 1962 after the Dunwoody Institute for Graphic Arts in Minneapolis over-enrolled.

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK

Samuel J. Braun and Alicia M. Whelan

Jim and Sheryl Braun, of rural Greenwald, announce the engagement of Captain

Samuel J. Braun, United States Air Force, to Alicia M. Whelan, of Savannah, Georgia, daughter of Dr. Christopher and Julie Whelan.

An Oct. 7, 2023, wedding will occur at the historic St. John’s Basilica in Savannah. The couple will return briefly to Charleston, South Carolina, before being stationed in Anchorage, Alaska.

Jonah Isaac Uphus

Isaac and Jill Uphus, of Sauk Centre, are happy to announce the birth of their son, Jonah Isaac Uphus, at 7:39 a.m., Aug. 8, 2023.

He weighed 9 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 21 inches long. Jonah was welcomed home by his siblings, Elijah, Micah and Sophia.

Grandparents are Joe and Kate Uphus, of Sauk Centre; and Rob and Mary Gruber, of Sauk Centre.

Great-grandparents are Rose Uphus, of Sauk Centre;

Mental health from front

It is another reminder to check in on family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances who may be struggling.

Just over three years ago, Bill Musel and Vicki Randall received news their 28-year-old son, Cody, died by suicide while in Alaska.

Samuel J. Braun and Alicia M. Whelan

Grandparents are Robert and the late Irene Braun, of Melrose; and the late Arden and Mary Lehman, of Sauk Centre.

PH-38-1F

Cody had struggled with mental health and depression while stationed at Fort Richardson with the U.S. Army in Anchorage for three years.

Musel said talking about Cody brings a flood of emotions. Having someone to talk to, he said, makes all the difference for individuals going through rough times.

“I can start talking about Cody, and just the littlest thing will just choke me up,” Musel said. “It’s just the emotion that’ll come over you — you have to get a hold of that somehow, and sometimes you don’t. Sometimes it’s OK to cry and for people to see that.”

While the first year was particularly difficult for Cody’s loved ones, his parents connected with Melony Butler at the Eagle’s Healing Nest, a Sauk Centre-based non-profit organization that provides housing and ser-

vices for veterans and active service members in need.

Although the couple is from Crow Wing County, they quickly found a support system in Stearns County at the Eagle’s Healing Nest consisting of people from across the country who provided sympathy when needed most.

While still mourning, Vicki and Musel helped organize The Panda Project, an annual event hosted at the Eagle’s Healing Nest’s campus to help raise awareness about veteran suicide. Musel said the fundraiser honored Cody and was named after his favorite animal.

This past July marked the project’s third year, drawing in more than 300 attendees and raising about $30,000 for their cause.

With the support of

friends and family, Musel said he and Vicki turned a heart-wrenching tragedy into a cause that would ultimately raise awareness and tens of thousands of dollars to help prevent others from experiencing the terrible impacts of mental health crises.

“Doing things in the community, helping in the community and doing fundraisers for different things was just like second nature to us,” Musel said. “That’s how it was born, and it was actually very therapeutic.”

The Rev. Vince Lieser, a pastor in central Minnesota since 1967, has comforted families struggling with the loss of a loved one due to suicide.

Lending an ear, Lieser said, is among the most powerful gestures one can do to a family dealing with such

difficulties.

“People have come to me for different concerns and needs in the parishes where I’ve served, especially when I was in Melrose,” he said. “There were a number of suicides. Just listening to people and being with families who have experienced suicide brought me to deal more directly with that reality.”

Lieser said the topics of suicide and mental health could be challenging to discuss because of the pain surrounding the subjects. However, he and Musel said it is essential to confront the matter head-on.

“There’s a lot of stigma attached to suicide,” Lieser said. “There is a lot of dealing with the question why and no answers. There can be a lot of shame connected to it. It is a difficult reality to face.”

Musel said to look for signs that individuals are struggling — isolation or drastic personality changes. If something seems off, he said, ask them about it.

“If you have a reason to think someone is thinking about taking their own life, you don’t beat around the bush,” Musel said. “You come right out and ask that person, have you thought about taking your own life? You ask them point blank.”

Lieser said mental health was discussed even less in past decades, leaving people to endure internal suffering alone.

Now that people are generally more aware and willing to speak on the subject, communities play a vital role in helping their affected neighbors heal.

“The first step is not to just end judgment, but to listen and try to understand what’s going on with the other person and what their issues are,” Lieser said.

Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or contemplating suicide, there are services to help. Call 911 for emergency services, go to the nearest hospital emergency room, or call or text 988 for 24-hour, confidential support for anyone in crisis or emotional distress.

volleyball team? I really love my team this year. I appreciate how well we mesh together and how hard everybody works Every practice or team bonding activity with them is a blast. I can honestly say this is the most welcoming, friendly and goofy team that I have ever been a part of.

What has been the highlight of your volleyball career? I was extremely lucky to dress varsity my Sophomore year when we won the state championship I will always remember that experience, and it was great to get a taste of something that seemed so unachievable at the time That season is a reminder that hard work and teamwork is the key to accomplishing great things

What other activities are you involved in at school? I am also involved in the Student Council, Captains and Leaders, the Stearns County Task Force and Track and Field as a 3200-meter runner. Why do you feel it’s important to be involved in school activities? I am a big advocate for joining school act

ve, and it’s a fun chance for students to get creative with their teammates and peers How do you try to make a difference at school? I make a difference at school by getting involved in Student Council and Captains and Leaders Being a leader is really important. If you see something that can be done better, you can make that change happen by stepping up and using your voice What SC teacher/coach has made an impact on your life?

I could list off so many, but my track coaches, Mr. Metcalf and Mrs Wehrman, definitely stand out. Mrs Wehrman is a great teacher and person all around She is also really good at holding me accountable, which we all need from time to time As for Mr. Metcalf, he couldn’t be goofier or more supportive Track practice would be miserable without him so we are really lucky to have him around What has been your favorite class to date? I really love all of my Spanish classes with Sra. Buysse She works so hard on her lessons every day and she cares so much about her students I have also been pretty lucky to have a lot of fun people in my Spanish classes

re are plenty of silly memories I can recall from my last two

asses

at are three words that describe your personality? Three words that I can think of are ambitious, kind and optimistic

HAVE A GREAT SEASON STREETERS!

SAUK CENTRE • 320.352.5211 LONG PRAIRIE • PELICAN RAPIDS WWW.MN-BANK.BANK

Jonah Isaac Uphus MaryAnn Polipnick, of Sauk Centre; and Marcella Eibensteiner, of Elrosa.

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK

The Walk for Scars sets off from Melrose the morning of Sept. 16, on their way to the Stearns County Fairgrounds in Sauk Centre. The walk was organized by the Twedt family of Sauk Centre to bring attention to the support needed for mental health issues.

Bear Trap from front

Vogt too is proud of the bar’s legacy, its current ownership and its firm place in the community.

“In the bar business, you never know,” Vogt said. “There’ve been a few coming and going, but Barry did a wonderful job with it and was very personable and good to the customers, and handing it over to Pat was a good move.”

Walker and Vogt were classmates and athletes at Sauk Centre High School, and they were roommates while studying at St. Cloud State University and when they returned to Sauk Centre after college. Some of their late-night discussions turned toward what it would be like to go into a different line of work.

“We were both in jobs we weren’t satisfied with and were looking for something new,” Vogt said. “We figured, we’d spent a little time in the bars, so we might as well get on the other side and serve some drinks.”

Then, a former flea market building, formerly the Eagle Inn restaurant, came up for sale north of the Sauk Centre city limits. Walker and Vogt bought the place, and they and their family and friends did most of the work in restoring the building and remodeling the kitchen, only contracting out some carpentry and the construction of the original straight bar.

“We didn’t have to

Felling from front

“I never played any sports in high school,” Felling said. “(At NDSCS,) Ed Pflipsen took me and said, … “We’re going over to the football stadium. I want to introduce you to the coach because you’re going to play football for science hall.’ I said, ‘I’ve never played football.’ (He said,) ‘You can play, I know you can.’”

Some members of the football team would go on to play for North Dakota State University, and the team would be inducted into the NDSCS sports hall of fame around 2013. This

demolish a lot,” Vogt said.

“We just fixed things up and remodeled and added onto the back.”

Vogt and Walker had some trouble getting their liquor license for the Bear Trap because of pushback from other bars in Sauk Centre, but the Stearns County commissioners and the Stearns County Township board were in favor of the business, so it went ahead.

The Bear Trap first opened Aug. 11, 1983. Vogt remembers the day because it was a Thursday night when the men’s golf league was playing at the Old Course in Sauk Centre.

“It was a hot summer night, and we didn’t know what to expect,” Vogt said. “We had this little air conditioner in there that we thought was good enough, but the place became packed – much to our surprise and delight – and the air conditioning couldn’t keep up, so we had to open the doors a bit to get some air in there.”

Walker and Vogt coowned the bar for a couple of years, but Vogt sold his ownership to Walker and went back to SCSU for his teaching degree.

“I was coaching some sports in Sauk Centre and decided teaching and coaching would be the direction I’d go,” Vogt said. “It was unknown at the time whether we could support two families – I got married in 1983 – and so I decided to go a different direction.”

Vogt would go on to teach fifth grade in Rockford for 28 years, also

year, though. Felling is being recognized more for his philanthropic work than his sports career. He led the 1962 Wildcats’ fundraising activities, and in 2020, the team created the 1962 NDIAC Football Championship Endowment; through phone and mail, Felling persuaded over 50 people to donate to the endowment.

“Out in western North Dakota, they still have all the old phones, no cell phones,” Felling said. “You can talk to them, find out what they do, what they want, where they’re working, where they went to from school.”

More of Felling’s fundraising efforts were directed toward multiple sclerosis around 1975. He held a

coaching football, wrestling and baseball. Today, he is retired in Buffalo with his wife, but he still visits family, golfs and hunts with Walker near Sauk Centre. Every so often, he stops by the Bear Trap.

“My sons also deer hunt with us at Barry’s place, and one of their traditions is stopping by the Bear Trap before joining us at deer camp.” Vogt said. “We get up there – not as much as we’d like, as we’ve been busy around here with different things, but we do get back there.”

The biggest change

Vogt has seen to the Bear Trap has been its U-shaped bar, where the first bar had just been a straight counter.

“People like to sit up at a bar, and that helped make more room for the patrons,” Vogt said. “He’s added more food choices to the menu, which also helps, and he also added on that screened-in porch, so Barry has done a great job of expanding and building the business.”

Another major change was ownership. Walker sold the Bear Trap to Winters near the end of 2018, after more than half a year of showing him the ropes. Winters is Walker’s nephew, and Vogt had coached Winters in football as a Sauk Centre High School sophomore. Winters’ first day was Christmas Eve, one of the busiest nights of the year.

“That’s how I got thrown in the fire right away, but it went really well,” Winters said. “I

benefit by riding a bike across Minnesota, starting in Ortonville and ending at the state’s Wisconsin border. He also participated in the MS Benefit Bike ride for five years. Felling’s team, the Slo-Spokes, raised more money than any of the other 25 teams.

Felling has been part of the NDSCS homecoming festivities before, but this will be his first time serving as the parade grand marshal. Additionally, on Friday, Oct. 6, he will give a speech at the NDSCS alumni and friends social and awards ceremony. For Felling, the weekend is less about his college accomplishments and more of a chance to reconnect with his alma mater and peers

Bonneville performs at the 510 Art Lab

was a little intimidated as I watched everyone hustle around, but everyone was really helpful, and we figured it out fairly quickly.” The biggest hurdle Winters has had to overcome as the Bear Trap’s owner was 2020. Winters was informed about the lockdowns on St. Patrick’s Day.

“We have a really strong foundation, a loyal customer base,” Winters said. “What we did was promote a little more and remind folks we were out here, and it grew from there.”

In spite of the downsides from 2020, the year did familiarize people with the Bear Trap’s takeout dining options, so their food sales saw a long-term benefit from that. They also see more families coming for lunch and dinner, and they have hosted more events such as kids’ birthday parties, retirement parties, sports events and class reunions.

Winters is grateful to his staff who have helped him and Walker keep the Bear Trap in business, and he also thanks everyone who has stopped in for a drink, a meal and a good time in this long-standing small-town restaurant and bar.

“I always tell the team here, the folks who come in, they can go anywhere, they can pick any place where they want to eat or have a drink,” Winters said. “They picked the Bear Trap, and it’s important we take care of them and make sure they’re glad they did.”

from back in the day.

“People I went to graphic arts with and football players … these guys are all coming, and they’re all going to sit at my table,” Felling said. “Saturday, they’ll go to the parade and holler at me when I drive by.”

Grey Eagle United Methodist Church Hog Roast: Saturday, Sept. 23, 4:30–7 p.m., offering curbside pickup and outside (covered) dining at 30422 County Road 2, at the intersection of County Road 47, across from the Historic Rock Tavern.

American Legion Auxiliary Pork Dinner: Tuesday, Sept. 26, 4:30-7 p.m., at the American Legion, 128 Main Street S., Sauk Centre.

Grief Share: Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m. for 13 weeks, which started Sept. 5. Support group for anyone who is grieving the death of a loved one. Anyone with questions can contact Jeanine at 651-285-5720 or Deb at 320-429-0913.

DivorceCare: Thursdays, 6-8 p.m., which started Sept. 7 for 13 weeks. Support group for anyone going through separation or divorce. Any questions contact Deb 320-429-0913 or Buford 320-333-1648.

Sauk Centre Senior Organization Meeting: Third Tuesday each month, 2 p.m. at the Sauk Centre Senior Center, Sauk Centre.

Pins and Needles Quilters Monthly Meeting: Second Tuesday of the month, 7-9 p.m. at the Sauk Centre Senior Center, 321 Fourth Street N., Sauk Centre. Goal is to promote the art of quilt making at all skill levels by discussion, lessons, and show and tell of your projects at our meetings.

Little Sauk Legion Auxiliary Unit 417 Meeting: Second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Little Sauk Legion, Little Sauk.

Western Stearns DFL Group: Meets every third Tuesday of the month, 6 p.m. potluck, 6:30 p.m. meeting. Location may vary, so please call 320-282-8312 for location. New members welcome!

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

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

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

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

Alzheimer’s Support Group: First Tuesday of each month, 10 a.m. at Alternative Senior Care, 418 10th Street South, Sauk Centre. Cristina Rodriguez, Care Navigator/Dementia Educator from D-CAN, is offering a support group. This service is on a donation-only basis and funded by Central MN Council on Aging as part of the Older Americans Act Program. If anyone wants to sign up for the support group or one-to-one coaching, they need to contact Cristina directly at (320) 640-6724.

Enjoyable Living

New Student Electives Offered

Students in fifth and sixth grade will be participating in electives of their choice this school year.

During the first quarter, the choices are Sign Language, Brain Teasers, Reader’s Theatre, Broadcasting and Mass Helpers/Singing. Students will be choosing an elective each quarter. This article features the students in the Broadcasting class this quarter.

In the Broadcasting course, students will learn about the creation and distribution of audio and video content to an audience.

Students in fifth and sixth grade will report on current events and sports, share jokes and share about our monthly character traits. We will be using a green screen application, where students will use their creativity to broadcast from places around the world!

We are very excited to offer these additional options to students!

- Teri Michels

“I enjoy living here! There are lots of things to do.”

Breaking News Group: (L-R) Laney Wilbur, Kali Yarke, Claire Pohlman, Liz Friedrichs and Lauren Sunderman

Jokes Group: (L-R) Gavin Leagjeld, Hank Wiener and Gaige Wolbeck

Sports Group: (L-R) Mikey Lieser, Jack Yarke, Ollie Kampsen, Austin Moritz and Blake Dingmann

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK Ray Bonneville performs his music for an appreciative audience Sept. 17 at the 510 Art Lab in Sauk Centre. Bonneville is a three-time Juno Award nominee; his third album, “Gust of Wind,” won the 2000 Best Blues Album, and his fourth release, “Rough Luck,” and his 2004 Red House debut “Roll it Down” were also nominees.

Monday, Sept. 11

09:25 hrs – Agency assist on 43000 block of Co. Rd. 112

14:47 hrs – Parking violation on 1st St. S

1 extra patrol request, 6 school patrols

traffic stops – 1 driving after suspension and 1 no MN driver’s license

hrs – Alarm on 200 block of Co. Rd. 173 SE

hrs – Park patrol on 500 block of Park Rd.

hrs – Meeting on 400 block of Railroad Ave.

hrs – Matter of information on 200 block of Willow St. S

hrs – Property damage at First Lutheran Church

hrs – Problem with juvenile on 900 block of State Rd.

hrs – Agency assist on 39000 block of Saukdale

Kamphoff shares high-performance tips

Minnesota Vikings, USA Track and Field and several Fortune 100 and 500 companies.

Students adapt to new policies, programs

Public schools implement Streeter Way, cell phone policy, hall pass system

BY BEN SONNEK STAFF WRITER

As the 2023-24 school year begins, students have been adjusting well to the new guidelines in place for conduct, technology use and hall passes.

During the school board’s Sept. 18 regular meeting in the school media center, assistant principal Matt Aker reported on the impact of the school’s new policies and programs.

Aker began with the new Positive Behavioral Intervention Support program, The Streeter Way, which has been implemented in the high school. The program includes a matrix showing how students can be respectful, responsible and ready in areas including bathrooms, locker rooms, hallways, events, the cafeteria and the bus. School staff will hand out tickets to students they see exhibiting these positive behaviors, and there are weekly ticket drawings held; the first drawing was last week and, according to Aker, there was an overall positive student response.

The Smart Pass electronic pass system has also been implemented in the high school; students can create hall passes on their Chromebooks, specifying where they will be going and for how long, which the teacher can then approve. The Smart Pass system can limit how many students are in certain areas and manage which students cannot be excused at the same time for safety or disciplinary reasons.

“It isn’t just a cute program on a computer,” Aker said. “If there’s a fire alarm or lockdown, we’ll know which kids are out in the hallway. It’s really been well received so far.”

Aker covered the effects of the middle and high schools’ new cell phone policy. Grades five through eight are required to keep their cell

phones in their lockers from 8:20 a.m. through 3 p.m., and grades nine through 12 are allowed to use electronic devices before and after school, during passing time and at lunch; otherwise, they must be put away with the sound turned off. Students cannot use electronic devices during class unless an instructor grants specific permission, and cell phones are prohibited in locker rooms and bathrooms.

As of the board meeting, there had been seven firsttime cell phone violations and two second-time violations in grades five through eight – mostly eighth grade – and there had been seven first-time violations in grades nine through 12.

Student representative Chris Polipnick reported some students were worried about being watched through the hall pass system.

“Most people are calmed down and realized it’s not that big of a deal,” Polipnick said. “There are some kids who don’t like the waiting time (for passes), but other than that, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone use all three (passes) in a day before.”

Polipnick noted the Streeter Way has been well received. He also said the biometric fingerprint checkin system for lunch has been popular, especially because it is faster than entering in a number. Technology coordinator Becki Marthaler reported the schools only had about 100 more students who needed to be reached out to for the biometric system,

and about 16 students in the whole district had opted out of it. She reminded the board that the system does not store fingerprints but instead reads four points of a student’s fingerprint and connects it to an individual code.

Superintendent Don Peschel thanked the student body for their cooperation with the new policies.

“Not all of them agree with it, but they’ve embraced it,” Peschel said. “They knew there were too many in the hallways last year. … They’ve done a really good job of understanding why, with the safety implications, and I’m proud of them for that.”

Other school board news: – As the elementary school renovation and construction project proceeds, the safety test for classrooms is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 25, and students should be in the classrooms by Tuesday, Oct. 3. For the expansion, the precast walls are expected to arrive Monday, Oct. 2, with the precast roof arriving about a week or two later.

– High School Principal Sheila Flatau reported elementary and high school students have mixed well while they have needed to share the same building. She has seen instances of older students helping younger students, especially during fire drills.

– The schools are replacing all of their analog cameras with IP cameras. The new cameras had to be changed to

a different common software, but the change allows law enforcement to access the system without a VPN.

– The elementary school’s fall assessments, establishing a baseline for student reading and math skills, are scheduled for Sept. 25-Oct. 6.

– Approved the hiring of secondary paraprofessionals George Heideman, Teresa Von Rohr and Lori Mynczywor; elementary paraprofessionals Tess McGree-Deem and Sara Humida; and bus driver Gordon Morton. The board also approved notices of assignment for Mynczywor as a secondary paraprofessional mentor and McGree-Deem as an elementary paraprofessional mentor.

– Approved the resignation of elementary paraprofessional Sasha Gangl.

– Approved certifying the 2024 levy. The preliminary levy is nearly $7.1 million, an increase of about $48,000 from the 2023 levy.

– Approved the schools’ 2023-24 COVID plan. Under the plan, masking will be recommended instead of required in the event of an outbreak.

– Approved the Naloxone Protocol and Administration Services Agreement with Dr. Joel Dunn, allowing the medicine’s storage on site in case of a Fentanyl situation.

– Approved a mechanic contract with David Gapinski.

The next school board regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 18, in the school media center.

Classes of 1953, 1960 reunite

(Above) The Sauk Centre High School Class of 1960 – Myrna (Marthaler) Bowman (front, from left), Robert Marthaler, Maureen Bell, Joyce (Weimerskirch) Meyer, Marie (Ley) Trierweiler and Karen (Carpenter) Hnasko; and (back, from left) Ed Gettle, Gene Steward, Lois (Lindback) Wiener, Janet (McGourty) Zaczowski and Harvey Kemper – reunite Sept. 16 at the Bear Trap in Sauk Centre. (Right) The Sauk Centre High School Class of 1953 – Dolores (Stien) Brabee and Dorothy (Otte) Butkowski; and (back, from left) Ralph Zimmermann, Jerry Meigs, Arnold Soenneker and John Olson – gather Sept. 13 at Four Seas Buffet in Sauk Centre.

PHOTOS BY BEN SONNEK

(Above) Attendees talk about why their business is important to them at the Cindra Kamphoff talk Sept. 14 at American Legion Post 67 in Sauk Centre. With her presentation, Kamphoff shared tips for high performance in any field.

(Left) Cindra Kamphoff talks to local business leaders Sept. 14 at American Legion Post 67 in Sauk Centre. Kamphoff is a certified mental performance coach who has worked with the

PHOTOS BY BEN SONNEK

We both heard it. Someone was knocking gently on the front door. A quick glance out the window told Don and me no one was there. The knocking continued and we looked at each other; this was getting weird. Don went out a side door and around to the front to discover our guest was a young painted turtle, its shell maybe five inches in diameter. He wanted to get in, apparently.

It’s early Tuesday, our last morning at our temporary home – the place where we hung our hats until our own home was ready. Nestled in the countryside with scenic ponds to the north and south, we have been living in the midst of a wildlife sanctuary.

Random Reflections Part II by

Diane Leukam

Our little turtle friend might have been related to one I watched laying its eggs along a path. Then, just a couple days ago, there was one lying dead on the driveway. I felt remorse for that little guy because I almost certainly straddled it with the tires of our vehicle many times, thinking it was just one of several small pieces of wood that had fallen from an oak tree. How long was it suffering, upside down on the driveway?

At our sanctuary, there are many birds and we easily counted more than 30 species. Many stand out in my mind, but watching and listening to the swans, sandhill cranes, loons and geese nesting and raising their families has been quite the adventure.

A favorite memory of mine was a quiet Sunday morning when I noticed a subtle movement on the trail that winds through the property. Emerging from the shade, with cattails on one side and birch trees on the other, was a pair of sandhill cranes with their two babies. They walked silently on their long, skinny legs as the adults reached into the ditch and brought out leaves to feed the colts – and, yes, they are called colts. I had to look it up.

These and other birds were on the move through and over the backyard. A couple hundred feet separates the house and the woods to the east, creating a literal flyway between the ponds. Large birds made a fairly significant swooshing sound as they flew about 30 feet overhead. We instinctively put our hands over our coffee cups, if you know what I mean.

Here’s another “one morning” story. One morning in early summer during the beautiful golden hour, there was so much dew on the back patio that we moved to the front porch for coffee. We hadn’t done that all summer. Looking to the meadow in the southwest, there was a doe licking off her newborn fawn. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, the tiny fawn was able to stand on its wobbly legs. About 30 yards away, another doe nursed her slightly older one. I guess we were meant to witness this scene.

That’s just how I felt in August, when on a Sunday morning, I happened to look out the window to see something moving – a very big something. Along the edge of the lawn was a good-sized black bear.

I said, “Don, come here right now!”

He made it in time to see the bear. Those animals can really move fast because it was gone in just seconds. We were meant to see that, too, apparently.

I was able to get a few good photos of the bear and newborn deer, along with hundreds of other wildlife images throughout our time here, the cycle of life in all its digital glory.

Regardless, this sanctuary stay has come to its completion. There are thousands of serene places like this in Minnesota but, realistically, one can find serenity in something as simple as a backyard bird feeder – as long as the bears leave it alone.

You probably don’t know who Henry Boucha is, but you may have seen his name on the news recently.

Boucha was a former hockey player from the snow-filled streets of Warroad, which is now dubbed Hockeytown USA. Born in 1951, Boucha was playing for the high school team by the time he was in eighth grade. As a senior in 1969, he was the most dynamic player in the state. He led his small-school Warroad Warriors to the state championship game against big-school Edina. It was a classic matchup of David vs. Goliath. Unfortunately for Warroad, Boucha was slammed into the boards and suffered a ruptured ear drum during the second period. He never returned to the ice that game, and the Warriors lost 5-4.

Two years later, Boucha was chosen in the second round of the NHL draft by the Detroit Red Wings.

A year later, he would help Team USA win the silver medal at the 1972 Olympics.

Boucha might sound like any hockey player, but he wasn’t. He was different. He was an Ojibwe.

Let’s face it, there weren’t many Native American hockey players blazing down the ice back in the early 1970s wearing a red head band (this was before helmets) – except for Boucha.

Big, fast, skilled, he could do it all. There was a reason he was playing in the highest league in the world at the time.

After two years with the Red Wings, Boucha was traded back home to the Minnesota North Stars. Then, on Jan. 4, 1975, a player for the Boston Bruins decided to chase Boucha down and hit him high with his stick and glove. It caught Boucha’s right eye hard enough to send him to the ice, writhing in pain.

Driving to Albany on Old Highway 52 (County Road 157) to take a photo late Friday afternoon, a truck was right on my tail, followed by a car. I admit I was traveling slower than the 55 mph speed limit, but I was right behind a tractor pulling a piece of farm machinery — just don’t ask me what type. I didn’t feel like it was safe to pass because I couldn’t see far enough in front of me, plus the lines in the middle of the road were yellow, an indication to drivers not to pass. All of a sudden, the truck behind me was passing me, followed quickly by the car. Both sped off down the road, out of my line of sight.

From the Heart

Luckily, there were no vehicles on the left side of the road, but one wasn’t far away. The tractor turned off of the road so there was no need for me to pass him, which often happens when farm machinery travels on country roads.

Sometimes we just have to have patience, when driving — and in life.

It’s harvest time, and tractors are a common sight on roads as farmers work to get their fieldwork done before winter sets in. Fall is the deadliest time of the year, with half of all crashes occurring in the fall, according to information I found on the internet. Studies show rear-end crashes by passenger vehicles are the most common type of accident involving ag equipment, often on roads with speed limits of 55 mph. Injuries occur 75% of the time with the non-ag driver five times more likely to get hurt than the ag driver.

Fall also means drivers may encounter more deer on rural roads, especially around dusk. Statistics show deer cause over 1 million motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. each year.

One night, I was returning home from an evening interview in St. Martin, and as I rounded a corner heading south to New Munich, a deer was right there in front of my vehicle. I heard a thud as the deer hit the front of my SUV and ran into the ditch, never to be seen by me again.

I didn’t stop because I was afraid that, if I did, my vehicle might not keep going. Plus, I figured where there is one deer, there may be two, which there wasn’t. When I got home, I checked the front of my vehicle, thankful there was no damage and just a few hair hints near the license plate where the deer must have hit it. Hopefully, the deer fared just as well.

Years ago, I was driving to work at the Herald early in the morning, and something hit my front windshield, cracking but not shattering it. I was so flabbergasted I didn’t see what hit it, but we figured it may have been a wild turkey. I’m just grateful it didn’t go through my windshield and land in my lap.

On a happier note, I will share a vehicle-related true story with you, our readers. My aunt, Loretta Didier, who farmed with Uncle Shorty in rural West Union, was driving her friend from the manor in Freeport, where she lived later in life, to the Albany Hospital. Loretta, a feisty lady, was short and could barely see over the hood of her white car when she was driving. In fact, she always sat on a pillow when driving. All of sudden, there were flashing lights behind her, so she pulled over. It was a sheriff’s deputy asking her if she knew how fast she was driving, because he clocked her going around 80 mph in a 55 mph zone. With her quick wit, she said she was taking her friend to the hospital — and she wasn’t lying. The deputy escorted her to the hospital and even helped get her friend inside the hospital.

No matter what situations we are faced with in life, slowing down isn’t such a bad idea, especially when driving. Patience in life pays off.

Good theatre night in Sauk Centre

By Joe L. Bertram, Paynesville

Recently, my wife and I saw the movie “Freedom” at Main Street Theatre. I was so surprised how neat and updated the theatre was. I’ve never been to the theatre, but I’m going back. The guy who I first met was Jessie, the owner, a nice polite person who updated us on the movie, and it was just an all-around good experience. How lucky all of you are in the Sauk Centre area to have a theatre, a date night and fun for the kids, something that needs to be supported as part of the city and community.

So many small businesses close; you’re so lucky to have a theatre – a clean one, updated and with very polite people running it.

You folks have so much: a bakery, a theatre and a lot of small businesses. Don’t let them go.

Staff Mark Klaphake ....................General Manager.................................mark@saukherald.com

Joyce Frericks ......................Publisher ....................................................joyce@saukherald.co

Missy Traeger ......................Sales Manager/Marketing ...............missy@saukherald.com

Natasha Barber ...................Managing Editor ............................natasha@saukherald.com

Nancy Powell.......................Manager ................................................nancy.p@dairystar.com

Tim Vos ..................................Manager ......................................................tim.v@star-pub.com

Amanda Thooft ..................Production Mgr./Page Layout ...amanda@saukherald.com

Karen Knoblach ..................Graphic Design/Proofing...................karen.k@star-pub.com

Maddy Peterson .................Graphic Design .....................................maddy@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

Ben Sonnek ..........................Co-Editor ...............................................ben.s@saukherald.com

He ended up losing some of his vision and depth perception in his eye. Two years later, at 26, his promising hockey career was over.

All of the time spent, the hard work, the dedication, was all of a sudden for naught. At 26, his childhood dream had come to abrupt end.

Boucha fell on some hard times after that. Who wouldn’t? But he eventually dusted himself off and became an ambassador not just for the game of hockey but for other Native American athletes. He championed Native American causes and served on many boards and commissions.

Most recently, he attended committee meetings at the state capitol where a bunch of politicians in suits and ties attempted to force Warroad to change their “Warrior” name and their logo, which is a depiction of a Native American chief, because they felt it was racially offensive.

Boucha stood up for the school, the logo and the Warrior name, which held a rich tradition with the Ojibwe tribe from the area that designed the logo and supported the school’s use of it. A well respected elder in the Warroad community, Boucha politely told those St. Paul politicians to mind their own business. As was always with Boucha, he did so with humility and grace.

I got to know Boucha as he would attend the state hockey tournament each year and the hockey expo we run every March. He would always visit with fans, eager to tell an old story, shake a hand, sign an autograph or take a photo.

Boucha died on Monday at 72.

He had so much promise as a young hockey player, a career he had hoped would span decades and make him a lot of money.

But sometimes things just don’t work out like we plan. When adversity comes knocking, we have two choices: Give in to it or overcome it.

Boucha overcame it. He owned a restaurant, wrote a book and was currently working on documentaries highlighting other Native American athletes. He became a real estate agent. He became embedded in his culture and heritage and helped Native American youth be proud of theirs. Most importantly he was a father, grandfather and a friend to so many.

His life is proof that we can reinvent ourselves whenever necessary. At the end of the day, Boucha will not just be remembered for the force he was on the ice, but the gentleman he was off it. Our identities span far beyond our professional status. When dreams don’t come true or sometimes fall short, it doesn’t make one a failure, it makes one human.

Boucha’s life is a reminder of that. A career cut short, yet a life well lived.

Carol Moorman ..................Co-Editor ................................................carol.m@star-pub.com

Herman Lensing.................Reporter...................................herman@melrosebeacon.com

Evan Michealson ................Reporter..................................................evan.m@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

Jill Borgerding.....................Office assistant ............................................jill.b@star-pub.com

Kathy Banke .........................Bookkeeping Mike Imdieke.......................Bookkeeping

by Carol Moorman

In Other Words by Bryan Zollman

PHOTOS SUBMITTED Henry proudly wearing the Warroad Warrior logo hat he defended at the state capital recently.

Henry Boucha with his trademark headband when he played for the North Stars before an injury cut his career short.

NOVENA

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus Pray for us, St. Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us, St. Jude, help of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day for nine days, it has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. MH.

Join Us in Worship

BELGRADE

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES CATHOLIC CHURCH

541 Martin Ave. | PO Box 69

320-254-8218 parishesontheprairie.org/parishes

ELROSA

STS. PETER AND PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH

302 State St. 320-254-8218 parishesontheprairie.org/parishes

Elizabeth “Betty” L. Weidendorf

H-38-1P

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

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

SAUK CENTRE

SAMARITAN 529 Main St. S 320-352-6882 goodsamaritansaukcentre.org

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

Elizabeth “Betty” L. Weidendorf, 81, of Glencoe, formerly of Sauk Centre, mother of Timothy Weidendorf and Tammie Norrish, passed away Sept. 11, 2023, at GlenFields Living With Care in Glencoe. Mass of Christian Burial was held Sept. 15 at the Church of St. Pius X in Glencoe, with interment at a later date in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Clergy Officiating, Father John Hayes; Pianist, Mary Ann Thalmann; Song Leader/ Guitarist, Megan Hietala; Prelude, “In The Garden” and “Old Rugged Cross”; Musical Selections, “Amazing Grace,” “Prayer Of St. Francis,” “On Eagle’s Wings” and “How Great Thou Art”; Urn Bearers, Tammie Norrish and Timothy Weidendorf; Honorary Urn Bearers, Becky Edwards, Chris Weidendorf, Andy Weidendorf and Jenneba Swaray.

Elizabeth “Betty” Louise (Konen) Weidendorf was born Dec. 2, 1941, in Roosevelt Township, Crow Wing

Elizabeth “Betty” L. Weidendorf County. She was the daughter of Werner and Margaret (Kraft) Konen. Betty was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. She attended high school in Motley and later received her GED.

Betty was united in marriage to Wayne Weidendorf Feb. 27, 1960, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Motley. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Tammie Ann and Timothy Allen. Betty and Wayne shared 44 years of marriage until Wayne passed away May 25, 2004.

Betty was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. Over the years, she held a variety of positions

from retail to sewing Stearns life jackets and administration to bookkeeping. She was especially proud to have retired from Schwan’s, as the company was a huge part of their lives. Her freezer was always stocked with novelties, and her family knew better than to think of serving any ice cream other than Schwan’s at a family function. Her greatest labor of love was cooking and baking. You could see her eyes light up and a smile on her face as her guests left complaining of being so full, fighting the urge to unbutton their pants for some relief.

In addition to treasuring time spent at their lake homes on Big Stone Lake and Little Sauk Lake, Betty was always quick to suggest a game of cards or volunteer at her local church.

The last year of her life was filled with friendship and activities as she made her home at Grand Meadows in Glencoe. She was known for having her own chair in the coffee shop and taking her role as “coffee room supervisor” very seriously.

Betty is survived by her children Tammie (Richard) Norrish of Roseville and Timothy (Kathy) Weidendorf of Glencoe; grandchildren Becky (Nick) Edwards, Chris (Linsey) Weidendorf, Andy (Kelly) Weidendorf, Jenneba Swaray, Ki Norrish, Mia Norrish and Reed (Tanya) Everis; greatgrandchildren Max and Jax Edwards, Caylee, Levi and Paisley Weidendorf, Bryson and Beckett Weidendorf, Jonah Swaray, and Megan Rivera-Mena; siblings Jim (Villa) Konen, Ray (Kathy) Konen, Margaret (Ed) Doll, Frank (Julie) Konen, LeRoy (Cindy) Konen and Evelyn (Jerry) Blaine; sisters-in-law Lee Konen and Judy Konen; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her parents Margaret and Werner Konen; husband Wayne Weidendorf; sisters MaryAnn (Francis) Zetah and RoseMarie (Urban) Zetah; and brothers Jerry Konen, and Werner Konen.

H-38-1B

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

FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 124 4th St. N 320-352-5356 faithbc.org FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 620 5th St. S 320-352-2030

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

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

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

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

Marion M. Evens

Marion M. Evens, 94, of Sauk Centre, passed away Sept. 1, 2023, surrounded by her family at Fairway Pines in Sauk Centre.

A Mass of Christian Burial was 11 a.m. Sept. 9 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with the Rev. Greg Paffel officiating. Interment was in the parish cemetery. Marion Marie Walz was born Nov. 10, 1928, in Lake George Township in Stearns County, to Carl and Gertrude (Woeste) Walz. She was united in marriage to Henry W. Evens Sept. 17, 1946, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Melrose. They raised their family on a farm near Padua

Marion M. Evens and, in 1969, they moved to Sauk Centre. Marion worked at Strauss Clothing in Sauk Centre until it closed.

Marion was strong in her faith and was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Church, Christian Mothers, Catholic Aid Financial and Sauk

Erick J. Capps

Erick John Capps of Sauk Centre slipped his earthly bonds Sept. 6, 2023, at the age of 61 years, 5 months and 3 days. Erick lived and worked the greater share of his life in the Sauk Centre area. He lived his best life with great amounts of travel and doing all of the things he loved; demo derbies, walking, hiking and biking or camping with gusto, the kidder, jokester and Erick J. Capps

Elsie S. Bromenshenkel

Elsie S. Bromenshenkel, age 90 of Sauk Centre, died peacefully, surrounded by her family on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, at her home in Sauk Centre.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with the Rev. Greg Paffel officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Friday at the church.

Elsie Kulzer was born Nov. 3, 1932, in Spring Hill, Minnesota to Roman C. and Adlinde (Terhaar) Kulzer. She was united in marriage to Robert Bromenshenkel on October 6, 1953 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk

Elsie S. Bromenshenkel Centre. Robert and Elsie farmed southwest of Sauk Centre and retired in 1983.

After retiring from dairy farming, Elsie and Robert started doing mission work. They made five trips to Mexico as part of a mission group going door to door handing out Bibles and food. Thereafter for 11 years, Robert and Elsie spent the winters near Claxton, Georgia

Centre Senior Citizens where she and Henry delivered Meals on Wheels. Marion liked baking and playing cards and was always ready to help family and friends in any way that she could.

Marion’s greatest love was for her husband and family. She is survived by her children Carol (Larry) Lahr, Susan Imdieke and Duane (Carol) Evens; grandchildren Kevin (Janet) Lahr, Amy (Jared) Brandt, Aaron (Lisa)

Lahr, Ryan Lahr, Casey (Lisa) Imdieke, Gretchen (James Klicpera) Imdieke, Brian (Jennessa) Imdieke, Jason (Sandy Borstad) Evens, Sara (Eric) Miller and Lucas (Zabrina) Evens; 19 great grandchildren, one great-

all-around good friend to all who knew him.

Erick was born in Minneapolis to Richard and Shirley Capps, who have preceded him death as well as his older brother David. He will be interned in the family plot in Lakewood Cemetery Minneapolis. He is survived by sisters Peggy Flynn and Susan Capps.

Memorial service will be held at River of Life Church

working with the Glenmary Missions. After the passing of her husband, Elsie continued mission work and went on three trips to Kenya. Elsie’s greatest joys in her retirement were baking bread for family and friends and sharing the love of God with like-minded people. Elsie firmly believed no-one is ever too old to work for God.

Survivors include her children, Susan (Ken) Fix of New Ulm, Geralyn “Geri” (Jeff) Nienaber of Sauk Centre, Norbert (Maggie) Bromenshenkel of Horace, North Dakota, and Herbert (Jana) Bromenshenkel of Bemidji; daughter-in-law, Theresa Bromenshenkel of Rochester; eight grandchildren and ten greatgrandchildren; brother and sisters, Janet Kulzer, Roman

great grandchild and brother Melvin (Arlene) Walz. Marion was preceded in death by Henry, her husband of 68 years; parents and stepmother Ann Walz; brothers Ervin, Norbert and Virgil Walz; sisters Eleanor Schwieters, Donna Spaeth and Veronica Ebensteiner; brothers-in-law Norbert Schwieters, LeRoy Spaeth and Jack Ebensteiner; and sisters-in-law Kathleen Walz, Ione Walz and Erma Walz.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Holy Family School in Sauk Centre. Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.

H-38-1B

in Sauk Centre from 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Melrose/Sauk River Special Olympics Champions Lions Club or to the Moritz family for the construction and placement of a new bench outside of the Palmer House. H-38-1P

(Mary) Kulzer, and Marina (George) Blackwood. Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, Robert in 2007; and son, Walter in 1995.

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

H-38-1B

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

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

DATE OF MORTGAGE: April 25, 2018

ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE:

$184,900.00

MORTGAGOR(S): Sonny

Massaquoi, a single man

MORTGAGEE: Mortgage

Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as mortgagee, as nominee for Mortgage Research Center, LLC dba Veterans United Home Loans, its successors and assigns

DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING:

Recorded: May 2, 2018, Stearns County Recorder

Document Number: A1519484

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

Dated: October 20, 2022

Recorded: October 20, 2022, Stearns County Recorder

Document Number: A1642976

Transaction Agent: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.

Transaction Agent Mortgage Identification Number: 1003502-9101025414-1

Date: August 18, 2023

YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT:

1. Default has occurred in the conditions of the Mortgage dated July 6, 2020, executed by Mark F. Heinen and Caitlyn Heinen, husband and wife, as Mortgagors, to Liberty Bank Minnesota, as Mortgagee, and filed for record July 13, 2020, as Document No. A1574138, in the Office of the County Recorder of Stearns County, Minnesota. The land described in the Mortgage is not registered land.

2. The Mortgage has not been assigned.

3. The original principal amount secured by the Mortgage was $97,500.00.

4. No action or proceeding at law is now pending to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part thereof.

5. The holder of the Mortgage has complied with all conditions precedent to acceleration of the debt secured by the Mortgage and foreclosure of the Mortgage, and all notice and other requirements of

Date: August 18, 2023

YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT:

1. Default has occurred in the conditions of the Mortgage dated January 18, 2005, executed by Dayna L. Hamacher and Jesse L. Hamacher, wife and husband, and Randy L. Hamacher and Lynn M. Hamacher, husband and wife, as Mortgagors, to Liberty Bank Minnesota, successor in interest to Liberty Savings Bank, fsb, as Mortgagee, and filed for record February 9, 2005, as Document No. 1143028, in the Office of the County Recorder of Stearns County, Minnesota. The land described in the Mortgage is not registered land.

2. The Mortgage has not been assigned.

3. The original principal amount secured by the Mortgage was $294,400.00.

4. No action or proceeding at law is now pending to recover the debt secured by the Mortgage, or any part thereof.

5. The holder of the Mortgage has complied with all conditions precedent to acceleration of the debt secured by the Mortgage and foreclosure of the Mortgage, and all notice and other requirements of applicable statutes.

6. At the date of this Notice the amount due on the Mortgage, and taxes, if any, paid by the holder of the Mortgage is

Lender/Broker/Mortgage

Originator: Mortgage Research Center, LLC dba Veterans United Home Loans Residential Mortgage Servicer: PennyMac Loan Services, LLC COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Stearns Property Address: 920 Savanna Ave, Saint Cloud, MN 56303 Tax Parcel ID Number: 82.52629.0631 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 11, Block 8, Westwood Parkway, Stearns County, Minnesota AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE:

$195,717.39 THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; that this is registered property; PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above-described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:

DATE AND TIME OF SALE: October 03, 2023, at 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: County

Sheriff`s office, Law Enforcement Center, 807 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, Minnesota to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorney fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns. If the Mortgage is not reinstated under Minn. Stat. §580.30 or the property is not redeemed under Minn. Stat. §580.23, the Mortgagor must vacate the property on or before 11:59 p.m. on April 3, 2024, or the next business day if April 3, 2024, falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. Mortgagor(s) released from financial obligation: NONE THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

applicable statutes.

6. At the date of this Notice the amount due on the Mortgage, and taxes, if any, paid by the holder of the Mortgage is $82,998.66.

7. Pursuant to the power of sale in the Mortgage, the Mortgage will be foreclosed, and the land located in Stearns County, Minnesota, described as follows: Lot Nine (9) and the South One-Half (South 1/2) of Lot Ten (10), Block Four (4) in the Townsite of Sartell, Stearns County, Minnesota will be sold by the County Sheriff of Stearns County, Minnesota, at public auction on October 12, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department, located at 807 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, Minnesota.

8. To the best of Mortgagee’s information, the property being foreclosed has a property address of 400 1st Avenue N, Sartell, Minnesota 56377, and has tax parcel identification number 92.57141.0000.

9. The time allowed by law for redemption by Mortgagors or Mortgagors’ personal representatives or assigns is six (6) months after the date of sale.

10. The property must be vacated by 11:59 p.m. on April 12, 2024, provided the Mortgagors have not reinstated the Mortgage under Minnesota Statutes, Section 580.30 or redeemed the property under Minnesota Statutes, Section 580.23. If the foregoing date is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then the date to vacate is the next business day at 11:59 p.m.

11. THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGORS, THE MORTGAGORS’ PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

$209,627.30.

7. Pursuant to the power of sale in the Mortgage, the Mortgage will be foreclosed, and the land located in Stearns County, Minnesota, described as follows:

See attached Exhibit ‘A’ That part of the Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter, Section 14, Township 122, Range 28, Stearns County, Minnesota, described as follows: Commencing at the northwest corner of said Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter; thence North 89 degrees 33 minutes 05 seconds East, assumed bearing, on the north line of said Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter 698.11 feet; thence South 01 degrees 42 minutes 10 seconds West 505.00 feet to the point of beginning of land to be described; thence North 89 degrees 33 minutes 05 seconds East parallel with said north line 650.66 feet to the east line of said Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter; thence South 00 degrees 58 minutes 24 seconds West on said east line 809.75 feet; thence South 89 degrees 52 minutes 21 seconds West parallel with South line of said Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter 500.00 feet; thence North 10 degrees 19 minutes 58 seconds West 768.12 feet to point of beginning.

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

DATED: August 10, 2023

MORTGAGEE: PennyMac Loan Services, LLC Wilford, Geske & Cook, P.A. Attorneys for Mortgagee 7616 Currell Boulevard, Suite 200 Woodbury, MN 55125 (651) 209-3300 File Number: 052143-F1 H-33-6B

Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Sauk Centre, Minnesota, will meet at the Sauk Centre City Hall in the City of Sauk Centre, Minnesota, on the 4th day of October, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. or shortly thereafter as practical, to consider objections to the proposed assessments for Unpaid City and Utility Service Charges heretofore ordered by the City Council.

The proposed assessment roll is on file with the City Administrator and open to public inspection.

The area proposed to be assessed consists of every lot, piece or parcel of land benefited by said improvement, which has been ordered made and is as follows:

Unpaid City and Utility Service Charges

The total amount proposed to be assessed is $2,813.56

Written or oral objections will be considered at the hearing. An owner of property to be assessed may appeal the assessment to the District Court of Stearns County pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 429.081 by serving notice of the appeal upon the Mayor or City Administrator/Clerk of the City within 30 days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such notice with the District Court within 10 days after service upon the Mayor or City Administrator/Clerk.

No appeal may be taken as to the amount of any assessment adopted by the City Council unless a signed, written objection is filed with the City Administrator prior to the assessment hearing or presented to the presiding officer at the hearing. All objections to the assessments not received at the assessment hearing in the manner prescribed by Minnesota Statutes, Section 429.061 are waived, unless the failure to object to the assessment hearing is due to a reasonable cause.

Under the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, Sections 435.193 to 435.195, the City may, at its discretion, defer the payment of assessments for any homestead property owned by a person 65 years of age or older for whom it would be a hardship to make the payments.

/s/Vicki Willer City Administrator

PUBLISH: September 21 & 28, 2023 - Sauk Centre Herald

H-38-2B

MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE LIBERTY BANK MINNESOTA /s/ Benjamin B. Bohnsack (#0319399) Rinke Noonan Suite 300 US Bank Plaza 1015 W. St. Germain St. P.O. Box 1497 St. Cloud, MN 56302 (320) 251-6700 (320) 656-3500 fax Our File No. 22118-0217 Bbohnsack@RinkeNoonan. com

Attorneys for Mortgagee H-34-6B

CITY OF SAUK CENTRE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

2023 IMPROVEMENTS FOR AUTHORS ADDITION

Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Sauk Centre, Minnesota, will meet in the Council Chambers at Sauk Centre City Hall, Sauk Centre, Minnesota, at 6:30 P.M. or soon thereafter on October 4, 2023, to consider the final assessments for the following improvements:

Street, Curb, Gutter, Storm Sewer, Sidewalk, Sanitary Sewer & Water

The total cost of said improvement is $1,534,774.58 The area to be assessed for such improvements are abutting properties in the amount of $510,304.08.

The Council proposes to proceed under the authority granted by Chapter 429 M.S.A.

Such persons as desire to be heard with reference to the assessment will be heard at this meeting. By Order of the City Council S/Vicki Willer, City Administrator

PUBLISH: September 21 and September 28, 2023 H-38-2B

City of Sauk Centre

Notice of Public Hearing

Variance Request

Notice is hereby given that the Sauk Centre Planning Commission acting as the Board of Adjustment will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, October, 10, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. or shortly thereafter as practical, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, to consider a variance, on behalf of Kristian M. & Christine A. Hokanson.

Property Location: 717 Lake Shore Drive, Sauk Centre, Minnesota 56378

Parcel number 94.58254.0000

Legal Description: Lots 19 and 20 Block 4 Country Club Addition, according to the plat and survey thereof on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder for Stearns County, Minnesota.

will be sold by the County Sheriff of Stearns County, Minnesota, at public auction on October 12, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department, located at 807 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, Minnesota.

8. To the best of Mortgagee’s information, the property being foreclosed has a property address of 17920 27th Avenue, Clearwater, Minnesota 55320, and has tax parcel identification number 09.05664.0010.

9. The time allowed by law for redemption by Mortgagors or Mortgagors’ personal representatives or assigns is six (6) months after the date of sale.

10. The property must be vacated by 11:59 p.m. on April 12, 2024, provided the Mortgagors have not reinstated the Mortgage under Minnesota Statutes, Section 580.30 or redeemed the property under Minnesota Statutes, Section 580.23. If the foregoing date is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then the date to vacate is the next business day at 11:59 p.m.

11. THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGORS, THE MORTGAGORS’ PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS

IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. THE PURPOSE OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE LIBERTY BANK MINNESOTA, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO LIBERTY SAVINGS BANK, FSB /s/ Benjamin B. Bohnsack (#0319399) Rinke Noonan Suite 300 US Bank Plaza 1015 W. St. Germain St. P.O. Box 1497 St. Cloud, MN 56302 (320) 251-6700 (320) 656-3500 fax Our File No. 22118-0216 Bbohnsack@RinkeNoonan. com

Attorneys for Mortgagee H-34-6B

A variance is sought for relief from the setback standard of Chapter 151 Shoreland Overlay District, Subsection 151.05 Zoning and Water Supply/Sanitary Provisions (B)(1)(a) Structure and on-site sewage system setbacks (in feet) from the ordinary high water level. The current setback requirement for a detached accessory structure from the ordinary high water level on a sewered general development lake is 50 feet from the ordinary high water level.

The applicant is seeking a 20 foot variance from the ordinary high water level. If granted, the variance would allow a 160 square foot detached accessory structure to be located 30 feet from the ordinary high water level.

Any persons having an interest in this matter will have the opportunity to be heard. Written comments will be accepted until the time of hearing. Materials related to this request can be reviewed within the Planning & Zoning Office of City Hall.

/s/ Sarah Morton, City Planner/Zoning Administrator

Published in the Sauk Centre Herald on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

H-38-1B

City of Sauk Centre

Notice of Public Hearing Interim Use Permit

Notice is hereby given that the Sauk Centre Planning Commission acting as the Board of Adjustment will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, October, 10, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. or shortly thereafter as practical, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, to consider an Interim Use Permit, on behalf of Michael E. Felling doing business as MEF Properties N553 LLC.

Property Location: 553 Lake Street, Sauk Centre, Minnesota 56378

Parcel Identification Number: 94.58585.0000

Legal Description: Lot 11 less East 25 feet thereof, Block 2, Lake View Addition to Original Townsite (now City) of Sauk Centre; together with that part of vacated Lake Street lying North of and adjacent to Northerly line of said Lot 11.

Also: That part of Lot 1 of Auditor’s Subdivision of W1/2 of Section 10 and NE1/4 of NE1/4 of Section 9, Township 126, Range 34, City of Sauk Centre described as follows: Commencing at the southeast corner of Lot 11, Block 2 of Lake View Addition to Townsite (now City) of Sauk Centre; thence Westerly along the south line of said Lot 11, being also the North line of

said Lot 1 a distance of 35.00 feet to the point of beginning of the land to be described; thence deflect to the left 89 degrees 40 minutes 00 seconds (as measured from West to South) a distance of 35 feet, more or less, to the lakeshore of Sauk Lake; thence Northwesterly, along said lakeshore to its intersection with the North line of Lot 1 of said Auditor’s Subdivision; thence Easterly along the North line of said Lot 1 a distance of 78 feet, more or less, to the point of beginning, according to the plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder for Stearns County, Minnesota.

An Interim Use Permit is sought to allow the operation of a Vacation Short Term Rental on a Residential Single Family zoned lot at 553 Lake Street.

Any persons having an interest in this matter will have the opportunity to be heard. Written comments will be accepted until the time of hearing. Materials related to this request can be reviewed within the Planning & Zoning Office of City Hall.

City of Sauk Centre

Notice of Public Hearing Interim Use Permit

Notice is hereby given that the Sauk Centre Planning Commission acting as the Board of Adjustment will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, October, 10, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. or shortly thereafter as practical, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, to consider an Interim Use Permit, on behalf of Linda Michaels.

Property Location: 221 Main Street North, Sauk Centre, Minnesota 56378

Parcel Identification Number: 94.57957.0000

Legal Description: Lot 1 of Auditor’s Subdivision of the West Half of Section 10, and the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 9, Township 126 North, Range 34 West, LESS AND EXCEPTING that part of Lot 1 of Auditor’s Subdivision of the West Half of Section 10, and the Northeast Quarter of the Northeast Quarter of Section 9, Township 126 North, Range 34 West City of Sauk Centre, Minnesota, according to the recorded plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder, Stearns County, Minnesota described as follows: commencing at the Southeast corner of Lot No. 11 of Block Two of Lakeview Addition to the Townsite (now City) of Sauk Centre, Minnesota, according to the recorded plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder, Stearns County, Minnesota; thence Westerly along the South line of said Lot No. 11, being also the North line of said Lot 1, a distance of 35.00 feet to the point of beginning of the land to be described; thence deflect to the left 89 degrees 40 minutes 00 seconds (as measured from West to South), a distance of 35 feet more or less to the lakeshore of Sauk Lake; thence Northwesterly, along said lakeshore, to its intersection with the North line of Lot 1 of said Auditor’s Subdivision; thence Easterly, along the North line of said Lot 1, a distance of 78 feet more or less to the point of beginning, according to the plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder for Stearns County, Minnesota. An Interim Use Permit is sought to allow the operation of a Vacation Short Term Rental on a Residential Single Family zoned lot at 221 Main Street North

Any persons having an interest in this matter will have the opportunity to be heard. Written comments will be accepted until the time of hearing. Materials related to this request can be reviewed within the Planning & Zoning Office of City Hall.

/s/ Sarah Morton, City Planner/Zoning Administrator

Published in the Sauk Centre Herald on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

H-38-1B

City of Sauk Centre Notice of Public Hearing Interim Use Permit

Notice is hereby given that the Sauk Centre Planning Commission acting as the Board of Adjustment will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday, October, 10, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. or shortly thereafter as practical, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, to consider an Interim Use Permit, on behalf of Adam Fiedler doing business as Adams Vacation Rentals LLC.

Property Location: 807 Lake Shore Drive, Sauk Centre, Minnesota 56378

Parcel Identification Number: 94.58245.0000

Legal Description: Lots 7, 8 and 9 Block 4 of Country Club Addition, according to the plat thereof on file and of record in the office of the County Recorder for Stearns County, Minnesota.

An Interim Use Permit is sought to allow the operation of a Vacation Short Term Rental on a Residential Single Family zoned lot at 807 Lake Shore Drive.

Any persons having an interest in this matter will have the opportunity to be heard. Written comments will be accepted until the time of hearing. Materials related to this request can be reviewed within the Planning & Zoning Office of City Hall.

/s/ Sarah Morton, City Planner/Zoning Administrator

Published in the Sauk Centre Herald on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

H-38-1B

City of Sauk Centre Notice of Public Hearing

Preliminary Plat Review

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the City of Sauk Centre Planning Commission on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 4:30 P.M., or shortly thereafter as practical, in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 320 Oak Street South, Sauk Centre, Minnesota, to consider a request for a preliminary plat “Golf View Addition”. This plat will create 4 new residential lots for twin homes.

Proper Owner: CSNP Sauk Centre LLC

Applicants: Cody & Sara Nelson

Property Location: 702 Main Street North

Legal Description: Lot 3 Block 1 of W. H. Cates Golf View

Addition

Any persons having an interest in this matter will have the opportunity to be heard. Written comments will be accepted until the time of hearing. Materials related to this request can be reviewed within the Planning & Zoning Office of City Hall. /s/ Sarah Morton City Planner/Zoning Administrator Published in the Sauk Centre Herald on Thursday, September 21, 2023.

H-38-1B

100 years ago • Sept. 20, 1923 Rhoda buys Sauk Centre hardware store C.R. Rhoda of Royalton has purchased and taken possession of Fuchs Hardware, soon to be renamed the Rhoda Hardware Company, in the Odd Fellows building on Main Street. Rhoda, formerly of Long Prairie, was in the banking business in Royalton for several years; he is replenishing the hardware store’s tools and building material and will soon be able to meet his patrons’ demands. He has a wife and one son, Donald, who will be associated with him in conducting business, and they will move to Sauk Centre as soon as a suitable residence can be found. Mr. Fuchs has stated he intends to continue living in Sauk Centre for the foreseeable future.

50 years ago • Sept. 20, 1973

Dutch Elm Disease returns to Sauk Centre

Dutch Elm Disease has been found on the grounds of Sauk Centre’s Minnesota Home School for the second time in three years. Although infected trees have been removed and destroyed, the disease is expected to spread, and several thousand elm trees in Sauk Centre are at risk and could be affected faster than the city can afford to remove and replace them. To preserve the beauty shade trees provide, a sanitation and disease control program can hold the losses at under 5% per year, spreading the costs of cutting and disposing trees over many years and allowing time for replacement trees to grow.

Melendez

CITY OF SAUK CENTRE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING 2023 RECLAMATION IMPROVEMENTS LAKEVIEW DRIVE & SAUK LANE

Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Sauk Centre, Minnesota, will meet in the Council Chambers at Sauk Centre City Hall, Sauk Centre, Minnesota, at 6:30 P.M. or soon thereafter on October 4, 2023, to consider the final assessments for the following improvements:

Lakeview Drive & Sauk Lane Full Depth Reclamation

The total cost of said improvement is $137,457.81. The area to be assessed for such improvements are abutting properties in the amount of $49,982.23.

The Council proposes to proceed under the authority granted by Chapter 429 M.S.A.

Such persons as desire to be heard with reference to the assessment will be heard at this meeting. By Order of the City Council S/Vicki Willer, City Administrator

PUBLISH: September 21 and September 28, 2023.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF ABANDONED VEHICLE (Official Publication)

NOTICE OF SALE

The personal property as follows, to-wit: Homemade Car Dolly VIN# N/A Plate# N/A Towed from Oak St S & Sinclair Lewis Ave, Sauk Centre, MN by order of Stearns County Sheriff’s Department on September 6th, 2023.

All items will be sold November 5th, 2023 by Centre Towing, Inc., City of Sauk Centre, County of Stearns,

H-38-2B

State of Minnesota, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 168B.

The registered owner or lienholder has the right to reclaim the vehicle under section 168B.051. Failure to claim the impounded vehicle under section 168B.051 is deemed to waive any right to reclaim the vehicle and consents to the disposal or sale of the vehicle.

Dated: September 13th, 2023 411 Lincoln Loop, Sauk Centre, MN 56378 (320) 352-1500

H-38-1B

25 years ago • Sept. 22, 1998

SCAS wins national award

In recognition of their outstanding professionalism and community service, the Sauk Centre Ambulance Service was named the 1998 recipient of the Leo Schwartz EMS Medical Service of the Year Award by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. The crew was notified they were the award recipients last November; according to SCAS Director Bill Britz, the national award is something the department has always hoped for but never really dreamed of achieving. The NAEMT will present the SCAS with a plaque and $1,000 at the association’s national awards dinner Oct. 10 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

10 years ago • Sept. 19, 2013

Sauk Centre royalty to focus on anti-bullying

Miss Sauk Centre royalty Sarah Nelson, Stephy Polipnick and Abbi Primus are taking an anti-bullying stand as their platform, and they are organizing a Unity Day with special programming in the schools Oct. 9 with details to be announced during the first week of October. The National Bullying Prevention Center estimates over 13 million American children, one in every three, are teased, taunted or physically assaulted by their peers, and with October being National Bullying Prevention Month, communities, including Sauk Centre, are encouraged to raise awareness of bullying and how to counter it. Nelson hopes to see more students standing up for bullying victims when they see it happening in or out of school instead of simply being bystanders.

entertains HFS students

Holy Family School students get on their feet for Tony Melendez and his guitar music Sept. 13 at HFS in Sauk Centre. Originally from Nicaragua, born without arms and a clubbed foot, Melendez taught himself to play the guitar with his toes at 16, and he has traveled to all 50 states and 44 foreign countries and has recorded six albums.

Public NOTICE

DATE OF MORTGAGE: August 17, 2001

ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL

AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $196,200.00

MORTGAGOR(S): Charles Gibbons, A Single Man and Kari Larsen, A Single Woman MORTGAGEE: Ameriquest Mortgage Company

DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING:

Recorded: September 18, 2001

Stearns County Recorder

Document Number: 981194

ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE:

And assigned to: Deutsche Bank National Trust Company, as Trustee for, Ameriquest Mortgage Securities Inc.

Asset-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2001-2, under the Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated September 1, 2001

Dated: January 20, 2009

Recorded: February 19, 2009 Stearns County Recorder

Document Number: 1278856

And assigned to: U.S. Bank, National Association, as Trustee for Ameriquest Mortgage Securities Inc., Floating Rate Mortgage PassThrough Certificates, Series 2001-2

Dated: August 30, 2011

Recorded: September 13, 2011 Stearns County Recorder

Document Number: A1350450 And corrected by: Corrective

Assignment of Mortgage

Recorded: February 28, 2020

Document Number: A1563829

And assigned to: U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, as successor-in-interest to U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for Ameriquest Mortgage Securities Inc., Floating Rate Mortgage PassThrough Certificates, Series 2001-2

Dated: July 7, 2023

Recorded: July 17, 2023 Stearns County Recorder Document Number: A1656533

Transaction Agent: Not Applicable

Transaction Agent Mortgage Identification Number: Not Applicable Lender/Broker/Mortgage

Originator: Ameriquest Mortgage Company Residential Mortgage Servicer: PHH Mortgage Corporation COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Stearns Property Address: 5819 Michael Court, Saint Cloud, MN 56303 Tax Parcel ID Number: 82.44876.0112

LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 4, Block 2, Buettner`s Ridgewood Estates 3rd, Stearns County, Minnesota

AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE

AS OF DATE OF NOTICE:

$175,664.40

THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; that this is registered property;

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

DATE AND TIME OF SALE:

November 07, 2023 at 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: County

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

If the Mortgage is not reinstated under Minn. Stat. §580.30 or the property is not redeemed under Minn. Stat. §580.23, the Mortgagor must vacate the property on or before 11:59

p.m. on May 7, 2024, or the next business day if May 7, 2024 falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. Mortgagor(s) released from financial obligation: NONE THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.

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

DATED: September 12, 2023

MORTGAGEE: U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, as successor-in-interest to U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for Ameriquest

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK

Three-part offense leads to win for Streeters volleyball

Sauk Centre tied atop West Central Conference

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

The Sauk Centre Streeters volleyball team worked well in all phases of their offensive game Sept. 19, taking care of the Benson Braves in West Central Conference action by a score of 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-14) at Benson High School in Benson.

“We’re much more versatile if we’re passing the ball well,” said Jim Klaphake, head coach. “If we can pass the ball decent, it frees our hitters up in the front.”

Serve-receive and getting the ball to the team’s setters was a strength all night. Raya Sebek collected 12 digs and Maddy Schuster followed with eight as Sauk Centre’s back row led the attack. The Streeters built early leads and transitioned these strong starts into wins through clean play.

Mackenzie Ritter was essential in the balanced effort, providing eight kills, five digs and a block to go with a perfect 5-for-5 night from the serving line.

“Kenzie Ritter, she played really well,” Coach Klaphake said. “She had a good night ball-handling, serving and serve-receive. It was overall a good night.”

Certainly, Sauk Centre’s bevy of reliable playmakers in the starting lineup was a big contributing factor -- Cierra Kortan piled up a team-high 12 kills, Brooke Rieland added nine kills of her own and Schuster was a stellar 24 of 25 serving with three aces -- but the lopsided result allowed Coach Klaphake to examine his depth. Sara Kittelson logged nine assists and two aces, Emily Peters had a kill and three digs and Elly Herickhoff came up with a block.

“With a game like tonight, it was nice I could play some girls that haven’t

played much in a while,”

Coach Klaphake said. “Down the stretch, we might need them.”

After all, the race for the top spot became all the more exciting, as at the same time, Melrose Area knocked off previously-undefeated BOLD 3-1 to create a tie atop the conference standings.

While getting another shot at BOLD is an exciting prospect, the Streeters’ attention is entirely on their next match, a showdown with West Central Area at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at West Central Area Schools in Barrett.

“The conference is a lot tougher,” Coach Klaphake said. “On any given night, you better come ready to play and whatever happens, happens. It’s fun that on any given night, we don’t bring it, we’ll lose.” Serving: Schuster 24/25, Kittelson 13/13, April Klaphake 12/13 and Sebek 11/11. Kills: Kortan 12, Rieland 9 and Ritter 8. Digs: Sebek 12, Schuster 8 and Ritter 5. Assists: April Klaphake 23 and Kittelson 9. Blocks: Tory Jennissen 3. Aces: Schuster 3 and April Klaphake and Kittelson 2.

Sauk Centre 3, Minnewaska Area 0

The Streeters rallied back from losing on their home court, dispatching the Minnewaska Area Lakers with a well-played 3-0 (25-21, 25-19, 25-15) sweep Sept. 14 at Sauk Centre High School in Sauk Centre.

Regardless of who was taking sets, Sauk Centre found success. April Klaphake and Kortan each piled up eight assists, with Kittelson providing seven of her own. Their accuracy and ability to get in rhythm made life easier for the hitters, as Kortan, Rieland and Ritter smacked down 11, five and four kills, respectively.

Sauk Centre’s strongest asset, their serving, once again provided essential. The team’s seven servers of the night went a combined 68for-74 from the line with nine aces. Serving: Sebek 17/18, Kortan 16/17, Schuster 9/10 and April Klaphake 9/9.

Kills: Kortan 11 and Rieland 5. Digs: Sebek 13, Kortan and Schuster 12 and Ritter 9. Assists: April Klaphake and Kortan 8 and Kittelson 7. Blocks: Jennissen and Kolbo 3. Aces: Kortan, Sebek and Schuster 2.

’Til the cows come home

honored on Bally Sports broadcast

Nathan Lahr put together an exemplary high school career at Sauk Centre High School that naturally caught the eyes of many.

He was a diligent student-athlete, achieving a 3.99 GPA while also serving as a captain for the Sauk Centre Streeters football team. A multisport competitor, Lahr was a linebacker and tight end in football, among many more positions and a proficient runner in both individual and relays in track and field.

BY EVAN MICHEALSON Michealson’s Minutes

Lahr’s efforts in his everlasting quest for improvement also caught the attention of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation, who named Lahr as one of their Scholar-Athlete Award winners in June.

The conclusion of this recognition came Sept. 16, as Lahr was honored as a Scholar-Athlete selectee during the live-televised Minnesota Football Honors Show on Bally Sports North.

“I still cannot believe that I was selected to be a part of such an exclusive group of people, and it is the biggest honor I have received in my life,” Lahr said. “I owe it all to my coaches, teammates and teachers for pushing me to be the best that I could be.”

Lahr underwent a pair of interviews for the occasion, one in front of his family and the other with other award recipients, parents and previous honorees. The latter also saw Lahr received his trophy.

“I was completely terrified and in awe the whole time,” he said.

The 2023 Sauk Centre High School graduate was one of eight high school athletes to receive the award, alongside Belle Plaine’s Ryan Retzer, Nevis’ Ethan Klimek, Monticello’s Mason Bauer, Barnesville’s Tate Inniger, Deer River’s Rhett Mundt, Becker’s Alex Weiss and Concordia Academy’s Cole Schminski.

“I’m not sure if it is completely fair to lump me into the same category as them,” Lahr said. “I’m just a guy that knows how to work hard.”

In other sports tidbits:

• Nicole Kortan and the Mayville State Comets volleyball team ran into recent adversity but have emerged on the other side a better squad.

The Comets lost their first two games of the Valley City State Tournament Sept. 8, with Kortan providing seven kills and two digs in a 3-0 loss to Montana State Northern and four kills in a 3-0 loss to undefeated Montana Western. However, Mayville State closed its tourney on a strong note, winning 3-0 over the University of Winnipeg behind an eight-kill performance from Kortan.

Kortan’s scoring was a point of emphasis in the Comets building a win streak. The senior hitter accumulated a team-leading 18 kills to go with four block assists and four digs in a 3-1 win over Mount Marty Sept. 12 and added 10 kills and five digs in a 3-2 win over Briar Cliff Sept. 13.

• Haley Middendorf and her defensive capabilities have proven to be a key piece of a winning formula, as the Alexandria Technical and Community College Legends volleyball squad have gone 4-1 in their last five matches.

Middendorf piled up an impressive 42 digs and seven assists in a 3-1 victory over Minnesota North College-Itasca Sept. 6 and added 17 digs in a convincing 3-0 win over Minnesota North College-Mesabi Range Sept. 8.

The sophomore flashed some offensive skills as well in a 3-0 loss to Lake Region State College Sept. 9, recording five kills to go with 16 digs.

The Legends returned to the win column with 3-0 triumphs over Minnesota North College-Vermilion and Northland Community and Technical College Sept. 9 and Sept. 13, respectively. Middendorf posted six kills and eight digs against Vermilion and 15 digs and four assists against Northland.

• The start of the collegiate athletic season also introduces newcomers to the next stage of competition, as Samantha Eekhoff stepped back into the sport of cross-country as a member of the College of St. Benedict Bennies.

Eekhoff’s first race saw the 2023 Sauk Centre High School graduate finish her day at the Toni St. Pierre Invitational in St Cloud Sept. 8 with a time of 25 minutes and 3.82 seconds, good for 34th out of 38 finishers.

Eekhoff and the Bennies also took part in Carleton College’s Running of the Cows Sept. 16, logging a 201st-place finish at 31.56.3 in the 6-kilometer competition.

• Also competing at the Running of the Cows was Abbie Meyer, representing the Saint Mary’s University Cardinals.

Meyer broke into the top 150 at the 213-runner race, hustling to a 149th-place 27:31.6 finish with an average mile completion rate of 7:22.8.

The Cardinals took 12th place out of 16 teams with a score of 375.

• Alex (Christen) Middendorf and the University of Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles women’s cross-country team ventured to the Greeno/Dirksen Invitational at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln, Nebraska Sept. 16.

With seven of her teammates posting personal records, Middendorf also excelled, concluding an action-packed event in 297th place with a time of 25:34.2.

Twenty-eight teams showed off their long-distance prowess at the University of Nebraska-hosted competition, with the Golden Eagles taking 24th.

PHOTOS BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Senior setter April Klaphake prepares to set a teammate during the Streeters road win Sept. 19 in Benson. Klaphake had 23 set assists in the win.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

(Above and left) Area youth practice a variety of group and partner dances at the barn dance Sept. 9 at the Eibensteiner farm near Sauk Centre. The twice-annual event for the Rise Catholic Youth Group hosted about 80 youth and also offered other various games as entertainment.

Mackenzie Ritter goes up for a hit during the third set of the Streeters 3-0 win over Benson Sept. 19. Ritter finished her night with eight kills.

Exhausted swimmers, divers grind out dual win

Sauk Centre defeats Morris/ Minnewaska

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

The early events of the Sauk Centre girls swimming and diving team’s road meet against the Morris/Minnewaska Gators was dead-tight as could be.

The 200-yard medley relay saw the teams reach the wall .01 of a second apart, with Morris/Minnewaska’s determined A relay pulling out a close win. The very next race, the 200 freestyle, featured a frenzied dash to the finish between Morris/ Minnewaska’s Becca Femrite and Sauk Centre’s Maizie Jennissen and ended with the swimmers recording the exact same time.

“It was an attention-getter,” said James Schreiner, head coach. “If the kids weren’t into the meet, they were after those first two events.”

Through sheer willpower and key performances, the Streeters eventually gained separation, pulling away with a 112-74 win Sept. 19 at Minnewaska Area High School in Glenwood. It was

the third appearance for the team in six days.

“We’re definitely tired,” Schreiner said. “It’s good to compete, that’s the bottom line. It’s good to be able to have the kids work on things in a meet versus doing them in practice.”

Adversity reared its head not only in the close races, but within Sauk Centre’s lineup. With high-achieving scorer Brooke Bromenshenkel sidelined with a shoulder injury, Schreiner made some

adjustments, moving multitime state qualifier Stella Schirmers to the 200 individual medley. This move paid off big time, as Stella Schirmers took home first place.

“Tonight was her best meet of the season,” Schreiner said. “I’m happy she’s come out and done so well.”

The event alteration also positively affected another Sauk Centre swimmer: Olivia Marsh. Last year’s state meet alternate replaced Stella

Schirmers’ production in the 100 backstroke, earning first place at 1 minute and 9.63 seconds. Makenna Barthel was also locked in, placing third with a lifetime-best swim of 1:13.97.

“It was the next girl stepping up and saying, ‘We’ve got a different job to do, but we’re going to do it,’” Schreiner said. “It was good to see the girls doing what they needed to do.”

Drevlow snags first at Melrose invite

Sauk Centre boys cross-country earns second

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

Despite still having two high school seasons left ahead of him, Jacob Drevlow knows how to put himself in a position to win every race.

The Sauk Centre High School cross-country sophomore used everything in his toolkit at the Melrose Invitational Sept. 19, outpacing Pequot Lakes’ Liam Zims and Minnewaska Area’s Maeson Tank and winning the event at Meadowlark Country Club in Melrose with a time of 17 minutes, 10.39 seconds.

“He’s in tune with his body,” said Jim Metcalf, head coach. “He can feel how fast he can go, which is good.”

Drevlow’s event title helped the Streeters boys reach second place with a score of 73 at the 14-team invite behind only Pequot Lakes’ 54. Neal Stadsvold placed 11th in the 98-runner competition with an 18:28.57, while Devin Crawford-Klinnert hustled to 17th at 19:11.85.

Logan Frank and Logan Wiehoff rounded out the team scoring, placing at 19:21.70 in 20th and 19:21.70 in 24th, respectively.

“In the future, we’ll have these guys starting off faster and not having to run with anybody else on the team,” Metcalf said. “We’ll get there with that. Overall, I’m happy with what they did with that second-place finish.”

Harry Dunn might have also been in that mix, but the senior stopped to help another runner who was struggling with the heat during the race. He took second in the JV race.

“It shows what a good kid he is,” Metcalf said. “He’s always going to do that, whether it’s a teammate or someone from another team. It shows his character.” The

girls continued their consistent ways at Meadowlark, compiling a 10th-place finish out of 15 teams with a score of 253. Tori Linscheid extended her torrid start to her seventh-grade season, posting a 20th-place finish at 22:05.93.

“The girls are being realistic and just continuing to work on PRs and performing as good as possible out there,” Metcalf said. “They’re doing a good job. I expect they’ll move up in some of these meets.”

Breckenridge/Wahpeton won the girls varsity race with 80 team points.

Senior Francesca Rivers remained reliable with a 23:07.09 time and a top-40 placement at 36th, while Alyssa Tegels snagged 64th at 25:05.84.

Addison Sjogren qualified for the varsity roster with her JV time at the Little Crow Invitational the previous week and made the most of the opportunity, placing 66th as the team’s fourth scorer with a time of 25:12.34.

“She’s been a good addition to the girls varsity team, really helping us out in that No. 4 spot for us,” Metcalf said.

Abigail Mohs sped to a season-best performance, clocking

in at 25:15.11 and earning 67th, just a few spots ahead of Annie Harren at No. 70 and Gabbie Volkmann at No. 76. The closeness of the Sauk Centre’s later runners reflects an ever-present sense of not only comradery, but an encouraging drive to be better.

“They’re going to continue to push each other in a positive way,” Metcalf said.

The Streeters will take part in an invite hosted by Paynesville at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at Koronis Hills Golf Club in Paynesville. Boys team scores: 1. Pequot Lakes 54, 2. Sauk Centre 73, 3. New London-Spicer 117, 4. Minnewaska Area 117, 5. Wadena-Deer Creek 141, 6. Litchfield 147, 7. West Central Area 180, 8. Melrose Area 207, 9. Ashby-Brandon-Evansville 230, 10. Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 268, 11. Breckenridge/Wahpeton 276, 12. Benson/KMS 280, 13. Paynesville 336 and 14. Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta 368.  Girls team scores: 1. Breckenridge/ Wahpeton 80, 2. Minnewaska Area 124, 3. New London-Spicer 128, 4. Wadena-Deer Creek 130, 5. Litchfield 178, 6. Melrose Area 190, 7. West Central Area 194, 8. Pequot Lakes 220, 9. Paynesville 224, 10. Sauk Centre 253,

Little Crow Invitational

The boys Streeters captured fifth place out of 15 teams with a score of 151 and the girls took home 12th out of 14 squads with a score of 281 at the Little Crow Invitational Sept. 14 at Little Crow Golf Resort in Spicer.

Drevlow continued his streak of top-10 finishes to begin the fall season, earn-

ing eighth with a time of 17:17.07. Sauk Centre placed two more runners in the top 30: Crawford-Klinnert in 24th at 18:12.21 and Stadsvold in 26th at 18:26.63.

All of the Streeters’ scorers finished in the top half of the 103-runner field, as Wiehoff snagged 43rd at 18:54.21 and Dunn posted a 19.31.25 mark for 50th.

Sauk Centre’s girls lineup was led by Linscheid, who sped to 19th with a blistering 21.56.81 run. Rivers narrowly outraced competitors from Litchfield, St. John’s Prep and Minnewaska Area for 40th at 23:22.88, while Tegels found her footing with a season-best time of 24:49.54 in 70th.

The Streeters’ final two scorers were Mohs and Harren, who reached the finish line back-to-back at 85th and 86th with times of 25:35.40 and 25:39.54, respectively.

Dassel-Cokato paced the rest of the field in the boys race with a first-place score of

Redwood Valley’s

Neal Stadsvold sets his pace early in the Melrose Invitational Sept. 19 at Meadowlark Country Club in Melrose. He kept up a strong pace and earned a spot in the medal lineup.

PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING Victoria Linscheid (from left), Alyssa Tegels and Francesca Rivers start their race at the Melrose Invitational Sept. 19 at Meadowlark Country Club in Melrose. Linscheid had the best finish of any Streeter in the girls race.

PHOTO BY TOM FENTON

Violet Anderson pushes herself in the butterfly leg of the 200-yard medley relay against Sauk Rapids-Rice Sept. 14 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Anderson and Sauk Centre’s B relay took third place with a time of 2 minutes, 10.01 seconds.

Swimming page 12

11. Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 261, 12. Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 286, 13. Ashby-Brandon-Evansville 296, 14. Benson/KMS 303 and 15. Morris Area/ Chokio-Alberta 308.