Sauk Centre Herald 09-28-2023

Sauk

Centre hospitality

grows

City approves Ding Dong variance, short-term rental permits

BY BEN SONNEK STAFF WRITER

Sauk Centre’s hospitality options are expanding, whether it is a cafe renovation or the addition of new short-term rentals.

During their Sept. 20 meeting at Sauk Centre City Hall, the Sauk Centre City Council approved a variance to the Ding Dong Cafe for a setback of 0 feet from the road right of way and of 2.7 feet from the interior side yard; the setback is usually 30 feet for both the side yard and the street. The decreased setback allows for additions to the west and south sides of the Ding Dong Cafe, which will result in a final size of 75-by-35 feet.

Prior to the council’s decision, councilmember Diane Kelly expressed concern over the cafe’s condition, including rotting siding boards, major appliances left outdoors and the large dent in the building from where a tree fell on it. City Administrator Vicki Willer assured the council those issues would be resolved as part of the cafe’s renovation plan.

Nurturing nature

in the spring of 1983.

Tree Top Nursery and Landscaping turns 40

BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER

The nursery has not always been on Sauk Centre’s north side, but over its 40 years of operation, Tree Top Nursery and Landscaping has become a local go-to gardening greenhouse for people looking to grow, plant or add more scenery to their yards and gardens.

The owner, Marty Claussen, was first interested in the field while he was growing up, helping out at the nursery belonging to his brother, Tom Claussen, near Long Prairie.

Tree Top page 4

Building up to 2023

homecoming

Head of the head cheese

Jenc, fellow St. Alexius parishioners prepare for Oct. 1 Sausage Supper

BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER

City council page 3 Sausage Supper

Every parishioner at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union has their role to play in the church’s annual Sausage Supper fundraiser, being served Sunday, Oct. 1. Jane Jenc’s job is to lead the makers of head cheese, an old recipe that lives on through the supper. “As hard of work as it is, it’s a lot of fun,” Jenc said. “I’d rather do one big fundraiser than a lot of little fundraisers. It’s the only fundraiser our church does.”

Jenc has been a parishioner 66 years. She helped out with some of the earliest sausage suppers, back when the fundraiser was held twice per year and there were more farming families in the area who could help out. There also used to be roast beef in addition to the sausage.

Growing up, Jenc’s role at the Sausage Supper evolved from waitressing to being head of the dining room. She helped with the head cheese, and about 13 years ago, she was convinced to lead the head cheese-making part of the operation.

“It happened to be one of my mom’s very good friends who was head of (making head cheese),” Jenc said. “I just started helping … and about 13 years ago, she looked me in the eye and asked me if I would take over, and what do you say?”

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK

Marty Claussen assembles a collection of yard decorations Sept. 22 at Tree Top Nursery and Landscaping in Sauk Centre. Brothers Marty and Tom Claussen founded Tree Top

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK Jane Jenc arrives for Sausage Supper setup work Sept. 25 at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union. The Sausage Supper is the church’s annual fundraiser, and it used to be held twice a year.

PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE

The 2023 Sauk Centre Homecoming Court (bottom, from left) seniors Stella Schirmers, Alexis Groetsch, Addison Hoffman, Ava Friedrichs, Zach Klimek, Devon Cervantes, Andrew Drevlow and Matthew Evens; (middle, from left) junior Enara Nelson, seniors Serena Middendorf and Raya Sebek, sophomore David Gilmore, seniors Chris Polipnick and Devin Crawford-Klinnert; (top, from left) freshman Kahlen Suelflow, sophomore Nya Thieschafer, junior Ingmar Berghahn and freshman Lucas Ahrens gather on the football field Sept. 26. Homecoming coronation is Oct. 2.

Boston Roger Imdieke

Doug and Hannah Imdieke, of Big Lake, are happy to announce the birth of their son, Boston Roger Imdieke, at 8:10 a.m., Aug. 11, 2023, at the Buffalo Hospital.

He weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce and measured 19 inches long.

Boston was welcomed home by his sibling, Oaklynn, 2.

Grandparents are Jack and Rosie Rademacher, of Greenwald, and Roger and

Finnlei Hayes Masog

Cody Masog and Carlissa Schultz, of Long Prairie, are happy to announce the birth of their son, Finnlei Hayes Masog, at 12:33 p.m., Sept. 17, 2023, at CentraCare-Sauk Centre Hospital in Sauk Centre.

He weighed 7 pounds, 2 ounces and measured 21 inches long.

Finnlei was welcomed home by his siblings, Braxtyn Masog, 6, Carstyn Masog, 5, and Evelyn Loucks-Schultz, 3.

Boston Roger Imdieke

Deb Imdieke, of Greenwald. Great-grandparent is Beatrice Rademacher, of Sauk Centre.

Finnlei Hayes Masog

In Bavarian attire, Marlene Gwost carries rails of apple schnapps for Oktoberfest patrons Sept. 21 at Tutti Fruitti Restaurant and Market Farm south of Sauk Centre. Tutti Fruitti served pork hocks, wienerschnitzel, German bratwurst, German potato salad, potatoes and gravy, sauerkraut, black forest cake and apple streudel.

Stella Schirmers

What do you enjoy most about being on the swim team? My favorite part is having close friends from all grades.

What has been the highlight of your swim career? Getting to swim with all three of my sisters has been a personal highlight for me, but also being a part of the eight girls who got third at State.

Parents: Dave and Missy Schirmers

Grade: 12

Accomplishment:

Is a senior captain and one of the top swimmers on the girls swim team.

Proudly Sponsored by

What other activities are you involved in at school? I am in Track and Field and Captains and Leaders.

Why do you feel it’s important to be involved in school activities? Activities are a great way to make friends with kids you might not talk to every day at school, while finding out what you’re good at.

What is your favorite Streeter tradition? I like the “Bessie the Heifer” cheer that we do at games because it’s something different than what other student sections do.

wdoyoutrytomakeadifferenceatschool? Ithink

How do you try to make a difference at school? I think being kind to everyone and making everyone feel included can be a simple act, but a big way to make a difference.

What SC teacher/coach has made an impact on your life? Obvious answer, but I think Coach Schreiner has made the biggest impact on my life. He’s taught me how to be confident without being boastful, along with a lot of useless information I think about on the daily.

What has been your favorite class to date?  Any class with Mr. Ross or Mr. Ellens is my favorite because they are such kind guys.

What are three words that describe your personality? Fun, chaotic, kind.

Dinner and a movie: What’s on the menu and big screen? Claire Rieland’s popcorn with the Parent Trap.

PHOTOS BY BEN SONNEK

Couples dance to “The Milwaukee Waltz” during the Oktoberfest celebration at Tutti Fruitti Restaurant and Market Farm Sept. 21 south of Sauk Centre. The event utilized the restaurant’s new extension.

(Left)

City council from front

The council also approved interim use permits to Lake Shore Drive properties belonging to Ben and Amy Felling, Walter and Stacie Michels and Aaron and Nicki Vogt, allowing them to use the properties as short-term rentals. Although their properties’ lot sizes and separation distances do not meet the city short-term rental ordinance requirements, they are considered grandfathered in because they were utilized as short-term rentals prior to the establishment of the ordinance.

Residents in the area of these properties have had concerns about dogs, noise, parking and trespassing on the Old Course golf course. Some of these issues had been reported in the area, although these incidents were later revealed to not have been associated with short-term rental properties. Even so, as part of the interim use permit agreements, the properties must comply with performance standards including adhering to overnight and daytime occupancy limits as set by the Stearns County Lodging License and the city, keeping the rentals’ designated parking off-street, maintaining quiet hours from 10 p.m.-7 a.m., having an emergency contact available at any time with the ability to respond in 30 minutes and storing garbage, refuse and recycling completely enclosed within designated refuse containers.

The licensees must keep reports detailing the property’s usage — each guest’s name, address, phone number and vehicle license number at a minimum — and the report must be provided to the city upon request.

Other city council news:

— At their Sept. 6 meeting, the council approved the purchase of a 2017 Toro Sand Pro from Country Club Landscaping for $14,995, plus an estimated $650 in shipping. That unit did not have a warranty on its engine, but the city found another Toro Sand Pro with a warranty and a new engine; the unit costs about $16,500 but has no shipping costs. The council approved the resolution amendment with the new Toro Sand Pro.

— In July, Sauk Centre issued 17 building permits with a

Sausage Supper from front

The first volunteers arrive at 4:30 a.m. to cook the meat for the head cheese, including pork hocks and pork loin. The meat is then cut up and added to some of the juices used to cook it, as well as red pepper, green pepper, vinegar and gelatin. The pork comes from Schaefer’s Market in Sauk Centre.

“We don’t cook the pig’s head like they used to,” Jenc said. “It’s definitely German. Years ago, when money was tight, they cooked every part of a pig.”

This year, the Sausage Supper will make 38 trays of head cheese to be served at the meal, and they will fill 340 Styrofoam containers with more head cheese, which will be sold.

“Some people come just for the head cheese,” Jenc said.

The meat for the sausage comes from Belgrade, which is where the sausage itself is made. The recipe for the sausage is a secret that belongs to the Herb and Barb Marthaler family, also St. Alexius parishioners. They mix the ingredients and take their quarts of juice to the Belgrade plant

total construction value of $414,500, and in August, they issued 14 permits with a total construction value of $429,710.43.

— The Sauk Centre Conservation Park bathrooms are closed as they are currently being remodeled.

— According to Sauk Centre Police Department Chief Bryon Friedrichs, Stearns County is implementing a new law enforcement activity reporting system, which sometimes has errors such as double-counting an incident where more than one officer was on scene, so some numbers presented may be inaccurate until the system is straightened out.

— Approved the solicitation of bids for an ambulance to replace the Sauk Centre Ambulance Service’s 2015 Chevrolet rig. The SCAS is on a nine-year ambulance rotation. Their last rig was purchased in 2021 but not received until this year, so it is likely an order placed now would arrive in 2025, approximately on schedule for the ambulance rotation, and a price increase is projected after the first of 2024, so the SCAS aims to lock in a lower price this year.

— Approved the purchase of a snowblower attachment for $7,900 from Modern Farm Equipment for the Sauk Centre Municipal Airport. The attachment has a hydraulic vertical chute control for better and less hazardous operation.

— Approved the switching of the city’s dental insurance plan to Beam, offering the same coverage as the city’s previous plan but at a lower cost.

— Approved the following pay requests: $120,322.16 to Kuechle Underground for work on the 2023 Authors Addition Project, $131,635.62 to Mark Lee Excavating for work on the 2023 street reclamation project, $225,769.22 to Northern Lines Contracting for work on the Sauk Centre South Industrial Park and $435,751.15 to C&L Excavating for work on the 2022 Second Street project. The next city council meeting, at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 4, will include three public hearings for the following assessments: Authors Addition, 2023 reclamation projects and 2023 delinquent accounts.

to be incorporated into the sausage.

One quart of the secret recipe makes 120 pounds of sausage. The Marthalers needed to make 75 quarts this year — nearly 19 gallons — for the 9,000 pounds of sausage made for the 2023 Sausage Supper.

“A certain amount gets cooked for the dinner, but the rest gets sold outright,” Jenc said. “Every year, they make a little more because they tend to sell that out. Head cheese, we’ve kept that the same amount. When it’s gone, it’s gone.”

Sauerkraut preparation began with mixing the cabbage and salt in July and letting it ferment, and it was packed into jars Sept. 23. Over 400 jars have been packed with sauerkraut so far, and there will be crocks of it served at the supper.

Preparation for the Sausage Supper usually happens on Tuesdays, and it takes about 25 people to help. The day of the supper, though, it takes every St. Alexius parishioner to put on the supper — cooking, selling tickets, selling pumpkins, manning the beer wagon and country store, calling bingo, parking cars, preparing takeout and serving the dinner itself.

Jenc encourages people coming to the Sausage Supper to try the head cheese.

She enjoys it, although she believes it may be an acquired taste.

“I grew up with it, and I like the acidity of it,” Jenc said. “Close your eyes and take a bite.”

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.

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

Through hands-on activities in Science class, fifth graders are learning about plant growth and insects. Students planted Wisconsin Fast Plant seeds and are journaling plant growth while learning about different plant parts and their functions. This activity culminates with the harvesting of the seeds from the pods.

Students also collected different insects, pinned them to Styrofoam blocks and identified them. They have been learning about the 1,500 mile migration journey of the Monarch butterflies to Mex-

ico. Butterflies are raised in the classroom, then tagged with identification stickers placed on the lower wings. If the tagged butterflies are found in Mexico, the retrieved

tags are submitted to the University of Kansas. In the Spring, students can then go online to check Monarch Watch to see if their butterfly was found.

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK Jane Jenc looks over the 400plus jars of sauerkraut in the St. Alexius Catholic Church basement Sept. 25 in West Union. Jenc is in charge of the volunteers making the head cheese.

block of Park Rd.

15:49 hrs – Domestic on 700 block of 5th St. S

17:26 hrs – Burglary on 800 block of 10th St. S

18:04 hrs – Agency assist on 900 block of Getty St.

23:47 hrs – Agency assist on 5th Ave. NE/3rd St. NE

2 extra patrol requests • 2 door checks

Sunday, Sept. 24

00:02 hrs – Verbal dispute on 300 block of 4th St. N

00:10 hrs – Vandalism to vehicle on 700 block of Pine St. S

10:08 hrs – UAV assist

FEMA, FCC plan nationwide emergency alert test for Oct. 4

Test messages will be sent to all TVs, radios, cell phones

WASHINGTON — FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts this fall.

The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities. Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4.

The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. The test message will display in either English or Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.

The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions.

The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure the systems continue to be an effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly

Tree Top from front

He enjoyed being outside, not sitting at a desk for hours, so after high school graduation, he attended Brainerd Vocational Technical School and worked for an Alexandria nursery.

“It was overwhelming at first because I didn’t know what a marigold was,” Marty said. “We had to learn the Latin names of all the trees and shrubs and had to do IDs on twigs only, no leaves, and for some reason, it really clicked.”

Marty and Tom started Tree Top in the spring of 1983. They ran it together for a season, but when they could see it would not be enough to support two families, Marty took over the business and has been running it ever since with his wife, Beth Claussen.

“She’s been right at my side on this whole trip,” Marty said.

The Claussens first rented property from John Wiese Ford for about seven years, and Marty later moved the nursery to its current location over the fall and winter of 1989-90. With two years of education in landscape technology from Brainerd Vo-Tech, Marty had mostly geared Tree Top toward landscaping, but with the move to their new location, he began focusing more on retail.

“It used to be 75-80% of our business was landscaping, and now it’s basically flip-flopped,” Marty said. “The landscaping hasn’t changed a lot; we’ve just grown the retail.”

Tree Top started growing bedding plants in 1998, but that crowded the space they had, so they bought their growing space down the road in 2001.

“Growing is about how much stuff you can pack into a greenhouse,” Marty said. “In retail, you have to have wide aisles (and) stuff accessible, so it’s tough to grow and retail at the same location.”

Today, Tree Top grows most of its own shrubs, bedding plants and peren-

those on the national level. In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to widespread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11. These messages will be disseminated via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.

WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message.

All wireless phones should receive the message only once.

For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “This is a test of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “Esta es

nials, keeping busy from February through December every year. January is mostly an off month, but there are also maintenance tasks like greenhouse disinfecting and shelving construction.

Tree Top is effectively three businesses in one, offering landscaping, growing, and retail.

“During May and June, all three overlap heavily,” Marty said. “We have a hard time getting out of the nursery before the middle of May, with potting and transplanting and setting things up from over the winter, so there’s more time involved here than there used to be.”

By Marty’s estimate, about three-quarters of Tree Top’s retail sales happen within a six-week period.

“This year’s been tough with the drought,” Marty said. “People haven’t planted a lot of trees because they don’t want to water stuff. Trees and shrubs have been slow this year. I’d like to say everything is cyclical, but it’s not.”

Tree Top’s best two years of business were 2020-21. While they initially had to close for the COVID-19 lockdowns, they were granted permission to reopen in April in time for planting.

“People were home and they did stuff at home,” Claussen said. “They planted hedges and trees.”

The longer Tree Top has been in business, the less Marty has needed to draw up landscaping designs. His long-term customers only need to bring him their ideas, and

una prueba del Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesita accion.”

The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.

The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.”

he can figure out how to get it done.

“We’re getting in the area where I’m doing 10 designs a year,” Marty said. “I enjoy that, but it’s hard to make the time for it when you have customers waiting. … We have some customers who have been around 39, 40 years.”

With landscaping, Marty enjoys being able to visit people’s homes to install something that can be admired by visitors and passers-by.

“If a guy comes in and shingles the house, 90% of the people don’t notice its new shingles,” Marty said. “If they did a good job, it looks like it did before, whereas a lot of our job is very visual, outside the house, and everybody sees it, so that part is rewarding. The problem is when you get so busy, you sometimes

COMMUNITY STARS

UWEC awards scholarships to Sauk Centre

freshmen

don’t even take pictures of jobs. … You wish you could sit back and just look at the job.”

Tree Top is focusing on retail and growing as they move ahead, and they are continuing to upgrade their spaces. One recent addition has been rolling tables in their greenhouse, giving them about 30% more space. Economy permitting, they hope to put up another greenhouse in the next few years as well as another structure for planting events.

Tree Top draws customers from Alexandria to Avon, from Belgrade to Browerville, partly because of the friendly experience and expertise the nursery offers, but also because the non-box store industry has shrunk. Marty has seen nurseries that fail are the ones that no longer invest in their business and appearance.

EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN

— The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire awarded 825 scholarships to 565 incoming freshmen for the 2023-24 school year, with many students receiving multiple awards. Sauk Centre students on the list include Hailey Hokanson, recipient of the Minnesota Meets UWEC Scholarship, and Kyle Sayovitz, recipient of the Chancellor’s Scholarship and the Mark of Excellence Scholarship.

“I think that’s true in any industry,” Marty said. “When you stop growing and maintaining stuff, your business is going to go down. We have a nice shopping area, we have walkways of either concrete or pavers everywhere people go. When we started, it was wood chips everywhere because that was all we could afford.”

While Marty has his eye on retirement and is hoping for a new owner to come along someday, his continuing work at Tree Top lets him do what he loves — working outside with his hands, helping people make their slice of nature more beautiful.

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK Tree Top’s first dollar of profit, presented in 1984 by the Sauk Centre Chamber of Commerce, still hangs in Tree Top Nursery and Landscaping Sept. 22 in Sauk Centre. Tree Top moved to its current location during the fall and winter of 1989-90.

Harbingers of fall

Nothing says fall is here more loudly than gigantic farm machinery on the move in the fields and on area roads.

Driving south on U.S. Highway 71 last week, I was barely out of Sauk Centre’s city limits, when I had to do a double take to figure out what was taking place about a quarter mile ahead. Trucks and cars were swerving around a huge John Deere combine. But wait – the combine, also traveling south, was swerving all the way into the passing lane too, then right back into its own lane. That’s when I realized there were actually two combines, the first being driven and the second being hauled on a low trailer.

More cars and trucks swerved around to pass the two combines before the driver of the truck and trailer pulled into the passing lane to get by the first. For a number of seconds, the entire highway and shoulders of the road were filled with solid green.

I would love to have grabbed my phone to take a photo, but I figured doing something illegal on the run might not help this situation. I’m sure it was much safer than it appeared anyway, given they had a better vantage point.

Let’s be careful out there. It’s harvest time, which has been going strong for many for quite a while. For farmers, in addition to stresses of road travel and a hundred other things, machinery has to work right and, ideally, the weather has to cooperate. Now, with long-awaited rains coming to certain areas recently, there will be some delays and people putting in longer days when they get rolling again.

In a small rural community like ours, there’s a nice blend of town and country that keeps everyone fairly real. People in every occupation work hard and everyone is on the move, sharing roads and bridges, highways and byways. This is where a basic understanding of agriculture

Happy fall! This month, I am highlighting our Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force and an international drug case they conducted over the past several years. VOTF is comprised of officers from the St. Cloud and Sartell Police Departments, along with deputies from the Stearns, Sherburne, Benton, and Morrison County Sheriff’s Offices. Their primary duties are to investigate controlled substances and violent crimes that occur in Central Minnesota.

In the summer of 2019, VOTF began working on a case involving individuals from the St. Cloud area who were involved in selling drugs, both in St. Cloud and throughout Central Minnesota. This investigation grew as more people involved in the drug ring were identified or implicated through investigative methods. Eventually some of these individuals from Central Minnesota were identified and found to be living in Mexico. They were distributing controlled substances into the United States, specifically into Minnesota and North Dakota. These individuals had direct ties to Mexican drug cartels, and the drugs were directly sourced from Mexico. These drugs included methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and fentanyl, both powder and pill form.

comes in handy. Farm machinery is generally big, and most of it moves much more slowly than some drivers appreciate, and even though our area is heavily grounded in agriculture, a growing percentage of people have less of a connection to the farm.

By Missy Traeger

How to use common, everyday items to help with household problems.

It’s worth noting a personal vehicle on the road has no hope against a combine, tractor or other farm equipment, so why take the risk? When in doubt, it’s better to get there late than never.

Switching gears (pun intended) just a little, there are a lot of nature lovers taking fall color drives north of Sauk Centre, enjoying the glorious colors currently gracing our landscape. A drive in the country is well worth anyone’s time but again, watch out for everyone else.

Fall is a magical transition, and a favorite time of year to decorate yards and homes with the typical mums, gourds, pumpkins and other fun things. Beautiful fall days mean pulling out those favorite sweaters and sweatshirts, raking leaves and smelling the smoke drifting up from a bonfire in the sentiments of a Terry Redlin painting.

Wait, though. There is another aroma; it smells like sausage and all the fixings. Members of St. Alexius Church in West Union are preparing for Sunday’s Sausage Supper. It’s stunning to witness the collaboration of this parish as they prepare and serve their annual fundraiser meal. Inside sources tell me they are making 9,000 pounds of sausage this year, most of it to be sold outright, with some 1,300 pounds used to feed those who come for the supper. The 300 gallons of homemade sauerkraut is a fan favorite as well, as is the head cheese.

What would fall be without the harvest, the sausage supper or other fall events in the area? Only gorgeous.

Life Hacks

Pop a few Altoids® in your mouth. They will freshen your breath and also work well as a decongestant.

The investigation spanned over four years and resulted in the arrest of 23 individuals involved in the international drug ring. They have all been charged in federal court. The VOTF was joined in this investigation by federal and other state law enforcement agencies. During this investigation, VOTF seized 18.5 pounds of methamphetamine, a quarter pound of cocaine, two kilos of fentanyl, 18 pounds of marijuana and five handguns. In Minneapolis and Duluth, another 43 pounds of methamphetamine was seized. The Texas DEA seized 120,000 fentanyl pills. To assist you in understanding the gravity of this investigation, a piece of fentanyl the size of a poppyseed has the ability to kill someone. Thus, the 120,000 pills bound for our area saved many lives. Altogether, the street value of these seized drugs is approximately $1.3 million. Our agency is part of this task force, and we are always working, even behind the scenes and undercover, to serve and protect you from those that want to make money while putting you or your children in danger. If you have tips or information regarding drug activity in your area, please reach out to the sheriff’s office and we will get your information to the right people.

Have a stuffy nose?

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So, I’m writing another book. I had a brief mention of this in my last column. I wish I could say the book I’m working on is a “Cyberwood” sequel — and heaven knows I have pages of notes for it in my Writing Notebook of Evil — but it isn’t. Remember another column of mine, “The write reasons,” which ran in the July 20 edition of the Herald? My basic thesis back then was the best writers are ones who were basically mugged by their stories, forced to write them or face being annoyed for eternity. Well, not long after that column went to print, that’s exactly what happened to me: I was mugged by a new story idea, so much so that I wrote an entire synopsis for it in minutes.

Ultra Sonnek by Ben Sonnek

As any author will tell you, that’s messed up. The synopsis is usually the last part of a story to go on paper. I mean, it’s hard for a novelist to summarize a story which took thousands and thousands of words to write in the first place.

As of this writing, I’ve been maintaining an average writing pace of 1,000 words a day. I started Sept. 2 and have about 25,000 words down so far, so that’s not bad. It’s hard to tell, but I hope I really am a quarter of the way through the narrative. My manuscripts tend to be in the 90,000-100,000 word range, and I don’t want to find myself standing on several hundred thousand words, wondering where the whole thing went off the rails.

What makes this writing journey even stranger than usual is the fact that I’m still selling “Cyberwood.” Because my latest work-in-process has nothing to do with my debut novel’s story — at least, I’m pretty sure it doesn’t — I find myself having to switch between my “Cyberwood” brain and my manuscript brain. If it seems like my brain is lagging, blame the multiple worlds cluttering up the place.

Lag or no lag, I’m still doing what I can to get “Cyberwood” out there, so that’s how I ended up at Dragon Tale Books in Menomonie, Wisconsin, last Saturday. They agreed to host me and Amy Gregg, author of “Farmed and Dangerous,” so we could talk about, sell and sign our books. The estimated drive time from Sauk Centre to Menomonie was three hours, but I factored in the Twin Cities’ rush hour traffic and the ever-present specter of road construction and made sure I left home early in the morning.

The event at Dragon Tale Books was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Thanks to my travel plans, I arrived at a quarter to nine. Where are those delays when you need them?

To pass the time, I needed somewhere to write. Fortunately, the University of Wisconsin-Stout was right next door to Dragon Tale. Their admissions building was unlocked, so I camped in its foyer with my laptop. Nobody challenged my presence, probably because some kind of student orientation day was going on. If anything, I helped dress the set.

When the event time drew near, I brought my books into Dragon Tale; Amy Gregg wasn’t able to make it, so I had the tables to myself. It was a gray, drizzly day in Menomonie, not a lot of people out and about. I figured I could use the lull between potential customers to work on my manuscript some more.

That didn’t happen. The trouble with bookstores is they are frequented by people who like books, and I burned hours talking about stories, writing and favorite titles with patrons. At least half of my conversations were with Dragon Tale’s proprietor, Ann, who is one of the few people I’ve met outside of college who’s read Walter M. Miller Jr.’s “A Canticle for Liebowitz,” an underrated post-apocalyptic sci-fi classic. Some of these conversations helped accomplish my overall mission, too. An artist, Ray, endured my ramblings for ages while working on his string-based art project, and after a while of exchanging questions and perspectives, he picked up one of my books and said, “All right, you’ve convinced me. I’m buying a copy.”

I think only a fifth of our conversation was focused on “Cyberwood.”

That’s the thing that ties all this together, I suppose: Stories have power. It’s something that’s said a lot, especially in the news business, but it’s worth thinking about further. Stories have power when they’re rough drafts, still being written. They have power as books, whether they are flying off the shelves or are collecting dust there. They have power as the stories surrounding them; even storytelling tips are compelling narratives in themselves. Then, of course, stories have power as news. Nobody would care about the newspaper if it didn’t deliver compelling, relevant and interesting stories, which is what we, at the Herald, endeavor to accomplish for all of our readers.

It’s also what I hope to accomplish with my next book, provided I’m able to finish it. I’ll be sure to warn you all if the draft hits half a million words.

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

THE SAUK CENTRE HERALD (USPS 482-220) is published weekly on Thursdays by Star Publications, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN. 56378. Second-class postage paid at Sauk Centre, MN. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE SAUK CENTRE HERALD, 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Herald Sauk Centre Annual Subscription Rates: Stearns, Todd, Douglas, Pope, & Morrison counties$53. Elsewhere in Minnesota - $60. Elsewhere in the United States - $63. The deadline for most news in The Sauk Centre Herald is noon Monday. Exceptions are obituaries, which have a deadline of 10 a.m. Tuesday. The deadline for advertisements in The Sauk Centre Herald is noon Tuesdays, and in the Shopper noon Wednesdays and Classy Canary is noon Wednesdays. Corrections/Clarifications: The Sauk Centre Herald strives for accuracy. If you would like to report a factual error, call 320-352-6577. Letters to the editor are welcomed. Letters must be signed with first and last name and include address and phone number. Letters are limited to 350 words. See political letters to the editor policy for additional guidelines on our website under “policies”. Advertising: Star Publications staff have no authority to bind this newspaper and only publication of an advertisement shall constitute final acceptance of the advertiser’s order. ISSN: Print: 2831-980X Online: 2831-9818 Staff Mark Klaphake ......................General Manager ......................................mark@saukherald.com Joyce Frericks ........................Publisher .........................................................joyce@saukherald.co Missy Traeger

County Sheriff by Steve Soyka

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

Knights of Columbus donate raffle proceeds to HFS

Fourth grader Holly Hokanson (front, from left), third grader Kelsie Wanderscheid, fifth grader Jasper Klaphake and kindergartener Grayson Radjenovich; and (back, from left) fifth grader Brynn Borgmann, Sauk Centre Knights of Columbus Grand Knight Dan Krousey, sixth grader Samuel Henderson and Holy Family School

Principal Lisa Otte bring the $15,000 raffle check to HFS Sept. 20 in Sauk Centre. The funds are from the raffle the Knights of Columbus held at the 2023 Stearns County Fair.

Lepowsky nominated for national Caregiver of the Year Award

Alternative Senior Care in Sauk Centre has announced Sauk Centre resident Laura Lepowsky is a nominee for the Home Care Association of America’s 2023 Caregiver of the Year Award. Lepowsky, who has worked for ASC since 2019, is among the top 500 home caregivers nominated by home care agencies nationwide, and she is currently a finalist in the top 16. The top caregiver will be announced at the HCAOA National Home Care Conference Oct. 24 at the Hilton Chicago Hotel, and they will receive a cash prize of $2,000 as a token of appreciation for their contributions.

“Providing care and support for others requires a special kind of empathy and understanding not everyone possesses,” said Vicki Hoak, CEO of HCAOA. “Through this award, we seek to recognize the extraordinary efforts of our devoted caregivers. They go the extra mile to forge meaningful connections and bring joy to those they assist — singing favorite songs, planning special outings, preparing treasured dishes — all to ensure those in their care feel safe and cared for.”

This year’s HCAOA Caregiver of the Year Award saw a 150% increase in nominations over the past four years, with 2023 setting a new record.

As the United States prepares for a future where nearly 81 million people will be 65 years and older by 2040, caregivers like Lepowsky play an indispensable role in supporting the aging population and alleviating the strain on the healthcare system. The Caregiver of the Year Award program spotlights the exceptional caregivers across the country who deliver crucial care and support in the comfort of their client’s homes. Services range from assisting with daily tasks like bathing and dressing to providing vital medication reminders for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Join

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

EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN 529 Main St.

goodsamaritansaukcentre.org

FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 124 4th St. N 320-352-5356 faithbc.org

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

FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 620 5th St. S 320-352-2030

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

WAY BACK WHEN

100 years ago • Sept. 27, 1923

Star of “Main Street” visits Sauk Centre on honeymoon

Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Reis of Duluth visited Sauk Centre last Wednesday, enjoying their honeymoon trip in a Cadillac coupe. Mrs. Reis played Carol Kennicott in “Main Street,” a production based on the Sinclair Lewis Novel, made by the Duluth Stock Company early this spring; Mr. Reis, a general superintendent for the Minnesota Steel Company in Duluth, saw her first performance and fell in love. An introduction was arranged, and six months later, they were married. The couple was greatly interested in Sauk Centre during their visit and were surprised to find it to be a modern little city inhabited by average folks.

50 years ago • Sept. 27, 1973

HFS students collect soup labels for school equipment

Students at Holy Family School in Sauk Centre are collecting Campbell soup labels as part of a promotion by the Campbell Soup Company, under which the school may be able to obtain some needed audio-visual equipment. “Labels for Education” will be collecting and saving labels between now and Dec. 8, and they will then send a number of them in for a particular piece of equipment. More than 70 pieces of audio-visual equipment are being offered with this program.

25 years ago • Sept. 29, 1998

Ground broken for GreyStone, City Bus to run five days a week

Ground was broken last week for the new GreyStone Country Club and Additions north of Sauk Centre. The 18-hole golf course is expected to open in 2000.

Beginning Oct. 5, Sauk Centre’s City Bus service will run five days a week, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The service used to be three days a week, Tuesday through Thursday, and it was a two-day service when it was initiated in 1995. The rising number of commuters necessitated the increase; the average daily number of one-way trips in 1995 was 42, increasing to 139 in 1996, 203 in 1997 and 366 this year. The City Bus will also provide service to Sauk Centre Township residents.

10 years ago • Sept. 26, 2013

Shareholders to sell country club, pursue GreyStone purchase

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

Sauk Centre Country Club shareholders voted 95-5 on Sunday in favor of selling the golf course to a private owner and pursuing the purchase of GreyStone Golf Club north of Sauk Centre. The SCCC board members had been discussing the possible deal since February 2012, but the idea gained momentum this June. Before Lynx National and GreyStone were built, the country club had over 200 members, but that number has since declined to 65; both Lynx and GreyStone are located next to Highway 71 and are 18-hole courses, while the country club has nine holes and no room to add any more. The closing date is set for Oct. 1.

PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Paula Bromenshenkel (from left), Laura Lepowsky, Beth Knutson and Lainie Berg celebrate Lepowsky’s Home Care Association of America 2023 Caregiver of the Year Award nomination Sept. 22 at Alternative Senior Care in Sauk Centre. Lepowsky is a top 16 finalist for the award.

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

Number:

Document

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

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

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

Rate Mortgage PassThrough Certificates, Series

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.

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.

CITY OF SAUK CENTRE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ASSESSMENTS FOR UNPAID CITY AND UTILITY SERVICE CHARGES

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.

Assignment

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

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

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.

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 Mortgage Securities Inc., Floating Rate Mortgage PassThrough Certificates, Series 2001-2 Wilford, Geske & Cook, P.A. Attorneys for Mortgagee 7616 Currell Boulevard, Suite 200 Woodbury, MN 55125 (651) 209-3300 File Number: 052970-F1 H-38-6B

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

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

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

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

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.

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

If you’re going to use, know. Over half of pills bought online or on the street contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. Test strips and info at fentfacts.com

Experimentation brings efficiency

PHOTOS BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Streeters swim/ dive team wins on Senior Night

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

As the fall progresses, the Sauk Centre Streeters girls swimming and diving squad continue to find success at different paces.

The team placed many of their swimmers in unfamiliar events Sept. 26, which led to some fantastic swims in front of their home crowd at Sauk Centre High School in Sauk Centre in a 109-65 win over the Holdingford Huskers.

“We had an opportunity to move some girls around and put them in different events and I thought they performed very well,” said James Schreiner, head coach. “On nights like tonight, you get to see what kind of competitors they are and how they’ll compete.”

The opening event yielded an immediate glimpse into the roster’s drive and desire to perform well. Sauk Centre placed two relays in the top two spots of the 200-yard medley relay, with the team of Olivia Marsh, Brooke Bromenshenkel, Maizie Jennissen and Makenna Barthel swimming a 2-minute, 5.53-second race, narrowly ahead of the grouping of Stella Schirmers, Violet Anderson, Jorja Novak and Carmen Loxtercamp’s 2:07.69.

“It’s just good to see those girls out there competing,” Schreiner said. “They take pride in what they do, and it shows with that.” The Streeters never relinquished control of the home meet. Pyper

Sophomore Maizie Jennissen powers through the water while competing in the 100 butterfly during the teams home meet against Holdingford. Jennissen took first in the even with a time of 1:09.6. The team defeated Holdingford 109-65.

Vogt and Livia Jennissen snagged first and second in the 200 freestyle, respectively, followed up by a first-place finish from Schirmers, who also recorded a 25.87-second split in the 200 freestyle relay and captured a 100 backstroke title at 1:03.87.

“I’m super impressed with Stella’s night,” Schreiner said. “Stella may have had the best night of anybody in the pool.”

Sauk Centre swept the top three spots in back-toback varsity events: the 50 freestyle and diving competition. The former saw Bromenshenkel, Katie Gregory and Barthel reach the wall within two seconds of each other and the latter had a section-cut diving performance from event winner Abigail Eiden, with Serena Middendorf and Nora Thompson rounding out the top three. While the points favored the Streeters heavily, there were many close races. Maizie Jennissen showed off her speed in the 100 butterfly to defeat Holdingford’s Madison Tschida by .27 of a second. One event later, Marsh earned first place by .04 of a second over Maggie Gross of the Huskers.

The 100 freestyle also saw Gregory place third in

her first meet back from a foot injury.

“They’re (Marsh and Gregory) the kind of gals you want on your team, because they’ll set that tone,” Schreiner said. “They’re going to be productive and bring other people up around them.”

Livia Jennissen, Kiera Bjork and Barthel took second, third and fourth in the 500 freestyle, respectively, Loxtercamp sped her way to second in the 100 backstroke behind Schirmers and the 200 freestyle relay of Schirmers, Bromenshenkel, Gregory and Vogt claimed victory on an energetic Senior Night recognizing the team’s dedicated upperclassmen.

“I’m happy with their leadership overall,” Schreiner said. “We want to not only have great swimmers and divers, but great kids. I’m excited for what

they do in the future and how they can progress moving forward, and that’s beyond the pool.”

Novak 2:49.30. 50FS: 1. Bromenshenkel 26.5, 2. Gregory 28.21 and 3. Barthel 28.54. Diving: 1. Eiden 148.55 points, 2. Middendorf 130.4 and 3. Thompson 123.75. 100FLY: 1. Maizie Jennissen 1:09.6, 3. Vogt 1:11.67 and 4. Loxtercamp 1:16.27. 100FS: 1. Marsh 59.12, 3. Gregory 1:02.32 and 4. Anderson 1:08.03. 500FS: 2. Livia Jennissen 6:35.72, 3. Bjork 6:46.75 and 4. Barthel 6:52.16. 200FSR: 1. Schirmers, Bromenshenkel, Gregory and Vogt 1:46.73. 100BK: 1. Schirmers 1:03.87 and 2. Loxtercamp 1:14.24. 100BR: Bromenshenkel 1:14.39 (EX), Anderson 1:27.63 (EX) and Aubree

Randall 1:31.36 (EX). 400FSR: Vogt, Loxtercamp, Maizie Jennissen and Marsh 4:01.86 (EX).

BY EVAN MICHEALSON | STAFF WRITER

The Sauk Centre Streeters volleyball team began the second half of their West Central Conference schedule with a potential standings-shaking matchup.

Tasked with fending off a fierce West Central Area Knights team on their home court, Sauk Centre battled valiantly in each competitive set, eventually emerging with a hard-fought 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-21) triumph at West Central Area Schools in Barrett.

“Teams like them and Melrose and Minnewaska and Morris, you can’t sleep on any of them,” said Jim Klaphake, Sauk Centre head coach. “They’re good teams and if we don’t bring it, we can lose to them. I was happy with the three-set win. I thought the girls played well.”

WCA provided pressure for the Streeters from the first serve, building a 9-6 lead in the first set and energizing their home crowd.

“They (the Knights) played very spirited all night,” Coach Klaphake said. “They were a tough out. That first set, that set the tone of what it would be like all night.”

Sauk Centre pulled the game back to an 11-11 tie before trading points with their conference foes, eventually emerging with a four-point victory.

Set two was a tale of two runs. After the squads pulled into an 11-11 tie for the second time of the night, the Streeters kickstarted a torrid stretch of play behind the serving of Maddy Schuster, firing off a 9-1 run to take a 20-12 lead.

“I think as much as anything, we want to work on picking up the tempo in our offense because we are passing well,” Coach Klaphake said. “I think for the girls, it’s a confidence thing. They’ve got to believe they can do it and when they believe they can do it, good things happen.”

The Knights were not willing to let Sauk Centre run away with the set, however, pulling back to within two points at 22-24 before Streeters middle hitter Brooke Rieland received a set from Cierra Kortan and slammed home a powerful kill to give her team the set win.

Senior Carmen Loxtercamp competes in the 100 yard backstroke during the Sauk Centre swim and dive teams home meet against Holdingford. Loxtercamp finished second with a time of 1:14.24.

PHOTOS BY MARK KLAPHAKE

Senior Brooke Rieland tries to block a West Central Area kill during their match Sept. 21 in Barrett. The Streeters won 2521, 25-22, 25-21.

serves to the West Central Area

defense

their West

in Barrett. Ritter was

Junior Pyper Vogt prepares to start her leg of the 200 yard freestyle relay during Sauk Centre’s home meet against Holdingford. She teamed with Stella Schirmers, Brooke Bromenshenkel and Katie Gregory to take first with a time of 1:46.73.

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