“In Minnesota we have a lot of time when things are pretty dull around here,” said Huls Horticultural Services owner Paul Huls. “If it’s done right, landscaping looks good all season long and looks good in the winter as well.”
Huls launched into horticultural services in 2018 and has been expanding his residential and commercial client base. He offers design and consulting services, landscape maintenance, fruit tree pruning, and the sale of bare root fruit, shade and ornamental trees.
His company also does large installs including the annuals at St. Cloud Hospital. This year alone, he said, his team installed and maintained roughly 8,000 annuals.
“We really value our growing season (in the Midwest),” he said. “People really like seeing all of the different shapes and forms and colors.”
While Huls is able to provide niche services, such as a large hybrid tea rose garden for a client, or creating the look and feel of an English garden, or even, as one client instructed “a riot of color,” he also spends a lot of time planning landscaping for new construction homes and remodels.
“We try to get the client a landscape they really are happy with,” he said.
That comes down to meshing plant materials
that also serve a purpose such as hiding the neighbor’s playset or the view of a nearby road. Sometimes, he said, the landscaping needs to hide water drainage systems and other times, it may accentuate the lines of a house or building.
When it comes to maintaining landscapes, he said, the company does everything from trimming hedges and shaping trees to weed control, deadheading plants and fertilizing.
“I like the creativity part,” Huls said. “It’s fun to come up with something new and unique for displays. It’s never really a routine, it’s always going to be something different.”
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Top: A colorful mix of reds, purples, yellows, pinks, whites and greens bloom outside the north entry to St. Cloud Hospital.
Center: Huls Horticultural Services designed this flower-flanked path at a residential home.
Below: Artistic planters sit in a trio outside St. Cloud Hospital, designed by Paul Huls of Huls Horticultural Services.
320.267.9805 • Located in St. Wendel • www.hulsplants.com
For Jim
owner of AMPS
For Jim Mergen, owner of AMPS Inc., in Albany, it is service that makes the difference.
“I just offer the best service we possibly can,” Mergen said. “When you have a customer, you try to treat them with what you can do. We listen to what the customers’ wants are, what their dislikes are and what’s going on. We try to see what solutions we can offer.”
AMPS is a locally owned and operated business since 1991.
The staff at AMPS specializes in the repair and service of household appliances and electric motors and generators.
They also sell top-end appliances, like Maytag, Whirlpool Frigidaire, Samsung and KitchenAid, Speed Queen, Winco & Honda generators and much more. The staff takes pride in their service and are always excited to help. They specialize in the repair and service of appliances and electric motors.
In order to provide customers with a quick turnaround time on
repairs, AMPS has a large parts inventory for most of the common repairs.
AMPS is an authorized service center for Magnetek and Leeson electric motors. AMPS also offers same-day service on emergency repairs adding to the convenience for the customer.
“We keep people happy and offer the best service we can,” Mergen said. “You try to diagnose a problem the first time and try to go the extra mile to double-check things.”
888.99.ARVIG
On any given day inside Touright Bicycle Shop in Little Falls, there’s a group of people chatting about life over coffee while the owner’s mixed breed chocolate lab Coco begs for belly scratches.
The store is focused on community and owners Dave and Susan Sperstad work to make their shop welcoming and inviting to all. They carry all kinds of bicycles from electric to comfort to winter bikes as well as kids’ bikes, BMX bikes, kick scooters, snow shoes and the like.
The store services all of Central Minnesota and David said he also works on the brands of electric bikes he sells, including Bosch, which he is certified in.
When people walk through the door, the Sperstads talk with them about where they want to ride, they get to know them and their style.
“We want to help people ride a bike, we don’t want to sell a bike,” he said. “We don’t want to sell them something that isn’t right for them.”
The Sperstads focus on fit.
“When your bike fits, you’re going to like to ride more and therefore ride more often,” he said.
Customers range from age two to 92 and the Sperstads work to stay involved in the local community.
“As part of the community when we do better the printing store does better, the grocery store does better, the coffee shop does better and the bakery does better,” he said. “As a community we have to stick together and help each other and work together.”
Last year, the Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce named the store the small business of the year.
Not only do the Sperstads donate bikes to community efforts, they volunteer their time.
On the side, Dave cares for bikes that need to be refurbished or recycled. Customers and community members often bring him old bikes and he does what he can, fixing them up and giving them away, keeping them out of the landfill and creating what he said, could be a lifelong rider.
From horses to horsepower, from homesteads to large farms, your local mutual insurance company has served you from 1895 to present modern society.
In the 1800's, fire was one of the greatest threats to human financial and emotional welfare. Insurance to protect against the peril was unavailable or often beyond the financial means of average people. Fire meant economic and human disaster. It was during this period that groups of citizens banded together in the first basic mutual fire protection groups.
On April 15th, 1895 property owners from the towns of Albany, Avon, Krain, and Oak met in the Albany village hall for the purpose of organizing a mutual fire insurance company. The meeting was successful, and a company was formed. The first board of directors was elected with Jacob Krebs as president, John Loehlein as treasurer and John Schwinghammer as secretary. An additional board member was elected from each town to act as agent to policyholders.
That year the fledgling company wrote over 150 policies at a premium rate of 10¢ per $100 of insurance. At last citizens homes and barns were protected from complete financial loss due to fire. But of course, it was not just homes, but hay and grain, livestock, machines, horse harnesses and all manner of possessions were covered. The stark possibility of bankruptcy caused by fire loss was staved off.
The mode of business was simple. Once the initial premium was collected, the insurance was paid for as long as the company had enough funds to cover losses. But the problem with this became immediately apparent. The company was short of the $150 to pay for a house that
burned in the first year, so an assessment was made on policyholders. The difficulty with this procedure was that policyholders might have difficulty paying the unexpected expense. Nevertheless, the procedure stayed in effect until 1977 when an annual premium was adopted. The annual premium allowed the company to build a surplus to help pay large claims and reduced the probability of assessments.
In 1969 the mutual purchased reinsurance from the Reinsurance Association of Minnesota (now known as Ram Mutual Insurance Company) that paid claims beyond a set maximum. This service allowed the company to protect itself from extremely large losses, a procedure followed today.
As the mutual insurance industry matured, additional perils were covered, such as: collapse, theft, collision, vandalism, water damage and others. And in 1985 Albany Mutual began packaging policies with statewide windstorm and liability insurers. This eliminated the need for policyholders to purchase two policies from two sources.
From a small beginning, Albany Mutual has grown to a company that serves over a thousand policyholders. Fourteen affiliated agencies provide a broad range of insurance services, bringing our product to nine counties in Central Minnesota. We are strong in terms of service and financial stability and we anticipate continued growth in policy numbers, service area and agent services.
Kristy K Organics is a wholesale soil and garden products manufacturer. Everything they have is organic or natural and has been tested by scientists. They understand that growers need to feed the soil, which then feeds the plant because that is how it is done in nature.
“We want to nurture nature,” Kristy said.
Kristy started her company in 2020 in Sauk Centre. Their products can be found at The Country Store in Sauk Centre and online. Customers can also stop into their Sauk Centre location and get a free sample of their compost. By offering exceptional products with honest, natural and effective ingredients, they make it easy for growers everywhere to enjoy beautiful results. The Kristy K Organics website also has tips and recipes for soil so that lawns, potted plants and gardens can reach their full potential.
Whether you’re simply gardening with
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your kids at home, Kristy K Organics offers natural, organic, and sustainable products that heal the soil, maximize growth and benefit the environment. These products include shredded mulch, premium organic compost, organic chicken manure pellets, aged bark fines and rice hulls. With specially formulated organic fertilizers and soil supplements from Kristy K Organics, anyone can feed their lawn the nutrients needed to create rich, organic living soil.
Kristy K Organics believes in giving back. The company uses a portion of its profits to plant more native trees, prairie fields and pollinator gardens.
Kristy is also writing a book on how to grow plants naturally in pots and other containers. Kristy grew up on an organic farm and was always taught to respect nature.
“I want to guide you to be the plant parent your plant deserves,” Kristy said.
Employees at Warrior Boats, INC in Melrose build high-performance fiberglass fishing boats from 18-23 feet in length.
Since starting production in 2011, Warrior Boats continues to grow in sales and staff members. They now have 22 employees.
The Warrior Product line is developed with input from fishermen, dealers and our customers. Their knowledge helps Warrior Boats build the
best fishing machine for the toughest fishing conditions in the Northland.
Their product line is sold through dealers in the Upper Midwest and Canada. The owners and the employees are passionate about fishing boats and the fishing industry.
Warrior Boats is proud to introduce our new 23’ boat that is rated for a 450hp motor! Warrior Boats remains on top in the fishing industry for walleye fishing boats!
23’ size rated rated for a 450hp motor!
Dr. Kathleen Moen and Dr. Nicolette Porttiin are at the helm of Avon Dental and together, they’re using new technology to put patients first.
“We always want to do what’s best for the patient and try to approach each case practically and comprehensively, while working with the patient to develop their specialized treatment plan,” Porttiin said. “Dr. Moen and I share a similar approach to dentistry.”
Porttiin started with the practice a year ago in July, allowing Avon Dental to provide dental care five days a week plus, after hours on-call emergency care.
As the practice has grown, so has reliance on the latest technological innovations.
“I think the whole world is becoming more technologically advanced and there are a lot of new techniques in the dental field to help improve patient care,” she said. “We’re staying up to speed with more developed materials and instruments to provide the best care possible for patients.”
The scanner they use on site allows them to take digital images of the entire mouth.
“We can study those digital models to evaluate the patient’s individual teeth, bite and see the big picture to formulate a treatment plan,” Porttiin said.
The machine also allows the team to send files digitally to the lab, which provides crowns with a more accurate fit and seamless appointments during crown delivery. The scanner can
also be used in the process of making dentures and partials as well as Invisalign impressions.
“It’s been a wonderful tool to help us achieve the desired results for our patients,” Porttiin said.
No matter how advanced technology gets, the team at Avon Dental knows that care begins with the basics. With every new patient exam, the doctors strive to make their patients feel welcomed by taking the time to understand their background and where they’re at with their dental care so they can help patients take the next steps to improve their oral health.
Through the years, they develop relationships with patients and families as many grow into adults and bring in their own children.
“Providing excellent care to help improve the oral health of our patients in a comfortable environment is one of our biggest goals,” Porttiin said.
Packaged in sets of four 500-pound drums or 40-pound blocks, stacked 54 high on pallets, the cheese lands at Ramler before it’s processed for the consumer.
It comes from across Central Minnesota, Bongards, First District Association, Land O’Lakes, Branding Iron and Dairy Farmers of America.
“It gives us pride, a lot of this cheese,” said Joe Platz Sr., one of the co-managers of the operation. “It comes off of locally raised dairy farms. It kind of comes full circle in a small farming community, we’re working, not exactly with the farmers, but down the road from the farmers.”
For Platz, who grew up on a dairy farm himself, that means something. He manages the facility with Scott “Suds” Salzmann. Together, with their team, they get the product where it needs to go.
Ramler offers four different cold storage sections, with temperatures that range from 36 degrees, up to 56 degrees. The cheese, for certain companies, is aged to a specification on site and then graded by a certified grader to make sure it has acquired the proper taste. In other situations, the cheese just makes a stop at Ramler as it travels the country, freeing up space at the production plant of the companies from which it arrives. The cold storage company also stores pre-cooked bacon products.
The cold storage facility came online in 2019, and in 2020 the warehouse was expanded. On average, Ramler Cold Storage ships and receives 60 to 80 semi-loads of product per week. The business is owned by Jack and Greg Ramler, who started it after turning over Ramler Trucking Inc. to their adult sons.
Platz said during COVID-19 shortages it was good to see product still moving through the warehouse, knowing it was going to end up in the hands of consumers. A second warehouse at the company carries the dry packaging goods needed for the companies they work with to package their product. One of the dry packaging
goods includes 40,000 pounds of salt used by companies in the processing of cheese.
At a time when the country is so divided, Platz said he sees cheese as a unifier. The warehouse stores Kosher cheeses and various specialty cheeses that are used in family celebrations and traditions. As the seasons change, Platz said they see the product changes in the warehouse as well. He said knowing there are cheeses out there for people of every denomination and culture, is satisfying.
“It’s such a pride to see everybody eats cheese, we’re all one,” he said. “In a world with so much diversity and so many problems, this is for everybody.”
Additionally, Platz said, cheese just fits his personal passion.
“It helps out that I’m a huge Green Bay Packers fan,” he said. “It’s nice to be a cheese head surrounded by 8 million pounds of cheese.”
The staff and leaders of St. Cloud Subaru are doing their best to live out the Subaru Love Promise in communities across Central Minnesota.
Bobby Konnight is the general manager and, though he’s served in the role for eight years, when the local branch was sold to The Luther Group a year ago, he took over the task of deciding which community initiatives the branch should support.
“These different things that Subaru does, it’s more than just a car company,” he said. “Getting involved in the community, it’s been a real treat for me.”
Subaru has a multi-part Love campaign and one of the tenets of that is Subaru loves to learn. To bring that front and center, Konnight returned to Sauk Centre where he grew up, partnering with Sheila Flatau, principal of Sauk Centre Secondary School and one of his teachers growing up. The company donated more than $10,000 to the school. Additionally, Subaru of St. Cloud sponsored two $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors.
“All of the charities I choose, it comes from the heart,” Konnight said. “For me to get a chance to be that person for Subaru, someone who knows the community and is humble about it, and gets to choose some of the places we’ve been that maybe don’t get all of the attention (that’s important).”
As part of the mission, St. Cloud Subaru has donated 350 backpacks to the school supply giveaway to students in need. Konnight has visited with people who were influential in his early years as he dropped off Crumbl cookies for staff appreciation.
“Growing up, I didn’t have the best setups so to be able to make decisions and take care of the people who helped take care of me (is gratifying),” he said.
The other facets of the Love promise, are Subaru loves to care, the local branch follows that edict by this year, donating blankets
BY SARAH COLBURN | STAFF WRITERto CentraCare Cancer Center. To follow the Subaru loves pets promise, the St. Cloud branch hosts a pet adoption day where the Tri-County Humane Society brings over dogs and cats in need of a home.
The biggest donation the St. Cloud company makes is via its annual Share the Love event. Konnight, who’s been with Subaru for 13 years, chose to donate funds to Place of Hope Ministries last year and, this year, has chosen the COP House, the St. Cloud Rotary Richard C. Wilson Community OutPost. The outpost provides a number of services to the community, including health care and after-school homework help, in addition to being a place residents can go to get access to social services.
The Outpost will receive $300 from every new Subaru car sold between Nov. 20 and Jan. 4 this year. Last year, Konnight said, they were able to donate $48,000 to Place of Hope Ministries through the event.
In addition to donating dollars, St. Cloud Subaru also supports volunteer efforts in the community.
“It makes the employees feel good about com-
ing to work when they get to be a part of these things,” Konnight said. “You see some situations and feel like you could do more.”
He said some of the employees serve as mentors with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota and the store is able to donate tickets to sporting events so mentors and students can attend together, while the employee is on the clock.
“I think local businesses all over, they get support from the community themselves, it’s (important) just to give back a little bit and help grow the community and make it better,” he said.
St. Cloud Subaru, like all car companies, has seen decreased inventory availability with the impact of environmental events, the chip shortage and shipping delays. Now, he said, inventory is starting to head in the right direction.
“So many things happened to the car business and each time it comes back stronger and better,” he said. “People need cars and Subaru is a good brand.”
As his team works to get people the vehicles they need, he said The Luther Family commitment to family has been important for his employees. New policies allow staff to take time off with they need it and put their own families first.
“Our employees work so hard already and we try not to have them bring it home,” he said. “Being a part of a bigger corporation with different policies … as far as the employees, you can tell we have a really good place to work. We have good people who have been here a long time.”
The company, he said, tries to focus on hosting employee events where families are welcome to attend.
“When you work with a bunch of good people that all have the same ideas and thoughts and the Share the Love attitude, it makes a difference,” he said.
The Subaru Love Promise is our vision to show love and respect to all people at every interaction with Subaru. Together with our retailers, we are dedicated to making the world a better place.
Loving the environment means more than loving the great outdoors. It means working to preserve it.
We should all have a chance to lead a healthy life. We’re aiming to give as many people that chance as we can.
In a perfect world, hunger would be history and hope would be commonplace. We believe a perfect world is possible.
It’s our goal to make the pursuit of knowledge available to as many minds as possible.
Whether they live in our homes or in the wild, Subaru is committed to keeping all animals safe and healthy.
Savvy scammers are keeping Community Technology Center busy and Joan Scherping and David Waletzko don’t see an end in sight.
“The scammers are definitely getting more creative and looking more realistic in a lot of ways, coming up with new methods,” Scherping said. “There isn’t any one way. In email, check the verbiage, check the sender, attachments are suspicious, there’s pop ups, bad web sites, Google searching and hitting scam numbers and not the legitimate number.”
Overall, the company is focused on education. They offer residential and business computer and networking support services, as well as a whole host of new security packages for businesses that include options for data backup, data recovery and security path management along with remote monitoring.
The number one way scammers hit a personal computer is by convincing the person to let them have remote access to their system, Scherping said. Once in, they can gain access to password files, track keystrokes, see medical information, tax histories and the like.
“We’ve had customers where they’ve drained their bank account instantly,” she said.
To avoid it, Community Technology Center encourages customers to stop and think through an interaction with any company that reaches out to them. Usually, Scherping said, there’s an urgency to the communication but taking the time to think through the logic may save headaches and money. Also, she said, use caution when searching for business support numbers; not all the numbers listed on the internet for companies like Amazon or QuickBooks are legitimate. In addition to cleaning up computers, or wiping computers altogether that have been infected with viruses or subject to keystroke trackers, Community Technology Center also offers computer hardware, software and advice to clients.
Dr. Kara Engelbrektson, DDS, a Cold Spring resident practiced in Sartell for 10.5 years, then in April 2022 she officially began a new journey at Albany Family Dentistry.
“I really agree with Dr. Spychala’s philosophies and approach with the highest technology,” Engelbrektson said. “All of the tools and latest and greatest gadgets he has at the office make it a really great environment to practice dentistry in.”
Included among the greatest gadgets are two CEREC machines, allowing the dentists to create dental crowns right in the clinic at a better fit and design. It also gives them the ability to design crowns themselves on the computer rather than going through a lab technician.
“It’s a lot more convenient for the patients because you’re not coming back two to three visits to get a crown fitted,” Engelbrektson said. “We are also able to contour the crown more specifically.”
Another equipment piece they utilize is called an iTero scanner which helps with making digital impressions for items such as mouthguards and Invisalign clear retainers.
“We also have a cone beam CT unit used for getting a three-dimensional view from the thyroid to the sinuses,” Engelbrektson said.
“The CT scan lets us see the extent of an abscess or a vertical root fracture, the pathology within the bones,” Engelbrektson said. “It’s more comprehensive than dental care without these tools. With our imaging technology we’re able to diagnose more accurately and hopefully be more preventative by identifying things early.”
The clinics main goal when meeting new patients is producing a level of comfort, without
the anxiety of undergoing treatments.
“Just having an open level of communication, an environment where you can come in and not worry about asking questions,” Engelbrektson said. “We really want to optimize everybody’s oral health and their perception of their smile. Over the years, I have seen so many changes in confidence levels from start to finish.”
The University of Minnesota Dental School, where Engelbrektson graduated 12 years ago, introduced her to the world of dentistry. Following graduation, she completed a general practice residency program at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis where she was exposed to a variety of Level I facial and dental trauma cases.
Within the residency program, she was exposed to a variety of complex cases alongside specialists.
“It was such an amazing experience, I would not tackle a lot of the cases I do now if I hadn’t had that residency experience It was really crucial for me,” Engelbrektson said.
Her passion for healthcare comes from somewhere deep in her roots, with a dad who is a nurse anesthetist, a nurse for a mother and a younger brother, who is also a dentist.
When Engelbrektson is not creating smiles, she is spending time at her lake home with her husband Brandon, and their two young daughters. That time together is best spent outside doing activities such as boating, wake surfing and snowmobiling.
“We like being outside, being out and about and enjoying small town rural ways,” Engelbrektson said.
Located in its new 16,000 sq. ft. building in the Richmond Business Park, Gilk Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning is ready to serve homes, businesses and farms, all under one roof. With plenty of room for all needed equipment and work spaces, the new site allows the business to offer even more of its quality products and services.
•Complete auto collision repair with ASE certified technicians with over 50 years combined auto body repair experience
•Computer estimating
•Computerized paint system to match every individual car’s make and model
•We have a frame machine used to straighten the chassis of a vehicle back to its manufacturer specified dimensions.
•We have a full Down Draft Spray Booth, which enables a vehicle to be painted in a proper environment
Owners James and Wendy Gilk launched their business in 2011. The couple first met in a DECA class as students at Paynesville High School. After marrying, they started their business out of their home near Roscoe, hiring just two employees.
Five years later, with the purchase of Wenner’s Plumbing and Heating, the Gilks added five more employees and moved their business to downtown Richmond. Last year they expanded again with the purchase of Ron’s Soft Water from Paynesville and added more water services and products such as softeners for sale or lease as well as softener maintenance. They also offer salt delivery, water testing, reverse osmosis systems and drinking coolers for rent.
Call the experts at Gilk Plumbing, Heating A/C LLC today to get fast, affordable HVAC and plumbing repair for your home – and remodeling service, too. They have numerous HVAC maintenance programs available that can be tailored to specific needs.
In addition, to ensure your home is ready for the cold Minnesota winter, the business also provides a full range of winterization services. They include sprinkler line blow outs and water line blow outs as well as drain maintenance.
Today, with their brand-new space and 27 employees, Gilk Plumbing, Heating A/C LLC is sure to offer the best service for all customer needs. Their service area includes Richmond, Rockville, Cold Spring, Avon, Albany, Eden Valley, Watkins, Freeport, Lake Henry, St. Joseph, Paynesville and more.
The Gilks and their employees value being part of the local communities they serve. Since opening in 2011, the staff have been involved in and supported many community organizations. Some of the causes and groups include Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, the Paynesville Catholic Church, Midwest Outdoors Unlimited for Disabled Veterans, the Richmond Lions, St. Boniface Church and School, Richmond River Lake Days and Sts. Peter & Paul School, Richmond Civic and Commerce and several local fire departments. James and Wendy Gilk want to thank all the local communities for their continued support as they have grown their business and have aimed to serve their customers well.
To learn more about what Gilk Plumbing, Heating A/C LLC has to offer, please call (320) 597-3200 on Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., visit their website at www.gilkplumbing.com, and/or like them on Facebook.
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You just can’t form a relationship with a toll-free number or an email quote. Minnesota National Agency believes your insurance services are more important than that. We take the time to get to know people like you every day; so we can recommend the right insurance coverage for your particular circumstances in your home, and in your business. Minnesota National Agency is a multi-line agency offering competitive insurance services for all of Central Minnesota and the surrounding areas.
We are also an endorsed provider and member of the Minnesota Resort & Campground Association and are the largest retail agency for resorts and campgrounds in Minnesota. Looking out for our friends and neighbors is what we like best about the work we do.
WWW.GILKPLUMBING.COM
Woller Equipment has changed a lot throughout the last 30+ years, what has not changed is our commitment to you, our customers.
Taking on a new brand of equipment is not something we do lightly. Careful thought goes into selecting the brands we represent. Will there be good factory support for parts and service? Does the brand have a good track record for reliability, and longevity? Does the product line offer good value (return on investment)? Is it easy to use and maintain? These are questions we ask because we know that they are important to you and therefore are important to us!
That is why you will nd high quality equipment when you shop our store. We sell and service top brands such as: Deutz-Fahr, LS Tractor, Wacker Neuson, Kuhn and Kuhn-Knight, Vermeer, Husqvarna, Bobcat Turf, Pequea, Anderson, Kwik-Till and more!
We also go above and beyond our authorized brands; we still offer parts and service for our “Heritage” brands: Valtra, Daewoo, Belarus, etc. As well as other well-known brands, such as John Deere, International, Bobcat, etc.
Did you know that we also offer a variety of other services? We make hydraulic hoses, replace baler belt lacing, cut roller chain to length, haul grain and farm machinery with our semi-tractor, as well as offering a growing rental eet. We rent skid loaders, with a variety of attachments, telehandlers, boom lift, log splitter, zero turn mowers, handheld attachments and more. If we don’t currently have it in our rental ask and we will look into adding it.
As a small dealership that is always trying to serve our customers in a better way, we are currently seeking individuals to join our team. We are currently seeking quali ed service technicians and an attentive parts person. If that interests you, give Josh a call to set up an interview.
So, whether you need a Husqvarna chainsaw, a Kuhn baler, a 175hp Deutz tractor, or maybe a Wacker skid loader, be assured that when you stop in, we will do our best to nd the right solution for your needs.
“Where we meet the best people by accident.”
Jordie’s Trail Side Café has been welcoming customers in Bowlus since August 2008, when Jordie Stay and her daughter, Sonya Stay, transformed what was a former bar into the fun, relaxing and unique atmosphere that it is today. With its fun tablecloths and kids’ room full of toys, the café also offers homemade wares from local artisans.
“We work with about 20 different local vendors that have items in our café,” Sonya said.
Besides the comfy indoor space, the cafe offers outdoor seating in their covered pavilion complete with a fish pond. The staff also caters for small events onsite at their pavilion, at the community center across the street, or at local events.
Jordie’s Trail Side Café is known for their soups, hand-patty burgers, pies, and homemade onion rings. Four to five soups are available every day as well as a wide variety of pies.
“We tell people to always save room for pie,” Sonya said.
320-584-8193
The mother daughter duo became a three-generation operation when Jordie’s mother, Rosella Keeler, joined the team. At 85 years young, Rosella makes soup and helps in the kitchen on a daily basis.
Since the Soo Line Bike Trail runs by the café, the crew at Jordie’s have met people from all over the country who have stopped in to enjoy a treat. Sonya pointed out that this section of the bike trail is the longest for cross country bikers who bike from coast to coast. The section of trail that stretches from Bowlus to Fergus Falls is 107 miles. Therefore, it attracts bikers from across the country.
“With the Soo Line Trail starting in 2007 and our 2008 opening, we didn’t know what kind of traffic that would generate for us,” Sonya said. “We have been blessed by some of the best customers ever!”
Whether visitors are from Bowlus, the Twin Cities, or points further, one thing is for sure…they will not leave Jordie’s Trail Side Café hungry.
Check out our Facebook page for specials!
Galaxy Precision prides itself on creating high-quality, precision-crafted parts in an efficient manner to give their customers the best price and a delivery time they can depend on.
“We can do as little as one custom part or as many as thousands of custom parts,” said Ralph Finken, of Galaxy Precision.
The company is a production facility that can manufacture the smallest of parts to those weighing three-quarters of a ton. No matter the job, no matter the part, no matter the size or quantity, Finken said their high standard of precision and attention to detail has earned the company an ISO 9001:2015 Certification. That certification, he said, speaks to the reliability of the company.
“It’s a certification of the way a company
operates and controls their production and their quality,” Finken said. “To have this certification is huge for other manufacturers that are having us make parts for their new equipment. It gives them a higher level of confidence. When you’re dealing one company to another, there has to be a level of trust.”
Galaxy Precision manufactures precision machined parts for new equipment other companies are producing. All the parts they make are for custom jobs. They offer milling, turning and Swiss machining. Turning work is done on a lathe to create bearing surfaces, gear surfaces, snap ring grooves and other round diameters as needed. Milling work includes features such as keyseats, threads, bolt holes, flat areas and other features as needed to make the part functional. The Swiss-style machines
produce high-quality, highproduction complete machined parts in one operation. The company touts lathes that have a milling capability; the machines can feed off a bar loader, providing the optimum in technological efficiency and fewer labor costs. The employees they have at Galaxy Precision are skilled machinists who often attend two years of vocational school and then spend years honing their skills.
“It isn’t just sticking a piece of metal into a machine and pressing a button,” Finken said. “It’s a constant monitoring of it. You have all kinds of things you have to deal with so your quality is what it needs to be.”
The technological advances help.
“We can make the parts a lot more efficiently and at a more competitive price,” Finken said.
Finken takes pride in the company. His adult children, Sharon and Mark Finken, are coowners of the business. As a trio, the leadership team focuses on customer relations to ensure they meet the expectations of each and every client, no matter how tight their tolerance is on parts. Having a leadership team also provides consistency for the customer so they know who to talk to for every job.
“You have to learn what their expectations are on their parts, as far as price, delivery and quality,” Finken said. “You have to learn that from each company.”
This is the Small CNC turning department at Galaxy Precision.
The company’s internal motto is: “Always making things better.” For Finken, that means updating technology, improving their processes, improving their facility, strengthening their relationships with customers and vendors and improving their benefits for employees.
As a family-owned and operated business,
The better the relationship, Finken said, the easier it is for the team to work with their clients to troubleshoot any obstacles that may arise.
“A lot of times, you can resolve these issues without too much trouble or time wasted,” he said. “We’ve developed customers because we’re reliable and we ship good parts on time.
At K&S Pharmacy, patient care, convenience and keeping things local is a priority.
“We have great patients,” said owner and pharmacist Karla Schneider. “We strive to maintain good relationships with local providers so that we can give our patients the care they deserve. In a small town, where customers feel like family, that’s just what you do.”
Schneider and her staff work with area providers including, but not limited to, family practice, specialty care and eye doctors. Their working relationships ensure a patient’s overall care is at the forefront of every interaction. Schneider said it’s important to see the whole picture of a patient so that the pharmacist can see what’s being prescribed and if there are any interactions or issues that need to be addressed.
Another tool K&S Pharmacy has is their connection to the Minnesota Immunization Action Coalition. They can check a patient’s vaccination history and see what they’re due for. This is important because patients do not have to wait to get their vaccine at their next visit to their primary care provider. The pharmacy is small and offers a convenient, local place for patients to take care of their needs without having to visit large shopping areas.
The owners of Avon Cabin Café and Taco Gringo have added the MoonShine Bar and Grill in Princeton to their list of food service businesses, creating a trifecta of food and drink establishments in Central Minnesota.
“It’s a lot to learn, it’s also been a ton of fun,” owner Sean Lauer said.
Lauer owns the businesses with his wife Vicky. Their kids all assist in the locations in some form. Their son Ian, 22, works full-time between two of the locations. Three of their other kids –Michael, 15, Laura, 14, and Samantha, 13 – help customers, bus tables and do prep work in the restaurants.
The couple purchased the new bar Jan. 2, 2022. The Lauer’s took over leadership of the business but didn’t shut it down as
The pharmacy provides vaccinations to people 18 and older. The site offers flu vaccinations, COVID-19 vaccinations by Moderna, Shingles vaccinations and DTAP vaccinations which cover tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). Schneider hopes to soon be able to offer pneumonia shots as well.
Additionally, customers can schedule COVID-19 testing through the pharmacy or stop in to get an at home testing kit.
Providing local, quality pharmacy services is key; however, the staff at K&S Pharmacy can help with more than just prescriptions and vaccinations.
The store offers Albany Husky apparel, weekly dry-cleaning service, Instant print photos and an expanded selection of greeting cards including ones from Avanti. The pharmacy includes UPS shipping service and is an access point where drivers can drop off packages for those customers who may not be home.
Another exciting addition, according to Schneider, is the Ganz holiday gifts and decoration collectibles that are available in the new gift shop area.
Besides providing local conveniences, the K&S Pharmacy team gives back to the local community by sponsoring a ladies’ bowling team, supporting the local booster club and advertising in church bulletins. Individual staff and pharmacists volunteer for various organizations in the area and even coach a high school swim team. The store and its staff play a role in making the
they transitioned into the ownership. They did, however, overhaul the menu during the last eight months, streamlining it to 1/3 of what it was, allowing them to truly focus on quality.
The bar provides pizza, burgers and appetizers as well as specials including All You Can Eat Fish Fridays, All You Can Eat Chicken Sundays and, beginning in late October or early November, they’ll launch Prime Rib Saturdays. While Lauer said he likes to stay on top of current food trends, he also likes to include something for everybody, so the bar offers glutenfree pizzas and buns.
“I really like providing value for people, giving them a reason to come out and make sure they’re happy and full,” Lauer said.
On any given night, the bar hosts a meat raffle and offers live music from local bands every other weekend.
“I really just like to bring people in and together to have a good time,” Lauer said.
The team at K&S Pharmacy in Avon includes Brian Schneider (from left), Karla Schneider, Dana Crumley and Sarah Grutsch. Not pictured: Angie Brown.
From Christmas tree lights and computer towers to brass figurines, La-Z-Boy couches and hair dryers, the Albany Recycling Center handles it all.
“We started in 2008 primarily in the electronics world,” said Justin Overman, of Albany Recycling Center. “From there customers kept coming in and asking for more services, so Dale and I decided to start adding them.”
Justin Overman and his father Dale, co-own the center. While there are a few things the center has to dispose of, like couches and carpet rolls, the majority of products they accept are actually recycled. Small appliances, holiday lights and the like are put through a shredder and the metal and copper components are separated out from the plastic and rubber, making all the pieces recyclable. They take computers apart, separating all of the components for recycling.
“If it plugs into a wall, I’m either able to pay you for it or charge you for it, but I can recycle it,” Overman said.
The center pays customers for metals including copper, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, steel and electric motors, to name a few.
“Most of that stuff is probably going right into their trash,” he said. No customer is too small or too large, the company has residential clients as well as commercial clients.
Albany Recycling Center services corporate offices, farms and largescale government agencies. The site is capable of handling large volumes of material.
The company handles nearly everything except for chemicals,
The Coil family is proud to offer a collection of quality items to kindle the spirit of patriotism across central Minnesota. Coil’s Flags & Flagpoles has everything from the Stars and Stripes to beautiful military memorabilia and gifts for honoring, remembering and celebrating local heroes.
Coil’s Flags & Flagpoles can also help residences and businesses commemorate Memorial Day, Flag Day and Independence Day holidays. They sell durable, long-lasting flags in sizes from 2 feet by 3 feet to 30 feet by 60 feet and residential and commercial flagpoles from 15 feet to 150 feet tall. Installation and repair services are available in central Minnesota.
hazardous waste and paint. In the coming months, Overman anticipates he’ll have a permit that will allow him to recycle entire cars, continuing the expansion of services they offer.
The goal, Overman said, is to help make it possible for people to be more environmentally aware.
“A lot of people want to do the right thing,” he said. “We’re making it convenient, clean and user-friendly.”
Coil’s Flags & Flagpoles recently installed a 100foot flagpole in Clearwater and a 150-foot flagpole in Cold Spring.
“If you or someone you know is looking to make a statement with a large flagpole, Coil’s can make it happen,” Tim said.
Tim, his wife, Karen, and family have owned and operated Coil’s Flags & Flagpoles for 12 years. They moved their business to 2803 Clearwater Road, St. Cloud, last August and have since gained 1,000 square feet of retail space and 2,500 square feet of warehouse space in a more visible location.
Coil’s Flags & Flagpoles offers a plethora of patriotic items for holidays and everyday display. Durable, long-lasting flags and flagpoles, banners, military patches and stickers, and promotional items are just some of what this family-owned business has to offer.
In addition to American flags, the business is a one-stop shop for state, prisoner of war flags and custom flags and banners.
Coil’s Flags & Flagpoles carries a vast selection of military patches, stickers, lapel pins, hats and clothing.
They offer custom in-house embroidery and promotional products. Logos can be embroidered on shirts, caps, tote bags and more. Flag embroidery is also available. Mugs, pens and signage are some promotional products businesses can brand and distribute.
Customers can also purchase flag cases to beautifully display folded burial flags of their loved ones and framed military art. Find Coil’s store behind the flagpoles along Clearwater Road. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
“Whether it’s a residence or a business, flagpole customers are just so amazed at how beautiful they are. We have all sizes, depending on your needs.”
TIM COIL, OWNER
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Lake Country Veterinary Service PA in Albany has expanded to meet the growing needs of their customers and their pets.
Lake Country Veterinary Service staff are Fear Free certified and work to make veterinary visits a more positive experience for patients and pet owners. In this endeavor, Lake Country Veterinary Service has decided to expand their space to accommodate the growing needs of their clients and the community.
Dr. Jenny Revermann, who has been at the business since 2011, said the 1,300-square foot expansion on the existing building began in the spring, and as of mid-July, the medical team has been able to use the new exam rooms, giving Lake Country Veterinary Service five exam rooms in all. In addition, a new grooming area opened in August.
“We had two exam rooms prior,” Revermann said. “We were running into space limitations. The expansion gives us more
space and allows us to get patients into the exam room more quickly which is less stressful for many of them.”
Lake Country Veterinary Service previously offered grooming, but this has now moved to a designated grooming area. Grooming patients have their own space separate from others who are hospitalized or receiving care.
Lake Country Veterinary Service also offers preventative care, surgeries, diagnostics, integrative and
(320) 845-6930 or (800) 495-6930
LAKECOUNTRYVETSERVICE.COM
holistic therapies, behavior counseling, end of life care along with equine and large animal veterinary care.
Lake Country Veterinary Service added Dr. Colleen Kutzler to the staff in June, giving the business five doctors. She specializes in cattle, horses and small animals. The expansion has allowed Lake Country Veterinary Service to have two doctors scheduled for small animal appointments five days a week ready to serve their community.
551 Railroad Ave., Albany (across from the Kraft plant)
What began as dabbling with fabricating specific items for customers has turned into a full-scale Minnesota manufacturing business with a national reach.
Nathan and Jana Messer are the owners and founders of MRF Attachments, which designs and manufactures skid steer attachments, among other things.
Messer grew up on a farm, works as a farmer and said he always dreamed of building his own products. With the help of an on-site engineer, Messer designs the products and works side-by-side with the engineer to ensure they’re to spec.
“It’s neat to start from scratch and make improvements in things that are already out there,” Messer said.
The company operates out of a 15,000 square-foot manufacturing facility on Messer’s own farm. It’s built on the land that his father and grandfather farmed, and the original part of the shop was constructed by his grandfather.
Now, MRF Attachments employs about 20 people at the site and runs two shifts a day to keep up with demand.
“A lot of people don’t know we exist, being located on a rural farm site,” Messer said.
One of the biggest things Messer focuses on to create a high-quality product is to attract and retain talent.
“We take good care of our employees, we treat them like family,” he said.
He also continually offers training for employees and gives them the chance to learn new skills.
When it comes to product, Messer said, the focus is on manufacturing high-quality, durable, highly functional attachments.
“Quality and durability are number one, we build the products to last as long as possible,” he said.
When building those products, the company aims to use materials from the United States whenever feasible. While much of the steel comes from the U.S., it also comes from Canada.
Messer began the business by at first doing welding and light fabricating. Over time, customers asked for more and more fabrication of parts and products and repairs.
“People were asking us to build stuff like that and we started building more of it,” he said.
Then, a few years ago Messer decided to focus solely on manufacturing and product design. By 2009 the company was selling their specialty skid steer attachments across the United States.
“I’ve always liked the idea of mass-producing things,” he said.
Today the business focuses on offering skid steer and front-end loader attachments, but also three-point attachments for the back of tractors.
As Messer is able to, he works to find innovative ways to make improvements to equipment designs that enhance the machinery and allow it to do multiple jobs for added value.
Messer learned the trade hands-on growing up on a dairy farm. He works with a skid steer daily and knows the machine’s capabilities and usefulness first hand.
As his business has improved, so has his methodology.
“We have systems for continuous improvement in place and we are always looking for ways to improve,” he said.
“We strive to continue to get better and continue to serve our customers better.”
At Wells, our mission is to inspire pride within communities and help them thrive by transforming how our partners think, design, construct and succeed. We know that using quality, prefabricated building components are critical to the success of any construction project
Our team is committed to reducing risk, building confidence and deliberately planning for our partners’ success - from vision through construction and beyond
Challenge yourself to succeed in a company dedicated to helping individuals thrive.
$22-28/hr
This is a Full time opportunity with a growing company that offers great benefits. Job duties include but not limited to working with construction co-workers to strip, set-up, and pour concrete panels from our Albany, MN plant.
Come work construction where we work indoors, year round, and from one location
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Aluminum Welding Hitch Installations and More!
lean over a 1953 Ford F100 to install a new wiring harness and other essential electrical components.
Doug and Gene Miller have spent decades fixing trailers, wiring lights and accessories, working on axle and brake components, bearings and seals.
They work on everything from boats, boat trailers and campers to antique tractors, car stereos and semi-trailers used for agriculture.
The father and son duo began trailer repair in 2007, and in 2019 made it full-time.
Doug said his father, Gene, sparked his love for fixing.
“Dad sat me down with a couple pieces of scrap metal and a handful of welding rods at eight or nine,” he said.
His love for wiring was born out of pure frustration of working on car stereos in high school. Installing cassette players and later, CD’s, he said, launched him into the world of wiring as classmates, relatives and friends asked him to complete jobs for them.
The Millers farmed together for years before officially opening the trailer business. Gene said they had the
shop, the tools and the space and it was a new way to utilize their skills.
The two are proponents of up-front maintenance and Doug said that’s crucial to allowing customers to do what they want to do and get where they want to get.
“Knowing you’re not going to be spending the first eight hours of your vacation sitting on the side of the road with a boat and truck trying to find a service shop that can help (is important),” he said.
They encourage customers to have their campers checked out this time of year, before they go into storage. Same for boat trailers and the like. The team can check brakes, lights, pack the wheel bearings, and any seals.
In the spring, they said, they get busy with those who skipped the fall maintenance and others ready to hit the road.
“Unfortunately, some of our best
customers are mice, they bring us a lot of business,” Doug said. “When things come out of storage in the spring sometimes the first stop is here.”
The shop is also busy with the readying of ice houses. They install new voltage converters in fish houses, check over the trailer and the light systems.
Getting customers off to do their favorite thing, Doug said, is important, but how they do it is even more important. Often times, boat trailers don’t go a lot of miles but they still need to be maintained regularly. And, those that do make their way to a different lake every weekend, need even more care as all the components are regularly submerged in water.
“There’s not a lot of emphasis on maintenance and safety for trailers and that’s the important part,” Gene said.
The father and son duo said they genuinely enjoy the work they do. Doug said as they tinker, they visit with customers about their travels and the catch of the day.
“I like to compare notes with people when they show up,” Doug said.
Albany Home Bakery, 531 Railroad Ave., offers fresh rolls, bread, frozen breads, bars, cookies and made-to-order cakes.
Albany Home Bakery specializes in frozen bread dough, along with frozen cinnamon rolls and kolaches. They also have baked-fresh rolls and donuts daily, along with baked-fresh cookies and bars. They specialize in homemade bars: magic, mound, scotcheroo, salted nut roll, pumpkin, rice krispie, caramel bars, etc. One of the bakery’s most sought-out specialties is the Florentine, a chewy almond-type cookie dipped in chocolate.
Sauk Centre Coborn’s has added bigger selection of frozen product from Albany Home Bakery. You can purchase frozen bread dough, frozen cinnamon rolls, Kolaches and frozen hamburger buns.
Albany Home Bakery has been in business for more than 50 years and is under the ownership of LuAnn Jopp as of Jan. 1, 2002. Her husband, Tim, helps out and does most of the deliveries and errands. Their employees are: Tom, Rita, Judy, Joan, Barry, Kathy, Cecilia and Abby.
Albany Home Bakery is open Monday -Friday 4 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 4 a.m. to Noon.
Bruce Meredith serves as a financial advisor at the Albany location for Diversified Wealth Management, a firm of independent financial advisors throughout the Midwest with locations in MN, ND, SD and WI. Meredith and his wife, Ann, live in Avon.
Meredith and all Diversified Wealth Management advisors take a full-service approach to financial planning and wealth management in order to help people pursue their financial goals. They offer a vast array of financial services to assist both individual and small business clients. Meredith holds licenses for both general securities – stocks, bonds, mutual funds – and for financial advising.
Because every client is unique, advisors like Meredith offer independent advisory services and start each relationship with “real” financial planning and focus on unbiased solutions first.
Meredith, who grew up in Mankato and graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College, has had a lifelong interest in investing and finance that started as a young boy when his parents stressed the importance of saving and planning.
After working in sales, Meredith was 26 when he bought his first business and has successfully owned and operated several businesses since then, including the Liquor Locker in Avon. “I’ve really enjoyed my experiences in business,” Meredith said. “Now I want to share what I’ve learned with my clients.”
Meredith has also enjoyed being active in his community through the years. He helped with Boy Scouts and with coaching his kids’ teams when they were young, and he is a long-time member of the Avon Lions Club. Meredith believes his success in business is due to honesty, dedication and hard work. Now an advisor on the Diversified Wealth Management team, he puts those qualities to work for his clients.
“Our approach to managing wealth is thoughtful, comprehensive, and focused on preserving and growing your investments. We strive to develop strategies that allow you to achieve your financial goals and realize your lifelong dreams,” Meredith said. “I want to make sure that people can retire safe and secure.”
running gear frames
• all types of axles & • suspensions
• Fifth-wheel plates and Supports
• Landing gear
Diekman’s Jewelry is a family owned and operated retail and repair shop located in Downtown Alexandria. Kyle Diekman began the store alongside his Dad back in 1980. The original plan was for his Dad, Gordon, to be the retail sales manager and Kyle would work with jewelry and clock repair. Kyle headed off to attend college in St. Paul to learn the ins and outs of jewelry and clock repair. After achieving his degree, he came back and they opened Diekman’s Jewelry. However, two short months after opening, Gordon Diekman had a stroke, at the age of 19 Kyle was left to run the entire business on his own. Being 19 and losing your father is difficult in itself, now add a family business to take care of adds another element of difficulty. Some people may have decided to close their businesses doors and take another path...not Kyle. He recalls days in the 80’s where he would manage the retail portion until close and then move down to complete jewelry repair work some nights until 2 a.m. He never gave up the dream and has been in business ever since. In those 40 years Kyle has raised 4 children and 4 grandchildren, one of which now works alongside him at the store. Brandi Wilson is his 2nd eldest granddaughter. She began with the store in 2017 cleaning and helping with customers when needed. In 2019, she decided to come aboard fulltime to work with her Grandpa as the store manager. Her bright smile and quick wit make it easy for the customers to feel comfortable working with her. Now with Brandi as the manager, Kyle has been able to put even more focus into the repair work again and has even been able to handcraft some pieces for sale. One thing is certain – the Alexandria community has supported this jewelry store and Kyle & Brandi could not be happier to be located in a place with such heart and compassion for locally run business.
CUSTOM APPAREL & EMBROIDERY
Everything Signs was started by Robb Berscheid in August of 2007. Originally starting with just signs, Everything Signs now offers a variety of services including: Signs, Banners, Embroidery & Screen Printing.
We also are equipped with a 75’ drive-thru paint booth & 10-ton bridge cranes that handle tanks efficiently & safely.
April 21, 2022 (Naples, Florida) – Minnesota National Bank, a local Sauk Centre icon, was just named among the top extraordinary banks in the United States by The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™. Minnesota National Bank was recognized with the Institute’s Banky™ Award for its commitment to strong community banking. This recognition is given to top community banks across the country to help people find the best banks in their communities. Minnesota National Bank CEO, Steve Jennings, stated, “It is very humbling and exciting to be honored for award winning banking practices. Our team is an exceptional group of highly trained professionals that have been recognized for the excellent job they do of helping our clients with their financial needs. We are also so blessed to have the trust of our clients and be looked upon as trusted advisors to them for their financial needs. I want to thank our team for being involved in our communities we serve and for all the time they give to needs within the community.”
The Extraordinary Banking™ Awards highlight the vital yet often overlooked role that local community banks play in our nation’s economy. Without a vibrant local banking industry, our small businesses and families often lack the have-your-back support of a true community bank that makes communities really thrive.
The Extraordinary Banking™ Awards recognize the best of what community banks offer to our cities, towns, and nation: a true commitment to the success of the small businesses and local community they serve.
Community banks are t commun bank leaves a c strugg
Roxanne Emmerich, Chair and Founder of The Institute for Extraordinary Banking™, proclaimed during the awards ceremony: “Community banks are the backbone of America. They are what keeps a community thriving. When a community bank leaves a community, small businesses often struggle to stay, and jobs leave. Every robust community has a strong community bank that understands how to help that community thrive and grow.”
Minnesota National Bank is one of only two banks in the state of Minnesota to receive this award in 2022. Visit www.mn-bank.bank for more information.
Band times are 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
October 20
Trivia @ 7:30
October 29
November 5
Sean Schlangen opened Schlangen’s Custom Cabinets in Eden Valley in 1995.
Since then, his business has grown from one employee to 42, and he has expanded the original 60x60 building to 43,000-square-feet. He estimates that rst year he did roughly 15 cabinet jobs and currently yearly job totals are close to 900.
And it started because Schlangen had a fondness for woodworking. While in high school he worked at a cabinet shop and went to school for drafting and estimating, eventually opening his own cabinet shop.
“The creativity and satisfaction and reward of seeing your completed projects,” he said, when asked why he went into the cabinetry trade.
Schlangen’s Custom Cabinets specializes in residential and light commercial cabinetry, custom-making cabinets in any wood species.
He said 35% of the cabinets they build today are painted, 20% are maple and the rest vary in wood types. When he rst started 95% were made of oak.
Technology has changed the cabinetry trade. Computers are used in almost every aspect, from drafting to determining how to cut a board to get the maximum use, cutting down waste from 14% to 7%.
Schlangen has 11 computers, most hooked up to machines in the wood shop, compared to 1995 when he had no computers.
“Computers have made us better, faster and more accurate,” he said.
November 23
He is thankful for his crew of workers. Troy Cremers has worked at the business 27 years.
“The reason I grew is due to the quality of people I have employed through the years,” Schlangen said.
His sons, Zach, 28, and Austin, 25, also work at Schlangen’s Custom Cabinets.
“They are the future of the business and want to continue to grow what I started,” he said.
Looking back, when he rst opened the business at age 25, some people questioned if he could run a successful cabinet business. Then he got gray hair and gained a few pounds,
Albany Mutual Telephone is proud to be a communications cooperative, running and maintaining a ber-to-premise communication system with services including ultra-high-speed internet, telephone, digital TV, cellular and business solutions.
Regardless of which services are selected, customers on the receiving end of Albany Mutual Telephone’s elite systems enjoy having a friendly face as part of their personal service experience.
Meet Tyler Geerdes, the company’s newest technician, who started with the company in mid-August. He was looking for an opportunity to further his career in ber optics when the position was offered, and he jumped at the opportunity.
Already, he sees an aspect of the work he enjoys most.
“It’s nice just helping people out and getting their phones and internet and things working for them; they are happy, gracious and thankful,” he said.
Right now, he is helping out wherever he can as he works through the learning curve on various aspects of Albany Mutual Telephone Company. While getting a general overview of his work, he is learning everything he can. He works primarily on home installations from ditch to home, along with underground construction which involves burying cable or pipe for ber.
could mean catching up on other work or repeating the process after lunch.
Geerdes enjoys the camaraderie on the crew.
“They are teaching me everything I need to know about the job,” he said. “Everyone have been as nice as I could have asked for; they’ve been really good and I’ve been really happy. They are as accepting as I could ask.”
Geerdes grew up in Bemidji and went to college in St. Cloud. He and his girlfriend, Erin Hylden, live in St. Cloud and are parents to 4-year-old Lyla.
Every fall, Geerdes enjoys hunting whitetail deer with his family and friends up north. Fishing is another love.
“I love shing and walleye is my absolute favorite,” he said. “I absolutely love a sh fry; we always use an egg wash and crushed saltines with seasoning and spices, real basic.”
Geerdes joins the Albany Mutual team with prior experience, having worked with another telecommunications construction company for three years.
“I actually worked a series of different jobs in underground construction between high school and college, then ber optic full-time, then here,” he said.
Geerdes starts a typical work day as part of a crew of four. At 7:30 a.m., they organize and plan for their day, whether that be installing televisions or internet, and checking all work tickets needing attention. By 8 or 8:30 a.m., they head out to their rst install. The time required for that install affects their next moves, which
Growing up in a family of four, Geerdes golfed a lot. Now, he golfs less but enjoys it in a new way.
“Now, as a parent, I can’t play as much as I like to, but I take Lyla out with me and she loves it,” he said, smiling. “It gives mom a little break from us.”
A little-known fact about Geerdes is that he can solve a Rubik’s Cube: “I picked it up along the way and I can still do it!”
They carry some of the top bridal gown designers in the business, allowing them to offer something for everyone’s body type and budget. Allure, Mori Lee and Justin Alexander showcase some of the best styles around, giving a great selection for every bride to find something that will make her want to say YES! Don’t forget the perfect accessory to go along with it. Whether it’s a simple necklace, statement earrings or a dramatic cathedral veil, they’ve got you covered.
Don’t worry, they haven’t forgotten the men. They carry Skeffington’s and Jim’s Formal Wear for the latest looks to make the groom and his entourage look their best. From full tuxedo rentals or suit purchases to a more laid-back suspender and bowtie look, they’ve got you covered.
For the moms, Wedding & Tuxedo Connection carries a great selection of gowns for the mother of the bride or groom to look and feel fabulous as they watch their son or daughter get married. Plus, they have an adorable selection of flower girl dresses and ring bearer outfits to put those finishing touches on the bridal party.
Wedding & Tuxedo Connection also has over 35 years of experience in floral. They’ve been helping brides design the perfect arrangements for their bouquets and bridal party since the beginning. And it doesn’t stop there. They offer all things floral for weddings, special occasions and funerals. Along with floral, they offer decorating services for your special day as well, from ceiling draping to chair covers, linens and more. If you need it, they probably have it.
Wedding & Tuxedo Connection is excited for their Grand Re-Opening at their new location, 13 Main St. W, Richmond. They will be kicking it off November 5 and running until November 12. The festivities will begin with a WILD Country 99 live broadcast, great giveaways, a Designer Spotlight highlighting Allure bridal gowns with one lucky bride winning her dream gown, local vendors for your bridal needs and more! Call to make an appointment today since there are limited spots available each day.
13 Main Street W | Richmond, MN 56368
edding & Tuxedo Connection is truly your ONE stop bridal shop. With almost 12 years in business, they’ve just moved into their new location to offer an even larger selection of gowns with a more intimate setting.For nearly the last four decades Glen Borgerding and Ag Resource Consulting Inc. have been specializing in soil testing and nutrient management.
“What we bring to the table is a much more realistic approach to the subject of soil health,” Borgerding said. “We’ve been around, we’ve seen so many things come and go. What we have to offer farmers is a more balanced approach, helping them identify what they need and drilling down to what’s most important for their operation.”
Borgerding, a certified crop advisor with the American Society of Agronomy, began his business before concerns of soil health were mainstream. Now, he said, the good news is there are a lot more people working toward soil health solutions and there’s a lot more research to show the importance of management and the legitimacy of planning.
But, he said, that influx of information, and the trends that follow that research and information, aren’t appropriate for every farm or every farmer. There are a lot of solutions that may work for one year out of five but it takes longevity in the industryto develop plans that work for farmers in the long-term.
“There’s so much information out there that it’s really hard to stay focused on what is important,” Borgerding said.
His company focuses on balancing soil health and crop productivity and while the industry has changed, his focus hasn’t. Ag Resource Consulting hones in on nutrientmanagement plans, putting together recommendations for crop production, manureapplications and crop fertilizer. Services include soil and manure sampling and testing and field scouting. The on-site lab at Ag Resource Consulting is certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
“We’ve been well deeply rooted in soil health for a really long time,” Borgerding said. “We focus on products (and processes) that have stood the test of time and are a good balance between soil health and productivity.”
Utility trailers and enclosed trailers have been big sellers at Midsota Trailer
e les and Servic
anager
“Snow season is right around the corner, so we have been taking a lot of calls for enclosed snowmobile trailers,” General Manager Chad Zirbes said Oct. 5. “We have seen a huge increase for the wider and taller trailers that customers want to haul their UTVs (utility terrain
They also work with customers and contractors to custom build trailers to
trailers ta Trailer around the aking mobile trailers, Zirbes said O ge ers custo t st couple of ye ork with custo needs.
and attachments and working his way up to service manager in 2015, before taking the general manager position two years ago at Midsota Trailer Sales and Service.
He has seen the sale of trailers grow.
“The last couple of years the sideby-side market has exploded. People make a huge investment on side-bysides and they want something to protect it,” Zirbes said.
“It’s ve lastthem
“It’s very rewarding to help them not just get any trailer, but one that will last them for years and best suit their needs,” Zirbes said. “One customer, a few years ago, told us we should call ourselves ‘The Trailer Whisperers’ because we listen to them and help them make the best purchase possible.”
Quality over quantity is what the six Midsota Trailer Sales and Service employees strive for when it comes to selling and servicing trailers.
“The biggest thing is there are a lot of different trailer variations and options,” Zirbes said. “We carry everything from entry level trailers used a couple of times a year to trailers used by contractors every day.”
Trailer brand lines carried by Midsota Trailer Sales and Service include Aluma, Floe International, Cross Trailers, Mission, Formula, E-Z Haulers, Stealth, Compass and Cam Superline.
PHOTO SUBMITTED Midsota Trailer Sales and Service employees Greg Reiter (from left), Justin Gertken, Chad Zirbes and Luke Pachan, on Oct. 5, stand in front of trailers at the Avon business. Utility trailers and enclosed trailers have been big sellers this year.
Retail salesmen include Zirbes, Justin Gertken and two recent hires, Luke Pachan and Greg Reiter. Technicians Mitch Tesch and Ryne Pelzer service trailers.
Listening to a customer’s needs is important, Zirbes said.
“Our first question is what are you hauling so we can get them into the right trailer,” he said. “A quality sale is super important to us so we meet their expectations now and for future use.”
Midsota Trailer Sales and Service employees pride themselves on service. Technicians work on all types of trailers, not just those they sell. They perform yearly maintenance on trailers and do Department of Transportation inspections. Staff support the manufacturing site, provide replacement parts and trouble shooting.
“We take care of warranty work and service work right here in-house,” Zirbes said. “Our integrity is number one.”
Since last December, Rebecca Mueller has been offering folks in downtown Belgrade delicious and nutritious shakes and teas at her business called Boosters, which is located in the old Belgrade Observer building, right next to the Belgrade Bakery. Boosters is open Tuesday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. Customers can order ahead by texting or calling or else simply stop in for a healthy treat.
Mueller’s products are all herbal-based and come in meal-replacing shakes or a variety of teas that energize, boost metabolism, and/or burn fat. The teas come sparkling or plain with delicious juice flavorings. One of the best sellers is a fat-burning “Booster Shot” that helps burn stomach fat.
“I’m located right next to the bakery, so people come in after going there to burn that donut right out of them,” Mueller said, “or else they come in to get a metabolism boost before having that donut.”
Customers stop in after their workouts as well, and Mueller offers them a deal.
“We do a discount for them that day to promote people working out,” Mueller said. She also gives a free shake or tea to police officers and county sheriffs who stop by in uniform.
“We do that to show appreciation for what they do,” Mueller said. Mueller and her daughters, Ava and Natalie, create a fun atmosphere for all the customers they serve at Boosters.
“If there’s more than one at a time in the shop and we start socializing, we nominate it as ‘Tea Time,’ and we all celebrate and have a social hour,” Mueller said. “I try to join in as long as I’m not busy, but it’s super fun to see other people mingle with each other.”
, all ller not eo -
Sometimes at-home moms come in with their kids and enjoy visiting while their kids play nearby. Other customers swing in if they have a 20-minute break and want to enjoy a healthy drink and a
little socializing.
That’s Mueller’s favorite part about running her business…her customers.
“I love being with the people,” Mueller said, “and being able to offer the public something healthy.”
I grew up in Sauk Centre and graduated from SCHS, then attended Alexandria Technical School. I worked 17-and-a-half years in manufacturing and 20 years in banking, and retired in 2018. I love anything outdoors: walking, hiking, traveling and spending time with my family. I have a son in Prior Lake, a daughter in Rapid City, South Dakota, and four grandchildren that I love to spend time with. At Star Publications, I am responsible for all the tear sheets. This involves cutting the ads for customers that require copies of ads included with monthly billing. I also assist with phones, filing and any miscellaneous mailings or duties.
I was raised in Melrose and have lived in Sauk Centre for over 30 years. My parents, Fred and Margaret Imdieke, live in Melrose. I have five brothers and sisters. I like to help out in the community wherever I can. I like all our restaurants, and one of my favorite things to order is chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting. At Star Publications, I work on tear sheets and inserting, for Dairy Star and our many other publications.
Back in 1979, Dick Christenson and Arlan Pearson each had an interest in welding and machining, and they figured the Melrose community had a need for these services.
They opened CAP Enterprises, Inc., in Melrose, and today, over 43 years later, it continues to be a company that serves welding and machine shop needs in Melrose and the surrounding areas, with services like custom aluminum and stainless steel welding,
machining and farm repair.
New attributes include automated plasma and flame cutting, robotic welding and automated sawing, which lends to more accuracy.
“Not many people offer this type of repair,” said Christenson.
CAP Enterprises, Inc. employs four full-time and two part-time people and is open Mondays through Fridays, from 8 to noon and 1 to 5 p.m.
Located at 511 3rd Ave. SW in Melrose
In 2014, Corey Bueckers bought a portion of his Grandfather’s well-known business, Bueckers Recycling. Corey bought and took over septic maintenance and porta pot rentals.
Corey grew and sold the septic business in 2018. He then focused on porta pot rentals. In 2019, Corey bought out another porta pot business. He grew his business to 125 toilets, including regular porta pots, handicap porta pots, handwash stations and hand sanitizing stations. Corey has recently added table and chair rentals to his lineup.
Bueckers Biffies may be a one-man show, but Bueckers has the support of his family and many friends to lend a helping hand if needed. His wife, Cheryl, is there to help behind the scenes in the office and his daughters are his biggest cheerleaders.
“I strive to provide the best service at the cheapest rate I can.” Bueckers said. One may have a down look on the use of a porta pot, but those who have used one of Bueckers Biffies have always been impressed. Corey takes pride in knowing he goes the extra mile to make his customers happy with the cleanliness and more appealing smell of his rentals.
If you are looking for a biffie, tables or chairs for a graduation party, wedding, family get-together, construction site, lake cabin, boat landing, park, town festival, sporting event or any other rental need, he is there to help you out. Corey is looking into purchasing his own luxury trailer for fancier events. He does have access to luxury trailer rental options now.
In the next few years, Corey is looking to grow his family business from 125 toilets to over 300. It is not a job just anyone wants, but Corey takes pride in helping others complete their outdoor events.
When asked what Corey would like to tell the readers, he said, “Thank you for shopping local and supporting a local business like Bueckers Biffies Inc.”
For your next rental need, call Bueckers Biffies Inc at 320-256-2727.
I am a strong woman who keeps her family wrangled together –both my siblings as well as our children. I love family events. I really enjoy anything outside (except in January), whether it’s digging in the dirt, boating or just taking a walk. I volunteer in the area with Community Connections, working with the Monster Manor, etc.
At Star Publications, I work with circulation, postal reports and inserts. That lets me communicate with a variety of people. I really enjoy working with the rest of the office staff, the production crew, writers and sales team and everyone at Star Publications. I think we’re a really good team.
We can handle jobs large or small
Our goal is to be there for you in all stages of your life. Whatever your plans are, our financial services can help make sure you’re on a prudent path to work towards your dreams.
401(k) Plans and 403(b) Plans
Whether you work for a for-profit company with a 401(k) or a tax-exempt organization like a school, hospital or religious group with a 403(b), we have the experience to help manage your retirement plan.
IRA’s and Roth IRA’s IRA’s and Roth IRA’s are used by some as part of retirement strategy. Speak with a financial professional for more details.
401(k) Rollovers
When you leave a job, your 401(k) may be able to come with you. Speak with a financial professional to learn more.
529 plans are designed to encourage savings for future college costs. Investment in a plan like this can be used later to cover tuition, room and board, fees, as well as books and computers if required for classes. Participation in a 529 Plan does not guarantee the contributions and investment return will be sufficient to cover future higher education expenses. Investments involve risk and may incur a profit or loss.
Speak with a financial professional for details on these services.
A benefit through which an insurance company pays out when the policyholder dies. Cost and availability varies based on your health, age, and other factors. Guaranteed interest rates are based on the claims-paying ability of the underlying insurance company. Applicants are subject to underwriting, which may include medical history and current health.
A variety of services are covered under long-term care, including both medical and non-medical needs for those with a chronic illness or disability who can’t care for themselves for long periods. This insurance can cover the cost of nursing home care, in-home assistance, assisted living or adult day care.
We can help coordinate other benefits under Medicare insurance, to make sure you have the coverage you need, whether through Medigap or group health plan coverage from an employer. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Lisa Lahr worked in hospital and clinic-based physical therapy for more than 16 years, and decided she wanted something more personal for her patients.
She wanted a business where she could focus on their wants and needs and, occasionally, step outside the office to see an athletic patient in action on the practice field.
“If this is about you getting better because you want to get back to playing with your grandkids, that’s what we’re going to focus on,” she said. “If you want to get back to sports…let’s do things that are sports specific.”
Lahr is the owner and founder of Centre Rehab and said she wanted to provide a place for patients to
rehab without the hustle or constraints of the clinic or hospital environment. She wanted to provide a comfortable place for people to gain back their strength and focus on improving their own outcomes.
“I wanted something more relaxed, laid back and personal for my patients,” she said.
She reserves an hourlong session for every patient she sees and never plans for patients to overlap. Lahr works solo in her practice, so patients have the whole facility to themselves.
“We spend that whole time on you,” she said.
Lahr provides physical therapy to a wide variety of patients including those who are post-surgery, pregnant or postpartum, those with athletic injuries, those in need of wound care or pelvic floor therapy, and those in need of strengthening and/or conditioning. She also provides pool therapy services.
For her, education is huge. She works to create a relationship with her patients, and listens to them when it comes to their pain. She works to understand their concerns and then talks to them about the root cause of the
“If we don’t teach people why they’re going through what they’re going through it’s hard to believe it’s just going to get better,” she said.
Providing a full range of physical therapy services
pain, so they can better understand its source. People with chronic pain, she said, are worried the pain is never going to get better. And, those just out of surgery, she said, often experience a different kind of pain then they had before surgery.
She works with patients to get through that, and begin to strengthen and heal.
Providing that comfortable environment, she said, allows her patients to open up about what they’re experiencing. And, Lahr said, as they’re focusing on new skills, she works to get to know each person and they can spend time telling stories and laughing.
“Even though some of them are in a lot of pain when they come in, there’s still a lot we can enjoy of each other’s company,” she said. “We get our work done and have some pretty good fun interaction while we’re doing it.”
For Lahr, physical therapy is about getting patients back to doing what they love.
“I wanted something more relaxed, laid back and personal for my patients,”
Lisa Lahr, owner & founder of Centre Rehab
Photos Submitted
No matter where you walk, drive, live, or work –chances are a company like Kotzer Excavating, Inc., based in Albany, Minn., was involved in creating it.
Owner Chris Kotzer and his team have built an expert reputation, playing an essential role in completing ef cient roadways, reliable septic systems, smooth demolitions, commercial and residential construction site preparations, and much more.
“There are endless types of projects we’re involved with,” explained Chris, who leads his team of 20 loyal, long-term employees in projects that span the ve-state area.
Although they go a long distance to complete projects in Minnesota and beyond, locals in Central Minnesota are used to seeing the Kotzer team’s red dump trucks and other machinery making their way around the area, going from jobsite to jobsite.
Along with a huge range of projects they are involved with, Kotzer Excavating also supplies customers with important materials such as class 5 gravel, crushed concrete, crushed asphalt, washed sand, screened sand, and more. All materials are expertly spread and packed, ensuring long term, successful use.
Using the latest equipment and technology, combined with careful attention to detail and expansive industry know-how, Kotzer Excavating is known for getting the work done on time, up to code, and beyond the expectations of their customers.
In all they do, the team recognizes that common sense, ef ciency, and safety are priorities.
“Every detail matters in order for us to have successful and safe projects,” said Chris. “We work hard, pay attention to details and never cut corners.”
Such care has paid off for the company, which was started by Chris in 1995. Today, Kotzer Excavating is known by contractors, municipalities, and residential customers as a reliable, ef cient, no-nonsense excavating pro.
Call Chris today to discuss your next project: 320-980-0015
21745 340th St., Albany, MN 56307
www.kotzerexcavating.com
Enterprise CP, headquartered in Long Prairie, is a full-service, vertically-integrated pasta and pasta meal manufacturing and packaging company. ECP owns and operates its own flour mill in Cando, ND and produces all the pasta that is used in their pasta dinners and sides. Therefore, their production and packaging operation is not impacted by shortages in raw materials, and they can keep the highest quality standards while keeping production costs low.
Food companies working with ECP can use print-ready art on cartons and boxes, or ECP can assist with the design, development and printing of artwork. ECP can also mix and package seasoning packets by using a food company’s specifications or by using one of the ECP tried-and-true in-house recipes.
In addition to their pasta and co-packaging operation, ECP produces and markets a private label brand of pasta, pasta dinners and pasta sides under their Premier Pantry private label, which includes their blue-box value brands and premium platinum-black label brands. ECP’s high-quality value brand of pasta products can help drive sales and can supplement store brands and/or national brands.
Plus, ECP’s shipping and logistics department will ensure that products will be shipped and received on time and when promised.
Since ECP is aggressively investing in innovation and automation, products are ensured to be of the highest quality and delivered on time at a competitive price. ECP’s recently-purchased, high-capacity pasta press can produce more than 9,000 pounds of pasta per hour, and their state-of-the-art packaging lines keep products rolling while keeping costs low.
By continuing to focus on and invest in automation and safety, ECP will continue to keep their production facilities at the forefront of industry.
St.Rosa Lumber was established in March of 1998. Over the last 24 years the company has grown to employ a team of: salesmen, project managers, truck drivers, draftsmen, & yard management.
St. Rosa Lumber offers full building packages including services such as: custom design, complete bids, material packages and construction crews. In addition, St. Rosa Lumber offers general contracting services, something that is unique to the area and keeps client’s projects running smoothly and on schedule.
With a full indoor showroom, clients are able to see a variety of material like: windows, doors, millwork, shingles, siding, deck material and more.
St. Rosa Lumber designs and constructs projects of all kinds—custom homes, agricultural buildings, commercial projects, pole sheds and remodels. In addition, it is a full retail lumberyard that offers delivery to your door. Materials stay dry year-round with storage in two large indoor warehouses.
Stop by the of ce in St. Rosa, or view the project gallery at www.strosalumber.com. Owners John, Lillian, Jason & Brandon Arnzen would like to thank Central Minnesota and all their customers for their loyalty and support over the years.
Arnzen Construction Inc (ACI) was founded in 1904 in St. Rosa, MN. Over the last 100 years the company has grown to employ more than 70 full-time employees, and has spread its customer base to cover the mid region of Minnesota.
You’ll nd Arnzen Construction’s red trucks at projects of all sizes such as: barn facilities, commercial projects, custom homes, pole-sheds, steel-framed buildings, and specialty projects.
In the last few years ACI had an increase of work in commercial projects such as: apartment complexes, church projects, dental clinics, county buildings, and more. On the residential end, ACI designs and constructs custom homes, house additions, remodels and repairs.
Over the years, Arnzen has catered to small dairy farms as well as meeting the needs of larger barn facilities. ACI has years of experience designing and constructing: freestall barns with robotic milking, barn remodels and repairs, poultry facilities, hog barns and more. ACI also retails barn parts and equipment, and is a farmer’s one-stop-shop for: barn curtains, free-stalls, headlocks, gates, feed carts, fans, cow mats, and more.
In addition to construction, ACI has a full-service welding shop. Does your dock need a x? Or a trailer need a repair? We can help! ACI Welding not only welds in-house, but can drive out to your project with our portable welding services.
Stop by the of ce in St. Rosa, or view the project gallery at www.arnzenconstructioninc.com. Owners John Arnzen and Bob Arnzen would like to thank the community and surrounding areas for their continued support and business.
What started in 1917 as a creamery and then expanded into a custom blend feeds and fertilizers has now evolved further into what customers know the Cold Spring Co-op Country Store for today – a place where their wants and needs are met with friendly and reliable service.
In April of 2012, the doors of the Cold Spring Co-op Country Store opened. Ralph Schlangen, general manager, said, “We wanted to expand and provide something for everyone in the community.”
The Cold Spring Co-op Country Store offers a wide variety of products such as home and lawn décor, wind chimes, memorial items, potting soils, livestock equipment, calf milk replacers, beef and cattle minerals, pet food and supplies, horse feeds, chicken grower and layer feeds, exotic animal feeds, deer food plot seeds,
grass seeds, bulk and bagged bird seed, Bongard’s cheese, Harry’s pizza, and Pep’s Pork.
Need a birthday gift for the little farmer or for the upcoming Holiday shopping? We have a large selection of toys to choose from.
The Cold Spring Co-op Country Store is also home to many loyal customers, who say they appreciate the wide selection of the products the store has to offer and the friendly customer service of people who listen, ask questions and recommend the right product for their customers.
We are here to be helpful, offer helpful information or sometimes just to have a friendly conversation. We are very customer focused and we make sure our customers are happy and well taken care of.
Stop in and visit us soon at the Cold Spring Co-op.
One of Sauk Centre’s oldest and most trusted businesses is First State Agency, Inc. Established in 1901, the independent insurance agency has the knowledge and expertise to help each client with his or her own unique needs.
First State Agency is staffed with all licensed professionals with strong customer and community ties. With over 85 years of combined insurance experience the staff will be able to find the right policy to fit your personal needs and budget. First State Agency offers many insurance lines including: auto, home, farm and crop, recreational, life, individual health, Medicare supplement, disability, commercial liability and property, workers compensation, and bonds.
Brenda, Carrie, Sue and Karen strive to offer excellent service to all their clients. Taking the time to sit down and explain the coverages to make sure their clients can make good informed decisions and feel comfortable with not only the insurance coverages they purchase, but with the insurance advisor assisting them.
Our office hours are: 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Mon.–Thurs., 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Fri.
There is a floral arrangement for every occasion and season, and at Albany Country Floral & Gifts, they are ready to bring quality arrangements to brighten any event. The shop has been busy this year, particularly with funerals and weddings, as it brings predesigned and custom orders to customers throughout Central Minnesota.
“We are a fullservice floral shop that handles funeral work, wedding work, holiday décor, anniversaries and birthdays, anywhere from single arrangements to decorating a hall, and we do interior and exterior decorating,” said Kitty Eickhoff, Albany Country Floral & Gifts owner.
The shop was founded in 1982 by Larry and Pat Invie, establishing the business in the old Albany creamery building. The Invies also owned Cold Spring Floral at the time; In high school, Eickhoff worked for them at Cold Spring Floral before helping at Albany Country Floral in its early days, later returning to buy the shop. Today, she works alongside her husband, Ken Eickhoff, with Melissa Armstrong and Brian Dyer.
Today, Albany Country Floral offers flowers and gifts for all occasions, serving Albany, Avon, Freeport, Holdingford, Melrose, Richmond, Sauk Centre and
Upsala with sameday delivery. Each order is treated with personalized care and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, whether it is a fresh or a silk arrangement, and their designers can work with customer pictures to make custom arrangements. Their flowers can also be conveniently ordered online at https:// www.albanycf.net. One event Albany Country Floral is looking forward to is their holiday open house, held Nov. 4 from 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Nov. 5 from 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. For the event, the store is effectively transformed into a Christmas shop, complete with a 20-foot, fully decorated Christmas tree and about six to 10 other decorated trees. Featured items at this open house will include spruce top planters for the outdoors, as well as assortments of different seasonal blooming plants such as Christmas cacti, poinsettias, lilies and mums. Eickhoff said.
“(Flowers) can be for the best occasion and the worst occasion, and they can brighten somebody’s day either way,” Eickhoff said.
If you have anything metal that needs a makeover, Central Minnesota Finishing can help. CMF offers high quality metal sandblasting and powder coating to the Sauk Centre area.
Recently, they were able to help out the city of Sauk Centre with re-painting their merry-go-round at the Jaycee Park after being approached by Public Works Supervisory Ben Clink. CMF was able to transform the equipment from a worn-out looking piece to just like new, as shown in the before-and-after photos on this page.
CMF can sandblast and powder coat many different sizes, with a range of capabilities range from one-piece orders to large quantity order. CMF has done a wide range of projects, painting for many industrial customers with requests for flat beds, trailers, snow buckets, grapple forks and many other items.
CMF is able to do smaller projects as well, things like metal cemetery flower pots and memorials. Specifically, CMF has worked on armed forces memorials and a cemetery bench memorial that can be seen in Sauk Cen-
Minnesota
by CMFtre. Not only can CMF work on new products but they also have experience in restorative work, so you can breathe new life into old chairs, car parts, full deck railings and spiral staircases.
CMF’s large-capacity facility has enough space for nearly any sandblasting project one may need. Sandblasting is an abrasive method that forces solid particles across a metal surface at high speeds which helps to smooth, shape and clean the product. Sandblasting is a suitable for many types of metal products such as car rims and frames, railings, lawn furniture and trailers. It can also get rid of coatings on metal such as rust or paint.
Blasting not only keeps metal products looking good but also protects them from rust and other damage.
CMF has many blasting options, such as black diamond sandblasting for a standard cleaning and finishing, as well as bead blasting, which is mainly for stainless steel.
Bead blasting can cover irregularities on metal such as marks left from
welding and leaves either a matte or sating finish. This particular method is especially popular within the food service industry.
When it comes to powder coat painting, CMF’s conveyor line can accommodate parts up to 7’ long x 2’ wide x 4’ high, and their batch oven can handle parts up to 30’ long x 10’ wide x 9’ high.
Powder coat paint is a metal finishing method which is not only environmentally safe and solvent free, but is long-lasting and prevents rust. Powder coating is beneficial because it is available in a large variety of textures and colors and resists cracking and peeling. CMF offers a variety of Powder coat paint options, with textures, wrinkles, indoor, outdoor, high temp, low temp and FDA approved options. Color matching is also available.
Follow Central Minnesota Finishing Inc. on Facebook or contact CMF at (320) 352-5747. With the COVID pandemic of 2020, CMF has reached out to additional clients and have made their presence known, in addition to print advertising, thru social media, social network and the radio.
Brenny was founded in 1996. Joyce and Todd Brenny wanted to lead a company that treated people with respect, a company which honored champion character and a team driven to serve! Brenny has grown because of the company's superior respect for their customers' needs as well as honoring the hard work and dedication of their champion team members. Our purpose-driven culture is the base of our foundation.
Some of the many awards and recognition Brenny has received over the years:
• 2022 Best Fleet to Drive For
• Minnesota Top 150 Workplaces on 10 occasions
• Great West National Platinum Safety Award on 5 occasions
• Women in Trucking's (WIT) Top Company for Women to Work for in Transportation on 4 occasions
• MN Business Ethics Award!
For all your trucking transportation needs U.S., Canada & Worldwide.
When it comes to ESTATE PLANNING local
After Josh Andersen bought the Holdingford-based Hardware Hank May 4, he expected to continue providing for the community’s hardware needs in much of the same way customers had come to expect – with integrity, fair prices and a friendly smile to greet them at the door.
“I hope customers feel welcome when they come here,” Andersen said. “And I hope the store still feels familiar. I want them to have a good experience while they’re in the store.”
Andersen is dedicated to keeping the Holdingford hardware store as a familiar, comfortable place for customers to find what they need – just as they were accustomed to.
chemicals, and grass seed are all still available at the hardware store. Barring any unforeseen supply chain issues, Andersen said it will stay that way.
“It’s about helping customers,” Andersen said. “Through our interactions, we want to be sure we’re finding the right part for them and ensuring that we’re being helpful and effi
That means supplies relating to plumbing, electrical, paint, automotive, lawn and garden, nuts and bolts, sprays and 320-746-2973 561 | West Main Street | Holdingford, MN Mon. - Fri. 8 am-6 pm|Sat. 8 am-4 pm
Andersen and his wife, Jenna Andersen, are committed to providing everything that the store has been known for in the past, and maybe even more.
Tucked away in New Munich is Tree of Life, a 16-bedroom assisted living home.
Char Greene of Clitherall near Battle Lake holds a special connection with Tree of Life, the place her own mother, Beatrice Laumeyer, called her last home at 89 years old.
“My mom had dementia, and dad (Lloyd) took care of her for a long time,” Greene said.
When the time came to nd a different caretaking arrangement for her mother, Greene and her family struggled nding an opening in Long Prairie, where they desired her to stay.
“Soon two places had a spot open, one was this (Tree of Life),” Greene said. “We hadn’t heard of it before, but it was 30 minutes from where mom and dad raised us kids in Long Prairie.”
Although Greene and her family were happy to nd a place close to their roots, they were concerned about their mother leaving home. “I think all of us can relate to that,” said Greene. “It’s never easy leaving home.”
Adams, who grew up in and lives in Sauk Centre, is an attorney at Pemberton Law’s Alexandria office. He provides services out of the Minnesota National Bank in Sauk Centre on Tuesday afternoons.
While Adams focuses on estate planning and real estate law, the firm, with offices in Alexandria, Fergus Falls, Detroit Lakes and Wadena, offers a multitude of services. Attorneys with the firm, he said, have primary practice areas that include a variety of fields including family law, probate, litigation, corporate law, employment law and labor law, among others.
“We kind of pride ourselves on being able to handle most, if not all, areas of law a person might need help with,” he said. “When looking for an attorney, find someone who routinely practices in the area you’re looking for...make sure the person you’re hiring is truly knowledgeable in their field.”
Adams helps clients plan for the future. Estate plans, he said, include all of the typical documents a person would need if they were to become incapacitated or die. That commonly encompasses wills, power of attorney documents, health care directives and/or trusts.
“(The goal) is to try to make sure their wishes get followed through with if something should happen to them,” he said.
Having those documents in place, Adams said, can save thousands of dollars and 12 or more months of agony for survivors as they go through the court system to settle up the estate.
“A lot of times it’s easier to hire an attorney on the front end and incur some upfront costs to avoid incurring more on the back end,” he said. “Just about anybody can benefit from an estate plan.”
About one-third of Adam’s clients are young families just starting to acquire assets, so estate planning is not just for those entering the second phase of life.
Plans, he said, should be reviewed every few years to make sure they stay up to date as a person’s assets and family can grow and change. It’s often helpful to create a plan that’s revocable so it can be changed over time. The plan should provide for incapacity so someone can legally make decisions on a person’s behalf without court involvement, and the focus should be on efficiently protecting assets for a partner and/or minor children. Other common considerations typically include probate avoidance and tax planning.
Adams and his wife Jena live in Sauk Centre with their son, Theo. Adams participates in the Sauk Centre Rotary and is a board member on the Sauk Centre Area Community Foundation and CentraCare Foundation.
PHOTOS SUBMITTED
Beatrice (Bea) Laumeyer sits at the counter at Tree of Life Assisted Living in New Munich with a handmade butter y.
“We wanted a place to feel like home and feel like family,” Greene said. “They (at Tree of Life), become family, and that’s their goal. They make all homemade food – sh, potatoes, items out of their garden, sausage, venison, etc. That generation, that’s what they know.” Many of the items served at Tree of Life come from donations from family, friends and community members.
Tina Valerius, owner of the 24-hour care assisted living, appreciates the home atmosphere as well for both the residents and the intimate atmosphere it provides her staff and her.
“We incorporate daily life into their living,” Valerius said. “If they like to clean, they can clean. If they like to cook, they can cook. They can do household chores, play games, help fold laundry, mow the lawn, participate in gardening, etc. We have a lot of residents who like that part of it. It makes them feel useful, a purpose to get up.”
Tree of Life Assisted Living is adept to care for residents from move in through hospice, the reason Greene’s mother could stay until her nal day.
“On numerous occasions, the Tree of Life staff stayed extra hours and sat with mom, talking to her,” Greene said. “As mom regressed in her memory, they would just sit by her and rub her arm, talk to her.”
Whether it is the quality of care, love provided, and the time they offer up, the staff are warm, welcoming, and serve with unconditional care, which is truly of comfort to the family, Greene said.
They also provide activities that meet the resident’s needs, including playing music and completing art projects such as sewing.
“When mom was passing away, staff who were not on duty showed up at the end of her bed as mom was about to take her last breath; that’s who they are,” Greene said. “A memory I will hold forever, is the staff members standing at my mother’s bedside saying, ‘we love you Bea.’ I know this was of great comfort to her, as she heard it often from the wonderful staff at Tree of Life.”
attorney Nick Adams wants people to know IT’S NOT JUST FOR THE WEALTHY.Nicholas T. Adams kno HY. w
When you ship with Brenny, you help us help your community.
For the past 22 years, the Sauk Centre Country Store has served area farmers and pet owners with feed and supplies, along with top customer service.
The Sauk Centre Country Store is one of five Centra Sota Country Store locations across Central Minnesota that markets to both the agricultural market and the urban customer.
A wide array of services and products are offered to dairy, beef, equine, pet, chicken, goat and rabbit owners. Unique products sold at the Country Store include many dog treats, bird feeders and a variety of goat milk products.
The Country Store opened in Sauk Centre in 2000 as part of the Cabinet Components building. In 2005 they moved to their current location on Sinclair Lewis Avenue. The four other Centra Sota locations' employees are considered co-workers, and inventory is shared between them.
Sauk Centre Country Store manager, Lisa Keppers, has worked for Centra Sota for over six years and has been the manager in Sauk Centre for that time. Keppers said about the Country Store, "Our customer service is very important to us! If we don’t have it, we will find it."
Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays. Winter hours, December 1 - April 30 are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays.
Caleb Lau started Rubber Ducky Marine in 2020 out of his mom’s garage after buying, repairing and selling a few used boats and motors. As his business grew, he first moved it to the garage at his apartment. At the start of this year, Lau opened his current shop in Albany. There he sells bait and tackle in the front of the shop and offers marine and power-sports service in the back.
“We offer boat services such as winterization, remodeling, motor repairs on outboards and basically all marine service. We also service
power-sports vehicles such as four-wheelers, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and golf carts,” Lau said. “I like crafting with wood and working on small motors. Remodeling a boat and working on the motor in the back gives me the best of both worlds.”
The front of Lau’s shop offers quality live bait, including minnows and worms. Lau also has leeches in stock when they are in season. The store’s selection of tackle keeps growing as well.
“It has a small-town bait shop feel. I grew up with fishing. My dad got me hooked on it, and
I love the thrill you get when you’ve got a bite on the line,” Lau said. “I like when people come in for bait and tackle and talk about fishing. I get to hear some good stories.”
Joining the business environment of Albany has been a great experience for Lau.
“The community is really open and everyone is supportive. A lot of people are coming in for bait and tackle and slowly finding out all the aspects of my business. It’s always fun meeting new people.”
