2023 Melrose Resource Guide

MAYOR:

Joe Finken ............................................................. (320) 256-3886

Email..................................................jfinken@cityofmelrose.com

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS: Joelene Wieling ................................................... (320) 282-8521 Travis Frieler ..........................................................

256-5222 Anthony (Tony) Klasen .....................................

256-2258 Justin Frieler ......................................................... (320) 493-8911

CITY ADMINISTRATOR:

Colleen Winter ..................................................... (320) 256-4278

Email................................................cwinter@cityofmelrose.com

CITY CLERK:

Patti Haase ............................................................ (320) 256-4278

Email.................................................phaase@cityofmelrose.com

PLANNING :

Sheila Hellermann .............................................. (320) 256-4278

Email......................................shellermann@cityofmelrose.com

CHIEF OF POLICE:

Craig Maus ............................................................ (320) 256-7211

Email..................................................cmaus@cityofmelrose.com

CITY ASSESSOR:

Stearns County Assessor’s Office .................. (320) 656-3680

MELROSE CITY CENTER:

225 1st St. NE, Melrose, MN 56352 (320) 256-4278 • Fax: (320) 256-7766

Email: admin@cityofmelrose.com

MELROSE CITY CENTER

225 1st St. NE

Melrose, MN 56352

(320) 256-7211

Emergency: 911 www.cityofmelrose.com

POLICE CHIEF

Craig Maus

Serving since 2001

cmaus@cityofmelrose.com

320-256-7211

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Felicia Mundis

Serving since 2017

fmundis@cityofmelrose.com

320-256-7211

Mrose Police Department

Our community law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical technicians are always there at moment’s notice to serve and protect.

SERGEANT

Patrick Nechanicky Serving since 2006

OFFICER

Matt Moorman Serving since 2012

OFFICER

Matt McDonald Serving since 2014

OFFICER

David Bonfield Serving since 2021

The Melrose Police Department consists of a police chief, sergeant, three police officers, an administrative assistant and several reserve officers. The Police Department is highly trained to meet the required standards of this profession.

Ambulance

• City-owned ambulance service established in 1969.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) service licensed through the State of Minnesota.

• Department serves nine cities and four townships.

• Members are emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and respond to emergency calls and provide care to the critically ill and injured.

• Members are appointed by the Melrose City Council.

• Department can have up to 20 members.

AMBULANCE COORDINATOR Gina Eggert

MEDICAL DIRECTOR Dr. Dennison Gillen

Comm ce

Melrose is a community with high-quality infrastructure, a strong agriculture base and an expanding business community. Its location adjacent to Interstate 94 In Central Minnesota’s lake country provides quick and easy access to abundant recreational opportunities and a familyfriendly community, all within a modest commute of major metropolitan areas. Melrose continues to grow, and we are proud of our opportunities.

Melrose’s most important asset is its people. Through their dedication, work ethic and values, they drive the community’s development. Our progress and prosperity results from the community coming together to support one another, in business, schools, and neighborhoods.

The City invests in its infrastructure. We are expanding our wastewater treatment facility (WWTF), and completed in the last year the replacement of a bridge on 5th Avenue in the center of the city, and the re-alignment of the Sauk River channel. This summer we will open an expanded campground along the banks of the river in our largest community park, located in the middle of the city, opening opportunities for visitors to stay and explore our downtown area. The campground will include a new restroom facility with showers.

According to the most recent statistics from the State Demographer, in 2021 Melrose had an estimated population of 3,616 with 1,338 housing units. Melrose businesses - industrial, commercial, and retail, along with its service providers - are continuing their long and muchappreciated tradition of investing in the Melrose community by expanding their businesses or starting new ones. We have quality job opportunities, access to quality medical care, an impressive school system, and a supportive community with large manufacturing plants, as well as unique multi-cultural businesses and restaurants.

The past year saw the opening of several Hispanic-owned businesses in our downtown area, which add to the diversity of retail, service, and restaurant opportunities. Our small business community is vibrant, with family owned, community-minded, places to shop, eat, and which provide a wide-range of professional services, including legal, accounting, insurance, and financial planning. It also features distinctive manufacturing – including fiberglass, CNC metal components, and a boat builder – and leaders in agriculture – from feed mills to robotic dairy equipment.

Our largest employer, Jennie -O Turkey Store, Inc., one of the world’s largest turkey processing companies, built a new state of the art facility here in Melrose. Jennie-O Turkey Store, Inc. employs over 700 people and processes 1.1 to 1.5. million live pounds of turkey per day. Most of these turkeys are grown within a 50- to 60-mile radius of the processing facility. Jennie-O Turkey Store, Inc. products are distributed to customers in all 50 states and approximately 40 foreign countries.

Land O’Lakes, Inc., is a milk-processing facility with approximately 130 employees. The company processes nearly 1.3 billion pounds of milk into over 130 million pounds of cheddar and Italian-style cheeses annually. The company also supplies dairy permeate to Proliant Dairy Ingredients, Inc., a whey drying facility located adjacent to Land O’Lakes, Inc., Melrose. Its high-quality products are shipped internationally as well as domestically.

CentraCare - Melrose is a critical access hospital with an attached clinic, skilled nursing home and a senior independent apartment building with assisted living services. A full range of health care services and convenient access to a variety of specialists are provided on this growing medical campus in Melrose. CentraCare - Melrose employs more than 350 people who serve nearly 10,000 residents in and around western Stearns County. In 2017, a new 53,000-square-foot hospital opened which included two state-of-the-art operating rooms, new emergency department, dedicated labor, delivery and recovery suites, imaging women’s center and a Bistro.

Melrose Public Utilities supplies electrical power for the city, while Arvig provides telephone, television, internet, voice and data networking and computer services to the area. Melrose was the first city in the State of Minnesota to have fiber to the home and so if you are looking for broadband reliability, Melrose has you covered.

There are ten restaurants/fast food outlets, two banking facilities, four supermarkets/grocers/butchers and many other stores and services. The City has six parks, a golf course, a branch of the Great River Regional Library system and a weekly newspaper, The Star Post.

We welcome you to visit, or if you’re looking for a new place to call home, we invite you to join us in Melrose, a strong, diverse, connected community.

Community

LOCAL ACCESS CHANNELS

Community Connection Channel 14

For a program schedule, please call (320) 256-7471 or visit www.arvig.net.

POST OFFICE

(320) 256-3713

Located at 304 1st St. NE

Window hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday - Friday

Lobby hours: Open 24/7

NEWSPAPER

The Star Post 408 Main St. E, Melrose, MN 56352 (320) 351-6579

www.star-pub.com

carol@melrosebeacon.com

Office hours: by appointment

MELROSE PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Melrose Branch of Great River Regional Library (GRRL) has what you are looking for, books on almost every subject, magazines, entertainment, how-to DVDs, music CDs, eAudiobooks, eBooks, computers, Internet access, programs and so much more. Library members also have access to the 700,000 items owned by the Great River Regional Library system, of which Melrose Public Library is a member.

All of the GRRL system’s materials are listed on a computer catalog. Library users may search and make their requests on the computer (either at the library or from home), and a daily delivery service circulates items within the system’s 32 libraries. The library also offers free Internet access at public Internet stations as well as children’s and adult’s programming.

The library is in a large, modern, fully-accessible city building that also houses meeting rooms, the police department, a center for seniors and other city offices. It is comfortable and well organized, with clear signage to direct users to the fiction, non-fiction, children’s and reference collections.

Library staff is knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and receive professional reference and support services from the GRRL headquarters in St. Cloud. Free library cards are available to residents of the GRRL service area, which include: Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright counties.

225 1st St. NE, P.O. Box 27, Melrose, MN 56352 (320) 256-3885 • www.griver.org

Library Hours

Monday 2 – 8 p.m. | Tuesday 10 a.m. to noon, 2 – 5 p.m.

Wednesday 2 – 7 p.m. | Thursday 10 a.m. to noon, 2 – 5 p.m.

Friday 2 – 5 p.m. | Saturday 9 to noon

PROJECT GIVE-A-GIFT

Project Give-a-Gift has been part of the Melrose community for 40 years. Local volunteers help families and individuals in need throughout the year but are especially busy during the holiday season. Funds are donated and distributed to people within the Melrose Area school district. If you are interested in donating or know someone in need, please call 320-256-7300.

MELROSE AREA FOOD SHELF (320) 256-2555

The Melrose Area Food Shelf, located at 255 Country Club Road S.W. is available to persons in need of assistance who live within the 740 Melrose Area Public School District. It is open the first four Wednesdays of each month from 1-4:45 p.m.

Clients may receive assistance once per month. Home delivery is available to the disabled and shut-ins. To arrange for this service, call (320) 256-2555 during open hours. If there is no answer, leave a message on voicemail and someone will return your call.

The Melrose Area Food Shelf is a non-profit organization relying solely on donations and grants when available. Volunteers are needed and may call (320) 256-2555 during open hours. Contributions are always welcome and can be delivered to the food shelf during open hours. Cash donations are also appreciated. Checks may be written payable to the Melrose Area Food Shelf and sent to the food shelf at P.O. Box 112, Melrose, MN 56352.

ADLEY CREEK 4-H CLUB

Marie Haskamp (320) 492-6342

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Pat Middendorf (320) 241-3909

AMERICAN LEGION POST 101

(meets second Tuesday of month)

Linda Budde, Commander (320) 429-4112

Ron Butkowski, Gambling Fund Manager (320) 256-3345

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

Kelly Stueve Roering (320) 248-2473

BOY SCOUTS

Steve Borgerding, Scoutmaster (320) 491-3684

CHRISTIAN MOTHERS/WOMEN

Caroline Jacobs, President (320) 256-3207

COMMUNITY CONNECTION CHANNEL 14

Local Broadcast Station (320) 351-9565

CUB SCOUTS

Steve Borgerding Cubmaster (320) 491-6384

GIRL SCOUTS

Elisha Seanger (320) 429-0234

GOLDEN GOALIES

Arlene Messerich (320) 493-0128

MEALS ON WHEELS

Edna Kramer (320) 845-4070

MELROSE AREA FOOD SHELF

(320) 256-2555

MELROSE AREA WOMEN OF TODAY

(meets third Tuesday of month at 6:30 pm)

Kristie Heinze (320) 249-5884

MELROSE SCHOOL PTA

Carrie Austin (763) 954-0019

MELROSE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Roger Paschke, President (320) 256-3933

MELROSE LAKE IMPROVEMENT ASSOC.

George Traeger (320) 256-3887

Jim Mohs (320) 256-3488

MELROSE LIONS CLUB

(meet every second & fourth Wednesday)

Bob Dickhaus, President (320) 259-3717

Larry Droogsma, Gambling Fund Manager (320) 256-7833

MELROSE V.F.W.

(meet first Tuesday of each month)

Jim Athmann, Commander (320) 256-4980

Vern Frericks, Gambling Fund Manager (320) 256-3899

MELROSE V.F.W. AUXILIARY

(meet first Tuesday of each month)

Nancy Kemper (320) 250-4608

ST. BERNARD ST. ELIZABETH SOCIETY

Ray Primus (320) 987-3540

Leonard Hinnenkamp (320) 256-3538

ST. MARY’S MISSION SOCIETY

Jane Salzl (320) 256-3087

ST. PAUL’S YOUTH GROUP

Office (320) 256-3847

SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER

Rosie Athmann, Coordinator (320) 292-0233

Community organizations

SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER

225 1st St NE, Melrose, MN 56352 • (320) 256-4278

The Senior Community Center is a handicapped accessible facility with free internet access. Seniors, over 55 years old, residing in the Melrose Area School District #740 and the Birch Lake area, are invited to participate and use the Center. There are no membership dues.

The Board meets at 10:30 a.m., the second Monday of each month.

Please come and make new friends and enjoy the activities. Contact any board members for additional activity ideas. The Senior Center is located in the lower level of the Melrose City Center and is closed when the City Center is closed.

Board meetings are open to anyone. Present Board members are Pat Seanger, Ruth Traeger, Eileen Maus, Ivanna Meyer, Rosie Athmann and Karen Mueller. New board members are always welcome.

SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES ARE:

Sliver Sneakers Exercise Class: 8 a.m. and again at 9 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

Golden Goalies: 9 a.m. – Every Tuesday Pool: Any time of day

Quilting: Afternoons when a quilt is ready for hand stitching

Line Dancing: Wednesday’s at 10 a.m.

Community Education Classes: Check http://www.isd740.org Soup Lunches: 2nd Wednesday of month during School year -  11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

MELROSE AREA ARTS COUNCIL (MAAC)

Melrose Area Arts Council has recently been formed with the vision of increasing the visual and performing arts in Melrose and the surrounding communities that are part of the Melrose Area School District. They will work with established organizations within the communities to create a positive art focus. If interested in helping or if you have any questions please call Eileen Maus, 320-256-3859, or Chris Barron, 320-980-3344.

Keep Updated

For up-to-date schedules please visit www.cityofmelrose.com and select Senior Center under the Community tab. For additional information please call Rosie Athmann at (320) 292-0233

Melr formed wit per formi commu School organiza

Area Historical Society

518 2nd St. SE, Melrose, MN 56352

320-256-4996 or 320-256-3933

Email: rpaschke@meltel.net

www.melrosemnhistory.com

We are on Facebook at www.facebook.com/melroseareamuseum

Hours: Wednesdays from April to September; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or by appointment.

The first permanent European settlers, including the Adleys and Wheelers, arrived in the Melrose area in 1857, gradually displacing the native Ojibwa and Dakota. The new town was originally called the Maine-ite Settlement, but probably the Adleys renamed it for their ancestral home, Melrose, Scotland.

Eventually Melrose had a hotel, stage coach station, post office, school and a few homes. But it didn’t begin to thrive until 1867, when cousins Edwin and William Clark arrived and bought the Adley property. The Clarks built (or possibly rebuilt) a dam and mill and began selling flour and grist. They built a block of brick buildings, opened stores, a bank and sawmill and brought the railroad to town. By the time Edwin, known as “the father of Melrose,” left in 1893, Melrose was a bustling community with churches, railroad depot and assorted stores and businesses.

Settlers from New England were soon joined by Germans and Irish who were seeking better lives for their families, religious freedom, free land, new adventures, or escape from military service. Many Irish worked on the railroad, especially after 1894, when Melrose became a division point of the Great Northern. When the headquarters were transferred back to Waite Park 29 years later, it was a blow from which the town almost did not recover.

Melrose has seen continuous progress ever since. Two granite companies, a brewery, a newspaper, several major manufacturing plants, many stores and services, churches, financial institutions, health facilities and a strong agricultural base helped it grow and flourish over the years. Today it has both a proud heritage and a vital future, as it has become a regional leader in medicine, manufacturing and communications.

The Melrose Area Historical Society (MAHS) was incorporated in January, 1987. It collects and interprets the history of the school district area including Melrose, Meire Grove, Greenwald, Freeport, New Munich, Spring Hill, St. Rosa, St. Martin Township and the Birch Lake area. MAHS has about 300 members and a spacious, three-floor museum located in a former convent. It is run entirely by volunteers.

Melrose Area Museum

The Melrose Area Museum (MAM) contains thousands of donated artifacts, papers, maps, photographs, family histories and reference books. Changing displays represent medicine, photography, music, domestic life, agriculture, industry, fashion, childhood, railroading, transportation, sports and other areas.

One room is dedicated to every military conflict in which people of the area took part. The Lindbergh display contains artifacts and documents relating to pioneers Louisa and August Lindbergh; their son, Congressman Charles Lindbergh Sr.; and his son, Charles Lindbergh, Jr. The former sisters’ chapel displays many artifacts and explains the area’s religious history. There is an entire print shop on the lower level. Visitors can view digitized copies of The Star Post (Melrose Beacon) and do other research in computerized or paper files.

Memberships are available for individuals, families, businesses and other donors. Members receive a quarterly newsletter. Call for prices on memberships as well as admission to the Melrose Area Museum. Members and education groups have free admission.

Education

Melrose Area Public Schools

Independent School District 740 546 5th Ave. NE, Melrose, MN 56352 (320) 256-5160 • www.isd740.org

It is the mission of District 740 Public Schools to prepare all learners, in partnership with their families and the community, to inspire a passion for lifelong learning and to contribute within a changing and diverse world. The Melrose Area School Complex is the hub of the district, which includes residents from Freeport, Greenwald, Meire Grove, Melrose, New Munich, Spring Hill, St. Martin and St. Rosa. The quality faculty consists of over 65 percent masters-educated professionals. Though portions of the campus have approached 50 years old, the facility is well maintained and continues to be upgraded annually in order to better serve its students and school community. Recent upgrades have included new lockers, updated computer labs and a modernized food service facility.

The Melrose Area Elementary School Program (grades pre-K-5) provides a quality education program that emphasizes strong reading and mathematics skills. They are especially proud of the kindergarten program at Melrose Area Elementary because they are able to provide all day, every day, at no additional cost.

Benchmark Literacy provides the foundations of the elementary’s reading program. The accelerated math, Great Leaps, and Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) programs are examples of excellent

supplemental individualized programs used to increase reading and math skills. The exceptional special education staff and program provides outstanding support to students with special needs.

The Melrose Area Middle School (grades 6-8) provides an environment which meets the ever-changing physical, social and emotional challenges middle school students face. Quarter classes of art, health, FACS and industrial technology allow students to experience electives along with their core classes. Students can set goals with their academics and behaviors to strive for Incentive Day each quarter. The outstanding special needs and ELL programs continue within the middle school and provide excellent support to students who qualify.

Melrose Area High School (grades 9-12): MHS offers a wide array of elective opportunities in the core areas of study. Many of these courses offer both high school and college credit concurrently, such as college trigonometry, college physics, college speech and theatre and abnormal psychology to name a few. MHS also offers foreign language of study in German and Spanish, and students have an opportunity to earn as many as 8 college credits in both of these areas. Students wishing to take a more hands on approach to their learning have many career tech education courses to choose from in the woods, metals, autos, ag, art and FACS areas of study. Finally, the music programs at MHS are highlights of each year and are cherished by students and community. An array of extra-curricular activities are currently offered and provide extended social leadership and collaborative skills. Core athletic programs are a fixture of MHS, as well as FFA, Speech, Super Mileage and Dance Team to name just a few co-curricular opportunities students enjoy participating in.

Melrose Area Schools is a member of the West Central Education District (WCED), which provides support for the special education program. The WCED also provides access to an Area Learning Center that provides alternative educational learning opportunities for some qualifying middle and high school students.

Education in Melrose

Community Education

Melrose Area Schools provide an excellent Community Education program. The program includes activities and opportunities for community members of all ages.

The Adult Basic Education programs include English as a Second Language, and General Education Diploma classes. These classes are offered in the evening at no charge.

The Community Education program provides a variety of instructional, recreational and social programming for all ages. Community events include a Father Daughter Ball. Our district also offers a full summer recreation program.

If you are interested in Community Education programs, please call 320-256-6010 or go online to www.isd740.org and check out the Community Education online registration link.

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) programs are offered for children birth to kindergarten and their parents.

Parent/Child Interaction - parents and children explore and learn together in the classroom doing projects, puzzles and educational games without the distraction of other siblings, the phone or the laundry.

Circle Time - teachers, children and parents participate in songs and games together.

Children’s Time - time for the children to play, eat a snack and listen to a story with their friends and an early childhood teacher.

Parent Discussion - parents share practical advice and discuss parenting topics of interest with each other and a parent educator in an adjoining room with a one-way mirror to observe the children as they play.

Preschool is offered for children who are 3 and 4 years old by Sept. 1; we have an excellent curriculum and staff that incorporate play and fun into each class.

Threes Preschool for children age 3 by Sept. 1 of the school year and will need to be potty trained. It’s an exceptional opportunity for children (and their parents) to gently ease into the preschool experience. Children work on listening skills, working cooperatively with others, prereading and pre-math skills.

Fours Preschool is for children age 4 by Sept. 1 of the school year. This preschool is designed to help prepare children for Kindergarten. We have an excellent curriculum and caring staff who incorporate play into the classroom, allowing children to learn, grow and have fun.

We offer a before and after school program for grades P-K through 5. We also offer a pre-school wraparound option for an all-day experience for pre-school students.

THE BLUFFS

a small family farm providing premium grassfed and pastured meats for central Minnesota

Ross + Ashley Uphoff

Melrose, Minnesota

320.333.1257

ross@thebluffsbeef.com

thebluffsbeef.com

@thebluffsbeef

West Central Area Learning Center

9 2nd St. SW, Melrose, MN 56352 (320) 256-7836

www.wced6026.org

The Center is for students ages 12-21 (middle and high school level). It offers an Extended Year Program, with day, evening and summer school available. The summer school program is about 30 days. The Center includes the Albany, Paynesville, Sauk Centre and Melrose school districts. The Center meets all the state standards and the students must take all the same standardized testing.

Montessori of Melrose

300 Riverside Ave NW, Melrose MN 56352 (320) 256-2141

Find us on Facebook

The Montessori of Melrose has been operating since 2006, serving children from 8 weeks old - Kindergarten.

We are a private school with a Christian orientation. Please call to make an appointment to come and visit our school and meet our teachers. Children are enrolled year-round, so we are ready when your child is ready. Above all, come see our children! They are highly social, well adjusted, spontaneous, happy, peaceful and courteous. They are also excited about learning!

• Individualized learning environment meeting the needs of each child at his or her level

• Strong Montessori curriculum

• Many options available, including two, three or five days a week

• Full day or half day Kindergarten offered

• Summer school program offered full days or half days for ages three to eight, full-time or part-time (must be a current or previous Montessori student)

Adult Basic Education, Melrose Community Education;

Adult Basic Education offers the following programs:

English as a second language, basic literacy skills for adults, basic math skills for adults, workforce preparation, and a family literacy program. Individual one-on-one tutoring is also offered through the Melrose/Sauk Centre Literacy Program and these services include GED preparation, English as a second language training and citizenship preparation. Any adult 17 years or older not currently enrolled in secondary school is eligible for these programs. For more information and class schedules, please contact Community Education @ 320-256-6010.

Extra-Curricular Activities

The School District offers many quality programs for students. The professional and quality coaches and advisors are very skilled at teaching lifelong skills like dealing with adversity, teamwork, and leadership. In

addition, our coaches and advisors are experienced in their fields. The activities offered are:

· BEEF · PORK · LAMB · · CHICKEN · TURKEY · EGGS ·

Parks

and recreation

Over 2 miles of trails to enjoy!

Melrose Lions & Jaycee

Community Park

Located at 5th Ave. NW

• New playground equipment

• Grills, picnic tables and benches

• Modern handicapped accessible restroom facilities

• Skating and hockey rink with lights and warming house

Big Birch Lake State Forest

Birch Lake Campgrounds & Hiking Trails

(located 9 miles north of Melrose) 29 campsites

• Eight picnic sites

• Boat landing

• Eight-mile hiking trail

• Fishing

• Swimming

• Snowmobiling trails

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

visit www.dnr.mn.us or call320-616-2525

Managed by Charles A. Lindbergh State Park

• Senior Center: Provides social, physical, intellectual and wellness opportunities.

• Community Education: Provides a variety of instructional,recreational and social programming.

• Bowling: The 8-lane Melrose Bowl is located at 16 6th Ave. SE.

• Dancing/Music: Dancing and professional entertainment are available at local clubs, area ballrooms, music and other entertainment is available at local bars and restaurants, (check local newspapers for current list of entertainment).

• Fishing/Hunting: Sportspersons will find a variety of big and small game, as well as a number of well-stocked lakes for summer and winter fishing.

• Golf: Check out Meadowlark Golf Course and Country Club, which offers golfing, golf tournaments and private parties.

• Trails: For hiking, biking and snowmobiling.

Meadowlark Park

Located on Meadowlark Lane SW

• Picnic pavilion; no reservations required

• Modern handicapped accessible restroom facilities

• Grills, picnic tables and benches

• Basketball court

• Located near the golf course

• Playground equipment including swing sets, sandbox, spring animals and activity center

• Pickle Ball Court

Big Birch Lake

• Big Birch Lake has great walleye and northern pike

• Many visitors enjoy jet skiing and water skiing

• Camping sites available

The Lake Wobegon Trail measures 62 miles in Stearns County. The Stearns County segment of the Lake Wobegon Trail extends from the Stearns/Todd County line to St. Joseph and from Albany to the Morrison/ Stearns County line. There is an additional eight miles of the Lake Wobegon Trail in Todd County.

If you connect the Lake Wobegon Trail with Morrison County’s connecting Soo

Line Trail and the Central Lakes Trail, which meets the Lake Wobegon Trail in Osakis, you have the LONGEST PAVED RAIL TRAIL in the country – over 120 miles long.

The trail is open to bicycling, snowmobiling without studs, walking and rollerblading. The trail was built on two abandoned railroad corridors – the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and the Soo Line.

Worship in Melrose

Birch Hills Community Church

(320) 429-2440 | Mailing address: P.O. Box 308

Email: info@birchhillscommunitychurch.org

www.birchhillscommunitychurch.org

Currently meeting at 10am every Sunday at Birch Hills Community Youth Center (330 W. Riverside, Melrose). Check out our Facebook page.

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church

207 5th St. NE, Melrose, MN 56352

(320) 256-3847 | stpaulsmelrose.org | stpauls@meltel.net

Services are streamed live on Facebook

Sunday Worship 9 a.m. • Sunday School 10:15 a.m.

Sunday Adult Bible Class 10:25 a.m. Please call for more information.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church

755 Kraft Drive SE, Melrose, MN 56352

(320) 256-4207 | www.oneinfaith.org

Email: stmarys@stmarysofmelrose.com

Pastor: Fr. Marvin Enneking

Parochial Vicar: Arockiya Newton

Deacon: Ernie Kociemba