PRSRT STD ECR U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #861
Postal Customer
7 Second Avenue Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper” Vol. 161, No. 48
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
(USPS 482-240)
March 10, 2016
Living on the edge
Sauk Rapids skaters help shape St. Cloud club by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER SAUK RAPIDS — In the “State of Hockey” teams of long-haired aggressive puck handlers aren’t the only ones vying for ice time. Figure skaters are too. One-by-one, six Sauk Rapids students are progressing in their own individualized sport—and they’re doing so one skill at a time. “A lot of kids love the feeling of being on the ice, feeling the edges, and feeling the power they can generate. Some kids love spinning, some love jumping and some love all of it combined,” said coach Debbie Timm, who has been involved with the St. Cloud Figure Skating Club in one shape or form for over forty years. Pleasantview Elementary students Whitney, 6, and Ava, 9, Athman; Kourtney, 6, and Kella, 11, Mrozek; Brea Roth, 11, and Sauk Rapids Middle School student Alexa Martin, 14 all sharpen their toe-picked skates to hit the ice each week as members of the St. Cloud Figure Skating Club. And their primary coaches Jennifer Feldewerd, Lori Stuart and Debbie Timm are all Sauk Rapids residents as well. The United States Figure
Skating Association, known today as U.S. Figure Skating, is the national governing body for the sport of Àgure skating in the country and was created in 1921 to ensure uniform regulation. Today it boasts over 680 member collegiate and schoolafÀliated clubs and over 1,000 Basic Skills Programs, which includes the SCFSC. “I was a Àgure skater for the St. Cloud Figure Skating Club, so naturally it was nonnegotiable. I made all my kids
skate,” said Crista Mrozek, about the reason why her daughters were in the program. “I have two boys who I made learn to skate also. I think in Minnesota it’s good to know. As the boys got older, they were able to skate with their friends on the hockey rink.” SCFSC participates with three other skating clubs— Willmar, Alexandria and Fergus Falls—to provide basic skills competitions every year. The club which has been around for
42 years prepares young skaters for advancement within U.S. Figure Skating. Each skater must pass a series of two tracks, one based on fundamentals and the other on freestyle, and must do so in front of a professional U.S. Figure Skating judge. The Municipal Athletic Complex rink may not be Àlled with glittering, graceful professional skaters yet, but the hope is to prime the students for the future. “A lot of those skaters don’t even go to school,” said Timm
Eleven-year-old Kella Mrozek has skated with the St. Cloud Figure Skating Club since she was three years old.
about skaters featured on television. “They are either home schooled or enrolled in a program where they will have morning ice time, then school, followed by more practice. They have dryland practice, ballet, dance, tutors and separate choreographers. They completely submerge themselves in the sport. It’s a whole different level of dedication than the skaters at our club and level. I won’t say it couldn’t happen, but once we get a skater to a certain point— they more than likely will need to transfer to the cities to advance and take on more.” But the dedication isn’t something the Sauk Rapids six lack. The girls practice from two PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER anywhere Sauk Rapids community members – (front, from left) Whitney Athman and Kourtney Mrozek; to eight hours a week (middle, left) Ava Athman, Brea Roth and Kella Mrozek; and (back, from left) Debbie Timm, Figure skating Alexa Martin, Jennifer Feldewerd and Lori Stuart – are all members of the St. Cloud Figure Skating Club and all Sauk Rapids residents. continued on pg. 2
Second robbery Hundreds participate in Super Tuesday on Benton Drive Another gas station was robbed on Benton Drive Saturday at 8:10 p.m. Two males entered the gas station at 400 Benton Drive S. One of the males displayed a handgun and they demanded the clerk to turn over all the money in the store. After taking an undisclosed amount of money, they left the store. Suspect 1 is described as being a black male, 30-40 years of age, about 6’3” wearing all black clothing. Suspect 2 is described as a black male 20-30 years of age and a bit shorter than Suspect 1. The previous robbery on Feb. 16 at 502 Benton Drive N had suspects with similar descriptions. Anyone with information regarding the recent robberies is asked to contact the Sauk Rapids Police Department at 320-258-5346.
by NATASHA BARBER & ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITERS Hundreds of Benton County residents made their way out to participate in Minnesota caucuses Super Tuesday on behalf of the 6th Congressional District. “We have so many constitutional rights in order to Ànd elected ofÀcials and to have our voices heard,” said Eric Alf of Rice. “Caucuses are an opportunity for us as people to exercise our right of freedom of speech. It’s our responsibility and it’s more than just going one day and voting in a booth. Not a lot of people understand that. The more people who understand and get involved the more ability we will have to put the right people in ofÀce.” The MN GOP party gathered at the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School while the DFL party caucus locations were spread throughout the county.
A family affair
“This is the largest group I’ve seen at a caucus yet and I’ve been doing this since the 1980s,” said Craig Gondeck, Watab township supervisor. “It’s always good when people come together to speak their opinions. It means people will vote.” The Republican Party votes were split with Donald Trump receiving 163 and Marco Rubio 161. Benton County followed the national trend rather than state, as Rubio won Minnesota with just over 36 percent of votes. Ted Cruz received 130 votes from Benton County. “Donald is a business person and we need that because nobody talks about our $19 trillion of debt,” said Denny Niess, vice president of Leighton Broadcasting. “People have gotten too much involved with the party and not what the people want. That’s why it’s such an antidisestablishment vote right now—everybody is disgusted
Caucus Results
Benton County’s Republican Caucus Results Trump ...............163 Rubio ................161 Cruz ..................130 Carson ................50 Kasich ................25 Write-in ................1
Benton-SherburneWright-15 DemocraticFarmer-Labor Results Sanders ............... 336 Clinton................ 203 De La Fuente .......... 1 O’Malley ................ 3 Uncommitted.......... 3
with both sides. Trump can change things because he’s not the normal candidate. He doesn’t owe anything to anyone, he’s not indebted to any lobbyists, nobody owns him and he’s going to do what’s best for America.” Less than 15 miles up the road, people congregating at a DFL caucus at Rice Elementary School had a different idea.
One was Dylan Bengston. Bengston cast his vote for Bernie Sanders. “Bernie is the most honest candidate,” Bengtson said. “He has stood by everything he’s talked about in his campaigns. He is the most progressive candidate and doesn’t take any donations from shady individuals.” Sanders won the DFL vote
by a landslide in the BentonSherburne-Wright 15 District. Sanders came in by over 133 votes over Hilary Clinton in the district and claimed 63 percent of Minnesota votes. The county voted with the state on the DFL candidate, whereas the nation was in favor of Hilary Clinton.
Dilts celebrates 45 years at Good Shepherd by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER For anyone, 45 years is a long time to be committed to something – marriage, job, whatever it may be – but for Sandy Dilts, it’s become a way of life. In 1971, when Dilts began working at Good Shepherd, she had no idea it would become a family tradition. It was shortly after she graduated from nurses training when her sister was working at Good Shepherd as an aide. “I graduated on a Tuesday night and my sister came home and said that Good Shepherd was looking for nurses and said I should go interview,” Dilts said. “I had nothing to lose because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. That next Monday, I had an interview. There were six people in the room having coffee when I got there, so we just chatted. I started that Thursday.” Over time, her other sister and youngest brother both worked at Good Shepherd, as well as her husband, all three of their children, her mother, and nieces and nephews. “It’s a family affair,” Dilts said. “We could have family get-togethers at work if we
wanted to. That’s how many of us have worked – or still work – here.” Since then, she has never felt the need to Ànd employment elsewhere. “I’ve never felt the need to switch. I love working with the geriatric population,” Dilts said. “I have been so fortunate here.” Dilts recalls her fondest memories working at Good Shepherd, even back to her Àrst week on the job. “I was setting up meds and was told to go pass them out. I remember getting to the middle of one hallway and having no idea where I was. I had to ask three different staff people to get me to the nurses station so I could get my bearings,” Dilts said. Since she started, she has gradually worked her way up, going from a nurse to a co-director of activities where she is now. “I love it, because I just get to visit with the residents all day long and have fun,” Dilts said. “The whole 45 years here has been a real learning experience for me – different people, personalities and needs. I’ve learned a lot about the gifts and knowledge that elderly people have to give to everybody.”
Sandy Dilts – front row, second from left – accepted her LeadingAge Minnesota Caregiver of her family. Dilts has shown 45 years of back even though I explained it told me, I wasn’t sure what to dedication to Good Shepherd to them.” say.” and the residents there. RecentOne of the things Dilts Since then, Dilts has had ly, Dilts was awarded with the does is host a happy hour every outpouring support for her LeadingAge Minnesota Care- Thursday afternoon. Her broth- recognition, from fellow staff giver of the Year award. ers bartend and her 86-year-old members and residents alike. “I was extremely humbled. mother waits tables. “The cards, the letters writTo be able to do a job that you “One day I came to hap- ten for the nomination – it was really, really like and where py hour while I was on leave. very humbling to see it all,” you feel good going home, peo- While I was there, our adminis- Dilts said. ple recognize that,” Dilts said. trator came in and had me come For Dilts, the part of her “I’m never at a loss for words. up to the front. I’m thinking life that is busy is work. When they notiÀed the nurs- ‘please don’t make a big deal; “I love to go home and ing home that I got the award, I just let me visit.’ The nursing relax. My husband and I have was out on medical leave. They home had found out that day land up north, so we will go up were worried I wasn’t coming that I won the award. When he there to get away, but I don’t re-
PHOTO SUBMITTED
the Year award surrounded by
ally have any hobbies – I don’t knit or do anything like that,” Dilts said. One of her favorite parts of the job is developing friendships with the residents. “Sometimes, I don’t know how to explain the love there. When I was gone, I’d get calls asking how I was or I would get cards from the residents and their families,” Dilts said. “I just hope that I make a difference in making things better for them.”