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. 26
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
(USPS 482-240)
October 7, 2015
Paddler passes through Mike Hatfield visits Sauk Rapids during his History River canoe trip by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
A history buff and professional gunsmith stopped and visited the Benton County Historical Society last week during his source-to-sea trip of the Mississippi River. Mike Hatfield, who has called many states his home over the years, was set to arrive in Sauk Rapids around Labor Day, but due to continuous setbacks, finally arrived on the Sauk Rapids shoreline on Sept. 28 – almost three weeks late. “I made some novice assumptions about the trip,” said Hatfield. “The biggest weather obstacle I have encountered has been the wind. Being late in the season, wind patterns have changed and the wind is now coming from the south, which means I paddle against the wind almost all the time. My basic assumption
was that I would be able to paddle 20 miles between towns on my journey. I have made that goal about half the time. On average I’m able to paddle around eight miles a day. I read every blog and researched thoroughly from the people who had already made this trip before me. The river has not resembled any of their information. It is everchanging and outside of a few landmarks, I think if I would take this trip four months from now, it would be a completely different experience.” Hatfield’s setbacks in the trip have not always been negative. He has had a lot more interest in the journey from communities along the way as he’s been passing through towns, so more and more are jumping on board to participate and help. Traveling in a 1967 Dolphin Papoose 100-pound
Stealing rays
fiberglass canoe, Hatfield’s journey to spread awareness about historical preservation has been continuously growing the farther south he paddles. Originally, Hatfield had heard from about 20 different historical societies or museums who were interested in a visit from him; that number has more than doubled. “It became a bigger deal than I thought. About 43 have been excited about the prospect of participating in this project, if not committed to doing so,” Hatfield said. “This includes three museums in Louisiana during the last leg of the trip.” Public awareness has helped Hatfield’s trip grow. Originally, the Stearns County Historical Society had not replied to Hatfield’s request to meet with them, but upon landing in Sauk Rapids, they changed their minds and joined the bandwagon.
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Mike Hatfield, who is paddling from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico in hopes of bringing awareness to historical preservation, stands on the river bank on Oct. 1 before departing from Sauk Rapids. Hatfield has had many delays during his trip and arrived in Sauk Rapids almost three weeks later than originally scheduled.
Hatfield continued on pg. 2
Body found in Quarry Park Visitors to Quarry Park found the remains of an adult male body on Oct. 4., floating in a quarry in the park. The body was recovered and identified as Philip Miller, 30 of St. Cloud. The same quarry has previously been partially drained
Simple Solar Designs saves with thermal heating by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE – As you pull into the driveway of Gary and Becky Court, the property looks like any other in the area. There are large pole buildings and a house situated near a hill under tall trees. By the looks of the homestead, you’d never guess the innovation and science going on within. The Courts own Simple Solar Designs. Simple Solar Designs specializes in outdoor boiler systems, whether wood, corn or pellet burners. The systems they sell and install can be used for hot water, baseboard and/or in-floor heat, forced air and can even be used to heat pools and hot tubs. The Sunrain Vacuum Tube Solar provided is different from what you typically think of when you think solar because it is not a flat panel offering electricity; it is strictly a thermal collector system. “They say solar is only good from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; that was the box style that came out in the 1970s. When the sun got to a certain angle and hit, then at two o’clock the reflection was gone and it wouldn’t run,” Gary said. “My instructor installs glazed
panels and his don’t run for 30 days at a time during the winter. We have a data recorder on ours and ours [the Sunrain systems] runs 360 out of 365 days, at more than four hours a day at over 140 degrees.” Simple Solar Designs sells do-it-yourself kits for property owners to install, but is also available for installation or maintenance on current solar systems. They are the only distributor of the Sunrain Vacuum Tube Solar Collector Systems in the five-state area. The panels have 30 tubes filled with an acetone liquid which doesn’t freeze and a copper tube for conductivity. Because being tubes and not flat panels, they collect more heat though out the day. The tubes are double glass, never get hot and can withstand up to one-inch hail. If a tube should break, it doesn’t leak any liquid. Only one tube needs to be replaced at that point – not the entire panel. In 1982, Gary started experimenting with glass paneled boxes. The boxes would become too hot, and the pressure would cause them to explode in the yard. He decided that before he got hurt, he needed to learn how to create solar energy heat the correct way.
and searched during the past search of Miller, who had been reported missing and is believed to have taken his own life in the park. An autopsy was conducted and the cause of death was determined as fresh water drowning by suicide.
C.A.R.E. looking for clients and citizens in Rice Cardinal asks to pair with city by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Becky and Gary Court and their dog, Hero, stand near their Sunrain Vacuum Tube Solar panels outside their pole shed in Rice. The Courts are the owners of Simple Solar Designs, which specializes in thermal solar heat.
RICE – Executive director for Foley Area Community Action Respecting Elders (C.A.R.E.), Connie Cardinal, is looking to partner with Rice City Council in order to spread awareness of the services they provide to seniors in and around Foley and Rice. Her message at Monday evening’s city council meeting was simple: How can C.A.R.E continue to reach out and meet the needs of the Rice senior
City council continued on pg. 2
School district refunds bonds for a second time
When the Sartell Paper his work, Verso would pay for by ANNA SALDANA Mill closed in 2012 after an him to go back to school to STAFF WRITER explosion and fire, Gary got learn a new trade. He picked his chance. He had worked at Solar Designs The Sauk Rapids-Rice the mill for 39 years, and as continued on pg. 3 school board approved the part of displacing Gary from refunding of the high school building bonds, which will mature in 2026 at the Sept. 28 regular meeting. This refunding will save the taxpayers a by NATASHA BARBER significant amount of money STAFF WRITER by lowering the principal and The Rice Fire department interest payments on the outhosted an open house to kick standing debt of the school off National Fire Prevention district. The debt service Week on Oct. 4 from 1-4 p.m. payments will be reduced by The department’s vehicles, $7,063,327 over the remainequipment and gear were all on ing life of the bond, a reducdisplay for the public to tour tion of more than 4 percent in and ask questions. The event this year’s school district levy. also offered a free hotdog meal Providing district taxpayfor the public, along with kids’ er relief has been a major area activities, safety handouts and of emphasis with the school balloons. Smoky the Bear made board, and Dr. Daniel Bittan appearance shortly before man, district superintendent, the highlight of the afternoon, and Kim Eisenschenk, district when the North Memorial He- business manager, emphalicopter and its team landed to sized that the district remains give a public view at 2 p.m. committed to providing taxpayer relief whenever and Check however possible, and will out page remain vigilant to exploring 7 for PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER more further opportunities in the Rice firefighter Ben Phenow (center) shows the variety of tools the department carries to fires. photos. future. Phenow and Eldon Schiller were available for questions during the Rice Fire Department open house on Oct. 4. In other school board
Rice Fire Department Open House
community? C.A.R.E., began in Foley in 2002. The volunteer, nonprofit organization provides services to elderly such as rides to medical offices, home and yard work, meal preparation or even just communication on the other end of a phone. They have the tools to connect elderly with other non-profit groups that might serve their needs better through Catholic Charities and other organizations. In January 2015, C.A.R.E. opened its arms to Rice community members. They now
news: • Homecoming week, despite the loss at the football game, was a success. “We had a lot of events that were really well attended and energized. The energy at the football game was undeniable,” Dr. Bittman said. “We really appreciate all of the work of the people behind the scenes to make everything happen.” • The facility study is ongoing. Dr. Bittman and Eisenschenk recently met with the architect to learn more about his findings thus far and to answer any questions. The architect is expected to report to the board in November and to solicit feedback from the community from January through March. Community members are urged to be involved and serve on the committee, emphasizing the importance of everyone working collaboratively to help determine what the SRR district should be 1015 years from now. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Christie Young in the district office.