Sauk Rapids Herald | Rapids River Days 2022 | Saturday, June 18, 2022 | Page 1C
19th Annual
June 23-25, 2022 Thursday, June 23 Miss Sauk Rapids Pageant The Waters Church, Sartell 7 p.m. Public is welcome.
Friday, June 24 Rapids River Days Parade Sixth Avenue, Sauk Rapids 5 p.m. Lineup, 6 p.m. Start. Reserve your spot early.
Saturday, June 25 Tanner’s Team Foundation 5K/1K Run and 2-Mile Walk Bob Cross Park, Sauk Rapids 7:15 a.m. registration 1K – Starts at 8:30 a.m. (for 10 yrs and under) 5K – Starts at 9 a.m. (chip-timed) 2-mile Walk – Starts at 9 a.m.
Saturday, June 25 Rapids River Food Fest Municipal Park, Sauk Rapids 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 3 Live Bands on Stage: Shotgun Mafia – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Receders - 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. HoneyBadgers - 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
A SUPPLEMENT TO THE
Farewell to 2021-22 Chelsey Vogel (from left), Taylor Sidla and Addison Bemboom
Page 2C | Sauk Rapids Herald | Rapids River Days 2022 | Saturday, June 18, 2022
Hoofin’ it
to Rapids River Food Fest
Olson to bring animals two by two
Lowline steer named Mervin are a sample of the animals Olson may bring. “I try to bring at least two of everything that way they have a species friend,” Olson said of her animal companions. BY NATASHA BARBER Olson, who resides on a STAFF WRITER hobby farm southeast of St. Augusta with her husband, On Saturday, June 25, Jo Olson will Rod, began her animal atload her animals onto a trailer two by traction business over 25 two as she prepares to host a pony party years ago after a friend and petting zoo at Municipal Park in asked her to bring a pony Sauk Rapids. to a birthday party. The The attraction is part of Rapids River children were mesmerized Food Fest and spans 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. by the animal, but those In addition to Joah’s Ark – which is waiting for their turn to pet, the name of Olson’s business – the anbrush or ride the pony became nual food festival will feature live music, bored. So, Olson decided if she were to retail vendors, an array of food and rebe asked again, she would bring more freshment choices, and so much more. animals to occupy the others’ time. Llamas and alpacas, donkeys, miniaThe business plan panned out, and ture horses, goats and a large Australian Joah’s Ark has maintained steady book-
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ings with 2022 being Olson’s busiest season yet. “I’m so crazy busy, I need a personal secretary,” said Olson, a former veterinary technician and horse trainer. “Sometimes I’m booked three to four days a week, sometimes five. I’m pretty much double booked every weekend, and I also have farm visits by appointment when I am home.” Between birthday and company parties, community festivals and farm tours,
PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER
Jo Olson holds a Netherland Dwarf rabbit cross at her farm June 8 in rural St. Augusta. Olson owns Joah’s Ark, a pony party and petting zoo business, which will be an attraction at Rapids River Food Fest June 25 at Municipal Park in Sauk Rapids. Olson can be found tending to her animals and preparing for events.
Olson page 3C
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Sauk Rapids Herald | Rapids River Days 2022 | Saturday, June 18, 2022 | Page 3C
Olson from page 2C “I feel like I’m always out doing chores whether that’s feeding them, brushing them, cleaning water tanks, making snacks for later or just spending some time with them,” said Olson, who employs youth to help her on the farm and to provide consistent interaction with the animals. Horses and other animals have long been a part of Olson’s life, so spending the majority of her time with them is second nature. As a youth, she participated in 4-H and showed horses, dogs, sheep and poultry. “Horses have always been a part of my life,” Olson said. “I’ve been riding horses since before I could walk.” The South Dakota native has a big heart for her farm friends. In addition to purchasing and raising animals from her own stock, Olson also takes in animal rescues, most of which are those that need bottle feedings. “I just say everybody here has to have a job,” Olson said. “As long as I can use them, then I say, ‘Yes, they can come live here.’” Olson has enough animals on her farm to accommodate her bookings. She rotates days of rest between events for her working animals, so the animals do not become overstimulated by the children and traveling. Still, make no mistake, Olson attests that the animals of Joah’s Ark adore the attention. “They are very good at their jobs,” Olson said. “They are very patient. Some are so in tune with their working roles that they allow Olson to have extra fun. “Mervin was born in October,” said Olson of the 8-year-old steer. “I used to do a fall festival in Otsego that was six weekends in a row. The weekend of his birthday, he’d wear a party hat all day and the kids would sing to him; it was just adorable.” Children and adults alike will be able to meet the animals of Joah’s Ark Saturday in an interactive setting.
(Above) Two llamas bookend three alpacas inside a pen at Joah’s Ark June 8 in rural St. Augusta. Jo Olson names groups of her animals using the same letter, with the llamas and alpacas being named Nadia (from left), Nabelle, Nashville, Norbert and Norm. “I want everyone to pet them and to feel them,” Olson said. And the animals welcome the attention too, she added. “They are used to a certain amount of attention, and it’s more than just I can give,” Olson said.
PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER
Gumdrop, a miniature horse, stands in the shade of a barn June 8 at Jo Olson’s barn in rural St. Augusta. Gumdrop allows children to brush her mane and has even posed as a unicorn at prior events.
Sauk Rapids
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Enjoy RAPIDS (Above) Jo Olson stands with a Pinto pony named Prince near her animal trailer June 8 in rural St. Augusta. Prince is used for pony rides as well as the petting zoo. (Left) Two bottle-fed lambs – Cinnabon (left) and Coffee – peek their heads through the fence at Jo Olson’s farm June 8 in rural St. Augusta. Many of the animals Olson enlists into her petting zoo business are rescued bottle-fed animals.
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Page 4C | Sauk Rapids Herald | Rapids River Days 2022 | Saturday, June 18, 2022
Parade lineup
Parade 29
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Friday, June 24, 6 p.m. 19th annual Rapids River Days Parade Sixth Avenue Sauk Rapids
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1. Sauk Rapids Chief of Police Perry Beise 2. Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck 3. American Legion Post 254 Color Guard 4. VFW Post 6992 Color Guard 5. Voiture 415, 40 & 8 Train 6. Benton County Mounted Patrol 7. Stearns-Benton Toward Zero Deaths 8. Mayo Clinic Ambulance 9. Engine Company No. 2 10. Sauk Rapids Fire Department 11. (Band) Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School Marching Band 12. Grand Marshal 2022 Citizen of the Year Jackie Johnson 13. St. Cloud Financial Credit Union 14. Unique Movers 15. 2022 Miss Sauk Rapids Royalty 16. 2021 Miss Sauk Rapids Royalty 17. (Band) Sauk Rapids-Rice Marching Storm 18. Ridgeview Place Senior Living 19. St. Cloud Antique Auto Club 20. National Karate 21. Grey Face Rescue 22. Crew Carwash 23. Dan Johnson for SRR School Board 24. (Band) Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg Marching Saints 25. Domino’s Pizza 26. Elevate Dance Center 27. Black Light Adventures 28. Great River Federal Credit Union 29. O’Driscoll for House 13B 30. (Band) Alexandria Marching Band 31. DG Homes & Remodeling 32. Deluxe Outdoor Services 33. Geringhoff 34. North Crest Kids Activity Center 35. Farmers & Merchants State Bank 36. Benton County ADA Dairy Ambassadors 37. (Band) Milaca Middle School Marching Band 38. Promedica - Heartland Hospice 39. Leighton Broadcasting - LITE 99.9 40. Neighborhood Plumbing, Heating, AC, Electric 41. Magnifi Financial Credit Union 42. Palmer Bus Service 43. Just 4 Laffs Entertainment - Clown Show 44. (Band) Champlin Park Marching Rebels 45. SOS - Smart Organizing Solutions 46. Active Nutrition 47. SRRHS First Robotics 48. Sauk Rapids-Rice Storm Dance Team 49. Knife River 50. Jeff Howe for Senate 13 51. Oberg Roofing & Remodeling 52. (Band) Sartell Middle School Marching Band 53. Purpose Driven Realty Team 54. JOY Christian Center 55. Sauk Rapids Herald 56. Boogie For Jesus 57. Andy’s Towing 58. Christine Scherbing for Benton County Auditor-Treasurer 59. (Band) Sartell High School Marching Band 60. SRR Youth Baseball Association 61. Leighton Broadcasting - KNSI 1450, 99.3 62. Change the Culture 63. River City Rhythm 64. Coil’s Flags & Flagpoles 65. Rock On Trucks 66. Foley Ambassadors 67. (Band) Foley Marching Band 68. Voigt’s Bus Service 69. St. Cloud Osman Shrine Go-Karts 70. Hair & Body Works 71. Dvorak Eye Clinic 72. Ringsmuth Riders 73. (Band) Winona-Cotter Marching Band 74. Sauk Rapids Cub Scouts Pack 8 75. Studio B 76. League of Women Voters of St. Cloud Area 77. Sauk Rapids Youth Hockey 78. Rice Companies Inc. 79. Frontier Real Estate 80. Sartell Skating Club 81. (Band) St. Michael-Albertville Marching Knights 82. Manea’s Meats 83. Auto Value Parts Stores 84. Coborn’s 85. Granite City Motor Park 86. Collins Bros. Towing of St. Cloud 87. SRR Football End Zone Club 88. (Band) The Herd - Buffalo Senior High 89. St. Cloud Toyota 90. Republic Services
BANDS DEPART
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Sauk Rapids Knights of Columbus will be selling Schwan’s ice cream novelties before the parade.
Sauk Rapids Herald | Rapids River Days 2022 | Saturday, June 18, 2022 | Page 5C
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FILE PHOTOS
Jackie Mathiasen (front), of St. Cloud, and Karen O’Hara , of Sartell, cross the finish line of the Tanner’s Team Foundation 5K Run/Walk June 26, 2021, in Sauk Rapids. This will be the 11th year the event takes place.
Event is in 11th year BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER Loren Finlayson is a regular fixture at 5K summer festival races in central Minnesota. The same is far from true for Dan DeMars. What the two Sauk Rapids residents have in common is taking part in the Tanner’s Team Foundation 5K Run/Walk to support a worthy cause. The fact the Tanner’s Team race brings out runners of all experience levels is part of what makes the annual event, which is part of Rapids River Days, so popular and meaningful. The 11th annual 5K run and 2K walk, fittingly titled “Moved by 11” starts at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 25, near Bob Cross Park in Sauk Rapids. DeMars, who thinks he has only missed one of the Tanner’s Team races, plans on running with his sons Michael, 14, and Maxwell, 11. The event benefits the Tanner’s Team Foundation and is in honor of Tanner Fuls, who died in November 2010 after a battle with myelodysplastic syndrome. “I’m a terrible runner,” said DeMars, a controller at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville. “I hate running, so for me, this is a combination of showing support and finding a way to fight my way through it. It seems like everyone else doesn’t even break
a sweat. When I’m finished, I have to catch my breath for about 15 minutes.” DeMars started running the race with his oldest son, Ben, who was friends with Tanner. “It’s still a lot of fun,” DeMars said. “Michael is a really good runner, and he’ll let me know about it. He’ll leave me in the dust right after it starts. For Finlayson, who recently completed his 27th year coaching the Sauk Rapids-Rice girls track and field team, this year’s event takes on special meaning. Finlayson, also an assistant football coach for the Storm, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in April and expects to undergo surgery later this summer. “It’s a scary thing, but it’s life and something I have to deal with,” Finlayson said. “Everything is going to be fine.” Finlayson will be out of town for this year’s event, but he has only missed a couple along the way. He did not know Tanner but realized he had an impact on Tanner’s life in talking with his mother at the wake. “She said something to me that’s still hard to talk about,” Finlayson said. “She told me when I’d be out running, Tanner would always be looking to see what shoes I had on because I always have something pretty crazy on. To think you have an impact on a kid like that is humbling. The impact the foundation has had for other families is amazing, and I certainly try to do what I can to be a part of it.”
F R EE PARKING • FRE E AD MISSION
Scan me!
Live Bands on Stage
Join us for the 33rd Annual Rapids River Food Fest on
Shotgun Mafia
Saturday, June 25th
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
11 am to 8 pm at Municipal Park on North Benton Drive
The Receders 1:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Honey Badgers 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Tokens Food Tokens Sales 10:30 am – 7:45 pm Blue Token – $1/each
Beer Tokens Sales
Crafters & Food Vendors Thirty One Barefoot Burrito’s Scentsy Texas Best BBQ Avon Donutman Joe Norwex/Tupperware Mrs. Good Cookies Scrub Me Good Soaps Steven D’s Young Living Oils
Hunter’s Grill Tastefully Simple Jimmy Z’s Color Street Nails KNB Concessions Home-made Blankets KT Concessions Jewelry Grandpa Steve’s Kettle Corn Pet Beds
Miller Concessions Lularoe Sauk Rapids Riverside Lions Herbalife Coborn’s Purses Pharoh’s Gyro’s
And much more!
SOLD BY THE BEER GARDEN
11:00 am – 7:45 pm Yellow Token – $3/each Tents provided by
Jeff Moon, of Sartell, crosses the finish line at the Tanner’s Team Foundation 5K Run/Walk in June 2021. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 25, at Bob Cross Park in Sauk Rapids.
FREE PARKING • FREE ADMISSION
Pamphlets donated byy
Rapids River Food Fest, Inc. is a non-profit organization. All proceeds from the event are placed back into the Sauk Rapids Community. CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK
Activities
11:00 am – 8:00 pm Inflatable BB Gun Range Provided by the National Wild Turkey Federation Bungee Trampolines and multiple inflatable bounce houses Provided by All About Fun Rentals NEW- Virtual Reality Roller-coaster! Provided by All About Fun Rentals Air Brush Tattoos Provided by All About Fun Rentals Tranquil Serenity Massage Booth Joah’s Ark Pony Parties & Petting Zoo and more!
Photos courtesy of:
Page 6C | Sauk Rapids Herald | Rapids River Days 2022 | Saturday, June 18, 2022
Emmi Janski E Sponsored by Janski’s Greenhouse S E Emmi is the daughter of Scott and Jacki Janski of Rice aand sister to Chloe, 19, and Kaylin, 14. She will enter her ssenior year at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School and be a postssecondary education option student at St. Cloud Technical and Community College. She participates in dance and 4-H. C
Tell us a little about yourself. I am 17 years old, and I live in Rice. I have Katelynn Sevre (from left), Emmi Janski, Saige Moliga, Maycee Britz and Maggie been involved in 4-H for 13 years and Fernholz will compete for the 2022 title of Miss Sauk Rapids at 7 p.m. Thursday, dance for 15 years. I enjoy gardening, June 23. The pageant venue has changed and will take place at The Waters Church, dancing, competing in 4-H livestock 1227 Pine Cone Road N., Sartell. competitions and attending 4-H events, such as the fair. PHOTO BY VANESSA BAUER DESIGNS
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Many of my peers whom I have met through dance and 4-H have taught me numerous lessons. Someone who sticks out to me is a good friend I met through 4-H, Lauren Brion. She has shown me what it takes to be a good leader and a good member of the community.
How do you make a difference in the Sauk Rapids community? I make a difference in the Sauk Rapids community by being involved in the community through activities and events.
What is your favorite aspect of Rapids River Days? I like the parade and getting to see the community share a fun event.
Who is your hero? I have a multitude of heroes and role models in my life.
Describe yourself in three words. Hardworking, optimistic and kind.
Katelynn is the daughter of Kevin Sevre, of Butler, Tennessee, K aand Amy Sevre, of Sauk Rapids, and sibling to Alex, 19. She will eenter her senior year at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, and she participates in dance and is the secretary of the SRRHS Minnep ssota Honor Society chapter. She also is involved at Just for Kix dance studio and volunteers at St. Cloud Hospital. d
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H t a t
W h If selected, what would you like other communities to know about Sauk Rapids? We are a community of close-knit families that share countless memories and experiences. Sauk Rapids is a place of different values and backgrounds that everyone benefits from.
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Why are you interested in being Miss Sauk Rapids? I would like to be Miss Sauk Rapids because I want to give back to the community in return for all of the experiences and opportunities it has given me.
Katelynn Sevre K
Left to right: Wayne, Jordan, Charlie, Sam and Mark
T b l fi
Tell us a little about yourself. I put a lot of my time into dance. I’ve been dancing with Just For Kix for nearly eight years, and this will be my second competitive season on the SRRHS dance team. I will be a captain of the dance team this year. Last year, the captains awarded me the Everyone’s Best Friend Award, and I am told by a lot of people that I am outgoing and always try to find the positive in everything. Why are you interested in being Miss Sauk Rapids? I’m interested in becoming Miss Sauk Rapids because I want to better myself and help support and represent the community in any way possible. How do you make a difference in the Sauk Rapids community? I make a difference in my community by working at a local business, volunteering at the hospital and participating in many community activities. I also am hoping to make an even bigger impact if I become a Miss Sauk Rapids royalty and becoming a role model for other young women in the community.
Who is your hero? My mom, Amy. I have always looked up to her, and I always will. She always knows what to do in every situation and tries her best to answer the thousands of questions I always ask. She always knows what is best for me, even if I may not think it is. She also helps me better myself each and every day. If selected, what would you like other communities to know about Sauk Rapids? I would like other communities to know our town is much more than a small town in central Minnesota. It’s a town with great people and amazing opportunities. What is your favorite aspect of Rapids River Days? The parade. You get to see most of the community come together to have a good time, and there are many local businesses and clubs featured in the parade. Describe yourself in three words. Outgoing, bubbly and determined.
Sauk Rapids Herald | Rapids River Days 2022 | Saturday, June 18, 2022 | Page 7C
Maggie Fernholz M Sponsored by Scheels S M Maggie is the daughter of Curt and Keli Fernholz, of Rice, and ssibling to Tessa, 21, and Gabs, 15. She will enter her freshman yyear at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud. She works at S Scheels and was involved in soccer, softball, DECA and student ccouncil while attending Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. She p plans to continue playing intramural soccer during college. Tell us a little about yourself. I like being outside with friends and family. I love bonfires. I also enjoy hunting and fishing with my dad. Why are you interested in being Miss Sauk Rapids? I’m interested in being Miss Sauk Rapids because I want to meet more people in our community and help those who need it.
my sisters and me. My dad is always there for me when I need help with my car, a lawn mower or whatever it may be. My mom always helps me with any homework or questions I have in general. If selected, what would you like other communities to know about Sauk Rapids? We will always welcome them with open arms.
How do you make a difference in What is your favorite aspect of the Sauk Rapids community? I make Rapids River Days? Seeing everyone a difference in the community by voluntogether and having a good time. teering through my activities and job. Describe yourself in three words. Who is your hero? My parents. They Outgoing, confident and friendly. have done an exceptional job at raising
Maycee Britz M Sponsored by Hydrostat Inc. S M Maycee is the daughter of Tom and Sara Britz, of Sauk Rapids, aand sibling to Lexi, 12, and Adi, 7. She will enter her senior year aat Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. She was a full-time post-secondary student at St. Cloud Technical and Community College o during her junior year and will continue with the program in d ffall. She is also involved in student council. Tell us a little about yourself. I am a certified nursing assistant at The Good Shepherd Community nursing home, and I also nanny for two families. When I’m not busy working, I enjoy being with my friends and family. Why are you interested in being Miss Sauk Rapids? I want to be Miss Sauk Rapids, so I can be a role model for the kids of the Sauk Rapids community and spread kindness and joy throughout the community. How do you make a difference in the Sauk Rapids community? I make a difference in the community by caring for the elderly and volunteering at church and school activities.
Who is your hero? My hero is my grandma LuLu. She has shown me everything I want to be when I grow up. She is always supporting me, and she never fails to make me feel loved. If selected, what would you like other communities to know about Sauk Rapids? Sauk Rapids is such a special place with so many great people and opportunities. What is your favorite aspect of Rapids River Days? Seeing the community come together and enjoying one another’s company. Describe yourself in three words. Kind, hardworking and loving.
Saige Moliga S Sponsored by Joyful Living S S Saige is the daughter of Gilbert and Sharna Moliga, of St. Cloud, and sibling to Lorraine, 27, Everett, 23, Granite 21, C Rock, 19, and River, 12. She will enter her senior year at Sauk R Rapids-Rice High School. She participates in dance team, laR ccrosse, DECA and Link Leaders. She was a captain of the dance tteam this past year and will be a co-president of the SRRHS D DECA chapter for the upcoming school year. Tell us a little about yourself. I have two dogs named Bunbun and Boujee. Why are you interested in being Miss Sauk Rapids? I’m interested in being Miss Sauk Rapids because I think it is a great opportunity to inspire others and find confidence within myself. How do you make a difference in the Sauk Rapids community? I make a difference in the Sauk Rapids community by being thoroughly involved in school activities and supporting local foundations.
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and helps me better myself. If selected, what would you like other communities to know about Sauk Rapids? I would like others to know how tightknit and supportive our community is toward its people and events. What is your favorite aspect of Rapids River Days? The parade because I have been a part of it for the past five years with either marching band or dance.
Describe yourself in three words. Personable, adventurous and appreciaWho is your hero? My brother, Rock Moliga, because he inspires me every day tive.
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Page 8C | Sauk Rapids Herald | Rapids River Days 2022 | Saturday, June 18, 2022
Penny PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER
St. Cloud Financial Credit Union finds joy in community parades
The St. Cloud Financial Credit Union parade unit makes its way down Second Avenue North during the Sartell Summerfest parade June 11. The credit union, which sponsors the Rapids River Days Parade alongside Unique Movers, will appear in seven parades from Memorial Day through the Fourth of July.
BY NATASHA BARBER | STAFF WRITER “Look at the pig!” The shout is one that has become commonplace among the ears of the St. Cloud Financial Credit Union team midway through their 2022 parade season. The financial institution features a 13.5foot tall, burgundy pig named Penny as part of its parade display. The pig, which is
The Rapids River Days Parade begins actually a piggy bank, at 6 p.m. Friday, June is sure to catch eyes 25, and will feature 12 while it makes its way bands and at least 75 down Sixth Avenue in other units. St. Cloud the 19th annual Rapids Financial Credit Union River Days Parade. is in its third year of “He really wanted sponsorship of the something that would event. stand out and that Donning pink Twould be a big crowd shirts with the slogan, pleaser,” said Meggan “Thanks for bacon with Schwirtz of chief execu- us,” credit union emtive officer Jed Meyer’s ployees and their famidecision to purchase the lies dance and sing to custom-made inflatable. music while they make
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their way down streets of seven parades this summer. It is a month filled with activity for the group, but for those who participate, they would not have it another way. Being involved in community events is important to them. “This is part of the co-op (cooperative) model. This is why we exist,” said Schwirtz, chief experience officer. “When our communities are stronger, we’re stronger as an organization. That’s why we do everything we do. It is truly to make a difference in our communities and show why the cooperative model works.” St. Cloud Financial Credit Union opened its Sauk Rapids branch in March 2019.
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Representatives of St. Cloud Financial Credit Union – Meggan Schwirtz, chief experience officer; Brandon Kuschel, Sauk Rapids branch manager; and Merradith Van Vooren, community events organizer – stand in Sartell June 11 after finishing a parade with their team. The three make up a portion of the credit union team that coordinates community parade participation.
Brandon Kuschel sings and dances while driving a utility terrain vehicle June 25, 2021, in the Rapids River Days Parade in Sauk Rapids. The St. Cloud Financial Credit Union group likes to engage the parade crowd and make the onlookers part of the parade experience.
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Sauk Rapids Herald | Rapids River Days 2022 | Saturday, June 18, 2022 | Page 9C
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St. Cloud Financial Credit Union parade participants – Jade Kleve (front, from left), Jamie Kleve, Hope Luberda, Merradith Van Vooren, Brandon Kuschel, Malene Petko-Kirk, Bethany Schwartz, Hayden Schwartz, Grace Johnson, Liz Welle, Hallee Dingmann and dog Delta; (back, from left) Madalyn O’Hara, Karen O’Hara, Logan O’Hara, Shelly Miller, Jamie Schwartz, Sarah Johnson and Meggan Schwirtz – stand in front of Penny the Pig June 11 at the Sartell Summerfest parade. The inflatable piggy bank stands 13.5 feet tall and will be featured in the Rapids River Days Parade.
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Brandon Kuschel, a Sauk Rapids native and current resident, became the branch manager and was immediately adamant about being a part of the city parade. “This is my community. This is my parade,” Kuschel said. … “For me personally, it hits a little harder because these are the streets; I’ve lived here my whole life. This is my place.” Kuschel said the Rapids River Days Parade sets the bar for others in central Minnesota and his coworkers agreed. Merradith Van Vooren is the community events organizer for St. Cloud Financial Credit Union and coordinates the parades for the company each year. “They do such a great job organizing it,” Van Vooren said. … “They have it down to a T. It’s a great parade,
balance, and so whenever we can bring in our families to have fun and there is always a with us, that’s going to huge turnout which we be part of the experilove because people ence too.” are always so engaged And, the particithere. … We love the pants enjoy when the judging stations; we get Sauk Rapids’ crowd inpeople amped up. It’s teracts and responds to one of our favorites.” their enthusiasm. Van Vooren said “The energy from planning for parade the crowd is crazy,” Van season begins in Febru- Vooren said. “People ary for the credit union dance with us. They and includes registering cheer for us from the for events; ordering ap- sideline; they’re yellparel, candy and swag; ing,’ ‘That’s my credit and inviting employees union!’ It’s so awesome and their families to to engage with them. join in the entertainWe always have a great ment. time.” “It’s a production Kuschel agreed. to be able to get ready “We are authentifor this many,” Schwirtz cally ourselves during said. “But, lots of fun.” the parade,” he said. Employees are not “We are fun, and I feel required to participate like it gets people inbut, rather, do so willvolved who otherwise ingly as something they wouldn’t be. It makes enjoy. the crowd part of the “We love telling experience.” them, ‘Bring your famiWhen parade sealies. Bring your dog,’” son ends, it is no doubt Schwirtz said. “That’s a a sigh of relief, but Van really big part of it for Vooren said the rest of us because we really the summer is not the believe in work-family same.
“We miss it throughout the rest of the summer,” she said. “But we move on to other events. We are constantly doing events and being in the community; it’s just these are all consolidated into one month.”
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Sauk Rapids Herald | Rapids River Days 2022 | Saturday, June 18, 2022 | Page 11C
Thank You For Serving! The following women have served the Sauk Rapids community as queens, princesses or ambassadors during the last 56 years.
1966 Sandra Skeate; 1967 Donna Braun; 1968 Pat Riedeman; 1969 Susan Ackerman; 1970 Barb Nelson; 1971 Rosealine Franto; 1972 Vicki Mattson; 1973 Sue Zwick, Virginia Braun and Patricia Hommerding; 1974 Sharyn Thompson, Kris Stueve and Roberta Hommerding; 1975 Patricia Maier, Kay Ribich and Terree Keehr; 1976 Kathy Stromwall; 1977 Bonnie Jones, Becky Rhode and Penny Yozamp; 1978 Robin Rhode, Sherri Trushenski and Robin Johnson; 1979 Jean Braun, Colleen Reinert and Kim Maroney; 1980 Randi Claasen, Terri Kosloske and Marion Borgert. (No pageant took place from 1981 through 2003.) 2004-05 Candace Leyk, Megan Meyer and Emily Becker; 2005-06 Susan Meinz, Kelsey Moehle and Randi Carlson; 2006-07 Cassie Martin, Rachel Brewster and Kaelynn Kampa; 2007-08 Brittany Tischmak, Krista Corrigan and Ashley Bueckers; 2008-09 Jana Prow, Jenny Deering and Jessica Dingmann; 2009-10 Megan Gustafson, Shyla Inderieden and Kelsey Miller; 2010-11 Abby Fleck, Marie Pflipsen and Morgan Muehlbauer; 2011-12 Candyce Thompson, Ashley Bukowski and Kelly Elness; 2012-13 Tiffany Smith, Bethany Zwilling and Carissa Gaffy; 2013-14 Alisha Houdek, Ali Mohr and Lindsay Massman; 2014-15 Kayla Keller, Kaitlin Janson and Chelsey Haffner; 2015-16 Nikki Bukowski, Kelsey Christensen and Tana Hendrickson; 2016-17 Sydney Burk, Clo Meyer and Allyson Walz; 2017-18 Brooklyn Harren; 201819 Jenna Bukowski, Morgan Weinand and Anna Walz; 2019-20 and 2020-21 Morgan Thomson, Kaeleigh Rainer and Anna Lucas; 2021 Taylor Sidla, Addison Bemboom and Chelsey Vogel.
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Page 12C | Sauk Rapids Herald | Rapids River Days 2022 | Saturday, June 18, 2022
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