PRSRT STD ECR U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #861
11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper” Vol. 162, No. 22
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
(USPS 482-240)
September 15, 2016
Patriot Day Hoping with all his heart Hogenson suffers from health defect, waiting for transplant by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Rice American Legion Chaplain Don Miklos leads the community in a prayer before the culmination of the Sept. 11 ceremonies in Rice. by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE — The tone surrounding the veteran’s memorial in Rice, quickly changed from bustling arts and crafts show activity to somberness Sunday evening as the community gathered to remember those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. “We must never forget what a horrendous attack on the U.S. and our way of life that was,” said Rice American Legion Post No. 473 Commander Fred Segler. Sunday marked the 15th anniversary of the Attack of America, where 19 militants associated with Al-Qaeda hijacked four airliners and crashed the planes into two towers of New York City’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon outside of Washington D.C. and a Àeld in Shanksville, Pa. That speciÀc airliner, Flight 93, was to target the Capitol or White House. Over 3,000 people were killed during the attacks, including more than 400 police ofÀcers and ÀreÀghters. Rice City Council Member Paula Kampa represented the mayor and council during the Patriot Day ceremony. “I used to think I was being really disrespectful,” said Kampa of completing her daily actions. “I got to go on and live my life as though nothing
had ever happened. But those people did not.” Kampa went on to tell the crowd about a story she had witnessed on television earlier that morning. A gentleman, who had been involved in the attacks, visited the NYC site every Friday to pay his respects. The TV host questioned the survivor, asking what civilians could do to pay remembrance. “Live your lives,” the man said. “The best way for us to show our appreciation and remembrance is to go on living our lives, so the terrorists see we are strong and will continue and go on,” Kampa said. During the observance, a moment of silence was held for those who had lost their lives Sept. 11 and remembrance paid to those who gave the ultimate sacriÀce Àghting for our freedoms since. There was a riÁe salute followed by Taps, a bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace and the community joined in God Bless America. Many prayers were said and the Áag was raised to full staff before the color guard led a street procession from the monument to the legion post. “God, today we pray that you may grant us the ability to forgive such acts of terror,” said legion chaplain Don Miklos. “For as Christians, we must forgive. But forget and become complacent? We never can and must never be.”
SAUK RAPIDS – The Àrst days of kindergarten are often stressful, both for the student and his parents. It’s a kids’ Àrst days on their own. When you add medical issues to all of that, going to school can become a scary experience. For Blake Hogenson and his parents, it’s reality. Blake was born with a heart defect called hypoplastic right heart syndrome, where the right ventricle of the heart fails to grow and develop appropriately. “He basically has half of his heart working,” said Cynthia Hogenson, Blake’s mom. “The right ventricle of his heart was so underdeveloped that it was nonfunctional.” As a result of his defect, Blake has had Àve openheart surgeries, four of which occurred before his Àrst birthday. The Àfth surgery occurred when he was three years old. “He had another major surgery last year on his diaphragm,” Cynthia said. “When he had his last open heart surgery, the diaphragm was paralyzed, so they had to tack it down.” Those six surgeries are his major operations, but he has had countless minor operations. “He has spent a lot of time in the hospital,” Cyn-
PHOTO BY ANNA SALDANA
Blake Hogenson shows off his muscles on the playground in his backyard. He has a pick line in his right arm to receive protein infusions, a complication from his Àve open-heart surgeries because of the heart defect hypoplastic right heart syndrome.
thia said. “He likes going to the hospital because he loves the doctors and nurses. He thinks they are the greatest people. We think they are a blessing.” As a result of the last open heart surgery, Blake’s body doesn’t absorb protein properly. “The only real cure for the protein issue is a heart transplant,” Cynthia said. “It can go into remission through medication, but a
new heart is the only real cure.” Blake was put on the heart transplant list in May. In the meantime, he receives protein infusions through a pick line weekly. “He has been healthy this summer, so we dropped him from three times infusions a week to weekly lab draws,” Cynthia said. “Being sick, even with a cold, hits him hard. It gets worse when he loses proteins.”
With all of his complications, life for Blake and his family hasn’t been the easiest. Having him in school full-time is nerve wracking for Cynthia. “It’s scary on a different level,” she said. “I’m glad he gets to experience it, but there are so many germs at school that could make him sick. Thankfully the school
Hogenson continued on pg. 2
Dedicating his life to green, gold
Borgert inducted Future road to hall of fame improvements received by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS — In the midst of two major road construction projects, the Sauk Rapids city council moved forward with planning for another at the Sept. 12 meeting. The council received a feasibility report for Second Avenue South, as well as, side streets First, Second, Third, Fourth and Sixth Street South in the project area. The improvements include installation of streets, water main, sanitary and storm sewers, sidewalks, streetscaping and street lighting. A public hearing will be scheduled for the Oct. 11 meeting. According to city engineer Terry Wotzka, the total cost of the project is estimated to be $2.86 million and will be funded through state aid, the city and a 25 percent assessment to residential and commercial taxpayers in direct beneÀt of the improvements. From First Street South to Benton Drive, Second Avenue South will be reconstructed to a similar look as
that which aligns the same avenue north of the First Street S intersection. The report proposes to create a 46foot wide roadway with an 8-foot boulevard and 6-foot concrete sidewalk on both sides. In other council news: • Recognized Keith Krueger for his 15 years of dedicated service to the city’s public works and utilities department. • The city council expedited the hiring of new police ofÀcer. The city plans on budgeting for this addition in 2017, but because hiring an ofÀcer sometimes can take two to three months they directed the department to begin the hiring process. • Gloria Truex, of 17th Street Court, addressed the council about ongoing problems in her neighborhood. She listed a variety of concerns including increased commercial and industrial trafÀc on residential roadways and increased noise from vehicles and nearby businesses. Truex also is in opposition of the possibility
City Council continued on pg. 3
by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS — Most teachers and coaches are able to share the names of students or athletes they feel they have impacted in a positive way. Some may have only a handful, but most have at least one. Bob Borgert had many. “His students were the most important. Every child, no matter their background, he would reach out,” said Bob’s wife Sally. “It was never that it was about him. He just wanted them to achieve and bring out the best in themselves.” And it is for this reason, along with his dedication, support and encouragement to all sports, athletes and coaches that the late Robert “Bob” Borgert will be inducted into the 2016 Sauk Rapids-Rice Athletic Hall of Fame Oct. 1. His name will accompany Sheila (Gadway) Grambart (’89), Jason Timmer (’04) and Walt Seiler (’56) in the induction brunch and ceremony and his son Dan will accept on his behalf. Although Borgert lost his short battle with Acute Myloid Leukemia in April 2016, he was aware he had been
chosen for the prestigious award. He was presented a plaque before his death. “When I told him about it, he got teary eyed,” said his daughter Marion Castellanos. “Pete Robinet and Gary Foss [Borgert’s students] came over, and the three had the best chat. Dad was still really with it.” Athletics were an essential part of Borgert’s life. Growing up, he was a threesport athlete for Cathedral High School in football, basketball and track. He was later inducted into their Hall of Fame as an athlete in 1992. Borgert graduated from CHS in 1950 and continued both his education and athletic career at Saint Cloud State University. He was the college’s quarterback and also starred on their basketball team. After graduating from SCSU in 1954, Borgert served his country in England for two years as a member of the U.S. Army. Upon his return, he met Sally and began teaching and coaching at Holdingford High School. When the two married in 1959, Borgert’s family expanded. Over the years, Sally and he led a team of three children, Marion, Dan and Susette; eight grand-
PHOTO SUBMITTED
The late Robert “Bob” Borgert is a member of the 2016 Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He is pictured here with his wife Sally.
children; and three greatgranddaughters. “Every time people talked with him, they’d Ànd out more and more,” Castellanos said. “He was so humble. They were really big accomplishments that we loved hearing about, but he never really told us about them — only casually brought them up. He wanted the focus to be on others, not himself.” When Borgert began teaching physical education
at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in 1959, he immediately became involved with athletic activity. In his Àrst year, he coached the back Àeld for football and the team went undefeated and outscored the opposition 176 to 13. He continued as a football assistant coach until 1970. During the winter seasons, Borgert assisted varsity level
Borgert continued on pg. 3