2021 Spotlight on Business The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow. ST PublicationsRSauk Centre Herald A special supplement to the &
to win $50! Identif y Identify The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow. ST PublicationsRSTATE:CITY:ADDRESS:NAME: ZIP: PHONE:1.________________________________________2.________________________________________3.________________________________________4.________________________________________5.________________________________________6.________________________________________7.________________________________________8.________________________________________ 9. ________________________________________ 10. ________________________________________ 11. ________________________________________ 12. ________________________________________ 13. ________________________________________ 14. ________________________________________ 15. ________________________________________
“Our employees are not only passionate about what they do for a living, but they are equally as committed to helping the people of Central Minnesota,” added Lecy. “We are so fortunate to have such a caring and committed team at Oakmont!” 522 Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378 for a chance
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | Page 3
Oakmont Capital Services is an independent, direct lender specializing in commercial equipment finance. Working closely with small businesses, equipment manufacturers, and dealers, the experienced finance professionals at Oakmont pride themselves on offering excellent customer services via a streamlined process.
“We work with customers all over the country. From financing heavy construction equipment in the Northeast to chippers for landscapers in the South to delivery trucks in the Midwest, we help our customers grow their businesses,” said Daryn Lecy, Chief Operating Officer. “Although we interact daily with customers from all over the United States, we are also committed to our local community.”
Oakmont also sponsors events with schools and fire departments, The Albany Area Fishing Team, plus the St. Cloud Zonta Christmas House annually.
Sinclair
The Oakmont team is active in the greater Albany area when it comes to giving back. Employees volunteer with the local schools, education foundations, and churches, plus at local festivals and shows. They also coach youth sports, give time to various PTAs, local Lions Clubs, and more!
We Make It Possible for Our Customers... and Our Community 877-701-2391 | WWW.OAKMONTFINANCE.COM Oakmont Capital Services your local towns! Throughout this Spotlight on business are various photos from local towns that are numbered. Identify the towns and mail in this form to
CVS PHARMACY
KOLIN MESSER 2 years at WM Hobbies: Hiking, Fishing, Time with Family
• 320-845-6577
Customers walking into Tesoro of Albany will be greeted with a full lineup of fresh, madeto-order food options. In addition to selling expected convenience store items, this store features made-to-order sandwiches on seven bread choices, wraps, pizzas, soups, salads, burgers and fries, appetizers and freshly prepared, homemade bars and desserts. “We put everything together,” said Manager Nancy Wieling. “It tastes fresher and I think our food is healthier; we don’t use deep fryers, we bake everything in anHeroven.” staff is also super speedy. Most lunch items can be prepared within minutes. Even fresh pizzas, she said, take minutestwoto
Manager Nancy Wieling (right) and Assistant Manager Sarah Schmidt of Tesoro of Albany. prep and three minutes to bake. “People don’t realize we have food,” she said. “We make it with love, so to speak; the girls (who work here) describe it as a homey Infeeling.”addition, the store carries Pep’s Pork and fresh rolls from Albany Home Bakery. They also have what Wieling said is the best coffee in town. “We filter our water twice,” sheTesorosaid. will open a new car wash this November. The new wash is a Razor wash and features advanced drive motion technology to digitally measure the length of each car for proper washing. 740 Railroad Ave, Albany, MN 56307 // (320) 845-7540 • M-F 8-8; Sat. and Sun. 10-5
PHOTO BY DIANE community.technicianPharmacyLEUKAMAmySandworksSept.23atCVSPharmacyinAlbany.AtCVS,COVID
JASON SAULSBURY 4 years at WM Hobbies: Woodworking, Hunting and Football
Local Appeal • Local Faces • Local Apparel
From daily quotes to brighten your day, to the perfect meal that’s made your way, our friendly team goes above and beyond to make your visit a great one!
Lange’s are entrenched in family
www.langetrenchinginc.com320-356-7976
LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED
Tesoro prides itself on fresh, healthy food options
• Albany, MN
www.cvs.com
Pharmacy technician Amy Sand enjoys her work at CVS Pharmacy in Albany, meeting new people and seeing their current customers. Not that she has a whole lot of time to dwell on it. “It’s very fast-paced and there is a lot of multi-tasking,” she said. “It’s busier now than it even was last spring.” On any given day, she will be busy filling prescriptions, bubble-packing medications for nursing homes and assisted living facilities, answering phone calls and dealing with customers’ needs. She is also cer tified to administer vaccines, with many of the vaccines for COVID-19. She is also involved in flu shot clinics at various businesses, where she delivers those vaccines within the Pharmacy work rewarding for Sand
ROGER SCHUMACHER 29 years at WM Hobbies: Hunting, Fishing, Camping WAYNE JOHNSON 27 years at WM Hobbies: Fishing, Hunting, Gardening, Outdoor Activities
testing is available to people ages 3 and up. Sand is always learning something new, and she finds her work very rewarding, day in and day out. “Just helping people along their way to better health,” she said.
JAMES MOORE 4 years at WM Hobbies: Fishing RON RITTER 4 years at WM Hobbies: Riding Motorcycle, Repair Work and Grandkids
Albany Tesoro 140 Railroad Ave.
difil Celebrating50YearsinBusiness! • Site work • Basements • Demolition • Silt Fencing • Hauling • Screened Top Soil • Gravel • Ponds • Street Sweeping • Lakeshore Work • Screened Sand • City Water & Sewer • Install & Repair Septic Systems
Lange Trenching Inc. has done quite a bit of work with Kwik Trip through the years. These excavators backfill the fuel tanks at a Kwik Trip.
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | Page 5 TIRED internet?forWAITINGOFslow Based on Arvig service area; some restrictions apply. ©Arvig 2021 888.992.7844 | arvig.com/internet Don’t let life pass you by. Get screaming-fast internet up to 1 Gig (1,000Mb) and live life in the fast lane. Ask FREEaboutinstallation! Waste Management is proud to serve the Sauk Centre Area! Providing over 356 years of combined experience, our 24 employees are our most important asset. Why? Because our employees live and work in the community and they make their relationship with you—the customer—one of their biggest priorities. That’s why WM will go the extra mile to get you the service you need— whether that is residential or commercial, we provide curbside and roll off services to meet your every need. Waste Management thanks all of our customers and would like you to meet our local team of drivers. Watch for us in your neighborhood! • Residential • Commercial • Farm Pickup • Demolition • 100% Recycling 39864 South Hwy. 71 SAUK CENTRE, MNMEET1-877-352-2876THETEAMCHRIS BERTRAM 4 years at WM Hobbies: Fishing, Hunting, Farming and Camping MARVIN HOPPE 31 years at WM Hobbies: Fishing, Sausage HuntingWoodworkingMaking,and
JOSH BUECKERS 3 years at WM Hobbies: Football and Demolition Derbies
Employees at Lange Trenching Inc. work to demolish a building. Lange Trenching, Inc. does bulldozer work for a street reconstruction project.
All Photos Submitted WE ARE MSHA CERTIFIED AND ARE OPERATING A WASHING PLANT THAT ALLOWS US TO MAKE PRODUCTS LIKE PEA ROCK, RIVER ROCK, WASHED SAND, ETC.
The family owned and operated company does residential and commercial earth work, excavating, truck hauling, demolition, trenching and installation of pipe for things like sewer mains, water mains and storm sewers. “There really is nothing too small or too big that we can’t handle,” said Josh Lange, scheduler and superintendent with the company. The company is co-owned by his father, Jeff, and his uncle, Dale. His sister, Jenna Smith, works as the office manager and his brother, Jordan, works for the company as well. Dale’s two sons, Trevor and Tylor, also work for the business. Lange’s grandfather started the company in 1971. Now, different branches of the Lange family lead the company’s efforts, but the focus remains the same, on not only treating their customers, but their employees, well. Many of the company’s employees have been with them for more than 20 years and a few have even been there more than three decades. With their dedication comes the years of knowledge in the excavating industry. Lange Trenching, Inc. offers services for new home construction projects, septic system replacements and even preparing a site for a new patio, or a driveway removal and replacement. On the commercial side, they do everything from the earth work and dirt moving to the installation of piping for utilities. No matter the size of the job, Josh Lange said the goal is always the same. “To satisfy the customer,” he said. “Good work goes a long ways.”
JOSH DOLL 4 years at WM Hobbies: Hunting, Fishing, Darts and Gaming RICK RITTER 4 years at WM Hobbies: Camping, Nascar Racing, Travel and Sports MATT RITTER 4 years at WM Hobbies: Football SCOTT MANIS 7 years at WM Hobbies: Classic Cars and Signs
531 Railroad Ave., Albany 320-845-2963
Sauk Centre Family Dental
“Conveniently located downtown.”
1-800-247-0925 www.willenbring.com OUR HISTORY DWILLENBRING,AHL,WOCKEN & ZIMMERMANN PLLC 320-252-6650 | advantageoneins.com ST. CLOUD 3801 North 3rd Street St. Cloud, MN 56303 ALBANY 140 5th Street, Albany, MN 56307 SAUK CENTRE 864 Main Street Sauk Centre, MN 56378 HOLDINGFORD 580 Main St., Holdingford, MN 56340 LONG PRAIRIE 9 Central Ave Long Prairie, MN 56347 PIERZ 205 Main St N Pierz, MN 56364 MELROSE 6 3rd Ave NE Melrose, MN 56352
The firm is excited to now offer appointments and meetings with clients by appointment at our Albany office, located at 571 Railroad Avenue. Clients can also schedule appointments with attorneys at the firm’s main office in Cold Spring, located on the second floor at 318 Main Street, or by appointment at the other satellite office in Avon, located in Suite B the Avon Electric Building at 200 Avon Avenue. Willenbring, Dahl, Wocken & Zimmermann’s litigation practice involves personal injury cases, family law, real estate and contract disputes, and other types of civil litigation. We also assist clients with estate planning and elder law issues, setting up businesses, business transactions, and real estate matters. The office has developed a statewide reputation for effective, prompt, and efficient service that results in excellent representation in all types of legal matters. The firm’s central Minnesota location – and now with three offices to serve clients – has enabled the firm to represent clients in every county of the state on both state and federal levels. • Toll Free
Page 6 | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS Albany Home Bakery
Today!Call 320-352-4141
Travel Consultant/Owner PackNGoTravelAgencywww.facebook.com/ Sending travelers on memory making experiences since 1996! After a difficult almost 2 years with restrictions,COVID I look forward to 2022 and back to ‘normal’ travel! Staying positive for MexicoAll-InclusiveWinterPackagestoandtheCaribbean www.saukcentrefamilydental.com • Sauk Centre, MN
Mary
Albany,
Bakery fresh rolls, bread, frozen breads, bars, cookies, made-to-order design cakes for all occasions! Albany Home Bakery, 531 Railroad Ave., offers fresh rolls, bread, frozen breads, bars, cookies and made-to-order cakes. Albany Home Bakery specializes in frozen bread dough, along with frozen cinnamon rolls and kolaches. They also have baked-fresh rolls and donuts daily, along with baked-fresh cookies and bars. They specialize in homemade bars: magic, mound, scotcheroo, salted nut roll, pumpkin, rice krispie, caramel bars, etc. One of the bakery’s most sought-out specialties is the Florentine, a chewy almond-type cookie dipped in chocolate. They can make gluten-free cookies by special order. Sauk Centre Coborn’s has added bigger selection of frozen product from Albany Home Bakery. You can purchase frozen bread dough, frozen cinnamon rolls, Kolaches and frozen hamburgerAlbanybuns.Home Bakery has been in business for more than 50 years and is under the ownership of LuAnn Jopp as of Jan. 1, 2002. Her husband, Tim, helps out and does most of the deliveries and errands. Their employees are: Tom, Rita, Mary Kay, Judy, Joan, Barry, Kathy and Cecilia.
Albany Home Bakery is open Monday -Friday 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 4 a.m. to Noon. LuAnn and Tim KathyBarryJudyTom Mary KayRita Cecilia Albany Home Bakery 320-845-2963. MN 320.845.712356307|country@albanytel.com Richter
For more than 88 years, the attorneys and staff of Willenbring, Dahl, Wocken & Zimmermann, PLLC have provided their clients with the best possible legal advice to address each client’s particular needs. The office traces its roots back to 1932, when Fran Russell established the original law firm and joined his practice with Joe Willenbring in the early 1950s. After several name changes, the current firm name was established in 1988, and the firm became a professional limited liability company in 1999. Throughout this time, the firm’s mission to represent clients with honesty, integrity, and competency has held true and guides the practice as much today as when the firm was originally established. Current active member/owners are Daniel Zimmermann, John Neal, Kelly Springer, and Boe Piras.
Call the staff of the
320-685-3678
Getting to know your local Dentist, Dr. Jason Bjerketvedt. Dr. Jason Bjerketvedt grew up on a dairy farm, in rural Parkers Prairie, MN. At a young age he knew he wanted to work in healthcare, be a part of a smaller town and support a local community. With that, he sought out a chemistry degree from the University of Minnesota-Morris and continued on to dental school at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Following dental school, he began practicing at the Fergus Fall Community Dental Clinic (FFCDC). FFCDC is a state funded dental clinic; whose primary focus is to provide dental care for developmentally disabled, those with severe mental illness and low income patients. Patients who could not be seen in a clinic setting, due to their disability, were serviced in the hospital under general anesthesia. Additionally, Dr. Jason also gained experience in cosmetic and general dentistry as an associate in a private practice. Dr. Jason is a 20-year member of the military and is a dentist for the Minnesota National Guard. Being in the military has taken him to many places which bolstered his confidence and ability to perform under any condition. In 2010, he was deployed to Iraq. It is there that he treated soldiers under extreme situations. This deployment enhanced his performance as a dentist. He became proficient in surgical extractions on impacted teeth and executed multiple, successful root canals daily. Dr. Jason is an avid outdoorsman and can often be found hunting and fishing. He enjoys helping out on his family’s farm in Parkers Prairie, running marathons, bee keeping and spending time with his family. Dr. Jason lives with his wife Natalie and their children Harrison, Noelle and Vivian.
to place your special orders at
Glen GlBdiBorgerding
“Farmers are starting to realize you have to mix the chemistry with the biology and ultimately, that’s the path we need to be on,” Borgerding said. “You need a good balance of both.”
Ag Resource Consulting (ARC) in Albany works with farmers in Central Minnesota, doing just what their name says. “We consult with farmers to help them farm in a much more efficient way by managing their resources to be the most profitable,” said Glen Borgerding.Borgerding works directly with farmers writing nutrient management plans, crop production plans and fertilizer recommendations. Services also include soil and manure sampling and testing and field scouting. Their on-site lab is certified by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. Glen Borgerding is a certified crop advisor with the American Society of Agronomy. JoAnn Prom is the lab technician and office manager.
56310 |
BOUQUETS UNIQUELY DESIGNED FOR RECIPIENTS Sauk Centre & Browerville, MN 320-352-3872 // Toll Free 833-352-3872 joyfulbloomsflowerco.com Mention this article and receive FREE DELIVERY on your next flower order. ASHLEY THIEL PHOTOGRAPHYLindsey Rinde, Amy Poepping,
services. PROVIDING HOME AND FARM INSURANCE SINCE 1895 From horses to horsepower, from homesteads to large farms, your local mutual insurance company has served you from
The focus for the company is to achieve healthy soil using available resources.“Ourphilosophy of designing cropping and livestock systems is to be as self-sufficient as possible, and in doing that you have to work with nature,” Borgerding said. Cover crops have seen a big increase in recent years, and an additional animal component helps soil biology all the more. Being selective with off-farm input recommendations helps the chemistry of the soil and helps maintain cost-effectiveness. Plant and animal diversity is key; the greater the diversity, the healthier the soil.
FLORAL • GIFTS • DECOR Joyfulng Blooms
Page 8 | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS
In the 1800's, fire was one of the greatest threats to human financial and emotional welfare. Insurance to protect against the peril was unavailable or often beyond the financial means of average people. Fire meant economic and human disaster. It was during this period that groups of citizens banded together in the first basic mutual fire protection groups. On April 15th, 1895 property owners from the towns of Albany, Avon, Krain, and Oak met in the Albany village hall for the purpose of organizing a mutual fire insurance company. The meeting was successful, and a company was formed. The first board of directors was elected with Jacob Krebs as president, John Loehlein as treasurer and John Schwinghammer as secretary. An additional board member was elected from each town to act as agent to policyholders. That year the fledgling company wrote over 150 policies at a premium rate of 10¢ per $100 of insurance. At last citizens homes and barns were protected from complete financial loss due to fire. But of course, it was not just homes, but hay and grain, livestock, machines, horse harnesses and all manner of possessions were covered. The stark possibility of bankruptcy caused by fire loss was staved off. The mode of business was simple. Once the initial premium was collected, the insurance was paid for as long as the company had enough funds to cover losses. But the problem with this became immediately apparent. The company was short of the $150 to pay for a house that burned in the first year, so an assessment was made on policyholders. The difficulty with this procedure was that policyholders might have difficulty paying the unexpected expense. Nevertheless, the procedure stayed in effect until 1977 when an annual premium was adopted. The annual premium allowed the company to build a surplus to help pay large claims and reduced the probability of assessments. In 1969 the mutual purchased reinsurance from the Reinsurance Association of Minnesota (now known as Ram Mutual Insurance Company) that paid claims beyond a set maximum. This service allowed the company to protect itself from extremely large losses, a procedure followed today. As the mutual insurance industry matured, additional perils were covered, such as: collapse, theft, collision, vandalism, water damage and others. And in 1985 Albany Mutual began packaging policies with statewide windstorm and liability insurers. This eliminated the need for policyholders to purchase two policies from two sources.Froma small beginning, Albany Mutual has grown to a company that serves over a thousand policyholders. Fourteen affiliated agencies provide a broad range of insurance services, bringing our product to nine counties in Central Minnesota. We are strong in terms of service and financial stability and we anticipate continued growth in policy numbers, service area and agent 1895 MN 320-356-7301
www.columbiagear.com Integrated supplier of custom gearing and power products.transmission Providing quality products to the industries of: • Off-Highway/Construction • Mining • Agriculture • Marine • Railroad • Air/Gas • Aerospace • Wind Energy Follow Us on Facebook & Linkedin
For him, seeing the results of a program falling into place is the most satisfying part of his work. “You sit down and talk about yields, crop quality, how the animals are doing, what their milk production is,” Borgerding said. “This is when you see everything come together and really clicking well. There is great satisfaction in that.”
The staff at Joyful Blooms in Sauk Centre and Browerville strive to create eye-catching floral designs that capture the person receiving them. “We believe flowers mean love,” said Amy Poepping, one of three owners of the sister stores, Joyful Blooms and Sprinkle of Joy. “There’s a purpose behind every flower.” Poepping, along with Lindsey Rinde and Megan May, lead the storefronts; and the foundation of flowers mean love came from Rinde’s grandmother. As their designers craft arrangements for every occasion, from anniversaries to birthdays, they ask about the recipient to try to understand what their house is like and whether they trend toward soft palettes or bright and cheerful colors. They are always adding in personal touches upon request, whether it be a sweet treat or cherished item in a funeral arrangement, to truly capture the essence of a person. “We really want to know who’s getting these flowers so we can channel them through the creation and delivery so they get something they truly love,” Poepping said.Funerals, she said, have become one of the staff ’s most treasured times to work with“Wecustomers.gettobe the joy in their hard time,” Poepping said. “They get to talk about their loved one’s life and we get to know them to truly help celebrate a life.”The boutique flower shop goes beyond the traditional and the staff works to secure unique stems and specialty seasonal flowers as well. During the warmer months, the store works with local growers to get locally-grown blooms. “We want people to look at something and say “Wow, that’s from Joyful Blooms,” she said. The florists at Joyful Blooms stay on top of the trends, learning new designs, techniques and tricks to always be bringing their communities the best. Their shops are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The floral shop is closed Sundays but is always available to handle Sunday funerals. Deliveries are available within a 20-mile radius of the Browerville and Sauk Centre locations. Megan May, co-ownersof Sprinkle of Joy and Joyful Blooms. aims to create flower
arrangements that are specially craftedfor each recipient.
to present modern society. ALBANY MUTUAL INSURANCE HOME OFFICE: 141 5th Street, P.O. Box 301, Albany, MN 56307 320-845-2375 patraeker@albanytel.com www.albanymutual.com A Century of Serving Our Neighbors... 530 County Road 50 | Avon,
One of Sauk Centre’s oldest and most trusted businesses is First State Agency, Inc. Established in 1901, the independent insurance agency has the knowledge and expertise to help each client with his or her own uniqueFirstneeds.State Agency is staffed with all licensed professionals with strong customer and community ties. With over 80 years of combined insurance experience the staff will be able to find the right policy to fit your personal needs and budget. First State Agency offers many insurance lines including: auto, home, farm and crop, recreational, life, individual health, Medicare supplement, disability, commercial liability and property, workers compensation, and bonds. Brenda, Carrie, Sue and Karen strive to offer excellent service to all their clients. Taking the time to sit down and explain the coverages to make sure their clients can make good informed decisions and feel comfortable with not only the insurance coverages they purchase, but with the insurance advisor assisting them. Our office hours are: 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Mon.–Thurs., 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Fri.
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | Page 9
WE ARE COMMUNITYRESOURCEAFORTHE Auto • Home • Farm • Recreational Vehicles Health • Life • Commercial 423 Main St. S. • Sauk Centre,
www.firststateagencysc.com
A hands-off process of protection forCenterTechnologyCommunityeducatesonlinesecurity they’ve been scammed“Unfortunate-online. ly, so many times it’s after the fact,” Scherping said. The staff at Community Technology Center walk customers through the potential pitfalls of online security threats. They encourage customers to determine exactly where a prompt or message came from before clicking on it or downloading anything.Thecenter is launching a host of new security packages to better service its customers. The packages will include options for backing up data, data recovery and security patch management for residential and andmotebeThey’llclients.businessalsoofferingre-monitoringmanagement for customers along with end point protection and other ala carte services.This new area of focus, David Waletzko said, will make it easier for customers to know they’re protected online and if something does go wrong, they’ll know they can retrieve or restore their data. The company has always taught clients how to manually back up their data or use software to back up their data, but these new services will be more seamless. Scherping said security packages are often overlooked until it’s too late and the family photos or other valuable data is lost. “This level of protection will ease people’s minds a little bit and make the process more handsoff,” she said. “They’ll just know they’re protected.” MN 320-352-7200
Community Technology Center not only offers computer services, hardware, software and advice to clients, they focus on education. “We are a resource for the community, one of our goals is education,” said Joan Scherping, of theThecenter.company offers residential and business computer and networking support and customer service. They have everything from computer sales, service and support of new and refurbished items to networking of homes once internet service is established.In addition, the company leaders provide knowledge and information to clients about how to stay safe online. Each week, Community Technology Center staff work with customers on site, and on the phone, who believe 360 Railroad Ave., Suite 2 • Albany, MN 56307 • (320) 845-8888 www.mnctc.com Center
STATE AGENCY Call Us Today!
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TechnologyCommunity
107 Avon Ave. S., Suite #1, Avon, MN 320.356.1000 M-F 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. & Sat 8 a.m. - Noon Like us on Facebook at K&S Pharmacy Now offering flu & other adult (18+) vaccinations. Walk-ins welcome. No appointment needed!
Photo EveryHuskieKioskGearVitaminsCardsForOccasion Small, convenient, local K&S Pharmacy
The pharmacy also provides vaccinations to people 18 and older. The site offers flu vaccinations, COVID-19 vaccinations by Moderna, Shingles vaccination and DTAP vaccination which covers tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). In the near future, Schneider hopes to be able to also offer pneumonia shots as well. “It’s important because it’s easy for people to come in here,” she said. “They don’t have to wait until their annual physical to get their vaccine.”
The pharmacy is connected to the Minnesota Immunization Action Coalition and can check a patient’s vaccination history as well to see what they’re due for. “It’s just a good service for the community,” she said. At a time when illnesses are running high, the pharmacy is small and offers a convenient, local place for patients to take care of their needs while avoiding large shopping areas. The pharmacy offers other conveniences as well, including a weekly dry-cleaning service and UPS shipping for customers. The pharmacy is an access point where drivers can drop off packages for those customers who may not be home.
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | Page 11 1180 Sinclair Lewis Ave., Sauk Centre, MN Office: 320-351-4100 Fax: 320-351-4115 Blair Weiers | 320-290-1840 • David Weber | 320-290-0160 SERVICE, INC. Whether you need Heating, A/C or Plumbing services, Central Heating & Air Conditioning in Sauk Centre has the experience and manpower to handle the job. Locally owned and established in 2002, the company has grown in size, strength and service offerings, adapting to industry changes and customer desires. With the weather turning cooler each day, keep us in mind for all your furnace, boiler and mini split needs. We are here to keep your heating system running all winter. We pride ourselves on our service experience and attention to detail on every job. Call us today for heating system repair, maintenance, installation or replacement. We are available to serve you with 24 hour emergency care and we offer free estimates. No matter if your needs are small or big, we welcome the opportunity to work with you and for you. We proudly serve Central Minnesota! HERE IS A SAMPLING OF THE HEATING SERVICES WE OFFER: •Furnace Maintenance & •Boiler•FurnaceRepairInstallation&ReplacementMaintenance&Repair •Boiler Installation & •Ductless•DuctlessReplacementMiniSplitsMaintenance&RepairMiniSplitsInstallation&Replacement Lic. # 057710-MR Embassy Full-time position available for plumber. Job duties include but not limited to: maintain and repair equipment related to plumbing. Install new plumbing equipment and systems for new construction and remodeling projects. Order parts and prepare completed work orders. Determine needed parts. Perform other duties as assigned. JourneymanMaster/PlumberFull-time position available for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) service technician. Job duties include but not limited to: installing, troubleshooting, and repairing residential and commercial heating and cooling systems. TechnicianHVACJOIN OUR TEAM! Full time includingavailablepositionsbenefits! Over 43 Years Combined Experience DarcyPfeffJennissener Claire Rieland Billmark’s Insurance Services, LLC. is an independent, full-service insurance agency serving Sauk Centre and central Minnesota with four locations. Billmark’s has a diverse range of insurance products for all your needs! Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm • Appointments available at anytime 320.351.2436 • 512 Main Street S, Ste 2, Sauk Centre • www.saukcentreinsurance-billmarks.com BOATS HOMEAUTO LIFEBUSINESS HEALTH MEDICARE FARM We’ve Got You Covered! MOTORCYLCE ATVS& At K&S Pharmacy, patient care and convenience are at the forefront of everything they “We’redo.all busy and have kids in 18 different things and it’s nice to be able to stop into one place and do a few different things,” said owner and pharmacist Karla Schneider.Not only does the pharmacy fill prescriptions, the pharmacists can offer patient medication counseling and transferring of prescriptions. The pharmacy also offers over-the-counter pain and allergy medications and supplements. “We’re here for our community and we know everybody who walks in the door, and we know them by name,” Schneider said. “I know what medications you’re taking before I even look at a screen. We know about people and care about people.” Additionally, Schneider said, she and her staff have good relationships with area providers including family practice, specificity care and eye doctors which is important in looking at a patient’s overall care. “We can see what they’re prescribing or if something interacts, or if there’s an issue,” Schneider Additionally,said.she said, she and her staff are there to answer patient questions at a time when it may be more difficult to get through to a clinic. “We’re just easily accessible and we truly do care,” she said. She considers her customers family and said she cares for each of them.
The store offers a huge selection of greeting cards and giftware items, as well as Albany Husky apparel. Not only do the staff and pharmacists of K&S Pharmacy provide local conveniences, they’re involved in the local community and support the local community. From coaching the high school swim team, to sponsoring a ladies bowling team and the local booster club to advertising in the church bulletins and being involved in volunteer organizations, the store and its staff play a role in making the community what it is.
The team at K&S Pharmacy in Avon includes Brian Schneider (from left),Karla Schneider, Dana Crumley and Sarah Grutsch. Not pictured: Angie Brown.
The 3D X-rays can aid in root canals and planning for implants. They also show the sinuses and the nasal septum and can allow dentists to see a patient’s anatomy. Cone beams can detect dental abscesses, sinus concerns, growths, as well as infections within the mandible.“Youcan catch things before you get a signal from the patient, before they’re having an issue,” she said. The clinic, she said, has a positive and uplifting environment that makes for a better experience for the patient. “It’s such a comprehensive clinic,” Neil said. “We’re not just going to see a patient for a toothache, we’re going to look at the mouth as a continuum of the patient’s overall health, if the foundation is healthy, and if the bone is stable in order to provide the structural integrity for the teeth themselves.” With pediatric patients, the dentists cater towards the child, practicing a “tell, show, do approach”. With older patients, some of Dr. Neil’s favorites she said, she focuses on the current condition of their mouth and overall dental hygiene. “They are just so grateful for the care and it feels good to work with them,” she said. “It’s an experience I’ve always liked.” Outside the office, Dr. Neil has a multitude of hobbies from making cards, performing tap and hip-hop dance, to throwing pottery, where she revels in the various glazes and forms that can be made on the wheel. She’s been dancing since she was little. Her grandmother was the biggest influence in her life growing up and she lived two blocks from the studio. She put her through dance lessons. After each lesson she’d go to her grandmother’s to show her what she’d learned. The two used to play instruments together too, her grandmother on piano and her on guitar; she still plays, learning new chords and songs. Dr. Neil and her husband, who have two cats named Mr. Freeze and Batman, have a weekly game night with friends and the two like to travel; she’s even learned Spanish to help with their journeys. Her mother-in-law is from Paraguay and she learned the language as they traveled there. With all her passions and experiences, Dr. Katy is able to relate to a wide variety of patients, and she gets excited to find out what she has in common with them. Whether it’s football, hockey, concerts, a wide variety of music, sewing, cooking, canning, traveling, or dancing, Dr. Neil tries to find something special to connect her to others. Dr. Katy Neil is excited to meet more of the patient population in the area and connect to others as well.
Albany Family Dentistry focuses on patient experience
The newest dentist at Albany Family Dentistry came to the practice with hopes of finding a more positive and uplifting work environment and the opportunity to become a betterDr.dentist.KatyNeil, joined the dental practice in February. She was working in Delano while she and her husband, Richard Lee, were living in Minnetonka. She came across the Albany office and was excited to take on the new opportunity and grow as a dentist along the way. “It’s been really, really good,” she said. “We’re doing great patient care, with thorough comprehensive exams, cone beam (3D) X-rays, and the proper measurements of the gum tissue for the right type of cleaning that’s recommended for the patient. It just feels good knowing that I’m providing patients with all the information and proper recommendations I can give them to make a decision. I’m providing them with the best care I can; that’s the whole reason why I went into dentistry.”Theadvanced imaging available at the practice allows her to fabricate same-day crowns, with lithium disilicate or a very strong ceramicInsteadmaterial.oftaking impressions, sending them to a lab for fabrication, and placing a temporary crown, the office takes a 3-D scan and the dentist can cement in the permanent crown, usually within a few hours, which avoids the inconvenience of waiting on a crown for two weeks. “I am passionate about the ability to utilize the technology, and expand my skillset as a healthcare professional,” she said.
Page 12 | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS Sauk Centre • 320.527.0050 131 12th St. S. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Long Prairie • 320.732.6612 Mark T. Maloney, Agency Manager www.mnnationalagency.com Visit our two locations: Mark Maloney Heidi Beissel Carol Rieland Kristy Simonson Let one of our friendly agents help you with your insurance needs! You just can’t form a relationship with a toll-free number or an email quote. Minnesota National Agency believes your insurance services are more important than that. We take the time to get to know people like you every day; so we can recommend the right insurance coverage for your particular circumstances in your home, and in your business. Minnesota National Agency is a multi-line agency offering competitive insurance services for all of Central Minnesota and the surrounding areas. We are also an endorsed provider and member of the Minnesota Resort & Campground Association and are the largest retail agency for resorts and campgrounds in Minnesota. Looking out for our friends and neighbors is what we like best about the work we do.
Minnesota National Bank commercial lending team, from left Joe Fuechtmann NMLS#729875, Allan Ulbricht NMLS#1569268, Trevor Zastrow NMLS#709750 and Mike Traeger NMLS#786866. We believe in a firm handshake, a look in the eye that says we are your trusted advisors.
www.mn-bank.bank Member FDIC
(855) 845-8415 Caring for your smile starts with making a call: 360 Railroad Avenue Albany, MN www.albanyfamilydentist.com56307
LONG 320-732-2133PRAIRIESAUK 320-352-5211CENTRE
Minnesota National Bank has called the area home since we were first chartered in 1902 as Merchant’s National Bank in Sauk Centre. In August of 1950, after becoming affiliated with First Bank Stock Corporation, our name changed to First National Bank. In 1987, we split from First Bank and become an independent community bank once again. Finally in March of 2008, First National Bank acquired Lake Country State Bank of Long Prairie and Pelican Rapids to form Minnesota National Bank. Through the years we have worked diligently to solidify our customer and teammate relationships. “Banking goes far beyond a transaction, it’s about the relationship we build with our customers” says Allan Ulbricht, Senior Business/Ag Lender. We believe that every person’s story is unique and there is no perfect box to fit them in, so we get creative. “We pride ourselves on thinking outside of the box and building that trusted relationship for the long haul” says Trevor Zastrow, Long Prairie Market President/Senior Business Lender. Living, working, and volunteering in the communities we serve has been a critical part of our success. We are honored to be a part of what makes living in our communities so great. “Being part of an organization that is active in our communities brings another level of trust and reliability” says Joe Fuechtmann, Senior Business“WhenLender.Ithink about my favorite part of the job, it’s knowing our customers by name and having those trusted relationships established. Understanding our customer’s situation without the need for them to explain everything repeatedly has served us well in successfully helping our customers get what they need.” says Mike Traeger, Chief Lending Officer/Senior Business Lender. As an organization based on building relationships and providing customers with the best trusted advisor experience, there are several things you can come to expect. You will always get a live person on the phone by calling your lender’s direct line. Your lender is empowered to be your local decision maker. We will only make recommendations that are in your best interest. Finally, you will always know that no matter who you work with, there will always be someone local to take care of you! At Minnesota National Bank, banking isn’t a series of transactions, it’s about building a relationship that will last a lifetime! Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.
Dr. Katy Neil is the newest dentist to join Albany Family Dentistry.
Dr. SpychalaJason SERVICE WITH A SMILE – for your smile
ServiceMelrose, MN Corey Bueckers Owner Keepthe mess out of your house!In 2014, Corey Bueckers bought a portion of his Grandfather’s well-known business, Bueckers Recycling. Corey bought and took over septic maintenance and porta pot rentals. Corey grew and sold the septic business in 2018. He then focused on porta pot rentals. In 2019, Corey bought out another porta pot business. He grew his business to 125 toilets, including regular porta pots, handicap porta pots, handwash stations and hand sanitizing stations. Bueckers Biffies may be a one-man show, but Bueckers has the support of his family and many friends to lend a helping hand if needed. His wife, Cheryl, is there to help behind the scenes in the office and his daughters are his biggest cheerleaders.“Istriveto provide the best service at the cheapest rate I can.” Bueckers said. One may have a down look on the use of a porta pot, but those who have used one of Bueckers Biffies have always been impressed. Corey takes pride in knowing he goes the extra mile to make his customers happy with the cleanliness and more appealing smell of his rentals. If you are looking for a biffie for a graduation party, wedding, family get-together, construction site, lake cabin, boat landing, park, town festival, sporting event or any other rental need, he is there to help you out. Corey is looking into purchasing his own luxury trailer for fancier events. He does have access to luxury trailer rental options now. In the next few years, Corey is looking to grow his family business from 125 toilets to over 300. It is not a job just anyone wants, but Corey takes pride in helping others complete their outdoor events. When asked what Corey would like to tell the readers, he said, “Thank you for shopping local and supporting a local business like Bueckers Biffies Inc.”
SIGNS • BANNERS CUSTOM APPAREL & EMBROIDERY Everything Signs was started by Robb Berscheid in August of 2007. Originally starting with just signs, Everything Signs now offers a variety of services including: Signs, Banners, Embroidery & Screen Printing. Located on Main Street in HuskersHoldingford!apparelinstock! 320-746-0746 • www.everythingsigns.com 500 MAIN STREET, HOLDINGFORD, MN Y d ry Loc www.brennytransportation.com Your TRUCKING career starts 320.363.6999HERE! When you ship with Brenny, you help us help your community! Welcome HOME to BrennyHOME SHIFTING GEARS FOR 25 YEARS! ST.1996-2021JOSEPH,MN towns!yourlocal Identify Registrationformonpage3! 5. 6. 7. 9. Thiswasphotostakenin1909 Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society 8.
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | Page 13 Portable Toilet Rental
For your next rental need, call Bueckers Biffies Inc at 320-256-2727.
Rd.
11. Owner Joan Casperson works to create ongoing relationships with her clients at All Star Title & Abstract Company, LLC. “If they get something in the mail, I want them to be able to call me or pop in,” she said.“They’re not just a number to me, they’re a name and a face.” Casperson focuses on providing title insurance, abstract and notary services to the community with flexibility in her schedule. She works with realtors, mortgage brokers, local banks, construction contractors, attorneys, surveyors, appraisers and the general public. She offers mobile closing services, bringing everything she needs for residential and commercial property transactions directly to a client’s home, work or a common area, day or night, weekday or weekend. “I want to make it convenient for my customers,” she said. “I make their experience a positive one.” That benefit, she said, is why she has so many repeat customers and so many referrals. She spends roughly 50 percent of her time working to educate her clients, walking them through a process that could otherwise seem complicated. “I want them to feel comfortable, if they have questions about anything, coming back to me to get the answers they need,” she said. Following the foreclosure boom of 2008, she said, more clients are leaning toward 40-year searches of a property rather than a complete abstract. The abstract documents outline every transaction for the property dating back to its earliest known ownership – some records, she said, go all the way back to 1800s.the
Today’s clients, more often, want to search a property’s ownership for the last four decades, looking for any open mortgages, tax liens or judgements that would encumber new ownership of the property. On the title side, Casperson does the footwork to research the title and make sure it’s clear before going to closing. Most of her clients, she said, now purchase title insurance through her as well. She compares title insurance to car insurance but with title insurance, it’s a one-time fee and covers the span of the time a person owns the property. If a legal issue arises that was missed in the initial title search, the insurance policy would cover all the legal fees to fix the problem with the title, she said. In addition to making sure the titles are clear before somebody buys or sells a home or property, Casperson also goes through closing paperwork with her clients to make sure they understand their mortgage documents. She can also perform closings for those working with a title company outside the local area. She is a notary and provides full notary services to the public. Casperson does offer same-day walk-in appointments. Those, she said, are good options for people who want to come in and do simple paperwork transactions such as transferring property from a parent to a child with a quit claim deed. Or, for those who want to drop in with questions about the buying, selling or transferring process. Casperson considers her business one with small-town values. She was born and raised in Long Prairie and said she believes the customer always comes first.Though her main office is in Long Prairie and has been since 2004, Casperson also maintains an office out of Alexandria, opened in 2017, for the convenience of her customers.
8-Noon
The
you. Your
Hours Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 3437 Cty. 10, MN 56307
Helping those that help others has long been a part of the business model at Albany Recycling Center. The family-owned, first-generation business has come a long way since humble beginnings that were initially backed by area non-profit groups. Both those initial connections and the business have expanded well beyond the expectations of owners Justin and Dale Overman.“Itstill amazes me that we’ve come this far,” said Justin Overman. “We have always been forward-thinking and are so proud to serve the local area and continue adding services. Dale and I knew we could do a good job for the community, and it’s been a fun ride.” Justin thinks back to the early days in business, recalling one of the first types of customers they approached: non-profitKnowingorganizations.thatmany non-profits take part in recycling efforts as a means to fundraise, the Overmans went to multiple groups, asking them to choose “the new guys in town” for their efforts. From school groups and Boy Scout troops to churches and various foundations, area non-profits were willing to make Albany Recycling a part of their efforts to do good things for others. “We found a lot of success with those groups and those relationships have grown,” Justin said. “We see them often, because they typically collect a high volume of materials for recycling.”
PHOTO BY DIANE LEUKAM Joan Casperson owns and operates All Star Title and Abstract Company, LLC, with offices in Long Prairie and Alexandria.
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | Page 15 MAKING GOOD GO AROUND recycle@albanytel.comrecycle@albanytel.com320-845-2747320-845-2747
Small-town values mainstay of business
Albany,
Licensed Abstractor & Closing Agent Agent for Fidelity National Title Company Long
Improvements underway Since moving to the current location on County Road 10, south of Albany, improvements have been non-stop for the business, including a new warehouse, office space and concrete in the drop-offPlannedzones. upgrades include additional concrete and an extended fence to not only keep operations tidy and up to the company’s standards, but more importantly, to allow for expanded services. “We’re carefully planning to make investments that will improve what we can do,” Justin said. “It’s very exciting!”
Like Us on AllStarTitleAndAbstractFacebook
your local towns! RegistrationtownWhatisthis?formonpage3! Identif y Identify 10.
St., Suite 118 • Alexandria, MN 56308 • 320.460.8250 SUBMITTEDPHOTOStorefrontAlexandria Long LEUKAMPHOTOStorefront:PrairieBYDIANE E-mail: joan@allstar-title.com | www.allstar-title.com
When the groups come in, Albany Recycling Center considers it an opportunity to join their effort – typically, the company tacks on additional funds as a donation.“We’re so glad they choose us and we are happy to support them,” Justin said.
All Star Title & Abstract owner Joan Casperson offers full-service convenience
Office 103 2nd St. S • Long Prairie,
Albany embracesRecyclingservicetonon-profits
56347 • 320.732.3111 Alexandria Office 302
PHOTO BY LIZ VOS Tim Vos (from left), Kim McClellan, Erik Koenig and Mark Kremer, members of the Nicholas P. Koenig H.E.R.O. Foundation, stand with collected cans to trade in at Albany Recycling Center. The foundation is one of many organizations Albany Recycling Center supports in fundraising efforts.
Joan Casperson personal closer who comes to Title Insurance Agent. Prairie MN Kenwood
Page 16 | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS 300 Main St., Cold Spring, MN • (320) 685-8651 Monday – Friday: 8:00AM to 6:30PM • Saturday: 8:00AM to 3:00PM • Sunday: Closed COLD SPRING CO-OP & COUNTRY STORE
Cold Spring Co-Op offers all the services a farmer needs to create the most efficient plan for applying fertilizer and weed control and planting seed.
The company has custom spraying services and delivers fuel oil and gas as well as customized feed. “It gives (the farmer) as much of a return as they can get for the money they’ve spent,” said Ralph Schlangen, general manager of the co-op. “(We want) the farmer to be able to make some money, that’s our goal.”
To that end, he said, the co-op expanded its fertilizer plant in 2018. The coop works with each farmer to collect soil samples of the land and send them in for processing. With those results, Schlangen said, they can determine exactly what farmers need for their fields, whether they’re growing alfalfa, corn or beans. The custom blends can be purchased directly from the co-op and the co-op offers fertilizer application services. They also can provide variable rate applications.“We have a bunch of really good applicators that take care of it and it’s important that we know the people and know the area,” Schlangen said. His team focuses on building trust with customers and many of the employees have been with the company a long time. They service an area within a 30-mile radius of the co-op and serve roughly 300 customers a year. They offer the same type of service for weed control, heading on site to scout the fields before recommending a chemical application. The co-op sprays more than 45,000 acres of farm fields a year. “We have all the higher technology and machines,” Schlangen said. “They save a lot on Accuracychemicals.”andon-time job completion are important tenets of the business. “We really care what we’re doing out there,” Schlangen said. “We do it right the first time; we thrive on that.” And the applicators understand how critical it is to receive the proper treatments at the right time for each and every Thecustomer.co-op also provides custom seed and feed services. On the seed side, Schlangen said they work to find the farmer the right seed for their soil type, irrigation type and yield goal. Through soil testing and knowledge of seed and chemical products, which the team trains on throughout the winter, they can make a plan with each customer.Theco-op uses the same care in creating its custom feed mixes and custom calf mixes. They work with a Purina livestock production specialist who visits each farm to test on site and create a ration for the Whileanimals.theco-op also offers premixed feed in store, its employees spend a lot of time working with customers on projections for the size of steers they want to raise and the food source they’ll need to meet their goal. “For us, it’s about seeing the results at the end,” Schlangen said. “We want to see how everything comes out, that the cattle look good and the crops look good.” There’s also a retail side to the co-op where customers can purchase pet food, home décor, farm toys and collectibles. Shirley Utsch is on hand to help customers with the retail business, working the counter and ordering supplies. Utsch replaces Carla Wolbeck, who died this year and had worked as the face of the retail store for customers since the co-op opened the retail business in April of 2012.
PHOTOS SUBMITTED Custom readyEquipmentApplicationsitsforuseatColdSpringCo-Op. Cold Spring Co-op a multi-service farm company RELAX. We Callneeds.constructionforyouhavecoveredallyourtoday! Ken Proell 320-352-6878 11194 225th Ave. • Sauk Centre, MN 56378 ROLL OFF SERVICE AVAILABLE! WE ALSO HAVE ON THE FARM PICKUP. RECYCLING ACCEPTED • aluminum cans • cast aluminum • copper • brass • radiators • stainless • iron • electric motors • automobiles KEN’S IRON SALVAGE & RECYCLING, INC. Buying All Types of Metal and Aluminum Cans
Herman Lensing
Mike Kosik Mike Kosik began covering sports for the Stearns-Morrison Enterprise out of Albany starting in November 1973 and continues to do so for the Star Post today.
www.star-pub.com | bentonconews.com | saukrapidsherald.com
SAUK CENTRE HERALD 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 320-352-657756378 STAR POST ALBANY 561 Railroad Ave. P.O. Box 310 Albany, MN 320-845-270056307 STAR POST MELROSE 408 Main Street East Melrose, MN 320-351-657956352 SAUK RAPIDS HERALD 2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135 Sauk Rapids, MN 320-251-197156379 BENTON COUNTY NEWS 1061 Hwy. 23, Suite 2A P.O. Box 689 Foley, MN 320-968-722056329 Meet the sports writers
Herman Lensing began writing sports in 1982 as a freelance writer for the Melrose Beacon, Sauk Centre Herald and Paynesville Press. He did a weekly radio show on the SCL on KASM and later wrote for the 740 Club in the Melrose School district. In 1985, he was hired as full-time writer for the Melrose Beacon and Stearns-Morrison Enterprise. “One of the first things the publisher said was they wanted increased sports coverage,” he recalled. He has covered area high school, amateur, and community sports events in regular seasons, playoffs and state. He is still learning. A journalism teacher said ‘Sports writing is like the guitar. It’s easy to learn, but hard to do well.’ That is true,” he said Mark Klaphake I grew up a sports fanatic and fondly remember spending time every Sunday reading the sports section of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. My college plans were to attend St. Cloud State University in sports broadcasting. When I finished college in broadcasting, the sports writing position at the Sauk Centre Herald was open. I applied and have thoroughly enjoyed covering the Streeters since. When I started in 1992, I remember the immense enjoyment and the great scenes of how high school sports were to be played out and how much it meant to so many. Since that point at the Sauk Centre Herald, I have helped with several other local papers and can truly say I am always excited when I get to cover a high school sporting event.
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | Page 17
For Kosik, some of the biggest thrills come from covering athletes, either as teams or individuals, as they rise to state-level competition Tom Fenton I grew up in Litchfield and started writing for my hometown newspaper in junior high. I approached the longtime editor of the Independent Review about writing stories for the JV sports programs, and that started my journalism career. I graduated from St. Cloud State’s journalism program and gained invaluable experience as Sports Editor of the University Chronicle. I worked at weekly newspapers in St. Peter, Eden Prairie, Hutchinson and Litchfield, along with six years as Prep Sports Coordinator at the St. Cloud Times. After more than 10 years away from journalism, being back at writing about good kids and good stories has been a blessing, and I can’t wait for what is ahead.
“I have had the privilege of covering numerous athletic activities over the years and have never grown tired of doing it,” Kosik said. “What keeps me going is seeing the enthusiasm student-athletes demonstrate in competition, as well as their dedication to their teammates. I have also gotten to know the coaches who direct and inspire them. They are some of the finest people I know.”
Evan Michealson I was born Feb. 19, 1997 in St. Paul and spent the first 15 years of my life living in Brooklyn Park. I graduated from Osseo High School in 2015 and got my bachelor’s degree in mass communications at St. Cloud StateSportsUniversity.hasalways played a strong role in my life. Growing up, I would watch the Minnesota Twins every single night and played baseball for 12 years in the Maple Grove area, and one of my favorite activities growing up was participating in pickup football. I also enjoy watching movies, playing video games and reading a good sci-fi or fantasy novel here and there.
hello@mnoliveoilco.com | www.mnoliveoilco.comh1 230 Church Avenue • Albany, MN 56307 320.845.2195 | www.motherofmercymn.org A
St. Rosa Lumber was established in March of 1998. Over the last 23 years the company has grown to employ a team of: salesmen, project managers, truck drivers, draftsmen, & yard management. St. Rosa Lumber offers full building packages starting with: custom design, full and complete bids, material packages, and construction. In addition, St. Rosa offers general contracting services, something that is unique to the area and helps keep projects moving forward.With a full indoor showroom, clients are able to see the latest building trends in: windows, doors, shingles, siding, deck material and St.more.Rosa Lumber designs and constructs projects of all kinds such as custom homes, agricultural buildings, light commercial, pole sheds and remodel projects. In addition, it is a full retail lumberyard that offers delivery to your door. Materials stay dry year-round with storage in two large indoor warehouses.Stopby the of ce in St. Rosa, or view the project gallery at www. strosalumber.com. Owners John, Lillian, Jason & Brandon Arnzen would like to thank Central Minnesota and all their customers for their loyalty and support over the years.
16 First Street SE |
of care, close to home
Carrying the freshest oils in the world ndh to taste before you buy,” Winter said. “It’s our job to help you figure out what you like and what you’re going to use.” Custom gift baskets during the holidays are very popular with customers. The team at MN Olive Oil Co can help you create a custom, unique and truly thoughtful gift. Let them custom design one for you or design it yourself and let them put it together. Make a trip to Glenwood to visit their tasting room and check out their selection of spices, unique gifts, gourmet foods and kitchen goods.
GLENWOOD – Oil and vinegar lovers know there is always something new at MN Olive Oil Co in Glenwood. Newly available oils include Ginger & Black Garlic Oil and Baklouti Chili Oil; in vinegars, there are the Alfoos Mango and Umeboshi Plum.“We’re always getting new things in and switching others out,” owner Amy WinterOthersaid. new offerings include Redhead Creamery cheese; freshly baked artisan breads from Falls Baking Co. in Fergus Falls; and UGLY Cheesecake company –the Uncommonly Good Light Yet Cheesecake, of Brainerd.Also new at the shop is something parked outside: a delivery truck, purchased this summer so deliveries can be made to local towns. Deliveries are made on a rotating schedule to business partners like The Edge in Alexandria. Customers can preorder their products online and pick them up at the truck when they are there, or inside The Edge during store hours. At MN Olive Oil Co there is a world of extra virgin olive oils, specialty oils, ultra-premium unflavored oils, as well as white and dark balsamic vinegars. Whether you’re familiar with oils and vinegars or have no idea, they are there to help and promise to have something you’ll love. “We’ll show you around and encourage you
Page 18 | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS 29033 Co. Rd. 17 Freeport, MN (In St. Rosa) www.strosalumber.com320-836-2284 320-836-2284 29033 County Road 17 Freeport, MN 56331COMMERCIALAGRICULTURE•RESIDENTIAL www.arnzenconstructioninc.com
CoMNownerWinter,AmyKRONSTACYBYPHOTOofOliveOilinGlenwood,sitsinthecompany’sdeliverytruck. Glenwood, MN | 320.334.3211 continuum
PHOTO BY DIANE LEUKAM Amanda Sand is the director of senior housing in charge of assisted living at Mother of Mercy Campus in Albany, where she oversees the many levels of care available to residents of the campus. Mother of Mercy Senior Living in Albany offers a continuum of care ranging from independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Eighty percent of residents on the campus are from within a 10- to 15mile radius of Albany, something CEO Paul Gaebe feels is important.“We’rehere to serve you so that you can remain in your community amongst your family and friends and not have to relocate far away, regardless of what level of care you need or desire,” he said. Amanda Sand is the director of senior housing in charge of assisted living, and discussed services provided in MemoryMemoryLane.Lane is a 12 unit, 13 bed secured memory care facility. There is an attached secured memory garden for tenants to enjoy. Each individual has specific, unique needs. For each tenant, a care plan is adapted to meet theirThereneeds.are 32 assisted living apartments in Fairway Ridge, where residents are independent with the option of services such as bathing and housekeeping. Grace Court is an enhanced assisted living with 12 rooms, a bridge between independent living and nursing home care, where they receive 24-hour skilled nursing. Both Sand and Gaebe feel the sense of community is vital to their role as caregivers, and encourage people to inquire about services and take a tour of the campus, even if services are not needed immediately. “We’re here when you need us, and for people who want to inquire about services, give us a call,” Gaebe said. “We help people age in place without having to move milesForaway.”more information about assisted living at Mother of Mercy, call Amanda Sand direct at 320-845-5551.
Arnzen Construction Inc (ACI) was founded in 1904 in St. Rosa, MN. Over the last 100 years the company has grown to employ more than 60 full-time employees, and has spread its customer base to cover the mid region of Minnesota. You’ll nd Arnzen Construction’s red trucks at projects of all sizes such as: barn facilities, commercial projects, custom homes, pole-sheds, steelframed buildings, and specialtyInprojects.thelast few years ACI has seen an increase of commercial work such as: apartment complexes, church projects, dental clinics, county buildings, and more. On the residential end, ACI designs and constructs custom homes, house additions, remodels and repairs.Over the years, Arnzen has catered to small dairy farms as well as meeting the needs of larger barn facilities. ACI has years of experience designing and constructing: free-stall barns with robotic milking, barn remodels and repairs, poultry facilities, hog barns and more. ACI also retails barn parts and equipment, and is a farmer’s one-stop-shop for: barn curtains, freestalls, headlocks, gates, feed carts, fans, cow mats, and more.Inaddition to construction, ACI has a full-service welding shop. Does your dock need a x? Or a trailer need a repair? We can help! ACI Welding not only welds in-house, but can drive out to your project with our portable weldingOwnersservices.John Arnzen and Bob Arnzen would like to thank the community and surrounding areas for their continued support and business.
FAMILY OWNED Pine
Diekman’s Jewelry is a family owned and operated retail and repair shop located in Downtown Alexandria. Kyle Diekman began the store alongside his Dad back in 1980. The original plan was for his Dad, Gordon, to be the retail sales manager and Kyle would work with jewelry and clock repair. Kyle headed off to attend college in St. Paul to learn the ins and outs of jewelry and clock repair. After achieving his degree, he came back and they opened Diekman’s Jewelry. However, two short months after opening, Gordon Diekman had a stroke, at the age of 19 Kyle was left to run the entire business on his own. Being 19 and losing your father is difficult in itself, now add a family business to take care of adds another element of difficulty. Some people may have decided to close their businesses doors and take another path...not Kyle. He recalls days in the 80’s where he would manage the retail portion until close and then move down to complete jewelry repair work some nights until 2 a.m. He never gave up the dream and has been in business ever since. In those 40 years Kyle has raised 4 children and 4 grandchildren, one of which now works alongside him at the store. Brandi Wilson is his 2nd eldest granddaughter. She began with the store in 2017 cleaning and helping with customers when needed. In 2019, she decided to come aboard fulltime to work with her Grandpa as the store manager. Her bright smile and quick wit make it easy for the customers to feel comfortable working with her. Now with Brandi as the manager, Kyle has been able to put even more focus into the repair work again and has even been able to handcraft some pieces for sale. One thing is certain – the Alexandria community has supported this jewelry store and Kyle & Brandi could not be happier to be located in a place with such heart and compassion for locally run business.
Diekman’s Jewelry A ONE STOP SHOP 111 Sixth Avenue West, Alexandria, MN 56308 • Downtown Alexandria Toll Free 1-800-568-5336 • 320-762-0309M-FHOURS:•9to5:30Sat.•9to5Sun.Closed Sinclair Lewis Ave • 320-351-9951 Stop in and check out our menu! Clip & Save Ad October MaintenanceMaintenanceMinimumMinimum30 November 24 RoughNovemberHouse27OutofLineDecember4‘57Chevy‘57Chevy November 6 The NovemberIssue13‘57Chevy‘57Chevy December 18 Dana & BottlerocketstheDecember31OutofLine SAVEDATES!THESE for Entertainment Next Door Bar Band times are 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Scotch • Spruce
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | Page 19
Cornerstone Pines Christmas Tree Farm is a magical place between Grey Eagle and Long Prairie where Christmas is alive all year long. The farm was bought by Chuck and Kathy Parker in 2008, and their goal is to help families find the perfect Christmas tree. With over 100 acres of land and thousands of trees to choose from, Chuck and Kathy want families to truly enjoy their experience at Cornerstone Pines.Cornerstone Pines Christmas Trees offers a variety of cutyour-own trees, such as Fraser Fir, Balsam Fir, Fraser-Balsam Cross, White Pine, Scotch and Spruce in all sizes – including a good selection of 10’ trees. There is sure to be a tree out there for every family. They also have tractor rides shuttling customers out to the different plots of trees; however, customers may choose to walk.Cornerstone Pines is not just a Christmas Tree farm, but it is the ultimate Christmas experience, according to Chuck.
Cornerstone Pines Christmas Tree Farm 19180 281st Ave., Grey Eagle, MN | 320-732-3299 www.cornerstonepineschristmastrees.com
Fir • White
Cornerstone Pines has activities for the whole family to enjoy across the farm. In Santa’s Village there is Santa’s Workshop where kids can visit with Santa and write him letters; Mrs. Claus’ cottage is where kids can participate in different crafts and activities and there are straw tunnels to crawl through.Cornerstone Pines also offers sleigh/ wagon rides on select weekends, has a petting zoo with a donkey, miniature horse and two goats, and a gift shop with tons of specialty gifts to celebrate the holidays which is open on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays starting Oct. 22nd. Opening day for cutting trees at Cornerstone Pines is Nov. 20th and they are open on Fridays from 9-6, Saturdays 9-6 and Sundays 11-6. More information about special events and activities can be found at cornerstonepineschristmastrees.com.Kathydescribesthefarmas more than just a Christmas tree farm; it is all about creating memories for the whole family.
AUTHORIZED GOLF CART DEALER Within the last two and a half years, we’ve grown from 18,000 sq. ft. to a 55,000 sq. ft. facility and our team has nearly doubled. We are still centrally located in Sauk Centre, MN right off the interstate. Going on 21 years in business and 13 of those in the golf cartBehindindustry.the scenes where all the magic happens is still pretty cool - and has been cooler yet with all the accessory and technology changes. Taking a standard fleet golf cart and transforming it into a fully customized shiny new toy is quite entertaining to watch. Our technicians aren’t afraid of a new challenge. They work as a team and have fun while doing it! They stay educated with the latest models and networks within the industry. All carts are serviced before they hit the lot. We are consistently brainstorming new ideas and have a sense of accomplishment when they can be followed through. On the front end, we get the opportunity to listen to our customers and this is where our sales team excels. They listen to the wants, they hear the needs, give options and offer solutions. We pride ourselves on customer service. The sales team loves the product! Genuinely caring for our customers’ needs and identifying the right cart with no pushy sales tactic comes naturally. As our lead salesman says “We’re selling fun!” We simplify the cessorysphere.relaxed,experiencecustomer’swithafunatmo-Withplentifulac-options,there’s
The Polaris Pro XD is built to withstand tough worksite conditions and enhance productivity. Pro XD is designed speci cally for durability, serviceability and safety and has two and four-seat, gas and diesel models offering up to 2,075 pounds payload and 2,500 pounds towing capacities, heavy-duty driveline components and up to 200-hour maintenance intervals. Polaris GEMs are all-electric street legal LSVs designed to move people and goods safely and ef ciently across campuses. GEM vehicles help reduce eet operating costs, increase vehicle utilization and reduce the CO2 footprint of a eet in a real, actionable and affordable way. GEM vehicles can be customized to meet speci c needs for shuttle service, campus transport maintenance, repair and operations, construction, technician, delivery, housekeeping, grounds crew, safety and security. Backed by 65 years of Polaris innovation, Polaris Commercial offers a comprehensive line of durable, versatile and customizable work vehicle solutions for transporting people and hauling equipment in urban and industrial applications. GEM, Pro XD, and Taylor-Dunn vehicles are engineered with the customer’s needs in mind to be dependable, safe, sustainable and to increase productivity. The Polaris Commercial team provides dealers with resources and support capabilities designed for all types of organizations. “We are proud to have Winters Recreation in our dealer network and excited for our customers that they are expanding their offerings to include Polaris GEM and Pro XD vehicles,” said Jamie Juliano, director of sales, Polaris Commercial. “We appreciate that Winters Recreation provides customers with a one-stop-shop by focusing on customer training, service and postsales support above and beyond the team’s product line knowledge and sales.”
As an authorized Club Car dealer, we feature new Onwards, Villagers and XRT’s. We have been awarded Club Car’s Black and Gold Award! This is awarded to only 100 authorized Club Car dealers and earning this strengthens our customer satisfaction. With the pandemic came a demand for outdoor recreation and golf carts fell into that category. We are fortunate and thankful given the times. With the boost also came some trials such as backorders and manufacturers shutting down, but we’ve kept our heads high and worked through it. Complying with the restrictions we broadened our shipping services offering delivery to your front door in the lower 48 states for a flat-rate fee. Our customers were very appreciative of the service and we were happy to give back in a way we could. Expansion, selection, dedicated team, supportive vendors, and of course our loyal customers cultivate our growth. We continue to look forward to what the future brings!
so much fun to be had with custom orders. Custom builds are precisely laid out before production and can range from two, four, six or eight seaters. Paint schemes or wraps, lift kits, all the different styles of wheels and tires, custom stitched seats, a variety of sound systems to choose from, color-changing lights, under glow light kits, and the list goes on! Custom builds are rewarding to see the customer thrilled and excited with the finished product. Our team has an eye for design and does an excellent job with building an aesthetically appealing-looking cart. Quality Check is something we take seriously for our customer’s satisfaction and safety. It is the last stage and phase of our custom builds.
uct! for our customers needs and
WWe 320-351-7533 www.wintersrec.com
Winters Rec... Not just for golf carts!
Winters also offers a wide variety of snowmobiles, mountain sleds and vehicles.
Page 20 | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS Together we are... Follow StearnsBank.comus (320) 845-2151 Remain flexible, strong and open to change. Adaptive Embrace and celebrate your vision and goals. Confident Collect insight, skill understanding.and Experienced Gather the pieces and prosper. CreativeInspired Explore new ideas and uncharteddiscoverpaths. Honored to be recognized as a local and nationwide leader in full-service banking, business loans and equipment finance. 39204 Cty. Rd. 186 Sauk Centre, MN 56378 We’re Selling Fun!
Gifts
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | Page 21 HULSHORTICULTURALSERVICESLLC
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In the meantime, the three are busy taking care of their many customers. They specialize in flowers, along with some silk, and a large variety of gifts for every occasion. They handle funerals, memorials, weddings, birthdays and holidays. There is one type of floral gift that touches a special place in Kitty’s heart. “When people get flowers for no reason, that’s probably our best reason,” she Throughoutsaid. the year, other projects keep these florists busy such as corporate work, Santa Days, Pioneer Days and a Zonta Club fundraiser.Then, there is Petal it Forward. “Once a year we do a Petal it Forward, where we walk up and down the streets of the towns we service and give away free flowers,” Kitty said. “We give away two to a person and then they give one; we like to give back to the community.”
Horticultural Services of St. Wendel expected business to slow, but the exact opposite happened. His business got“Whenbusier.people couldn’t go out and do all the things they usually did, one of the first things they were doing was looking at their yards,” Huls Peoplesaid.wanted to revamp their yards with trees, shrubs and flowers. That is where Huls and his services come in. He offers a variety of specialty services, including plant and tree maintenance, consultation, education and landscape designs for commercial and residential clients with 25 years of experience in the industry from operating his family’s business, Huls Nursery, in St. Wendel. He helps customers maintain their investHuls helps customers achieve beautiful yards
Albany
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At Albany Country Floral, the holidays are already here. Owner Kitty Eickhoff, right, and employees Melissa Armstrong and Brian Dyer are busy preparing for their annual holiday open house, which this year is Nov. 5-6. Each year, the entire shop is transformed into a Christmas store. Planning is already underway, and hints of this year’s theme are visible here and there, as Kitty and Melissa hang a banner on the side of a corncrib located inside the store, lower right photo.
Order bare root trees now ments of trees, plants and flowers for optimalGenerallyperformance.speaking, people like to have nice yards, Huls said, and with more people at home, yards are getting more attention, creating a higher demand of products. Product shortages were not felt in 2020 as inventory meant for 2021 sales were used that year, Huls explained. But now, there are some products that are hard to get, not just from product demand, but from labor shortage, lack of supplies and other issues. One product Huls does have on hand is bare root trees. Unlike traditional trees stored and sold in a pot of soil, bare root trees are sold without, at half the cost of a potted tree in addition to being lighter and easier to “It’sload.the same tree, health and growth other than the fact that you don’t have a large pot of dirt with them,” Huls said. On the supplier’s end, bare root trees need to be stored at 100% humidity, staying damp at all times and cool as possible, something Huls has the space and equipment to do. But once trees are planted in the customer’s ground, they can be treated as any other newly-planted tree. Bare root trees also have to be planted in the spring only, which is why Huls is encouraging customers to pre-purchase them now so they can plant them come spring.“Today, everything is about convenience,” Huls said. “I have fruit trees, shade trees and ornamental trees on hand.” Give Huls Horticultural Services a call today to find out how they can help you with your horticultural projects! Country Floral &Albany Country Floral & 320 845 4776 401 Railroad Ave., Albany, MN • w w.albanycf.net320-845-4776 401 Railroad Ave., MN • www.albanycf.net N E D BY, K I T T Y & K E N E I C K H O F FOWNED KITTY & KEN EICKHOFF
Petaling it forward Albany Country Floral prepares for holidays, relishes involvementcommunity
Last year, there were 10 fully decorated Christmas trees in the store – this year, who knows! Preparations culminate the week before the open house. “It used to take a couple days, but it takes longer now,” Kitty said. “[The open house] gives us a goal to be done, and it’s nice to be finished.”
320.267.9805 • Located in St. Wendel •
Midsota Trailer Sales & Service a
Page 22 | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS Ramler Trucking covers the entire Midwest region hauling poultry, cheese, beef and precast cement buildings. With 50 owner-operators, 15 Ramler Trucking company drivers, 12 broker trucks, more than a dozen office personnel and 14 people working in the accompanying Ramler Truck and Trailer Repair, the company is poised to meet the needs of clients near and far. “Without truck drivers, the world would definitely be a different place,” said Chelsea Buerman, of Ramler Trucking. “They haul all the necessities of life.” The company touts an experienced workforce. One owner-operator has been with Ramler Trucking since 1997; the longestrunning company employee has been there since 1992, and the majority of the workforce there has been with the company more than five years. The number of employees with longevity with the company is truly something that sets it apart, she said. Ramler prides itself on treating its employees well so they in turn can treat the company’s suppliers well. Employees work
PHOTO BY TIM VOS Holly Block (from left), Chad Zirbes and Justin Gertken are pictured Oct. 11 at Midsota Trailer Sales and Service in Avon, where they are proud to be a one-stop shop for their customers. one-stop
shop thayosseeelilionwegdd-he Fisher & Snowex Plows
“We appreciate all our employees,” Buerman said. “We wouldn’t be the business we are today without them.”
The company was founded in 1954 and is currently led by President Chris Ramler and Vice President Eric Ramler. The Ramler fleet is 20 company-trucks strong and includes refrigerated reefers, tankers, stretch trailers, and flatbed trailers. They work directly with businesses and farmers throughout the Midwest, transporting their goods on schedule and on time. The company is looking to add drivers, owner operators and company. Ramler Trucking hires people 22 years of age and older who have at least two years driving experience. A class A CDL is required and applicants can apply on the company’s website at www.ramlertrucking.com.
The company is employee-owned since 2009 which means each employee has shares of the company and Buerman said that gives them ownership and an ongoing sense of loyalty. “Truck drivers sacrifice a lot of their holidays and family time to deliver products America needs,” she said. The company’s drivers, dispatchers and mechanics put in extra time to make sure everyone is happy in the end. “It ties back to the hard work we do … and it makes us unique,” Buerman said. The hard work comes on and off the road.The company’s on-site repair center offers 22 repair bays and a whole host of services. The repair center is open to the public and is used by a lot of owner/operators and companies that need to get their trucks serviced without travelling long distances. Ramler’s offers DOT inspections, trailer washouts to get trucks ready and sanitized for their next load, and semi-truck tire rim polishing. Rim polishing, Buerman said, not only makes a pitted rim look new and shiny again, it allows the driver to more easily assess the structural integrity of the rim. In addition to servicing owner/operator vehicles and semi-trucks for companies, Ramler can also do repairs for the public including those looking to make repairs to their motorhomes and utility vehicles.
The retail sales specialists work with customers to create a checklist of all their needs and then find the product that’s most suitable for them. Trailers can be customized with heavier axles to provide more payload, heavier-duty frames, additional cross member spacing, ladder racks across the top, different side doors, aluminum wheel upgrades, finished interiors, 110 – capabilities, heat, air conditioning, added insulation and finished cabinets. “If people come in with a wish list, we jot everything down on a piece of paper,” he said. “The list (of possibilities) is almostEquallyendless.”as important as equipping customers with the correct trailer, is providing ongoing service to customers after the sale. The company offers on-site service and is working to expand not only its service bays, but its available selection of parts. Midsota Trailer Sales and Service staff work on all models of trailers, not just those they sell. From annual maintenance, to installing lights and working on suspension issues, re-sheeting trailers and replacing trailer roofs damaged by hail, the service department offers it all. The staff also works to educate customers about potential issues with their trailer. A tire that’s wearing unevenly may be a sign of a larger problem of a bent axle or spindle from a pothole, overloading or hitting a curb. The service team inspects all aspects of the trailer and makes recommendations for the best repair solutions and avoiding problems in the future. “Basically, it’s a one-stop shop,” Zirbes said. “We want them to be happy.”
RAMLER: HAULING THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE with suppliers to transport their goods and receive bonuses for safe driving.
Truck & Trailer Repair | 400 13th St., Albany, MN 56307 | 320-845-4500 | 1-800-732-8958 | Fax 320-845-7245 SUBMITTED PHOTO Ramler Trucking and Ramler Truck and Trailer Repair Shop. SUBMITTED PHOTO These four trucks are a part of the Ramler Trucking fleet. (320) www.midsotatrailersales.com356-2412404 County Road 50, Avon, MN 56310 South Side of I-94 A TeamQualitySellingQualityEquipment Enclosed Trailers Utility Trailers Rock Grapples & Flatbed Trailers Serving Central MN since established in 1971 (50 years in business)
gest trailers with heavy-duty modifications, or specialization for wet materials, to make themEachlast.manufacturer the company works with offers customization of its products.
Midsota Trailer Sales and Service offers a full line of utility and cargo trailers and backs them up with a commitment to service.“This year has been a challenge to get product in,” said Chad Zirbes, retail sales manager and service manager for the company. “We’re fortunate to work with manufacturing partners who have allowed us to keep things open through the whole pandemic.” The company offers multiple brands and multiple lines of trailers, everything from open homeowner utility trailers that can haul a lawn mower or garden tractor to trailers for ATVs, side-by-sides, enclosed car haulers and trailers for contractors. They also offer snowplows for trucks.“We do a little bit of everything on the retail side of things,” Zirbes said. The company carries a number of brand lines including Aluma, Floe International, Cross Trailers, Mission, Formula, E-Z Hauler and Stealth. As demand for all things recreational has soared during COVID-19 restrictions, Midsota Trailer Sales and Service has seen a spike in people replacing vacations and cruises with recreational vehicles and accompanying trailers. The company focuses on customer care when clients come through the door. Their retail sales staff asks about how the trailer will be used, and they work to break down and classify each customer’s individual needs. Then, they show them all the products that could fit their use based on payload, size and storage capabilities. “We try to educate more than anything, and try to get them the perfect trailer,” he said. When their sales staff works with contractors, they take special care to understand exactly what the contractor is hauling and how often they’re hauling. Then, they can sug-
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HOURS: MON. - FRI. 8:00 - 4:30 Dental 308A Blattner Dr., Avon, MN are currently accepting of ce. 356-7374
Three Citizen L32 Swiss Machines at Galaxy Precision.
Avon Dental Dental Find your best smile at impressionstocreate
PHOTO SUBMITTED Dr. Kathleen Moen and Dr. Nikki Porttiin (from left) see patients five days a week at Avon Dental
Galaxy Precision prides itself on creating high-quality, precision-crafted parts in an efficient manner to give their customers the best price and a delivery time they can depend on. “We can do as little as one custom part or as many as thousands of custom parts,” said Ralph Finken, of Galaxy Precision. The company is a production facility that can manufacture the smallest of parts to those weighing three-quarters of a ton. No matter the job, no matter the part, no matter the size or quantity, Finken said their high standard of precision and attention to detail has earned the company an ISO 9001:2015 Certification. That certification, he said, speaks to the reliability of the company.“It’sacertification of the way a company
This is the Small CNC turning department at Galaxy Precision. Galaxy Precision in Albany. operates and controls their production and their quality,” Finken said. “To have this certification is huge for other manufacturers that are having us make parts for their new equipment. It gives them a higher level of confidence. When you’re dealing one company to another, there has to be a level of trust.” Galaxy Precision manufactures precision machined parts for new equipment other companies are producing. All the parts they make are for custom jobs. They offer milling, turning and Swiss machining. Turning work is done on a lathe to create bearing surfaces, gear surfaces, snap ring grooves and other round diameters as needed. Milling work includes features such as keyseats, threads, bolt holes, flat areas and other features as needed to make the part functional. The Swiss-style machines produce high-quality, highproduction complete machined parts in one operation. The company touts lathes that have a milling capability; the machines can feed off a bar loader, providing the optimum in technological efficiency and fewer labor costs. The employees they have at Galaxy Precision are skilled machinists who often attend two years of vocational school and then spend years honing their “Itskills.isn’t just sticking a piece of metal into a machine and pressing a button,” Finken said. “It’s a constant monitoring of it. You have all kinds of things you have to deal with so your quality is what it needs to be.”
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | Page 23 320-836-2184 info@galaxyprecisionmn.com www.GalaxyPrecisionMN.comContact Us! Please see our website for more information and video links.
We
new patients at our
GALAXY PRECISION, INC.
Avon
Avon Dental welcomes its newest full-time dentist, Dr. Nicolette Porttiin. Porttiin started with the practice in July and now, along with Dr. Kathleen Moen, the two are able to provide dental care five days a week plus, after hours on-call emergency care. “It’s a real benefit to the community,” said Sue Aleckson, administrative dental assistant. Porttiin earned her undergraduate degree from the College of St. Benedict and her dental degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.Aleckson said Porttiin’s work ethic and focus on patient care fit the values of Avon Dental. “Our entire team works together to treat each patient like they’re the most important person to come through our door,” she said.
Quality CNC Turning & Milling & Swiss Machining Complete Part Manufacturing
The doctors and hygienists have a commitment to ongoing education and participate in study clubs to ensure they’re on top of the newest, most innovative dental technologies and practices. The office offers digital x-rays and then uses intra-oral cameras during procedures to show patients what’s happening inside their mouth. “It’s very important for a patient to see what’s going on when a treatment plan is given,” Aleckson. The office touts a new digital scanner which allows the dentist to accurately document a patient’s mouth. Those scans can be used, instead of impressions, to create crowns, dentures, partials and the Invisalign treatment the clinic offers. The office staff and doctors at Avon Dental focus on providing comfortable, gentle care for patients. From the oversized, stuffed chairs next to the stone fireplace in the main reception area, to the chairside manner of the dentists, the goal at Avon Dental is to make the patient comfortable. “The doctors listen to the patient’s wants and needs,” Aleckson said. “They help you find the smile you always wanted.”
Clinic
The technological advances help. “We can make the parts a lot more efficiently and at a more competitive price,” FinkenThesaid.company’s internal motto is: “Always making things better.” For Finken, that means updating technology, improving their processes, improving their facility, strengthening their relationships with customers and vendors and improving their benefits for employees. As a family-owned and operated business, Finken takes pride in the company. His adult children, Sharon and Mark Finken, are coowners of the business. As a trio, the leadership team focuses on customer relations to ensure they meet the expectations of each and every client, no matter how tight their tolerance is on parts. Having a leadership team also provides consistency for the customer so they know who to talk to for every job. “You have to learn what their expectations are on their parts, as far as price, delivery and quality,” Finken said. “You have to learn that from each Thecompany.”better the relationship, Finken said, the easier it is for the team to work with their clients to troubleshoot any obstacles that may arise. “A lot of times, you can resolve these issues without too much trouble or time wasted,” he said. “We’ve developed customers because we’re reliable and we ship good parts on time.
Galaxy: Good parts on time
Call today for an appointment. (320)
Page 24 | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS 18508 County Rd 130, Paynesville, MN 56362 • 320-243-7815 Visit our website for more buildings • sales@borklumber.comwww.borklumber.com HELPING TO BUILD YOUR DREAMS Built with Materials and trust. • Decks • Barns • New ConstructionHome • Industrial Buildings • Pole Sheds • Garages • Portable Sheds • Free-Stall Barns G Check us out! your local towns! Identify“Where we meet the best people by accident.” • Complete auto collision repair with ASE certified technicians with over 50 years combined auto body repair experience • Computer estimating • Computerized paint system to match every individual car’s make and model • We have a frame machine used to straighten the chassis of a vehicle back to its manufacturer specified dimensions. • We have a full Down Draft Spray Booth, which enables a vehicle to be painted in a proper environment Come Test Drive a Vehicle & Make An Offer! See pictures and more info at www.midwestpaintandbody.net COMING FORCONSIGNMENTSOONSALE 2014 RAM 1500 Blue, 58K 2021 KIA SOUL LX ...............................$16,600 2018 Chevrolet Equinox LT ..................$18,600 2017 Dodge Charger SXT .....................$19,800 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT FWD ...$14,700 2014 Kia Soul .......................................$8,900 2014 Kia Soul Hatchback ......................$7,000 2014 Chevrolet Traverse FWD 4dr LS ....$11,995Before After 735 12th Street S, Ste. 3 • Sauk Centre, MN 56378 320-352-2595 This photos was taken in formRegistration1917onpage 3!14. 15.
Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society Things are growing at Pflipsen Ag Service in Sauk Centre – in more ways than one. “We’re looking at being a full service company,” grain merchandiser Josh Rieland said.“At Pflipsen Ag, we’ll have the custom marketing plans, the seed sales, the agronomy, the trucking to get your product from field to elevator. Full circle one call.” Part of growing the company is increasing their grain storage capacity. Two large bins are currently under construction and will bring their capacity to about 1.5 million bushels on site. Also new is the addition of agronomist Nate Toren. He brings expertise to the cropping side of the operation, and will focus on sales of Golden Harvest seed and Pivot Bio. “We want to sell our customers proven quality products that are going to work on their specific acres,” Toren said. “We can focus on one seed company and basically be able to say, ‘this is what you’re dealing with, this is the hybrid that’s going to perform for you.”Toren can develop a plan to maximize production while serving the needs of the soil. He will also be working with Pivot Bio, touted as the first in-field microbial product to sustainably feed nitrogen to corn on a daily basis. “It’s a newer technology that we have looked at and studied, and it’s going to be a big thing going forward,” Rieland said. Toren explained how it works. “Pivot Bio is a biological and it’s a nitrogen supplement, so you’re putting those bacteria or microbes right in with the seed,” he said. “They colonize the plant and start feeding that plant. It’s a symbiotic relationship; [for instance, the] corn plant acts as a host and in return, the corn gets nitrogen from this bacteria. Currently, they are testing the product with a number of area farmers, and are convinced it will be an important technology in the future of farming. Toren feels the Pivot Bio will be very cost effective, and will replace a significant percentage of the synthetic fertilizers currently being applied to crops. Pflipsen Ag Service serves farmers in a 60-mile radius of their facility just west of Sauk Centre. They buy and sell corn and soybeans, operate a fleet of 26 semi-trucks for grain, flatbed and end dump work. With 30 employees, they work primarily in agriculture but are not afraid to take on other projects when they arise.
15180 Stearns
Pflipsen Ag offers full grain service, new growing technology Line Rd. Centre, MN 56378
PHOTO BY DIANE LEUKAM Agronomist Nate Toren (from left), office supervisor Sonja Miller, operations manager Andrea Miller and grain merchandiser Josh Rieland are pictured Oct. 5 at Pflipsen Ag Service of Sauk Centre. In the background (left) is one of two bins currently under construction; it will receive six more rings in height, and the two bins will increase the storage capacity on site to 1.5 million bushels.
Sauk
www.centralgrainsaukcentre.com320.352.3474tli
Medicare Supplements We can help coordinate other benefits under Medicare insurance, to make sure you have the coverage you need, whether through Medigap or group health plan coverage from an employer.
Planning
Mutual Funds, Brokerage Accounts &Annuities Speak with a financial professional for details on these services. Life Insurance A benefit through which an insurance company pays out when the policyholder dies. Cost and availability varies based on your health, age, and other factors. Guaranteed interest rates are based on the claims-paying ability of the underlying insurance company. Applicants are subject to underwriting, which may include medical history and current health.
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Long-Term Care Insurance A variety of services are covered under long-term care, including both medical and non-medical needs for those with a chronic illness or disability who can’t care for themselves for long periods. This insurance can cover the cost of nursing home care, in-home assistance, assisted living or adult day care.
401(k) Rollovers When you leave a job, your 401(k) may be able to come with you. Speak with a financial professional to learn more. 529 College Savings Plans 529 plans are designed to encourage savings for future college costs. Investment in a plan like this can be used later to cover tuition, room and board, fees, as well as books and computers if required for classes. Participation in a 529 Plan does not guarantee the contributions and investment return will be sufficient to cover future higher education expenses. Investments involve risk and may incur a profit or loss.
Scott Dirkes (left) and Zak Peterson are owners of Happy Sleeper in Waite Park, where they maintain a local clientele and sell furniture for the entire home.
A variety of dining sets such as this one are popular with customers. Many of the recliners at Happy Sleeper feature power not only in reclining, but head tilt and lumbar support. 4-24th Ave. S | Waite Park, MN Call 320-252-0660 Ask for Zak Peterson or Scott Dirkes to arrange a meeting time
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | Page 25 Securities and investment services offered through Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. (WFS), member FINRA/SIPC. WFS is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of WFS. PO Box 346 • 110 Avon Ave. N., Avon, MN 56310 Office: 320-356-9031 • Toll Free: 800-279-2374 www.blackfinancialservices.com Today, Tomorrow, Together! OUR SERVICES OUR SERVICES OUR SERVICES
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Happy Sleeper owners Scott Dirkes and Zak Peterson pride themselves on being a locally owned and operated company with a family business atmosphere. Dirkes is originally from Albany and has family in the area; the majority of their clientele are from Stearns County, with others coming in from farther away.What many people don’t realize, is that Happy Sleeper is much more than mattresses.“When[new] people come in here, they are kind of overwhelmed that they see there’s a lot of furniture and other things besides mattresses,” Dirkes said. The showroom is filled with selections for living rooms, family rooms and dining rooms, with offerings in every price range. Quality Ashley and England furniture make up the bulk of their furniture, while bedding is predominantly Restonic, Spring Air and Englander. A large selection of recliners and living room sets brings to mind a shift Dirkes has seen in his 21 years as owner of the store: Power.“People like power,” he said. “Like your automobile where people want heated seats and fancy things, on furniture too, they want power reclining, power head tilt, power lumbar … half of what we sell is power; it’s the same with mattresses and adjustable bases.”Looking back, Peterson talked about the origin of the business. From its early beginnings in Wisconsin as Eau Claire Manufacturing Corporation, Happy Sleeper came about in an unintended, but practical way.“The company is over 100 years old, and started in Eau Claire in 1892,” he said. “The name came up in the 60s, when the owner’s nickname was “Happy” and the company became known as ‘Happy Sleeper.’” Happy Sleeper outlets were opened with the idea of providing the best value for the money for sleep, through the factory direct selling concept. In 2003, Eau Claire Mattress became Home Town Furniture and many of the Happy Sleeper stores were closed. In 2005, several of the remaining stores were purchased by the Waite Park staff and have continued on as Happy Sleeper & Furniture, Inc. since that time. “We’ve been here in this location nearly 50 years,” PetersonPetersonsaid.is a native of Red Wing and came to the area in 1991 to attend St. Cloud State University. He bought into the company in Dirkes2012. and Peterson are proud of the service they offer their customers, with expert staff who follow through from sales, to service and delivery. “We have very good employees who have been selling for a long time,” Dirkes said. “Being small, you’re going to talk to us direct through the entire process. If we treat people fairly, they are going to come back; I would say over 50% of the people that come in the door every day are repeat customers.” Happy Sleeper is open seven days a week. “We’re here every day,” DirkesAnd,said.they pride themselves in happy customers. “We are being able to offer quick, free delivery,” Peterson said. “We keep our overhead low so we can sell nice quality furniture for an economical cost.”
ALL PHOTOS BY DIANE LEUKAM
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Happy Sleeper a furniture source serving local customers
Lake Country Vet a natural fit for Young the caregivers of the pets and livestock they see. “It’s a great atmosphere to work in,” she said. In the office, the veterinarians treat dogs and cats and smaller animals; they occasionally bring in horses to be seen on site, as well as baby goats. Typically, large animal veterinary care is done on the farm as was the case with Young’s parents who still choose the veterinary clinic for the care of their livestock on their farm inCustomerHoldingford.service, Young said, is always top of mind. “It’s important so you have those clients who come back and they trust you,” she said. “They want to be able to trust their vet and (receive) the best care they can.”
551 Railroad Ave., Albany (across from the Kraft plant)
Providing person-centeredpurposeful,care Tree of Life Assisted Living dedicated to residents 632 Main St., New Munich 320-837-5100 TreeOfLifeAssistedLiving.com ALL PHOTOS BY KATELYN ASFELD Area Chamber of Commerce Area Chamber of Commerce Sauk Centre saukcentrechamber@gmail.com• 320.352.5201 524 4th st. S., Sauk Centre, MN 56378 • saukcentrechamber.com Stacie Michels PRESIDENT Sauk Centre Area Chamber of Commerce celebrates, strengthens, and promotes our businesses and community. Chamber membership is an investment in YOUR business and OUR community as it allows the Chamber to continue to strengthen and promote Sauk Centre Area as an incredible place to live, work, and play. Why Join the Chamber? • Exclusive Member Benefits • Networking & Promotion • Events Calendar • Job Postings • Business Directory • Community Involvement • Chamber Referrals • Your membership helps promote our entire community! For more information or to get your investment in our community started, contact us at: North Risk’s Amanda Fuechtmann makes insurance coverage personal FACING RISK HEAD ON TOGETHER
PHOTOdog,TechnicianSUBMITTEDVeterinarySamiYoungwithherBuddy,andcow,Jenny.
Page 26 | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS (320) 845-6930 or (800) LAKECOUNTRYVETSERVICE.COM495-6930
Purposeful,
In the small, close-knit setting at Tree of Life Assisted Living in New Munich, the residents and staff there have become a family.“Everything is done family style,” said Michaela Walz, licensed assisted living director.From watching television to eating meals, residents come together in this home. And the 17 staff members strive to provide person-centered care 24/7. “The staff are here for residents and they do a fabulous job of making sure their needs and wants are met,” Walz said. The facility received their 2021 license after adopting new regulations set forth by the state and continue to improve their facilities. They constructed a new outdoor deck with a ramp, providing better accessibility for wheelchairs and emergency medical technicians, as well as more seating space for residents. There is never a dull moment at the facility. Residents stay busy helping staff with certain tasks, as well as participating in one-on-one and large group activities. Remote control car racing, bingo, polka dancing, autumn drives, crafts and listening to live music are just a few of the many fun activities residents partake in. The facility currently has three resident openings to any senior interested in becoming part of the Tree of Life family. Services and amenities include daily nutritious meals and snacks; medication monitoring; private rooms with telephone, cable and internet hookups available; utilities; a secured building; assistance with activities of daily living; wellness and exercise programs; on-site beauty shop and services; transportation services; and 24/7 services and care from registered nurses and patient care assistants. For anyone who is dedicated, compassionate and patient, the facility is currently seeking a part-time (24-32 hours a week) universal worker for a day shift. Duties vary and include housekeeping, laundry and meal prep, to name a few. The facility is willing to train anyone interested.Forthose wanting to learn more about working in senior care and assisted living, the facility welcomes anyone to contact them for a day of job shadowing. person-centered care to residents with patience, compassion and empathy are what Tree of Life Assisted Living aims to provide to each and every resident. Call today to see how they can help you or a loved one in life’s journey.
Lake Country Veterinary Service had always cared for the cows at the dairy farm owned by Sami Young’s parents. When the Stearns County Dairy Princess decided to become a veterinary technician, she knew just where she wanted to work. “The staff is so friendly and so helpful; they just take such good care of the animals,” Young said. “They try their best to get them feeling better.” Young grew up on a farm and always wanted to be around animals. Her passion grew into a career when she went to school at Ridgewater College in Willmar and graduated with her associate in applied sciences degree in veterinary technology. She graduated this spring and interned the previous summer at Lake Country Veterinary Service, where she was hired in Formid-August.her,thejob is all about the animals. She started at the clinic on kennel staff, caring for the animals after surgery and cleaning around the clinic. As she spent more time on site, she got to know the staff and saw how they interact with clients and their animals, working to create a true relationship with
As more and more people aim to get outside, explore and make positive memories – whether riding solo, with their family, or with large groups of friends – it’s clear that the whole team at Jim’s Snowmobile & Marine will be along for the ride.
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | Page 27
“The waiting is hard, but it is still so rewarding to see the excitement of this kind of purchase,” Jan said. “I just know how much I love my own RANGER and I know how much they’re going to love theirs, Grandparentstoo!” continue to be a growing pool of customers at the dealership, mainly because they love the ease of the machine and the fact that they can safely give memorable rides to their grandchildren. Women making their own purchase of sideby-sides is another noticeable trend.
Along for the ride CHECK US OUT!
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Buttenhoff said she works to guide often overwhelmed clients through a process. She researches cemetery rules and protocol for her clients ahead of time and uses computer software to create monument possibilities on a screen. The attention to detail, she said, is equally as important as the carving work that goes into their pieces. A good portion of the granite the company works with is local, she said. Some also comes from South Dakota, Georgia, Canada, Vermont and India – depending on the specific type of granite a client is looking for. Once the granite arrives on site, Michelich Granite Company takes care of the rest. “Everything is manufactured right out of our shop in St. Cloud,” Buttenhoff said. “It’s quite a sight to see when you go in there and see how they do things. There are no huge technological advances to moving that granite around or how they sandblast it or how they carve it. There are certain things, but it really is the basics and the way they did it back in 1917 (when the company was founded).”Allthecarving is done by hand, by skilled carvers, many of whom have been with the company for decades. Though the process hasn’t changed much in the company’s history, the trends with memorials has. Michelich Granite offers flat markers, slant markers, upright tablets and now, as people strive to differentiate themselves, benches. The bench can sit at the burial site and take the place of a traditional marker or, Buttenhoff said, carvers can core into the bench to place cremated remains. Those benches can be personalized with engraving or be laser-etched with fine print images. “It can add to the landscape,” Buttenhoff said.Her goal is to truly listen to her clients and make suggestions based on what they want to see on site. “I want to make it as easy and effortless as possible,” she said. When it comes to ease, Buttenhoff is seeing more clients who want to pre-plan and make an appointment to design their memorials up front. “People are living longer and have a better quality of life and they want to get this off their plate and not have anybody worry about it,” she said. “They don’t want to leave the financial burden or responsibility to someone else.” The granite from Michelich is guaranteed forever against cracks, breakage and discoloration. Many times, Buttenhoff said, with the rise of interest in genealogy, a family member may come in and want to create a design that’s in line with what generations of family have done before them. To do that, Michelich can research cemeteries online and zoom in on headstones to create a design that pays honor to the family’s lineage.
Outdoor memories begin at Jim’s Snowmobile & Marine
Snowmobile & Marine is buzzing with activity. Long-time customers and brand-new customers alike continue relying on owners
for generations chelichclientGeorgia,Someequallysoftwareentsthroughit’sandtheybechoosedirectlytandrovidinggenChriwthehonored“Mostwanttstartdoaid.“ThereyoursandButtenhuideoftenapyrulesaheadoftocretiesonascreenheattentasimpooesintothgoodpoworksalsocomeCanada,VendingonthesislookingforOncethegraGraniteCo PHOTO personalizedCompany,ChristinaSUBMITTEDButtenhoff,of MichelichGraniteworkswithclientstodevelopmemorials. Designing monuments 7808 County Rd 75 Saint Joseph, MN www.MichelichMemorials.com320-428-411956374 Just 20 min from Little Falls or St. Cloud on Cty. Rd. 17 320-746-2165 | www.jimssnowmobileandmarine.com On any given day, the showroom at
Michelich Granite pridesCompanyitselfon providing monuments that withstandChristinagenerations.Buttenhoff works directly with clients, helping them choose the way their loved one will be honored for centuries to come. “Most people don’t know what they want to do until they sit down and start doing a mock design,” she said. “There isn’t a right or a wrong, it’s yours and it’s your creation.”
of experts, to help keep the fun rolling.
PHOTO BY LIZ VOS Jan Paggen and her son Scott, are the owners of Jim’s Snowmobile & Marine in Holdingford.
along with their
Ultimately, the decision on what to choose and how to personalize it, comes down to each and every client but Buttenhoff said, she works to bring a sense of calm and peace to the process so families can design a lasting, quality piece that creates solace.“It’s just a place for you to go and reflect and pay respect to everyone that’s gone before you,” she said. Jim’s Jan Paggen and son Scott, team “We still love doing this, after all these years,” noted Jan, whose husband, Jim, opened the business in Holdingford in 1971. To say a lot has changed for the Polaris dealership since those early days would be an understatement, especially when taking into consideration the recent allocation policy implemented by Polaris, which will allow dealerships a predetermined number of models to sell, in a set time period. With an inventory that includes Polaris RANGERS, Generals, RZR’s, ATV’s and snowmobiles, Scott notes that the allocation will not affect all models, but it will hold up the way they like to do business.“We’d prefer to keep things moving quickly and sell what our customers are looking for,” Scott said. “But this is how we’ll need to work for a while.” Not surprisingly, the allocation program comes as a response to supply chain and workforce challenges Polaris is facing. “It seems people have, by now, gotten used to things being on backorder,” added Jan, referring to one of the many effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is just one more hurdle we’ll need to manage through, along with a backup in apparel, helmets and other accessories – but we’ll always do everything we can to help our customers.”
Despite supply challenges, the Paggens are proud to play a role in helping people make exciting purchases. At a time when worry can seem prevalent, welcoming a new piece of equipment is something that keeps bringing families and friends together, helping get work accomplished and delivering freedom along any owner’s journey.
In addition to fun and hardworking equipment, Jim’s also makes gift-giving simple with FXR, Polaris, Castle and Klim clothing – from youth to adult sizes – to keep everyone safe, warm and on the go.
To make the journey work, and to get anywhere in thick snow, the Desautels had installed all-terrain tracks on their RANGER and attempted to make the journey across the Angle. But that’s where they had a problem. “We kept blowing drive belts, which is really frustrating and also dangerous because it can leave riders stranded in the middle of nowhere in the cold,” Harold explained. It’s a problem any off-roader would have – the machines are simply not built to go that far at a high rate of speed – and there was no way to monitor or respond to the overheated belt…until it was too late. But rather than throwing in the towel on their long-distance goal, the Desautels got to thinking. There had to be an answer. j
Angie Desautel takes a break from the thousands of hours of data collection on her and husband Harold’s acreage in Baudette. The data has helped create multiple add-ons for off-road vehicles, which improve performance and extend drive time.
Page 28 | OCTOBER 20, 2021 | SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS
The hobby beckoned them to take winter treks across the expansive, frozen Lake of the Woods, speci cally the Northwest Angle or “the Angle” as the locals call it. The Angle is massive – nearly 600 miles of land and water that can take around four hours to travel across. Getting to the Angle without going through Canada requires going across Lake of the Woods; in the winter, that represents almost 50 miles of travel across the ice.
MORE PROBLEMS SOLVED In addition to the belt sensor, HPH has also developed a speed corrector, which responds to modifications made to off-road vehicles, such as larger tires or tracks, all of which can throw off the speedometer. In many cases, the speed corrector gives a 30% increase in speed to the ATV it is installed on. They have also created a temperature monitor for wheel bearings that sets off an alarm before the bearings fail. “These all make the off-road experience safer and a lot more fun,” said Harold. “Plus, our products also feature a Wi-Fi hotspot for easy monitoring and configuration through smart phones – they’re accessible and user-friendly.”
HPH will launch a website at the end of October 2021 (hphamerica.com) where consumers can buy directly. “These are all products that do-it-yourselfers could install at home, if they’d prefer,” said Angie. “Mechanics can do it as well, but we wanted these add-ons to be really accessible for consumers.”
The Desautels teamed up with Mitch Johnson, whose father, David Johnson, and uncles Edgar and Allen Hetteen, started Polaris in the Mitch,1950s. a mechanical engineer who remains employed by Polaris on a semi-retired basis, developed the Polaris ATV “On Demand” fourwheel drive system. Multiple Polaris products were developed under his leadership, including the Sportsman ATV, RANGER Utility Vehicle and Youth ATV product lines. “Mitch still has an office at Polaris, but also operates SVI [Specialty Vehicle Integration] where he develops and sells performance products explicitly for Polaris,” explained Harold. With Mitch’s insight and endorsement, Harold and Angie formed their new company, High Performance Harry’s (HPH), and began testing and developing a solution to their problem that would work not only for Polaris products, but also many others such as Arctic Cat and Today,Bombardier.after logging thousands of hours of data, HPH holds a patent for the solution: an infrared sensor that not only monitors the temperature of the drive belt, but also automatically slows the vehicle down to ensure the machine does not overheat and blow the belt.
Gƣng e distanceGƣng e distance
460 Huskie Drive, Ste. 102, Albany, MN | www.hphamerica.com(320)-845-6772
Harold Desautel of HPH (left) and Mitch Johnson of SVI collaborate on testing, creating and problem solving for HPH. US!
Harold and Angie Desautel make the 50-mile journey across the ice to the Angle Inlet on the Northwest Angle.
Harold Desautel stands at the northernmost point of the contiguous United States at the Angle Inlet, after a successful trek across Lake of the Woods. The continuous trek was made possible by the sensor developed by High Performance Harry’s to keep the belt drive from overheating and failing.
MAKING A CONNECTION AND CREATING A SOLUTION
If you’re an off-road vehicle enthusiast, you’re going to want to hear what Harold and Angie Desautel have been up to – especially if long-distance riding is up yourThealley.Desautels, who live in Albany, had their latest project start, like most adventures do… with a Harold,problem.an electrical engineer by trade, and Angie have long enjoyed the hobby of exploring their acreage in Baudette. Their exploration is aided by offroad vehicles, which in their case is a Polaris RANGER.
CONTACT
The Desautels continue testing, creating and problem solving with their newfound collaborator, Mitch. Along with all the hard work, they’re also sure to fit in plenty of trail rides and exploration of the expansive spaces of Minnesota and “We’vebeyond.done a lot of exciting stuff and there’s even more products in the works,” Harold said. “And the best part is that it’s now possible for us, and anyone else, to safely take that four-hour trek!” Off-road travel can go farther with the help of High Performance Harry’s
