Sauk Rapids Herald - November 25 edition

FOCAL

point page 11

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Catholic schools move to distance learning Affects K-12 students in CCS system ST. CLOUD – Area Catholic school students will be learning from home as of Monday.

Cathedral High School began distance learning last week and Catholic Community Schools students in kindergarten through sixth grade will follow suit Monday, Nov. 30. Distance learning will extend through at least Christmas break.

The decision was supported from Bishop Donald J. Kettler, St. Cloud Diocese superintendent David Fremo and the local health officials and made in conjunction with Minnesota Department of Health guidance.

The Catholic Community Schools system includes All Saints Academy, Cathedral High School, Holy Cross School, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School, St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, St. Joseph Catholic School, St. Katharine Drexel School, St. Mary Help of Christians School and St. Wendelin’s Catholic School.

Catholic schools page 2

2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

Vol. 166, No. 34

Drive-up event

Same Local Coverage Since 1854.

to collect gifts for local kids Toys for Tots drive is Dec. 5 in Sauk Rapids

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – There will not be a holiday parade in Sauk Rapids next weekend, as has been tradition, but the fire department will hold a Toys for Tots drive to bring smiles to faces of local children this Christmas.

New, unwrapped toys and monetary donations for the Toys for Tots program can be dropped off outside the Sauk Rapids Fire Hall, 408 N. BenPHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE ton Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 Sauk Rapids firefighter Brian Otremba, coordinator for the department’s Toys for Tots drive this year, stands p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

Nov. 24 by a search and rescue boat he hopes to fill with Christmas gifts for kids in need. New, unwrapped gifts for children and teenagers can be dropped off at the fire hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

Toys for Tots page 3

Local food shelf sees record numbers Extra help appreciated amid time of increased need

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – In a time of increased need, food is quickly leaving the shelves at Living Waters Lutheran Church.

Under the steeple, the tight-knit faith community operates the only food shelf in Sauk Rapids. The hunger-relief charity has been busy, with a record number of recipients this year.

Started about eight years ago and available to anyone in need, Living Waters’ food shelf used to serve, on average, eight to 10 people per week. Since the pandemic began, attendance has reached up to 40 people per week. On the first Friday in November, 19 people drove up to the white church to receive food and other esPHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE sentials, the highest on record in a single Volunteers Terry Sylvester (from left), Scott Sylvester and Bonnie Raduns work at the food day. shelf at Living Waters Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids. Other volunteers include Lori

Food shelf page 3

PUBLIC NOTICES

• Assumed Name - ILSCM - pg. 15 • Amendment to Assumed Name - Solutions made Simple - pg. 15 • Mortgage Foreclosure - pg. 15 • Mayhew Lake Township Meeting Notice - pg. 15 • Benton County Drainage Authority Public Hearing - pg.

Dingmann, Bonnie Hansen, Curt Hansen, Terry LeMay, Kathy Rasmussen, Jeff Richardson and Sara Underhill.

15 • City of Sauk Rapids/Minden Township Joint Planning Board Public Hearing - pg. 15 • Benton County Board of Commissioners Public Hearing - pg. 15 • City of Sauk Rapids Reg. Minutes, Oct. 26, 2020 - pg. 17 • City of Sauk Rapids Reg. Minutes, Nov. 9, 2020 - pg. 15

OBITUARIES

• Joanne M. Dirkes • Diane “Dede” K. Hall • Eula M. Hopkins • Shirley A. Quinlan

ST R

Publications The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.

NEWS

Page 2 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Catholic schools from front

“As much as we were hoping we could push it off a little further, the time has come for us to switch from in-person to a distance learning model,” said Kathy Crispo, Cathedral High School principal. “While we understand that distance learning comes with challenges, the safety of our students, staff and families is our No. 1 priority, and this decision comes from a place of deep compassion and responsibility to our school communities, as well as the common good.”

COVID-19 case growth in the St. Cloud metro area is among the highest in the nation, according to the New York Times which placed the area in their top 20 cities nationwide last week. Stearns and Benton counties had over 2,000 active case of COVID-19 in its communities as of Nov. 25.

A release from CCS said the numbers of positive cases and hospitalizations in Stearns and Benton counties continues to climb each day and are well beyond the metrics of Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan set forth by the MDH. Provided positive cases in the community have peaked and are on a downward trajectory, CCS is hoping for a possible return date of Jan. 19, 2020, to in-person learning.

“We know that people will be gathering over the holidays, although hopefully to a lesser degree,” said Scott Warzecha, CCS president. “For this reason, our projected return date has been calculated to get us through the New Year weekend with an additional 14 days following it to ensure that we are giving our students the best possible outcome for returning safely to in-person learning.”

Warzecha said he is grateful for principals and teachers at the schools who have been working overtime for months.

“They are more than prepared to continue providing students with the excellent faith-based education our families have come to know, love and expect from our Catholic Community Schools,” Warzecha said.

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With COVID-19 cases looming, large importance found in shopping small Businesses impacted by pandemic ahead of busy season

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Ever since Shop Small Saturday was officially designated as a recognized tradition by the Senate, the idea of donating money and time toward small, local businesses has seen an increased examination.

As this year continues to prove, many of these businesses need more than just support on one Saturday in November. They need it every day, as every single 24 hours could bring an additional impediment to the way they operate.

“Small business is the life blood of our economy,” said Patti Gartland, president of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation. “We need to be in this together. We’re going to come out of the other side of this, but for those who are struggling, now is the time for those in a better position to lend a hand and provide support and our patronization now, when it’s going to be most critical.”

Sauk Rapids remains a core central Minnesota town, dependent on its downtown for much of its economic stability. And at the nucleus of it all, nestled side-by-side in the heart of the riverside hub, are small businesses, including eateries, shopping venues

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

Rose Clement, owner of The Flag Store in downtown Sauk Rapids, displays snowmen figurines and other whimsical decor on shelves Thursday in advance of Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28. Hopeful that shoppers will support small businesses this holiday season, and all year long, Clement is excited to unveil seasonal merchandise and other new inventory this weekend.

and more, many of which have seen their doors close or their hours limited. This is a pattern across the entire country; according to American Express, who kickstarted Small Business Saturday in 2010, 62% of the United States’ small business owners said they would need their returns to jump back up to precoronavirus expectations to potentially avoid going out of business.

“This year, it’s about

food on the table and being able to provide shelter and a roof over your head,” said Jennifer Kenning, owner of Pebble and Moo Photography in Sauk Rapids. “I think this year, shopping small just bears so much more weight than it did last year at this time.”

While small businesses – which the Census Bureau defines as a one-location business with one to 499 employees and receipts eclipsing $1,000 – would

usually see a significant uptick in traffic and sales during the holiday season, the current COVID-19 landscape in Minnesota makes such an outcome unlikely this winter.

The weekly cast rate statewide has skyrocketed. Through Oct. 10, the positive cases per 10,000 measure for Minnesota was 17.3; A month later, that number was 70.1, according to the Minnesota Department of Health’s Weekly COVID-19 Report.

The state also just reached its first complete week in a self-induced pause, implemented by Gov. Tim Walz, closing restaurants, gyms and fitness centers, indoor entertainment outlets and any social gathering outside of immediate households.

“Obviously, if your doors are closed, then that’s going to have a significant impact on your business,” said Todd Schultz, community development director for the city of Sauk Rapids. “It’s had a tremendous impact, both with the shutdown earlier this year and the this shutdown with the governor’s latest order.”

As a result of these recent restrictions aimed at dropping the massive COVID-19 case increases within the state, business owners are forced to adjust their approach as they hope to reel in customers through safe methods.

Earlier this month, Kenning introduced “Claus for a Cause,” where Pebble and Moo would insert a digital Santa Clause image into a submitted photo.

Shop local page 7

Holiday parade canceled

Some seasonal events still taking place

SAUK RAPIDS – With the first weekend of December nearly here, Sauk Rapids residents will have less activities Saturday, Dec. 5.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Dial Back, Minnesota restrictions, the Sauk Rapids Community Ambassadors canceled the 13th Annual Sauk Rapids Holiday Parade of Lights and Family Fun Day. However, residents will have some opportunities to celebrate in

the month of December.

The Sauk Rapids Fire Department’s Toys for Tots Drive remains as normal, taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See the front-page story for more information.

Living Waters Lutheran Church will not be hosting a Living Nativity in the parking lot of Coborn’s this year, but the congregation is planning a similar drive-thru Living Nativity event on Christmas Eve. Community members interested in participating may check the website, www. lwlcmn.org, for details prior to the day.

The 30th annual City of Sauk Rapids Lighting Contest is also taking place, sponsored by Manea’s Meats and the Sauk Rapids Herald. Those living within city

limits are eligible to enter into the single or multi-color lighting categories. Area residents from neighboring communities can take part in the festivities by traveling throughout Sauk Rapids to view the lights.

Judging will take place the weekend of Dec. 11-15 and the majority of addresses entered will be listed in the Sauk Rapids Herald Dec. 12. Winners will be announced via the paper Dec. 19.

To enter, email name, address and category to natasha@saukherald.com by noon Dec. 11. Entries can also be called in at 320-2511971 or dropped off at the Sauk Rapids Herald office, 2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135, Sauk Rapids.

NEWS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | Page 3

Food shelf from front

Toys for Tots from front

Brian Otremba, a Sauk Rapids firefighter and coordinator of the toy drive, hopes community members will support this contactless, drive-up donation event to help make Christmas merrier for less-fortunate children and teens in the area. To ensure safety of the public, he said people can stay in their vehicles and firefighters will retrieve toys and monetary donations from them.

The Sauk Rapids Fire Department has coordinated the holiday toy drive for 24 years, taking over after it was started by the VFW and C&L Distributing, according to former organizer and retired firefighter Neil Bueckers.

Firefighters have traditionally accepted donations inside the fire hall before the Holiday Parade of Lights, inviting families inside for cookies and tours, and again along the parade

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Last year, the Sauk Rapids Fire Department collected enough toys to fill the box of a pickup and its search and rescue boat.

route. After the parade was canceled and city buildings closed city to curb the spread of COVID-19, the department strived to offer a safe way for people to donate to the cause.

“We figured this was a really good year to have it. A lot of people aren’t doing as well financially,” Otremba said of the pandemic, which has caused job losses and significant reductions in income.

The fire department typically collects enough toys to fill the box of a pickup truck and its

search and rescue boat.

Knowing many families are struggling amid the public health crisis, he hopes to collect even more this year.

The toys will be delivered to the nearest Toys for Tots campaign site in St. Cloud, and Catholic Charities Emergency Services will distribute them to families in Sauk Rapids, Rice, Royalton, Sartell, Waite Park, St. Cloud and five other communities Dec. 10-17.

“The toys stay local,” Otremba said.

Otremba encouraged

people to donate gifts not just for children but teenagers as well.

Last year, the St. Cloud Area Toys for Tots program distributed 11,285 toys or gifts to 2,208 children, according to the Toys for Tots Foundation website.

Sauk Rapids firefighters will use monetary donations to purchase toys. Otremba said children of firefighters are recruited to help do the shopping because they know what kids in their age ranges like.

The fire department hopes to revert to tradition again next year but appreciate participation with COVID-19 precautions in place.

“We want it to be normal again next year, so kids can come back for cookies and look at the trucks,” said fire chief Jason Fleming. …

“We’ve got to protect the public and ourselves.”

Registration for Catholic Charities Emergency Services Holiday Toy Program continues through Friday, Dec. 4. It is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. An online registration form is available by visiting www.ccstcloud.org/holFILE PHOTO iday-toys-program. For Sauk Rapids Fire Department representatives – Captain Steve Ellson (clockwise, from questions, email info@ front, left), retired firefighter Neil Bueckers, fire chief Jason Fleming, Tobey Peterson, ccstcloud.org or call Cody Drussell, first assistant chief Brad Peterson, firefighter Alan Olson and firefighter 320-229-4560.

The pandemic also prompted the church to extend service from two to three days a week, in shorter intervals to limit potential exposure to the coronavirus, and to restrict recipients from coming inside to hand-select their items. Now, masked volunteers bring pre-packaged food – staples such as cereals and canned fruit and vegetables – to vehicles along with a list of available refrigerated items recipients can choose from on a particular day.

The food shelf is staffed by church members, two to four working at a time. They are glad to see more people, including those who are feeling the economic impacts of COVID-19, using the food shelf. But more use means Living Waters must obtain more food, resulting in a need of its own.

Living Waters bags not only donated items for those in need, but purchases food, spending $300 to $500 per week as of late, according to the Rev. Todd Mattson. Though grocery bills have increased significantly and stocking the shelves has become more difficult, the stewardship of church members is resolute.

The church is asking for help in meeting growing needs of the food shelf. Mattson has reached out to other churches for assistance, and the church is interested in hearing from individuals, youth groups and organizations who would like to make a difference in their community during this challenging time.

Living Waters raises funds for the food shelf at various events throughout the year, including its fall festival and lutefisk supper, and church youth hold food drives. The food shelf is also supported by contributions from individuals and organizations. The church, Mattson said, welcomes assistance from additional people who would like to support the food shelf through contributions, fundraising or volunteering at this time.

People interested in helping the food shelf can call or email the church.

The food shelf is open from 11 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Fridays and from 6-7 p.m. Wednesdays. Donations can be brought to the church during this time or, for in-person worshippers, on Sunday mornings before or after 8:30 and 10:30 services.

Food items frequently distributed, when available, include canned soup, vegetables, fruit and meat; breakfast cereal and oatmeal; instant potatoes; pasta and pasta sauce; milk, cheese, eggs and butter; ground beef and hotdogs; frozen pizza; and bread.

Some current needs are macaroni and cheese, jam and jelly, juice, snacks, baking supplies, ketchup, mustard and pickles. The food shelf also accepts donations of cleaning supplies, paper products and personal care items such as toothpaste and soap.

Church members do not mind carrying food outside in the cold and work hard to keep the shelves stocked, said longtime member Mara Jahnke.

“I’m overwhelmed by what this congregation does,” she said.

The blessing comes from bringing help and hope to people in need – one paper bag at a time.

“We want to keep doing good in the community,” Jahnke said.

Deelia Guite – gather near a truck bed filled with Toys for Tots donations Dec. 7, 2019.

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Attendance has tripled at the food shelf at Living Waters Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The church is looking help to meet increased needs.

Page 4 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Sauk Rapids buildings closed to walk-in traffic

Government center, public works included in decision

SAUK RAPIDS – The city of Sauk Rapids will close its buildings to public access beginning 8 a.m.

Monday, Nov. 30. The decision was made at the Nov. 23 Sauk Rapids City Council meeting and will be reviewed at each council meeting going further until no longer necessary.

The decision includes the Sauk Rapids Government Center and Public Works Facility. Essential public safety services will continue.

City staff will remain working and should be available to serve the public by phone or email.

“It is our goal to react to the COVID-19 events with responsibility but not panic,” said a city statement released to the media. “Operations will continue, and we are simply looking for effective ways to protect our employees and the community while providing the best service levels possible.”

Updates will be posted on the city’s website, www.ci.sauk-rapids.mn.us, and Facebook page.

What’s Happening Monday, Nov. 30, 5:30 p.m. – Sauk Rapids-Rice School Board Work Session. The board may act on consent agenda items at this session. Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, 1835 Osauka Road N.E., Sauk Rapids.

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m. to noon – Living Waters Food Shelf Dispersal. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 12:30-6:30 p.m. – American Red Cross Blood Donations. St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 2405 First St. N., St. Cloud. Eligible individuals may make appointments by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767.

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m. – Benton County Board Meeting. Includes Truth in Taxation hearing. Benton County Board of Administration Building, 531 Dewey St., Foley.

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 6-7 p.m. – Living Waters Food Shelf Dispersal. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

Thursday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. – American Red Cross Blood Donations. Rice City Hall, 205 E. Main St., Rice. Eligible individuals may make appointments by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767.

CANCELED: There will be no American Legion Post 254 monthly meeting for the month of December. The Legion Post 254 traditionally meets the first Thursday of each month.

Friday, Dec. 4, 11 a.m. to noon – Living Waters Food Shelf Dispersal. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Sauk Rapids Fire Department Toys for Tots Drive. Sauk Rapids Fire Hall, 408 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids.

For more information, call Brian at 320-237-1201.

2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 (320) 251-1971 Sauk Rapids Herald (USPS 21690) is published weekly, 52 times a year, by Star Publications, 2 2nd Ave S., Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379-1651. Second-class Postage paid at Sauk Rapids, MN 56379. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Sauk Rapids Herald, 2 2nd Ave S, Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379-1651.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Official newspaper of Benton County, the cities of Sauk Rapids and Rice and Independent School District No. 47

NEWS

State updates COVID-19 testing recommendations for dial back period ST. PAUL – As Minnesota starts a dial-back period to slow the state’s rate of COVID-19 transmission and prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed, Minnesota Department of Health officials are issuing updated testing

recommendations on who needs to be tested, when to be tested and which option may be best.

Minnesotans now have several accessible choices available to them, including 20 longer-term community testing sites offering

nasal and saliva testing, a mail-order program, and clinics and hospitals across the state. The updated recommendations include a list of who should seek testing as well as suggestions on when to get tested and which option to use.

Who should get tested in Dial Back, Minnesota Information provided by the Minnesota Department of Health Anyone with symptoms should seek out testing immediately.

– Symptoms of COVID-19 can include cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell.

– Stay home when you are sick, whether you seek testing or not. If you leave your home to get a test, wear a mask and stay 6 feet away from other people. The COVID-19 Test at Home program may be your best option for getting tested in the comfort of your own home.

– Community testing sites are best for people with mild symptoms. If you have moderate to severe symptoms call your doctor or health care provider or go to the hospital.

Anyone who was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 should get tested.

– It is best to get tested at least five days after the last time you were close to the person with COVID-19. If you get tested too soon, the test may not be able to detect the virus.

– You will need to stay home for 14 days after your last contact with the person who has COVID-19, whether you have symptoms or not. Even with a negative result AND no symptoms, you must still quarantine for 14 days.

– The COVID-19 Test at Home program may be your best option for getting tested, particularly if you learn about exposure early in the 14-day window.

– If you would prefer to visit a community testing site, make an appointment. If the site nearest you has no available appoint-

ments on the day you are looking to get tested, either look at a later date or try finding a testing location a little farther away.

Anyone who is still working at places that remain open during Dial Back, Minnesota should get tested. This includes critical infrastructure, first responders, health care, retail, child care, etc.

– If you do not have symptoms and you have not been notified of exposure, you are still at risk given how quickly the virus is spreading.

– Make a plan to get tested at least once before December 18, 2020. If possible, get tested once near the beginning of the fourweek period and once again near the end of the four-week period.

– We urge you to make an appointment at a community testing site. Plan ahead to find an available appointment, even if that includes looking at a testing location a little farther away.

– The COVID-19 Test at Home program may also be a good option for those getting tested as part of a screening strategy.

In addition to offering these criteria, health officials are urging people to make an appointment to get a test and only use the walk-in option for testing if they need a test that day. Too many people coming without an appointment can create long lines and increase potential for unsafe in-person gatherings. Testing sites in Greater Minnesota and outer suburbs may have more appointment availability than sites in and near the Twin Cities metro.

More information can be found on the state’s COVID-19 response page mn.gov/ covid19/for-minnesotans/if-sick/is-it-covid/ index.jsp

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OBITUARIES Diane “Dede” K. Hall

Funeral services were 11 a.m. Nov. 25 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids for Diane “Dede” K. Hall, age 59, who passed away Nov. 18, 2020, at her residence.

Burial was at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Sauk Rapids. Visitation was 5-8 p.m. Tuesday and one d hour prior to the services f Wednesday at the funeral home. d Diane was born June 25, 1961, in St. Cloud

Diane “Dede” K. Hall

to Silverius and Bernice (Reinhofer) Schweiss.

She married Mark Stewart July 19, 1980, and Mark passed away March 19, 1988. Dede married Harold

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | Page 5

Hall Feb. 14, 1991, and they later divorced. She lived most of her life in the Sauk Rapids area and worked as a lens inspector for X-Cel Optical for 39 years, retiring in 2019.

Diane enjoyed trips to the casino, camping, pull tabs and spending time with her family. She was a caring, selfless, social person who was most proud of her grandchildren. Diane loved her dog, Misty.

Survivors include her son, Mark Stewart of Waite Park; sisters and brothers, Peg (Ken)

Benoit of Sauk Rapids, Eugene (Alice) Schweiss of Maple Grove, LuAnn (Mark) Helgeson of Clear Lake, Joseph Schweiss of Sauk Rapids, and Jerome (Amy) Schweiss of Foley; and grandchildren, Alexis and Bryce Stewart. She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Mark Stewart and second husband, Harold Hall; and sister, Mary Kay Midas.

Obituary, guest book and video tribute available online at www. williamsdingmann.com.

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Shirley Ann Quinlan

Shirley Ann Quinlan, age 87, Sauk Rapids, formerly of Vandercook Lake, Michigan, passed away peacefully Nov. 18, 2020, with her daughter by her side, in Sauk Rapids.

Shirley was born in Newberry, Michigan, July 3, 1933. She was the 10th of 11 children born to Albert and Florence (Fibernitz) Bouchard of Newberry, Michigan.

She married her high school sweetheart Patrick Quinlan in April 1951, and had four children.

They were married for 50 years until her husband’s passing in 2001. Shirley had a love for playing any card game and going on casino trips, and she

Shirley Ann Quinlan

was unbeatable to play against. She retired from Kroger’s in Jackson, Michigan in 1990 after 30 years and retired to Torch Lake Michigan area until 2001 when she started a new adventure and moved to Minnesota to be closer to her family until her passing.

She is survived by her daughters, Becky (Russ) Merrills of Sauk Rapids,

Eula M. Hopkins

Services will be at a later date for Eula M. Hopkins, age 98, who passed away Nov. 14, 2020, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Sauk Rapids.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Sauk Rapids.

Eula was born Feb. 26, 1922, in Nevada, Iowa, to Charles Robert and Ruby Etna (Jay) Nuttall. She married Joseph Hopkins July 8,

Eula M. Hopkins

1944, in Chicago, Illinois.

They later divorced.

Eula was a homemaker and also worked as a licensed beautician. She

Joanne M. Dirkes

Private family graveside services will be at a later date for Joanne M. Dirkes who died Nov. 21, 2020, at her home in Minden Township (rural Sauk Rapids).

Arrangements are being made by the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids.

Joanne was born Sept. 21, 1934, in Grand Rapids to Arthur L. and Cordelia M. (Kimmes) Cook. Joanne attended and graduated from the College of St. Benedict

Joanne M. Dirkes

in St. Joseph. She married Ronald J. Dirkes in 1957.

Joanne started working as a secretary to the chief of volunteer at the VA Medical Center in St.

Sue (Don) Cropsey of Jackson, Michigan and son, Pat (Kathy) Quinlan of Parma, Michigan; nine grandchildren, Julie, Jennifer, Kerrie, Renee, Kirk, Lori, Neil, Jessica, and Jenna; eight greatgrandchildren and one great great grandson; brother, Charles Bouchard of Newberry, Michigan; son-in law, Jon Reynolds of Talkeetna, Alaska; and our special four-legged fur baby, Boomer, who enjoyed being spoiled by Granny.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Florence and Albert Bouchard; daughter, Kathy Reynolds; great-grandson, Holden; and nine brothers and sisters. She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.

According to her wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no services. Remains will be taken to Roseland Cemetery in Jackson Michigan at a later date.

Family would like to send heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Ridegview Assisted Living who made her feel like family since her stroke in 2018 and took wonderful care of her. Thank you to Moments Hospice for your guidance and care during this difficult time.

Arrangements are being handled by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud.

Condolences may be sent to the family at 1213 4 ½ Ave. N. Sauk Rapids, MN 56379.

“I’ll see you in the movies!”

enjoyed fishing, crosscountry skiing, playing cards, especially Bridge, growing roses at her home and quilting. Eula loved to paint, especially desert scenes and flowers. She was a talented seamstress and made clothing for her boys.

Eula is survived by her sons, David (Susan) of Lancaster, Kentucky, Lawrence (Deborah “Debbie”) of Hudson, Illinois, Charles (Pauline) of Little Falls, Geffery (Gail) of Kingsport,

Tennessee, George (Cindy) of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and John (Pam) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Kenneth Nuttall; and sister, Lois Moody.

Obituary and guest book available online at www.williamsdingmann. com.

Cloud in 1964. She worked her way up to be a service chief until her retirement in 1991. Joanne liked to hunt, fish and any activity outdoors. She especially loved spending time with her family camping, motorcycle riding and traveling. She made many trips around the world to Hawaii, New Zealand and Alaska. She also enjoyed spending time at the Whitney Senior Center in St. Cloud with the painting group; Joanne was a very talented painter as well as a sewer.

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She is survived by her husband Ronald of Sauk Rapids; daughter, Ann Marie (Dan) Schloesser of St. Cloud; sons, Thomas John of Lake Tahoe, Nevada; Kenneth Ronald (Mary) of Sauk Rapids; grandchildren, Sara (Robbie) Wilson, Jon Schloesser, step grandchildren, Chandra and Logan Parker. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Cook of Caldwell, Idaho.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and brother Louis Cook.

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Page 6 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Police Activity Report Sauk Rapids Police Department Nov. 16-22 Nov. 17, 12:41 a.m. – Law enforcement was dispatched to the Sauk Rapids Regional Bridge for a male who was walking down the center median.

Caller was concerned due to the cold weather.

Officers saturated the area but could not locate the person.

Nov. 18, 7:43 a.m. – A complainant reported she had locked her keys in her car along First Street South and called a locksmith to unlock it. She said she canceled the call within 2 minutes and that the locksmith claimed to want a $30 cancellation fee. The locksmith stated he was going to come and collect it. Complainant felt threatened that the locksmith was going to request to be paid. The officer informed the complainant that it was not a threat but that the officer would in the area. She was instructed to call if needed. The locksmith never showed up.

Nov. 18, 8:04 a.m. – A suspicious male was reported in the area of the 1000 block of Second Avenue North. The male was found behind the dumpster taking apart electronic equipment.

Upon further conversation, he was trying to take the electronic components out of the items that he had found. All items were old and appeared they had been discarded at some point. The male was advised to move on.

Incidents: Administrative citations 132 (winter parking violations), miscellaneous calls 20, thefts 19, assists 19, suspicious activity reports 11, traffic stops 10, medical calls 10, human services reports 8, disturbances 7, welfare checks 7, alarms 6, permits to purchase 5, driving 4, property 3, civil complaints 2, domestics 2, deaths 2, escorts, 2, fires 2, fraud 2, ordinance violations 2, open doors 2, violations of court orders 2 and warrants 2.

Rice Police Department Oct. 26 to Nov. 15 Nov. 3, 8:50 p.m. – A propane leak was reported at the Marathon gas station in Watab Township.

The clerk had tried the emergency shut off but was not successful. Law enforcement blocked traffic from using the gas pumps until the Rice Fire Department arrived and remedied the problem. Fire remained on scene to assist employees.

Incidents: 15 miscellaneous, traffic stops 11, agency assists 6, suspicious activity reports 6, assists 4, harassment reports 4, animals 3, records checks 3, extra patrols 2 and property 2.

Sauk Centre hospital to be set aside for mild COVID-19 patients Regional plan to help alleviate CentraCare’s St. Cloud location

BY BEN SONNEK STAFF WRITER

The number of COVID-19 patients being admitted to Minnesota hospitals continues to climb; approximately 30% of patients at the CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital are positive for COVID-19.

In response to this urgent situation, CentraCare is coordinating and consolidating their resources to reduce the strain on the St. Cloud Hospital, freeing up more beds for patients who need more intensive care.

As of Nov. 23, CentraCare-Sauk Centre Hospital will primarily care for COVID19-positive patients from around the region.

Patients at this location will be those with milder COVID-19 acuity, requiring less serious treatments such as IV fluids and smaller doses of oxygen. Severe cases needing ventilators or highvolume oxygen will be taken to CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital for hospitalization.

The planning for this transition began around March when the pandemic was still new.

“We actually had discussions in the regional sites back in March and April about if we needed to consider something like this, and at that time,

30th Annual City of Sauk Rapids Lighting Contest The 30th annual City of Sauk Rapids Lighting Contest will be sponsored by the Sauk Rapids Herald and Manea’s Meats, of Sauk Rapids.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Registered nurse Katie Kruzel puts on her required personal protective equipment prior to entering a COVID-19-positive room Nov. 19 at CentraCare-Sauk Centre Hospital. The hospital is primarily caring for the region’s COVID-19-positive patients who require less serious treatments.

we didn’t,” said Dr. Ulrika Wigert, CentraCare’s section director for Regional Family Medicine.

“The numbers were low.

We were able to continue to care for our patients in the usual way and there wasn’t a lot of disruption. Fast-forward to October and November with the numbers skyrocketing in our state, and the need has come for us to look at how we do things differently.”

Size was a major consideration when designating the Sauk Centre hospital as a COVID-19 care facility. As of last week, the facility had 22 beds available.

The hospitals in Melrose and Long Prairie will become non-COVID-19 hospitals, treating non-COVID-19 acute hospitalizations, surgical patients and obstetrics

patients.

CentraCareMonticello will also expand its ability to care for COVID-19 patients with additional patient rooms equipped to meet the needs of those who need to be treated for the disease.

Emergency departments at each site will continue to function as normal, with the potential to admit patients to an open bed at any CentraCare hospital if the immediate site does not have available space.

“If a person is needing emergency care, we want them to go to the nearest emergency room,” Wigert said.

“They’re going to be assessed and evaluated there, and the provider and physician assessing you are going to help with that decision of what care you need and

All those who reside within Sauk Rapids city limits are welcome to participate. This year’s contest will feature two categories – multi-color display and single-color display.

Prizes, sponsored by Manea’s Meats and the Sauk Rapids Herald, will be awarded to each category winner.

Judging will take place by an anonymous party the weekend of December 11-13 from 5-9 p.m.

All judges’ decisions are final.

Winners will be announced in the Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, issue of the Sauk Rapids Herald.

Please contact the Sauk Rapids Herald 320-251-1971 with any additional questions.

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Those wishing to participate in the contest should enter by sending their name, address and the category they wish to enter to the Sauk Rapids Herald office at 2 Second Ave S. Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 or natasha@saukherald.com with the subject line: Lighting Contest.

Enter by noon Dec. 11.

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what’s the best place to provide that care. There are always going to be the challenges with what bed is available where, and it comes down to a lot of coordination, communication and teamwork, which I feel confident we’ll be able to do.”

Carris Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of CentraCare, will continue to appropriately manage patients across southwest Minnesota. Carris HealthRice Memorial Hospital in Willmar is prepared to receive intensive care patients, including those on ventilators, or general care patients from throughout the system or from its regional partners.

This new hospital arrangement is meant to be a temporary measure to see the region through the pandemic. Once the danger is past, the hospitals will return to their normal operation.

Wigert urges the community to help accelerate this return to normal by following the current health guidelines.

“The way to help us get through this pandemic quicker is to please follow the regulations and the restrictions that the government is putting in place,” Wigert said. “Wear the masks, limit your contact with other people, distance yourself and really limit gatherings through this in order to help make that difference for us.”

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | Page 7

News Briefs

Council seeks committee blessing on solar project Desires to review glare mitigations before construction

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – A second rooftop solar project may be coming to Sauk Rapids’ industrial park east of Highway 10, but not without more review.

After holding a public hearing for the project Nov. 23, the Sauk Rapids City Council approved moving forward with a solar array at Pinnacle Technologies, 1660 13th Ave. N.E., contingent upon committee review and staff approval of a glare mitigation strategy.

Cedar Creek Energy, the company applying for the conditional use permit on behalf of Pinnacle Technologies, supplied the city with a glare study that indicated the

solar panels may produce glare for a total time of less than five days a year.

Because city ordinance prohibits glare from affecting resident homes or roadways, the permit could only be approved on the condition the glare is resolved.

Although the CUP was recommended by the planning commission, council member Jason Ellering asked Todd Schultz, community development director who presented the request for approval, if Schultz was aware of how the companies planned to stop glare. Schultz was not aware, and Ellering was concerned.

“I have a problem with there being issues in the glare study and issuing a permit just because

Shop local from page 2 ers; while the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has found 38% of them have reported a decrease in revenue, 6% have seen their returns grow. However, whether it is a local vegetable grower, a homemade pizzeria or a family hardware store, shopping small is proving to be essential to the economic welfare of small businesses which play a critical role in the survival of a large-scale locality.

“They form the fabric of the community,” Gartland said. “They speak to what the culture of the community is and what the character of the community is. The more of the small businesses we may end up losing, the more our community culture starts evaporating.”

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opment can take place.

Ehlen said his property has no lights.

The council made no modifications for Ehlen at this time.

– Approved increasing the benefit level of the Sauk Rapids Fire Relief pension to $5,800 per year. Following the increase the funding level is 105%.

– Approved a temporary closure of public access to the Sauk Rapids Government Center and Public Works Facility as a precaution of the pandemic. Staff will remain available by phone and email and the closure will be reviewed at upcoming council meetings.

– Approved allowing the city to pay off $740,000 in bonds plus interest early on Feb. 1, 2021. The bonds were issued for the Eighth and Ninth Avenue reconstruction projects in 2015.

– Approved Design Electric to complete a LED conversion of city lights. The project is roughly $40,000.

– Approved a rehabilitation of well No. 5, which is completed every seven years. The project was awarded to Traut Wells. Estimated cost is just over $24,000.

Social services seeks mask makers

ST. PAUL – If you have sewing skills, your talents are needed. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota invites Minnesotans to sew protective face masks to protect against sneezes and coughs to help safeguard people supported by the organization, employees and volunteers.

“We are so grateful for the masks we have received from the community,” said Julie Wright, director of Church Partnerships and Volunteer Services. “Many more are still needed.”

Wright said the organization seeks several thousand protective masks. As an essential provider, Lutheran Social Service supports 1 in 65 Minnesotans including people with disabilities, youth experiencing homelessness, older Minnesotans, families experiencing job loss and others with critical needs.

Visit www.lssmn.org/sewmasks for information about patterns to use, where to mail or drop-off masks, and updates.

Currently, all masks can be mailed to the LSS, Attention: Operation Masks, at 2485 Como Avenue in St. Paul, MN 55108.

Approaching …

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ST. CLOUD – The St. Cloud Police Department warns citizens have received phone scam calls from an unknown source. The caller claims to be a member of the St. Cloud Police Department and demands payment for overdue fines. In some instances, the callers identify themselves by actual names of police officers who are employed by the St. Cloud Police Department. The callers have also used a spoofing app that can make it appear the number is coming from the agency.

The police department does not engage in activity relating to collecting back taxes, receiving money in lieu of not processing an arrest warrant, overdue fines, etc.

Anyone with information regarding the above incident is urged to contact the St. Cloud Police Department at 320-251-1200, or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320-2551301, 1-800-255-1301, or at www.tricountycrimestoppers.org

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Participants are receiving not only their edited picture, but a $10 gift certificate for a local eatery during the less-than-prosperous pause.

Kenning has also seen her clientele base purchase gift cards and schedule photography sessions for spring and summertime dates, which benefits not only her business, but other small local businesses in a commonly-seen domino effect.

“Small businesses are so intertwined,” she said.

“Shopping small from one business affects so many other businesses. If a client purchases a maternity photo session from me, not only does my business benefit, but so does the boutique who I purchase studio maternity dresses from and the salon who provides hair and makeup service for that session.”

Supporting Kenning’s observation is the data that has shown local small business revenue tends to have a positive effect on its surrounding area. According to the Small Business Economic Study conducted by American Express, two-thirds of every dollar that consumers spend at small businesses remain within that local community.

“When you spend your money locally, it recycles over and over again, used in the community over and over again, ” Schultz said.

Not all small businesses are experiencing the same hardships as oth-

in the past I know we’ve had issues,” Ellering said.

Mayor Kurt Hunstiger agreed.

“It’s been a problem,” Hunstiger said, referencing past projects where glare has not been resolved prior to construction.

Schultz reiterated that the problems would need to be resolved before the permit was granted. Ellering motioned for the mitigation plan to be reviewed by the public works committee and staff before construction begins.

The city received no public input at the hearing.

In other council news: – Approved assessments for unpaid utility bills through November.

A total of $70,322.21 will be assessed at 2.5% interest over one year.

The amount is for 154 accounts.

At the public hearing, Charles Ehlen asked the council for a reduction or delay in the $2,680.92 he owes after purchasing a 34-acre property in December 2018. Ehlen felt the street light utility fee should not apply to his property given he has a defective deed and wetland issues that need to be resolved before devel-

Scammers use law enforcement when spoof calling

Missy Traeger gs compliments Cover Christmas drawin n of the Santa letter childre 3 Edition 2019 • Zone

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Page 8 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Plant trees

One way to improve the quality of our air and increase the value of our properties is to plant trees. Trees that are several years old and several feet tall may be purchased from nurseries or garden centers. Smaller trees including those that are only a year or so old GREEN AND are another option. The GROWING IN BENTON COUNTY Benton Soil and Water Conservation District is BY LINDA G. TENNESON taking orders for trees from now until April 2. Trees may be picked up soon after that from the city of Foley Storage Building, 440 Broadway Ave. S. in Foley.

Unfortunately, they are already sold out of Balsam fir, American cranberry bush and the common lilac. Deciduous and evergreen, full-size trees and shrubs plus fruit trees are all available.

Many, but not all, are sold in bundles of 25. For those who do not have the space for a bundle, consider ordering with a friend or neighbor. These seedlings are sold as bare root trees 7 to 24 inches tall depending on the species. White pine and white spruce are sold potted. Visit www.soilandwater.org or contact Renee at 320-968-5300, Ext. 3 for more information. Planting baby trees is, of course, easier than planting larger ones. The Benton County site has a link to an illustrated page for planting baby trees that would be useful if a lot of trees need to be planted. There are also links to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website for details on planting larger trees.

Balled and burlapped or containerized trees may have spent a year or more growing in a confined space. The normal habit of tree roots is to spread out in all directions. If the roots reach a container wall, they curve and continue to grow in a circle. Unfortunately, these roots will continue to grow in circles after the tree has been removed from the container and planted in the ground. As the circling roots grow fatter, they may end up pressing against the main trunk of the tree. All the movement of water and nutrients from the roots to the branches occurs right under the outer bark.

When this area is compressed by the expanding trunk and the expending circling roots, the tree may end up strangling itself. To prevent this, the ends of the outer roots of a container grown tree should be removed before it is planted in soil. The latest research by the DNR recommends cutting the round root ball into a square. The severed roots are inspired to produce new growth by reaching out in all directions. A full-size tree will have roots that extend beyond the length of its branches, which is sometimes called the drip line.

Mulch existing and newly-planted trees but keep the 2 to 4-inch layer of mulch from touching the trunk. Do not create a mulch volcano around the tree. Rodents will hide in the mulch during the winter and eat the tree bark. Mulch touching the bark will also cause small roots to grow above the soil level. These roots extend into the mulch but grow upward instead of down into the soil. Mulch also holds moisture, and when the bark underneath the mulch is kept wet, it can rot which stops the flow of water and nutrients.

When selecting a site for your tree, remember to consider the expected full size of the tree. Are there overhead utility lines which may be damaged when the tree touches them? Utility companies will trim trees so their lines are not in contact with tree branches. I have seen the tops of full-size spruce trees cut level underneath a utility line. The trees continued to grow sending up multiple vertical shoots from the highest remaining horizontal branches. The result looked very odd, and I suspect it was only a matter of time before the utility company removed those shoots as well. And remember to call Gopher State One Call before digging to avoid damaging any underground utility lines.

Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener and Tree Care Advisor.

Traditional letters to the editor policy

E-mail to natasha@saukherald.com

EDITORIAL

The perfect promise

What in the world is going on? There is covenant encompasses all that God is so much confusion and bent truth on both to us and all that he has done for us. It party sides with all they promise. If citizens encapsulates all that is involved in our do not know what to believe anymore, how relationship with him. It is the unifying will democracy ever be trusted again? For concept in the Bible. It is the thread that centuries, followers of Jesus have been ties all of scripture together. Unless we urging people to put their trust in the Bible, see this thread, we will view scripture as look to it, find all God promises and then a series of disconnected, disjointed stories test those promises. Throughout the ages, and events; and the effect will be that our lives will tend to be disconnected and all of his promises that have passed have come true. So why should we not we put disjointed.”

BY FAITH our faith into democracy or obsess over it BYLIFE You can look away from the left’s MERCY NYGAARD and instead, continue to do the right thing encroachment on God’s design, but your as best we can in our communities and get life will be disjointed. to know God’s character all the more? Because more This may seem like a simplistic reminder, but it is than ever in history, things are getting really weird. the very covenant that God made with us: God made I have written before that every civilization or us in his image, sinless, to have a relationship with powerful nation in the past has only lasted on average him. This was possible because Adam and woman 250 years. America is roughly 240 years old. But a were sinless, but God made them to have the ability viral illness has spread worldwide, and information to obey or to disobey, to remain sinless or to sin. across the globe is connected via the internet making They chose sin. What is even more thrilling than the our time in history much stranger than any other fact that we were made to have a relationship with civilization has ever seen before. It will not take God is, “When God’s created people did not keep long to witness one of several outcomes once Trump their part of the covenant, the Creator already had is unable to fight the voter fraud battle any longer. a better plan,” Hunt said. “He was still willing to With a Biden presidency, we will see more infant live in fellowship with his people, and he was even deaths, more liberal enforcement pressed onto private willing to provide the way through his own son for Christian schools, more isolation between people and the perfect sacrifice for the sins of his people. This is more national debt. If voter fraud is irrefutable and the covenant of grace.”

Trump remains in office, the left will start throwing You see, no matter what crookedness happens in stuff through windows and riots with military force our country on either party side, God’s covenant will may ensue. Both outcomes will be amid record always remain. Unshakable, unbreakable, unending. poverty due to forced isolation to attempt to control a Seek God first. In him you will find all peace through virus. With a Biden presidency and all that was listed any circumstance, and you will find refuge. What are above, it is much easier to turn your head and not you waiting for? Open the Bible now, and get started. look at infant deaths and liberalizing private Christian We will talk about the church shortly, but for right education. All will seem right in your world. I assure now, seek God first, then open your Bible to see all he you; it will not be. has to tell you.

Susan Hunt writes in “The True Woman,” “God’s Letter to Editor

Is pandemic fatigue real?

Marcel Gemme, Lakewood Ranch, Florida As many Americans face some major decisions about their holidays, one thing we can all agree on is that we are tired. We are tired of the numbers of COVID-19 cases going up even though we are doing the right thing. Or, at least, we each think we are.

Some people are so tired of being cautious that they have decided to relax. Others have naturally relaxed without giving it much thought, simply because they have not gotten the virus yet. Either way, they have gone backward and are taking more significant risks more frequently. It seems even those who were most vigilant, like America’s seniors, have begun to relax.

This rejection of unending restrictions in previously vigilant people is such a common occurrence as we prepared for Thanksgiving that a term has been coined to describe the phenomenon:

pandemic fatigue.

As the number of new cases grows, even the U.S. Surgeon General is blaming pandemic fatigue for our continued failure to contain this virus. On the first impression, it sounds like a psychiatric diagnosis.

But this is no medical condition. Pandemic fatigue may just be an easy way to describe an otherwise longwinded but relatable occurrence.

Let’s be careful, though.

Labeling an adverse emotional response in a way that virtually promotes and normalizes it can give a sense of comfort to those who are first hearing this description and no longer feel alone. They may even feel it is OK or justified to have “pandemic fatigue” because it is a newly accepted social norm.

Keep in mind there may be no time to relax and enjoy what we have been missing out on if we are hospitalized or, worse yet, one of our loved ones is.

Let’s stay the course.

EDITORIAL

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | Page 9

Light up the town

It’s that time of year again, when of stringed electric lights in 1882. Before we pop in that old flick and watch a that, people would express their Christmas wide-eyed Clark Griswold clench his spirit by lighting several candles on trees, teeth as he connects a power cord. A a beautiful spectacle but major fire hazard. whopping 250 strands of Christmas Johnson decided to replace the candles with lights set his house – and the entire a string of Edison’s colored electric lights. neighborhood – aglow as an invisible Setting up a tree by the street-side choir sings “Hallelujah!” and the window of his parlor, Johnson handelectric meter goes haywire. wired 80 red, white and blue light bulbs Although the Griswolds probably EXPRESSIONS BY EL and strung them together around it, and could have won dysfunctional family BY ELLARRY PRENTICE placed the trunk on a revolving pedestal, of the year had they lived in Sauk all powered by a generator. Local reporters Rapids, they would have had a shot at covered his lighting of the first tree, which victory in the annual holiday lighting contest. (And dazzled a crowd of spectators, according to articles we’d all be blind!)

by Time and Smithsonian magazines.

2020 marks the 30th year of the contest, sponsored Johnson’s lights were indeed ahead of their time. this year by the Sauk Rapids Herald and Manea’s His idea didn’t catch on at first because electricity Meats of Sauk Rapids. All who reside within the city was not yet routinely available, Americans didn’t limits of Sauk Rapids are welcome to participate. entirely trust it, and the bulbs were too expensive This year’s contest will feature two categories – to be practical. A string of 16 vaguely flame-shaped multi-color display and single-color display – with bulbs sitting in brass sockets the size of shot glasses prizes awarded to each category winner. Judging sold for a pricey $12 in 1900 (about $350 in today’s will take place by an anonymous party from 5-9 money). p.m. on the weekend of Dec. 11-13. Winners will be But, in 1895, President Grover Cleveland helped announced in the Dec. 19 edition of the Herald. to make electric lights popular by putting them on the To enter, send the name, address and category White House tree, and by 1914, a 16-foot string cost you wish to enter to the Sauk Rapids Herald office just $1.75. By the 1930s, colored bulbs and cones at 2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135, or email natasha@ were everywhere. Today, it is estimated that more t saukherald.com with the subject line: Lighting than 150 million light sets are sold in America each r Contest. Entries will be accepted until noon Dec. 11. year, with more than 80 million homes decorated Call us at 320-251-1971 with questions. with holiday lights. t I did some research and learned that Griswold’s If you intend to recreate the Griswold’s e 6,250-light display is no match to that of a family “Christmas Vacation” light display or want to beat from LaGrangeville, New York. In 2014, they took the world record, prepare for an electric bill that’s back the Guinness World Record for most lights on higher than Aunt Bethany’s singing of “The Starr a residential property, which they originally won in Spangled Banner” after an explosion sent a Santa’s d 2012. Their incredible holiday light display consisted sleigh decoration flying into the sky. And make sure of 601,736 lights, spanning two acres, and holds the the yard has room for Cousin Eddie’s RV but that he record, according to the Guinness website. Last year, doesn’t drain the septic tank in the yard. r their display grew to 641,695 lights, choreographed Whatever your bright idea is for holiday light to 252 songs. decorations this year, we hope you’ll consider joining Through internet research, I also learned that the 2020 Sauk Rapids Lighting Contest. e Edward Johnson, a friend and partner of light-bulb h inventor Thomas Edison, introduced the concept n y

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Page 10 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

NEWS

Change the culture: Local movement becomes charitable foundation Scholarships available to Sauk Rapids-Rice graduates who better their community

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Gage Donovan and Zac Spohn are on a mission to empower young people to change the culture in Sauk Rapids and Rice.

What started as a movement to combat negativity and apathetic attitudes when the men were in high school has transpired into a non-profit organization providing academic scholarship opportunities and other charitable giving to young people who make these communities better places for all.

The 2018 Sauk Rapids-Rice High School graduates cofounded the Change the Culture Foundation and recently established it as a tax-exempt non-profit organization exclusively for local graduating seniors who have exemplified what it means to change the culture within the school and community.

Supported by taxdeductible contributions and local business partnerships, their new foundation will provide annual scholarships to graduating seniors of Sauk Rapids-Rice High School who plan to attend four-year institutions. To apply, students write a one-page essay about how they fostered an improved culture in their community.

Donations for academic scholarships and other resources to help students better achieve their goals are being accepted throughout the year. A donation form is available on the foundation’s website, changetheculture18.com.

Although the foundation was just incorporated this year, Donovan and Spohn have awarded $500 scholarships, with money from their own pockets, to SRRHS graduating seniors the past two years.

With new donations to their non-profit, they plan to make available larger scholarships to graduates of the 2021 class and beyond.

Donovan and Spohn already have full schedules as college students at Minnesota State University in Moorhead, but they believe the cause

is worth the extra time and effort.

“This is our way of continuing to give back to a community that gave us so much,” said Spohn, president and secretary of the foundation.

Every community has a culture, Spohn said, and people have a choice to nurture good feelings or spread negative attitudes.

“The failure to build a constructive and uplifting culture is just a missed opportunity,” he said.

“The Change the Culture Foundation will aspire to continually foster a positive culture in order to be an uplifting power for good in our community.”

The cause is especially important amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has caused some people to feel isolated and out of touch with their communities and given rise to economic difficulties that may make it difficult for students to achieve their goals, said Donovan, the foundation’s vice president and treasurer.

“You really want the community that you’re in to be a community of your peers,” Donovan said.

“We’re all about bringing a sense of community back, which is very important during these trying times.”

Both Donovan and Spohn grew up outside the district but consider Sauk Rapids their hometown.

But, the journey through high school was not always easy.

Change the Culture has its roots in 2017, when Donovan and Spohn became frustrated with attitudes toward extracurricular activities and the school culture as a whole. Then, dispassionate leadership and disengaged students seemed to be the norm. Enthusiasm, optimism and commitment waned in the midst of perpetual negativity.

Both captains of Storm sports teams, they decided Sauk RapidsRice needed to undergo a cultural face lift – one that would have to start with them. Realizing efforts to inspire and encourage fellow teammates would not succeed unless they

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Change the Culture Foundation co-founders Zac Spohn (left) and Gage Donovan present Staci Meyer with a scholarship in May 2019 at Sauk Rapids-Rice high School. The foundation aims to provide scholarships to Sauk Rapids-Rice High School seniors who have improved culture in their community.

modeled positivity and renewed a seeminglylost passion that had stripped Storm athletics of its purpose, they started meeting in the weight room before school.

“We would consistently put in the work to better ourselves in the pursuit of making our respective sporting teams better,” Donovan said.

But it did not end with work-outs.

“Each morning we would send out tweets with inspirational messages in the hopes that our teammates would start joining us,” Donovan said.

At first, there was not much response, but they kept at it. Then, Donovan took to Twitter again, this time tweeting #ChangetheCulture. The simple message quickly gained momentum – first becoming popular with the senior class before eventually spreading throughout the high school.

“These tweets caught on like wildfire, and we haven’t looked back since,” Donovan said.

The simple, yet powerful statement became a movement, and its reach extended beyond the school walls.

“I think what we saw is it made the community a better place too,” Donovan said.

Donovan and Spohn were seniors when they co-founded the movement.

“We had to begin to give the community something to be excited about,” Spohn said.

“Excitement or reasons to be encouraged are usually the only ways to begin to change the feelings or attitudes in a community.”

It took just a moment of introspection for them to realize that, although the movement began with them, it was the result of their peers collectively working to make their school and community places where people accept, respect, support and encourage one another and strive to make a difference.

“It wasn’t just us,” Donovan said.

After high school, Donovan and Spohn decided the Change the Culture journey could not end.

“If you care about something, you don’t want to abandon it,” Spohn said.

Young adults, they realized, are the key to the future and the key to sustaining positive culture, and positive connections foster success and fulfillment as they progress into adulthood. High school, Spohn said, is not always an easy experience, but a positive culture can make it a better experience for more students.

The best way they could think to continue their mission from afar was to create a scholarship and award it to a standout Sauk

Rapids-Rice High School senior who exemplified what they stood for in that high school weight room. After two years of awarding scholarships of their own money, they set out to raise more funds that could be distributed to deserving students and other causes related to their mission.

A business law professor helped establish their non-profit, and they launched the foundation in October.

In addition to scholarships, Change the Culture donations could provide educational resources and assistance with athletic fees for disadvantaged students to reward students who go above and beyond to make a positive culture change.

“We want to be able to have equal opportunity for everybody,” Donovan said.

Alleviating financial barriers is important, they said, because they could prevent a student who could change the community from participating in activities that would foster personal growth.

Providing valuable resources to impactful students, especially leaders who will promote a positive atmosphere, will help to sustain a positive culture, according to Donovan and Spohn.

Culture must be continually nurtured,

according to Spohn.

“Culture isn’t something that you can just achieve once and be done with it,” he said.

“In order to foster a truly great culture, it must continually be reinforced by leaders and followers alike. The moment you get complacent, that’s when negativity and apathetic attitudes set in.”

Changing the culture, or fostering positive change in a community, can be incredibly rewarding, according to Spohn.

“You can truly grant yourself the ability to change lives by participating in an effort to change a culture,” he said.

So far, their reward has been seeing students engage in their communities and value what they do. They hope they will keep passing it on. Donovan loves to read essay submissions from scholarship applicants.

“You’re able to see them capitalize on and write about those experiences,” he said.

The foundation aims to provide volunteer opportunities and to eventually expand its board of directors.

Donovan and Spohn will host fundraising and awareness events once the pandemic lifts, but for now, their efforts are contained to their social media platforms.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | Page 11

FOCAL

point

An inside look at holiday preparations through the lens of Dutch Maid Bakery PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Jeff Muntifering, owner of Dutch Maid Bakery in Sauk Rapids, kneads and weighs French bread dough on the morning of Nov. 23. Muntifering took over the now 61-yearold business in 2001 from his father.

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Courtney Jones sprinkles sugar on a pie Nov. 23 at Dutch Maid Bakery in Sauk Rapids. Jones has been a member of the bakery team for over seven years.

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Members of the Dutch Maid Bakery staff – Mileena Doust, owner Jeff Muntifering and Courtney Jones – stand behind a bakery case Nov. 23 at the store on North Benton Drive in Sauk Rapids. Employees were busy preparing Thanksgiving holiday orders early in the week as well as their regular and seasonal items.

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Page 12 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

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“A Christmas Carol” can be viewed on the Sauk Rapids-Rice Activities YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pewJTZNNJCw&feature=youtu.be. The production was presented via livestream Nov. 11 and again by radio Nov. 21.

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Drew Burling is excited to be in her eighth production at the high school. In the past, she was in “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Aladdin Jr.,”, “Aida,” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised],” “Legally Blonde,” “The Infamous Soothing System of Professor Maillard,” “Radium Girls” and now “A Christmas Carol.” When she is not performing, Burling enjoys painting, spending time with her friends or practicing music.

Uriah Cook is proud to have presented his 10th drama production. Cook has previously been a part of shows such as “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Aladdin Jr.,” “Aida” and “Legally Blonde.” When Uriah is off of the stage, he can be found playing video games, writing and hanging out with his friends.

Natalie Gerads loves being a part of theatre. In the past, Gerads has been in all of Pleasantview’s Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre shows, all three middle school productions, and in high school she has been in “Aladdin Jr.,” “Aida,” “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised],” “Legally Blonde,” “The Soothing System of Professor Maillard,” “Radium Girls” and now “A Christmas Carol.” When she is not performing with fellow chaotic theatre kids, Gerads can be found working at Dutch Maid Bakery and crying over a mountain of homework.

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PUBLIC NOTICES REGULAR MEETING SAUK RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL SAUK RAPIDS GOVERNMENT CENTER, 250 Summit Ave N. Monday, November 9, 2020 6:00PM MINUTES 1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Kurt Hunstiger called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All members present: Jason Ellering, Nick Sauer, Ellen Thronson, and Dottie Seamans.

2. Additions or Changes to the Agenda NONE 3. Approve the Agenda Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Ellering to approve the Agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

4. Approve Minutes NONE 5. Receive and File A. 10-6-2020 HRA Meeting Minutes Motion: Moved by Councilperson Thronson and seconded

by Councilperson Seamans to receive and file the 10-6-2020 HRA Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.

6. Mayor’s Communications • Thank You-Mayor Hunstiger thanked Dana Furman for all of her work in planning and preparing for the General Election.

He noted that this election year posed many challenges due to the pandemic, but that everything at all five of the City’s precincts went smoothly with high voter turnout. Mayor Hunstiger also thanked Todd Schultz, Community Development Director, for all of his help with last week’s election. Mayor Hunstiger said that a written thank you message will also be going out to all of the City’s election judges.

• Congratulations to Councilpersons Sauer and Seamans— Mayor Hunstiger congratulated Councilpersons Sauer and Seamans on their being re-elected to another four-year term

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | Page 15

on the City Council. He noted that he looks forward to continuing to work with both council members.

7. Audience Items/Visitors Total Time Limit 2 Minutes for Items NOT on the Agenda NONE 8. Public Hearings NONE 9. Consent Agenda A. Approve Purchase of Volvo L90 Wheel Loader and Plow B. Approve 2020 Plumbing and Mechanical Contractor Licenses C. Award 2020 Southside Lift Station Improvements D. Approve Rice Site Plan at 1021 Benton Drive E. Approve Hiring Three Probationary Fire Fighters for the Fire Department F. Approve Two Probationary Fire Fighters as Full Members Motion: Moved by Councilperson Seamans and seconded by Councilperson Sauer to approve consent agenda items 9A-9F. Motion carried unanimously.

10. Regular Agenda NONE 11. Other Staff Items NONE 12. Other Council Items and Communications NONE 13. Approve List of Bills and Claims Motion: Moved by Councilperson Thronson and seconded

by Councilperson Ellering to approve the List of Bills and Claims. Motion carried unanimously.

14. Adjournment Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Hunstiger adjourned the meeting at 6:05 p.m.

R-48-1B

NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED

BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: November 21, 2006 MORTGAGOR: Kevin D. Johnson, a single person and Kirk J. Paulson, a single person.

MORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for EquiFirst Corporation its successors and assigns.

DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded November 30, 2006 Benton County Recorder, Document No. A344022.

ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, on behalf of the holders of the Home Equity Asset Trust 2007-2 Home Equity PassThrough Certificates, Series 2007-2. Dated July 24, 2017 Recorded August 1, 2017, as Document No. A424211.

TRANSACTION

AGENT: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. TRANSACTION AGENT’S MORTGAGE I D E N T I F I C AT I O N NUMBER ON M O R T G A G E : 100200100108493218 LENDER OR BROKER AND MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON MORTGAGE: EquiFirst Corporation RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SERVICER: Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc. M O RT G A G E D PROPERTY ADDRESS: 6248 135th Avenue Northeast, Foley, MN 56329 TAX PARCEL I.D. #: 08.00402.00 L E G A L DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: The South 1/2 of the Northwest 1/4 of Section 31, Township 37, Range 28, Benton County, Minnesota.

COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Benton O R I G I N A L PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $206,250.00 AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID

BY MORTGAGEE: $228,246.69 That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; That no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: January 19, 2021 at 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: Benton County Sheriff’s Office, 581 Highway 23 Northeast Foley, MN to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees allowed by law subject to redemption within twelve (12) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns unless reduced to Five (5) weeks under MN Stat. §580.07.

TIME AND DATE TO

VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owneroccupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on January 19, 2022, unless that date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, in which case it is the next weekday, and unless the redemption period is reduced to 5 weeks under MN Stat. Secs. 580.07.

M O RT G A G O R ( S ) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE:None Dated: November 12, 2020 U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee USSET, WEINGARDEN AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 38 - 20-002612 FC THIS IS A C O M M U N I C AT I O N FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. R-47-6B

Mayhew Lake Township Meeting Notice The December through April Mayhew Lake Township monthly meetings will be held at the Jerome Moliter Shop, 7240 Little Rock Rd. at 7:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.

Lawrence Thell Mayhew Lake Clerk R-48-2B

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO ASSUMED NAME Minnesota Statutes ,Chapter 333 (1) List the exact name under which the business is or will be conducted: Solutions made Simple.

(2) The address of the principal place of business is: 1990 Connecticut Ave South, Sartell, MN 56377.

(3) List a Mailing Address if you cannot receive mail at the principal place of business address:___________.

(4) List the name and complete street address of all persons conducting business under the above Assumed Name, OR if an entity, provide the legal corporate, LLC, or Limited Partnership name and registered office address: Medical Billing and Management Services, LLP, 1990 Connecticut Ave South, Sartell, MN 56377.

(5) This certificate is an amendment of Certificate of Assumed Name File Number: 1047640600048 Originally filed on: 11/15/2018 (6) By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that I am signing this document as the person whose signature is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature would be required who has authorized me to sign this document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further certify that I have completed all required fields, and that the information in this document is true and correct and in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section 609.48 as if I had signed this document under oath.

Mary Hondl, CEO 11/23/2020 R-48-2B

Notice of Public Hearing PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, the Board of Commissioners of the Benton County sitting as the drainage authority for Benton County Ditch Nos. 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, and 12, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 103E.101, subd. 4a, shall hold a public hearing to determine whether or not to order the redetermination of benefits and damages pursuant Minn. Stat. § 103E.351, subd.

1(a). The hearing shall be held at 10:30 a.m. on December 14, 2020, at the Benton County Boardroom at the Benton County Government Center, at 531 Dewey Street, Foley, MN 56329.

All interested parties may appear and be heard by joining from your computer, tablet or smartphone at the below link https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/834170141 You can also dial in using your phone.

United States: +1 (571) 317-3122 When prompted use: Access Code: 834-170-141 If unable to participate via phone or online, you may submit written testimony to County Ditch Public Hearing, PO Box 247 Foley, MN 56329.

Copies of the drainage system records for Benton County Ditch Nos. 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, and 12 are available for inspection at Benton County Public Works website at: https://www.co.benton.mn.us/628/County-Ditches Please contact Public Works Director, Chris Byrd with any questions. He can be reached at (320)968-5051.

FR-48-1B

Notice of Public Hearing The Benton County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on December 15, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. in the Benton County Boardroom, 531 Dewey Street, Foley, for the purpose of taking public testimony on possible changes to the Benton County fee schedule. All persons interested may appear and be heard at the time and place set forth above.

Individuals unable to attend the public hearing can make written comment by writing to the Benton County AdministraCERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME tor, Benton County Courthouse, 531 Dewey Street, Box 129, Minnesota Statutes Foley, Minnesota 56329. Written comments must be received Chapter 333 prior to the public hearing. A copy of the current fee schedule City of Sauk Rapids/Minden Township and proposed changes can be obtained from the Benton CounJoint Planning Board ASSUMED NAME: ILSCM. ty website (www.co.benton.mn.us) or by calling the Benton PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS: 1637 4TH AvCounty Administrator’s Office at 968-5000. enue North, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 USA. R-48-1B You are invited to participate in a public hearing that will NAMEHOLDER(S): Independent Living Services be held on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. or as of Central Minnesota, 1637 4th Avenue North, Suite 101, soon thereafter as possible, in the Sauk Rapids Government Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 USA. Center Council Chambers, 250 Summit Avenue North to con(4) By typing my name, I, the undersigned, certify that sider the following matters that require a public hearing.

Blazing Fast I am signing this document as the person whose signature APPLICANT Internet!

ADD TO YOUR PACKAGE FOR ONLY is required, or as agent of the person(s) whose signature City of Sauk Rapids/Minden Township Joint Planning $ .99 /mo. would be required who has authorized me to sign this Board where available document on his/her behalf, or in both capacities. I further PURPOSE To consider an Ordinance Amendment regarding storage certify that I have completed all required fields, and that 2-YEAR TV PRICE GUARANTEE the information in this document is true and correct and containers in the Agricultural and Rural Residential Districts.

America’s Top 120 Package Please contact Sauk Rapids Development Director Todd in compliance with the applicable chapter of Minnesota Statutes. I understand that by signing this document I am Schultz at (320) 258-5315 or tschultz@ci.sauk-rapids.mn.us MO. 190 CHANNELS for 12 Mos. Including Local Channels! subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Section with questions or stop by City Hall to obtain a copy of the application.

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | Page 17

90% of Benton County registered voters took to the polls Historic election turnout trickles down the ballot

BY JAKOB KOUNKEL STAFF WRITER

FOLEY – In a historic national election that saw more voters hitting the polls – or voting by mail – than ever before, the trend held true locally, both statewide and in Benton County.

“It was pretty sky-high across the board,” said Steve Simon, Minnesota Secretary of State, referencing voter turnout across the state.

“I just think this was a particularly intense election.”

Benton County Auditor-Treasurer Nadean Inman said voter turnout in Benton County was 90.72%, similar to what it had been in 2016 (90.48%) but with an additional 2,221 registered voters. Of the 8,826 absentee ballots requested from Inman’s office, 7,772 of those were successfully mailed back for tabulation. Inman said 31% of registered voters in Benton County mailed in their ballots for the 2020 election. In 2016, the county processed about 2,500 mail-in ballots, three times less

than what it was this year.

“It was a really, really big election,” Inman told commissioners at a Benton County Board meeting Nov. 17.

Inman said it took six days to tally all the mail-in ballots, and everything received in the county on Election Day was tallied by 8 p.m. Nov. 3. Although turnout was not higher than it was four years ago, Inman said there were likely more voters participating this year because of the increased amount of registered voters.

Statewide, Simon said Minnesota turned out a higher percentage of registered voters than any other state for the third election cycle in a row, and it was the state’s largest turnout since 1956.

“One of the reasons I think that’s true is because a huge, record-shattering number of people realized, ‘Hey, I can vote and do it from my couch,’” Simon said.

“Any way of voting is equally worthy.”

Simon said around 58% of people voted how they traditionally would – in person – meaning that approximately 20% of the state’s vote total was mail-in ballots. He also said absentee ballots caused a lot of confusion around the legitimacy of the election, but he assured voters there was no evi-

dence of rampant voter fraud or irregularity.

“The election was run with complete honesty and integrity,” Simon said. “We have a decentralized system in Minnesota so no one person can be in control.”

While that does not mean there were no isolated instances of individuals doing the wrong thing, Minnesota’s voting system makes it difficult for any one person or group to hijack an election, Simon said. There are multiple checks, audits and reviews that take place to ensure any wrongdoing is detected and prosecuted.

“Those who claim widespread fraud, it’s really an insult to the tens of thousands of elections administrators throughout the state – our friends, our neighbors – who take an oath to administer fairly and impartially,” Simon said. “They do an amazing job.”

Jeff Gondeck, a Foley City Council member, said he was excited and thankful to see 91% voter turnout in the city of Foley – even the ones that did not check his box.

“Definitely thank you for your vote of confidence, but thank you for the turnout,” Gondeck said, noting that turnout is more important than who people voted for.

Pulse on People

Baumgardner to play football at Bemidji State

BEMIDJI – Cade Baumgardner was slated to participate in the NCAA Division II football program at Bemidji State University in 2020-21.

The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference suspended fall seasons through Dec. 31, but BSU continues to offer ways for athletes to train.

Baumgardner is a freshman, majoring in sports management at BSU and will be led by head coach Brent Bolte when the Beavers resume play.

Drake received teaching artist grant

FOLEY – Sarah Drake, of Sauk Rapids, has been awarded a $2,000 Central Minnesota Arts Board Teaching Artist Grant. Drake plans to work with participants from the 2021 Dexter R. Stanton MLK Art and Essay Contest during a residency focused on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, legacy and role he played in the Civil Rights Movement.

The final artwork will be exhibited at the annual MLK breakfast celebration in January 2022.

The grant is available to artists who complete the CMAB Teaching Artist Roster Program and are listed with the CMAB. The goal of the program is to support artists in sharing knowledge, skills and process with learners throughout the region by increasing the opportunities for artists’ residences.

Funding for the grant is provided by the McKnight Foundation.

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Public Notice REGULAR MEETING SAUK RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL SAUK RAPIDS GOVERNMENT CENTER, 250 Summit Ave N. Monday, October 26, 2020 6:00PM MINUTES 1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Kurt Hunstiger called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Members present: Jason Ellering, Nick Sauer, and Dottie Seamans. Members absent: Ellen Thronson.

2. Additions or Changes to the Agenda Ross Olson noted consent agenda item 9-C should read Street Maintenance and not Utility Maintenance position.

3. Approve the Agenda Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to approve the Agenda as amended.

Motion carried unanimously.

4. Approve Minutes A. 10-13-2020 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to approve the 10-13-2020 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.

5. Receive and File NONE 6. Mayor’s Communications • Jeff Moon, 6 Years of Dedicated Service to Sauk Rapids HRA, Recognition—Mayor Hunstiger and HRA Chair, Mark Campbell, recognized Jeff Moon for his six years of dedicated service to the Sauk Rapids HRA. Moon recently resigned from the Sauk Rapids HRA due to his moving out of the City.

• Michael Golembeski, 34 Years of Dedicated Service to the Sauk Rapids Fire Department, Recognition-Mayor Hunstiger and Fire Chief, Jason Fleming, recognized Volunteer Firefighter, Michael Golembeski, for his 34 years of dedicated service to the Sauk Rapids Fire Department.

7. Audience Items/Visitors Total Time Limit 2 Minutes for Items NOT on the Agenda NONE 8. Public Hearings A. Applicant City of Sauk Rapids Purpose To Consider the Making of the 2021 Pleasantwood Improvements 1.

1. Open Public Hearing Joe Henke, 1275 11th Ave N, noted that the Pleasantwood addition is a wonderful neighborhood and he appreciates all that the City has done to keep the neighborhood up. Henke

discussed how the neighborhood currently has drive over curbs, which makes it easier for having boats and campers in the driveway. He said that under the proposed curb plan, vehicles will be choked up and visibility will be cut. Henke noted his concerns regarding the drainage plans and the proposed storm sewer assessments. He pointed out that their water has been draining in this neighborhood just fine for 40+ years.

Henke asked that the Council ignore the storm sewer plans, which would save each impacted resident roughly $2,000. He also asked that the Council reconsider the proposed curb plan.

Emma Leuthardt, 1214 7th Ave North, voiced her concerns regarding the timing of this project in regards to the global pandemic. Leuthardt noted that the Pleasantwood area is a modest neighborhood and nobody living there is overly wealthy. She discussed how the pandemic has added to financial burdens and strains. Leuthardt discussed the landscape plans and mature trees that would be at risk in various front yards with this project.

2. Close Public Hearing Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to close the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously.

3. Consider Action Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded by Councilperson Sauer to approve the resolution authorizing the preparation of plans and specifications for the 2021 Pleasantwood Addition Improvements.

Discussion: Ross Olson said that the Public Works Committee will meet again as the project progresses, which is very common with any improvement project.

Motion carried unanimously.

B. Applicant City of Sauk Rapids Purpose To Review the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPP) for 2019 2.

1. Open Public Hearing Pete Eckhoff reviewed the 2019 MS4 report for the Council.

Eckhoff provided information on the background history, best practices, and collaborative efforts through the Central Minnesota Water Education Alliance (CMWEA) as it relates to the City’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPP).

2. Close Public Hearing Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Ellering to close the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously.

3. Consider Action

Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Ellering to approve the 2019 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Report. Motion carried unanimously.

9. Consent Agenda A. Approve 3rd Quarter Plumbing, Mechanical, and Building Permits B. Approve Closing City Hall on November 3rd C. Approve Posting of Existing Utility Street Maintenance Position D. Approve Employee Vacation Carryover or Cash-Out Due to COVID-19—Pulled for clarification Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to approve consent agenda items 9A-9C. Motion carried unanimously.

9-D. Approve Employee Vacation Carryover or Cash-Out Due to COVID-19 Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to approve employee vacation carryover or cash out due to COVID-19.

Motion carried unanimously.

10. Regular Agenda NONE 11. Other Staff Items A. General Election is Tuesday, November 3rd Ross Olson noted that the General Election is Tuesday, November 3rd. Olson identified the location of the City’s five polling places. He stated that the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. 12. Other Council Items and Communications A. Halloween—Councilperson Sauer asked that people pay attention and watch out for trick or treaters on Saturday, October 31st.

B. Compost Site-Pete Eckhoff said that the compost site is currently scheduled to be open until November 14th.

C. COVID-19 Update—Mayor Hunstiger said that the City is attempting to stagger staff in an attempt to keep key election staff healthy for next week’s General Election.

13. Approve List of Bills and Claims Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded

by Councilperson Seamans to approve the List of Bills and Claims. Motion carried unanimously.

14. Adjournment Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Ellering to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Hunstiger adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m.

R-48-1B

PUZZLES

Page 18 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Winter Word

Winter

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1. Winter 2. Cold 3. SnowMan 4. Freezing 5. December 6. January 7. February

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20. shictmrsa ________________

9. ice

19. nsigik ___________________

Down 1. Sport that takes place on ice 2. Activity that you strap long boards to your feet.

5. sliding down a hill, usually on a piece of plastic 6. Tool used to remove snow 8. Projectile that you can throw 9. Frozen water 5. sledding 6. shovel 8. snowball

18. nlgddise ________________

Down 1. hockey 2. skiing

17. wngealnos ______________

7. Christmas 10. cider 11. snow

16. lvoehs __________________

Across 3. Something you wrap around you to keep warm 4. Keeps your hands warm 7. Winter Holiday 10. Drink it to warm up. Made from apples.

11. Frozen precipitation that falls from the sky

Across 3. scarf 4. mittens

15. csfra ____________________

PUZZLES

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD HER | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | Page 19

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SPORTS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | Page 23

Storm athletes show passion in award-winning fall season

BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

As a condensed season sees its end within the month, Sauk RapidsRice fall sports has seen an influx of postseason honors.

Seven SRR athletes were rewarded for their hard work with all-conference selections, with eight more receiving honorable mention nods.

The Storm girls soccer team put up a valiant end-of-season fight en route to a quarterfinals exit at the hand of topseeded Sartell-St. Stephen, and their improvement over the course of the shortened season earned them some appreciation at the Central Lakes Conference level.

Senior defenders Ashley Konietzko and Adyson Froiland and junior goalkeeper Maggie Fernholz made the all-conference team, while sophomore

midfielder Olivia Bauer and freshman forward Gabrielle Fernholz were named honorable mentions.

The Storm boys soccer team suffered a firstround Section 8A loss to eventual champion Tech High School, but their roster’s contributions as a group led to a trio of teammates achieving allconference heights: senior goalkeeper Eli Rudnick and junior forwards Eli Moilanen and Keegan Pham.

Demonstrating the Storm’s depth were junior defenseman Ryan Hallonquist, freshman midfielder Leif Rudnick and junior midfielder Andrew Markfelder, who all picked up honorable mention selections.

Cross-country at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School underwent a season of learning and development, but there was significant optimism be-

Anderson from page 20 While it certainly was possible for the determined Anderson to play through it, after a few more weeks, her doctor suggested erring on the side of caution, shutting down her much-anticipated freshman campaign.

Operating inside the paint, the strength of a center’s feet matters when jockeying for position on rebounds and making moves around defenders for high-percentage buckets. Given the nature of the injury, Royalton’s second-highest scorer in team history has come to terms with her current predicament.

“Given the season we have, if we end up having it, they (doctors) thought it would be better to rest, and I could maybe consider surgery later on,” Anderson said.

“Not being able to practice and play my freshman year is devastating, but my coaches and trainers have given me the mindset that this is giving me time to be stronger for next year.”

In the meantime, Anderson can focus on the program she will eventually represent on the basketball court. She is excited to establish herself as an aggressive, fierce post player and looks forward to embarking on the next journey of her life with teammates and coaches who have already made a momentous impact.

“This year hasn’t been the best, but I’ve met a lot of great people,” she said. “My team is really great, and it’s one big family. That has helped me get through the year.”

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hind the lightning legs of senior captain Jared Bentrud, whose third-place finish and time of 17 minutes, 49.74 seconds at the Fergus Falls Invite concluded a spectacular senior campaign. Bentrud’s impressive production and admirable leadership culminated in a Central Lakes Conference Honorable Mention award.

While Bentrud was the lone SRR cross-country representative competitively, Cole Gauerke and Ali Kremer joined him as recipients of the All-Conference Scholar Athlete Award.

The Storm girls swim and dive season capped a captivating campaign with a stellar third-place finish at the Section 5A swim meet, collecting 322.5 points through sheer determination and several memorable performances. The 200-yard freestyle relay team of Haley Davis, Madeline Ziegler, Lydia Zabinski and Abbie Tangen picked up a second-place spot with a time of 1:43.8, and in tallying the speeds of event times across the class, the group earned a predicted 17th-place state finish.

Valeria Flores-Bonilla received Central Lakes Conference acclaim in a pair of conference swim-

ming events at the conference meet, recording a 1:05.32 mark in the 100 backstroke on her way to an all-conference spot in the event and logging a 1:03.71 result in the 100 butterfly for a honorable mention achievement.

Tangen, along with her work on the statequalifying relay team, also collected a CLC Honorable Mention spot with a sixth-place position in the 200 freestyle.

The Collision girls tennis team showed fight and grittiness in several losses and advanced the Section 8A consolation semifinals, where they lost to Rocori. They received no all-conference selections, but through singles contributors like Brynn Karasch, Cailey Davidson, Grace Roesch and Isabelle Haddy and doubles performers Addison Bemboom, Alyssa Meyer, Bailee Bonebright and McKinsey Newbanks, the team competed with intense motivation and desire all season.

The Sauk RapidsRice football and volleyball seasons wrapped up with the implementation of Gov. Tim Walz’s Dial Back plan Nov. 21, while the winter sports season was delayed.

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Vikings let down by poor defense Just when the Minnesota Vikings looked like they were poised to enter the wide-open NFC playoff picture, they suffered a devastating home loss to a truly bad Dallas Cowboys team. The Cowboys came to U.S. Bank Stadium on a four-game losing streak COLUMNIST and without their starting SPORTS

BY ANDY THAYER quarterback. Still, Dallas somehow put up 31 points against a Vikings defense that clearly was not prepared for a must-win game.

There are two major issues with the Vikings defense, and they are complementary issues in the sense that each of them exacerbates the other. The first problem is simple to diagnose – the Vikings have no pass rush. They were only able to pressure Dallas quarterback Andy Dalton on four of his 32 dropbacks (with one sack), and that extreme lack of pressure makes things exceedingly difficult for the team’s second problem area – a secondary with inexperienced cornerbacks and safeties that are starting to get long in the tooth.

The loss of star defensive end Danielle Hunter for the season due to a neck injury was a major blow to the Vikings pass rush, and their midseason trade of Yannick Ngakoue (their second-best pass rusher) for a draft pick ensured the team was going to struggle to create pressure off the edge. When the Vikings dealt Ngakoue, they had a 1-5 record, and it looked like this was a lost season. However, the team promptly went on a three-game winning streak, and that move looks like it may have been shortsighted in retrospect. Without their two top defensive ends, and with no active defensive linemen drafted in the first or second rounds, the Vikings are clearly lacking skill and athleticism in that position group.

The Vikings knew they were going to be inexperienced at the cornerback position after Xavier Rhodes, Trey Waynes and Mackensie Alexander left in free agency last offseason, but injuries to Holton Hill, Mike Hughes and Cameron Dantzler have left the team’s secondary perilously thin.

Simply put, guys like Kris Boyd and Chris Jones cannot cover NFL-caliber wide receivers. So that’s a problem.

I have also noticed some regression from safeties Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris this year.

Smith is 31 years old and is sadly starting to look like he is past his athletic prime. He is starting to cheat on routes and has been burned badly a few times this year, including a critical pass up the left sideline on Sunday where he tried to jump the route of an underneath receiver and abandoned a vertical route. Those are the types of decisions that players make when they have lost a step – they need to anticipate and gamble to make big plays instead of reacting and staying within the framework of the defense. That lack of discipline has also manifested itself in multiple back-breaking unnecessary roughness penalties when Smith has laid out defenseless receivers after arriving a split-second too late. I hate those calls as much as anyone, but the reality of the situation is they are being called, and Smith needs to adjust his game to avoid giving out free first downs.

If you cannot cover well, you had better be able to rush the passer effectively. If you cannot rush the passer, you had better be able to cover.

The Vikings can do neither, and that is how a bottom-feeding 2-7 team like Dallas ended up scoring 31 points against them in a road game. The 4-6 Vikings are now going to need to win at least five of their last six games to have any kind of shot of making the playoffs. With formidable opponents like Tampa Bay and New Orleans on the schedule, that seems like a tall order for a team that cannot even take care of the lowly Cowboys at home.

NEWS

Page 24 | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Happy HunTERS PHOTO SUBMITTED

(Right) James Schultz, 10, son of Greg and Christine Schultz, harvests his first buck, a sixpointer, Nov. 10 in Benton County. James was hunting with his dad.

(Below) Colleen Kirchner, of St. Stephen, harvests a 200 pound-plus deer Nov. 14 in Stearns County. The buck was a 10-pointer.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Luke Seitz, 15, of Elk River, bags his first buck during Minnesota’s youth deer hunt Oct. 15-18 while hunting with Austin Anderson, of Rice. The two are cousins.

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Ideally, candidates will have 1 to 3 years of experience in Route Delivery Service. However, knowledge and the skills you bring to the role are just as important.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

SR48-1B-RB

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Jackson Dietman, 10, son of Seth and Sara Dietman of Rice, takes his first buck during the Minnesota youth deer hunt Oct. 16 in Sherburne County. Dietman deer was a nine-pointer, weighing 171 pounds.

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Leading the

Maya Zaske

Senior Parents: Thomas Zaske and Kelly Cane Accomplishment: Senior captain on the Sauk RapidsRice High School swim and dive team.

Leading the Storm is

Sponsored by: and cares about my opinion on things. She has also helped me write a few short answers on my college applications. She has impacted my education the most because she was a teacher that seemed to always care and want the best for me.

Who has been a mentor to you? Sam Engel, my swim coach. He was always giving me tips on how to improve my stroke and how to carry my endurance throughout the whole race. He seems to always know what he is talking about and is never afraid to crack a few jokes along the way. He is also always there to listen when something is going on that is not swimming related. He has helped me get through a few tough times in my life, and I am thankful I had the opportunity to be coached by him.

What events do you participate in and what event is your favorite? I participate in the 200and 500-yard freestyle. My favorite event is the 500 because I can use my endurance to get faster later in the race.

Why is it important for you to be involved in school activities? Because it helped me find people with the same interests and goals as me. I have met some of my best friends through swimming.

How do you prepare in the minutes leading up to competition? I tell myself I have swam this race a hundred times and I will be fine. I also like to talk to my teammates next to me when I am waiting for my race to start.

Which teacher has impacted your education What is your favorite meal, movie, social memost? Mrs. Koopman. She is my Connections teach- dia and song? Mac ‘n’ Cheese, “Clouds,” Snapchat er and is always there if I need to vent, ask questions and “More Than My Hometown” by Morgan Wallen. or if I need help with something. She is always making sure I understand what is going on at school

What is something you have learned through What is your favorite thing to do with your distance learning that will transfer into a life team? Hangout on long bus rides home after skill? How to stay focused at home when there are meets, especially if we get to stop at Dairy Queen. distractions.

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Jack Welsh joins in for a photo with grandson Gavin Welsh after Gavin harvested his first deer on family hunting land near Cushing during the Minnesota youth deer hunt Oct. 15-18. Gavin, 14, is the son of Jeremy and Sarah Welsh.

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