Sauk Rapids Herald - August 21, 2021

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Saturday, August 21, 2021

Same Local Coverage Since 1854.

Girl Scouts reunite

Vol. 167, No. 20

43 years after Mexico trip PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Sprinklers water the grass in Sauk Rapids in early August. In an effort to conserve water, the city of Sauk Rapids is prohibiting watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day of the week, and residents are asked to limit watering to two days a week.

Drought drives up water use in Sauk Rapids More than 69 million gallons pumped last month

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Water usage in the city of Sauk Rapids is re ecting the summer’s lingering drought.

Throughout July, more than 69 million gallons of water were pumped in the city. Water usage was up by more than 15 million gallons from July 2020, when more than 53 million gallons were pumped, according to Craig Nelson, director of public utilities.

Water usage averaged about 2.2 million gallons per day in July compared to an average of 1.7 million gallons per day in July 2020.

June water usage increased by more than 4 million gallons from the previous year. Total usage for the month was

about 65.8 million gallons compared to about 61.7 million gallons in June 2020.

City water users, residents in particular, typically use more water in the summer months than in winter.

In both 2021 and 2020, January usage averaged 28 million gallons, or between 922,677 and 931,806 gallons per day.

The city has 3,719 residential water meters and 348 commercial water meters.

The July water usage of 69,142,000 gallons, divided by the city’s 4,067 water meters, resulted in an average of 17,000 gallons per resident and commercial meter.

The January water usage of 28,855,000, divided by the city’s 4,067 water meters, resulted in an average of 7,094 gallons per resident and commercial meter.

Troop leaders join a dozen women for reunion

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – It has been 43 years since members of Sauk Rapids Senior Girl Scout Troop 5 boarded a plane to Mexico. But , the women talked and laughed Aug. 13 as if their adventures abroad happened yesterday.

“It’s a testament to who we were back then,” said Cindy (Burski) McCullough while visiting with fellow troop members. “It feels like we’re just picking up where we left off. It’s so fun to remember.”

McCullough was one of 12 former Troop 5 members who gathered for a reunion at Molitor’s Quarry in Sauk Rapids

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Former members of Sauk Rapids Senior Girl Scout Troop 5 – Julie (Overboe) Braegelmann (front, from left), Melanie (Nierengarten) Walz, former troop leader Pat Burski, former troop leader Karen Kierzek, Mary (Kedrowski) Cripe and Mary (LaBore) Haakonson; (middle, from left) Ruth (Skillingstad) Beniek, Brenda (Schlichting) Bechtold, Dawn (Haakonson) Dingmann, June (Kierzek) Bohlig, Patty (Brennan) Reinhardt, Laurel (Meyer) Schoborg and Cindy (Burski) McCullough; (back) Kohl (Thelen) Fiarri – gather for a reunion Aug. 13 at Molitor’s Quarry in Sauk Rapids. The group took a trip to Mexico in 1978 and were reunited this past weekend.

to commemorate the anniversary of their Mexico trip. She was joined by Mary (Kedrowski) Cripe, Ruth (Skillingstad) Beniek, Brenda (Schlicht-

ing) Bechtold, Dawn (Haakonson) Dingmann, Patty (Brennan) Reinhardt, Melanie (Nierengarten) Walz, Laurel (Meyer) Schoborg, June

Dusing’s

(Kierzek) Bohlig, Julie (Overboe) Braegelmann and Mary (LaBore) Haakonson.

Girl Scouts page 2

drive

Teen relishes hard work

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Daniel Dusing believes in the value of hard work.

Last summer, at the age of 15, the PHOTO Sauk Rapids teen started a lawn serBY ELLARRY PRENTICE vice venture with a push mower and Daniel Dusing, 16, sits a dream. on his 60-inch, zero-turn In just a year, Dusing’s startup lawn mower Aug. 17 at his has grown from 15 lawns to 40. A home in Sauk Rapids. Last year, Dusing, who believes 60-inch, zero-turn mower has rein working hard, started a placed his introductory grass cutmowing and yard cleanup ter. service that has grown from 15 lawns to 40.

Dusing page 3

Water page 3

The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.

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

OBITUARIES • Michael L. Hall • Mary Jane Kuklok • Kay (Kathy) Paradeis

PUBLIC NOTICES • Benton County Board of Commissioners Special Meeting, July 27 - pg. 13 • Benton County Board of Commissioners Reg. Meeting, Aug. 3 - pg. 13 • Benton County Ordinance No. 482 - pg. 13

Page 2 | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Girl Scouts from front Also attending the reunion were former Troop 5 leaders Pat Burski and Karen Kierzek.

“God is the one who brought you together and made this all possible,” Burski told the women, some whom she had not seen in four decades.

Three women who went on the trip were unable to attend the reunion.

They are Kari (Jarnot) Hoefer, Danelle (Williams) Theis and Judy (Jacobs) Christopher.

In summer 1978, the Girl Scouts – all sophomores in high school – traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico, where they spent 11 days at a Girl Scout center with girls from Texas, South Carolina, Il-

linois, Peru, Mexico and Puerto Rico.

Burski, who is mother to McCollough and was a Girl Scout leader for 23 years, said the troop had been planning and fundraising for the trip for years. The girls had to commit to going on the trip when they were third graders.

“I believe that’s what kept them together,” said Kierzek, mother to Bohlig. “It was wonderful to keep them together all those years.”

Feeling nostalgic, Bohlig wore her Girl Scout uniform to the reunion. Others brought badges and photos as well as newspaper clippings.

The July 12, 1978, edi-

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Mary (Kedrowski) Cripe (left) and Melanie (Nierengarten) Walz look at photos from their Girl Scouts adventures during a reunion Aug. 13 at Molitor’s Quarry in Sauk Rapids. The reunion commemorated the 43rd anniversary of their Girl Scout trip to Mexico.

tion of the Sauk Rapids Highlights from the Herald, featuring an ar- Mexico trip were visiting ticle about their trip, was an orphanage and bringdisplayed. ing gifts for children and fellow Girl Scouts.

The women also shared photos of their families and talked about their lives since high school.

“This is everything,” said Dingmann of reuniting with Troop 5 members.

Cripe organized the reunion.

“A great time was had by all,” she said.

The women have made Burski and Kierzek proud.

“It’s just wonder-

Hesitant about the Covid vaccine?

ful to see how well the girls are,” Burski said.

“They’re all just such good, wholesome people.”

There was a lot of laughter as the former Girl Scouts shared favorite memories. Once, when they were 11 or 12, they went Christmas caroling at the St. Cloud Hospital and got stuck in an elevator for more than an hour.

Feeling claustrophobic, and as though they were going to lose their minds, the girls continued singing in the elevator to pass the time while they waited for the re department to rescue them.

Burski, a lifelong Sauk Rapids resident, was a Girl Scout in her youth, who then became a troop leader and cookie chairperson after her daughter joined the Sauk Rapids troop.

In 1958 – 20 years before accompanying her daughter’s troop to Mexico – Burski attended a Girl Scout camp in Canada.

“The experience was something I would never forget,” Burski said.

Burski wanted to give members of Troop 5 the same opportunity to travel out of the country, make a difference and meet Scouts from different parts of the world.

Last Friday’s reunion is another event Burski will treasure. She is happy to see that Girl Scouts helped shape them into the women they are today.

“The girls have become good citizens in the community, just wonderful people,” she said.

To this day, Cripe said all the women who went on the trip are grateful to Burski for organizing the trip and for everything she did for them.

Cripe said they hope to have another reunion in seven years to commemorate the 50th year since the trip.

Talk to your doctor.

96% of practicing physicians are vaccinated, trusting the vaccines for themselves and their own families.

PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Pat Burski, former Sauk Rapids Girl Scout leader, reads a letter about Troop 5’s trip to Mexico during an Aug. 13 reunion at Molitor’s Quarry in Sauk Rapids. Burski was a Girl Scout in her youth and later served as a troop leader for 23 years.

THE FACTS ARE REAL. THE IMPACTS ARE REAL.

RF31-6B-JA

Schedule your Covid vaccine: VaccineConnector.mn.gov

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Sauk Rapids Senior Girl Scout Troop 5 in 1978. That year, the troop of 15 girls traveled to Cuernavaca, Mexico, where they spent 11 days at a Girl Scout center.

NEWS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | Page 3

What’s Happening

provides lawn cleanup services, such as removing leaves, in spring and fall.

“I’ve always liked working,” said Dusing, who will be a junior at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School this fall. “I gured out I like working for myself.”

Being self-employed allows Dusing to set his schedule. He enjoys the exibility and getting to know the people he mows for.

He takes pride in providing quality, ef cient service and offering affordable fees.

Working with his own equipment is rewarding, he said. His new mower makes the work much easier and gets the job done faster.

“It cuts (the work) about in half,” Dusing said.

Dusing said his parents, Kyle and Katie, instilled the value of hard work in him and his younger brother, Robert, 14.

“Must be in the family genes,” Dusing said of his work ethic and inability to sit still.

Like other members of his fam-

Dusing from front The 36-inch push-mower was a con rmation gift two years ago, said Dusing, now 16. Intended to help him earn money before he received his driver’s license, the mower proved to be a gift that kept on giving.

Dusing made enough money trimming lawns with the push-mower to purchase new equipment. Going by the name Affordable Lawn Services, he now hauls his riding mower on a atbed trailer, traveling to several sites in Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud to cut grass.

This summer, Dusing has been mowing lawns ve days a week. The frequency has slowed some, but he stays busy in spite of the drought.

His work day starts in the morning and usually wraps up by 4 p.m. A majority of the lawncare jobs are at residences, but he mows a few commercial properties as well.

Dusing primarily mows but also

Water

ily, Dusing likes to keep busy. He is not one to sit on the couch and watch TV all day; he would rather be outside.

When school resumes, Dusing, who plays baseball for the Storm, will continue to provide mowing and cleanup services with help from his parents and brother as needed.

Next summer, he will be back on the mower at least ve days a week.

Dusing has not yet decided on a career path but hopes to be selfemployed.

“We’ll see what else I can venture into,” he said.

He is diligent about saving his earnings for equipment upgrades and a new vehicle.

Mowing and cleaning up leaves have done more for Dusing than provide ways to make money. He has learned that working hard, investing in good equipment and striving for continued growth are important, and that it does not hurt to start young.

“You kind of control your own destiny,” he said. “The harder you work, the further you can get.”

Outside water conservation tips:

from front Water conservation efforts Benton County is in an extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Under current conditions, it will take at least 5-8 inches of precipitation spread over a period of about one month to signi cantly alleviate drought, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Soils are more ef ciently replenished by multiple rainfall events than by any single heavy rainfall event. Surface water and groundwater respond somewhat differently over time.

The city of Sauk Rapids has an odd-even ordinance that restricts the use of city water for lawn sprinkling or irrigation to odd-numbered days for addresses ending with an odd number and even-numbered days for addresses ending with an even number.

The city of Sauk Rapids offered the following tips for conserving water outside: – Water grass as needed. Most lawns need only 1 inch of water per week.

– Mulch your trees and plants. Mulch helps prevent water evaporation and prevents weed growth.

– Leave grass clippings in place; they provide shade for the soil.

– Let grass grow longer to prevent premature dying.

– Check for leaks in hoses, pipes, couplings or sprinklers, as they waste water.

– Invest in a rain barrel. Water collected in these barrels can be used for watering gardens and, if needed, lawns.

Inside water conservation tips: The city of Sauk Rapids offered the following tips for conserving water inside: – Fix running toilets.

– Turn off the tap while shaving or brushing teeth.

– Take a shower instead of a bath. Low flow showerheads save water.

– Only run full loads of laundry, and use correct water level settings.

– Only run the dishwasher when full.

– Use water-efficient appliances. Look for the WaterSense label.

Right now, the city is asking residents to limit watering to two days a week, per the request of the DNR, Nelson said.

The city is also prohibiting watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day of the week, Nelson said.

Limiting watering aims to reduce water demand and preserve the city’s drinking water sup-

ply.

Since the two-day watering limit was put into effect, water usage has dropped about 20%, Nelson said.

In July, the DNR announced the state had entered the drought warning phase. This prompted the state drought task force to call on public water suppliers to implement water-use

reduction actions.

A notice on the city’s website says if drought conditions worsen, the city will be required to implement additional water use reduction measures or system water limitations to comply with the DNR. “It is important to conserve water inside and outside of your property,” the notice says.

WINE

Monday, August 16th - Sunday, August g 29th

Sauk Rapids Busch Light

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Monday-Thursday 9am-10pm • Friday-Saturday 8am-10pm • Sunday 11am-6 pm

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Monday, Aug. 23, 8-10:30 a.m. – Catholic Charities Senior Dining Frozen Meal Distribution. For people age 60 and older. All clients must complete an annual registration form. There is no cost to participate, and meals are distributed through a contactless, drive-thru format. Celebration Lutheran Church, 1500 Pine Cone Road N., Sartell.

Monday, Aug. 23, 6 p.m. – Sauk Rapids City Council Meeting. Sauk Rapids Government Center, 250 Summit Ave. N., Sauk Rapids.

Monday, Aug. 23, 6:30 p.m. – Sauk RapidsRice School Board Meeting. Sauk RapidsRice High School, 1835 Osauka Road N.E., Sauk Rapids.

Tuesday, Aug. 24, 11 a.m. to noon – Living Waters Lutheran Church Food Shelf Distribution. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. If in need of emergency food assistance, call 320-255-1135.

Tuesday, Aug. 24, 1-3 p.m. – Catholic Charities Senior Dining Frozen Meal Distribution.

For people age 60 and older. All clients must complete an annual registration form. There is no cost to participate, and meals are distributed through a contactless, drive-thru format.

Catholic Charities Emergency Services, 157 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud.

Tuesday, Aug. 24, 4-6 p.m. – Rice Area Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Rice Area Women of Today. At the corner of Division Street North and East Main Street, Rice.

Tuesday, Aug. 24, 4-7 p.m. – Grilled Pork Chop Dinner. Includes corn on the cob, Caesar salad, rolls and homemade pie. Proceeds donated to Community Action Respecting Elders. Mr. Jim’s, 840 Highway 23, Foley.

Tuesday, Aug. 24, 6 p.m. – Overeaters Anonymous. Alano Club, 23805 County Road 2, Cold Spring. For more information, call Joyce at 320-761-2275, Donna at 320-291-7251 or visit oa.org.

Tuesday, Aug. 24, 7 p.m. – Free Grace Recovery Meeting. Hosted by Free Grace United. All are welcome; everyone struggles with something. The ROC, 141 Fourth Ave. N., Foley.

Wednesday, Aug. 25, 4:30-7:30 p.m. – Burger Night and Corn Boil. Meat raf e supporting the Sauk Rapids Engine Company No. 2 Retired Fire ghters Association. VFW Post 6992, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids.

Thursday, Aug. 26, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Catholic Charities Senior Dining Frozen Meal Distribution. For people age 60 and older. All clients must complete an annual registration form. There is no cost to participate, and meals are distributed through a contactless, drive-thru format. Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 County Road 2, St. Joseph.

Thursday, Aug. 26, 3-6 p.m. – Sauk Rapids Market. Coborn’s parking lot, 110 First St. S., Sauk Rapids.

750 ml

12 pack cans

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Monday, Aug. 23-31 – Friends of the St. Cloud Library Teacher Book Sale. Teachers buy one, get one on childrens books. No limit on quantity. Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. St. Cloud Library, 1300 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud.

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Thursday, Aug. 26, 5:30-9:30 p.m. – Rock the Riverside Music Nights. Featuring Wanda Jam and Radio Nation. Southside Park, 103 River Ave. S., Sauk Rapids.

Friday, Aug. 27, 11 a.m. to noon – Living Waters Lutheran Church Food Shelf Distribution. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. If in need of emergency food assistance, call 320-255-1135.

Saturday, Aug. 28, 9 a.m. – Overeaters Anonymous. Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. For more information, call Joyce at 320-761-2275, Donna at 320291-7251 or visit oa.org.

Page 4 | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Rice has new police officer

Miller vehemently denies criminal allegations

Bridenstine sworn in

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

Benton County attorney appears in court for first time

BY JAKOB KOUNKEL | STAFF WRITER

FOLEY – Phillip Miller appeared in court for the rst time Aug. 18 regarding three counts of criminal sexual conduct, alleged by a 15-year-old female. It was a familiar setting for Benton County’s top prosecutor, but this time in unfamiliar territory as the defendant.

The hearing was largely for Judge Jay Carlson, a 7th Judicial District judge located in Becker County, to ensure Miller understood the allegations levied against him and the maximum penalties that could accompany a guilty verdict. It also set conditions for release which means, so long as Miller follows the court’s orders, he is to remain free without bail.

The hearing also established restrictions for Miller while the case is open. Miller’s attorney, Christa Groshek, argued there is no reason for the judge to restrict Miller from traveling out of the state or having unsupervised contact with minors due to his overwhelmingly positive reputation in the community.

The prosecuting attorney representing the state of Minnesota in the case, Deanna Natoli, said the nature of the allegations warrants restrictions on unsupervised contact with minors. Carlson agreed with Natoli.

Carlson allowed contact between Miller and his soon-to-be ex-wife only

through written communication so the court can determine the legality of the nature of any communication between the two. Other than written contact with that person, which includes text messaging, Miller cannot contact anybody else related to the case.

In the hearing, Groshek said Miller has not had any contact with the girl, who is Miller’s stepdaughter, or anybody else related to the case other than his estranged wife since January. Groshek said Miller is “disgusted” by the allegations made by his step-daughter, who he characterized as a “pathological liar.”

Groshek argued the allegations “spring out of a complex family situation” and have been “nothing short of a nightmare” for Miller. Despite the allegations, Groshek said Miller will continue working as the Benton County attorney, to which he was rst elected to in November 2014 after running unopposed.

Natoli did not respond to Groshek’s defense. She said she was not going to litigate the case at this hearing.

The second court date for the omnibus hearing has not yet been set due to scheduling con icts, though Carlson said it would likely be sometime in mid-October.

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

RICE – The city of Rice swore in its newest police of cer Monday. Of cer George Bridenstine took the oath of of ce at the Rice City Council meeting Aug. 16 at Rice City Hall.

Bridenstine was joined by his wife, Stacy, and children, Esther Parks and Aaleyah Parks.

Bridenstine began his role as a part-time of cer following his July 19 hire.

He has been training with Rice Police Chief Ross Hamann.

Bridenstine is also a registered nurse at the St. Cloud VA Health Care System.

In other council news: – Approved a payroll change for city staff. The approval is contingent on verifying any con icting language in the personnel policy or union contracts.

The change affects city staff such

PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

Officer George Bridenstine (third, from left) and Rice Police Chief Ross Hamann stand with Rice City Council members – Chris Scheel (from left), Mayor Brian Skroch, Michelle Keller and Paula Kampa – Aug. 16 at city hall in Rice. The council welcomed Bridenstine to city staff following his oath of office. Not pictured is council member Emily Walters who was absent from the meeting.

as police, public works, administration and recreation, as well as part-time help and some committee members.

Prior to the change, employees logged hours and had a two-week waiting period before those hours were paid. For example, a paycheck issued Aug. 13 was for work completed July 12-25.

Clerk Julie Fandel requested to expedite the payroll process, receiving timesheets on Mondays and dispersing funds by the following Friday. The city will continue to pay on a bi-weekly schedule.

Fandel and council member Paula Kampa said the change will allow the city to have a clear reconcile to year-end balances.

Fandel said the city’s auditing rm, Schlenner Wenner and Company, were also in favor of the change.

– The city welcome banners were received and remained under the $2,500 budgeted amount. The cost was paid via the general

supplies account, and any funds collected on behalf of the banners will be returned to that fund.

– Approved a large gathering permit for the Old Creamery Arts and Craft Show. The event will take place Sept. 1112. Owner and organizer Mark Larson expects over 120 vendors at the event; the most the craft fair has garnered is about 180.

Correction A day of the week was misprinted in the previous issues of the Sauk Rapids Herald.

The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial found in Washington, D.C., will be open to the public through 2 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 22. The memorial is located at Rice Elementary School.

Missing person

Officer George Bridenstine takes the oath of office Aug. 16 at Rice City Hall in Rice. Bridenstine is the newest hire on the Rice Police Department and will fulfill a part-time role.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children needs the public’s help nding 17-yearold Dominique Timmerman.

Dominique was last seen Aug. 6 in Owatonna.

She is 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighs 118 pounds and has blue eyes and brown hair. She may be in need Dominique Timmerman of medical attention.

If you have any information, contact the or the Owatonna Police NCMEC at 1-800-THE- Department in Minnesota LOST (1-800-843-5678) at 1-507-444-3800.

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | Page 5

OBITUARIES/ NEWS Mary Jane Kuklok

Jane lived most of her life in the Sauk Rapids and St. Cloud area. She worked at the St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud State University in Shoemaker Hall and as a rehab aide at Good Shepherd for 20 years.

Mary Jane was af liated with Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sauk Rapids and was a member of

the Christian Mothers.

She enjoyed cooking, gardening, canning, baking (especially apple pie and Polish coffee cake), playing cards, traveling, family get togethers, and assisting as a wedding coordinator with her daughter, Renee. Mary Jane was very proud of her family. Her determination, hard work ethic, and talents were a guiding force for her family.

Mary Jane is survived by her children, Marilys (DuWayne) Simmons of Sauk Rapids, Renee Strang of Sauk Rapids, and Brenda (Walter) Heinen of St. Cloud; siblings, Angeline Eiden of Chaska, Marcella Pilarski of Osseo, Frances Eiden of Carver, George Wochnick of St. Joseph, and LaVerne Klish of St.

Paul; 11 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and daughter-in-law, Patricia Kuklok of Becker. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ambrose in 2000; sons, Richard and Roger; brothers, Leo and Ralph Wochnick; and sonin-law, Mel Strang.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the loving staff at Quiet Oaks Hospice House for the compassionate care that was given to Mary Jane in her nal days.

Memorials are preferred to Quiet Oaks Hospice House.

Obituary, guest book and video tribute available online at www. williamsdingmann.comR-33-1B

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23, at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids for Michael L. Hall, age 62, who passed away Aug. 17, 2021, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

The Rev. David Hinz will of ciate and burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Sauk Rapids.

Michael L. Hall Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the funeral home in Sauk Michael was born Rapids.

Sept. 18, 1958, in St.

Cloud to Thomas and Clara (Pilantz) Hall. He lived in Ohio most of his life and worked as a salesperson.

Michael enjoyed traveling, landscaping and carpentry.

He lived a full life, was a man of adventure and spent quality time with his family. Michael was a man of faith who was a good father, brother and friend.

Survivors include his son, Mikhail Hall of Ohio; mother, Clara Czech of Sauk Rapids; sisters and brother, Peggy Hall of

Avon, Penny Dunn of New Brighton, Sue Bechtold of St. Cloud, Anthony T. (Brenda) Hall of St. Cloud and Karla (Bruce) Benoit of Cold Spring; and many nieces and nephews.

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Thomas; former spouse, Sue; and step father, George Czech.

Obituary, guest book and video tribute available online at www. williamsdingmann.comR-33-1B

had a big heart, was a great neighbor and will always be remembered as the kind of person that could do it all. She was kind, generous, hard-working, a great friend and listener, patient and well-loved by children, often being “Grandma” to numerous neighborhood children.

She was affectionately known as “Grandma, Nana, Kaylala.” Kay was most proud of her family. She taught her children to love incredibly generously, work hard and to be accountable for their actions.

Kay is survived by her loving husband, Bill; children, Stephanie (James) Tupa, Jennifer Zakis and Jake Paradeis; grandchildren, Alyssa, Braeden, Callie, Emma, Emily, Holly and Auron; siblings, Aryliss (Tom) Moulzolf, Joy BoserKnowles, Bev (Marvin)

Winscher, Judy (Jim) Barnett and Steve (Lisa) Dropps; sister-in-law, Diane Dropps; brothers and sisters-in-law, Terry (Dottie) Paradeis, Marty Paradeis, Peg (Bob) Wimmer, Joan Paradeis, and Jacky (Greg) Drewry.

She was preceded in death by her parents; motherin-law and father-in-law; brother, Al Dropps; sistersin-law, Jane Paradeis and Pat Furst; and brothersin-law, Doug Paradeis, Greg Boser, and Melvin “Sonny” Knowles.

In lieu of owers, memorials are preferred to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Minnesota Chapter. (afsp. org/chapter/Minnesota) Obituary, guest book and video tribute available online at www. williamsdingmann.comR-33-1B

Mass of Christian Burial was 11 a.m.

Aug. 19 for Mary Jane Kuklok who passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Aug. 15, 2021, at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Cloud. The Rev. Thomas Knoblach of ciated and burial was at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was 9:30-11 a.m. Thursday at the church in Sauk Rapids.

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

Mary Jane was born Aug. 19, 1929, in Brockway Township to Thomas and Theresa (Symanietz) Wochnick.

She was united in marriage to Ambrose Kuklok Jan. 8, 1949, in Opole. Mary

Mary Jane Kuklok

Michael L. Hall

Kay (Kathy) Paradeis May 14, 1960 – Aug. 18, 2021 A celebration of life will be held for Kay (Kathy) Paradeis at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23, at Shepherd of the Pines Lutheran Church in Rice.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday evening at the church in Rice and also one hour prior to the celebration at the church Monday morning. There will be a brief prayer service, followed by a time for sharing memories at 7 p.m. Sunday evening.

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

Kay was born in St. Cloud May 14, 1960 to DuWayne “Bud” and Betty (Doeden) Dropps. Kay was united in marriage to Bill Paradeis Oct. 8, 1977.

Kay (Kathy) Paradeis

She was a hard-working farmer who always had time for family and friends to stop by for coffee, food (cinnamon rolls), or a smoke. The hospitality she showed to those she loved was a true gift. Kay was a member of Shepherd of Pines Lutheran Church where she and Bill were very involved. She was very creative and was an avid scrapbooker, card maker/stamping and expert in many types of crafts. Kay

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Commissioners move on multiple grants 2 accepted, 3 applications submitted

BY JAKOB KOUNKEL STAFF WRITER

FOLEY – Going after a bevy of grants, the Benton County Board accepted two grants totaling $16,000 for the veterans service of ce and the emergency management of ce while applying for three more grants related to land use, human services and victims of crime.

A routine part of the county’s VSO every year is the acceptance of a grant coming from the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs, this year in the amount of $10,000.

Every county in the state receives a base-level grant of $7,500, but because Benton County has a population of 2,672 veterans, it will receive an additional $2,500.

The money is usually spent on advertisements throughout the county that highlight services available for veterans, software maintenance and other materials dictated through the state legislature, said George Fielder, the county’s veterans service of cer.

Commissioners also accepted a $6,000 grant for the county’s emergency management of ce for radiological emergency preparedness. The grant will pay for expenses related to planning, training and drills required by federal and state regulators because Benton County is part of the ingestion zone of the nuclear power plant in Monticello.

Commissioners also went after three more grant opportunities. The most signi cant is a potential grant that would obtain federal funding for redevelopment throughout the county.

Commissioners approved a partnership alongside Benton Economic Partnership, at no cost, to enter into an agreement with StanTec – a multifaceted global consulting rm. The rm will help write a grant and hopefully receive up to $600,000 in funding to redevelop land that currently cannot be used due to environmental concerns.

There were two options for commissioners in the partnership with StanTec. The rst includes a at payment of $20,000 to the rm primarily for grant application assistance.

The second comes at no cost to the county; StanTec would provide the same services as in option one, but if the county is awarded with the grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the rm would receive payment through grant dollars.

Commissioner Beth Schlangen was the sole dissenting vote in the partnership because she wanted to know more about the process before moving forward. She opted for the rst option.

Commissioners also approved the county’s attorney, Philip Miller, to be the authorized signer for the attorney’s of ce to apply for a two-year, $70,000 victim services grant.

The grant has been historically awarded through the state’s department of public safety, and it aims to subsidize services for victims of crime in Benton County. It can be applied to legal advocacy, crisis intervention, transportation, shelter and many other expenses. Without the grant, funding for these services would come from taxpayers or would cease to exist.

The last of the three grants that commissioners approved applications for is related to the county’s human services and public health departments. The funding – up to $160,000 – is offered through the American Rescue Plan Act through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The grant money can be used for school nurses, school-based health services personnel, or any other position as may be required to prevent and prepare a response to the coronavirus pandemic. It can also be used to purchase equipment and supplies to support the expanded workforce along with many other uses.

In other board news: – Benton County Public Works Director Chris Byrd, in response to commissioner Steve Heinen asking for an update on local-option sales tax performance, reported to commissioners that the sales tax is again outpacing expectations month-bymonth.

Byrd loosely estimates that, by the end of the year, Benton County could have around $2.8 million left over even after road projects are complete. The county would have about $1.5 million left over after year end even if there was not one more penny of sales tax revenue coming through this year.

Page 6 | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

OPINION

Ornamental grasses Native prairie elds contain a variety of wild owers and grasses mixed together that are well acclimated to this area. However, if a single grass is selected and allowed to duplicate, GREEN AND it becomes a decoGROWING rative or accent IN BENTON COUNTY plant in our gardens BY LINDA G. TENNESON showing a variety of colors, textures and sizes.

Many ornamental grasses are perennials living for more than one year, while others are annuals growing only a single year but reseeding themselves. Some grasses spread easily with roots that multiply by underground rhizomes and may become invasive. Clumping grasses increase in size also but at a slower rate. Grasses have owers that become seed heads which stay attached to the plant adding to its attractiveness. The leaves may be deep green, blue, red, yellow or purple. Grasses sway in the wind creating a pleasing rustling sound. Taller grasses may be used instead of shrubs to create hedges or borders. They may also be planted on slopes for erosion control. Nearly all grasses prefer full sun and well-drained soil.

However, Northern Sea oat grass, Japanese forest grass and some sedges will grow in the shade. Grass clumps bene t from being divided every three or four years. The centers of the grass clump may die out if this is not done, similar to the hosta plant. Also like hostas, dividing a clump may require a sharp shovel forced into the root ball to separate the plant into sections. Cut the grass back in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.

A good place to visit before choosing a grass is the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska. It has a huge collection of grasses in eight large beds in full sun and two others in shade. There are grasses ranging in height from a few inches to 15 feet. There are grasses with solid or striped leaves in various colors. The Arboretum grasses are burned down in April but quickly regrow. In late summer and fall, the various grasses are at their best. These grasses provide food for birds and wildlife over winter and withstand the snow. One bed in the collection has sedges, feather reed grass, blue fescue, blue oatgrass and tufted hairgrass. These grasses ower early in the season, creating seed heads that are in contrast with the green leaves below them. In an adjacent bed, Giant Miscanthus grass grows to over 10 feet in height. Near that is a bed with shorter grasses including Little Bluestem. The term little is relative. This grass reaches 4 feet in height. One newly grown variety is Blue Heaven which is blue in summer but turns to red or burgundy in fall. Two shorter versions of Miscanthus are also grown. Little Fountain and Sirene looks like white feathery brushes atop tall mounds of green leaves. In contrast, Prince elephant grass has shorter fat blades that are dark purple. Karl Forester feather reed grass is a popular choice for its attractive, lightcolored seed heads which stand high above a mound of green leaves. These and other grasses are grown with little watering and survive drought well. Some of them will stand in the snow to provide winter interest.

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

What can we do

It’s almost an impossible feeling that church (Heb. 10:25). Prioritize it. Commit to it. Invest there. Serve there. Grow alongwe could align our lives in a way that would side real, esh-and-blood people. Embrace help those suffering across the world. With its unavoidably uncomfortable aspects. It the Taliban recently taking control over the may seem counterintuitive, but committing Afghanistan government and control over yourself to a church, even if it’s not perpeople in the most inhumane and suppresfectly t to you, is freeing. A church comsive acts we can imagine, what can we munity frees you from the crushing weight learn that would help? of self-obsession. It frees you to be part of The Gospel Coalition, a fellowship something bigger than yourself, with peoof reformed evangelical churches online, LIFE BY FAITH helps Christians keep their priority on BY MERCY NYGAARD ple who are not like you. It frees you from the bias-con rming bubbles of only being faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus. What exposed to like-minded people who always does it look like to seek and live it out?

How does the gospel help us grow in our love of God af rm but never challenge you. It frees you from the and others? One thing TGC exclaims as their mani- burden of being accountable only to yourself: what festo is, “Prioritize your church.” But how on earth you believe, how you like to worship, how you intercan that help those suffering in Afghanistan? Let’s pret the Bible, how you want to live, and so on. When look at Afghanistan’s history over the last couple de- we are the only authority on these things, it’s hard to cades and see how it helped them. However, their his- become wise.”

I love hearing this as I have been attending my tory starts with a portion of Iran’s history.

In 1979, there was an Iranian Revolution in the church for eight years. When you live life alongside country of Iran. A hard-line Islamic regime was es- those in your church, you begin to see their part in tablished that increased opposition and persecu- the body of Christ. You begin to see those called to tion to Christians. All missionaries were kicked out help the needy, sick, widowed, orphaned, persecuted and evangelism was outlawed. Several pastors were and imprisoned. You begin to learn your part. We killed. The Bible printed in Persian was banned. What are all encouraging and building each other up in the happened to the Christian community as a result? In gifts God gave us. The burden bearers are becoming the last 20 years, more Iranians have become Chris- weary. Who do you think lifts up the burden bearers, tians than in the previous 13 centuries since Islam those boots on the ground helping the persecuted, refcame to Iran. According to the research organization ugees, prisoners of war? It’s the church. You may not Operation World, Iran has the fastest-growing evan- be the missionary holding the bloodied husband who gelical movement in the world. The second-fastest- just had his wife and child taken from him, but you growing church is in Afghanistan, where Afghans are can be the one who lifts up the missionary in prayer, supplies, phone calls, letters and scripture. When you being reached in large part by Iranians.

Persecution of Christians has been forewarned invest in your church you become part of God’s comsince the Old Testament. The only way to endure munity to advance his kingdom. We join together in such times is to grow and know the Christ who saves. prayer for those suffering all over the world, and God Christ is the only one who gives eternal life past this connects his people and resources in the greater body one by believing in him as Lord and the son of God. of Christ with Jesus as the head.

Pray, nd a church that walks in fear of the Lord Look at how God provided the people of Afghanistan his gift of salvation and source of hope before the and is faithful to his word, and watch what God will Taliban forced its way in. The church in Iran grew do. The situation may continue to look dire all around and lived alongside esh and blood people, spilling us; the reality is our country can look like Afghanistan over to Afghanistan. They were not social distancing; right now some day. Being a Christian does not mean they were not concerned about their own lives over we will not suffer. We will suffer. But, your heart will others. They learned to love God and then love others grow in peace and closer to God’s kingdom and for God’s glory for ever and ever. as Jesus loved us.

TGC writes, “We plead: Do not neglect the

Traditional letters to the editor policy Letters to the editor and other opinion articles are welcome. Letters must be signed with a first and last name and include an address and phone number. Letters should be under 400 words and to the point, and be submitted by 5 p.m. Wednesday.

E-mail to natasha@saukherald.com

OPINION

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | Page 7

The bathing debate Celebrities have been entertaining like to run home and shower rst. fans by sharing their bathing habits.

Friends like to tease me about it.

The bathing debate started when ac“Ellarry, I know it’s been two hours tor Ashton Kutcher and his wife, actress since you showered. Are you doing alMila Kunis, divulged on a July podcast right?” that they don’t believe in washing their Between excess bathing and frequent kids – or themselves – with soap every trips to empty my bladder, I really do day. spend a lot of time in the bathroom.

“If you can see the dirt on them, The bathtub is one of my favorite clean them,” Kutcher said of washing his places to be. I love submerging myself in kids, ages 6 and 4. “Otherwise, there’s no EXPRESSIONS BY EL warm water. Baths are good for the soul,

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE point.” especially during stressful times and at Kunis said that, as a child, she “didn’t the end of a long workday. shower much anyway,” having grown up without the I do agree with Kutcher, Kunis and Gyllenhaal luxury of hot water. that excessive bathing isn’t good for the skin. Long The couple’s comments prompted other celebri- daily or twice-daily showers also waste a lot of water. ties to weigh in on the conversation.

I usually don’t ll up the tub for a short bath or take Actress Kristen Bell revealed she follows a simi- showers longer than three minutes at night. I also aplar philosophy when it comes to bathing her kids. Bell ply body lotion every night, which seems to help. said she’s a, “big fan of waiting for the stink.”

According to Harvard Health, normal, healthy Similarly, actor Jake Gyllenhaal attracted atten- skin maintains a layer of oil and a balance of good tion when he told Vanity Fair he nds bathing to be bacteria. Washing and scrubbing removes these, espe“less necessary.” cially if the water is hot. As a result, skin may become “There’s a whole world of not bathing that is also dry, cracked or itchy, which could lead to problems really helpful for skin maintenance, and we naturally and health issues. Though overcleaning your body is clean ourselves,” Gyllenhaal said. not a compelling health issue, the Harvard report acActor Dwayne Johnson is not following suit, knowledged. however. He recently took to Twitter to say he showWhile there is no ideal frequency, Harvard Health ers three times a day. experts suggest showering several times per week is “Shower (cold) when I roll outta bed to get my plenty for most people, unless you are grimy, sweaty day rollin’. Shower (warm) after my workout before or have other reasons to shower more often. Short t work. Shower (hot) after I get home from work. Face showers – lasting three or four minutes, with a focus wash, body wash, exfoliate and I sing (off key) in the on the armpits and groin – may suf ce. shower,” Johnson tweeted.

As for bathing kids, Harvard Health said our imt I stand with The Rock. mune systems need a certain amount of stimulation If I had it my way, I would bathe three times ev- by normal microorganisms, dirt and other environery day – heck, maybe even four. mental exposures in order to create protective antiA born and raised farm girl, I’m not afraid to get bodies and immune memory. This is one reason why t dirty or work up a sweat, but I love feeling clean. some pediatricians and dermatologists recommend f I always bathe at least twice a day. I can’t start my against daily baths for kids. day without showering or go to bed without a bath or When I become a mom, I’m certain my excessive quick shower at least. bathing will come to an end.

When I’m home all day, I often bathe three times.

My friends say they dream of using the toilet I know it’s overkill, but it’s just an Ellarry quirk. without being watched by a little person or taking a My house used to be a block from my of ce. shower without hearing “Mom” over and over. t Sometimes, especially on hot summer days or when A couple friends are so busy and sleep-deprived it was freezing cold outside, I’d take a quick bath to that sometimes they don’t remember the last time freshen up or warm up when I went home to eat. they showered.

If I meet friends or go somewhere after work, I Just wait for the stink, I guess.

Free meals for school year Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools This count is used to determine will continue to offer free breakfast various types of funding, which are t and lunch to all kindergarten through bene cial to all district students and 12th grade students grades for the includes things such as: 2021-22 school year regardless of – Funding to reduce class sizes. household income levels. Earlier this – Funding to reduce college applispring, the United States Department cation fees.

ISD 47 of Agriculture announced it would – Funding to reduce academic test

By Tracey Fiereck, continue to reimburse school districts fees. director of for free meals to all students. The – Funding to support technology business services Minnesota Department of Education and internet access.

Storm Corner extended those waivers to districts in In addition, quali cation for benMinnesota. e ts also impacts extracurricular athletics and activiTypically, districts are only reimbursed for free ties. or reduced priced meals that are served to students The Minnesota State High School League utilizes who qualify for and participate in the National School these counts to determine what section districts are in Lunch Program. Quali cation for this program is for athletics and activities, ensuring teams and groups based on approval of bene ts on the Educational are competing with districts with similar demographr Bene ts form. This form is provided annually to all ics. Sauk Rapids-Rice will also reduce activity fees district families. Due to the recent approval of the for families who qualify. waiver from the MDE, the requirement to apply and District families, if you have not done so already, be approved for free or reduced-price meals no longer take a moment to complete the Educational Bene ts needs to happen to receive this bene t. form which can be found on the district website at However, with that said, the Educational Bene ts www.isd47.org/services/food-service, in your backform is still an integral part of funding calculations to-school packets, as well as at the open house at your and ultimately allocations of funding for the district. child’s school.

The Educational Bene ts form provides the district We are grateful to continue offering free meals with a calculation of what is commonly referred to as to all families for the 2021-22 school year. At a time a free and reduced lunch count. But, the application when families continue to face nancial strain and for Educational Bene ts provides much more than hardship, these waivers allow SRR to reach more kids free and reduced lunches for families district-wide. with the food and nutrition they need.

Why is lling out this form so important?

Lack of affordable homes is detrimental to our state, needs action Homeownership is a major factor in building strong families which, in turn, build strong communities.

U n f o r t u n a t e l y, our state’s excessive regulatory and permitting policies STRAIGHT FROM continue choking THE CAPITOL families out of the BY REP. SHANE MEKELAND market as Minnesota MN HOUSE 15B has fallen far behind our neighboring states in terms of housing affordability.

A recent Star Tribune article provided sobering details of how current housing policies are causing adverse impacts to housing affordability and access. It reports a median home price in the Twin Cities metro area now tops $350,000.

A report from the Housing Affordability Institute indicates up to one-third of a new home’s price in the Twin Cities comes from regulation and local policies. So, if you build a $300,000 home, $100,000 of your hard-earned dollars will go toward expenses mandated by state and local policies. A new home in the Twin Cities costs up to 25% more than a similar home built by the same builder in the southwestern Chicago suburbs, a difference of $82,000, the HAI said.

Homes may be a bit more affordable in Greater Minnesota, but the point remains the same: Families, especially younger ones, are being priced out of the market as moderately priced single-family homes vanish from the landscape.

We face a signi cant shortage of workforce housing at a time good jobs remain un lled. It’s hard to attract able workers to our area if there is a lack of affordable homes. Our dwindling number of childcare providers, also partly due to overregulation, is another major problem which needs to be addressed.

The kicker? The Legislative Commission on Housing Affordability, to which I was appointed, has not met in 18 months. We have not received a response to a request to schedule a meeting.

Meanwhile, I created a study group on affordable housing and plan to meet during the interim.

We need corrective action before bad becomes worse with the steady stream of unhelpful proposals coming our way.

For example, one bill introduced this year applies a park dedication fee to new houses. Another bill assessing an estimated $8,000-$10,000 to construction costs per rooftop to fund potential future roadwork via street impact fees was authored.

Ill-advised bills such as these help to explain how we got to where we are today. And that doesn’t even account for the more hidden added costs to consumers such as homeowners insurance, property taxes, etc., that also rise with higher construction costs.

This omnibus housing bill which was enacted this year did nothing to address the cost drivers behind the rising price of homeownership. It focused more on policies related to eviction and homeless shelters. Those issues may have warranted attention, but there certainly was time to tackle affordability.

Legislation to bring zoning reform, reduce state mandates that are handcuf ng local governments and streamline regulations that nickel and dime our market to unaffordability was not enacted. I personally have been working on legislation to mitigate our workforce housing shortage.

I will continue supporting policies that incentivize affordable homes while pushing back against burdensome regulations that only make our situation worse. I am honored to have received a 2021 Housing Leadership Award from Housing First Minnesota for my efforts on this front.

This is a battle I will continue ghting on behalf of local families. But, we need to stop talking about this problem and start working on solutions in earnest.

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | Page 9

NEWS

MIDWEST CLASSIFIED NETWORK To reach 9 states with your classified call 320-251-1971 PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

Joan Judd (left), of Rice, and Barb Wolbeck, of Cushing, sit alongside County Road 2 awaiting The Wall That Heals’ entrance to Rice Aug. 17. The semitrailer which transports the memorial was escorted from St. Cloud by law enforcement, emergency personnel and over 65 motorcycles.

Bruce O l s o n shares his experiences of serving in the Vietnam War at the Welcome Home Ceremony Aug. 19 in Rice.

Olson, a rural Rice resident, served from January 1968 to August 1969 as part of the U.S. Army’s C Company 69th Engineer Battalion.

Ceremony from page 8 A Welcome Home Ceremony kicked off the opening of The Wall That Heals Thursday evening at the ball elds of Rice Elementary School after the memorial was escorted to Rice two days earlier.

The traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial found in Washington, D.C., will be open through 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22.

Six people spoke during the ceremony.

Rice Auxiliary Unit 473 member and event organizer, Cora Martin, shared the message that gratitude for the country’s veterans must come every day and be weighted with love and understanding.

Mayor Brian Skroch shared his connection to the memorial; Skroch’s relative, Gene Leo Salzer, is listed on the wall and Skroch’s great uncle, Clyde Dillenburg, served in Vietnam. He then proclaimed Aug. 18-22 Vietnam Veterans War Memorial Week in the city of Rice.

A group of Vietnam veterans gather in front of The Wall That Heals Aug. 19 in Rice.

Vietnam veterans were asked to come forward from the crowd to be recognized for their service at the Welcome Home Ceremony and more than 30 came forward.

Minnesota Sen. Jeff Howe, a U.S. Navy and U.S. Army National Guard veteran who represents District 13, reminded the crowd of the maltreatment faced by the Vietnam veterans when they returned home from the war, and he thanked those veterans for insisting on change. He said the Vietnam veterans ensured those returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan received what they did not – a welcome home.

Guest speaker Bruce Olson, a rural Rice resident, shared his personal experience of serving in Vietnam at the height of the war. Olson, who served as part of the U.S. Army’s C Company 69th Engineer Battalion, lost his company commander and others during a mortar barrage.

“At the time, I gured I would never see Minnesota again,” said Olson, who was married to his wife, Linda, while

on leave in January 1969.

“I was hoping and praying to God that we would make it out of there.”

Olson also explained how what he faced when he returned from the war affected him.

“We were told on the plane to forget Vietnam, put on our civilian clothes and disappear,” he said. “I was never able to talk about Vietnam for up to 30 years.”

Olson said he started going to military reunions a few years ago, which helped him heal.

He is now able to share his experience rather than

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“I’d like to thank my wife, family and friends for all the support over the years, and for God for bringing me here,” he said. “I’m still here after 75 years.”

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News Briefs

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | Page 11

NEWS

CentraCare announces COVID-19 t vaccine requirement for employees St. Cloud – CentraCare announced a decision to make the COVID-19 vaccine a requirement for all employees and clinicians of CentraCare Aug. 18.

“We did not come to this decision lightly and believe the decision to require vaccination best serves the collective good of our staff and community,” said Dr. Ken Holmen, president and CEO of CentraCare.

“The science shows us that no other strategy has proven to be more effective in ghting this virus.”

CentraCare employees who have not yet received k the COVID-19 vaccine will need to complete their vaccination series by Dec. 15.

The COVID-19 vaccination requirement applies t to all CentraCare and Carris Health employees, including those who are working remotely, as well as others working within the facilities, which includes contracted employees, volunteers and students.

A process for requesting a medical exemption

based on CDC guidelines or a religious exemption will be shared with employees.

Improvements made to disc golf course RICE – The disc golf course at Stearns County’s Mississippi River County Park is getting upgrades.

The St. Cloud Disc Golf Club and Cemstone made donations to assist with upgrades to the tee pads at the park. Weather permitting, this week crews will work on the long tee holes, holes 1 through 9. This half of the course was closed while the upgrades were made. Starting Monday, Aug. 23, holes 10 through 18 will be closed for the same upgrades.

Mississippi River County Park is located at 41300 County Road in Rice. The 18-hole disc golf course is located near the picnic shelter. A park map and disc golf course map can be found on the Stearns County website, stearnscountymn.gov.

DULUTH – Sauk Rapids residents Tianna Cady, Alyssa Luukkonen and Lindsay Szymanski received degrees from The College of St. Scholastica following spring semester.

Students receive scholarships ST. CLOUD – The Central Minnesota Commuk nity Foundation, in conjunction with CommunityGiving, awarded scholarships to area students for the 2021-22 academic year.

Emma Brown, a graduate of Sauk Rapids-Rice High School, received $2,000 from the Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation Scholarship Fund.

SRRHS graduates Elijah Grabinski, Olivia Lyon, Steve Ritten and Emily Schreindl each received $1,000 from the Julie Ann Hanson Scholarship Fund.

Durant earns dean’s list honors CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Jared Durant, of Rice, was named to the Mount Mercy University spring dean’s list for achieving a GPA of 3.6 or greater.

Mekeland receives leadership award ST. PAUL – Minnesota Rep. Shane Mekeland, R-Clear Lake, earned the 2021 Housing Leadership Award for his efforts to make home ownership more

affordable in the state.

Housing First Minnesota presented Mekeland with the award.

“I am honored to receive this award because decisions at the state level are choking out affordable housing and driving more and more prospective homeowners out of the market,” Mekeland said. “Homeownership is a major factor in building strong families which, in turn, build strong communities. Our state’s extreme regulatory and permitting processes are doing a major disservice to us in that regard, and Minnesota has fallen far behind our neighboring states in terms of housing affordability. I will continue supporting policies that incentivize affordable homes while pushing back against burdensome regulations that only make our situation worse.”

Housing First Minnesota Executive Director David Siegel said Minnesota’s housing market is on thin ice and reform is needed to increase housing affordability. He credited Mekeland and other legislators for working to address this issue.

“With inventory at an all-time low, affordability at its worst in decades and the widest homeownership gap in the country, Minnesota’s housing market is at a pivot point,” Siegel said. “These leaders recognize the need to legalize starter homes by addressing the way we zone and permit new housing. The Housing Leadership Award recognizes legislators who worked to promote housing affordability and homeownership during the 2021 legislative session and special session.”

Police Activity Report Aug. 9-15

Sauk Rapids Police Department Aug. 10, 4:51 p.m. – While at the intersection of 15th Street Northeast and Mayhew Lake Road Northeast, an of cer was agged down by a female in a vehicle. She indicated her husband was having a stroke, and she needed to immediately get to the hospital. The of cer advised the woman to call for an ambulance, and she refused. The woman asked the of cer to transport the man who was unable to walk, but the of cer said he could not get the man to the police squad without assistance. The woman insisted she drive straight to the hospital, and the of cer followed her vehicle, activating his signal device at stop lights to allow the woman to lawfully make her way through town. Emergency personnel were waiting at the hospital and further assisted.

Aug. 12, 4:32 p.m. – Dispatch received an abandoned 911 call from Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School, 901 First St. S., Sauk Rapids. Of cers made contact with KIDSTOP staff who said everything was OK. Dispatch reported on a call back, a child answered. It was determined it appeared a child was playing with a school phone.

Aug. 14, 4:56 p.m. – An of cer conducted a traf c stop for a vehicle traveling 70 mph in a 50 mph zone between the 1600 and 1900 blocks of North Benton Drive. The of cer issued a verbal warning.

AUCTION

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27TH, 2021 – 10:30 AM NOTE: very clean line of mostly one owner farm equipment, live onsite auction with online bidding through Proxibid.

CLEAN H TRACTOR & FARM EQUIPMENT

NH ‘75 Work Master MFWD Tractor with NH 550 LU Hyd. Loader; Skid Loader attachment, LH Rev. just 71 hours, new in 2020; GEHL 3510 gas Skid Loader, one owner, 1757 hours; NH 585 Square Baler, chute, one owner; NH 488 Haybine, one owner; New Idea 3718 Manure Spreader, like new; New Idea 324 Corn Picker; IH 60 3x14 TB Plow; Ford 13 ft. Field Cult; 4 Flat racks and wagons; 2 clean 200BU Gravity Boxes and HD gears; Plus full line of clean smaller working & collectible machinery.

POLARIS RANGER, BOAT,Large, MISC

Pierz / Brainerd / Pine Ce

2017 Polaris 500 Ranger, 4x4, one owner, 2800 Miles; ‘97 Aluma Craft 16 ft. fishing boat; 30 HP Honda 4 Stroke; Trailer; JD standing Corn Sheller; MN Valley breeder sign; collectibles; shop tools; lawn and garden; and much more.

Pulse on People

Students graduate from The College of St. Scholastica

LARGE SAUK CENTRE, MN AREA FARM ESTATE

disturbances 6, vehicles 5, driving complaints 4, extra patrols 4, unwanted person 4, 911 calls 3, child calls 3, civil complaints 3, harassment calls 3, lift assists 3, trespassing complaints 3, thefts 3, accidents 2, animal complaints 2, assaults 2, domestic calls 2, intoxicated persons calls 2, traf c accidents 2, traf c stops 2 and warrants 2.

Rice Police Department Aug. 9, 6:56 p.m. – While on routine patrol, a Rice police of cer noticed a damaged storage unit at Sota Storage, 430 Division St. S. Upon further inspection, dried blood spots were observed as well as fresh pry marks near the lock and a portion of the door which was off the track. Of cer took photos and did a swab for DNA evidence. The of cer contacted the property owner to inform that person of the damage and to ask when the red lock was placed on the unit. The lock indicates nonpayment. The property owner arrived, and video from the weekend was retrieved. The property owner informed the of cer the lock was placed in late June and recent conversation between the property owner and renter had taken place. Video was reviewed which showed a person going underneath the door and removing a few items from the storage unit.

After running a license plate on a vehicle seen on the video and through prior observation, the of cer suspected the people on the video to be the renter and a household member. Pictures of the damage and video surveillance were uploaded to the case.

Incidents: Medical calls 27, assists 26, miscellaneous calls 25, suspicious activity reports 20, warn- Incidents: Miscellaneous calls 9, agency assists 3, ings 13, welfare checks 8, alarms 7, property calls 7, traf c stops 3 and assists 2.

Mrs. David (Joyce) Bertram, Owner 33566 Osprey Rd., Melrose, MN For more info. Call Dale at 320-761-1977 FOR COMPLETE LISTING SEE: www.midamericanauctioninc.com or call 320-760-2979

Tuesday, August 31,

Mid-American Auction Co. 50 YEARS

R33-1B-MK

LARGE PIERZ - BRAINERD, MN

AREA DAIRY DISPSERSION

AUCTION TUESDAY, AUGUST 31ST, 11:30 AM 15.5 miles North of Pierz, MN or 13.5 miles South of Brainerd, MN on MN State 25, 2 miles East on County 2 , and 1 mile North on County 23.

NOTE: Very nice herd of young well uddered Holstein cattle. Several recently fresh or due from sale time on.

Approx 40% registered, balance good grades.

Cows are pastured during summer months and fed home grown rations. Herd average 19,200lbs. milk, 4.1% fat, 3.1% protein. 65lbs. tank average with individuals milking up to 134lbs. on last test. No TMR or special feeds.

Exclusively AI bred for over 50 years using leading sires.

Level 2 Johnes tested when part of program.

95 REGISTERED AND HIGH GRADE HOME BRED HOLSTEINS SELL UNDER COVER INCLUDES: 55 young well uddered cows including an 87 pt. observer milking 97lbs., several descendants of EX 90 pt.

Eddie. 21 Fancy heifers from Short bred to Springers. 24 Front end open heifers from babies to breeding age.

Daggett Farms – Gerald R. Anderson, Owner

Call evenings 218-829-8278 FOR CATALOG SEE: www.midamericanauctioninc.com or call 320-760-2979

Mid-American Auction Co. 50 YEARS

R33-1B-MK

PUBLIC NOTICES

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | Page 13

BENTON COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. 482 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OFFICIAL BENTON COUNTY ZONING MAP WHEREAS, an application has been made pursuant to Sections 11.9 of the Benton County Development Code to rezone the property described herein from the R-1 Single Family Residential District to the Agricultural District; and, WHEREAS, the owners, Keith and Kristina Dierkes, of the subject property, has submitted a rezoning request for the subject property; and, WHEREAS, on July 27th and 31st, 2021, Notice of Public Hearings to rezone the site and amend the Benton County Zoning Map was published in the of cial newspapers and mailed to the governing bodies of all towns and municipalities located within two miles of the effected property within Benton County; and, WHEREAS, public hearings regarding said proposal have been conducted by the Benton County Planning Commission and the Benton County Board of Commissioners on August 12, 2021 and August 17, 2021; and, WHEREAS, the Benton County Board of Commission-

ers nd that the rezoning of the property described herein comports with the Benton County Comprehensive Land Use Plan as amended and is appropriate.

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to Sections 11.9 of the Benton County Development Code, the of cial Benton County Zoning Map is hereby amended to re ect that the following described property is zoned Agricultural: That part of the Northeast Quarter of the Southwest Quarter (NE1/4 SW1/4) and that part of the Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter (NW1/4 SE1/4) of Section 9, Township 37, Range 31, Benton County, Minnesota described as follows: Beginning at the northwest corner of said NW1/4 SE1/4; thence South 89° 42’ 06” East (assumed bearing) along the north line of said NW1/4 SE1/4 for 579.26 feet; thence South18° 17’ 31” West for 219.71 feet; thence North 89° 42’ 06” West for 578.56 feet to Line A described below; thence northerly along said Line A to the north line of said NE1/4 SW1/4; thence South 89° 42’ 06” East for 10.01 feet to the point of beginning.

Line A: Commencing at the northeast corner of said NE1/4 SW1/4; thence North 89° 42’ 06” West along the north line

thereof for 10.01 feet to the point of beginning of the line to be described; thence southerly along a curve, concave to the West, having a radius of 818.51 feet and a central angle of 9° 03’ 01” for 129.29 feet, the chord of said curve bears South 13° 46’ 01” West; thence South 18° 17’ 31” West for 849.17 feet; thence de ect left along a tangential curve, having a radius of 1145.92 feet and a central angle of 19° 40’ 50” for 393.60 feet; thence South 1° 23’ 18” East for 16.41 feet to the south line of said NE1/4 SW1/4 and there terminating, from the R-1 Single Family Residential District to the Agricultural District.

Approved and adopted by the Board of Commissioners this 17th day of August 2021.

Upon enactment, this ordinance shall be effective upon the date of its publication as provided by law.

Edward D. Popp, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-33-1B

BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES JULY 27, 2021 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met for a special meeting on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN with Commissioners Scott Johnson, Ed Popp, Jared Gapinski and Steve Heinen present.

Commissioner Beth Schlangen joined at 9:04 AM. Call to order by Chair Popp was at 9:00 AM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the ag.

County Administrator Montgomery Headley, along with the County Board wanted to have this meeting to provide assurances to the City of Foley regarding the Foley to St. Cloud ber project. Headley stated that there was a meeting on July 15, 2021 at Foley City Hall to reach a consensus on various issues regarding this project which are listed in the resolution.

Headley pointed out some major points of the resolution: 1) Benton County agrees to fund the cost of installing ber in the same pathway being followed by the City of Foley wastewater

project in an amount up to $325,000; 2) the County agrees to fund up to $45,000 in additional costs incurred by the City to revise its wastewater construction plans to install armored ber from a western terminus near the intersection of TH 23 and CSAH 1 to an eastern terminus in the City of Foley near the intersection of TH 25 and 2nd Avenue West; 3) The County agrees that 12 strands of ber capacity in the ber between the City and St. Cloud shall be dedicated to the exclusive use of the City; 4) the County agrees to participate in the cost to install ber connections to City-owned facilities by providing a lump sum payment of $175,000 to the City; 5) it shall be the City’s responsibility to make arrangements with a provider to install ber connection to City-owned facilities; 6) in exchange for County funding of ber to City facilities, the City has agreed to permit a broadband provider to install a ber distribution hub (“co-location facility”) on City property at no cost to the provider or the County; 7) the County agrees it will use its best efforts to secure free internet service to City facilities as part of any contract with a broadband provider, and 8)

the County agrees that any revenue derived from leasing space on County-owned ber between the City and St. Cloud will be shared with the City. Headley stated that Assistant County Attorney Michelle Meyer, along with Attorney Adam Ripple from Rinke Noonan are currently working on a Joint Powers Agreement for the City of Foley and Benton County regarding the ber project. Headley also reiterated that most of the funding for this project will come from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Johnson to proceed with the Resolution providing assurances regarding the Foley to St. Cloud ber project. Motion carried unanimously.

The special meeting adjourned at 9:14 AM. Ed Popp, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-33-1B

BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 3, 2021 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on August 3, 2021 in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN with Commissioners Beth Schlangen, Scott Johnson, Ed Popp, Jared Gapinski and Steve Heinen present. Call to order by Chair Popp was at 9:00 AM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the ag.

Gapinski requested to provide an update on the Foley to St. Cloud ber connection after the approval of the Consent agenda. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Heinen to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

No one was present to speak under Open Forum.

Motion by Johnson and seconded by Gapinski to approve the Consent Agenda: 1) approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of July 20, 2021 as written; 2) accept and le the Management Team meeting minutes of June 10, 2021; 3) approve the Letter of Support for Stearns County Parks and authorize the Chair to sign; 4) approve an application for exempt permit for Benton County Snowmobile Club to conduct a raf e at Jack & Jim’s 11025 Duelm Rd NE Foley, MN on November 27, 2021 and authorize the Chair to sign; 5) approve an application for MN Lawful Gambling exempt permit for Sauk Rapids Tinville Lions Club to conduct a raf e at Rollie’s Rednecks & Longnecks 940 35th St NE Sauk Rapids, MN on October 17, 2021 and authorize the Chair to sign; 6) approve an application for exempt permit for MN Dark House & Angling Association-Central Chapter to conduct a raf e at Jack & Jim’s 11025 Duelm Rd NE Foley, MN on February 4, 2022 and authorize the Chair to sign. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Gapinski provided the County Board with an update on the City of Foley to St. Cloud ber connection.

Gapinski stated that language was added to the contract to state that “Benton County will leverage to the best of our ability on a full County broadband build out including the City of Foley”. Gapinski stated that the cost of up to $45,000 for engineering reimbursement to the City of Foley was brought up but we have not seen any costs to date and Gapinski and Johnson asked the City of Foley to provide them with an update on those costs. Popp asked that we get an itemized statement listing the individual costs for the engineering reimbursement. Gapinski stated that the City of Foley will provide an itemized statement of all engineering costs. Then Gapinski stated that we are adding the conduit and need to know where the engineering is at regarding this. Gapinski said we have no issue with the City of Foley working with whatever provider they want as long as it’s for the City of Foley’s direct use of the 12 strands of ber dedicated to the City of Foley. Gapinski then addressed the permit fees and said that there was an agreement that Benton County would be responsible for paying for their fees and the City of Foley would be responsible for paying for their fees.

Then, Benton County Sheriff asked the County Board to review and accept the biennial independent audit of the Benton County Sheriff’s Of ce body camera data. Heck stated that there was one nding in the audit. Heck stated when they initiated the system, some of the default settings for the retention were less than the 90 days as required in the statute because they were test recordings that would not be saved or used for evidentiary purposes however the

law states that if it’s recorded it must be kept for 90 days.

When that was discovered in the audit, they went back and changed the settings. The audit nding has been addressed.

Heck stated that per the audit, everything else is in compliance. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Heinen to accept the biannual audit of the Benton County Sheriff’s Of ce body camera data. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Public Works Director Chris Byrd shared that we have received two local bridge grants of about $500,000 for bridges that need to be replaced. Byrd stated that the remaining costs to replace the bridges would come from the Sales Tax for Transportation revenues. The bridges are on County Road 51 at the south edge of Foley and on County Road 67 north of TH 23. Since the funds are now available due to the State Legislature recently approving additional funding for the local bridge replacement, Byrd would like to proceed with a bid letting later this month. Byrd stated that the two bridges were included in the 5-Year Plan and were scheduled for replacement in 2022. Byrd anticipates that construction would start in the summer of 2022. No motion was made and no action was required for this Regular Agenda item.

Next, Byrd wanted to discuss the 2022 road construction projects. The dry weather had been great for construction and they have completed the physical work on their construction projects. This has allowed our engineers to focus on next year’s projects. There are two full depth reclamation projects which are CSAH 3 and 22 and an overlay on CSAH 5. Byrd anticipates they will be able to complete their construction plans this month and would like to advertise for bids this fall and weather permitting, allow construction to start on the projects this fall. The completion date would not be until 2022. Popp mentioned that with the road projects being close together, it would be in the best interest to have one contractor bid all the projects together and Byrd agreed and stated they do look for opportunities to do that. No motion was made and no action was required for this Regular Agenda item.

Then Byrd wanted to address the bridge condition of Bridge 05518. With the water levels being extremely low, this has led to the ability to observe features of bridges that are normally under water. The bridge carrying CR 51 over the Saint Francis River, near CSAH 6 has shown the steel pile supporting the bridge to have signi cant corrosion and a few of the piles have rusted completely through and resulted in section loss. Byrd contacted a bridge designer to look at the bridge and they performed a Load Rating and has determined that due to the corrosion and section loss the bridge has less capacity and will need to be posted restricting the maximum weight of 18 tons for single unit and 28 tons for tractor-trailers that can travel across the bridge.

This bridge is being prioritized for replacement. No motion was made and no action was required for this Regular Agenda item.

Next, Byrd addressed the MnDOT Agreement No. 1046095 Local Bridge Replacement Grant for CR 50. In order to receive the State Bridge Grant monies, this agreement needs to be executed between the County and MnDOT. The total amount Benton County will receive is $287,282.50. This number does re ect bids we received in July that were higher than the Engineer’s estimate. This grant is from proceeds of State bond funds and there are certain stipulations we must abide by. This grant does not

cover all the expenses for project 005-598-025 and those costs are being covered by Sales Tax for Transportation revenues. Motion by Heinen to adopt the Resolution and to authorize the Chair to sign the grant for MnDOT Agreement No. 1046095. Seconded by Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.

Last, Byrd addressed the MnDOT Agreement No. 1046091 Local Bridge Replacement Program Grant for CR 80. The total amount Benton County will receive is $597,110.00. This number does re ect the bids we received in July that were higher than the Engineer’s estimate. This grant does not cover all expenses for project 005-598-023 as there are some ineligible items that are the local agency’s costs. These local agency’s costs are being covered by Sales Tax for Transportation revenues. Motion by Heinen to adopt the Resolution and to authorize the Chair to sign the MnDOT Agreement No. 1046091. Seconded by Johnson. Motion carried unanimously.

Heinen requested that Byrd provide us an update on the Sales Tax at the next Regular Board Meeting.

Johnson then asked Byrd about County ditches and why work isn’t being done now when it’s so dry and Byrd stated that they are waiting for the paperwork on the ditches to be done beforehand as well as the redetermination of bene ts before starting the work on the ditches.

The Regular County Board Meeting was recessed at 9:35 AM to conduct a Human Services Board Meeting.

The Regular Board meeting reconvened at 9:42 AM. Next, County Board members reported on Commissioner updates and recent meetings they attended on behalf of the County.

There were no Commissioner concerns to report at this time.

Johnson/Gapinski to set Committees of the Whole: Wednesday, September 8, 2021 Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Tour of Practices beginning at the SWCD building in Foley, 9:00 AM; Thursday, September 16, 2021 and Friday, September 17, 2021 Association of Minnesota Counties Fall Policy Conference at the Arrowwood Convention Center in Alexandria MN, 9:00 AM; Wednesday, September 22, 2021 Work Session on proposed 2022 Budget and Levy at the Benton County Boardroom at 9:00 AM; Thursday, September 30, 2021 Benton County Annual Township Meeting at St. George Town Hall at 7:30 PM. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Heinen to recess the Regular County Board meeting at 10:02 AM to conduct a closed session meeting of the County Board under MN Statute §13D.05, Subdivision 3 to develop or consider offers or counteroffers for the purchase of sale of real or personal property on parcels 130112300 (Court facility parcel) and parcel 130030201 (old High School property). Motion carried unanimously.

Regular County Board meeting was reconvened at 10:39 AM. Meeting adjourned at 10:40 AM. Edward D. Popp, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-33-1B

SPORTS

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | Page 15

Anticipation, optimism prevail as fall sports begin

FOCALpoint

High school practices started Aug. 16

BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – Hundreds of Sauk RapidsRice student athletes took to the elds, courts and pool as fall practice for high school sports began Aug. 16.

Participants in football, volleyball, soccer, cross-country, girls tennis, and girls swimming and diving began their quests for glory as hopes for a mostly normal season dominated the theme. Last year, the start of the fall season was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, and there were no section or state tournaments.

Hopes for the 2021 season are high as teams – as of now – will welcome back fans and opponents without face coverings.

Watch for sports PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON fall p r e v i e w Members of the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School volleyball team – Delia Gustofson (from left), Emma Portner, Katelyn Anderson, Stormy Summers, Chelsey Vogel, Kendal Craft, Taylor Heid and Abigail Davis – engage in a wall squat coverage in the conditioning drill while singing “Party in the U.S.A.” during the opening day of practice Aug. 16 at SRRHS in Sauk Saturday, Aug. Rapids. Minnesota State High School League sanctioned athletics for fall high school sports began Monday.

28, edition of the Sauk Rapids Herald.

Co-head coach Whitney Jendro shouts encouragement to her team during the second day of fall workouts for the Sauk Rapids-Rice swimming and diving team Aug. 17 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. Jendro leads the team with co-head coach Megan Dingmann.

L A R U R

Repor ter

Sauk Rapids-Rice soccer player Leif Rudnick (left) makes a move during practice as Josh Tapio provides defensive pressure Aug. 18 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. The Storm boys soccer team opens its season Saturday, Aug. 28, at Little Falls.

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(Above) Assistant football coach John Rasmussen gives instructions to his team as player Alex Harren listens during the opening day of fall practice Aug. 16 at Sauk RapidsHigh School. The Storm football team kicks off its season at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at Riverview Stadium in Sartell (formerly Sartell Middle School).

(Right) Sauk Rapids-Rice volleyball player Ava Athman enjoys a lighter moment during the opening day of fall practice Aug. 16 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. The Storm volleyball team opens the season Aug. 31 with a home match against Rocori.

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joyce@saukherald.com PHS-tfn-JA

Page 16 | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

SPORTS

FOCAL

point from page 15

PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON

Sophomore Teegan Guggisberg (left) goes through drills under the watchful eyes of assistant coach Kayla Hall during the opening day of fall practice Aug. 16 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School.

The Storm girls soccer team, under first-year head coach Tash Neu, opens its season with a 2 p.m. match Saturday, Aug. 28, against East Grand Forks at SRRHS.

(Above) Seniors Kiah Zaske (from left), Brynn Karasch, Ari Nemeth and Addison Bemboom work on serves during the second day of fall tennis practice Aug. 17 at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School in Sauk Rapids. The Storm girls tennis team opens its season Monday, Aug. 23, at the Foley Triangular in Foley.

(Left) Senior Ella Gunderson records a play during the first day of fall football practice for the Storm Aug. 16 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. The Storm finished the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with a 1-4 record.

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(Right) Kieran Hixson stretches during warmups for as the Sauk Rapids-Rice boys cross-country team practices Aug. 18 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. Boys and girls cross-country teams open their seasons Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Apollo Invitational in St. Cloud.

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Members of the Sauk Rapids-Rice swimming and diving team – Olivia Tykwinski (front, from left) and Kendal Stucke; (back, from left) Cassidy Zeilenga and Michelle Peacock – take a break between laps of their second practice Aug. 17 in Sauk Rapids. The team takes to the pool for their first competition Friday, Aug. 27 in Willmar.

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Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, August 21, 2021

Horses capture hearts

Beef cattle feed at Emslander Farms Aug. 1 in rural Oak Park. The Emslander family runs a beef finishing operation.

Back home

on the farm

Emslander Farms is 2021 Benton County Farm Family of the Year

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

Youth provided equine interaction

BY ELLARRY PRENTICE | STAFF WRITER

RICE – Horses and kids bonded Aug. 17 in rural Rice.

Six youth attended a horse camp at Gaits of Hope, an equine-assisted therapy center owned and operated by Jodine Adelman.

Rubes Sponsored by Fluegge’s Ag

Horse camp page 3B

PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

The Emslander family – Ethan (from left), 15, Megan, 13, Lisa, David and Shayla, 18 – stands on their property Aug. 1 in rural Oak Park. Emslander Farms was selected as the 2021 Benton County Farm Family of the Year.

named the 2021 Benton County Farm Family of the Year. They were recognized by the University of Minnesota Extension and Benton County Board of Commissioners Aug. 4 at the Benton County Fair.

“The award was unexpected,” David said.

“We were just doing what

we do.”

Although the award may have come as a surprise, Farm Family of the Year is nothing new to the Emslanders. David’s parents, Dave and Rosie Emslander, received the award for their own contributions 25 years ago in 1997. David credits one

Emslander page 2B

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“They always said, ‘If you take care of the land and the animals, they’ll take care of you.

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Prentice Serra Younkin, of St. Cloud, loves on a Palomino gelding, Maverick, during a horse camp Aug. 17 in rural Rice. The camp was offered by Gaits of Hope, an equine-assisted therapy center.

OAK PARK – When David Emslander was a student at Foley High School, he did not think agriculture was in the cards for his future. Yet, after pursuing the construction industry for almost 15 years, Emslander returned to the family farm looking for a full house.

“The biggest thing was trying to raise the family by Bible principal and being together as a family,” said David of purchasing the family farm in 2014. “That was the biggest driver – to be closer to the kids. A lot of families nowadays, the kids are raised by other people. It was hard to see my kids growing up so fast.”

David and his wife, Lisa, reside on Emslander Farms in rural Oak Park with their children Shayla, 18, Ethan, 15 and Megan, 13. For their contributions to the agriculture industry, the Emslanders were

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Page 2B | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021| SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

BENTON AG

Emslander from page 1B Take care of God’s creation, and he’ll take care of you,’” he said. “We try our best to take care of the animals and the land.”

The Emslanders maintain a beef nishing operation on three farmsteads within 4 miles of their home. Two of the farmsteads, which total 75 acres, are owned by the family and the third is rented. They also rent acreage where they grow corn and hay to supplement their herd’s forage needs.

Cattle, the majority being Holstein steers, are found on all three farmsteads. Purchasing the animals at about 400 pounds, the family feeds up to 1,800 animals at one time as they raise them for market.

“When we started out, we started feeding calves and nishing them all the way,” David said.

“But, once we got to a certain amount of cattle, it became more than the family could handle, so we decided to quit feeding calves and buy bigger ones and nish them out.”

Each member of the family plays a part in the success of the farm.

David takes care of

PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

(Above) The Emslanders – Shayla, Ethan, Lisa, David and Megan – walk through a cattle shelter at their farm Aug. 1 in rural Oak Park. The building allows the family to keep the animals and their bedding dry.

(Right) Shayla Emslander stands on a Case IH Magnum 275 tractor Aug. 1 in rural Oak Park. She is a full-time employee of her parents and enjoys field work.

the day-to-day operations alongside Lisa, who also home schools their children. Lisa is in charge of bookwork. A 2019 high school graduate, Shayla is employed full time by her parents. She assists with any chores that need to be done but prefers working in the elds and driving tractors. Megan and Lisa are responsible for bedding chores at one location, and Megan lends

a hand by operating the skidsteer loader and tending to small projects.

While Shayla and Megan have aspirations to remain involved in the farm, Ethan plans to follow in his father’s initial footsteps of working in construction. Not keen on the livestock, he helps where his talents are best suited.

“He helps us pour concrete and tear things

n,” Lisa down,” said.. “Anything to do with projects on the farm, Ethan loves those types of things.”

Being good stewards of the land is important to the Emslander family, and they strive to improve their operation by working with the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service and University of

Minnesota Extension.

The Emslanders have incorporated manure management such as ltration areas and covered stacking slabs with feed lanes to keep pen pack, or bedding, under cover.

“It’s been a great experience,” David said of his latest project. “It really taught me a lot about how much having a cov-

ered area saves and how much better the animals do when they are under cover and not ghting the mud and the runoff. It keeps the animal healthier and dryer.”

Working with extension educator Nathan Drewitz, the family has had a crop research plot for two years. They hosted a eld day for farmers on their property Aug. 17.

“Going in and being able to put something in that is going to be valuable not just to him but to growers around us, from grow my perspective, is somethi thing that is highly important,” im said Drewitz, who added the w Emslanders’ E actions re r ect the Farm Family program. “The i program p is about being active in the comin munity, within the inmu dustry and within other dustr organizations. He exemorgan pli ees, especially with his work with extension and soil aand water.”

But David is quick to point out that his family’s efforts are joined by others who help the farm succeed.

“It’s not just us,” he said. “We thank Jehovah every day, and we’re thankful for all the landlords, nutritionists, parttime help and others who are a big part of the operation and make it happen.”

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2021 | Page 3B

40th annual Farm Picnic discusses drought, health care

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At FarmFest, KMSP Union’s Rural Voices ham, sweet corn and poEvent set for Aug. 22 news reported that Pe- Discussions. Brakke will tato salad begins at 1 p.m. at Pierz Park tersen expects relief for address the high cost The Minnesota Farmers and the work that Health Care for All Minnesota (a partnership of doctors, nurses, farmers, businesses, unions and citizen groups) is doing to alleviate it.

Minnesota COACT and Morrison County Farmers Union co-sponsor the Farm Picnic which annually celebrates family farming and main street businesses as pillars of the rural economy.

Serving of the traditional country dinner of

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by Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture, Thom Petersen, and the Chairman of Health Care for All Minnesota, Dr. Mark Brakke, at the 40th annual Farm Picnic Sunday, Aug. 22. The event begins at 1 p.m. at Pierz Park, 603 Park Ave., Pierz.

drought-stricken farmers to come from both the state legislature and federal government. Some of the aid will be logistical, like opening public lands for grazing, and some will be nancial to help cover the gap between losses and what insurance does not cover.

Adding to the distressed farm economy is unaffordable health coverage for farmers and business owners, reported by Minnesota Farmer

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from page 1B The day camp was sponsored by Agape Warriors Ministry, based in Sauk Rapids.

Children’s camps help young people develop communication and social skills, regulate emotions, foster teamwork, gain resiliency and build con dence, Adelman said.

Children spent more than three hours interacting and working with ponies and horses at Adelman’s farm, located 5.5 miles east of Rice. They spent the latter part of the morning with a Palomino gelding, Maverick, and a black mare, Lexi.

PHOTOS BY ELLARRY PRENTICE

Becca Muniz, of Sartell, leads a Palomino horse named Maverick in a corral during a children’s camp Aug. 17 at Gaits of Hope in rural Rice. The equine-assisted therapy center, located 5.5 miles east of Rice, is owned and operated by Jodine Adelman.

Serra Younkin, of St. Cloud, rides a horse named Maverick, led by Jodine Adelman, at Gaits of Hope Aug. 17 in rural Rice. Four of six children who attended a horse camp took turns riding the horse without a saddle.

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YOUR LOCAL FEEDS DEALER Seann Younkin (right), of St. Cloud, gets the horses’ attention by displaying a colorful hula-hoop as Jodine Adelman (left) looks on Aug. 17 in rural Rice. Adelman, who operates the equine therapy center, did exercises with the kids to demonstrate how their behaviors affect others.

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