Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Albany city administrator candidate interviews underway
Names of 8 applicants released after Sept. 20 meeting
BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER
music filled life
400 Block update
Eight Albany city administrator applicants will be interviewed this week and next week.
A prospective finalist will be selected by mid-October for the vacant position, which also includes clerk and treasurer duties.
City leaders decided to move forward with interviews after receiving a Sept. 20 update from interim city administrator Tom Schneider during their council meeting at Albany City Hall.
Schneider reviewed a hiring schedule and list of interview committee members. He retired from city employment earlier this year after 35-plus years of service.
The beat goes on for Honky-tonk queen of Stearns County
BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER
Marcie Welle smiles Sept. 3 when fellow musician Dale Gruber calls her the “Honky-tonk queen of Stearns County” while performing with Marcie and Friends musicians at the Horseshoe Bar and Ballroom in Spring Hill.
Marcie has been making music most of her life, passing her more than 80-year passion on to children June Bierschbach, Jan Woeste, Joy Silbernick, Jill Welle
As the sun was starting to rise Monday, Commercial Contractors Company workers from Melrose were inside the Lisa’s On Main building working on securing the west wall PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN
“You have an option regarding interviews,” Schneider said. “We can complete a training and experience rating form reviewing each application, and based on the supplied information, we could determine if we interview two people, four people, six people or eight people the weeks of Oct. 2 to Oct. 9.”
The other option mentioned involved interviewing all eight candidates as finalists.
“Their names would be public, but the information on their applications would be private,” Schneider said, citing a portion of the Minnesota Data Practices Act.
Schneider released the following administrator applicant names to The Star Post via email after the Sept. 20 council meeting: Jackie Bauer, Renee Eckerly, Angela Jacobson, Erica Mattice, Rebecca Sai, Jon Stueve, Jessica Ruprecht and Gary Winkels.
“Hopefully, if things go well, we can do reference checks after those interviews and select an individual we can recommend for hiring during our Oct. 18 meeting,” Schneider said. “The person who is selected for employment would have to give two weeks’ notice, so we are looking at mid-November before we get someone.” Schneider also confirmed mayor Tom Kasner, councilor Keith Heitzman, police chief Ozzie Carbajal, city attorney Susan Dege and himself will serve on the internal city committee that will complete evening interviews the next two weeks.
and Jeff Welle and grandchildren. June and Jeff have performed with her on stage.
Saluting Marcie for her music-making, Dale changes the words to a familiar song.
“Marcie don’t need a rocking chair, Geritol or Medicare. She does her rocking on the stage. You can’t put Marcie in a cage. Her body’s old but it’s not impaired. She don’t need your rocking chair,” Dale sang.
There is excitement in Marcie’s voice when talking Sept. 27 in her Meire Grove home about a music-filled life dating back
to her childhood growing up on a farm in rural Spring Hill.
“My mother, Nelle Athmann, used to play the piano every night after chores and us kids would sing,” Welle said. “That’s when it started. I’ve just always loved music.”
Her siblings include brothers Stan, Joey, Tony and Gene and sisters Josephine Ertl, Pat Kruzel and Alice Athmann.
“My sister, Pat, told me Mom said I could sing before I could
talk,” said Marcie, who plays by ear and is self-taught, learning from other musicians.
Residents eager for Fifth Street sidewalk project
Melrose council approved spring 2024 start
BY CAROL MOORMAN | STAFF WRITER
Shawn Meyer and Rick Laforge came to the Sept. 21 Melrose City Council meeting at the city center with one mission in mind — ensuring the Fifth Street (County Road 168) sidewalk project moves forward for sure by spring 2024.
“Our neighborhood (Daylight Court)
is ready for the sidewalk that we’ve been waiting for since spring. … It’s a safety issue, with 16 families and 24 kids. We’re here to make sure you know we are ready to have a connection point to the other sidewalk,” Meyer said during the open forum portion of the meeting.
The city of Melrose received a Minnesota Department of Transportation grant for $351,725 to construct a sidewalk/trail from Fifth Avenue to 11th Avenue, extending a sidewalk from the intersection to Daylight Court along County Road 168. Two bids were
received for the project, with the opening Sept. 7. The low bidder, J.R. Ferche, Inc., provided a bid approximately $26,000 higher to complete the work this fall ($404,123.25) versus next spring ($378,0950).
The council needed to consider awarding the low bid based on when the project could be completed. Also the grant funds for the project created a gap that will need to be filled from funds already budgeted for construction of the sidewalk.
Lifecycle of the local newspaper
A publication’s journey from production to recycling
BY HANS LAMMEMAN | STAFF WRITER
Though most people simply think of newspapers as their source of information while drinking morning coffee or relaxing at home, each copy has a long and arduous journey before arriving on newsstands and in mailboxes.
At Star Publications, the newspaper begins with the story.
On-scene reporters armed with notepads and cameras gather details and ask questions while deadlines loom in the back of their heads.
Sauk Centre-based Star Publications produces four community newspapers — Benton County News, Sauk Centre Herald, Sauk Rapids Herald and The Star Post — as well as two regional rural-living newspapers, one multi-county shopper, a five-state newspaper that covers the dairy industry and 58 special sections that are inserted into the pages of its publications.
Newspaper page 4
to START or RENEW your subscription!
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN Marcie Welle plays piano during the Sept. 3 Marcie and Friends gig with other musicians at the Horseshoe Bar and Ballroom in Spring Hill. Welle has been entertaining people with music most of her life.
Welle page 3
Sidewalk page 3
PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK
Star Productions employee Herman Lensing looks over sports articles he wrote in the Sept. 27 issue of The Star Post at the Sauk Centre Herald office in Sauk Centre. Lensing, a fulltime journalist in Stearns County since 1986, said he views his position reporting
in
community.
Albany homecoming court
Pondview Estates, 334 Golfview Drive, Albany 320-845-4070
Oct. 4-11
Wednesday: Meatloaf, whipped potatoes, glazed carrots and bread.
Thursday: Chicken tetrazzini peas and carrots, garden salad and ice cream cup.
Friday: Lasagna rollups, seven-layer salad, orange wedge and breadstick.
Monday: Tater tot hotdish, garden salad, chocolate chip cookie and roll.
Tuesday: Scalloped potatoes and ham, peas, grande bar and bread.
Wednesday: Chicken breast on bun, parslied potatoes peas and onions and tomato slices.
Congregate senior dining is open, but call to register. If no answer, leave a detailed message, name and phone number.
Melrose homecoming royalty
Holdingford homecoming court
PHOTO BY MIKE KO S IK
The 2023 Albany Area High School Homecoming court — senior ambassador Connor Finkelson (front, from left), senior
Jack Rieland, freshman Griffin Roemeling, junior Zach Stradtmann, sophomore Griffin Lange and seniors Caleb Abraham and Carter Schwalbe; (back , from left) junior Mckenzie Eiynck , freshman Hannah Schiffler, senior ambassador Olivia Goebel sophomore Rowan Ellingson and seniors Bridget Goebel Aubrey Goebel and Madison Becker — gather following the Sept. 25 coronation at the Blattner Energy Arts Theatre in Albany. The court made appearances Sept. 25-29 at the homecoming volleyball soccer and football games and swim meet; participated in soccer buff powder puff aquaman and bumper ball; played bingo; and decorated cookies.
PHOTO BY ALEE PHOTOGRAPHY
The 2023 Melrose Area High School Homecoming royalty — freshman attendant Avery Gilk (front, from left), sophomore attendant Gabbriella Schoenberg, junior attendant Evelyn
and senior
Stordahl, Jenna Finken, Isabelle Jaenicke and Makayla Zirbes; (back , from left)
arragan, sophomore attendant Eddie Dickhaus junior attendant Hudson
coronation at the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center in Melrose. Homecoming week
ept. 25-29 included the royal court’s presence at the swimming and diving meet and volleyball match, eating at Melrose Bowl, visits to the three parochial schools in the school district, playing in the ironman volleyball game and powder puff football game a pep fest parade and football game.
PHOTO S U B MITTED
The 2023 Holdingford High School Homecoming court — seniors Drew Lange (from left), Aubrie Opatz, David Heinen, Kendra Johannes, king Dierks Opatz and queen Jada Mosey, Maddy Mitchell, Connor Breth, Jenna Pallow and Jeffery Hall — gather after the Sept. 25 coronation at Holdingford Public Schools in Holdingford. Homecoming week Sept. 25-29 included coronation, senior games, dodgeball, powder puff football, volleyball, a pep fest and football game.
Welle from front
Marcie married Don Welle, also raised in a musical family, June 18, 1957, and they purchased Welle’s Bar in Spring Hill from Don’s father Pete. They changed the name to the Horseshoe Bar and Ballroom, because of the horseshoe shaped bar with booths lining the wall of the large ballroom.
“Donald and I never performed on our stage, but now 40 years later I’m playing at the dance hall I used to own,” Marcie said.
It was a busy time at the ballroom with bands every weekend. As if it happened yesterday, she mentions bands they hired, including the Trashmen.
Now Tony Andreason, a former Trashmen rockin’ roll band member, performs with Marcie and Friends.
Don played the accordion and was in the band Mello-Tones with Andy Noonan, performing bigband and country music.
While raising their children, Marcie stopped playing piano.
“Then Dale Gruber came into my life,” she said laughing. “What a journey that has been. He has brought musicians into my life that have played with big names like Ricky Skaggs.”
Marcie went to country school with Dale’s father, Hilarion “Hilly.” She first
met Dale when both were at a party celebrating Reinie and Kittys Gruber’s daughter’s 25 years in the religious life.
“Dale had his guitar there, and I said I wish they had a piano … and Albert (Gruber) brought out a piano and we played for three hours,” Marcie said. “Then Dale surprised me showing up when I played at the Horseshoe Bar one Friday night, and we’ve been doing this for 13 years.”
Later, Dale told his mother he found a “honkytonk piano player,” in Marcie.
On Marcie’s refrigerator is a photo of her with Dale and Mike Madden performing at the Horseshoe.
Spring
year.
There have been many music-filled highlights in Marcie’s life, including recording the “Songs Our Daddies Sang” CD.
“The last song we sang was at St. Michael’s Church in Spring Hill,” she said.
She enjoys performing on the stage filled with musicians during the Marcie and Friends gig.
“It’s easy to play when I have seven guys up there and me. We all work so well together,” she said.
Marcie and the Rev. Marv Enneking, Sept. 3, performed their signature song “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On.”
Becky Schlegel, who performs on RFD-TV, joined them on stage.
year,
a ballroom.
Sidewalk from front
City engineer Dave Blommel recommended installing the sidewalk in the spring to avoid potential problems associated with cold weather concrete and to save the capital cost.
“There’s a difference of $26,000 with the grant,” Mayor Joe Finken said, adding, “… I want it done.”
Meyer said they understood waiting until spring due to the impending cold weather related to pouring concrete.
“The contractor’s desire is to start in the spring,” Blommel said. “I would anticipate they would start the day road constrictions come off.”
The council approved moving ahead in spring with the sidewalk project, which is estimated to take three months to complete.
“You have the council’s support to get this done,” Finken said. “We want safety for the children.”
“If you don’t see it starting by June, give us a call,” Councilor Tony Klasen said.
“We’ll be calling before then,” Meyer said.
In other council news:
— Finance director Ryan Meyer reported the city’s general fund, through the first half of 2023, is looking very good with revenues at or slightly above projections and expenses at budget with the exception of snow and ice
removal as this past winter was a very snowy one.
— Melrose Police
Chief Craig Maus said they have hired another officer and the department is at or nearly at a full staff.
— Community development director Sheila Hellermann said the restroom-remodel is complete in the Sauk River Park.
The city crew prepared the basketball court in the park, and Sept. 26 the concrete work was done by Beuning Masonry.
— City workers will be installing benches around town; some that people and families purchased in memory of someone. It is a project that took two years to get to this point because of supply issues.
— A building permit has been issued to Alliance Building Corporation, the general contractor for a 73unit apartment complex on the west side of Melrose, and they will begin moving dirt.
— Engineer Dave Blommel reported the Railroad West road project was awarded to C & L Excavating with work on the utilities/services beginning in early October with an estimated completion date of Thanksgiving. Curb, gutter and paving will be next spring.
— Framing has begun on the Riverside Flats project and Kwik Trip is starting work on the store.
“Riverside Flats is
“Two years ago when she was there she said there is something about a little town and a ballroom, and that made her want to come back,” Marcie said.
A country girl at heart, country music is Marcie’s favorite music genre. Her favorite song is “Today I Started Loving You Again,” which she and her husband often performed together.
“The last time was when Donald was in the hospital, after he had a stroke and his voice was rough. He held my hand, and we sang ‘Today I Started Loving You Again.’ Now, when Jeff and I get together we sing it,’” said Marcie, who was married to Don for 45 years.
Music makes Marcie feel good.
“A lot of people crochet, embroider. I play the piano,” she said. “That’s my entertainment.”
On the outside of her door is a “My neighbors listen to good music whether they like it or not” sign.
Receiving a compliment on her music makes her day. It might be something as simple as a thumbs up.
She smiles when asked how long she will entertain people — especially during Marcie and Friends at the ballroom.
“I wanted to quit three years ago but there I was again (Sept. 3), but I really think this was my last time,” she said.
Until next year rolls around.
The beat goes on for Marcie, the honky-tonk queen of Stearns County.
exciting to watch,” Hellermann said. “The crane was the talk of the town.”
— The first meeting of the comprehensive plan committee was Sept. 14 with good discussions. As part of the new comprehensive plan, the city is hosting a public workshop from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Melrose City Center, 225 First St. NE, Melrose.
— Ten applications have been requested for the city’s rehabilitation program, with two applications submitted and approved.
Melrose Area Development Authority members have been touring sites before approving applications.
“We see the big projects, but there are also exciting things happening
with small businesses in town,” Hellermann said. — City administrator Colleen Winter reported work is nearing completion on the wastewater treatment plant.
— The public utilities commission has hired David Drown and Associates to assist with the search for a new electric supervisor. The city has been without an electric supervisor since May. Winter thanked city crews for helping out this summer when the city was shorthanded.
—Winter is working with Missouri River Energy Services identifying sites near the east substation for additional generation capacity.
Monday, Oct. 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m. — Mental Health Support Group. CentraCare-Albany Clinic, 30 Railroad Ave., Albany. For information call the clinic at 320-845-2157.
Monday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m. Holdingford City Council Meeting. Holdingford City Hall, 420 Main St., Holdingford.
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m. – Melrose American Legion Post 101 and Auxiliary meetings. Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 6 p.m. – Albany School Board Meeting. District office, 30 Forest Ave., Albany.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m. — AA Meetings Back to Basic, at Tutti Frutti Marketplace, 38914 County Road 186, Sauk Centre. For more information, call 218-240- 1076. Big Book, Melrose City Center, 225 First St., NE, Melrose. For more information, call 320-241-3909.
Thursday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m. — Bingo. Holdingford American Legion, 560 Main St., Holdingford.
Upcoming: Tuesday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. — Schanhaar-Otte Post 7050 and Auxiliary meetings Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.
Pantzke recognized nationally as cooperative rising star MELROSE — RE Magazine named Stearns Electric’s John Pantzke one of the 2023 Cooperative Rising Stars. Pantzke is among 19 other electric cooperative employees from across the United States who were recognized for the contributions they make to their electric cooperatives and their communities.
Pantzke, a licensed master electrician, joined Stearns Electric in January 2020 as business development representative and currently serves as manager of energy services.
Pantzke was recognized as a co-op rising star for his work rebuilding the Stearns Electric Energy Services Department, expanding the cooperative’s load management program and enhancing the economic development opportunities available to Central Minnesota businesses. Duff awarded scholarship
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Sam Duff, of Albany, is one of 565 incoming freshmen at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire receiving the Chancellor’s Scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year.
PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN
Marcie Welle displays the sign hanging on her door in her Meire Grove home. She will often play her piano when it is set up in her music room.
Pete Gruber performs during the Sept. 3 Marcie and Friends gig with other musicians at the Horseshoe Bar and Ballroom in
Hill. He is a regular performer when the band plays once a
For a second
Becky Schlegel sings during the Sept. 3 Marcie and Friends gig at the Horseshoe Bar and Ballroom in Spring Hill. She said there is something about performing in a little town and
Dennis F. Dirkes
Dennis F. Dirkes, 71. of Albany, worked his field and parked his tractor one last time Sept. 28, 2023, at his home in Albany, with his constant companion, Sparkie, at his side.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany with the Rev. Julius Beckermann, O.S.B., officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be 9:30-11 a.m. Oct. 4 at the church.
Dennis was born Oct. 11, 1951, to Florence and George Dirkes, Jr., and lived on the family farm all his life. He was a farmer through and through and found nothing more satisfying than sitting outside his house, seeing his crops grow day by day and enjoying the peaceful serenity of farm living. He was proud of maintaining and improving the family farm which has been in the Dirkes name for over 150 years. It truly was his passion in life.
Dennis loved to bowl in his younger years and was an avid fisherman of the lakes nearby. It only seemed fitting that the last task he completed in his life was to drive his tractor from the field and park it one last time. His work was done.
Survivors include his brothers,
Anna May Fleischhacker
Mass of Christian Burial, a celebration of life, for Anna May Fleischhacker, 86, of Albany, will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 5, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in St. Anthony. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Oct. 5 at the church. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Anna May passed away Sept. 26, 2023, at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, surrounded by her loving family.
Anna May Fleischhacker was born Jan. 20, 1937, in Richmond, to Joseph and Katherine (Stang) Schlangen. She grew up on a farm outside of Farming, the youngest of 10. She married Herman Fleischhacker May 21, 1958, in Richmond. Together they farmed south of Freeport. Along with farming and raising five children, Anna May worked as a nurse’s aide at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home. After selling the cattle, they moved to St. Anthony, and Anna May started working at Jennie-O in Melrose. 1979 was the start of the Hermie’s Bar era in Albany. They entertained many folks with stories, pool, darts, card parties and live local family bands. Along the way, Hermie and Anna May acquired a cabin near Long Prairie, where many gatherings were held.
Anna May was a member of St. Anthony Parish and St. Anthony Christian Mothers.
Anna May is survived by her children, Alvin (Kathi) of
Bernadette A. Jennissen
Bernadette A. “Bernie” Jennissen, 80, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, Sept. 27, 2023, at her home in Sauk Centre.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 6, at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with the Rev. Mark Botzet officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 5, at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and 10-11 a.m., Oct. 6, at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church. Parish prayers will be at 4 p.m., Oct. 5, with a rosary immediately following parish prayers at the funeral home.
Bernadette Ann Vos was born Nov. 8, 1942, in St. Anthony, to Edward and Veronica (Wolters) Vos. She graduated third in her class from St. Francis High School. She then earned her registered nurse degree from St. Gabriel School of Nursing and expanded her skills throughout her nursing career acquiring multiple certificates focused on geriatric care. She was united in marriage to James Jennissen July 18, 1964, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in St. Anthony. Bernadette and James owned and operated a dairy farm on Queensfield Road near Padua from 1964 through 1995, after which they moved to Sauk Centre and have resided there since.
Bernadette was employed as a nurse at St. Michael’s Hospital in Sauk Centre. She then served as the assistant director of nursing at the Belgrade Nursing Home. She continued her nursing career at the Albany Nursing Home where she served as the supervisor of the dementia unit, followed by home care/hospice in Sauk Centre until her retirement in 2012.
Dennis F. Dirkes
Dale (Judy), Dan (Judy), Dave (Cindy), Dean (Krista) and Daryl (Lynn); nieces and nephews Scott, Jeff, Leah, Kayla, Peyton, Presley, Olivia and Isaiah; and great-nieces and great-nephews Emmett, Evelyn, Vivian, Gwen, Clara, Braelyn, Aubrey, Kellen and Brynn.
Dennis was preceded in death by his mother, Florence and his father, George, Jr.
The family wishes to extend thanks to the neighbors and friends who reached out over his lifetime and made a special imprint in his life.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to donor’s choice.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose. P-40-1B
Randall, Gloria (Andy) Notsch of Avon, Donna Gohman of St. Cloud, Cathy (Darrell) Pundsack of Avon and Brian (Janelle) of St. Stephen; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and sister Bertha Braegelmann of Cold Spring. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Herman Nov. 11, 2004; son-in-law Alfred Gohman; brothers and sisters Rosa (Bernard) Hemmesch, Alfred (Liz) Schlangen, Elsie (Tony) Dingmann, Gregor (Rita) Schlangen, Daniel (Nita) Schlangen, Marcus (Florina) Schlangen, Miranda (Andy) Lauer and Hubert Schlangen; and brotherin-law Roman Braegelmann.
Many thanks to the Mother of Mercy staff for being her second family for the past 11 years.
Arrangements were made by Miller-Carlin Funeral Homes of Albany.
P-40-1B
Bernadette was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Choir and the Christian Mothers. She enjoyed playing piano, singing, needlepoint, reading, dancing, swimming, ice skating, yardwork, pontoon rides, fishing, and, most importantly, spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, James Jennissen of Sauk Centre; son Tim (Carrie) Jennissen of St. Louis Park and their children, Sara (Ben) Nepomuceno of Chicago, Illinois, Kala Jennissen and Anna Jennissen; daughter Kimberly (Jorge Romero) Jennissen of Oakton, Virginia, and their children, Maya Romero and Alejandro Romero Jennissen; daughter Bonita (Michael) DeZelar of Big Lake and their children, Anthony, Lauren, Christopher and Benjamin DeZelar; brother Charles (Kathleen) Vos; and sisters Marie (Richard) Wiener and Audry (Robert) Lang. Bernadette was preceded in death by her parents, brother Thomas Vos and sister-in-law Lynda Vos. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
PH-40-1B
Newspaper from front
Herman Lensing, a full-time journalist in Stearns County since 1986, said he views his position reporting local news as a recorder of history in his community.
“Our job is a little tricky sometimes,” Lensing said between typing paragraphs for a sports story. “When I am reporting, I keep in mind that what I am writing will be one of the first recorded accounts of an event — whether it is something as mundane as a council meeting or as shocking as a five-alarm fire.”
Lensing is one of about 20 editorial team writers who interview, report and compile stories from the community for the company’s publications. Though the headline is the first set of words most readers see, Lensing said it is almost always among his final touches before turning stories over to production staff.
“I finish with the headline after I have the whole story written,” Lensing said. “I find headline writing interesting partly because I am interested in poetry. In both mediums, you have to put as much information as you can in as few words as possible.”
Production manager Amanda Thooft has spent 12 years converting articles and photos into eye-catching newspaper designs. Aside from preparing advertisement proofs earlier in the week, page designers spend an average of eight to 10 hours on each weekly issue, gathering coworkers’ insight while laying out stories.
Thooft and other production staff are the last Star Publications employees to inspect pages prior to files being sent to printing presses.
“I look at the pictures and try to be inspired by the artwork that we get as well as the art that is available to download to match the feel of the story,” Thooft said. “Laying out the paper is probably the most nerve-wracking because you’re the last set of eyes on that page before it hits the plant.”
Star Publications uses three printing press companies located in Lowry, Madelia and Sauk Centre to transform files into physical newspapers and special sections. A fourth is used for producing glossy-papered productions as needed.
Joe Carlson, owner of Sauk Centre Web Printing, said he often arrives at the press around 3:30 a.m. to start work for the day. He leads a crew of five responsible for making sure thousands of newspapers are printed without smudges or complications each day.
Carlson said the process starts with rolls of paper imported from Canada that weigh up to 900 pounds and ink shipped from Minneapolis. The team at Web Printing oversees the production of about 15 weekly papers for central Minnesota, he said.
“I look through every issue,” Carlson said while keeping an eye on a 65,000-copy run. “My day consists of downloading the files, getting the plates made and making sure that the press crew knows what we have to do.”
LOOKING
Local people, local coverage
Star Publications LLC. is a publishing company that prides itself on bringing the word “community” back to the newspaper industry.
Headquartered in Sauk Centre, Star Publications owns hometown newspapers — the Sauk Centre Herald, The Star Post, Sauk Rapids Herald and Benton County News — along with niche publications Dairy Star, Country Acres, Country Acres South and the Star Shopper. In addition to its newspapers, Star Publications offers print and web services as well as Sign Design. Sign Design produces and installs full-color decals, signs and banners for multiple needs.
The company is owned by a group of seven partners born and raised in Minnesota and living within the
communities they cover. Mark Klaphake of Sauk Centre, Joyce Frericks of Sauk Centre, Missy Traeger of Sauk Centre, Natasha Barber of Rice, Nancy Powell of Sauk Centre, Tim Vos of Albany and Amanda Thooft of Sauk Centre guide a team of roughly 50 employees based in five offices and homes across Minnesota and surrounding states.
Newspapers are the foundation of healthy communities, documenting the lives of people, businesses, events, schools and government agencies. The ink applied to the pages of our publications reveals the lifeblood of the communities we serve.
The belief at Star Publications is that each person has a story to tell, some have more than one. We’re here to tell yours.
Quick fact: Last week alone, Star Publications sent 103 newspaper pages to press.
By the time customers pick up the neatly folded newspaper hot off the press, Carlson said he is already focused on preparing for the next day of printing. While he launched the printing company 45 years ago and has seen it through drastic industry changes, Carlson said no two days are alike at the press.
“I have been doing it for a long time,” Carlson said. “Like any job, there are always days when you wish you weren’t doing it and other days where it brings you great satisfaction.”
Once Carlson and other staff bundle the newspapers into large stacks for shipping, the papers embark on their journey to readers. He said he occasionally delivers papers to publishing companies, but typically, his customers pick up the freshly printed product directly from the plant.
Concerning its eight newspapers alone, Star Publications produces an estimated 118,000 individual copies each month that arrive at homes across the Midwest. Newspapers and other packages arrive at post offices throughout the day, waiting to be sorted by postal workers.
Postmaster Officer in Charge Joe Kinzer said drivers at the Foley post office typically begin their morning shifts around 6, sorting mail before embarking on the first routes of the day about two hours later.
On foot or behind the wheel of mail trucks, postal workers hand-deliver newspapers to the mailboxes of subscribers.
“People will call and let us know when their paper is late,” Kinzer said. “They really miss the paper if it is not on time.”
Newspaper staff organize bundles and deliver copies to newsstands at convenience stores, grocery stores and other locations. Weekly papers wait for customers until they are ultimately replaced by the next week’s issue.
In addition to subscribers’ homes, newspapers arrive at public and school libraries, health clinics, businesses and even the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul.
Because Star Publications’ newspapers are made of 100% paper and use soy-based ink, they are completely recyclable.
Jim Zormeier, of Sauk Rapids, has visited newspaper offices for more than five years to collect scrap paper that helps him care for rescued animals. Whether readers are reusing the stories of their communities to line their cabinets, clean the most recent catch-of-the-day or simply depositing the piece in the blue bin, newspapers keep communities informed and provide an added bonus.
“Newspapers are perfect for what I am looking for,” Zormeier said. “They are serving a purpose.”
Anna May Fleischhacker
Bernadette A. Jennissen
PHOTO BY HANS LAMMEMAN
Joe Carlson folds stacks of recently printed newspapers Sept. 22 at Sauk Centre Web Printing in Sauk Centre. Carlson estimated that his facility produces between 30,000 and 100,000 individual copies per week.
FILE PHOTO Star Publications LLC business partners — Joyce Frericks (front, from left), Amanda Thooft, Nancy Powell; (back, from left) Tim Vos, Missy Traeger, Natasha Barber and Mark Klaphake — guide a team of nearly 50 employees to produce four community newspapers and additional niche publications. The company is an independent publisher based in Sauk Centre.
OPINION
Dance hall concerns Third party shake up
One hundred years ago, like today, people looked for entertainment venues.
Among the popular places were dance halls, which became a popular venue for entertainment and social gathering in the early 20th century. It grew out of a tradition of community dances that spread from rural areas to urban areas.
In Holdingford that place was the Dreamland Dance Hall, also known as Dreamland Hall. Over the years the hall served not only as a dance location but also as a community center, but it was primarily a dance hall.
Dance halls, now remembered fondly as part of the good old days, were not always an accepted social venue across all of society. Some historians point out, correctly, that the music at dance halls tended to be of the modern era — jazz in the 20s swing in the 30s, big band in the 40s and rock in the 1950s — which raised eyebrows of the older generations. Other historians stressed the halls were a social divide. Wealthier, established crowds tended to gather in night clubs and/or private club rooms. Working classes, minorities and immigrants socialized in more public venues, such as dance halls.
Then too, there was a concern about what went on at halls. Dancing was generally advertised, but both before, during and after Prohibition, there were concerns of alcohol being served — and who it was served to. Other early 20th century concerns included young women going to the dance hall unchaperoned; integration at some halls; and new dances, such as the Bunny Hop, Lindy, Trot and Charleston, bordering on immorality.
In Minnesota, that concern reached the state level and
in 1923 the state passed statutes related to dance halls. Among the restrictions were no public dance could be held between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. and not before noon on Sundays. A permit had to be obtained from a city or township to hold a dance. The dance site could not be connected by stairs, hallways, etc., to private rooms. The sale of alcohol was prohibited within 1,000 feet. Unmarried people under 16 years old needed to be accompanied by a parent or guardian when coming to the hall. Those unmarried, between 16 and 18 years old, needed written permission from a parent or guardian. No dancing was permitted with lights dimmed or extinguished.
Just how much the Dreamland Hall was affected by those statutes is unclear, but there is evidence there was some concern. Ads from those years promise dances. Other ads highlight an Avon versus Holdingford High School basketball game and a card party “under the auspices of the choir of St. Mary’s Church.”
That there were concerns is probably best shown in a March, 29, 1923, ad in the Holdingford Advertiser. The management promised the hall would “… be run in a decent manner. There will be no drinking (Prohibition was in effect), swearing or spitting on the floor allowed. All dances will be conducted to conform with state law.”
The first dance under the new management was slated for April 2. It may be that was the earliest the renovations could be finished or maybe the manager understood his local area very well. That year April 1 was on a Sunday — it also happened to be Easter Sunday.
Honored to play small part in big day
I’ve been a bridesmaid and maid of honor for weddings, but Saturday was a first for me. I was the ring bearer. I know, you’re thinking a ring bearer is usually a young boy carrying the rings on a pillow down the church aisle. In fact, when my sister Laura married Mike, I crossstitched a ring bearer pillow our nephew, Adam, carried, although the rings were not attached to it. Saturday I was given the responsibility of holding the two blue boxes, one with my niece, Holly’s wedding band inside and the second one containing the silver wedding band for her husband, Peter. I was honored to do so, just like I was honored when Holly asked me to be one of the two witnesses at their wedding. It meant I had to sign my name on the marriage license, another first for me in a situation like this, but not my first time signing a marriage license. I did so when I was the maid of honor for my friend, Gail, many years ago at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose, and we signed the marriage license on the church altar following the vows. Weddings are a special day for the couple and their families. They are also a lot of work before and after, but it is all worth seeing the smiles on the bride’s and groom’s faces as they begin their lives together.
Ross Perot made waves in the 1992 presidential election with almost 19% of the popular vote. Almost 105 million Americans voted that year with current President Bill Clinton receiving 43% of the vote and Republican incumbent George Bush receiving 37.5%. Perot received a staggering 18.9% as a third party candidate.
Perot ran as an independent and was pro-choice, favored taxing corporations and increasing the capital gains tax. He was probably more a Democrat than he was a Republican based on his policy ideas, so perhaps he took more votes from Clinton than Bush. We could see something similar in the 2024 election. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has hinted at running as a third party candidate like Perot did 31 years ago. The Democratic National Committee has made it clear President Joe Biden will not debate another democratic challenger. They have also refused to provide secret service protection for a legitimate presidential candidate. Let’s be clear, the Democrats do not like RFK, Jr., and have labeled him a conspiracy nut even though he shares many of the same beliefs as Joe Biden on polarizing policy, such as climate change and the right for women to choose.
It seems their disdain comes mainly from the willingness of RFK, Jr., to tell the truth and to not bow down to the deep state and the shell games they play with the American public. He is anti-establishment and is also skeptical of the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, the thirst for profit by Big Pharma and shutdown policies instituted by the Biden administration and Anthony Fauci.
RFK, Jr., is currently polling at about 15-17% in most democratic primary polls and trails Biden by anywhere from 35-50 points. If he were to run as a Democrat and lose the primary, that 15-17% would likely go to Biden in the general election. But if he runs as a third party candidate those votes would be cast in the general election, including a potential increase for those who support the likes of Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Marianne Williamson and Bernie Sanders. If he were to steal 20% of Biden’s voters, he could become a legitimate threat to Biden’s re-election.
I took Friday off so I could help decorate the Freeport Community Center. But first I had to pick up cookies I had ordered from the Melrose Bakery. Yes, Holly and Peter had a wedding cake and sheet cakes, which were so good, but Holly also wanted grandma’s chocolate chip cookies. After picking up the cookies Friday we had to taste test them, and they tasted just like the cookies Mom made.
I told Holly you know the more we put up when decorating, the more we have to take down after the reception was done. But that was OK because, thanks to family on both sides and friends, we had everything down in half the time it took us to put the decorations up.
The outside ceremony was so personal thanks to Jeff, the officiant, who intermingled religion with humor. He made everyone feel welcome, including some of Peter’s relatives and a friend from California.
As the hostess for the couple at the community center, I was charged with letting guests know when it was their turn to go through the serving line. That allowed me to visit with their guests, many that I had met for the first time, including Peter’s family.
Bartender Isaac and I were on the tail end of the food line. I looked forward to eating the chicken and ham meal, which included my favorite — the dressing. As I was walking outside later that evening a guy thanked me for the good meal. I told him it was a real Stearns County wedding meal. One guest, who flew from Hollywood, California, also complimented the meal. I guess we are spoiled in Stearns County because we are used to this traditional meal.
I received a hug from Peter’s uncle thanking us for everything. That was an unexpected, but nice, gesture.
While the meal was great and the dancing was fun, to me what made the wedding was the ceremony — and the honors I was given. And that Holly was wearing her grandma’s pearls.
Thank you, Holly and Peter, for allowing me to play a small part in your big day.
But that doesn’t mean he won’t affect Trump either. There are a slew of never Trumpers on the Republican side of the ticket or those who prefer Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis or energetic newcomer Vivek Ramaswamy or the fiery Nikki Haley. Trump is polling as high as 63% in some polls with DeSantis coming in second in the high teens, much like RFK, Jr. But DeSantis is not considering a third party run so his votes have to go somewhere else if he doesn’t get the nomination. The question is will they go to Trump or will they go to RFK, Jr. It’s the same with Ramaswamy and Haley backers. If they are never Trumpers, those votes could go to a third party candidate.
If RFK, Jr., were to snag 15% of the votes from the Republican side and 20% from the democratic side, it would put him in the mix as the next president of the United States.
The problem is identity politics has taken over the country and those who ride or die with blue or red in their blood will cast a third party aside and prefer to stick with the two-headed monster we have come to despise, yet continue to accept.
One of the larger issues is the Commission for Presidential Debates and their thresholds for allowing a third party candidate a place on the national stage. It appears a candidate must be polling at least 15% to be allowed to debate the two major party candidates. RFK, Jr., has the potential to far exceed that number. If he does, he will be the first since Perot was allowed to debate in 1992 and 1996.
We had a front row seat to how a third party candidate can shake up an election when Jesse Ventura “shocked the world” and was elected governor of Minnesota in 1998 with 37% of the vote.
Could this play out in the 2024 presidential election? Will the popularity of RFK, Jr., as an independent voice in a divided country mean our next president will be elected with less than 40% of the vote? There’s a good chance it will.
In any regard, if RFK, Jr., does run as an independent, it will shake up the 2024 election and American politics as we have come to know it. It might be exactly what this country needs.
Make smart decisions behind the wheel
Distractions while driving continue to be a
of conversation. Driving requires attention and concentration of the driver and cooperation of any passenger to keep distractions down. There are more than 320 million wireless connections in the United States, according to data found on the internet. And drivers using cell phones are four times as likely to crash, even using hands-free features. In general, cognitive distractions by cell phone use or other distractions can cause drivers to cause a danger or crash. Multitasking is a myth — your brain can miss seeing up to 50% of your driving area — when driving and talking at the same time; your brain cannot do both well.
Minnesota implemented a hands-free cell phone law in 2019, but in August of 2023 the law was amended to explicitly prohibit holding a wireless communications device with one or both hands. This means drivers may not hold a cell phone in one or both hands, may not type information into the cell
phone, engage in video calling or live streaming, scroll through data, scroll through songs or audio base content or play games. The law does allow for drivers 18 years old and older to use a cell phone in voice-activated or hands-free mode, but not by being held in either hand. Drivers under 18 or operating a vehicle on a provisional license may not make or receive any telephone calls while driving or make or view text messages. Drivers may view or operate GPS devices, including cell phones with GPS applications if the driver does not type information into the device with one or both hands. So, in other words, no hands on the cell phone. Many people ask about emergency situations and the use of cell phones by a driver. The law does have exceptions for calling to obtain emergency services or if a driver feels they are in immediate danger and are requesting assistance. Drivers of authorized emergency vehicles while performing official duties are also exempt from the law. Other distractions aren’t cell phone related. Eating and
drinking, music, children, passengers and navigation are all other topics of distractions. Putting the cell phone down, turning it off or placing it out of reach and going hands-free will help with cell phone distractions. Let’s also remember teaching children good behavior in a vehicle helps lessen distractions, as well as asking passengers to help with good behavior to keep the driver’s attention on the road. Mapping out the destination prior to driving avoids the distraction of trying to use a GPS unit. Pull off the road to recalculate a destination if the first one wasn’t the right one. And eating and drinking — we all do it. Let’s just make sure the food isn’t messy and the drinks are secure to avoid unnecessary distractions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for five seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Anything that takes your attention away from driving is not safe driving. Let’s make smarter choices behind the wheel. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction.
A Peek at the Past by Herman Lensing
From the Heart by Carol Moorman
Chatting with the Chief by Corey Nellis, Avon police chief
In Other Words by Bryan Zollman
PROBATE NOTICE
STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF STEARNS
DISTRICT COURT
PROBATE DIVISION
SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court File No:
73-PR-23-7357
NOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR FORMAL UNSUPERVISED PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESEN-
TATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate of
Beverly Rose Gustafson aka Beverly R. Gustafson, Decedent. TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS: It is Ordered, and Notice is given that on November 3, 2023, at 8:45 am., a hearing will be held in this Court at the Stearns County Courthouse, 725 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, Minnesota 56303, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the Will of the Decedent dated, May 11, 2005, (“the Will”), and for the appointment of Lori Rose Gustafson, whose address is 2316 Lehman Ln NE, Blaine, MN, 55449, as Personal Representa-
CITY OF ALBANY
ORDINANCE 2023-01
CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE AGREEMENT SUMMARY PUBLICATION
The City of Albany has approved an Ordinance No. 2023-01
which (1) adopts definitions related to the franchise; (2) grants a 10 year nonexclusive franchise to Albany Mutual Telephone to provide cable services within the City; (3) establishes indemnification and insurance requirements (4) establishes service obligations; (5) defines the service area; (6) establishes construction and technical standards; (7) establishes street occupancy conditions; (8) establishes rules for service and rates; (9) establishes a franchise fee of 5%; (10) establishes rules for transfer; (11) provides obligations for recordkeeping; (12) reserves PEG Access; (13) establishes a procedure to enforce and revoke the franchise. This material is a summary of the above referenced amendments. The full text of the Ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular office hours at the office of the Albany City Clerk/Administrator.
This Ordinance was adopted by the City Council of Albany on September 20, 2023, and shall be effective upon publication.
Tom Schneider
Tom Kasner
Mayor Interim City Administrator
This amendment was published in the Star Post on October 4, 2023.
P-40-1B
tive of the Estate of the Decedent, in a formal unsupervised administration.
Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or at the hearing. If proper, and if no objections are filed, the Personal Representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, to pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and to do all necessary acts for the Estate.
Notice is also given that, subject to Minnesota Statutes section 524.3-801, all creditors having claims against the
Estate are required to present the claims to the Personal Representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred. /s/ Judge Shan Wang 9/18/2023 /s/George Lock, Court Administrator 9/18/2023
Attorney for Petitioner: Christopher G. Hudok, Esq. (#0400842)
Hudok Law Office, PLLC 10721 Bechtold Rd. Rogers, MN 55374 (612) 363 5025 P-39-2B
Albany Public Works to conduct seasonal HYDRANT FLUSHING
Monday October 16th through Friday, October 20th
Beginning Monday, October 16th through Friday, the 20th of October, the Albany Public Works Department will be performing routine flushing of the City Water System and Fire Hydrants.
This is part of a regularly scheduled maintenance program that removes rust, manganese deposits and sediment from the City’s water lines.
When hydrant flushing is being performed in your neighborhood you may experience rusty water and discoloration along with pressure fluctuation.
Below are some precautions you may take:
• When you notice flushing is occurring in your neighborhood, please check your water coming from your faucet before using your washing machine. You may need to run it for a bit until it runs clear.
• If by accident you do wash a load and rusty looking streaks appear on your laundry, don’t use bleach as this will set the stains permanently. A product called “Iron Out” has been shown to be successful in removing iron stains from fabric.
If you have any questions, please call Albany’s Public Works Supervisor, Joe Mergen at 320.980.2990.
P-40-2B
Unadopted Minutes SCHOOL BOARD WORK SESSION Albany Area Schools – ISD #745 District Office Board Room September 27, 2023
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Kreuzer at 6 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present: Kreuzer, Hansen, Carbajal, Sands, Dirkes Late: None Absent: Sand, Rueter
3. Student Representatives
The student representatives introduced themselves, shared some information about themselves, what they like about Albany, and something they’d like to focus on as a student representative on the board.
4. Technology Update
• Emergency Connectivity Funding is available through the state for those that apply.
•For Round 1, Albany applied for funding for iPads, MacBooks, Hotspots, and Chromebooks and was awarded $300,702.24.
• For Round 2, Albany applied for funding to purchase iPads and Chromebooks and was awarded $24,000.
• For Round 3, Albany applied for funding to purchase additional Chromebooks and was awarded funding of $130,944.
• Phone System
• Currently using managed services through AlbanyTel.
• Continuing discussions around options to reduce our costs for the phone system.
• Considering a change to a cloud-managed phone system from 3CX which would require a one-time up-front cost to purchase new phones but in the long term would save the district between $12-14K per year and the cost savings would pay for the one-time costs in less than a year.
• Overview of E-Rate reimbursement
• Technology updates completed to date; updates planned for the future
• Overview of tech support ticket counts year-to-year
5. Transportation Update Support of the Transportation Department through ticketing. Craig Waldvogel, Amanda Grabmeier, and Aubrey O’Malley have done a lot of work to support the changes and work of the transportation department.
6. Teaching and Learning Update Laura Roelike, Director of Teaching & Learning, took the board through a review of MCA testing results from last year. She also took the board through an overview of the READ Act and how that impacts our district.
7. Open Enrollment Review Tabled until the October work session.
8. School Board Policies - Second Read 8.1 102 Equal Educational Opportunity 8.2 418 Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School 8.3 419 Tobacco-Free Environment; Possession and Use of Tobacco, Tobacco-Related Devices, and Electronic Delivery Devices; Vaping Awareness and Prevention Instruction
License Status 8.5
Development and Mentoring
Dress and Appearance
Student Discipline 8.8 507 Corporal Punishment and Prone Restraint 8.9 509 Enrollment of Nonresident Students 8.10 513 Student Promotion, Retention, and Program Design A summary of changes to 10 policies was reviewed.
9. Superintendent Report Superintendent Okerlund covered several topics including updates on the Director of Building Maintenance position that is currently open, updates on the ELC construction, Athletics questions and adjustments and how the looming federal government shutdown may affect our school.
10. Adjournment The board work session adjourned by Chair Kreuzer at 7:15
OF
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Independent School District No. 740 (Melrose Area Public Schools) shall perform a
lic accuracy test of the optical scan voting system to
in the School District’s November 7, 2023 special election. The test shall be conducted at Melrose Area Public Schools (High
Library) - 546 5th Ave. NE, Melrose, Minnesota on October 17, 2023 at 10 o’clock a.m. Interested individuals are authorized to attend and observe. If you have any questions, please contact Tammy Oliver at 320-256-5613.
Dated: July 24, 2023 BY ORDER OF THE SCHOOL
/s/ Becky Felderwerd
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ASSESSMENT FOR UNPAID CITY CHARGES
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Albany City Council will hold a public hearing at 6:30 PM or as soon as thereafter on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, in the Council Room at 400 Railroad Avenue, Albany, MN to consider and possibly adopt the proposed assessment set forth below for unpaid city charges incurred in relation to Ordinance 77. Adoption by the City Council of the proposed assessment may occur at the hearing. The proposed assessment is as follows:
Written or oral objections will be considered at the hearing. The unpaid amounts includes a $75 administrative fee as per Resolution 2022-37.
Such assessment is proposed to be payable in one (1) installment. You may pay the entire assessment on such property to the City of Albany on or before November 16, 2023. If not paid by this date, the amount will be certified to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer for collection as a special assessment in the year 2024. You may at any time thereafter pay to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer the entire amount of the assessment.
An owner may appeal an assessment to District Court pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Sections 429.081 by serving notice of the appeal upon the Mayor or City Administrator of the City within 30 days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such notice with the District Court within ten days after service upon the Mayor or City Administrator.
No such appeal as to the amount of an assessment as to a specific parcel of land may be made unless the owner has either filed a signed written objection to the assessment with the City Administrator prior to hearing or has presented the written objection to the presiding officer at the hearing.
Tom Schneider, Interim City Administrator Published in the Star Post this 4th day of October, 2023. P-40-1B
Regular School Board Minutes - Melrose Area Public Schools Monday, August 28, 2023
Chair Heller called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The following members were present: Chair Heller, Vice-Chair Dufner, Treasurer Heidgerken, Clerk Feldewerd, Director Uphoff & Director Poepping. Also present were: Superintendent Winter, Business Manager Noska, Principal Pearson, Principal Doetkott & Principal Anderson. Vice-Chair Dufner moved with a second by Treasurer Heidgerken, to approve the agenda. The Motion was unanimously carried. There were a few community members at Open Forum with concerns. No action was taken. Board reports were given. No action was taken. Administrative reports were given. No action was taken. A first review of Policy 102Equal Educational Opportunity was held. No action was taken. A first review of Policy 614 - Bullying Prohibition was held. No action was taken. A first review of Policy 613Graduation Requirements was held. No action was taken. A first review of Policy 621 - Literacy & Read Act was held. No action was taken. Treasurer Heidgerken moved, with a second by Director Uphoff, to approve the following consent agenda items:
➢ July 24, 2023 Regular School Board Minutes
➢ Bills & Wire Transfer in the amount of $1,749,157.80
➢ New Hire - Braden OkerlundTeacher - District - Long Term SubEffective Approx. 10/9/2023
➢ New Hire - Jesicah Miller - Paraprofessional - Elementary - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Ashley Frericks - Paraprofessional - Middle School - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Kalee Howe - Paraprofessional - MS/HS - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Kim Schmitz - Paraprofessional - Elementary - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Brenda Botello - Paraprofessional - Elementary - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Rosie Thell - Paraprofessional - Middle School - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Shelby Sandeen (BAStep 11) - Nurse - District - Full time - Effective 8/28/2023
➢ New Hire - Beth Alipranti - Paraprofessional - Middle School - Full timeEffective 8/28/2023
SIGN Design
Lightning halts halts homecoming
Pierz shuts down Melrose football
BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER
The Melrose Area Dutchmen football team never found a way to stop the Pierz Pioneers in a 33-0 homecoming loss Sept. 29 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose.
The Pioneers scored every time they had the ball, taking a 33-0 lead into halftime. The second half of the game was not played when a lightning storm moved through the area. The game will not be made up.
“We had few drives in the first half,” said Chuck Noll, co-head coach. “We got into the red zone, then it seemed like we had one unforced error after the other.”
Following Pierz’s second touchdown, it appeared the Dutchmen had something going. James Rieland took the kickoff and returned it to the Pierz 2-yard line.
The effort was wiped out by a holding penalty, bringing the ball back to Melrose’s 29-yard line. Rieland has been impressive on a number of kick returns this year.
“He is a jitterbug and terribly exciting,” Noll said. “He is going to break one. Everybody gets excited every time he touches the ball.”
That setback did not seem to faze the Dutchmen.
On the first offensive play, Logan Schad threw to Sam Wehlage for an 18-yard gain.
“We have some guys who can catch the ball,” Noll said. “It is just if we have time.”
That drive illustrated Noll’s statement. Pierz intercepted a pass later in the possession, returning it for a 56-yard touchdown.
The Dutchmen, mixing runs by Jackson Mayers and passes by Schad, moved the
ball to the Pierz 21-yardline at the start of the second quarter. The drive ended following a false start from Melrose
“We have to capitalize when we get down there,” Noll said. “The kids worked hard to get there. Mistakes are part of the game, but we have to eliminate them to get into the end zone.”
Passing seemed to work for Melrose. Before the half ended, Schad was 5 of 11 for 43 yards. Sam Wehlage had two catches for 15 yards, both Max Wehlage and Mayers caught passes for 12 yards and Isaac Rosenberger had a 4-yard catch. What Melrose did not do was keep momentum after gaining yards. Pierz shut down the Dutchmen running game, limiting Mayers to 24 yards on eight runs. That pressure caused Melrose to turn over the ball on downs or punt. From there, the Pioneers marched to touchdowns.
“It seems like we are undersized, but weightwise, we match them,” Noll said. “We are just not very strong. It is a strength issue. Some opponents we face, they live in the weight room. We need to improve in that area of our game.”
During the final minute of the first half and the introduction of the homecoming royalty at halftime, people were looking to the sky and checking cellphones for the progress of the incoming storm. When the teams took to the field to start the second half, lightning strikes brought the announcement that play was delayed for at least 30 minutes. The cafeteria was made available for those wanting to go inside. Shortly after the delay, it was announced the game was over and would not be concluded due to the continued presence of the storm.
PRZ 20 13 MEL
PHOTOS BY HERMAN LENSING
Sam Wehlage is brought down following a nice gain on a pass reception Sept. 29 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose. Wehlage is the Dutchmen’s leading receiver this season.
Logan Schad releases the ball while being chased during Melrose’s homecoming game Sept. 29 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose. Schad completed five passes in the contest.
Entertaining spectators in the Melrose Area High School cafeteria with an improvised line dance were Molly Rue (from left), Ava Williams, Brooke Ruoff, Jada Gettel, Isabelle Quistorff, Bryanne Feldewerd and Emma Revermann Sept. 29 in Melrose. They were waiting for the Melrose homecoming football game to be resumed following a lightning delay.
Albany battles Foley in pool competition
Takes 1st in 5 events
BY MIKE KOSIK STAFF WRITER
The Albany Huskies swim and dive team hosted Foley and lost 62.5-38.5 Sept. 28 at Albany Area High School in Albany. The Huskies took first in five events.
The Huskies kickstarted the competition with a victory in the 200-yard medley relay, courtesy of the combination of Lauren Harren, Teagan Crumley, Sara Eiynck and Trista Hoffarth.
Hoffarth tied Foley’s Sydney Hanks for first in the 50 freestyle at 27.18 seconds, while Sara Eiynck, 200 individual medley; Crumley, 100 butterfly; and
Sara Eiynck
200 medley relay.
Hennen, 100 backstroke, all achieved individual event wins. Albany results: 200MR: 1. Hennen, Crumley, Sara Eiynck and Hoffarth 2 minutes, 5.57 seconds. 200FS: 2. Rayvin Pullins 2:20.10.
200IM: 1. Sara Eiynck 2:34.98. 50FS: 1. Hoffarth 27.18. Diving: Kennedy Buchanan 126.30 points (EX). 100FLY: 1. Crumley 1:09.85. 100FS: 2. Hennen 1:02.05. 500FS: 3. Mckenzie Eiynck 6:12.37. 200FSR: 2. Crumley, Pullins, Mckenzie Eiynck and Hoffarth 1:53.52. 100BK: 1. Hennen 1:10.19.
a
100BR: 2. Crumley 1:19.22. 400FSR: 2. Sara Eiynck, Hennen, Mckenzie Eiynck and Hoffarth 4:12.13
Strong finishes highlight swimming week
Lady Dutchmen finish 3rd in Brainerd
BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER
The Melrose Area Lady Dutchmen concluded a busy week, taking third of eight teams with 361 points at the Brainerd Invite Sept. 30 at Brainerd High School in Brainerd.
Four of the schools, Monticello (5A), Melrose (6A), Park Rapids (8A) and Brainerd (8AA) are defending section champions. Monticello won the meet with 577 points.
“This is a meet with a lot of competition,” said Nathan Meyer, head coach.
Melrose’s firsts were by Hallie Drossel in the 200yard individual medley and 100 breaststroke.
The Lady Dutchmen had at least five competitors in every event and almost always had at least two point earners.
Many Melrose swimmers turned in promising finishes. A few had season-best times.
“Brainerd has a quick pool and a nice facility,”
Meyer said. “The 200 medley relay of Brooke Ruoff, Drossel, Georgia Anderson and Maddi Kraemer had their best time of the year.”
Other top five finishes were Lauren Reed, fifth in the 200 freestyle; Ruoff, fourth in the 100 backstroke; and the team of Kraemer, Reed, Ruoff and Drossel, third in the 400 freestyle relay. Anderson and Kraemer had season-best times in the 100 butterfly.
“They had nice times and this was the third meet this week,” Meyer said. “Overall, we are all happy with how they did.”
Melrose results: 200MR: 2. Ruoff, Drossel, Anderson and Kraemer 1 minute, 55.02 seconds. 200FS: 5. Reed 2:09.6. 200IM: 1. Drossel 2:17.65. 50FS: 11. Ruoff 26.92. 1M diving: 8. Theresia Nathe 292.05 points. 100FLY: Anderson 1:05.99. 100FS: 9. Reed 58.8. 500FS: 8. Jaiden Smith 5:44.56. 200FSR: 8. Reed, Ava Wensmann, Madisyn Von Wahlde and Aubrey Braegelmann 1:55.73. 100BK: 4. Ruoff 1:05.06. 100BR: 1. Drossel 1:08. 400FSR: 3. Kraemer, Reed, Ruoff and Drossel. 3:52.85.
Melrose 106, Montevideo 71
A juggled lineup posted a 106-71 win over Montevideo Sept. 28 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose.
Reed won both the 50 freestyle, the shortest race of the night, and the 500 freestyle, the longest. Drossel swam the 100 freestyle for the first time this year and finished first. In the 200 medley relay, the fourth-place team was an all-cousins grouping of Annabelle Lester, Dockendorf, Drossel and Chloe Viere. Drossel was also part of a senior-led 200 freestyle relay, as she, Nathe, Leah Seanger and Makayla Zirbes took third place.
200MR: 1. Ruoff, Von Wahlde, Anderson and Reed 2:01.74. 200FS:
1. Smith 2:11.16. 200IM: 1. Wensmann 2:32.23. 50FS: 1. Reed 27.07. 1M diving: 2. Nathe 191.6. 100FLY: 1. Anderson 1:06.36. 100FS: 1. Drossel 57.7. 500FSR: 1. Reed 5:42.01. 200FSR: 1. Kraemer, Ella Erdmann, Wensmann and Smith 1:51.8.100BK: Ruoff 1:03.91 (EX). 100BR: Drossel 1:07.48 (EX). 400FSR: Erdmann, Kraemer, Anderson and Reed 4:05.77 (EX). Melrose 109, Litchfield 69 The 200 medley quartet started a trend, taking the first of 12 event wins for Melrose in a 109-69 victory over Litchfield, Sept. 26 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose.
200IM: 1. Ruoff, Drossel, Anderson and Kraemer 1:56.37. 200FS: 1. Reed 2:07.57. 200IM: 1. Drossel 2:18.26. 50FS: 2. Ruoff 26.75. 1M diving: 1. Nathe 169.5. 100FLY: 1. Anderson 1:07.75. 100FS: 1. Reed 58.84. 500FS: 1. Smith 5:52.41. 200FSR: 1. Drossel, Ruoff, Reed and Kraemer 1:47.17. 100BK: 1. Ruoff 1:05.98. 100BR: Drossel 1:06.87 (EX). 400FSR: Smith, Zirbes, Anderson and Reed 4:09.20.
WHA tops Lady Dutchmen soccer
BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER
The Melrose Area Lady Dutchmen girls soccer fell 2-1 Sept. 28 at Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School in Walker. The score was tied 0-0 at the half, with all three of the game’s goals coming in the second half. No other details were available before press time.
Improving Melrose runners hit best times
BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER
Almost all of the Melrose Dutchmen’s runners had their best times of the year Sept. 26 at the Paynesville/Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Invite at Koronis Hills Golf Club in Paynesville.
Tim Wilwerding led Melrose with an 18-minute, 52.61-second run and a 16th-place finish. He was less than a second off his previous best time. Finishing in a pack was Sullivan Stumler, 19:47.2, 26th; Isaiah Zink, 19:50.97, 28th; Malachi Piche, 19:51, 29th; and Sawyer Frieler, 19:55.73, 33rd. All four had their best times of the fall. Thor Hoppe and Ethan Zink rounded out the Dutchmen lineup. They both finished under 22 minutes, recording their best times of the season.
The Dutchmen earned 121 points, taking fifth out of eight teams. Rocori, with four runners in the top 11, scored a 48 to take first. The Spartans edged Sauk Centre by one point. Henry Lamke of Eden Valley-Watkins finished at 16:31.79, taking first out of 58 runners.
Lady Dutchman Kaitlyn Klasen, 22:29.8, had her season-best run, earning 21st. Leading the Melrose girls was Maria Hinnenkamp. She placed ninth out of 61 contestants with a 21:32.61 time. Danica Kerzman had a sub-22-minute finish, crossing the finish line at 21:46.7 and taking 13th place. Zoe Hoeschen, 24:01.1, and Greta Van Wahlde, 24:49.76, earned 36th and 47th, respectively. Finishing the strong Lady Dutchmen effort were Olivia Harren and Hannah Welle, with the former reaching her best time of the season.
First place was earned by Rocori’s Paige Larson, who led her team to a 1-2 finish. The Spartans claimed first with 29 points. Melrose’s team score of 117 brought it fourth place of eight teams.
Huskies girls cross-country 5th in Foley
BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER
The Albany Huskies girls cross-country team, with 119 points, finished fifth among 14 teams at the Falcon Invitational Sept. 28 at Stone Creek Golf Course in Foley. Eva Lundgren came in seventh overall for the Huskies with a time of 20 minutes, 5.3 seconds. The next four runners counting in the team score were Tessa Lundgren, 14th, 21:23.3; Laina Kalthoff, 30th, 22:39.7; Bella Schiffler, 32nd, 22:41.2; and Sydney Dingmann, 37th, 22:53.1.
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There were 98 runners in the girls varsity race. Zimmerman won the team competition with a score of 78. Carter Schwalbe finished sixth at 17:31.2 to lead the Albany boys to an eighth-place finish among 16 teams at 186 points. Following Schwalbe were Keegan Eibensteiner, 35th, 18:32.7; Mason Plumski, 42nd, 18:59.1; Collin Goebel, 46th, 19:03.2; and Caleb Abraham, 58th, 19:33.1.
One-hundred and nine runners competed in the boys varsity race. Cambridge-Isanti snagged top team honors with a score of 64 with three representatives in the top five.
PHOTOS BY MIKE KOSIK
Albany’s
swims to a first-place finish in the 200-yard individual medley against Foley Sept. 28 at Albany Area High School in Albany. Eiynck was also
member of Albany’s first-place
Teagan Crumley swims her portion of the 200-yard medley relay for the Huskies in the Sept. 28 meet against Foley at Albany Area High School in Albany. Crumley later finished first in the 100 butterfly.
Albany’s Lauren Hennen swims the backstroke leg of the 200yard medley relay against Foley Sept. 28 at Albany Area High School in Albany. The relay took first to start the meet with a time of 2 minutes, 5.57 seconds.
