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11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper” Vol. 162, No. 21
A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
Flushing begins Monday SAUK RAPIDS – The Sauk Rapids Public Works Department will begin Áushing water lines Sept. 12. The public may experience low pressure from time to time during the Áushing procedure, however do not be alarmed, it will only be for a short duration lasting less than one hour. If the water from your tap becomes discolored during this time, let your tap
run until it clears. It should not take more than 10 to 20 minutes. The discoloration is not a hazard, only an aesthetic nuisance. The discoloration is mineral deposits of manganese and iron and is one of the reasons the department Áushes the system. The project should be completed in two to three weeks. For questions call Craig Nelson at (320) 258-5318.
Kostreba retires, two firefighters hired
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Rice Fire Chief Scott Janski (right) congratulated retiree Brian Kostreba with a framed uniform. Kostreba retired from the Rice Fire Department after serving the city for 26 years. by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE — Members of the city council, Àre department and community of Rice thanked and congratulated Brian Kostreba for his 26 years of service on the Rice Fire Department Tuesday evening. Kostreba retired from the Àre department July 15. But as one member was leaving, the city was welcoming two more. The recommendation to hire Tyler Martinez and Blake Phenow was also approved at the Sept. 6 meeting. In other council news: • City engineer Mike Rardin, of Bolten & Menk, Inc., updated the council on city water projects which had been submitted for the 2017 Drinking Water Revolving Fund Project Priority List (PPL). Three of the four projects — construct well No. 4, rehabilitate the water treatment plant, and water main looping —were approved and have made it on the list at the draft level. The Drinking Water Revolving Fund helps communities build drinking water storage, treatment and distri-
bution systems that comply with standards in the Safe Drinking Water Act. Municipals apply to be considered for funding in future projects. The city of Rice’s projects can remain on the draft list without renewal for up to Àve years. If at any time the municipal plans to act on a project they can request the project be considered at the funding level and would be eligible for possibly low interest loans or grant funding. Yet, there is no guarantee the project would be funded as the state prioritizes all projects. Essentially, getting the projects on the (PPL) is the Àrst step in future planning of the ventures. • Approved the rezoning, ordinance and authorized the publication of said ordinance regarding the rezoning of 250 Division Street N. • Approved gathering permits for both a private party at the Eighth Avenue SW cul de sac and for a community event speciÀed as Back to Church Sunday. The event is set for Sept. 18 in the city lot north of the pump station. It is sponsored by the Rice Community Church.
Legion to host 9/11 memorial service RICE — The Rice American Legion Post No. 428 will host a memorial remembrance recognizing the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 Attack on America. Don’t miss the opportunity to remember, honor and pray for the families and relatives of the victims of this brutal attack. The event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. at the Rice Memorial Monument across from
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
the Old Creamery Café. The 20-minute program will include local clergy, public safety, military and music from noted bagpiper Joe Linnemann. Guests are advised to bring lawn chairs. Coffee and cake will be provided after the ceremony at the Rice American Legion. For more information contact Don Miklos (320) 584-5825 or Jim Hovda (320) 393-4339.
(USPS 482-240)
September 8, 2016
Schrauts shine through silverware Couple creates yard art, jewelry by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
RICE—What do you get when you combine 14 spoon ends, two handles, a drawer pull, some welding and a whole lot of thought? Well, if you’re Mark or Monica Schraut, you get a piece of Monark yard art. The Schrauts, owners of Monark Hand Created Silverware Lawn Ornaments and Jewelry have been busy over the last week, ramping up their inventory for the 20th Annual Old Creamery Arts & Craft Show Saturday, Sept. 10 and Sunday, Sept. 11. They’ll offer a variety of yard art for purchase from Áowers to dragonÁies; angels to crosses, as well as, various jewelry pieces, bookmarks, money clips and more. “It started when I saw an idea on Pinterest,” said Monica, referring to a piece of lawn art. “I was tired of going and buying stuff in the store that wasn’t made well or rusted and fell apart. I asked Mark if he could show me how to do it.” The process of making silverware yard art is not a simple task. Mark advised Monica that it involved welding, something she hadn’t experienced. He began tinkering and tweaking, using trial and error and
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Monica and Mark Schraut, owners of Monark Hand Created Silverware Lawn Ornaments and Jewelry, will be showcasing and selling their work at the 20th Annual Old Creamery Arts & Craft Show this upcoming weekend.
eventually came up with a Ànished product for his wife. “A lot of people think it’s simple,” Mark said. “But I’m using some very expensive tools. You can’t cut stainless with just anything.” That was Àve years ago. From there, the business expanded through word of mouth, Monica began creating smaller, intricate jewelry pieces and the Schrauts began attending arts and crafts shows around the state. This will be the fourth year they have shown in Rice. “Arts and crafts shows are what works well for us,”
Mark said. “We’d like to do more shows than we do, but we just don’t have the time. If I was retired, I would be able to get some stock built up. But right now, I get over 100 pieces made and go to a show and come back with next to nothing. I can’t make it fast enough.” Mark also owns Mark’s Carburetor & Magneto Service in Rice and Monica teaches at Stride Academy in St. Cloud. Working with silverware is a past-time and they both hope to expand and continue the side-business after retirement.
“It’s fun. I think it will be something we do during retirement. Plus it’s lucrative. I’ve got a lot of ideas in my head, but, like I said, I just don’t have the time,” Mark said. But time is something Mark’s been given extra of recently. After being diagnosed with cancer in August 2015 and battling his disease for the last year, Mark can now call himself a cancer survivor.
Schrauts chrauts continued ontinued on pg pg. 5
Overcoming the world,
one step at a time by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
RICE – Determination can mean different things for each person. For Jacob Kruger, it means being the best runner and wrestler he can be. Jacob was born with retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic form of blindness. But that hasn’t stopped him. “He feels like he has no obstacles in life,” said Ann Kruger, Jacob’s mom. “He’s a straight “A” student and is active in a lot of things.” He has learned a lot from his older brother, Matthew, who shares the condition. Matthew ran cross country for several years when he was in middle and high school; Jacob quickly followed in his footsteps. Jacob is now in his fourth season of running with the team, something he enjoys a lot. “I really like meeting new people,” Jacob said. “It also helps me with wrestling, but I enjoy being on the team too. My teammates are fun to be with.” For the past two years, Sheila Merriman was running with him on the courses during practices and meets. However, this season, Sauk Rapids-Rice High School hired Cameron Smith, a junior at St. Cloud State University, to run with Jacob.
“It’s nice to have him. m. h It will be great to run with the same person all the time, rather than switching people all the time,” Jacob said. “He also learns to have that trust factor when running with someone,” Ann said. “He relies on them to help him on the course.” Jacob feels like running with someone makes him a better runner too. “I don’t know what it’s like to run without someone during a race, and I wouldn’t be able to run if it weren’t for them,” Jacob said. “I really have to focus on them to get through a race. They tell me everything. I can’t imagine running without someone now.” Team captain Danny Sertich doesn’t understand how Jacob can run like he does. “I don’t know how he does it sometimes,” Sertich said. “There are holes everywhere and the course is uneven, but he never trips. It’s quite amazing.” One of Jacob’s greatest motivators is the cheering from the sidelines. Teammates, coaches and runners from other teams often cheer for him or come up to him after a race. “That has to be motivational for him,” Ann said. “It’s very fun to watch.” “I’ll be running and someone will say ‘keep go-
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Jacob Kruger is a runner for the Sauk Rapids-Rice cross country team, where he runs with Cameron Smith during practices and meets. Jacob was born with retinis pigmentosa, a genetic form of blindness, but that hasn’t stopped him from participating in sports like cross country and wrestling.
ing Sauk Rapids.’ They don’t even know my name and they are cheering for me,” Jacob said. To many people, Jacob is a very positive and motivational person. He feels
like nothing can get in his way. “There aren’t too many obstacles in my way,” Jacob said. “I will try just about anything and if I like it, I’ll do it again.”