The Courier - October 2015 by St. Francis Area Schools

The Courier October 2015 | Volume 23, Issue 2

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a division of Independent School District 15 Community Education | St. Francis, Minnesota Serving the communities of Athens Township, Andover, Bethel, East Bethel, Linwood Township, Nowthen, Oak Grove, St. Francis and Stanford Township

www.the-courier.org | news@isd15.org

District’s strategic plan work is moving ahead Nancy Wallace

Strategic Planning Implementation Team Leader, Community education coordinator

With the start of the 2015-16 school year underway, the Implementation Team—or I-Team—for the Independent School District 15 (ISD 15) Strategic Plan is moving forward with establishing action plan work groups. Over the summer, planning was done by the I-Team and work group to “ensure that all employees know the Strategic Plan.” The work group prepared a short video, which focused on the mission statement and presented it at the all-staff gathering September 2. Staff also received a Strategic Plan outline. Building and program leaders attended inservices on the Strategic Plan, focusing on the mission statement and core values and presentations were made at each building and district department’s startup meetings. Throughout this school year, one of the core values will be emphasized each month. Beginning with the District Leadership Team and moving through each school site and district department, all eight core values will be discussed and more fully integrated into the culture of ISD 15. In the next few months, the work group will focus on developing information so that new employees will be aware of the Strategic Plan from the first day of employment and also an annual update for all staff.

Within the next month, the I-Team will organize the remaining two work groups. One of the work groups will address the statement, “ISD 15 uses established protocols to support transparent communication to foster trust among all ISD 15 stakeholders.” The other work group for the 2015-16 school year will address the statement, “ISD 15 has a recognizable and consistent brand.” Branding has become more important in recent years for businesses, school districts and other organizations. Branding revolves around the identity of the organization and the images or perceptions that come to mind. The I-Team began seeking members for the work groups last spring and is still in the process of seeking additional members from staff members and the community at-large. The goal is to have a first meeting of both work groups in late October or early November. It’s anticipated that the two work groups will meet about every four to six weeks for most of the school year and periodically report back to the I-Team on their efforts. Questions about the work groups or the Strategic Plan can be directed to strategicplan@isd15.org.

ISD 15 Mission Statement Our mission is to equip all students with the knowledge and skills to empower them to achieve their dreams and full potential while becoming responsible citizens in a dynamic world. ISD 15 Core Values } We believe that trust and respect are fundamental for thriving relationships. } We believe that our community flourishes when individuals, families and organizations collaborate. } We believe that every person matters and has value. } We believe that responsibility and accountability are essential for personal growth, organizational improvement and community engagement. } We believe that commitment to high expectations is essential to help achieve full individual and collective potential. } We believe that everyone benefits when culture and diversity are understood and respected. } We believe that lifelong learning enriches individuals and creates opportunities. } We believe that open exchanges of ideas and communicated planning are integral for continuous improvement.

Your Input is Valued Interested in being part of the transformation of Independent School District 15? District staff and community members, including parents, business owners, faith community, organizations, city officials and residents are encouraged to participate on one of these action plan work groups: } ISD 15 uses established protocols to support transparent communication to foster trust among all ISD 15 stakeholders. } ISD 15 has a recognizable and consistent brand. Email your interest or any questions to strategicplan@isd15. org stating which group you are interested in and submit your contact information. No special qualifications are necessary for membership on either work group other than a commitment to engaging in the exciting work of enhancing excellence in ISD 15.

What’s Inside Schools in Action.................................................. 2 School Board Highlights.................................. 7 Community Education...................................... 9 Community & Business...................................13 Sports & Outdoors.............................................24 Meetings, Events & Benefits.........................26 Life...............................................................................27

Students in Susan Olsen’s first grade class explored the beautiful nature trails and open space behind Cedar Creek Community School. This fall they are studying the life cycle of a monarch butterfly and have caterpillars to feed in their classroom. Their goal was to locate milkweed, which they did! Milkweed is the only food source a caterpillar eats as it grows. Susan Olsen, CCCS First Grade Teacher

Schools in Action

School Board Highlights Community Education

PAGE 7 PAGE 9

Superintendent’s Bulletin

Troy Ferguson ISD 15 Superintendent

Another wonderful school year is under way as Independent School District 15 welcomed students and staff on September 8. It was a pleasure to see the excited faces of students as they exited the bus (some for the very first time). Teachers and staff met

them with enthusiasm and optimism for another great year. Watching the sincere and caring exchanges between students and staff, it’s easy to understand why students enjoy attending school in ISD 15. I thought this would be a good time to remind readers

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of the work and commitment that occurs prior to the first day of school. There may be some who believe teachers have their summers off. That notion is simply not accurate. While it’s true a majority of teachers may not teach in the classroom during the summer, they are very busy engaging in professional development, training and preparing for the next school year soon after school ends in June. The same goes for other staff in the district. Maintenance and grounds crews are repairing, remodeling and thoroughly cleaning our buildings and grounds, office professionals spend time in the summer

scheduling, inventorying and ordering supplies for schools, administrators are sometimes more busy in the summer than they are during different periods of the school year, educational assistants, mechanics, bus drivers, nutrition service personnel and other support staff in our district spend time in the summer, preparing for the first day of school. I believe it’s important to recognize their commitment to our students, schools and community. That commitment is thoroughly ingrained in our district’s Strategic Plan. I have been talking about our Strategic Plan for over a year now, which

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the school board formally adopted on May 11. This year we are working on three of the result statements identified in the plan and selected by the core planning team. They are: 1. Every ISD 15 employee understands the strategic plan. At our beginning of the year kick-off on September 2, all staff were treated to a creative video produced by Stephanie Schollman, Kathi Greene, Kate Hermann and Ryan Johnson. Kudos to all involved in making the video to promote knowledge and understanding of the plan. 2. ISD 15 uses established protocols to support transparent communication to foster trust among all ISD 15 stakeholders. The past five weeks, ISD 15 leaders have been presenting the Strategic Plan to community groups, city councils, employee groups, chamber of commerce groups and other community groups. We stand ready to present to your group and welcome an invitation to do so. 3. ISD 15 has a recognizable and consistent brand. This result in particular may offer unseen challenges due to the sheer size of our district (165 square miles) and the number of municipalities, counties and townships included within our borders, coupled with historic traditions observed over generations by our residents.

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German Embassy Teacher of Excellence awarded to SFHS teacher Kathleen Miller

Staff writer

Many German teachers perform outstanding work as intermediaries of the German language in the United States. They employ modern teaching methods, make use of the newest media in class, and motivate their students through a variety of additional techniques to gain a solid grasp of German. This teaching excellence deserves recognition. Recently, the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) recognized St. Francis High School German teacher, Kimberly Nickel. Nickel was selected as a 2015 German Embassy Teacher of Excellence Award recipient. This award is given annually in recognition of outstanding up-and-coming teachers who may have started a new program or revitalized an existing one, and contribute to their AATG chapter. Nickel will be honored during the awards presentation at the AATG annual meeting held in conjunction with the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Annual Convention and World Languages Expo November 21 in San Diego, California. The German Embassy Washington, in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut and the AATG, has since 2008 presented the German Embassy Teacher of Excellence Award to three outstanding, ambitious and promising teachers

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Eighth graders Erin Johnson and Cheyenne Long head into St. Francis Middle School on their first day of school September 8. Jessica Rowles, SFMS Community Relations Coordinator

St. Francis High School German teacher, Kimberly Nickel. Submitted Photo of German in the United States. The AATG, which administers the award, accepts nominations from its regional chapters as well as the Goethe-Instituts, DAAD, German Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA), and the German Consulates General and Honorary Consuls in the U.S. In addition, school administrators and schools where German is offered, as well as colleges and universities, are encouraged to nominate outstanding educators for the award. Source: www.germany.info

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The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

The St. Francis High School boys and girls basketball coaching staff and players organized Late Night with the Saints in September. One hundred thirty-five students participated in the kick-off to one of the most exciting times of the year—basketball season. They played basketball, watched movies, ate popcorn and pizza. It was a great time for everyone. Five boys were recognized for completing 10,000 shots this summer. Pictured left, they are (L-R) Ben Dekart, Jake Magnuson, Nathan Drohman, Zachary Keniston and Matthew Bothun. Submitted by Jennifer Drohman From Page 2

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It is our goal to develop a consistent brand so when people receive any form of communication from our district or see any of our teams or representatives, they think, “ISD 15.” Each of these statements has a work group of eight to ten members to develop and help implement it this year. While we are nearing completion on the “every employee knows and understands” work group, there is much work left to be done with the communication and branding work group. I’d like to extend an invitation to staff and community members who may be interested in working on the communication or branding work group this year. If interested, please contact me at 763-753-7041, Nancy Wallace at 763-753-7171, or Tim Finn at 763-753-7046. Have a wonderful year!

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Education with iPads Hannah Pagel

SFES Community Relations Coordinator

With all the fun and engaging games on iPads, iPhones and iPods, today, it’s sometimes hard to see how you can use those devices for learning. On October 22, teacher Stephanie Schollman, St. Francis Elementary School (SFES), will be hosting a Family Tech Night. Bring your child(ren) and your devices and learn all about different apps used in school. We will also go over a few tricks and settings to help you manage your child’s time on their

Student Updates

device better. More information will be sent home around conference time for SFES students. This event is open to everyone, not just SFES families. Please email stephanie.schollman@ isd15.org for more information.

Take A Book, Leave A Book Building home libraries one book at a time at SFES

Superintendent contract Marsha Van Denburgh

ISD 15 School Board Chairwoman

At the August 24 Independent School District 15 (ISD 15) School Board meeting, Troy Ferguson was overwhelmingly selected as superintendent through the 2017-18 school year. The board discussed the skills Ferguson has brought to the position including crisis management, communications, transparency, commitment to the community, respect for all staff, collaborative processes and a general love for ISD 15 schools.

Additionally, Deb Parson, teacher and president of Education Minnesota Local 1977 St. Francis, along with Dan Long, maintenance and union steward for Service Employees International Union Local, spoke in favor of Ferguson being offered a multi-year contract as superintendent. The board is excited to move the district forward using the recently adopted Strategic Plan with Ferguson at the helm. Please feel free to contact any school board member at schoolboard.isd15.org with any concerns or questions.

Hannah Pagel

SFES Community Relations Coordinator

Caroline Brasch Submitted Photo Caroline Brasch participated in the Concordia Language Villages program by attending a six-week apprentice session at El Lago del Bosque, the Spanish Language Village, located near Cass Lake. Brasch is the daughter of Bud and Beth Brasch, East Bethel and is a senior at St. Francis High School. By attending El Lago del Bosque, Brasch experienced a simulated visit to another country. Brasch was issued a passport, exchanged currency and adopted a new name. By interacting with staff from all over the world, Brasch also learned about the many opportunities available to those who speak more than one language. Brasch was immersed in the language and culture of another country through large and small learning groups, authentic foods, holiday celebrations, re-enactments of historic events, songs, dances, crafts, games and everyday conversations. Megan Deans, daughter of Michael and Connie Deans of East Bethel, has enrolled at the College of Saint Benedict for the 2015-16 academic year. President Laura Urban is pleased to announce Jacqueline Currier of St. Francis received an Associate in Applied Science degree in Child Development at Alexandria Technical & Community College’s graduation ceremony held May 13 in Alexandria. Robert Meints of Oak Grove is the recipient of a Concordia Scholarship from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. Meints, a 2015 graduate of St. Francis High School, is the son of Brad and Lana Meints.

The St. Francis Elementary School (SFES) Take A Book, Leave A Book program is in its second year. Gently used and/or new K-5 books donations are being requested. Collection bins are set up in SFES and SFES North hallways. Or drop books off at the SFES office. Books are accepted at anytime during school hours. The purpose of Take A Book, Leave A Book is to foster a love of reading in students and to make sure there are books in every student’s home. How the program works Students can take only one book a day, but they can take a book every day if they want. All the books on the Take A Book, Leave A Book shelves are marked with a sticker that has a “T” on it. This is so students and parents know that it is a book they can keep. Students can return a book if they get tired of it and can bring books from home that they don’t read anymore (with parent permission, of course). If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jody Casello, 5th grade teacher, at jody.casello@isd15. org or Lisa Prowizor, kindergarten teacher, at lisa.prowizor@isd15.org. The readers thank you for donating to the Take A Book, Leave A Book.

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The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Cedar Creek Community School (CCCS) is making sure students get off on the right… wheel. Ann Dettmann, the new dean of Students at CCCS and Jessica Marsolek, school social worker, met with bus drivers to review the Bus of the Month system, which rewards good bus behavior. Dettmann and Marsolek also presented the rules to each grade level and told students how they can earn Bus of the Month honors. Ann Dettmann, CCCS Dean of Students

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High school Counselor’s Corner Tammy Sworsky

SFHS Counselor

The St. Francis High School (SFHS) counselors welcome students and staff to the 2015-16 school year. Listed are some of the things currently happening in our department. We are so excited to welcome Samantha Schmidt and Thea Svihel to our department. Samantha Schmidt has replaced Jennifer Blair as counselor to students with last names A-E and Thea Svihel is our new office professional. We are so happy to have them both on our team. The annual College Fair took

Courier Contacts Telephone ��763-753-7031 Fax ��763-753-4693 Advertising ��763-753-7032 Billing ��763-753-7031 Website �� www.the-courier.org Like us on Facebook Publisher Troy Ferguson ��763-753-7041 troy.ferguson@isd15.org Editor Kathleen Miller ��763-753-7042 kathleen.miller@isd15.org Advertising Sales Janice Audette ��763-753-7032 janice.audette@isd15.org Graphic Designer Pat Johnson ��763-753-7025 pat.johnson@isd15.org Billing Amy Lindfors ��763-213-1588 amy.lindfors@isd15.org Production Binie Bertils Address 4115 Ambassador Blvd. NW St. Francis, MN 55070-9368 Deadline Information Deadline for the November issue of The Courier is October 9. News Send news and photos to news@isd15.org. Letter to the Editor For the complete Letter to the Editor policy, visit www.the-courier.org. Delivery For delivery inquiries call 763-753-7031 Policies and Pricing Visit www.the-courier.org for policy and pricing information. Subscriptions The publication is delivered at no charge to all residents in Independent School District 15. The Courier can be mailed to any address for an annual (12 issues) subscription rate of $18. The Courier is a monthly publication distributed by Independent School District 15 Community Education and paid for with revenues generated by advertising. 6

place September 23. College representatives from all over Minnesota and surrounding states were in attendance to provide students and parents with information. If you are a high school student or parent and you were not able to take advantage of this fantastic event, we highly encourage you to attend next year. Coming Up PSAT—Wednesday, October 14—This test is open to 10th and 11th grade students. Juniors taking this test are eligible for the National Merit Scholarship. Students may also take this test as sophomores if they wish to use it as preparation for the PSAT and ACT as juniors. Sign up in the Counseling Office if interested. Senior Day—Tuesday, October 27—October is College Knowledge Month and Senior Day is an annual event hosted by the Counseling Office and Career Center. The purpose is to assist seniors with graduation preparation, future planning, career research, resume writing, finishing college applications and more. Information will be distributed to senior students as the day draws near. ASVAB Testing—Thursday, October 29 (1-3 hour). Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is an optional exam that is typically used for, but not exclusive to, students interested in entering the military. It also provides students information regarding college, vocational schools and careers/occupations outside of the military. Students can sign up for this optional exam in the Career Center. If you have questions, please contact Dawn Abraham, career advisor.

PLAN Testing for 10th grade will take place in late October or early November; exact dates to be announced. This is a very important test that helps predict ACT scores and provides feedback on areas students can work on to potentially improve their score for ACT when in 11th grade. Youth Mentorship—This program is entering its third year and has been very successful. We are looking for juniors and seniors to volunteer to be youth mentors for elementary students at Cedar Creek Community School. This is a full year commitment, one afternoon a week. We can be flexible with athletic/activity schedules if needed. Students interested should visit Tammy Sworsky, Counseling Office, soon for more information. PREP ME—an ACT preparation program available to students free of charge through their Naviance/ Family Connection account. We highly encourage all students, especially juniors and seniors, to utilize this program to prepare for their ACT. It consists of content specific practice tests and prescriptive curriculum based on areas of weakness identified based on the results of the practice tests. Not sure who your student’s counselor is? The following is a breakdown of our department: Students with last names

Counselor Samantha Schmidt

A-E

Jaymie Helle

F-K

Jill Salo

L-R

Tammy Sworsky

S-Z

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St. Francis High School Class of 2016 Senior All-Night Party Melissa French

SFHS Senior All-Night Party Chairperson

The St. Francis High School All Night Party committee needs your help in making the event memorable for the Class of 2016. Parents, grandparents, aunt and uncles of students in any grade level at St. Francis High School, staff and community members are encouraged to help plan and facilitate the 2016 Senior All Night Party. Decisions need to be made on a theme, fundraising, ticket sales, secure donations and prizes, T-shirt design, schedule volunteers and more! The committee meets monthly, October through March and bi-weekly in April and May, 6:00 p.m. at Oak Roads Grille in Oak Grove. Contact Melissa French, chairperson, at 763-753-3937 for further details.

Highlights from the Curriculum & Instruction Department Kathleen Miller

Staff Writer

The Curriculum & Instruction Department for Independent School District 15 (ISD 15) has had some significant changes over the summer, including changes to staff. Here are introductions to the new staff and updates from the department. Nichole Rens is the new director of Curriculum & Instruction. Rens comes to ISD 15 from the Robbinsdale Area School District where she was an elementary principal. Trina Schultz is the new assistant principal of data and assessment. Trina has previously worked in the district as a dean at Cedar Creek Community School and a language arts teacher at St. Francis Middle School. Since both Rens and Schultz are new to the department, they are still in the process of learning the systems and routines. For this school year, they plan to develop a strong understanding of how the department can best provide support to each school in the district. One update is the Math Learning Area Committee (LAC) which determined to spend this school year planning for the math pilot. They will be determining the best materials available that meet the needs of students and are aligned with Minnesota standards and leading research in math instruction. Another focus is on district systems which will be developed so that common curriculum is provided to all students. The Curriculum & Instruction Department has plans to meet with each LAC by early October and is currently reviewing intervention systems to determine how to best meet the needs of students, preschool to grade 12. Rens and Schultz are excited to partner with ISD 15 staff and welcome feedback, questions and concerns. They look forward to a successful school year.

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School Board Highlights School Board Highlights

July 27, 2015

Kathleen Miller

Staff writer

All school board members present. Schools for Equity in Education Report Brad Lundell, executive director of Schools for Equity in Education (SEE), provided an overview to the Board. SEE districts tend to be lower property wealth districts, making it more difficult to pass voter-approved levies. SEE is a coalition of 58 Minnesota school districts with a mission that all public school children must have equal access to a high quality education regardless of where they live in Minnesota. Lundell writes a blog and maintains a presence at the state capitol. Being a member of SEE provides the ability to network with districts with similar challenges, data and resources specific to ISD 15 to assist in communication with our community and legislators, and quality programs at general membership meetings on relevant and timely topics. SEE is in the process of getting approval for administrative CEUs. In conclusion, Lundell touched on equalization, which is more about tax effort, making sure the taxpayers in ISD 15 are not working harder than other districts for the same dollars. A resolution to renew the SEE membership for 2015-16 was approved 4-3, with Marsha Van Denburgh, Suzanne Erkel and Dave Roberts voting against. Oak Land Cooperative Resolution Superintendent Troy Ferguson met with the Oak Land board and superintendents from Cambridge-Isanti and Princeton school districts to discuss the option of ISD 15 withdrawing from the cooperative. This would be effective for the 2016-17 school year. ISD 15 is considering a plan to provide an alternative learning program (ALP) to ISD 15 students. Principal Scott Manni would oversee the program. A resolution for ISD 15 to withdraw from the Oak Land Cooperative was approved 7-0.

NeoPath Health Clinic Update A communication was sent to all employees concerning an option to continue with the NeoPath Health Clinic located in its new location in St. Francis. ISD 15 staff could elect a monthly payroll deduction for single or family membership in the clinic. About 250 people are needed to enroll to sustain the clinic. NeoPath would manage the operation, which would be open to ISD 15 staff. Saints Online ISD 15 received final approval from the Minnesota Department of Education for a new online learning program for students in grades 9-12. Beginning this fall, Saints Online will be an option for general education, credit recovery and diploma completion to students who live within ISD 15 boundaries and/or students who open enroll in the district. Scott Manni is the principal on special assignment for Saints Online. Students in the program will have access to a learning lab at Crossroads School & Vocational Center (CSVC), Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. An article in the August/September issue of The Courier will provide more information. With Manni on leave from his position at CSVC, the board approved the hiring of Jay Powell as principal for Crossroads School & Vocational Center for the 2015-16 school year. Roberts Resigns as School Board Chairman Dave Roberts read a statement citing a personal matter and resigned as chairman, but will remain on the school board. Roberts was appointed to the school board in 2011 due to a vacancy and was re-elected in 2014. His current term expires December 2018. Board members accepted the resignation and opened nominations. By unanimous ballot, the following changes were made: Marsha Van Denburgh, school board chairwoman; Suzanne Erkel, vice chairwoman; Amy Kelly, treasurer; Barbara Jahnke remains as clerk. Annual Meeting Several items were approved during the annual meeting portion including approval of school board meeting dates, school meal pricing, mileage

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

allowance for ISD 15 staff, annual memberships including the Minnesota School Boards Association membership, Schools for Equity in Education, Educational Cooperative Services Unit, Policy Service Renewal Membership, and Minnesota State High School League. Other annual items approved are athletic and activity fees for students grades 6-12, naming the financial auditor for accounts and records, legal counsel, and authorized financial institutions, public notice for directory information and compliance with Title IX. For the complete list of items, visit www.isd15. org > District > School Board > Minutes/Agenda/Packet.

ridership. Superintendent Troy Ferguson reported to the board that activity buses at the middle school will be in service starting in November when wrestling begins. Strategic Plan Update The implementation team and work group has been busy working on the strategy to ensure that every employee understands the strategic plan. Two other work groups will start once the school year is underway. There are openings to serve on both committees and it is important to have a diverse representation including community members.

School Board Members

School Board Highlights

Marsha Van Denburgh, Chairwoman 763-753-6653

Kathleen Miller

Suzanne Erkel, Vice Chairwoman 763-413-1195

August 10, 2015 Staff writer

School board members Janet Hunt and Suzanne Erkel absent Superintendent Report Independent School District 15 officially gave notice that the district is leaving the cooperative at the Oak Land board meeting August 5. Discussion included how to split the Oak Land fund balance and set a fair market value to the St. Francis site. The Princeton school board meeting is August 18 and they will be making their decision about the cooperative. Activity bus update for the 2015-16 school year Last school year, activity buses at the middle school and high school were reinstated. Ridership was very low and did not seem to have much of an impact on after school participation. At the July District Leadership Team meeting, data was shared including cost, number of riders and activities offered. For the 2015-16 school year, the high school will discontinue the activity bus, but St. Francis Middle School Principal Bobbi Anderson Hume advocated continuing the service for students in grades 6-8. Current activities at the middle school include Knowledge Bowl, wrestling and track & field, with a commitment to adding more after school programming to increase

Barbara Jahnke, Clerk 763-753-6846 Amy Kelly, Treasurer 763-744-8458 Janet Hunt, Director 763-221-5341 David Roberts, Director 763-843-0013 Scott Schwarz, Director 763-898-6985 Email: schoolboard@isd15.org

Districtwide Copier Contract Business Services Director Scott Nelson presented two bids for the board to review. Both included a buyout plan from the districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current contract. The new contract will include copier management software that will assist administration in controlling copying costs. A centralized copying center will go online October 1 and will be housed at St. Francis High School. The new equipment is fast, reliable and energy efficient and will be staffed fulltime. Copying requests can be submitted electronically and staff should plan for a turnaround time of

School Board Meeting Schedule School board meetings are held at the Community Room in the Central Services Center located at 4115 Ambassador Blvd. NW, St. Francis. Monday, October 12 Dialogue with School Board 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. Monday, October 26 Dialogue with School Board 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. Monday, November 9 Dialogue with School Board 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. Live streaming and video archives of school board meetings are available at www.isd15.org/sbvideo

Evening Dinner Shows

November 19, 20, 21 7:00 p.m.

Matinee Dinner Show November 22 4:00 p.m.

St. Francis High School Commons

3325 Bridge Street St. Francis Adults $22 & Students $17, reserve tickets now. Tickets are available online at seatyourself.biz/stfrancishs For questions, call 763-213-1800 x1489. 7

two-days. The district expects to see $1000/month savings at the outset with an increase in savings coming once the current contract with Toshiba has been resolved. A resolution was presented to the board to approve a contract with Loffler to provide centralized copier services. The resolution passed, 5-0. SHIP Grant Special Services Director Tim Finn reported that the district was approached by Anoka County Community Services (ACCS) to see if there was interest in applying for the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grant. ISD 15 was involved with a SHIP grant on a smaller scale several years ago. There are two components to the current grant. One focuses on students and healthy nutrition. The other focuses on staff and healthy living and healthy lifestyles. If the grant were awarded, the district would receive $85,000 each year of the two-year grant. The board gave consent to reply to ACCS that there is interest in this grant. If awarded, this would start in mid November. Superintendent Search Discussion School Board Director Dave Roberts provided information to newly appointed board member Scott Schwarz regarding a superintendent search. Currently, Superintendent Troy Ferguson is on a one-year contract, which will expire June 2016. The board will need to decide soon how to

proceed for the future, using the newly adopted strategic plan as a guide. If a search were to be conducted, the best time to conduct a search would be starting in November/ December.

School Board Highlights

August 24, 2015 Pat Johnson

Staff writer

All school board members present Superintendent Contract Dan Long, ISD 15 maintenance staff member and union steward for Service Employees International Union, Local 284 and Deb Parson, parent, St. Francis Middle School teacher and president of Education Minnesota St. Francis, Local 1977, respectively represented their groups’ endorsement of extending Superintendent Troy Ferguson’s contract another two years, citing Ferguson’s vested interest in the school district and community among other things. School Board members weighed in on a possible superintendent search or if it was a good idea to extend the contract to Ferguson. All members spoke on why they felt Ferguson is a good fit. The board extended an offer to Ferguson as superintendent through June 2018. Superintendent Report } Welcome Back for ISD 15 staff scheduled for next

l a t n e R t n e m u r t s n I Lesson Program

Wednesday } Welcomed Trina Schultz to Curriculum & Instruction as Data, Assessment, Intervention specialist } Noted that the curriculum storage unit needs cleaning out and has offered curriculum to surrounding schools. } Meet with Oak Land Area Learning Center’s superintendent Rebecca Fuller about the disillusionment. Meeting went very well. } Toured Cedar Creek Community School (CCCS) with Principal Darin Hahn, Maintenance Supervisor Chris Wirz, School Board member Marsha Van Denburgh to start the needs and wants process for each building in the district. The process will help the district create a long range plan for fix and repair. CCCS was built in 1990 and is the newest complete building in the district. It has one of the largest drainfields in the state of Minnesota. The pumps in it are coming to the end of their life span. The district has been told that city sewer and water is coming. The district needs to weigh options on replacing the pumps. } Scheduled strategic plan presentations in the community and throughout the district. Already presented to St. Francis Area Chamber of Commerce, maintenance and transportation departments, District Leadership Team and next Monday to the Oak Grove City Council. Resolutions/Other Matters Approval of School Board Policy 436 Student Parental, Family, and Marital Status Nondiscrimination; passed Approval of revised School

Board Policy 515 Veteran’s Preference; passed Approval of revised School Board Policy 535 Tobacco Free Environment; passed Approval of revised School Board Policy 588 Hazing Prohibition; passed Approval of additional Skyward training from a consultant; passed Approval of employment agreement for preschool instructors; passed Denial of level 3 grievance resolution; passed

School Board Highlights

September 14, 2015 Kathleen Miller

Staff writer

School board member Suzanne Erkel absent Long Term Facility Maintenance Revenue Plan Mike Hoheisel, Robert W. Baird and Co. and ISD 15’s financial adviser, presented the Long Term Facility Maintenance Revenue (LTFMR) plan to the board. This levy legislation passed during the Minnesota Legislature 2015 Special Session. It may be used for maintenance projects necessary to prevent further erosion of facilities. The timeline is tight, as the board will need to have a 10-year plan in the areas of health and safety, deferred maintenance and handicap accessibility presented to the Minnesota Department of Education by the end of September. The board approved the resolution (6-0) to approve the LTFMR, allowing the superintendent or business director to submit a 10-year plan. Also approved was the resolution to approve the General Obligation Crossover Refunding Bonds

Series 2015A of the 2007A General Obligations Bonds for the proposed potential reduction of interest cost of the bonds by $600,000 from 2018 to 2027. The superintendent or business director and any board officer can award the sale and execute all documents necessary to accomplish the sale. The resolution passed (6-0). Dissolution of the Oak Land Cooperative Center The resolution in favor of dissolving the cooperative was presented to the board. ISD 15 plans to manage its own alternative learning program, following the district’s mission and core values. In the past, St. Francis High School students who left for Oak Land rarely transitioned back. Keeping our students in the system and using resources such as our own teaching staff, curriculum, training and professional learning committees will create a culture conducive to students moving more fluidly throughout our system. The board approved the resolution (6-0) to terminate the Cooperative’s amended joint agreement and amended bylaws and cease all operations effective September 1, 2016. Student Representative Board Chairwoman Marsha Van Denburgh welcomed St. Francis High School student Lillian Baumann, who is the new student representative serving on the school board. Baumann reported that Homecoming/school spirit activities are scheduled for the week of September 21-25. The Homecoming football game is Friday, September 25, 7:00 p.m. when the Saints will face St. Michael-Albertville. The Homecoming dance is scheduled after the football game.

Excellence and leadership achievement awarded to Chris Wirz Rent • Buy • New • Used

Kathleen Miller

Band, Orchestra, Guitars, Drums Bring your instruments in and we’ll sell them. Repair • Guitar Supplies Piano Books (In Stock or Order)

www.reynoldsmusicanoka.com

763-421-1062

108 Main Street • Anoka www.reynoldsmusicanoka.com

Consignment Center MUSIC &Educator Approved Instruments 10/15

Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:30-8; Friday 9:30-6; Saturday 9-4

Staff Writer

SchoolDude recently recognized Chris Wirz, program supervisor for Independent School District 15 Maintenance Department, as a Campus Champion for Energy Management. The annual award recognizes top-performing institutions based on operational performance data. Typically, one individual champion is connected to that success and SchoolDude calls these people Campus Champions. Founded in 1999, SchoolDude has served as the market leader in education enterprise asset management for the past 13 years. They help both small and large institutions better manage their facilities.

The Campus Champion program was created for those who are performing at the top of their peer class, from achieving results by adopting industry best practices, leading change by motivating their teams and succeeding in transforming their operations to go from good to great. In order to determine the champions, SchoolDude selects the top 20 percent in key performance indicators in each of six categories: maintenance and operations, preventive maintenance, inventory management, facility use, IT management and energy management. Congratulations to Wirz and his team for this award and for continuing to serve ISD 15 as champions. Source: www.schooldude.com The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Community Education Community Education redefines youth and adult programming Nancy Wallace

ISD 15 Community Education Coordinator

Exciting changes are taking place in Independent School District 15 Community Education this fall! Youth enrichment programming for children in grades K-12 is a reality. Look in the fall Community Education catalog, which was mailed to homes in late August, for districtwide classes on a number of topics including welding (for grades 10-12), babysitting 101 (11-13 years), painting, a variety of Lego classes, web design (grades 7-9), engineering (grades 2-5), among others. Looking for athletics for youth (grades K-8) in a non-competitive environment? Watch for flyers in backpacks and online for information about youth

recreation opportunities offered through Community Education; Diane Guinn (763-213-1823) supervises the Community Education Youth Rec program. The Community Education Department reorganized this past spring. Chris Schlottman (763-213-1616) was assigned much of the elementary and middle school youth enrichment responsibilities along with those of operating Kids Connection and Just 4 Kids childcare programs. Schlottman along with staff member Lori Krause moved from Sandhill Center and are now located at Cedar Creek Community School (CCCS) so they can monitor the programs more efficiently. Coordinators for the Kids Connection/Youth Enrichment programs are Melissa Riley,

Tuesday, November 10 12:45-2:15 p.m. 23820 Dewey Street • Bethel, MN 55005

Adult Basic Education Start your future now!

Independent School District 15 Community Education

English classes on all levels Classes are for foreign born adults who want to read, write and speak English. Our ESL classes are designed to fit students’ needs and help with everyday living. Our teachers and volunteers work with students one-onone to help them learn a new language.

1640). This includes the Silver Sneakers/Silver and Fit classes and Book Club currently taking place at Sandhill Center in Bethel. Nancy also handles registration for the Senior Advisory Council sponsored

Lunch Bunch and she organizes some classes and clubs for high school students. Nancy is the “go-to” person for any requests to use district buildings after-school hours.

FITNESS for all! We offer plenty of ways for you to get in shape, so you’ll never be bored with working out. We have two treadmills, two elliptical trainers, two stationary bikes and a Nautilus four-station weight machine.

Relaxed atmosphere – senior citizens are encouraged to attend! Socialize after your workout in our conference room.

Join the Sandhill Center Advisory Council at the

ABE

who is working at St. Francis Elementary School and Tammy Chelberg, who is at CCCS. The Kids Connection program saw a rapid increase in enrollment in the past month, which meant adding staff. Being welcomed to the team at CCCS are Courtney Allard and Dana Telander. Kathy Gagner and Robin Molin have taken on new roles as Kids Connection/ Just 4 Kids lead instructors. Kids Connection is currently seeking additional staff for early morning sessions; check out ISD 15 employment opportunities at www.isd15. org/employment. The Adult Education program also reorganized so that programming focused on seniors is now being coordinated by Nancy Messerschmidt (763-213-

´ Check out the activities and events available at Sandhill Center ´ Reserve a spot for Lunch Bunch monthly entertainment On November 10, Betty Rydell is scheduled to perform. Limited number of seats are still available. Call 763-2131641 or 763-213-1616. ´ See the workout room featuring Nautilus equipment, conference facilities and library ´ Refreshments will be served Watch the November Courier for more information.

Free

One-On-One Instruction for Adults www.communityed15.com/abe For more information or to register, call 763-753-7190. Get your Adult Diploma Complete credits through independent study to get your high school diploma! An Adult Diploma might make more sense than taking the GED if you need very few credits to graduate, have test anxiety or have other challenges that would make taking the GED difficult.

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Prepare for the GED Adults who have a degree earn more money and are prepared for college. Class days and times: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Only $2 per visit and no membership fees. Call Chris today for more information or email christine.schlottman@isd15.org Fitness 15 • Sandhill Center 23820 Dewey Street Bethel, MN 55005

Hours: Monday thru Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m.–Noon

Driver’s

Education

at St. Francis High School

Classroom Education

Registration for classroom driver’s education is being accepted for the 2015-16 school year. If you are 15 years of age or approaching 15, you may register to participate in a 30-hour classroom driver’s education course offered during the school day. Fee $110.

Behind-the-Wheel Driving Instruction Six hours of required behind-the-wheel instruction Flexible scheduling State of Minnesota certified instructors Fee $250

Applications available at www.communityed15.com or call 763-213-1640 for more information. Sponsored by ISD 15 Community Education 9

ECFE offers continuing education units for childcare providers Jennifer Dupre

ECFE Manager

Did you know the Lifelong Learning Center offers continuing education unit (CEU) hours for childcare providers? If you are a childcare provider or know someone who is, check out the following opportunities: Dr. Ada Alden presents: Executive Functioning and School Success Dr. Ada Alden will guide the adults that care for children to teach functional skills upon which learning can fully flourish. How children function matters—for school and for life! Come ready to learn strategies to help all children thrive. Invite the parents from your program to attend with you.

Course: EC 7901 Dates: Tuesday, October 20 Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fee: $3 Kathy McKay presents: Help Me Grow and Developmental Milestones Kathy McKay will present materials that childcare providers can use in their programs. McKay will discuss what to do if you have developmental concerns and the importance of early intervention. She will also bring a parent with to discuss the process once a referral has been made. Be ready to see all of the free materials available to you! Course: EC 7902 Dates: Wednesday, November 18 Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fee: $3 Register online at www.isd15.org/ecfe

Midwest Family Counseling, P.A.

Individual – Relationship – Adolescent – Adult – Child

763-753-9459

St. Francis Forest Lake 23038 Rum River Boulevard 69 North Lake Street BHP – Preferred One – UCare – MHCP

Bruce W. Barton, M.Div., M.A., LMFT, LP

Community Education Contacts Nancy Wallace, Community Education Coordinator.................. 763-753-7171 Adult Basic Education (GED)...................................................................... 763-753-7190 Melody Panek, Site Coordinator/Teacher Adult Education & Services......................................................................... 763-213-1640 Driver’s Education/Behind the Wheel Nancy Messerschmidt, Program Supervisor Communications Kathleen Miller, Program Supervisor................................................. 763-753-7042 The Courier Newspaper................................................................................ 763-753-7031 Kathleen Miller, Editor................................................................................ 763-753-7042 Pat Johnson, Graphics................................................................................ 763-753-7025 Janice Audette, Advertising.................................................................... 763-753-7032 Facility Scheduling Nancy Messerschmidt, Program Supervisor................................ 763-213-1589 Early Childhood Family Education & Services................................. 763-753-7170 Jennifer Dupre, Manager Kids Connection Christine Spindler-Schlottman, Program Supervisor.............. 763-213-1616 Kids Connection Cedar Creek Community School Site........ 763-753-7160 Kids Connection St. Francis Elementary School Site.............. 763-213-8674 Preschool Place 15............................................................................................ 763-753-7170 Jenny Dupre, Manager Rec Department Diane Guinn, Program Supervisor...................................................... 763-213-1823 Amy Lindfors, Rec Assistant.................................................................... 763-213-1588 Youth Enrichment Christine Spindler-Schlottman, Program Supervisor.............. 763-213-1616 www.isd15.org • www.the-courier.org • www.communityed15.com 10

Lifelong Learning Center…a great start or restart Nancy Wallace

ISD 15 Community Education Coordinator

Programming at the Lifelong Learning Center (LLC) is in full swing. Whether it’s brushing up on basic skills, learning English, enjoying quality time with your toddler, or enrolling your preschooler in a top notch preschool, set your sites on the LLC. Adult Basic Education (ABE) provides adult diploma, English as a second language, workforce preparation, basic skills enhancement, GED test preparation and more. ABE is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5:008:00 p.m. Melody Panek is the teacher and she can be reached at 763-753-7190. Ker Vang Lor is the instructor assistant for ABE. Early Childhood programming began in midSeptember. Twenty sections of Preschool Place 15 for three and four-year-olds means there are lots of options for young children including mornings, afternoons, evenings, one, two or three days a week. Programming is developed so that all preschoolers can benefit from being in Preschool Place 15; specialists are available to plan for and assist children who need extra support. Preschool Place 15 is recognized as a leader in providing preschoolers with the foundation for learning with a focus on social skills and early literacy skills. It is four star rated by Parent Aware. Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) provides time for parents and children ages birth to kindergarten (or grandparents/other significant

Early Childhood programs at Lifelong Learning Center run midSeptember through May. Submitted Photo adults) to attend weekly classes together. There is time for parent education each week facilitated by licensed parent educators. In addition, ECFE offers a variety of events and short classes for parents and children, ages birth to kindergarten. Check out the Learn & Thrive brochure that was mailed in early August or Places to Go, Things to Do mailed in September along with online with online or Facebook for opportunities. Fees are charged for participation in the programs. There is a sliding fee scale available for both Preschool Place 15 and ECFE. Preschool Place 15 also participates in the Pathway I and II scholarship programs for those who qualify. Both Preschool Place 15 and ECFE have openings. The Early Childhood

programs welcome new staff this fall, including: Kim Hewson-Garber as parent educator and Breanna Peterson, Jessica Backlin and Brittney Stoeckel as Preschool Place 15 instructors. Jenny Dupre supervises the program; she can be reached at 763-753-7170. Early Childhood Screening is a free service to all children once they are three-years-old. Screening is a quick check of health and development and can provide resources to families as their young child moves toward kindergarten; screening shortly after a child’s third birthday is recommended. Melissa Denning coordinates the program and more information about screening is available online or by calling 763-753-7187. Visit www.isd15. org/ecfe for more information.

Just 4 Kids

4-year old childcare program 2015-16 school year! Kids Connection offers a 4-year-old childcare program called Just 4 Kids at St. Francis Elementary School. Children will participate in various educational and recreational activities in a safe, well-supervised environment. Children may bring a lunch from home or purchase a school lunch. Ask for details. Program hours are Monday-Friday 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Daily and weekly rates are available.

Questions?

Call Chris at 763-213-1616 or www.communityed15.com/kc Kids Connection is a division of ISD 15 Community Education

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Looking for a preschool for the 2015-16 school year?

Calling all 3 & 4-year-olds! Early Childhood Screening is waiting to see you!

Preschool Place 15 classes are going on NOW—limited number of spots still available Independent School District 15 Early Childhood Family Education is offering Preschool Place 15 at the Lifelong Learning Center in Oak Grove. Highlights of the program are: } Classes takes place September through May } Morning, afternoon and evening sessions available } One, two, three times per week } Two-hour to two-and-a-halfhour sessions } Most classes are age specific } Classes also available for two year-olds and very young three year-olds } Sliding fee scale is available based on family size and income } Busing available for fullyear morning and afternoon classes The mission of Preschool Place 15 is to provide a safe environment where young children of all abilities can grow and experience success and their parents can be partners in learning. Preschool Place 15 believes: } Children learn through active, hands-on involvement } Children’s learning is a cooperative effort by home,

school and community } Children grow in selfawareness, knowledge and self-image through interactions with others } Children develop a positive attitude toward lifelong learning opportunities by being encouraged to try new ideas, experiment and use materials creatively } Parents are keys in bridging the worlds of home and school and are an integral part of the education process The curriculum of Preschool Place 15 focuses on social skills and early literacy

development. Mathematical thinking, scientific thinking, social studies, the arts and physical development are also part of the curriculum. Environments are designed to enhance and expand children’s understanding of the world as they direct their own play. Teachers facilitate the child’s learning; they guide and encourage independent learning in each child. For more information on classes and to register, visit www.isd15.org/pp15 or call 763-753-7170.

Have a concern about your child? Are you concerned about your child’s development, speech or behavior? If your child is under three years of age, contact Kristine Vogtlin at kristine.vogtlin@isd15.org or 763-753-7172 to reach Independent School District 15 Help Me Grow services. If your child is at least three years of age and not yet in kindergarten, ISD 15 Early Childhood Screening is the first step in confirming any concerns you have. Call for an appointment at File Photo 763-753-7187.

Join the Lunch Bunch at the Sandhill Center in the Bethel Cabaret for our monthly catered luncheon featuring top entertainment by popular artists. Make your reservations early as most of our shows sell out ahead of time. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Doors open: 10:30 a.m. Lunch served:

11:00 a.m. Showtime: 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Cost: $16.25, sales tax included

Do you have a child who is three or four years old? Have they been through Early Childhood Screening? Early Childhood Screening should be done soon after the child’s third birthday. Screening is a free, simple check of a young child’s health and development; it does not determine kindergarten readiness. Screening includes: a development assessment, vision and hearing checks, immunization and health review. Call 763-753-7187 if you currently have a 3 or 4-year-old child who has not been screened.

Kids Connection Before and after school childcare Program Sites Cedar Creek Community School 763-753-7160 for East Bethel Community School and Cedar Creek Community School students St. Francis Elementary School 763-213-8674 Before School Care Begins at 6:00 a.m. until school starts �� $9.25/day After School Care Begins at end of school day until 6:00 p.m. �� $9.25/day Non-School Day Care 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. �� $32/day Other fees Registration fee �� $35/child each additional child is $10

Sandhill is a Silver & Fit® Qualified Center. For more information on the Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program or the Sandhill Center, please call 763-213-1616.

For reservations, call 763-213-1641 or 763-213-1616.

Larry & Bev Rose

Tuesday, October 13 Larry and Bev Rose have made music together for over 50 years, entertaining throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin as well as Branson, Missouri. They specialize in classic and traditional country music. They have performed with many of the Grand Ol’ Opry artists and many members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Duets and harmonies are their mainstay. Performing songs from the 40s to today’s classic tunes is what they enjoy doing and in fact, the majority of music they perform is by request. Bev sings and plays guitar and piano; Larry plays guitar, pedal steel, bass, lead guitar and sometimes a 5-string banjo. Larry is the band director for the Midwest Country Band, which is televised on the RFD network, with weekly viewership of two to three million people.

Sandhill Center 23820 Dewey Street Bethel, MN 55005

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Safety

School year care is available now through June 3, 2016. Kids Connection is a comprehensive childcare program for children in kindergarten through grade 5, that provides a safe, fun experience and offers families a variety of childcare options. The program is open 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hours include before and after school programs and full day programs on non-school days.

Questions? Call Chris at 763-213-1616 or www.communityed15.com/kc Billing questions 762-213-1641 Kids Connection is a division of ISD 15 Community Education

Line Dancing Have fun and move to the music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, range of movement and activities for daily living. This is an excellent class for those just beginning in line dance as well as those more experienced line dancers. No registration necessary, come when you want. Day: Wednesday Time: 10:00–11:00 a.m. Fee: $2 per class

SilverSneakers® Classic

SilverSneakers® Yoga

Have fun and move to the music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, range of movement and activities for daily living. Hand-held weights, elastic tubing with handles and a SilverSneakers® ball are offered for resistance. A chair is available if needed for seated or standing support. Days: Tuesdays, Thursdays Time: 9:00–10:00 a.m. Fee: Free to SilverSneakers® members; $2 per class for non-members.

SilverSneakers® Yoga will move your whole body through a complete series of seated and standing yoga poses. Chair support is offered to safely perform a variety of seated and standing postures designed to increase flexibility, balance and range of movement. Restorative breathing exercises and final relaxation will promote stress reduction and mental clarity. Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays Time: 9:00–10:00 a.m. Fee: Free to SilverSneakers® members; $2 per class for non-members. 11

Bright Beginnings in ISD 15 Early Childhood 763-753-7170

Call ECFE at for more information or to register for any of the opportunities on this page. Lifelong Learning Center • 18900 Cedar Drive NW, Oak Grove • Online at www.isd15.org/ecfe Follow ISD 15 Early Childhood on Facebook to stay in the know and connect with other parents.

Looking for special events and field trips?

Do you have a new baby in your house?

Check out the Place to Go, Things to Do brochure that just arrived in your mailbox! This brochure features special events, parent workshops and field trips for families.

Enjoy songs and games together and meet others who are experiencing the joys and challenges of raising a baby. Dates: Thursdays October 1 through November 12 Time: 9:15-11:15 am Fee: FREE but you must pre-register. Sibling Care also available at a low cost.

Here’s a chance to celebrate Halloween with your family in a safe, fun and festive environment especially designed for young children. You and your child may dress in a costume if you wish. Have some fun at the most “unscary” Halloween party in town. Course: EC 7703 Date: Friday, October 30 Time: 9:30-11:15 a.m. Fee: $5 per child; max $15 (limit of 4 children/adult) Deadline: October 28

Classes are just beginning—there is still time to register!

Upcoming ECFE Events

Pop In and Play

Family Fun Fest

Pop in for fun activities. Meet other families and build relationships that last a lifetime. No pre-registration required. Dates & Times: Begins November 4 Wednesdays, 12:45-2:45 p.m. Fridays, 9:15-11:15 a.m. Fee: $4.00 per child, max $12.00 per family (limit 4 children per adult) Upcoming Themes: November 4: Trains November 6: Exploring November 11: Apples

a division of ISD 15 Community Education

What is Early Family Childhood Education (ECFE)? A place for babies A place for toddlers A place for preschoolers A place for all dads, moms and other relatives in a parenting role

Babies and Parents Class

Jump into the fall spirit. Bring the family to enjoy a fun-filled evening. Dancing, hayrides, painting pumpkins and a snack. Don’t forget your camera to capture these memorable moments. Course: EC 7702 Date: Friday, October 9 Time: 5:30-7:30 pm Fee: $3 per child; max $7 per family Deadline: October 5

Paint and Play Play with your child in the gym and paint a ceramic bowl that is sure to become a family treasure. Paints, stamps, and materials for special effects will be available for use. Bowl will be fired by Lily Pad Ceramics and be returned to Lifelong Learning Center for pick up by December 2. One plate per child. No make-up if absent on day of event. Most appropriate for children ages 3 and up. Course: EC 7704 Date: Wednesday, November 11 Time: 12:45-2:15 p.m. Fee: $12 per child Deadline: November 2

ECFE is a place where parents and young children learn and play together and can meet other families with young children. We are one of nearly 350 in the state of Minnesota offered through school districts. We believe all families deserve support, information and opportunities to be involved in their children’s learning. We recognize that parents are the first and most important teachers of their children. ECFE provides information on getting ready for school, discipline, child development, communication and growing together as a family.

What happens at weekly ECFE parent/ child sessions? Time together: Parents and children explore a variety of activities planned by a licensed early childhood teacher. Time for play: Children practice and discover their own capabilities by experimenting with materials, playing with other children and trying out toys appropriate for their age. Time for parents: While the children are busy playing, you have an opportunity to meet with other parents and gain support. A licensed parent educator will lead the group and share information about parenting issues, child development and resources. Most baby and young toddler classes have discussion in the early childhood classroom; older classes separate to a nearby room when appropriate for the group.

Pumpkin Power

For Children Only Pumpkin Patch Field Trip Embrace fall with the fun and exciting activities provided at Pinehaven Farm. You and your child can go on a wagon ride and visit farm animals. Each child will bring home a small pumpkin to celebrate the season! You may bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after the tour. Directions to Pinehaven: Go east on County Road 22 until Kettle River Boulevard (just west of I-35). Take Kettle River Boulevard until the dead end. Course: EC 7401 Date: Friday, October 23 Time: 9:30-11:00 a.m. Location: Pinehaven Farm (parents provide own transportation) Fee: $8.50 per person Deadline: October 14

Make Way for Learning For children three to five years of age at the time of the event. Reinforce early learning skills in fun, interactive two-time classes. Lots of moving and creative fun for your preschooler. Children must be toileting themselves.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) This is a time for your preschool child to come explore age appropriate STEM activities to challenge their developing minds. Course: EC 7803 Dates: Monday October 26 & November 2 Time: 12:45-2:45 p.m. Fee: $8 per child per two-week class

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Community & Business Anoka Conservation District—legislation passed requiring vegetated buffers to protect Minnesota waters Chris A. Lord

Anoka Conservation District Manager

In June of this year, Governor Dayton signed into law a new buffer initiative aimed at enhancing protection of Minnesota’s waters. The buffer initiative is intended to help protect the state’s water resources from erosion and runoff pollution by establishing roughly 110,000 acres of buffer along waterways throughout the state. The new law generated a significant amount of interest

and landowners likely have many questions about how it will impact their property. “Before people get too worked up, however, they should understand that the new law doesn’t apply to every ditch, pond and wetland in the state” said Chris Lord, Anoka Conservation District Manager. Until the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources finalizes buffer protection maps that identify exactly which lakes, streams, ditches and other water bodies are impacted by this law, all we can do is speculate on how specific properties will be

impacted. Completion of those maps is expected by July 2016. Lord cautioned that in the meantime, landowners should try not to overreact. Ideally buffers would support a diversity of native grasses, sedges and wildflowers to maximize their value to wildlife and pollinators, while providing water quality benefits and there are some programs that may help landowners achieve that goal. Under this law, however, ‘buffers’ are defined as perennial vegetation excluding noxious and invasive plants. This means

that most areas like lawns, pasture and hay land qualify as buffers. “From a practical standpoint, this law is about not allowing bare dirt up to the water’s edge” Lord said. “Most reasonable people can agree that plowing up soil right to the water’s edge and leaving it bare for any amount of time should be avoided in order to protect our public water resources” Lord continued. Landowners may install buffers on their own at any time, or can wait until DNR has completed the maps in 2016. The new law specifies November 2017 as the

deadline for establishment of 50-foot wide buffers on public waters and November 2018 for 16.5-foot wide buffers on public drainage systems. The Anoka Conservation District staff will be available to assist landowners during this transition. For more information about the Governor’s buffer law, please visit: http://bwsr.state. mn.us/buffers/. For more information about Anoka Conservation District, please visit the website at: www.AnokaSWCD.org.

Isanti Indoor BMX Arena Home of Rum River BMX

If you like to ride a bike, you will love what we have to offer: ■ Free loaner helmets ■ Free bikes as available ■ Free clinics (check website for dates and times) ■ Mentor and coaching programs ■ Riders of all ages welcome (1-63) 1-4 year old balance bike course

Affordable, Year-Round Family Fun Destination Come experience the excitement!

www.rumriverbmx.com Hotline 763-444-5429

101 Isanti Parkway NW, Isanti, MN 55040

■ Free first practice for riders and families ■ Spectators watch free Whether you race or practice, fun will be had by all as you ride on one of the premier tracks in the country.

For anyone trying the sport for the first time use this coupon for

Free Practice

763-444-5429 www.rumriverbmx.com

101 Isanti Parkway NW, Isanti, MN 55040

Coupon not valid with any other offers. One coupon per customer. Expires October 31, 2015. The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Benefit for Jake Rehling Cross of Hope Annual

Craft Boutique

Looking for top quality crafters & Vendors! For more information contact Nancy at 612-669-6333 or email her at crafters@crossofhope.net

Saturday, November 14 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Also featuring

Santa’s Workshop –just for kids Bake Sale Lunch at Grandma’s Kitchen Raffles

5730 179th Lane NW

(Highway 47 and County Road 27)

Ramsey, MN 763-753-2057 • www.crossofhope.net

The 2015-16 East Bethel royalty were crowned July 18 during East Bethel Booster Days. Pictured (L-R) are East Bethel Little Miss Madison Burch, sponsored by Advantage Construction Inc., Miss East Bethel Karley Landwehr, sponsored by People’s Bank of Commerce, East Bethel Princess Tori Larson, sponsored by East Bethel Fire Relief Association and East Bethel Little Miss Elizabeth Raab, sponsored by Sweet Toppings in Coon Rapids. Submitted by Kellie Hallstom

The Jake Rehling Fundraiser Event will be Saturday, October 3 at 3:00 p.m. at Captain’s on Long Lake, 27821 Bay Shore Drive NW in Isanti. Jake is a police sergeant and has been with the city of St. Francis Police Department for 16 years. He was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma July 10 and is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy, which prevents him from returning to work until treatment is complete. All proceeds benefit the Rehling family. Admission is $10/adult, $5/child (under age 10) and includes buffet dinner and live music. Also available are raffle, prizes, silent and live auction. For donations and other inquiries, email jakesjourney2015@gmail.com.

The St. Francis Area Women of Today 2nd Annual

Ladies Night Out Thursday, October 22 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 18 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Community Park St. Francis

Featuring

Face Painting, Live DJ Games, Prizes Photo Opportunities Crazy Hair, Crafts, Food

Fun for the whole family! Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church presents…

The Mystery Mountain Boys

Opp Family Chiropractic

23671 St. Francis Blvd. NW, Suite 102 • St. Francis, MN We will be offering chair massages, door prizes and more!

Cambridge Co-op, Jamberry Nails, Laser Custom Creations, Norwex, Pampered Chef, Party Lite, Scentsy, Thirty-One Gifts, Warm Hugs Young Living Essential Oils and more!

Come out and join us for a night of socializing, pampering and appetizers! Enjoy yourself and get some holiday shopping done at the same time!

Bring a non-perishable food item for the local food shelf for a chance to win a FREE one-hour massage.

For more information contact us at 763-213-0615

Trunk or at Tre October 25

Sunday, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 24

Showtime is 3:00 p.m. General admission $10 • Under 18 are FREE • Tickets go on sale September 27. For tickets and info call the church at 763-434-6117. Please bring an item for the local foodshelf. 19001 Jackson Street NE Sunday Worship East Bethel, MN 55011 Services 763-434-6117 8:00 9:15 & 10:45 a.m. www.oursaviourslc.org

Wednesday Power Up Services 6:30 p.m.

Worship • Learn • Serve • Invite • Connect 14

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Friend of 4-H Award goes to Ham Lake Lions Julie Blomquist

University of Minnesota Extension, Anoka County

& Farm Market

3 miles south of Isanti on Hwy. 65 & 265th OPEN 7 Days A Week Call for current hours

763-444-5725 www.greenbarngardencenter.com The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Heritage Blvd NE

Main St E 65

8th Ave SE

Green Barn Garden Center

ve N E

Bird Seed & Feeders Grass Seed & Fertilizer

Tons of Pumpkins Gourds • Ornamental Corn Corn Stalks • Rye Bundles Straw Bales Fall Decorations • Bulbs

8th A

Trees & Shrubs for Fall planting

Heritage Blvd NE Main St W

Golden Way NE

Massage Salon Skin Care Acupuncture Boutique

763.552.6161

willowbridgecenter.com Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Friday 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Now Hiring In our Salon!

Join us for our annual

Open House

Specials on products and boutique items

• Potatoes • Squash October Family Fun • Apples • Onions at our 2015 “USA Tour” • Rutabagas theme Indoor Straw Maze • Beets & Corn Kernel Pit • Carrots Visit our website for • Honey, Syrup, more information. Wild Rice, Dry Beans Jams, Jellies, Popcorn

E Dual Blvd

All Three businesses under one roof! WillowBridge • Nada Electrolysis • The Green Table

Aveda™ on-site for make up consultations

Farm Fresh Produce

Enterprise Ave

4 Enterprise Avenue NE • Isanti

Friday, November 6 • 5:00-8:00 p.m.

Fall Harvest, Festivities & Decorations

Cajima St NE

Cajima St

Ave

members to be able to experience all that 4-H has to offer. Anoka County 4-H youth development offers age-appropriate, hands-on learning through short-and longterm projects and activities, including: 4-H clubs, specialinterest groups, after-school programs, volunteering, civic engagement, community service, camping and school enrichment. In 4-H, youth design and participate in their own programs and activities. This unique, learn-bydoing model teaches kids essential, transferrable skills that they’ll use throughout their lives, such as problemsolving, decision-making, coping, communicating and responding to the needs of others. For more information about Anoka County 4-H, please call 763-755-1280 or visit www3.extension.umn.edu/ county/anoka.

Railroad

Each year Anoka County 4-H presents the Friend of 4-H Award to an individual, agency or organization who has made significant contributions supporting the 4-H program. The 2015 Friend of 4-H Award was presented to the Ham Lake Lions. For many years, the Ham Lake Lions Club has been actively serving the civic interests of the community and promoting the welfare of individuals through physical and monetary assistance. Anoka County 4-H has been lucky to be on the receiving end of their generosity and commitment to the community. We wish to thank them for valuing 4-H youth and their contributions to the Ham Lake community by their generous financial donations to the 4-H program. Since 2012, the Ham Lake Lions have donated $2,500 to Anoka County 4-H. Their financial support provides scholarships for our 4-H

Local artisans and vendors Live music Building tours

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Anoka County Farm Bureau holds annual meeting Juanita Reed Boniface

Anoka County Farm Bureau

Anoka County Farm Bureau held their annual meeting recently at Majestic Oaks Golf Course. Guests included elected officials, Anoka

County’s Farm Family of the Year, County extension staff, County Extension Committee members, District Farm Bureau representatives and insurance agents. Kevin Dahlman, Cokato was the guest speaker on the topic “Let Me Tell You

About the Birds and the Bees!” Dahlman and his brothers are the third generation on their family farm near Cokato. They specialize in hybrid seed corn and seed soybeans. They produce, process and wholesale their products to

farmers throughout the world. Highlight of the meeting was the recognition of the Anoka County Farm Family of the Year, Bruce Bacon, Crandall Garden Farm. His farm was first established by his great great grandparents Elizabeth Ann and Benjamin Herbert Crandall in northern Ramsey. Bruce was not always planning to be a farmer; his college

years were spent studying engineering and anthropology and American studies. Along the way he developed interests in America becoming more “food independent,” which led him to taking over the family farm in 1970 along with his work as a tree inspector, fire warden and environmental specialist for the City of Ramsey.

Homeowner education for septic systems Julie Blomquist

University of Minnesota Extension, Anoka County

2016 Anoka County Farm Bureau Board (L-R) Juanita Reed-Boniface Vice-President, Doug Lawrence, president, JoAnn Lawrence director, Kevin Paap, Minnesota Farm Bureau president, Charles Padula, Submitted Photo director and Dick Boniface treasurer. Highway 47 and Stark Drive St. Francis advancedautomotivecare.net

763-753-8282

Wants to help you get your car ready for the weather ahead!

Are you a homeowner? Do you have a septic system? Are you interested in saving money? Would you like to protect your family’s environment and the natural environment? Homeowners wanting to better understand, operate and maintain their septic systems will want to attend a Homeowner Education for Septic Systems program being presented by the University of Minnesota Extension. Hear about water saving ideas, find out if you should be using additives and get your questions answered. This two-hour program will be held Thursday, October 29, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Bunker Hills Activities Center, 550 Bunker Lake Boulevard NW in Andover (two miles west of Highway 65 on Bunker Lake Boulevard). The cost to attend is $10. You will receive the University of Minnesota Extension Septic System Owner’s Guide at the class. Pre-registration is required. You can get the flyer and registration form online at z.umn.edu/ssclass. If you have any questions or to request the flyer and registration form, call the University of Minnesota Extension, Anoka County at 763-7551280. Presentation of this program is partially covered by an Anoka County Ag Preserves Grant and is presented by Valerie Prax, retired extension educator.

Courtesy shuttle provided to surrounding area.

Daily Spayecials Mond et $5.99 Burger Bask Tuesday Chicken or Two Steak, s with Fish Taco alsa $5.99 Chips and S sday Wedne ime All Game T 9.99 $ s za iz P Large ditional ra T r o s es Bonel each Wings 75¢

During Vikings Games

Daily ecials k Drin Sp rsday u h Sunday–T night id M .11 a.m

60¢ Wings and Drink Specials ite 700 lvd. NW, Su B s ci n ra F 23212 St. MN 55070 St. Francis, by County Market 7 Highway 4 serve the 3-8000 to re 5 Call 763-7 r for a takeout order. o .-Midnight party room hurs 11 a.m -T idnight; Mon Sun 8 a.m.-M m.; Sat 8 a.m.-1 a.m. a. .-1 m a. Fri 11

TFimameily Meets Time Where Game

en Hallowen test o C e m u Cost ies Night & Lad

October 31 Saturday, to Close 9:00 p.m. DJ Keith es cials – Priz Drink Spe Certificates t Beef’s Gif

763-753-2721 3745 Bridge Street • St. Francis

Trunk-N-Treat Saturday, October 31 4:00-7:00 p.m.

Candy will be given out to children in a safe and fun environment. We’re also serving food.

Long Lake Lutheran Church Join us each Sunday for worship, fellowship and education. Worship Service – 8:00 & 9:30 a.m. Education/Sunday School Hour – 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Evening Service – 7:17 p.m. 3921 277th Avenue NW, Isanti, MN • 763-444-5315 • www.longlakeluth.org The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Bowling for Books

New security standards for air travel

Gerald Golden

Martha Weaver

Friends of the Isanti County Library

Friends of the Isanti County Library will hold Bowling for Books on Saturday, October 3 at Junction Bowl, 123 Cajima Street NE in Isanti, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The cost is $10 per adult, $5 per child 12 and under. Fee includes: } Three games of bowling } Bowling shoes } Entry ticket for door prize drawings } Two extra door prize drawing tickets if pre-registered by October 1 } Meet Minnesota mystery author Marlene Chabot Marlene Chabot was born in Minneapolis, but has lived in several locations over the years, including Sylvania, Ohio; Salisbury, Maryland; Des Moines, Iowa and Brainerd. For the past eight years, she has spent a portion of her winter in Naples and Marco Island, Florida. A member of Sisters in Crime (nationally and locally) and Great River Writers, Chabot has received a bachelor of science degree in education, an associate of applied science business marketing degree and a certificate from the Institute of Children’s Literature

Free Dollars Into Sense Class Julie Blomquist

University of Minnesota Extension, Anoka County

File Photo

The University of Minnesota Extension, Anoka County will present a free Dollars into Sense class on Thursday, October 8, November 4 or December 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the Anoka County Human Services Center, 1201 89th Avenue, Blaine. Class will cover tracking expenses, putting together a spending plan, goal setting, credit and where to get additional help/resources. To register, call University of Minnesota Extension, Anoka County at 763-755-1280 at least three days prior to the class.

Anoka County Public Information Manager

Travelers, take note: beginning in 2016, you may not be able to use your Minnesota driver’s license or state-issued identification (ID) to board a commercial airplane. The 2005 federal Real ID Act, passed in the wake of 9/11, mandates more stringent security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses. It also prohibits federal agencies, including federally regulated commercial airlines, from accepting IDs that do not meet the new minimum standards. Minnesota is one of four states that has not yet fully implemented these new standards, citing cost and data privacy concerns. Without a Real ID compliant driver’s license, state residents already cannot use their driver’s license to enter nuclear facilities and certain other federal buildings. Though a firm date has not been announced, it is expected the Department of Homeland Security will begin enforcement at airports in early 2016.

File Photo

United States passport books and passport cards do meet the security standards outlined in the Real ID Act. Anoka County accepts applications for both traditional passport books and passport cards at its two passport centers: } Blaine Passport Center 10995 Club West Parkway Suite 700B

St. Francis American Legion Auxiliary Looking for crafters, call 763-753-8247 for more information.

Saturday, November 7 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

St. Francis American Legion Post 622 3073 Bridge Street, St. Francis

22001 Lake George Blvd. Anoka

Haunted Trails

Bethel Fire Department’s Annual

Dinner Theater Saturday, October 17 • 5:00 p.m. Call for reservations by Friday, October 16

Comedy Show Saturday, October 24 $10 Admission

The Elvis Experience is coming in November

Spooky Adventures

Saturday, October 31

One Weekend Only October 30 & 31

8:00 p.m.

Sunset until 11:00 p.m. Cost is $5 per person Enjoy a bonfire and hot cider to calm the frightened heart.

Perfect for the whole family! Conveniently located one mile south of Bethel, on University Avenue The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Table rental will be $20 for an 8 foot table.

Vikings Football Special

Call today and we’ll make your party one to remember. Cherise Foley 763-753-9696

} Coon Rapids Passport Center 455 99th Avenue Suite 100B Customers are strongly encouraged to use the online scheduler to make an appointment to submit a passport application. Find it at anokacounty.us/passport. Minnesota does offer an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) that is federally approved. The EDL can also be used for land and sea to travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean. The EDL is currently only available at a State Driver’s License Exam Station. Go to dps.mn.gov for more information.

Happy Hour and FREE Appetizers at half time Weekly Events & Specials Monday Bingo 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Texas Hold ’Em 7:00 p.m. Wednesday Cribbage 7:00 p.m. Thursday All-U-Can-Eat Shrimp starting at 5:00 p.m., Bingo 6:30 p.m., Keys for Cash 7:00 p.m. Friday All-U-Can-Eat Fish Fry starting at 5:00 p.m. & Prime Rib Special; Meat Raffle 6:00 p.m. Saturday $5 Breakfast 8:00-11:00 a.m. All-U-Can-Eat BBQ Ribs starting at 5:00 p.m. & Prime Rib Special; Meat Raffle 4:00 p.m. Sunday Half Chicken Dinner $9.50

Wedding & Banquet Hall • Book your parties & events Now • Wedding reception, rehearsal dinner, Christmas, sports parties and more!

763-444-5897 y Musicrbio SanT es & Priz

www.captainsonlonglake.com Hwy. 47 to 277th Avenue, East to Long Lake and left to Captain’s, 27821 Bayshore Drive NW Hours: Sun-Th 11a.m.-11p.m.; Fri & Sat 11a.m.-1a.m.

Monuments to Life cemetery tours

Lake George Improvement District holds annual meeting Juanita Reed Boniface

Lake George Improvement Dist.

The seventh annual meeting of the Lake George Improvement District (LGID) was held August 11 at Oak Grove City Hall. Board Chair Larry Backlund called the meeting to order. Backlund reported that Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leaf pondweed continue to be the greatest need for treatment in Lake George. In 2015, 5.68 acres of curly-leaf pondweed and 57.8 acres of Eurasian watermilfoil were treated. This is the largest area treated since the inception of the LGID. Treatment is conducted by a licensed applicator under the strict rules and permits issued by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The LGID has worked with

the DNR and Anoka County to have the county park water craft entry point manned by staff who are inspecting boats and educating owners on aquatic invasive species including Zebra mussels. The LGID has been active in working with Anoka County, the DNR and the city of Oak Grove to develop plans to replace the dam that regulates the level of water in Lake George. To date, an engineering plan for a new dam has been commissioned. Two directors, Dick Werner

File photo

and Larry Backlund, were re-elected for two-year terms. Other business included the budget report and approval of the 2016 budget. Assessment fees will continue at the $200 level. Following the annual meeting, the LGID board met to reorganize for the coming year. Backlund was re-elected chair. Other officers re-elected were Juanita Reed-Boniface, first vice-chair, Don Nast, second vice-chair, Robyn Erickson, secretary and Dick Werner, treasurer. Voting members of the LGID are property owners within the boundaries of the LGID, in the city of Oak Grove and are listed on the Anoka County tax rolls. Each individual owner of property as listed on the Anoka County tax records is entitled to one vote at the annual meeting.

Sara Given

Volunteer Coordinator, Anoka County Historical Society

They say “dead men tell no tales,” but there are plenty of stories buried in the cemeteries of Anoka County. Join us for an evening walk among the tombstones at three Anoka County cemeteries and listen to the stories of those who reside in our “silent cities” during Anoka County Historical Society’s annual Monuments to Life cemetery tours. These evening tours span three nights and feature a different cemetery each night: choose one night or come to all three. On the tour, visit the grave sites of some of the area’s best known and least known people. A guide, and some costumed characters along the way, impart the stories, traditions, history and graveyard symbolism resting in our county’s cemeteries. Cemeteries featured this year are: Lakeview Cemetery in Nowthen on October 1, Forest Hill Cemetery in Anoka on October 3 and West Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Grove on October 6. All tours begin at 7:00 p.m. at the cemetery and proceed rain or shine. Be prepared to walk in low light and stand for a period of time as the tour visits the graves and hears the stories they have to tell. Tours last about an hour and registration is limited. Advance registration is required. Cost: $9 ($8 for ACHS Members) per cemetery or $25 ($22) three-tour discount. Purchase your tickets at AnokaCountyHistory.org or call 763-421-0600. The Anoka County Historical Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1934, headquartered in the Anoka County History Center and Library at 2135 Third Ave North in Anoka. For more information on available programs and activities, please visit AnokaCountyHistory.org.

Living Hope

Evangelical Free Church

Sundays 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. 23038 Rum River Blvd. NW Just west of St. Francis High School Children’s, Youth & Adult Ministries

www.LivingHopeEFC.org 763-753-1718

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Get all of your hunting licenses and supplies at St. Francis True Value Hardware! Stop by to see our selection of equipment rentals and stock for your fall home improvement projects.

 

 

Submitted 10/15

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3645 Bridge Street, St. Francis 763-753-1265 www.stfrancishardware.com The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Laura Wyatt selected as Minnesota 4-H state ambassador Julie Blomquist

University of Minnesota Extension, Anoka County

Twenty-eight youth leaders throughout Minnesota will represent 4-H over the next year. Laura Wyatt, East Bethel, along with 27 other outstanding Minnesota 4-H youth, have been selected as Minnesota 4-H state ambassadors for 2015-16. Elected through a meticulous selection process by 4-H adults and youth, this year’s group of state ambassadors will serve as spokespeople for the youth development organization, representing more than 65,000 of their 4-H peers throughout Minnesota. The Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador Program began in 1968 and over 1,000 youth have participated since its founding. Throughout the year, state ambassador responsibilities include: Educating youth and adults about the importance of youth development, leadership, citizenship, service, teamwork and other invaluable life skills; Teaching and facilitating hands-on workshops and

trainings at the local, county, regional and state levels. Appearing at various events including the Minnesota State Fair, where they serve as good-will volunteers, greeting thousands of visitors to the 4-H Building and helping 4-H youth throughout their stay as Laura Wyatt, a senior at St. Francis High School, fair exhibitors. recently was selected as a 2015-16 Minnesota 4-H Planning and state ambassador. Submitted photo implementing three-day orientation at the various local, regional and University of Minnesota to statewide 4-H leadership learn about media/public events such as the annual communications, leadership 4-H Building Leadership and core skills, program priority Understanding and 4-H Youth areas and identified some of Exploring, Leadership and their personal strengths as a Learning Outloud! and Youth leader. They also participated leadership conferences. in a service project with The state ambassadors Bridging Minnesota, a recently participated in a nonprofit that provides resources for people in need. The project was sponsored by the Minnesota 4-H Foundation. Minnesota 4-H State Ambassador Laura

Now enrolling preschool

Wyatt is the daughter of Bruce and Heidi and lives in East Bethel. She will be entering her senior year at St. Francis High School in the fall. Wyatt has been a member of 4-H for 12 years in Anoka County where her leadership abilities first came to the community’s attention. She is also the St. Francis High School National Honor Society president and is involved in technical work at SFHS theater productions. After high school, Wyatt

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The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

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Two large, two topping $ pizzas ��

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763-753-4988

Sun/Mon/Tues 2:00-9:00 p.m.; Wed & Thurs 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Fri & Sat 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.

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would like to be a program coordinator for Minnesota 4-H. She is very excited to begin her year as a state ambassador and would like to thank the Anoka County 4-H staff for supporting her along the way. To learn more, email Jacquie Lonning at jlonning@umn. edu or Anoka County 4-H Program Coordinator Anna Gilbertson at annag@umn.edu or visit www.extension.umn. edu/youth/mn4-H/projects/ leadership/ambassadors.

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Buy any Pasta, Lunch Buffet....... $599 get the second $ 99 Pasta for �� All-You-Can-Eat Expires 10/31/15. One coupon per order. Must two. Void with other offers. Eat-in, take-out Spaghetti.............. $595 orpurchase delivery. Coupon good at Tasty Pizza in St. Francis.

Anoka County 4-H graduation and scholarship awards ceremony Julie Blomquist

University of Minnesota Extension, Anoka County

On July 26, the Anoka County 4-H Graduation and Scholarship Ceremony took place at the Anoka County Fair. Fourteen 4-H members from the Anoka County 4-H Program graduated. The following graduates will use the leadership and life skills they acquired through 4-H as they move on to higher education and/or enter the workforce:

} Christoph Brostrom, Cloverleaf 4-H Club, East Bethel } Trevor Hornsby, Lamplighters 4-H Club, Andover } Jared Kastner Cheerful Chuggers 4-H Club, Andover } Andrew Larsen Cloverleaf 4-H Club, Andover } Suzanne Lindberg Independent, Anoka } Julia Mailand Wranglers 4-H Club, Isanti } Paris Mickelson, Spunky Spelunkers 4-H Club, Hillman

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} Jaqueline Perez, Dandy Linos 4-H Club, Hugo } Rachel Spiering, River Raiders 4-H Club, Coon Rapids } Aaron Stack, Lino Lakers 4-H Club, Circle Pines } Robert Szurek, Independent Columbia Heights } Sarah Virnig, Independent, Elk River } Gloria Wagner, Independent, East Bethel } Joe Wright Independent, East Bethel Scholarships were also awarded at the ceremony. This year’s Amber Boyd Memorial Scholarship was awarded to

Erin Corcoran Champlin, an Independent member of Anoka County 4-H. The Amber Boyd Scholarship is awarded to an active 4-H member who has demonstrated leadership and achievement skills within the Horse project. Youth Education Scholarships are awarded each year to active 4-H members who have demonstrated leadership and achievement skills in many aspects of the county program. This year’s winners included Taylor Park, Anoka of the River Raiders 4-H Club; Michael Rouch, Coon Rapids of the Lamplighters 4-H Club; and

Aaron Stack, Circle Pines of the Lino Lakers 4-H Club. The Anoka County 4-H Livestock Scholarship was awarded to Cassie Padula Brooklyn Park of the River Raiders 4-H Club. The scholarship is awarded annually to an active 4-H member who has demonstrated leadership and achievement skills within the Large Livestock project. Congratulations to the graduates and thank you to all the Anoka County 4-H parents, leaders and volunteers who have supported the 4-H youth during their 4-H career.

What Baby Boomers Need to Know to Maximize Retirement Income Social Security is far more complicated than most people realize. The decisions baby boomers make now can have a tremendous impact on the total amount of benefits they stand to receive over their lifetime. To help baby boomers better understand the Social Security system, this workshop will cover: • 5 factors to consider when deciding when to apply for benefits • When it makes sense to delay benefits—and when it does not • Why you should always check your earning record for accuracy • How to estimate your benefits • How to coordinate benefits with your spouse • How to potentially minimize taxes on Social Security benefits • How to coordinate Social Security with your other sources of retirement income

• Will Social Security be enough to live on in retirement? • How to potentially maximize your benefits • When to apply for Social Security Dates: Thursday, October 22 Thursday, November 12 Thursday, December 10 Thursday, January 14 Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m. This workshop will be presented by Lyle Clem and Cody Clem, North Metro Money Management, 23624 St. Francis Blvd. NW, Suite 8, St. Francis, MN 55070; 763-434-9724. Securities offered through Parkland Securities, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. North Metro Money Management is independent of Parkland Securities, LLC. To sign-up for one of the sessions, contact ISD 15 Adult Community Education at 763-213-1640 or visit www.communityed15.com.

North Metro Money Management

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Home Improvement & Service Guide Send ad information, with a write-up on your business for a "Did you Know" in this layout to janice.audette@isd15.org or call 763-753-7032 by October 9 for the November issue. Affordable way to feature your home business all year. Thank you for your business.

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Phone 763-434-1500 www.myproexteriors.com The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

I Hate When That Happens

Randy Gerdin ASE certified technician

Autumn is a great time of the year in the upper Midwest and one of my favorites. It also brings thoughts of hunting season and the inevitable winter. This season brings out projects that cover everything from getting our watercraft put away to getting our trailers and fish houses ready. We see numerous trailers all year and many people have different trailers for different activities. One thing they have in common are wheel bearings. Although wheel bearings in our cars often and trucks have changed, the wheel bearings in most of our trailers have been the same design for over 50 years and they do indeed need service. Every few years, they should be taken apart and cleaned, inspected and repacked with grease. Another big issue with trailers is the lighting. Trailer lights seem be subjected to lots of abuse. They are exposed to the elements as well as being submerged into water, dragged through mud and across frozen lakes. They need to be

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inspected and repaired as needed. Each year we find trailers that have been repaired so many times that they need to be completely rewired, including new lighting fixtures. There is nothing more frustrating than getting ready for a trip and finding out that the lights don’t work. We also recommend that when you bring in your trailer, you also bring in the vehicle that is doing the towing. We see times when the vehicle doing the towing is partly or mostly responsible for the lights not working. In many cases the wiring on the truck has been added to the vehicle. We see improper wiring done to the truck as well. Many towing parts manufacturers make kits for the do-it-yourselfers. They may use a system that pierces the wire through the insulation. This works for a time, however, salt, water and the like will eventually corrode the connection and the wire will sometimes physically break. The proper way to tie into a vehicle is to splice in, solder, heat shrink and tape up any

connection so water cannot get in and compromise the integrity of the wiring. Many of the new vehicles come with trailer towing packages and with wiring that is factory installed and works great. But over time they too can fail. Many factory wired vehicles also come with circuits with fuses especially for the trailer circuit. The lights on the truck may work fine but a blown fuse on the truck may cause inoperative lights on the trailer. Many trailers are very sophisticated these days and have circuits for locking out surge brakes and circuits for charging onboard batteries. These may run accessories on the trailers. Some may have electric brakes on the trailer and require an electric brake controller on the truck. Another trailer issue we see causing problems are the tires. Trailers do not use regular car tires. Usually they have different tread patterns and different load ratings. Trailer tires often

do not get many miles put on them; however in some cases they are very hard miles. Many times trailer tires will not wear the tread out but will fail in the sidewall. Often we see trailer tires with great tread but the sidewalls are full of cracks. If you are ever unsure about any trailer issue, have an expert check it out. You don’t want to be one of those stuck along the side of the road with a broken down trailer. I hate when that happens.

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Jen’s Alterations Specializing in bridal gowns, bridesmaid and mother’s dresses and formal gowns. All other alterations welcome.

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Boniface inducted into Wisconsin State Fair Sheep Hall of Fame Juanita Reed Boniface

Oak grove resident

Richard “Dick” Boniface, Oak Grove, has been selected as a 2015 distinguished honoree for the Wisconsin State Fair Sheep Hall of Fame. The recognition was during the Wisconsin State Fair, recently held in West Allis, Wisconsin. The award recognizes individuals who have given outstanding service to the Wisconsin State Fair sheep programs. Boniface judged the Wisconsin State Fair wool fleece show for 20 consecutive years and also assisted with the shearing contests. During his nearly 40year tenure with North Central Wool Marketing Corporation, a regional co-op headquartered in Minneapolis, Boniface worked with the Wisconsin sheep industry in various capacities. He attended and spoke at several of the sheep conferences at the Spooner Experiment Station and was a guest at a number of Wisconsin’s statewide sheep conferences. He served as a guest speaker for Dr. Art Pope’s animal science classes at the University of Wisconsin,

teaching about wool and wool marketing. University of Wisconsin students visited North Central headquarters to learn about grading and preparing wool for shipping to woolen mills. Since retiring in 1993, Boniface has continued his membership in the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative and has attended the Sheep and Wool Festival and other events. “I have many fond memories of the Wisconsin State Fair,” Boniface stated. “Not only judging the shows, but being involved as a salesman for the Wool Shop, coordinated by my good friend, Roger Harris, and seeing old friends. I am proud of my many accomplishments in the sheep industry, but my greatest treasure is working for and getting to know hundreds of the greatest people in the world—sheep producers, shearers and other farm folks in the North Central States.“ Boniface has been inducted into the Minnesota Livestock Hall of Fame, has received the American Sheep Industry Camp-tender Award and recently, the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative Art Pope Award.

Pictured from left, Brian Bolen, agriculture director, Wisconsin State Fair Park, Dick Boniface, Oak Grove, and Barbara Bishop, Wisconsin State Fair Sheep Show superintendent. Submitted Photo

Anoka County receives national honors Martha Weaver

Anoka County Public Information Manager

Anoka County has been honored with three Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards recognize innovative, costeffective county government programs that enhance services for residents. “These awards acknowledge the hard work and creativity of Anoka County employees,” said Board Chair Rhonda Sivarajah. “We are using innovative ideas like these to deliver quality services to citizens, all while keeping a close eye on the bottom line.”

The first award is for Anoka County’s FastTRAC Health Care Pathway Program, an innovative training initiative that helps low income, low skill level adults begin a pathway to a health care career. The program integrates basic skills education, health care specific training and support services for adult learners. Program participants earn seven college credits while training to become Certified Nursing Assistants. The FastTRAC Program is a collaborative effort between the Anoka County Job Training Center, Metro North Adult Basic Education, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Anoka

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Technical College, the Anoka County Workforce Council and several local employers. Since its inception in 2011, 79 percent of program graduates found jobs in health care. A redesign of how services for seniors are delivered earned Anoka County a second NACo award. Requests for services from a burgeoning senior population were stretching county resources beyond capacity. In response, Anoka County Senior Social Services staff conducted a detailed analysis to determine where services were most needed. They then contracted with outside agencies to deliver services in the community,

partnered with other county departments to coordinate elder abuse investigations and reallocated staff to achieve more timely and effective outcomes for seniors and their families. A new employee-driven organizational planning process at the Parks and Recreation Department earned a third NACo award for Anoka County. Seeking to improve the quality of the workplace, enhance communication, build teamwork and develop a more effective workforce, an employee committee that included both front line staff and managers was established. The Park

Cassie Clem Realtor®

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Employees Recommending Future Enhancements to Communications and Teamwork (PERFECT) Committee was charged with developing, analyzing and prioritizing ideas and strategies to improve the workplace. The committee partnered with Anoka-Ramsey Community College’s Professional Workforce Development Center to design and implement employee surveys, facilitate employee work sessions and assist in strategic planning. The PERFECT Committee established four major areas of focus, along with 24 priority strategies, which are now being implemented.

Our Saviour’s

• Payroll Services • Business Startup Services

Preschool

Now enrolling for the 2015-16 school year.

You are invited to Family Fun Friday, October 9 • 5:30-7:00 p.m. $10 per family of fun activities For registration information, please contact Michelle Bauer, Preschool Director mbauer@oursaviourslc.org or by phone 763-434-6117 ext. 123

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church 19001 Jackson Street NE • East Bethel

Early Learning Scholarships available for eligible families for our preschool. Contact Michelle or visit Think Small’s website at www.thinksmall.org for more information. The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Financial Focus

Blake Cheeley Edward Jones Financial Advisor

Avoid emotional investment decisions What’s the biggest obstacle to your ability to invest successfully? Is it the ups and downs of the financial markets? Political events? The fact that you weren’t born rich? Actually, the chief hurdle you face is something over which you have control: your own emotions. Your emotions can lead to a variety of ill-advised investment behaviors, such as these: Cutting losses Declines in the financial markets can lead some investors to try to “cut their losses” by selling investments whose price has declined. Yet when prices have dropped, it may actually be a good time to buy investments, not sell them, especially when the investments are still fundamentally sound. Chasing performance In the investment world, the flip side of “fear” is “greed.” Just as some investors are propelled by fear of loss, Dr. Douglas Jonak would like to welcome Dr. Kyra Iwen, who will be joining him at his St. Francis Orthodontic practice. Dr. Iwen grew up in Rochester and after graduating summa cum laude from the University of St. Thomas, she attended dental school at the University of Minnesota. She graduated in 2008 and was accepted into the national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Dr. Iwen spent four years practicing general dentistry in Ladysmith, Wisconsin before returning the University of Minnesota to complete her orthodontic residency. Dr. Iwen currently practices at our Andover and Elk River clinics and is excited to begin seeing patients in St. Francis. Dr. Iwen resides in Blaine with her husband Erik and children, Carter and Evan. Submitted by Lydia Jonak

others are motivated by quick, big gains. They may pursue “hot” investments, only to be disappointed when the sizzle quickly fizzles. Instead of trying to “score” that one big winner, you may be better off spreading your investment dollars among a range of vehicles – stocks, bonds, government securities, certificates of deposit (CDs) and so on. While diversification can’t guarantee a profit or protect against loss, it may help reduce the impact of market volatility on your portfolio. Focusing on the short term When the market is down, you might get somewhat upset when you view your monthly investment statements. But any individual statement is just a snapshot in time; if you were to chart your investment results over a period of 10, 15 or 20 years, you’d see the true picture of how your portfolio is doing – and, in all likelihood, that picture would look better than a statement or two you received during a down market. In any case,

don’t overreact to short-term downturns by making hasty “buy” or “sell” decisions. Instead, stick with a long-term strategy that’s appropriate for your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. Heading to the investment “sidelines” Some people get so frustrated over market volatility that they throw up their hands and head to the investment “sidelines” until “things calm down.” And it’s certainly true that, when owning stocks, there are no guarantees; you do risk losing some, or all, of your investment. But if you jump in and out of the market to “escape“ volatility, you may take on an even bigger risk – the risk of losing some of the growth you’ll need to reach your goals. Consider this: If you had invested $10,000 in a package of stocks mimicking the S&P 500 in December 1979, your investment would have grown to more than $426,000 by December 2013. But if you had missed just the 10 best days of the market during

is not a guarantee of future results.) Our emotions are useful in guiding us through many aspects of our lives, but when you invest, you’re better off using your head – and not your heart. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

You talk. We listen. In person. Blake A Cheeley, CRPC®, AAMS® Financial Advisor

St. Francis Area Chamber of Commerce

23306 Cree Street NW Suite 102 St. Francis, MN 55070 763-753-2988 Member SIPC

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Sara Sauer C.P.A., LLC 14115 Lincoln Street, Suite 400 Ham Lake, MN 55304

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Oak Ridge Auto Body Inc. 23428 Hwy. 65 NE 2 Blks. S of CR 24 on Hwy. 65

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Saturday, October 9, November 14, December 12

Collision Specialists

9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Sannerud, Savarese & Associates, p.a. Certified Public Accountants

Specializing in accounting and taxes for closely-held and family-owned businesses since 1974. Office hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or by appointment

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1825 Crosstown Boulevard NW at the, Andover Recycling Center Enter at the driveway of the hockey complex, across from Sunshine Park.

Appliances, electronics and fluorescent bulbs will be accepted. There is a charge for each item.

For fees, please visit www.andovermn.gov or contact JR’s Advanced Recycling at 651-454-9215.

• www.sannerudsavarese.com

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The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Recycling Days For All Anoka County Residents

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that time, your $10,000 would only have grown to less than $206,000 – a difference of about $220,000, according to Ned Davis Research, a leading investment research organization. The bottom line? Staying invested over the long term can pay off. (Keep in mind, though, that the S&P 500 is an unmanaged index and isn’t meant to depict an actual investment. Also, as you’ve no doubt heard, past performance

1/12

Sports & Outdoors U.S. rhythmic gymnastics group qualifies for Olympics for second time in history Brandon Penny

USA Gymnastics

The United States rhythmic gymnastics team made history in more ways than one at the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany in September. One day after Laura Zeng earned Team USA’s highestever result in the individual all-around, the U.S. rhythmic gymnastics group qualified the country for the Olympic Games for only the second time in history. Team USA was one of 10 countries to secure spots for the 2016 Olympics at the world championships. After finishing 13th in the group all-around, the U.S. was the highest-placed country outside of Asia and Europe, qualifying to ensure at least three continents are represented in Rio. An additional four groups will qualify at the Olympic test event in April 2016.

“There is no question that the USA Rhythmic Program has arrived on the global stage,” said USA Gymnastics President Steve Penny. “The team effort from the staff, coaches, athletes and everyone connected to the program has resulted in a fantastic achievement at the World Championships this weekend.” The group that competed in Germany and that will hope to earn the right to fill that quota spot trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnasts Center in Illinois and is comprised of Kiana Eide (St. Francis), Alisa Kano, Natalie McGiffert, Monica Rokhman, Jennifer Rokhman and Kristen Shaldybin. The only other time the U.S. has competed in group rhythmic gymnastics at the Olympics was at the Atlanta 1996 Games, where the team earned an automatic host country spot. Team USA

The U.S. rhythmic gymnastics team competes in the group all-around at the 2015 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships on September 12 in Stuttgart, Germany. Photo by Tom Theobald finished ninth of nine teams that year. The group rhythmic event made its Olympic debut in Atlanta and Russia has won four of the five gold medals awarded since. Zeng finished eighth in the individual all-around rhythmic

gymnastics championships. The previous highest finish by an American was Mary Sanders’ ninth place in 2003. Zeng also finished seventh in the club final, as the first American to qualify for the world club final since Sanders

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in ’03, when she, too, finished seventh. Similar to the group, Zeng’s performance earned the U.S. a quota spot in Rio. The top 15 gymnasts in Stuttgart qualified their countries, with a maximum of two spots per nation. The last time the U.S. qualified for the Olympics at the first-opportunity world championships was in 2003. Zeng will compete in multiple competitions next year to attempt to earn her spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team and become only the ninth Olympic gymnast to represent Team USA in individual rhythmic competition, which made its Olympic debut in 1984. Of the eight, the highest finish to date was 11th by Valerie Zimring in 1984. The U.S. began its summer of success at the Pan American Games in July, when Zeng swept the gold medals in the individual all-around and all four event finals, becoming only the second athlete ever to win all five rhythmic golds (Sanders was the first). Teammate Jazzy Kerber took all-around silver and three silvers and a bronze in the event finals. Also in Toronto, the U.S. rhythmic group won Team USA’s first Pan Ams gold in group rhythmic competition, winning the six clubs/two hoops final. The group also earned silver in the all-around and five ribbons finals.

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Anoka County Parks and Recreation upcoming programs and events Martha Weaver

Anoka County Public Information Manager

Check out Anoka County Parks and Recreation for late summer programs and classes. To register for more information, please call 651-429-8007 or visit anokacountyparks.com. Homeschool Programs October 15, 10:00 a.m.-Noon or 2:00-4:00 p.m. Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main Street, Hugo, Minnesota Naturalists work with homeschoolers to provide quality environmental, recreational and natural history programs. Children discover the natural environment by having fun learning about nature through hands-on activities. Topics for October: Apple Cidering, Grade K-2; Nature Superpowers, Grade 3-5; Minnesota and the Civil War, Grade 6-12. Pre-registration is required. Fee is $4/child (+tax).

St. Francis Fastpitch 10U girls qualified and returned to the NAFA National Tournament this July in Bloomington. We would like to thank our sponsors Riccar HVAC, Lakeside Cabinets, NIH Homes, M.T. Carpenter Landscape, Jeremy Skogquist - Re/Max Results, Skogquist Drywall, Mansetti’s Pizza - St. Francis and Jonak Orthodontics. Team members (L-R) are Lauryn Perry, Ellie Otto, Kayla Bosen, Avery Chester, Holly Bonte, Jenna Vandecar, Madison Rothbauer, Hailey Hansen, Riana Ingberg, Abby Ferrario, Abby Babcock and Alexa Skogquist. Submitted by Karyn Perry

Sandhill crane tours at Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

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On Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge will offer free, guided tours of sandhill cranes migrating through the refuge. Meet your leaders at Sherburne Refuge Headquarters on County Road 9, 5.5 miles west of Highway 169. The public of all ages is welcome, but pre-registration is required. Please pre-register by calling 763-389-3323 or emailing Michelle_Garcia@fws. gov. Registration is limited to the first 25 people per tour. After a brief coordination meeting at Refuge Headquarters, participants will caravan to area viewing sites, where they will have the chance to witness the spectacle of hundreds of cranes flying overhead as they leave roost sites on the refuge. Leaders will share information on cranes and answer questions. Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, spotting scopes, and cameras. Please wear subtle colors that blend with the environment such as brown, tans, or greens. Early morning can be cold, so dress accordingly with jackets, hats, gloves and closed-toed shoes or boots. Sherburne Refuge Complex is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and is located near the cities of Princeton,

Retirement Investments 23847 Johnson Street NE, Suite# 2 East Bethel, MN 55005

763-753-6614 www.highlandmoneymgmt.com Submitted Photo

Zimmerman and St. Cloud, in central Minnesota. Visit the website at www.fws.gov/ refuge/sherburne. The mission of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both

a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

St. Francis Auto Parts Local one stop auto parts store with over 100,000 in stock parts and nationwide parts locating.

Paying $150 for most junkers!

Bonus for caerrs! ’04 or new

763-753-4698

4140 St. Francis Blvd., just south of town on Hwy 47 Family Run Business — Open 6 Days A Week Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. • Saturday 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

College Planning Life Insurance

David Johnson Serving the local community since 1999.

Highland Money Management is independent of Parkland Securities, LLC & SPC. Investment advisory services offered through Sigma Planning Corporation, a registered investment advisor. Securities offered through Parkland Securities, LLC. Member FINRA & SIPC.

St. Francis Youth Baseball Association Annual Meeting

Sunday, October 11 • 7:00 p.m. The Ponds Golf Course 2881 229th Avenue NW • St. Francis

Elections for 2016 open board positions will be held. To view positions, go to our website www.stfrancisbaseball.org.

Come and make a difference in the future of St. Francis baseball! 25

Meetings, Benefits & Events School District

Lions

ISD 15 SCHOOL Board Meetings: October 12 Dialogue with School Board 6:30 p.m., Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m.; October 26 Dialogue with School Board 6:30 p.m., Regular Meeting 7:00 p.m. at Central Services Center, Community Room, 4115 Ambassador Boulevard NW, St. Francis.

Health & Fitness Tops Chapter MN #1774 meets every Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m. at the St. Francis Community Center, 23340 Cree Street N. TOPS stands for Take Off Pounds Sensibly and is a weight loss support group. Check out a meeting or visit www.tops.org.

Chamber of Commerce St. Francis Area Chamber of Commerce Breakfast with the Chamber is October 14 at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in St. Francis, 8:00-9:00 a.m., $3 for breakfast. The next Board of Directors meeting is on October 21, 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Community Center, 23340 Cree Street. Meetings are open to all. Visit stfrancischamber.org for more info or call 763-438-5163.

AA Meets at Long Lake Lutheran Church, 5 miles north of St. Francis on Hwy. 47, Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.

AA/NA AA/NA Meetings at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in East Bethel. NA on Mondays at 7:00 p.m., AA on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., NA on Fridays at 6:30 p.m.

CEDAR/EAST BETHEL LIONESS CLUB meets the first Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at Ham Lake VFW. For membership information call Marilyn Kappelhoff, 763-434-6599. We Serve!

St. Francis Area Women of Today meets the first Thursday of the month at the Anoka Hennepin Credit Union, 23280 St. Francis Blvd. NW in St. Francis. Social time is 6:30 p.m. with the meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. For more information about the Women of Today, visit us at www.sfawt.org.

NOWTHEN LIONS CLUB Are you looking to serve in your community of Nowthen? Meet new friends? Have a lot of fun? Come join the Nowthen Lions Club! The Nowthen Lions meet on the first Thursday of the month for the board meeting and on the third Thursday of the month for the membership meeting. Please call Patty Wirz at 763-241-1341 or email to nowthenlions@yahoo.com.

St. Francis Lions Club meets three times during the month at the St. Francis American Legion. First Wednesday board meeting; second Wednesday regular business meeting; fourth Wednesday social and program. All meetings start at 7:00 p.m. and adjourn at 8:15 p.m. Call Lion Kevin Schuldt for more information at 763-753-1205 or visit www.stfrancismn. lionwap.org.

Lioness

Service Group

Oak Grove Lions meet every second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. adjourning at 8:00 p.m. For more information, call Lion Mark Silvernagel at 763-753-2215.

CEDAR/EAST BETHEL LIONS CLUB meets bimonthly, first and third Tuesday, 7:00 p.m., at Hunters Inn. Call Judy Ricke at 763-226-4893.

Long Lake Lutheran Church invites you to join us for GriefShare Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. Free. We are located five miles north of St. Francis on Hwy. 47. For more information please contact Sharon Sudeith at 763-444-4483 or visit www.longlakeluth.org. For general information on the GriefShare program, visit www.griefshare.org.

Lions

Seniors

St. Francis Lioness Club meets monthly. First Wednesday, administrative board and third Wednesday, general membership meeting at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are held at St. Francis City Hall, 23340 Cree Street. For more information, call Jean Schuldt at 763-753-1205 or Mary Madden at 763-444-5020.

American Legion American Legion Auxiliary Unit 622 – St. Francis General membership meets monthly on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. All members of the auxiliary are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, call 763-753-4234.

St. Francis Seniors If you are 55 or older, come enjoy some companionship. We play cards and bingo, go on trips, have picnics and potlucks. We meet the first and third Thursday of each month at the St. Francis Legion. Social time at noon, meeting at 1:00 p.m., games until 3:00 p.m. Some play Scrabble in the afternoon on the second Thursday and Cribbage on the fourth Friday. Come check us out or call President Ray Steinke at 763-753-1871. East Bethel Seniors Dances are held 1:00-4:00 p.m. The next dance will be held Friday, October 2 with old time music played by Jerry Bierschbach. Entertainment for the Halloween dance on Friday, October 30 will be Mike Elsenpeter. Jim Armstrong will play music for the dance on November 6. The cost is $5 and includes lunch. All are welcome to the Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, October 11, 8:30 a.m.-noon. Serving pancakes, French toast, sausage, juice, coffee and choice of egg, 50¢ per egg. Cost for breakfast is $5 for adults and $2 for children under 10. Seniors meet the third Thursday of each month for business meeting and catered noon lunch, 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; second Wednesday of each month is crafts, 9:00 a.m.-noon with potluck at noon; fourth Wednesday is crafts only, 9:00 a.m.-noon. Cribbage once a month, call Barb for date/time at 763-434-6179. We also go on tours, etc. The East Bethel Senior Center is available for rent, call Dennis at 763-434-9244. Are you 55 or older? Bring your spouse and come and enjoy some companionship. All are welcome. Join East Bethel Seniors for $7 a year and receive a monthly newsletter. The East Bethel Senior Center is located one mile east of Highway 65 on 221st Avenue in East Bethel.

American Legion Post 622 – St. Francis General membership meets monthly the second Thursday at 7:00 p.m. All members of the post are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, call 763-753-4234.

Home

For Sale

By Owner

in the City of St. Francis 2,800 Square Feet 4 bedroom, 2½ Bath

Seniors Oak Grove Seniors meet the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at noon for a potluck and a short business meeting. Bingo follows each business meeting. For information about the club and events, call Marion Schulz at 763-444-5652.

Online

By Phone

www.the-courier.org 24-hours-a-day

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

763-753-7031

Recreation & Hobby

Home Price Reduced to only $200,000 For an appointment, call 763-753-1240

In Person

By Mail

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

4115 Ambassador Blvd. NW St. Francis, MN 55070

4115 Ambassador Blvd. NW

The Courier

A new neighborhood group of the American Sewing Guild is meeting the second Tuesday of the month, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in East Bethel. Come share sewing successes, challenges and ideas. The American Sewing Guild is a non-profit organization that promotes home sewing. For more information, go to ASG.org or contact Julie at 763-4349143 or jmaurer.3962214@gmail.com.

City & Township Meetings Andover City Council—Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesday 7:00 p.m., 1685 Crosstown Blvd. NW, Andover, 763-755-5100 Bethel City Council—Meets 1st & 3rd Thursday 7:00 p.m., 23820 Dewey Street, Bethel, 763-434-4366 Nowthen City Council—Meets 2nd Tuesday 7:00 p.m., 19800 Nowthen Blvd. NW, Nowthen, 763-441-1347 East Bethel City Council—Meets 1st & 3rd Wednesday 7:00 p.m., 2241 221st Avenue NE, East Bethel, 763-367-7840 Oak Grove City Council—Meets 2nd & last Monday 7:00 p.m., 19900 Nightingale St. NW, Oak Grove, 763-404-7000 St. Francis City Council—Meets 1st & 3rd Monday 6:00 p.m., ISD 15 Central Services Center, St. Francis, 763-753-2630 Stanford Township Board—Meets 1st Monday, 7:00 p.m., 5050 261st Avenue NW, Isanti, 763-444-6370

NOW HIRING for ISD 15 Kids Connection Positions open are: Morning Assistants—St. Francis Elementary School and Cedar Creek Community School between the hours of 6:00-9:15 a.m. Afternoon Assistants—St. Francis Elementary School and Cedar Creek Community School between the hours of 3:15-6:00 p.m. Morning Instructors—St. Francis Elementary School and Cedar Creek Community School between the hours of 6:00-9:15 a.m. Afternoon Instructors—St. Francis Elementary School and Cedar Creek Community School between the hours of 3:15-6:00 p.m. For a complete list of qualifications, summary of duties and salary, please visit www.isd15.org/employment and click on View our open positions > Community Education Programs. Independent School District 15 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Life Spinal Column

Pet Corner

Chad Hergott, PT, DPT North Branch physical therapy

Do you sometimes feel like the world is spinning so fast that it makes you dizzy? I am sure this metaphorically happens to everyone on occasion, but it is not what I want to educate you on today. If you get dizzy and actually feel the room spinning, you’re not alone. Dizziness is common throughout a person’s lifespan and unfortunately becomes more prevalent as we age. Fortunately the medical profession, including your physical therapists, have a good handle on what it takes to combat dizziness. Dizziness can come from multiple sources: medications, low blood pressure, our brainstem or inner ear, just to name a few. To understand dizziness, we need to have a little anatomy and physiology lesson (emphasis on little) as the vestibular system is pretty tiny. Even though it’s small in size, it packs a big punch. The vestibular system lies beyond the eardrum and it cannot be seen even with a physician’s otoscope, the device that looks into your ears. The system contains a bony and it membranous labyrinth. In these areas on each side of our head we have three semicircular canals as well as a utricle and saccule. The function of these organs is to sense acceleration, motion and head position in space. As mentioned, your physical therapists are well-trained to help you eliminate dizziness. One of the most common reasons for dizziness is a condition called benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV for short.

Dr. Amy Morgan Oak Grove Animal Hospital, Owner

This type of dizziness occurs in short but extremely intense feelings of dizziness, depending on your head position. It can occur when you go from sitting to lying down, or even when you roll over in bed. This happens because small crystals break loose from where they’re supposed to be and drift into one of the six semicircular canals. Your physical therapist can watch your eye motions while you are dizzy and accurately determine which one of the six canals the crystal floated into. He or she then can place your head in a series of positions which will bring that crystal back to its home. It sounds like magic, but it actually works. In fact, it works quite quickly. Just a few treatments can completely eliminate BPPV. Of course not all dizziness is that simple. Prior to any treatment, the physical therapist will screen out symptoms that may be related to blood pressure, the brain and other imbalances of the vestibular system. They can also treat many other causes of dizziness by showing you different exercises to train your vestibular system. If you are feeling dizzy, consult your medical doctor and physical therapist. Dizziness is not normal at any age, so why needlessly suffer when there are great treatment options out there? Now if only someone knew how to actually make the earth stop spinning so fast, we could all have more daylight to do the things we love and longer nights for sleeping. How great would that be?!

Recognize the warning signs Stay informed; it could save a life Nancy Wallace

Question My dog is itchy and sometimes I find raised pink bumps on his skin. Is this allergies? Answer Dogs are frequently diagnosed with seasonal allergies to the same things people are allergic to. Late summer/early fall can be a prime time for allergens to affect dogs. The good news is, if your dog doesn’t have symptoms of allergies by the time it’s two or three years old, it’s unlikely they will develop later in life. But if your dog has had itchiness (with or without skin lesions) and this itchiness seems to occur at the same time each year, it may very well be allergies. Instead of having respiratory symptoms like people do with allergies, dogs become itchy. Allergies can affect one part of the body or several. Many dogs exhibit allergies by chewing or licking at their feet or legs, sometimes their ears are itchy, sometimes their entire body is itchy. You may notice when you pet or scratch your dog’s back that it lifts a hind leg to scratch—this is often seen with allergies. Your dog may even be so itchy that it chews its hair down to stubble or scratches it out in areas. Sometimes there are papules which are small, slightly raised pink File Photo bumps on the skin. These can be part of the inflammatory process that occurs in the skin with allergies, or they may be secondary to excessive licking and chewing at the skin. If your dog is missing hair or is keeping you awake at night licking or scratching, it’s time to get help to decrease the itchiness. Sometimes antihistamines work to suppress itchiness in dogs due to allergies, but once your dog is itchy, it’s more likely you’ll need stronger medication. The most commonly used medications for allergies in dogs are prednisone (and its offshoots), Atopica (cyclosporine) and Apoquel. Each medication has potential side effects and the costs vary. Your veterinarian can help you decide which medication choice will work best for you. Regular bathing once or twice a week in a hypoallergenic or oatmeal shampoo can also be very helpful as it washes away the airborne allergens that can stick to your dog’s coat. Late summer isn’t the only time allergies are seen in dogs—seasonal allergies can occur only in the spring or only mid-summer or sometimes all summer and until the first hard frost in the fall. Make sure you seek help for your dog if itchiness is excessive.

ISD 15 Community Education Coordinator

Suicide is a serious public health issue for all age groups. But teens are at a higher risk, with suicide being the third leading cause of death between 10 and 24 year olds. The good news is that by knowing what to do or where to get help, you can help save a life. During National Suicide Prevention Month, take an opportunity to learn the warning signs and share these resources with a friend, a family member or coworker, this information could make a difference for someone down the road. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please call or visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Source: Kids.gov: A safe place to learn and play

Complete Family Dentistry

ound R Lake

Dental

Dr. Thomas Swenson

763-427-0285 • www.roundlakedental.com 13841 Round Lake Blvd. NW •, Andover 2 minutes north of Highway 10 on Round Lake Boulevard The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

New Year’s resolution

Weight Loss • Stop Smoking/Chewing • Stop Smoking immediately without withdrawal, cravings, or weight gain. • Lose Weight—stop cravings and obsessions with food. Get motivated to exercise.

Can you really afford to keep smoking?

Wednesday, October 26 at St. Francis High School 6:15-6:30 p.m. Check-in time 6:30-7:15 p.m. Introduction 6:15-8:15 p.m. WEIGHT LOSS HYPNOSIS 6:15-9:15 p.m. Stop Smoking Hypnosis

Bring a pillow, blanket and sleeping bag for added comfort.

New Way Hypnosis Clinic, Inc. 320-255-9680 (Office) Dr. Mary Fischer, D.C.H.C.Ht. Doctor of Clinical Hypnotherapy Private therapy will be available at a higher cost, call 1-877-255-9680. Visit our website at www.hypnosisclinic.net

5000

per person, per group seminar

Testimonials January 22, 2012 “I attended your hypnosis clinic last April in Anoka. Your clinic was life changing to me. I have lost over 40 lbs. Thanks!” - Lori Q.

July 17, 2012 “I was a chain smoker, 2-3 packs a day! I quit smoking after one session, no cravings or withdrawal. It’s been 20 years now and still a non-smoker, thanks to this clinic.” - George P.

Guaranteed Lifetime (FREE reinforcement CD)

Newly established church in Andover welcomes all Sarah Wieberdink

Immanuel Church

Immanuel Church, a recently established church ministry located in the city of Andover, is kicking off the upcoming fall season with a new worship time. The church now begins its Sunday morning worship services at 10:15 a.m. Immanuel is a Reformed, Bible-focused church that emphasizes the gospel and its impact on every area of life

for individuals, families and the community at large. Each service includes a sermon by Pastor Jim Hoekstra, singing and prayer. A time of fellowship and refreshments also follows. The congregation meets at 15036 Round Lake Boulevard NW in Andover (Andover SDA Church). Immanuel Church began holding services in November 2013. It is part of the larger Orthodox Presbyterian Church and, specifically, is

Faith Listings

Historic

Zion Lutheran Church of Crown

Abundant Life Alliance Church 3840 197th Avenue NW Oak Grove • 763-753-0284 www.AbundantLife4U.org

Sunday, October 11

Bethel Community Church 23860 Dewey Street NW Bethel • 763-434-9834 www.bethelschurch.org

11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Cost: Adults: $10; 5-12: $5 4 and under: Free Sunday Worship Service 9:00 a.m.

Cedar United Methodist Church 17541 Jefferson Street NE Ham Lake • 763-434-7463 www.cedarumc.org

Zion Lutheran Church & Crown Christian School

Reverend Jacob Dandy 7515 269th Avenue ~ St. Francis, MN 55070 763-856-2099 ~ www.zionlutherancrown.com zioncrown@connections-etc.net

Trunk & Treat Saturday, October 31

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Fun for All!

Church Bazaar

Crafts • Bake Sale • Lunch Saturday, November 7 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. 6th grade-adult Sunday School at 10:30 a.m. 5th grade and under Worship at 10:30 a.m.

St. Francis United Methodist Church

A Community Dedicated to Seeking Christ and Serving Others Pastor Kevin Coder 3914 - 229th Avenue • St. Francis www.stfrancis-umc.com • 763-753-2273

Sunday Services 8:30 a.m. Traditional Worship

9:45 a.m. Sunday School including adult classes 11:00 a.m. Contemporary Worship

Missions Conference Week October 7-11 @ the church Wednesday, October 7 Missionaries Jerry & Shelly Kragt will share during Awana 6:45 p.m. Thursday, October 8 The Kragts will share at PrimeTime. Potluck at 11:30 a.m. and presentation at 12:30 p.m. Jerry & Shelly Kragt are International workers in Germany and the Middle East.

19653 Nowthen Boulevard NW Nowthen, MN 55303 Intersection of CR 5 & 22 For more information, call 763-441-1600

nowthenalliance.org

an outgrowth of Mission Orthodox Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. Pastor Hoekstra graduated from Westminster Seminary California and entered the ministry of the OPC in 1988. He has pastored churches in Ocala, Florida and Austin, Texas, as well as in Oostburg and Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. He has also started churches in Cedarburg and New Berlin, Wisconsin. Pastor Hoekstra and his wife Bonnie are excited to begin a

Saturday, October 10 Amazing Race activity begins at 2:00 p.m. for high school and college age participants. Bonfire and hot dog roast at 5:00 p.m., followed by singing and S’Mores.

Cross of Hope Lutheran Church 5730-179th Lane NW Ramsey • 763-753-2057 www.crossofhope.net First Baptist Church & Christian School K–12 22940 St. Francis Boulevard St. Francis • 763-753-1230 www.fbcsaintfrancis.com Immanuel Church 15036 Round Lake Boulevard NW Andover • 763-210-5846 www.immanuelchurchopc.org Living Hope Evangelical Free Church 23038 Rum River Boulevard St. Francis • 763-753-1718 www.LivingHopeEFC.org Long Lake Lutheran Church 3921 277th Avenue NW Isanti • 763-444-5315 www.longlakeluth.org New Life Church 17261 St. Francis Boulevard NW Ramsey • 763-421-0166 www.newlifemn.org

new church in this community. They have three grown children. Besides worship services, Immanuel also offers other exciting ways to become involved. The church holds Tuesday night home Bible studies, which provide a time to dig deeper into the Bible and for fellowship with each other during the week. Other events include community outreach opportunities, monthly question and answer sessions with Pastor Hoekstra,

Safe costumes can prevent Halloween mishaps Millions of people celebrate Halloween every year. Borrowed or adapted from a few different festivals that once took place in Europe, Halloween has origins in the Roman Feralia festival, the Celtic summer’s end festival Samhain, and the Catholic All Saints Day. Trick-or-treating is a significant part of the Halloween festivities, but for many people, the real delight is choosing a costume. The right costume is not only one that suits the spirit of Halloween, but also one that’s safe. The Prevention First Organization says that collisions with cars, eye injuries from sharp objects and burns from flammable costumes account for the most youth emergency room visits on Halloween. Just how does one create a

Ask Fido:

St. Francis United Methodist Church 3914 229th Avenue NW St. Francis • 763-753-2273 www.stfrancis-umc.com St. Patrick Catholic Church 19921 Nightingale Street NW Oak Grove • 763-753-2011 www.st-patricks.org West Bethel United Methodist Church 1233 221st Avenue NE Cedar • 763-434-6451

safe costume? Consider these pointers when preparing for the arrival of October 31. } Rely on flashlights and reflective tape to make trick-or-treaters more visible during evening walks. The reflective tape can be incorporated right into the costume design. } Choose hats and face paints in lieu of masks. Masks can block a child’s vision and impede a youngster’s ability to check for traffic. } Ensure that costumes do not drag on the floor, as costumes that are too long can pose a tripping hazard. } Have children wear comfortable, flat shoes to reduce the risk of tripping or falls. } Make sure children walk on sidewalks and well-lit paths. Continued Page 30

What makes Fido’s your favorite home away from home?

“Easy. Four free walks a day, every day I’m here!”

New Life Church - Oak Grove 18975 Lake George Boulevard NW Oak Grove • 763-753-5717 www.newlifeoakgrove.org Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church 19001 Jackson Street NE East Bethel • 763-434-6117 www.oursaviourslc.org

Saturday morning men’s prayer group, monthly ladies night out and other fun events for everyone. Come worship with us as we kick off the fall season! We would love for you to join us on Sundays as we learn from God’s Word, grow in our knowledge of Christ and witness together to the God who is near. For more information, visit www.immanuelchurchopc.org or call 763-210-5846.

More personal care boarding perks:

10% Off for new Grooming Customers!

• $18 per day plus a multi dog discount • Pick-up/drop-off 365 days a year • 24 hour on-site care • Maintaining Fido’s routine of pottying outside—we’re not in the business of starting bad habits • Free medication administration

Fido’s Barber Shop 19847 Orchid St. NW, Oak Grove

All Breed Professional Dog Grooming and Personal Care Boarding Day and Evening Appointments

763-213-8143 www.fidosbarber.com

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Nowthen Alliance Church PrimeTime event Helen Peterson

Nowthen Alliance Church

The community is invited to join us Thursday, October 8, 11:30 a.m. for Nowthen Alliance Church PrimeTime event and potluck luncheon in the fellowship hall. Following the luncheon is a presentation by the church’s former youth pastor Jerry Kragt, and his wife, Shelly, who are missionaries currently serving in Germany and the Middle East. They will be speaking after a film presentation, Placed for A Purpose, about the plight of current refugees. The church is located at 19653 Nowthen Boulevard at the intersection of Anoka County Roads 5 and 22 in Nowthen. Please enter through Door C. Contact Helen Peterson at 763-753-1267 or the church office at 763-441-1600 for more information.

Births Joel and Kristy Casper would like to announce the birth of their precious baby boy, Bennett Glenn Casper. He was born on June 6 at Unity Hospital in Fridley. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and was 21¾ inches long. Bennett has a sister, Laney, who is soon to be three years old. Jerry and Julie Casper and Kevin and Linda Hellum are the proud grandparents. Alex and Marissa Martinson of Nowthen announce the birth of their daughter Ava Rose Martinson. Ava was born July 27 at 3:18 p.m. at Mercy Mother Baby Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 20¼ inches long. She was greeted by big brother Ivan and proud grandparents Gary and Rose Carpenter of Isanti and Rob and Kelly Martinson of Oak Grove. Graduates from St. Francis High School, parents Christine (Sargent) and Eric Petersen along with their daughter Jayden are so excited to introduce their new addition to the family, Greysen LaVerne Petersen. Greysen was born on July 31. Proud grandparents are Carline and Dennis Sargent and Terry and Mike Petersen. Great grandparents are Lois and Don Workman and Michelle and Jim Lucas. Kamelian Keiana-Rose Quigley was born on August 1 at Cambridge Medical Center. She weighed 5 pounds, 11 ounces and was 18½ inches long. Proud parents are Kristin Clark and Shane Quigley of Ramsey. Burton Joseph Carlyle was born on August 21 at Cambridge Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and was 20½ inches long. Proud parents are Jacob and Jamie of Stanchfield. Trinity Myrna Todey was born on August 25 at Cambridge Medical Center. She weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces and was 18½ inches long. Proud parents are Tasha Hanson and Edwin Todey of

Fire safety is often a question of life or death. Test your knowledge with this important quiz. Then share what you’ve learned with your children and make sure everyone knows what to do in the event of a blaze by developing a home safety fire escape plan. If your home is not equipped with smoke Q: Should you use a fire extinguisher to put out a grease fire on the stove? A: Never. Get everyone outside and immediately call the fire department.

Bennett Glenn Casper

Submitted Photo

Ava Rose Martinson

Submitted Photo

Sponsored by the Andover Fire Department 763-755-9825

Q: What should you do if you’re trapped by fire? A: If your exits are blocked, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help by waving a cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and give your location. Sponsored by the City of Nowthen 763-441-1347

detectors and a fire extinguisher, be sure to do so during Fire Prevention Week. These devices will help save lives in the event of a fire emergency.

Q: Most home fires start in which room of the house? A: The kitchen. In fact, three in 10 reported home fires begin in the kitchen. Sponsored by the City of St. Francis 763-753-2630

Q: True or False? Each year, fire kills more Americans than all United States natural disasters combined. A: True. In the year 2005, someone died in a fire about every 2 hours. Sponsored by the Temperature Specialists, Inc. 763-753-2974

Q: What is the numberone cause of home fires?

Q: Where should you install smoke alarms in your home?

A: Cooking fires. Most cooking fires start with the ignition of common household items in the kitchen.

A: Install alarms on every floor of your home and outside each bedroom.

Sponsored by the City of Oak Grove 763-404-7000

Sponsored by the Northland Screw Products, Inc. 763-753-3628

East Bethel Fire Department

Open House Saturday, October 10 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Greysen LaVerne Petersen

Submitted Photo

Cambridge. Della Marie Anderson was born on August 28 at Cambridge Medical Center. She weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces and was 19 inches long. Proud parents are Ryan and Amanda of Stacy. Dakota James Flaspeter was born on September 1 at Cambridge Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 7 ounces and was 20 inches long. Proud parents are Erika and Brian of Cambridge.

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Station #1 2751 Viking Boulevard NE

• Demonstrations and activities for everyone! • Learn what it takes to become a firefighter! • Come and explore our fire station! • Learn what it takes to join our youth fire exploring program! • Bring a non-perishable food item to support the local foodshelf! • Lions Club vs. Fire Department Chili Contest. You can be the judges!

From Page 28

} Make sure costumes and accessories are made with flame-resistant materials. } Use glow sticks or batterypowered LED lights instead of lit candles for costumes and decorations. } Trick-or-treat in groups with other parent chaperones so the adults can be extra diligent in their efforts to keep children safe.

Halloween They also should avoid darting out into the street to run to another home. } Choose soft, flexible costume props whenever possible. Make sure the props, such as swords, are not sharp or too long.

Source: Metro Creative Graphics Editorial

Wedding

“We treat your pets like our own”

St. Francis Veterinary Clinic 763-444-9359

Doctors on staff Dr. Tracey Thomas Dr. Jill Hergenrader Dr. Kelly Pawlenty Dr. Nicole Perreault

We are now offering Pet Wellness packages!

• Small animal medicine, surgery and dentistry • Free initial puppy and kitten exams • Early morning drop off available by appointment • Evening appointments • Heartworm and Lyme testing • Microchip pet ID

Bring in this ad for

00 15 off any exam

Offer expires 10/31/15. One coupon per customer, per visit.

Two miles north of St. Francis on Highway 47 Visit us on the web at www.sfvetclinic.com

Isanti

Use face paints instead of masks so kids’ visibility is not compromised when trick-ortreating. File Photo

Rogers

Ham Lake

ISANTI HAM LAKE ROGERS LONG LAKE SAVAGE (Formerly MN Equipment Solutions)

Richard and Lisa Kastenbauer would like to announce the marriage of their son, Benjamin Allen Kastenbauer, to Laura Christine Nielsen, daughter of Janine and Michael Nielsen. Ben and Laura were married in Anoka at the First Congregational United Church of Christ on July 25. The wedding was officiated by the Reverends Chris and Sharon Fazel and followed by a reception at Rush Creek Golf Club in Maple Grove. Ben is a graduate of St. Francis High School and the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He works as a paramedic for Lake County Ambulance Service. Laura attends the University of Wisconsin, Superior. The couple live in Duluth. Submitted by Lisa Kastenbauer

(763) 444-8873 (763) 755-2347 (763) 428-4107 (952) 473-5634 (952) 890-9242

3220 Bridge Street, Suite 107 in the St. Francis Mall

Call

763-753-1277

MinnesotaEquipment.com

for an Appointment

Kendall W. Goodian, D.C. Chiropractic Orthopedist

Specializing in Sports, Industrial and Auto Accident Injuries

6/12

Award Winning Boarding – Grooming – Training

$300 Off X304, X324 $1,500 Off & 0% for 48 mo $1,250 Off 1 Family or & X534 Four-Wheel Gravely JSV 2-seat 0 60 % for mo & $750 Off* Steer Tractors Utility Vehicle *With purchase of 2 or more

Basic Lawn Tractor Service Plan Starting at

$59

Services included: • Oil and ﬁlter change plus a 10-pt inspection

Sale Price: $11,499

• 40 HP/570 cc Polaris gas engine • 1250 lb. capacity • On-demand AWD system • Dual Range CVT • Up to 35 mph

www.goldstarkennelsofmn.com

• Auto-Connect drive-over deck • Easy-to-operate two speed hydrostatic transmission • 4WD and power steering

Sharpening Plan Plus

Starting at

Services included:

• Remove mower blades, sharpen & balance • Re-install blades on deck for 2 blade decks • Starting at $40 for 2-blade decks; starting at $50 for 3 blade decks

(Nowthen)

Starting at $10,995

Blade Sharpening Plan

$40

6560 Norris Lake Road Elk River, MN 55330

Reserve for your fall getaway now! Vacancies are filling up doggone fast!

$80

• Remove mower deck • Scrape and clean entire deck • Remove mower blades, sharpen & balance • Re-install blades on deck • Level mower deck • Starting at $80 for 2-blade decks; Starting at $100 for 3-blade decks

Every 13th day is always FREE!

50 Off

Training

at Gold Star Kennels

Limit one per family. Not good with any other offers or discounts. 763-753-5450 • Expires 10/31/15

Courier 10/15

• 18.5 - 24 HP powerful engine • 42” (X304), 48” (X324 & X534), 54” (X534) mowing deck • Hydrostation transmission • Twin-touch pedals

763-753-5450

John Deere or Frontier attachments

Submitted 10/15

Starting at $3,699

If your pets could talk, they would insist on…

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

Master Gardener

Carol bray Isanti county master gardener

Some common questions asked of master gardeners are: “What’s your favorite flower?” “What’s your favorite tomato?” “What is your favorite apple?” And, I’m guessing if you ask the same gardener the same question year after year, you will get different responses. I will share my choices if I were asked today, “What are your top ten favorite flowers?” 1. Pulmonaria, or its common name lungwort, is a dependable plant and among the first showy springblooming perennials. One of my favorite pulmonarias is Raspberry Splash. They have fuzzy and silvery spotted leaves and flower clusters of raspberry-pink bells. 2. Daffodils. Deer won’t eat daffodils but they love tulips. Plus, daffodils come back year after year. 3. Hostas. According to Wikipedia there are over 3,000 varieties of hostas registered to the American Hosta Society as of 2014, encompassing 45 specific species. Hostas are many gardeners’ favorites

due to their lush foliage and easy care. Some of my favorites are June, Praying Hands and Guardian Angel. 4. Hydrangea is a genus of 70-75 species native to Asia and the Americas. I love hydrangeas because the flower has a long life and looks beautiful even as a dried flower. My current favorite: Pinky Winky. I will caution against the Endless Summer

One of Isanti County master gardener Carol Bray’s favorite perennials is a clematis. Photo By Carol Bray

2015 Goal 679

Tons

53 Tons

versatile vine you can grow. Clematis like cool feet and a sunny top. The clematis flowers are varied and beautiful and after the flower dies, you get the beautiful seed head. 10. Peonies can live and thrive for decades with minimal care. Peonies bloom in the spring, but do best when planted or transplanted in the fall. Don’t bury too deep and don’t be surprised if the newly planted peony takes a year or two for its first bloom. The blooms will be worth the wait. Remember the three Rs: right plant, right location and right hardiness zone (3B). Plant what you love, love what you plant. For more information, visit Isanti County Master Gardeners’ website at www.isanticountymastergardeners.com, the University of Minnesota Extension website at www.extension.umn.edu or call the Isanti County Master Gardeners at 763-689-8254. You can also find us on Facebook at Isanti County Master Gardeners.

Series. In my experience these plants are not as dependable in flowering and need to be pruned to the crown in the spring or fall and need many drinks during the hot summer. Sedum also known as stonecrop. The Autumn Joy sedum makes my list because of its low maintenance. It is a late summer/early fall bloom and most importantly—the bees love it. Daylillies are perennials that come in many colors and shapes, plus they are fairly drought tolerant. The only negative may be that they have to occasionally be divided. Ornamental grasses. One of my favorite ornamental grasses for sun is Karl Forester and I love, love, love Japanese forest grass, Hakonechloa macra Aureola. Mums. I also love the long-lasting mum for their fall colors. The trick to having a mum come back is to plant it in the spring so the mum plant has a chance to develop a good root system. Clematis is undoubtedly the most

Halloween candy isn’t good for your pets—keep it stashed away!

Recycled in August St. Francis has recycled 401 tons in 2015 so far. 19035 Lake George Boulevard NW Oak Grove, MN 55303 www.oakgrovevet.net

Recycling is now easier with simple sort recycling. You no longer need to sort items. Just place them all in the large roll-off container provided by your hauler. If you have any questions about what is acceptable or would like to start a new service, call your hauler: Ace Solid Waste 763-427-3110 Allied Waste 763-784-2104 East Central Sanitation 763-689-2171 LePage & Sons 763-757-7100

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org

We offer dog and cat grooming!

23122 St. Francis Boulevard NW St. Francis 763-753-3334 Open Seven Days A Week Monday-Saturday 5:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Sunday 6:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.

Expires 10/31/15 X1001 Expires 10/31/15 X1001

www.kingscountymarket.com

Amy Morgan, D.V.M. Kaija Youngner, D.V.M. Lisa Johnson, D.V.M. Dawn Price, D.V.M Alyssa Ziche, D.V.M.

5 Off Express Gasolines ¢

Per Gallon All Grades of Gas Cash transactions only, must pay inside store. Expires 10/31/15 Not good with other offers. Limit one per visit. Valid only at St. Francis County Market.

5 Off Express Gasolines ¢

Per Gallon All Grades of Gas Cash transactions only, must pay inside store. Expires 10/31/15 Not good with other offers. Limit one per visit. Valid only at St. Francis County Market.

Submitted 10/15

The Courier | October 2015 | www.the-courier.org