The Times - Blooming Prairie by The Times

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

9th Annual Blooming Prairie Education Foundation auction March 31 to benefit the BP Schools. See page A6

www.bloomingprairieonline.com • $1

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Serving Blooming Prairie and the Four-County Area Steele County’s Only Community Weekly Newspaper

New jobs for fired care center managers

Time to ‘Fire up Blooming Prairie’ Blooming Prairie Mayor H. Peterson signs the proclamation for “Fire Up Blooming Prairie.” It states, “Whereas healthy citizens make for a healthy community. Walking has been shown to be an excellent form of exercise, everyone could benefit from better physical condition and it is time for the citizens to get moving for their health.” People can sign up at the Blooming Prairie Chamber of Commerce or Sportstitch. The 12-week walking challenge will begin April 1.

By RICK BUSSLER Publisher Three top managers who were fired from their jobs at a local nursing home have found new positions in recent weeks. On Jan. 10, Administrator Mark Robinson, Assistant Administrator Jennifer Milton and Assistant Director of Nursing Pam Fate were escorted out the door of Prairie Manor Care Center in Blooming Prairie. The dismissals came as a surprise and have since created unrest within the community, especially when the board has refused to say anything about the move publicly. Robinson has joined Homestead at Rochester as its executive director. The agency operates a facility of assisted living and independent living in Rochester. The facility has 175 residents. For Robinson, he has found that there is life after what happened at Prairie Manor. “We’re thankful that we’re able to move on and other opportunities in life come along,” said Robinson, who has nearly 30 years of experience in longterm care. But, even with a new job, Robinson still experiences pain over how Prairie Manor handled the situation in January. “It’s still a wound, but I’m trying to move on,” he said. “I’ve been trying hard to keep my emotions under control.” Robinson said the hardest part of the situation was the manner in which it was done by the board of Prairie Manor. Robinson plans to commute to Rochester and remain living in the Blooming Prairie area with his wife, Cindy. On Jan. 17, she was fired from Heather Haus. Last week Fate returned to work as she joined Sacred Heart Care Center in Austin as director of nursing. She will be responsible for the entire nursing staff, which handled 59 beds. “When one door closes, another one opens up,” Fate said. She had been with Prairie Manor for 14 years when she was abruptly let go in January. She previously told The Times, “I didn’t do anything to deserve this.” She is looking forward to a new challenge at the Austin nursing home. “I just think it’s great,” Fate said. “They have been wonderful and very welcoming to me.” Fate said she has been upfront about what happened at Prairie Manor. “I have told them that we had no warning, no explanation and no idea it was coming,” she said. “They have seen how terrible and unfair this has been for us.” Milton is also back to work as she joined an accounting firm in Owatonna. Susan Johnson has joined Prairie Manor as its new administrator. Like the board, she has also declined to return phone calls and requests for interviews with The Times.

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Volume 119, Issue 39

Times Photo by Michael Ricci

BP native opens massage business Blooming Prairie native Cara Ramsey recently opened a new massage business called Wildflower Trails, which doubles as a western shop. The 2010 graduate of Blooming Prairie High School decided that the time was right to start her own business, a goal she has had since she was a very young girl. Wildflower Trails, the result of hard work and dedication, according to Ramsey, is located on Main Street and offers 30, 60, and 90 minute sessions.

Times Photo by Per Kvalsten

By PER KVALSTEN Staff Writer Cara Ramsey has known exactly what she wanted to do with her life from a young age. The 2010 Blooming Prairie High School graduate has made her dream a reality with the opening of her own message therapy and western shop – Wildflower Trails. The new business is the culmination of hard work and dedication, and it is located on Main Street. “I decided it was the right time to start my own busi-

ness,” Ramsey said. “I got married and am now expecting my first child in August.” Ramsey decided to start her business in Blooming Prairie to be as close to family as possible. “I was either going to open the business in Blooming Prairie or Ellendale,” Ramsey said. “When I found out that there was an open space on Main Street, I knew it was meant to be.” Following graduation, Ramsey enrolled at the message school at Riverland Community College in Albert Lea. She finished the program and interned with a

chiropractor in Owatonna. Ramsey continues to work for the chiropractor as well as getting her new business up and running. “I always knew I wanted to start my own business,” Ramsey said. “I remember telling my teacher when I was younger that I wanted to do massage therapy.” Because Ramsey didn’t get a loan from the bank, she has paid for everything out of pocket to make her dream possible. She offers 30-minute, 60-minute, and 90-minute deep tissue, hot stone, pregnancy, and chair messages.

The prices range from $15 to $75. She will also be offering western accessories and is planning on learning how to perform equine message. Ramsey has a loyal following that has begun frequenting her facility in Blooming Prairie. “I love that I can help people,” Ramsey said. “I get to meet so many people, and each one comes with a different story. I am excited to be open and ready for business right here in Blooming Prairie.” Information: 507-4384682.

Drug bust leads to more than a dozen arrests More warrants expected By PER KVALSTEN Staff Writer An intensive drug investigation has led to more than a dozen arrests in the county, with more coming. The South Central Drug Investigative Unit and the Owatonna Police Department worked together to implement the sweep. According to the Owatonna Police, SCDIU agents have been working with confidential informants since last July to investigate drug sales relating to cocaine and methamphetamines. Steele County Attorney Dan McIntosh said six people have been arrested, and more arrest warrants have been issued. Another 29 suspects allegedly involved will have arrest warrants issued for them. McIntosh said it would not take long, however, thus allowing law enforcement to make more arrests in the case. SCDIU agents and a tactical team assisted by members of the OPD and Steele County Sheriff’s Office executed four search warrants March 12, resulting in the arrests of Anival Cuellar, 35, Andres Cardenas, 38, and Loretta Dorsey, 26. The warrants focused on the recovery of illegal drugs and weapons. According to the OPD, charges include first, second and third degree controlled substance sales and firearms violations. The warrants were executed around 6 p.m. at two different apartments at 1208 Third Ave. NE. Agents then went to 128 E. Pearl St. and W. Bridge St. a short time after. Nathan Holland, 27, Deandre Fowler, 32, Tamara Ball, 42, were arrested just days after the first three arrests March 12, according to McIntosh. Javier Luna, 39, Jovanny Santibanez, 20, Katherine Vierling, 27, and Scarlett Tanner, 19, were arrested by Owatonna police Wednesday, March 14. Another suspect, Kerry Dittrich, 22, was jailed in Waseca County. Last Thusday, Mark Cruz, 21, was arrested in connection to the case. And five others have since had charges filed against them: Shawn Maurice Williams, 28, Henry Courtney Fox, 27, Joseph Maurice Davis, 26, Joshua Douglas Watkins, 25 and Jesus Ramirez Jr., 19. Of the remaining 16 people, officials said they are wanted on lesser charges.

Blooming Prairie City Council appoints EMT to ambulance commission By PER KVALSTEN Staff Writer Blooming Prairie volunteer EMT Jessica Edge has been appointed by the Blooming Prairie City Council to complete the remaining term of Stacy Fischer on the Ambulance Commission. Blooming Prairie Mayor H. Peterson recommended the ap-

pointment at the council meeting held Monday, March 12. In other council news:

Mini-Park Because there has been no construction at the buildings next to the mini-park, the council decided to table the sale or transfer of the property owned by Tom Vaith until progress is made.

Established in 1893

Redistricting The council approved the resolution reestablishing the precinct and polling place for the city of Blooming Prairie. “The city is included in the recent legislative redistricting changes,” Blooming Prairie City Administrator Mike Jones said. “Blooming Prairie is now located

in District 27A and will be represented by Rep. Rich Murrey.” Based on Minnesota Statute, the city was required to adopt the resolution.

Sirens Another cost of the 800 MHZ switch mandated by the FCC is the purchase of two new emergency sirens.

The two sirens were quoted to cost more than $21,300. Not included in the quote is the cost to put the poles up and bring power to the sirens. Rick Kittelson of the Blooming Prairie Public Utilities has asked to have the sirens on a timer so staff would no longer have to activate them manually each day at noon.

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2A • Tuesday, March 20, 2012 • The Times

Opinion

Mailbag

Praise to local law enforcement Three recent major cases each involving different law enforcement agencies around Steele County are examples of police work at its finest. In some of those cases, the police work involved agencies working together in the pursuit of justice. The first case involved a great level of violence when a man went on a rampage in January and allegedly fired multiple shots into an occupied vehicle at the McDonald’s in Medford. Fortunately no one was injured. The shooter fled the scene of the unusual drive-by shooting, but not before local authorities were hot on his trail. Within two days of the shooting, the lead agency, Steele County Sheriff’s Office, arrested the alleged gunman and had the case wrapped up for the county attorney’s office to file charges. A 45-year-old Owatonna man has been charged with several felonies, including attempted murder. Many times cases like the McDonald’s drive-by incident go unsolved, especially in larger cities. But that’s not the case here in Steele County. It’s reassuring to know we have capable and competent sheriff’s detectives and deputies who can step up and handle major cases with relative ease. The second case originated out of Blooming Prairie in early February. Officers from the Blooming Prairie Police Department put together some creative late night police work to nab a couple corn thieves. Chief Paul Wayne and his officers did an excellent job of catching the suspected thieves who apparently resorted to ripping off their employer. Local officers acted on a tip about the alleged scheme of two workers who were planning to steal 14,000 bushels of corn in the dark of the night when they thought no one would be watching. Instead of dismissing the tip, the local department reacted promptly and quickly by setting up a stakeout. Within hours, the officers found the suspects red-handed with the goods and took them into custody. The two suspects – a 73-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman – are facing two felonies of theft and conspiracy to commit theft. Last week, yet another exemplary example of police work resulted in no less than four arrests and 32 more wanted in a major meth and cocaine ring that originated out of Owatonna. This case is still unfolding as search warrants are being conducted and other suspects are being picked up. What we do know is that the South Central Drug Investigation Unit has spent the past nine months piecing together this case. Drug agents from around the area have been working with confidential informants since July 2011 on the investigation involving sales of methamphetamine and cocaine. Whether it’s violence, big time thieves or major drug dealers, local law enforcement has demonstrated time after time how it can handle significant cases and make the big arrests.

Good journalists have no tolerance for plagiarism Back in the mid-90s, when Internet access started becoming fairly common in public schools across the nation, there was a lot of concern among teachers that students would do too much “cutting and pasting” as they wrote their research papers and essays. It was a legitimate concern, and remains so today. Fortunately, it didn’t take long for teachers to figure out that the Internet is also a very useful tool for those who suspect that an essay has been plagiarized — which is why today you have to be desperate, lazy or just plain stupid to try to pass off someone else’s work as your own. Of course, some people fit that description all too well — including an occasional journalist who gets in the habit of cutting corners and eventually crosses over to the dark side. The most recent example of such misconduct, which is attracting nationwide attention, happened in Blooming Prairie, of all places. Jon Flatland, who had spent four months as the interim managing editor of The Times — a well-respected weekly in Steele County — was revealed to be a plagiarist. He had 28 years of experience in the newspaper business, so this wasn’t a rookie who made a mistake. He wasn’t terribly subtle or clever in his thievery. He’d go online, find a column that another journalist had written, tweak a few words here and there, slap his own byline on it and submit it as his own original work. He’d been doing this for years, even winning some awards in the process, but the wheels came off a couple weeks ago when a writer in Singapore went online and discovered Flatland’s byline on one of his columns. Now, at least a dozen other writers have discovered that they were victimized. The publisher of the Blooming Prairie paper, Rick Bussler, confronted Flatland, who immediately resigned and left town, and has since declared that he’s officially finished with the newspaper business. We should hope so. Given his track record,

Guest Editorial Continued on 3A

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Times

Bussler Publishing, Inc. USPS 058-340 Published weekly on Tuesdays Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Times P.O. Box 247 Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 Phone: 507-583-4431 Fax: 507-583-4445 bptimes@frontiernet.net

A STATE AWARD WINNING WEEKLY 2011 Second Place, Editorial Page Second Place, Category X 2010 First Place, Human Interest Story First Place, News Photo Second Place, Best Advertisement Second Place, Local Breaking News (Awards in circulation under 1,500 in Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest)

BP schools should focus on students’ personal development

Times fills a void of community news This week The Times is reaching out to about 10,000 more readers than normal. We’re saturating much of Steele County with a newspaper that is the county’s only home grown weekly publication. Since last September, The Times has become a countywide newspaper. We have beefed up our news coverage of the county. Each week we devote at least one entire news page to county news. Even before we switched to a more countywide approach, readers told us that they felt a void with community news in Steele County. As we spoke to people around the county, we kept hearing the same thing over and over again: they wanted another alternative for local hometown spun news. It only made sense for us to step up and attempt to fill this void. Each week we offer local breaking news coverage, human interest features, police and court news, traffic court, public record of births, deaths and marriages, locally written columns by public officials, legal notices and much more. No matter what we cover, there is one thing you can count on. All of our coverage is 100 percent local and community focused. As part of our expansion, The Times has branched out from covering just Blooming Prairie. We’re now also covering other parts of the county, including Medford, Owatonna, Hope and Ellendale. You are going to find that one of our greatest strengths is covering stories about local people. To top things off, The Times has won several state and national awards of excellence for journalism in the past couple

Mailbag Appreciates coverage You did a great job on both your column and the editorial. I know it must have been difficult, but your readers will also appreciate your frank and honest comments on this unfortunate incident. They are lucky to have a person like you at the head of their local paper. Thanks for your quick attention to the matter and best of luck moving forward. Jim Lee Carroll County Times

HOT PURSUIT

Rick Bussler years. Readers have responded favorably to our efforts. Just in the last year alone, our circulation has shot up more than 30 percent. This is mighty impressive for a newspaper of any size, especially a small one like ours. As we work towards expanding our readership, I recently found an interesting article focusing on readers who prefer their community newspapers for local news and information. This article solidified in my mind the importance of community journalism. A survey taken last year shows that 74 percent of people in communities served by a newspaper with circulations under 15,000 read a local newspaper each week. The survey, which is in its sixth year, shows consistent trends. It is clear that citizens believe in newspapers. The survey finds that the newspaper does a better job of providing background and depth on

stories essential to citizens. It highlights the strong bond between local communities and their newspapers. And it demonstrates that people do value good journalism. Here are a few other interesting findings from the survey: Readers share their newspapers with 2.33 people. They spend about 39 minutes reading their local newspapers. Seventy-three percent read most or all of their community papers. So if you’re finding a newspaper showing up at your home when it normally doesn’t, which is the case with this week’s Times, it presents an interesting situation for you. Community newspapers like The Times are strong. We’re offering an incredible deal for you to begin receiving our newspaper every week. (See Page 8A for special subscription offer). A new era has dawned for community newspapers in Steele County. It’s time for you to go in hot pursuit of being a part of this exciting endeavor by subscribing to an award-winning newspaper that is totally committed to local news. (Rick Bussler is publisher of the Times. Email him at bprick@frontier.com.)

Weigh in with our on-line reader poll at www.bloomingprairieonline.com This week’s question:

Will you be attending the Austin Home and Vacation show this weekend? ❐ Of course. I have always enjoyed going. ❐ No. I think they are a waste of time. ❐ Yes. My business will be at the show.

Last week’s question: What do you think Lansing Corners opening up as an event center?

❐ It is a great idea for an event center. – 28 percent ❐ I wish they had kept it as a restaurant – 61 percent ❐ It should be something entirely differnt –11 percent Readers are encouraged to go to the Times website at www.bloomingprairieonline.com to cast their opinion about the current question. This poll is not a pure scientific sampling of readers’ views, but rather, is intended to create community discussion of issues.

Dear Editor, Within our present school mission statement to educate students, it focuses on, “The mission of Blooming Prairie Schools is to provide challenging opportunities for lifelong learning in a safe and caring environment.” I think this type of outlook was something unique in the beginning; yet, something seems missing in the overall concept of developing young minds within our educational responsibility as a community. What if Blooming Prairie High School placed the highest emphasis on the personal development of each student, and sought to minimize, or if possible, eliminate completely, undue influence, pressure, and stress that accrue from expectations on students to acquire the accepted wisdom of present day society – or meet arbitrary standards so that each child can become an independent learner and thinker? To do this type of educational commitment, a democratic school for children of all ages needs to be established. Each child and staff member will have an equal voice in major decisions (and minor ones) affecting the day-to-day running of the school. Each person, student, or staff will have a finger to vote with, empowering each a say in their own educational development. With all that said, why would students not want to come to school to learn under these conditions? In our present problem areas – curriculum, grading system, restrictiveness imposed on students where they are denied their civil rights – these have become the worst products of the school system that has alienated the natural curiosity, and hopeful idealism students came to BPHS with in the beginning. Our new school mission statement could read as follows: BPHS believes that all children are natural learners, and here, they are fully supported to pursue any interest they have, in the manner they choose, at their own pace, and for as long as they want to, as long as they do not restrict any other person’s right to do the same. BPHS could take full advantage of the tremendous diversity of individuals, businesses, organizations, and communities that they have to offer to build on students’ interests. We could also say that no one, including students, staff, or visitors, would be discouraged from offering a class, event, or activity to the school, provided that it is non-compulsory. BPHS could spread the news about the effectiveness of a democratic school to other city areas to promote the growth of the non-coercive education throughout Minnesota. But then again, it’s up to all of us in what direction our children will benefit by the education we provide. Ron De Shanne Ellendale

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The Times • Tuesday, March 20, 2012 •

GUEST COLUMN

Plagiarism Scandal

Reaching beyond the bedside of our patients

What is the Internet saying about Jon Flatland?

By DAVE ALBRECHT Guest Columnist As part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, Owatonna Hospital’s mission reaches beyond the bedside of our patients; our team of dedicated employees works each day to improve the health and wellness of the people in the communities it serves—and that’s you. As a not-for-profit organization, the health of our communities is essential to our mission and approach to health care. We believe it is our duty as your neighbor to collaborate with you in meeting community health goals. Activities like charity care, prevention and community partnerships like United Way of Steele County and Free Clinic of Steele County are just some of the ways we share in the work of meeting our community’s needs. This past year, Owatonna Hospital has been very busy. We’ve reached out to where our community needs are in most demand. One recent example is through Free Bikes 4 Kidz, where hundreds of bikes were donated through the generosity of community members and distributed to area children through the help of our partners. Furthering our investment in the community, Owatonna Hospital provides the same high level of care to patients who are unable to pay at a cost to us of $491,000 in 2011. Additionally, we believe in education and learning opportunities for our future health care workforce. This includes internships, and mentoring. Nursing, pharmacy, mental health, and rehabilitation are just some examples of areas that future health care workers receive real, hands-on learning experience with patients and families. In 2011, this investment came to over $167,000. If you’ve been around the city of Owatonna long enough, then you’ve probably heard the name Terry Carlyle, better known as T.C. For 22 years, T.C. and Owatonna Hospital have provided athletic training services to Owatonna High School and Steele County. T.C. provides coverage for Owatonna High School’s 27 various varsity sports seasons. In addition, he provides weekly and on-call consultations for Medford and Blooming Prairie High Schools.

This is a significant investmentt that Owatonna Hospital makes to the athletes each and every year. We know first-hand the cost and impact of medical care and our hope is that we can provide a solid preventive, care, management, and rehabilitative program for these high school athletes. While these may be the mostt notable, other investments we’ve made in 2011 include the following: Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute – The SKRI team is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of community members, with a specific focus on our senior population. We offer chair aerobics andd weight training in the community to keep them healthy andd living at home. Charitable donations—Allina Hospitals & Clinics has a charitable giving policy, which funds organizations with a clearr health care focus. Some include Infants Remembered in Silence, Crisis Resource Center, and Relay for Life of Steele County. This value came to more than $29,000. Community health education—it is our goal to educate our community about preventive care and the impact on a person’s long-term health. Owatonna Hospital has invested more than $17,700 through health fairs, presentations to the community, a presence at the Steele County Free Fair, andd quarterly Healthy Communities magazines. Owatonna Hospital would not exist without you. As a community of hardworking and dedicated individuals, it is important to remember that we all support one another. In an effort to not only provide quality care within the hospital walls, it is our goal to support your needs outside of them. That is why it was our honor to make these contributions to better the health and wellness of our community, be good stewards, and continue to be a mission-driven organization. (Dave Albrecht is the president of Owatonna Hospital.)

Goodbye, Flatland Jon Flatland has left the building. Flatland, managing editor of the The Times of Blooming Prairie, Minn., resigned last week after being busted for plagiarism. Flatland wrote a humor column for the paper called, “Thoughts While Shaving.” A more appropriate title might have been, “Thoughts Copied While Stroking My Sinister Chin.” It’s surprising that Flatland — a 28-year veteran of the newspaper business in states including Minnesota, North Dakota and Nebraska — got away with it for so long. He was the 2009 president of the North Dakota Newspaper Association. Jim Anderson The Daily News Iron Mountain, Mich

Goggle catches plagiarist The Internet has already started exploding with stories about Jon Flatland’s thievery. Minnesota Public Radio and some area TV stations are reporting the story, as are several newspapers around the Minnesota and North Dakota area. I was even interviewed by the Poynter Institute, a well-respected journalism school in Florida, and the story was online less than 18 hours later. If you’re interested in seeing the fallout, you can Google Flatland’s name and see pages and pages of stories about his shameful acts.

Correction The Times reported inaccurate information in its March 13 edition in connection with the story “Woman battles deadly cancer.” A photo caption should have read that the plaque was handmade by family friend Zach Slowinski, 16, who also gave the plaque to Carrie Olivo. The Times regrets the error.

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And that right there — the ability to go online and find this information in mere seconds — is what’s most surprising about this entire story. We live in the 21st Century. We have technology that lets you find things on the Internet. Type in a word, name, or phrase, and you can find nearly every web page that contains it. That’s how David Fox tracked Flatland down. He Googled a phrase from a column, and found it had been stolen. He Googled some of “Flatland’s columns” from the Blooming Prairie Times, and found that they had all been stolen. And that’s when everything fell down around Flatland’s ears. How someone can steal from other writers for years and years without thinking he could be caught is astounding. It’s second only to the fact that it took years and years for the rest of us to figure out he did it. The end result is that the same tool he ignored is now doubly responsible for making sure he never works in journalism again: it’s how he was caught, and it’s the first place potential employers are going to check when they search for his name. Guess what they’re going to find. But maybe he won’t even look for a job. Maybe he’ll turn to novel writing instead, and make a living writing books. I can just imagine it: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

Flatland was fired for plagiarizing in the ’90s

Humor writer falls victim to plagiarist

Jon Flatland’s resignation for serial plagiarism was not the first time he’s lost a job for stealing other people’s work. Flatland was fired for plagiarism while serving as editor of the Cavalier County Republican in Langdon, N.D., Francis Materi writes in this week’s edition of the Ashley Tribune, where Flatland was editor from 1989-’94. Tony Bender, who publishes the Tribune and used to work for Dickson Media, which owned the paper at the time, told Materi that he fired Flatland when he was caught pilfering Lewis Grizzard’s work. “I should have hung (Flatland) from the highest tree,” Bender said. “Naively, I never imagined he would do it again. It appears, given enough rope and a complete lack of conscience, Jon has finally managed to hang himself. “I have always believed in second chances and redemption,” Bender added. “Jon Flatland has sorely tested my convictions.”

Jon Flatland is an awardwinning humor columnist who has written for newspapers in North Dakota and Minnesota. He won a 2009 award for an article he wrote about shopping for his wife. Flatland’s article reads: “Everyone stared as I pushed my shopping cart through the store ... ker-thump, ker-thump... But it wasn’t the thumpy wheel or that I was trying not to be seen that made people stare like they recognized me from some Internet police database. People were watching because, despite all the beef jerky, beer, and drill bits bouncing around the basket, they knew I was really at the store to buy feminine napkins.” The only problem is, Flatland didn’t write it. The original article was written in 2008, by northwest Missouri columnist Jason Offutt. “My column, that he plagiarized, and his column with his name on it are virtually identical. He tweaked a couple of things to make it sound more like North Dakota, where he was working at the time, but otherwise they’re exactly the same.” It took until March 2, 2012 for Offutt to learn he’d been plagiarized. Offutt says it’s the worst case of plagiarism he’s heard of in his nearly 20-year career.

Andrew Beaujon The Poynter Institute St. Petersburg, Fla..

Erik Deckers Laughing Stalk Indianapolis, Ind.

William Seay Maryville, Mo.

Guest Editorial Continued from Page 2A

Flatland might have a hard time getting a library card these days. We suggest that the journalism world’s reaction to Flatland’s misdeeds should go a long way toward restoring any loss of the public’s trust. The Times, for example, which didn’t know it had hired a plagiarist, has nevertheless fallen on its sword in a very public way. The March 13 edition includes nearly a full page about Flatland, including some witty-yet-scathing columns from two of the columnists whose material he stole. In a previous edition of The Times, the publisher apologized both to the paper’s readers and to everyone from whom Flatland had stolen. We’d argue that this really isn’t an embarrassment to journalism, because it turns out that Flatland wasn’t a journalist it all. He was a con man. When real journalists mess up, we misspell a name, jump too quickly to a conclusion that proves to be erroneous, or fail to dig deeply enough into the other side of a story. Upon discovery of such errors, we publicly admit them — and punish ourselves more than most readers can possibly realize. As for the rogue writer who deliberately, intentionally violates our code of ethics, retribution from within our ranks is both swift and severe — and in many cases, quite public. There’s still plenty of truth to that old adage about not offending people who buy ink by the barrel, and we’re not shy about using it against one of our own. Rochester Post-Bulletin

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4A â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday,

News

March 20, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Times

An early spring leads to some warm weather fun for many in the area

BUSTED!

Cardenas

Cueller

Due to space constraints we were unable to print photographs of the individuals invovled in a massive drug bust in Owatonna on the front page of this weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition of The Times. Anival Cuellar, Andres Cardenas, and Loretta Dorsey, Nathan Holland, Deandre Fowler, Tamara Ball, Javier Luna, Jovanny Santibanez, Katherine Vierling, and Scarlett Tanner and Kerry Dittrich were arrested in relation to the incident.

Fowler

Luna

Dorsey

Blooming Prairie residents Rachel Huberts, left, and had daughter, Emeron, enjoyed the unusally warm weather throughout the area last week by taking some time to enjoy time at the park. Temperatures in and around Blooming Prairie were in the low 70s, providing the perfect conditions for indiviudals to get a head start on spring cleaning - after a litte enjoyment.

Holland

Ball

Santibanez

Vierling

Times Photo by Michael Ricci

Tanner

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437-3206

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Excavating

Jay D. Peterson

50905 320th Street

7LP 1HOVRQ

cell: 507-383-1547

Blooming Prairie, MN 55917

507-455-1803

fax: 507-583-7631

jay@getGEOing.com

Electrical â&#x20AC;˘ Geothermal â&#x20AC;˘ Solar â&#x20AC;˘ Wind â&#x20AC;˘ In-Floor Heating â&#x20AC;˘ Off Peak/Dual Controls

Farm

Extinguisher Inspection

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M&ike JeďŹ&#x20AC; Custom

MJC Farms, LLC

Seed Chemical Fertilizer Custom Farming Crop Scouting

13324 89th Ave SE Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 Fax 507-572-1337

High Yields Start Here

Mike Ingvalson 507-456-1436

JeďŹ&#x20AC; Ingvalson 507-456-1439

mikeingvalson@hotmail.com

jeďŹ&#x192;ngvalson@hotmail.com

Jim Thompson President

Cell: (507) 208-0670

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FLOOR TECH

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Pets

Reclaim your garage or basement with....

Bennettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Pet Haven Cemetery, Inc.

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Contact Gary Trom at: 507-583-7117 507-456-2957

Sewer & Drain

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Mini Storage

G.T. Ministorage 6101 Hwy. 52 North 5RFKHVWHU 01

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We offer:

Farms

Garage Door

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Excavating/Trucking

Check us out on the web:

www.gtministorage.com

Agricultural Supply

Tires

Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

REPAIR

870 32 Ave. NW Owatonna, MN 55060

507-455-0388 Fax: 507-455-0486 After Hours: 507-455-0483 Tire Service AG & Heavy Truck

Complete Truck Parts and Service

Larry & Donna Bennett Shorty & Sue Schroht 4151 N. City Rd. 45 857 Mosher Ave. Owatonna, MN 55060 Owatonna, MN 55060 Cell: 507-456-3562 (507) 451 2203 (507) 455-3204

Mike Hartle Owner

COOPERATIVE

10060 State Hwy. 30 Blooming Prairie 583-6661

The Times â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, March 20, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ 5A

Austinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Visit us at the Home & Vacation Show in Austin on March 23-25 STOP BY AND ENTER TO

Home and Vacation Show March 23-25 See us at the Home & Vacation Show

TWO TICKETS TO CHANHASSEN DINNER THEATRE

Come see us this weekend at the

Austin Home and Vacation Show at the Packer Arena, March 23-25. We are in Booths 15 & 16

We offer:

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507-377-2372

Serving Blooming Prairie and the Four-County Area

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Fri. - 3pm-9pm Sat. - 9am-4pm Sun. - 11am-4pm

tryâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; $1 En years 12 Kids ounger and y EE! FR

NEARLY 130 BOOTHS Filled with awesome stuff for you and your home! 13 Brand new to this years show! KIDS CORNER

PRIZE GIVE-AWAYS! Friday 3pm-9pm

Saturday 9am-4pm

Sunday 11am-4pm

4pm...33 in Round Slate Firepit $80 Value 5pm...4 Tix to "My Sweet Patootie Show" at Paramount Theatre in Austin $56 Value 6pm...Ladies Watch from Fishers Fine Jewelers $330 Value 7pm...Pair of WINDSTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL Reserved Lawn Tickets $360 Value Winstead, MN June 8-9 8pm...Austin Chamber Bucks $100 Value 9pm...$$$ CASH $$$ $250

11am...4 Tix to "My Sweet Patootie Show" at Paramount Theatre in Austin $56 Value noon...Austin Bruins 2012/2013 Season Pass $300 Value noon...Austin Bruins 10 Game Flex Pack $100 Value 1pm--Pair of MOONDANCE JAM VIP $900 Value 2pm--One Night Stay at GRAVE'S 601 MPLS $200 Cash 3pm...33 in Round Slate Firepit $80 Value 3pm...3 Family Passes to RAD Zoo in Owatonna $34 ea. Value 4pm...Pair of WE FEST Reserved Lawn Seats $500 Value Detroit Lakes, MN Aug. 2-4

Noon...Kitchen Prize 1pm...$$$ CASH $$$ $250 2pm--Cedar Swing Set with Attached Club House from Sam's Club $898 Value 3pm...Ad4 Schwinn Airdyne Exercsie Bike $729 Value from Martin's Cycling & Fitness-Albert Lea 3:30pm...Exhibitor Prize Give-Aways 4pm...BREEZY POINT VACATION for TWO $1,244 Value King Leisure Suite Sun-Wed Night Stay (excluding July 1-4) Includes Breakfast 4 mornings (Mon-Thurs.), and Golf for 3 days (Mon.-Wed.)

433-5652

Steve Arens

Visit us at Booth 2

0$5&+

Real Estate is our passion. Integrity is our mission. Integrity SELLS properties!

www.myhomeintegrity.com Check us out on facebook and view all of our listings! Yes! We can and do list and show properties in Owatonna too! <RX ZLOO Ă&#x20AC;QG WKLV UHQHZHG DQG UHIUHVKHG DFUHDJH LQ D VHFOXGHG QHLJKERUKRRG FORVH WR WKH WRZQ RI %ORRPLQJ 3UDLULH 3ULYDF\ DERXQGV KHUH DQG RQ WKLV ZRQGHUIXO DFUHV VWDQGV D WZR VWRU\ EHGURRP UHWUHDW LQ WKH ZRRGV &XVWRP XSJUDGHV LQFOXGLQJ QHZ KDUGZRRG Ă RRUV FDELQHWV FRXQWHU WRSÂˇV FDUSHW DQG WKH QHZHU DSSOLDQFHV VWD\ 1HZ VHSWLF V\VWHP LV DQ DGGHG ERQXV VWDOO JDUDJH VWRUDJH VKHG 4031002 $179,900

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COUNTRY LIVING!

NEW LISTING!

SOLD!

PENDING!

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Kris Ohm Office Manager/ Sales Executive 507-475-0572

Casey Hatch Broker/Owner 507-438-3342

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Karen Baldridge Sales Executive 507-438-3082

Bob Remker Sales Executive 507.363.9275

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Attention Facebook members! Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Blossom girls upset USC in ďŹ nal seconds

The

Ti mes

Become a fan of the TIMES facebook page!

Sports/Pages 1Aâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;3A

Serving Blooming Prairie and the Four-County Area Steele Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Only Community Weekly Newspaper

INSIDE:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota is entering its 40th year. The organization serves Steele, Rice and Dodge counties. See Page 3A.

Hospital helps folks bundle up Recognizing a significant need in the community for warm clothing, a local hospital administrator is making sure no one will be left out in the cold this winter. See Page 3A.

Afternoon of the Arts set at BPHS The Blooming Prairie High School arts departments will host an afternoon of art, music

Two charged in alleged corn theft BY JON FLATLAND Managing Editor Two employees of a large Blooming Prairie farming operation are facing felony charges for allegedly attempting to steal more than $80,000 in corn from their employer. Jeana Faye Anderson, 50, of Dodge Center, and Arnold Edward Schwamm, 73, of rural Austin, were taken into custody by Blooming Prairie police ofďŹ cers in the early morning hours on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Vavra Farms bin site on the south edge of Blooming Prairie.

Each is charged with two felonies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; theft and conspiracy to commit theft. According to complaints against Anderson and Schwamm, Blooming Prairie police received a tip that the two Vavra Farms employees were planning to steal 14,000 bushels of corn from the bin site. Acting on this information, Police Chief Paul Wayne gathered information from a citizen informant who conďŹ rmed the tip. The informant also alleged Schwamm told him the farm owner would not miss the corn and would

Anderson

Schwamm

think it was lost to shrinkage. Wayne said ofďŹ cers from his department set up a stakeout at the Vavra Farms bin site, and after more than 500 bushels of corn was loaded into a semi shortly after 3 a.m., the ofďŹ cers converged on the site. They ar-

rested Schwamm in the scale house, and Anderson was taken into custody on the second level of the building a short time later after she was found hiding in a closet. A statement of probable cause ďŹ led in district court indicates Anderson and Schwamm were transported to the Steele County Detention Center in Owatonna, where both were interviewed and allegedly admitted stealing the corn. Wayne said with the price of corn being approximately $6 per bushel, an estimated $3,000

in corn had been loaded into the semi trailer when the pair were arrested, accounting for the theft charge. He said the value of the 14,000 bushels Anderson and Schwamm allegedly planned to steal is $84,000, prompting the conspiracy to commit theft charge. If convicted, the theft charges against Anderson and Schwamm carry a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 ďŹ ne. The maximum penalty for conspiracy to commit theft is 10 years in prison and/or a $50,000 ďŹ ne.

Counties working together for clients

We will be posting great deals from local businesses, contests, auctions, garage sales, triva and a lot of other exciting things!

Collaboration aims at improving Human Services delivery, efďŹ ciency BY PER KVALSTEN County Reporter For two years, 12 county human services departments in southeastern Minnesota have been looking into working together to improve how services are delivered. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want to better serve our li t ith ffi i d

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We expect that the demand for human services in Minnesota is g oing to increase dramatically in the coming decades. The bold and innovative approach these 12 counties are taking meets that reality head on,â&#x20AC;? said DHS Commissioner Lucinda Jesson. Th i l ill b ild

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6A • Tuesday,

Education March 20, 2012 • The Times

‘A venue for artists to showcase the creative learner’ Blooming Prairie High School students participate in Zumbro Education District traveling art show By LEMAR NELSON Staff Writer Blooming Prairie High School students took their turn in showing some of their art at the ZED traveling art show, which turned up at the local high school last week. Every school in the Zumbro Education District had the privilege to display as many as five examples of the local school’s art, and most schools took advantage of the opportunity. To make use of as much space as possible, this year the display was set up outside the main high school office in the north end of the commons. The added space gave more students and local citizens a bigger area in which to view the displays. Some very talented school artists demonstrated their pieces of art, including several examples of BPHS students from Wednesday, March 14, through Monday, March 19. Eighth-grader Tony Patino had two examples of pen and ink drawings. One of his works was that of a fellow student, while another portrayed a famous rapper. “It took a great deal of study and work in getting the shading done just right,” Tony said, “and, although photographs

were the models, it still was difficult to get the tone and shading just the way I wanted it.” Art instructor Nathan Piller said the show includes a variety of work. “The show has several wonderful works of art from students of all ages,” Piller said. “It’s easy to look at some of the novice work and view it as whimisical because of the lack of refinement, but there are some talented students at the lower levels who demonstrate a lot of artistic sensibilities.” Junior Minyi Chin also used pencil for her example, but the overall effect pleased all who observed the finished product. Three freshmen – Carissa Easton, Aly Gonzalez, and Daysha Zilm – all used pencil as their tool of choice and came up with some effective pictures, and all of them stated that to get the shading just right was the hardest element to obtain in their efforts. “What’s nice about the ZED traveling art show is that the art is just there for the viewing,” Piller said. “There is no artist statement, no comments from judges or critics. It is just an art show, and one can spend as much or as little time as one wishes in trying to figure it out, and this is just a venue for artists to showcase the creative learner.”

Eighth-grader Tony Patino took a moment to explain how he used shading techniques to complete on of his pieces of art work featured in the Zumbro Education District Traveling Art Show held March 14 through March 19 at Blooming Prairie High School. Patino’s work consisted of ink and pencil drawings of a fellow student and a rapper. Times Photo by Michael Ricci

Gearing up for the BP Ed Foundation auction By PER KVALSTEN County News Writer

Promotion good 03/01 - 03/31/12.

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BREAKFAST SANDWICH & 16 OZ COFFEE $

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The ninth annual Blooming Prairie Education Foundation auction is set for Sat., March 31. The Blooming Prairie Cue Company/Pizza Cellar will be hosting the event starting at 3 p.m. “Our goal is to do the best we can for the kids in Blooming Prairie,” Blooming Prairie Education Foundation President Sue Zwiener said. “Whatever we raise is better than what we started with.” The “Sponsor It Now” items are once again available this year. People can spend any amount of money they feel comfortable with to help the students of the Blooming Prairie School District. “People know exactly where the money is going,” Zwiener

said. “Some people really appreciate knowing that.” The items that can be sponsored can include anything from field trips to scientific supplies. It is up the teacher to decide on what is needed. Many people last year enjoyed sponsoring items for the students and the organizers of the event are looking for an even better showing this year. All of the proceeds from the event that includes live and silent auctions go to the Blooming Prairie schools. In fact last year’s auction raised $60,000 and the foundation gave the school district $62,000. “We plan on giving back all of the proceeds from the auction

each year,” Zwiener said. “We are all volunteers, no money is spent to put this auction on. We want to give as much money to the school as possible.” So far the Blooming Prairie Education Foundation Auctions have raised over $361,000 for the local school district. Something new this year is the “Gold’en Education.” The foundation has teamed up with the Rochester Lapidary Jewelers to turn gold into cash as a tax-deductable donation. Foundation organizers are asking people to look for old class rings, tangled gold chains, earrings and other items to donate. This is not limited to gold as sterling silver will also be ac-

cepted. People can bring the donations to Zwiener at NY Life on Main Street. Some items to look forward to this year include an autographed Joe Mauer jersey, Wall of Wine, Hillbilly Bash, signed Shania Twain book with CD, Minnesota Lynx tickets and an iPad raffle to name a few of the hundreds of exciting items up for bid. “Everyone thinks we need to raise more money than last year to be successful,” member Becky Noble said. “We are happy with whatever is raised and hope people come out and have a fun time.”

Education Briefs BP teacher uses new technology in classroom Lisa Poe, a mathematics teacher at Blooming Prairie High School, attended BestPrep’s Technology Integration Workshop last summer. The workshop is a professional development opportunity that provides the resources, strategies and knowledge to help educators integrate new technologies into the classroom.

Participants learn how existing and emerging technologies can enhance academic achievement, lesson effectiveness and student engagement. As a result of attending the TIW, Poe has been comfortable with incorporating technology in her class curriculum. “I have been able to use my smart board in formative assessments which has given my students a chance to get immediate feedback on whether they understand the lesson,” she said.

Students have received higher scores on their assessments as a result of the increased learning taking place. While attending the TIW, Poe participated in a number of keynote and breakout sessions, such as “Google Docs in the Classroom,” “Internet Safety and Cyberbullying Tools for Educators,” and “Prezi: The New PowerPoint.” The breakout sessions have been instrumental in helping Poe create additional engaging classroom lessons that utilize technology.

Get in on the action In 2011, we paid your neighbors – and possibly you – over $34,000 in rebates to help them purchase energy-saving products. Altogether, those products will reduce their electricity costs by more than $82,000 each and every year over the life of the equipment. Want to get in on the action and save money? It’s easy! Just look for the ENERGY STAR® label when purchasing items like light bulbs and ƼƼĶÞ ŘOsǣ ¯Ÿǋ ɴŸȖǋ ÌŸŎsʳ ɟs ĶǣŸ Ÿ¯¯sǋ ǋsE Ǽsǣ ¯Ÿǋ sŘsǋ¶ɴ˚s¯ʩOÞsŘǼ equipment at your business.

Give us a call today or visit our website to learn more.

SaveEnergyInBloomingPrairie.com

The Times • Tuesday, March 20, 2012 • 7A

We Get Junk mail ...just cut it out to the Bottom of CAR TROUBLES Don’t trust anyone else to diagnose and service your car with the care and expertise you’ve come to expect from us. With over 58 years experience, you can count on us to be your ﬁrst, second and last opinion! Turn to us for all of your auto repair needs, from routine tune-ups & ﬂushes to oil changes. Whether you drive a car, truck, van or SUV, we’ll keep your vehicle running smoothly with quality service from friendly, trained professionals.

Healthy Seniors of Steele County is seeking volunteers to help perform yard works services for seniors who are 65 years old and older, as well as caregivers. HSSC officials said they need this service and also need volunteers who are willing to help. “This is a fun time for families and also a great way for teens to give of their time to help the elderly,” said Connie Ruth, HSSC recruiter. “These volunteer opportunities are helpful also when applying for scholarships to an educational institution.” According to Ruth, HSSC volunteers tell the stories that they receive more from their service than those that are provided the gift of caregiving.

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signing up for fair prizes, attempt to limit unwanted mail by adding or placing a check on a privacy statement requesting that your name not be added to the sponsor’s mailing list. To remove names from catalogs, magazines and other mail offers, contact the Direct Marketing Association via email at www.DMAchoice.org or look inside the publication to find a phone number to contact the firm individually. While most companies want to reach as many potential customers as possible, they also do not want to pay to send materials to people who do not want them, so companies are typically happy to oblige. A second website that will remove names from catalog mail lists is www.catalogchoice. org. This site allows visitors to specify which catalogs the resident wants removed and which catalogs the resident wishes to continue to or begin to receive. Reduce the number of credit card offers from the four major consumer credit bureaus Equifax, Experian, Innovis and Transunion either by going online at www.optoutprescreen.com or calling 1-888-5678-6888. Besides asking for the name and address that you want removed from lists, this website and phone contact also request a birth date and social security number. Many people now look up addresses and telephone numbers

Mary Olson using the Internet as opposed to a paper telephone book and thus no longer desire to receive paper phone books. Opt out from having phone books automatically delivered to a home by using the website, www.donttrashthephonebook.org. By the way, state law requires recycling for disposal of old or unwanted phone books. Another method to reduce paper mail is to pay bills online. Many of the above websites also allow visitors to electronically remove Internet junk mail from filling electronic inboxes. Finally, people who have smart phones can now obtain a free app to electronically opt out of unsolicited mail. The PaperKarma app is available for Android, iPhone and Windows Phone platforms. Users snap a digital photo of the unwanted piece, and then send the photo to PaperKarma which will take care of contacting the firm that sent out the mail. Whether or not your household uses any of the above methods to reduce the amount of unwanted mail you receive, remember that junk mail is recyclable - it does not belong in the garbage. If you have security concerns about recycling mail or any confidential papers, shred them first, then place in a paper bag and either tape or staple the bag shut prior to recycling so the tiny pieces won’t blow around the neighborhood.

Yard work services offered to seniors

Dan Boeke

s r

Is your mailbox frequently filled with unsolicited mail pieces? While some people enjoy receiving any type of mail and while the budget of the U.S. Post Office is partially dependent on bulk mail, many of us would rather not be bothered by what is commonly called junk mail. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average U.S. household receives close to 100 pounds of third class mail each year. Of that, less than 40 percent is recycled; the remainder is tossed into the garbage adding to our already overused and expensive long term storage areas for waste, landfills. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has calculated that junk mail annually creates five million tons of waste, cutting down 100 million trees to make the paper and using an equivalent amount of energy that could be used to heat 250,000 homes. Handling unwanted mail for five minutes a day also translates into 30 hours of time a year spent picking up, sorting, skimming and discarding the junk mail. So how does one decrease the amount of unsolicited mail arriving in a mailbox? The best method to deal with this type of mail is to avoid receiving it at all. When participating in sweepstakes contests, joining professional associations, sending in product warranties, writing checks, shopping online, or

TRASH QUEEN

LAYAWAY

Healthy Seniors of Steele County cleanup cities and dates are as follows:

Saturday, April 28 Registration deadline is April 20

Saturday, April 21 Registration deadline is April 13

Ellendale To register to have a cleanup or to volunteer, please call: Cheryl at Healthy Seniors (507475-1494).

Blooming Prairie To register to have a cleanup or to volunteer, please call: Luann at Healthy Seniors (507363-0699). Medford To register to have a cleanup or to volunteer, please call: Cheryl at Healthy Seniors (507475-1494).

Owatonna To register to have a cleanup or to volunteer, please call: Cheryl at Healthy Seniors (507475-1494). HSSC officials hope many will consider being a participant of the organization’s Neighbor to Neighbor program.

8A • Tuesday,

March 20, 2012 • The Times

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583-4431

Steele County News

B Section

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

New district, but same opponents Fritz and Kaiser announce candidacy By RICK BUSSLER Publisher

Times Photo by Michael Ricci Exhibitors (left to right) Steve Hoover of Abilene, Kan., Pauline Hecksel of Winsted, and John Dvorak of Webster listen while Executive Director of the Minnesota FFA Foundation Val Aarsvold (right) provides a verbal announcement of how much time remains in a silent auction at the North American Farm & Power Show in Owatonna.

FFA stresses its importance for future of farming North American Farm and Power Show comes to Owatonna By MICHAEL RICCI Managing Editor Agriculture and Minnesota go hand in hand, but some feel a need to strengthen its roots. Val Aarsvold, executive director of the Minnesota FFA Foundation, diligently worked to acquire buyers of products and services donated by exhibitors during the 2012 North American Farm & Power Show held last Thursday-Saturday in Owatonna. “We are raising scholarship money for those individuals who want to go on and study agriculture across the state,” Aarsvold said, adding that many exhibitors donated items and services to a silent auction. “We have a great number of attendees that participate and bid on the items.” But for Aarsvold, her presence at the Farm &

Power Show had less to do with the auction and more to do with the money that the FFA silent auction raises for today’s youths. “We use that money to support youth in agriculture,” she said. “The agriculture scholarships are post high school, so we look to help kids who area going on for additional training.” Aarsvold, however, did say that the FFA currently has 185 chapters in schools throughout the state of Minnesota, which begins in the seventhgrade. “We do have a pretty good sized footprint in the state,” Aarsvold said. John Dvorak, an exhibitor at the Farm & Power Show, does not have an opposing view as Aarsvold, but the Webster native has his concerns with regard to the future of FFA and farming in Min-

nesota. “Unfortunately with today’s economy and money being spent differently in the school systems, many of the school systems are eliminating the program,” Dvorak said. “And I really think that is hurting our future in agriculture because we are not giving that individual a chance to experience what they would in FFA and get started in the agricultural sector.” Dvorak added that the landscape of agriculture in the state has changed from just a few short decades ago and that agriculture is more encompassing than people realize. “There are other things that get tied into it,” he said. “There is wildlife and there is horticulture.” Dvorak contended that some school district officials he has spoken with, the elimination of FFA in

schools due to a lack of interest – or “numbers” – is hurting the future of the industry. “By not giving those individuals the opportunity to learn about it in high school, I think we are really depriving them. I really think that school districts need to start taking a look at that and offering some of that back in schools.” Dvorak said schools seem to have money for basketball, soccer, hockey and other activities. “What about agriculture?” he asked. “Agriculture is a big part of our industry in the state and the country.” Both Aarsvold and Dvorak said that FFA and other programs, such as 4-H, are vitally important to the future of farming. “People need to know where their food, fiber, and fuel comes from,” Aarsvold said. She added that FFA these days is a mixture of youths from different backgrounds, with onethird coming from farm

families and who likely will return to the industry, another one-third consisting of rural youths but those who will not likely pursue a future in the industry, and the last one-third being that of urban youths. According to Aarsvold, FFA today goes beyond the fields and into the minds of future leaders. “I think what is neat about FFA and agriculture education is how they prepare students for whatever size operation they want to go into,” she said of those pursuing a future in agriculture. For those who may not pursue in farming, Aarsvold said, “We’re really giving them skills that will help them in any area of life.”

The upcoming November election appears to be headed for a showdown between two opponents who battled during the last election two years ago. Last week both current state representative Patti Fritz, DFL-Faribault, and her 2010 challenger Dan Kaiser, R-Medford, announced they will run to represent the newly formed 24B House District. Fritz narrowly defeated Kaiser by 152 votes in the 2010 campaign. And Blooming Prairie played a key in Fritz’s victory as she picked up 440 votes compared to Kaiser’s 276. But there will be something different about this year’s race. As part of the redistricting plan announced last month, Blooming Prairie will no longer be in the district presently represented by Fritz. The city of Blooming Prairie has been shifted into District 27A, which covers most of Freeborn County and portions of Mower and Faribault counties. The District 27A seat is currently held by Rich Murray. The newly formed District 24B covers parts of Rice, Dodge and Steele counties. The district boundary runs just north of the city of Blooming Prairie. New territory makes up District 24B, including Claremont and four townships surrounding it. In the current district, Fritz does not represent any of Dodge County. “This is not the time to quit,” Fritz said in making her announcement. “I am running again and I’m happy about it.” Fritiz, 67, is seeking her fifth term to the house. “I have the reputation of being a hard working person,” she said. “I carry my district like I would my own child.” The veteran lawmaker said she has some unfinished business to take care of in the coming years. “I want to be here to fix the areas that were damaged from the shutdown last summer,” Fritz said. She thinks the republicans will have a chance at winning back the majority in this fall’s election. Kaiser, who is the former mayor of Medford, brings a background of experience and a long record of public service to the race. In 1986, he was elected to the first of five terms on the Medford city council. Two of those five terms he served as mayor. He did not seek re-election when his term as mayor ended in 2008.

District 24B Race Continued on Page B2

Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric receives national honor Group named electric cooperative of the year by industry organization By PER KVALSTEN County News Writer Management and members of Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric have played an integral role in the co-op’s receiving a national honor. Wednesday, March 7, the co-op was named the 2011 Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE) Electric Cooperative of the Year by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

(NRECA). According to Steele-Waseca General Manager Syd Briggs, the honor is for achieving a high membership number in ACRE. ACRE financially supports congressional representatives and candidates working for the interests of electric cooperative systems nationwide. The “Walking the Wood” statue was presented to SteeleWaseca during the NRECA’s annual meeting in San Diego when

the co-op was announced as the winner. “We don’t care what party the legislatures are a part of,” Briggs said. “We will support any politician that has energy cooperatives’ best interest in mind.” Briggs said that only management and members are allowed to donate to ACRE. Of the over 9,400 service locations in a nine-county area including: Rice, Steele, Waseca, Blue Earth, Faribault, Freeborn,

Dodge, Goodhue, and LeSueur counties, the co-op has 330 members that have given to ACRE. Those 330 members contributing make up 27 percent of all the members coming from the state of Minnesota. The 330 members are over 3 percent of the members of the co-op. “Not only has Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric had a strong commitment to ACRE from its employees, but the co-op has positioned itself as one of the top

five co-ops nationally by enrolling over 3 percent of consumers in ACRE,” NRECA CEO Glenn English said. Briggs credits the co-op’s success with a continued emphasis on ACRE and getting the information about its plusses to the members. “We continually encourage members to join ACRE,” Briggs said. “There is no other perk but the congressional support the funding makes possible. We

don’t lower bills or anything like that. This is not tax-deductable. It is purely for the greater good of all energy cooperatives in not just Minnesota, but the country.” The donations are added directly to the member’s bill depending on how much they are giving, and they are given a title.

Electric Continued on Page B2

THE TIMES • 507-583-4431 • Fax: 507-583-4445 • bptimes@frontiernet.net • www.bloomingprairieonline.com

2B â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, March 20,

2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Times

Steele County Public Health, dental business stress importance of good oral hygiene

photo submitted

Steele County Public Health and Brite Smiles, Inc., are partnering to increase dental health awareness.

Emphasizing prevention, regular dental visits, and good overall dental habits February was National Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dental Health Month, so Steele County Public Health and Brite Smiles, Inc., would like to increase awareness to parents and children of the importance of oral health with a strong emphasis on prevention through good home care and routine dental visits. Helping your children develop good dental habits at an early age helps your children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Brushing twice a day with an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste removes the dental plaque which is the sticky film consisting of germs on teeth that are the primary cause of tooth de-

cay. Young children don't have the manual dexterity to reach all the areas where plaque may accumulate (especially along the gums). Parents should help their children brush twice a day until about the age of 7. Flossing once a day is also important to reach tight spots between teeth. What used to be called baby bottle decay is now referred to as early childhood decay to babies and toddlers who develop a pattern of cavities due to high sugar diet. In most cases, treatment at such a young age will require sedation or general anesthesia in the operating room. Parents should never put a baby to bed for naps or at bed-

time with a bottle unless it contains only water - not milk - formula, sugar water or fruit juice. Encourage children to drink from a cup by their first birthday and discourage frequent use of training cups, which are commonly known as â&#x20AC;&#x153;sippyâ&#x20AC;? cups. Parents should always avoid giving high sugar juices and soda in sippy cups. Help your children develop healthy eating habits early by choosing sensible and nutritious snacks. Wipe baby's gums with a clean damp cloth after feeding them. This minimizes plaque and bacteria that can harm erupting teeth. Baby's lower front teeth start erupting around 6 to 8 months. Don't let the words ''baby tooth" mislead you to think they're not important. They act as natural tooth maintainers for their adult teeth. If the child develops nonrestorable cavities on their baby teeth, their adult tooth alignment may result in crowding. Lastly, consider dental sealants. These are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from tooth decay. Most tooth decay in children and teens occurs on these surfaces. Sealants protect the chewing surfaces from tooth decay by keeping germs and food particles out of these grooves. Permanent molars are the most likely to benefit from sealants. The first molars usually come into the mouth when a child is about 6 years old. Second mo-

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lars appear at about age 12. It is best if the sealant is applied soon after the teeth have erupted, before they have a chance to decay. Brite Smiles, Inc. provides preventive dental treatment to Medicaid and non-insured children through Steele County Public Health. Dentist referrals are made as necessary. Please call 507-475-0628 for appointment scheduling.

Patty Fritz

Dan Kaiser

District 24B Race Continued from front

Electric Continued from front The more money, the more prestigious the group they are in, according to Briggs. For example, a member donating $100 is considered in the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Century Clubâ&#x20AC;? and so on. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are no minimums or maximums for members to donate,â&#x20AC;? Briggs said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are just suggested amounts.â&#x20AC;? On top of encouraging members to join, the co-op has hosted breakfasts for members to give them further information about ACRE and the benefits of supporting the lobbying on behalf of energy cooperatives. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When people spend their hard-earned money, they generally become more involved in the issues that ACRE supports or doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t support,â&#x20AC;? Briggs said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many of our members send letters to legislatures, and we urge that they stay involved.â&#x20AC;?

Kaiser hopes to use the momentum from the 2010 election to his advantage this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re building off of what we accomplished last time and we will be successful in the November election,â&#x20AC;? he said. He has also been active on numerous city, county and state boards and committees. Dan also has served as president of Emmanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in Owatonna. Kaiser touts his passion, energy and conservative values as essential characteristics necessary for a candidate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our fiscal future continues to present enormous challenges,â&#x20AC;? said Kaiser, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have a demonstrated history of conservative leadership. I have made the tough decisions during trying times. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Less than 1 in every 5 people approves of the job the current state legislature is doing and I say itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to restore confidence in our leadership,â&#x20AC;? Kaiser said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The people of District 24B deserve to be represented by a leader who will fight for

less government spending and who supports creating a favorable business climate, which is the key to job growth. It is time to bring fresh ideas and strategies to St. Paul by defeating the current incumbent who wants to load Minnesotans with more government spending and regulations. I provide the opportunity to be that leader in the upcoming election.â&#x20AC;? Kaiser is employed as a Deputy State Fire Marshal. He and his wife Mona are also small business owners. Their business, Fire Protection Services, was established in 1996 and is located in Medford. Mona is the executive director of the Faribault Senior Center. They have been married for 32 years. Fritz is currently a member of the Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Commerce and Labor Committee and Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee. Both Fritz and Kaiser still have to win their respective party endorsements in the upcoming weeks.

The Times • Tuesday, March 20, 2012 •

Volunteers are invaluable to our communities

STEELE TALKIN’

Mary Fink Many hands make light work. April 15-21 is National Volunteer Week. This is a chance for all of us who depend on volunteers to help provide a service of some kind to recognize and reward these generous people. This may make some volunteers a little uneasy. They look at it as “just helping folks when they need a little help. Nothing could be further from the truth. You are the heartbeat of many organizations. Look around – you will see volunteers in action almost anywhere you go. The Steele County Clothesline depends heavily on volunteer help. We have dedicated volunteers who show up weekly to perform tasks necessary to keep our store stocked. A board of directors who are all volunteers governs us. We have a fundraising committee that handles everything from mailings to cleanup at our biggest annual event – At the Hop. The Gene Simon family, the Gary Wandrey family, and the Tom Sweet family are large supporters of this event and they do an excellent job. There are so many volunteers who help us provide this great ser-

vice to Steele County families in need. I recently called Mary Sherman-Ahrens, executive director of the Blooming Prairie Boys and Girls Club and asked her to share the names of people in Blooming Prairie who do exceptional volunteer work. She started rattling off the names of so many people I couldn’t keep up with her. A few of the names I heard were Justin Sweeney, Nancy Farr, Tasha Dornquast, Jennifer Wayne, and Amy Simon. I thought, “Well, that went pretty well. Maybe I should ask her to name some people she knows who not only volunteer in Blooming Prairie, but also in other areas within Steele County.” She quickly started naming names and the list got even longer. Help! There isn’t enough space to list everyone who deserves to be recognized, and if I accidently left someone out… horrors. So let me just say, “bravo” to all of you who volunteer your time and talents to make your town a better place to live and raise your children. We really couldn’t do it without you.

Some of you volunteer in small ways while some of you volunteer in big ways – some at school, some at church, some help cleanup parks, some help carry your groceries into the house, some shovel your sidewalk, some help mentor children, some deliver a hot meal to your neighbor, some serve as board members, and some sell raffle tickets to help raise funds. These are just a few ways people help by volunteering. Think of how many ways there is to volunteer. It is a personally rewarding experience anyone can do. I encourage everyone to think of a way to volunteer in his or her community. We would like to have Blooming Prairie and Ellendale representation on our board of directors. If interested, please call 451-2550. I’d like the opportunity to answer any questions you may have. Thank you volunteers wherever you are – you are amazing! (Mary Fink is executive director of Steele County Clothesline Inc.)

4B • Tuesday,

March 20, 2012 • The Times

Public Safety House fire damages home in Mantorville

The State Fire Marshall’s Office is investigating a house fire in Mantorville. The Mantorville Fire Department responded to the blaze at 10:20 p.m. Friday. The fire was brought under control a short time later. There were no injuries reported, according to Dodge County Sheriff Jim Jensen. In addition to the fire department, the Kasson Police Department and Dodge County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.

Area Police Blotter Blooming Prairie Police March 11 Threats. Officer took a report of threats in the city at 12:26 a.m. Accident. A crash was reported in the city at 1:27 p.m. There were no injuries.

Owatonna Police March 9 Child Protection. Officer took a child protection report in the 200 block of 22nd St. NW at 10:05 a.m. Fraud. A citizen in the 400 block of McKinley St. SW reported being the victim of fraud at 11:14 a.m. Drug Activity. Police took a report of drug activity in the 200 block of Pearl St. E. at 7:52 p.m. Traffic Stop. Officers arrested an adult after stopping a vehicle at Bridge St. W. and Riverside Ave. NW at 11:04 p.m. March 11 Juvenile. Officer took a juvenile complaint in the 1100 block of Frontage Rd. W. at 12:15 a.m. A citation was issued. Accident. At 4:16 p.m., officer responded to a crash in the 1100 block of Frontage Rd. W. One of the drivers was issued a citation. There were no injuries. March 12 Burglary. Officer took a report of a burglary in the 600 block of Bridge St. W. at 11:05 a.m. March 13 Alarm. Officers responded to a burglary alarm in the 500 block of Florence Ave. NW at 12:30 a.m. Suicide Threats. At 1:38 a.m., officers responded to the 500 block of Havana Rd. SE on a report of suicide threats. An adult was arrested at the scene. Injury Crash. Officers handled a personal injury crash at Agnes St. E and Lincoln Ave. S. at 2:39 p.m. Warrant Arrest. An adult was taken into custody for a warrant in the 1400 block of Oak Ave. S. at 10:35 p.m. March 14 Theft. A citizen reported a

theft in the 400 block of North St. W. at 10:55 a.m. Warrant Arrest. Officer arrested an adult for a warrant in the 100 block of Main St. E. at 11:56 a.m. Burglary. At 12:17 p.m., officer took a report of a burglary in the 500 block of Walnut Ave. S. Shoplifter. A shoplifting complaint was made in the 1400 block of 21st Ave. NW at 12:53 p.m. Bomb Threat. A bomb scare took place in the 100 block of Elm Ave. N. at 2:10 p.m. No bomb was found. Warrant Activity. An adult was arrested for a warrant at 21st Ave. NW and Highway 14 W. at 5:04 p.m. Restraining Order. Officer took a report of a restraining order violation in the 700 block of 14th St. NE at 5:53 p.m. March 15 Crim Sex. Officer investigated a criminal sexual conduct report in the 1900 block of Bigelow Ave. NE at 8:27 a.m. Injury Crash. Officers responded to a personal injury crash at Grove Ave. N and Vine St. E. at 11:24 a.m. Restraining Order. An adult was taken into custody for violating a restraining order in the 400 block of Mineral Springs Rd. N. at 5:48 p.m.

Steele County Sheriff March 9 Drunk Driving. Deputies arrested a driver for DWI in the 100 block of 2nd St. SE at 12:34 a.m. Runaway. At 2:19 p.m., deputy took a report of a runaway in the 600 block of Jansen Place. March 10 Traffic Stop. Deputy stopped a vehicle on Interstate 35 at mile marker 30 at 2:41 p.m. An adult was arrested. Child Protection. At 3:34 p.m., deputy handled a child protection report in the 5300 block of 148th St. SW. Accident. Deputy investigated a crash at 34th Ave. SE and 48th St. SE at 6 p.m. The crash resulted in only property damage. March 12 Assist Other Agency. The sheriff’s office assisted with arresting an adult in the 100 block of Main St. E. at 1:24 p.m. Warrant Arrest. Deputy arrested an adult for an outstanding warrant at the detention center at 7:12 p.m. Theft. A citizen in the 5900 block of Austin Rd. reported a theft to the sheriff’s office at 5:34 p.m. Injury Crash. Deputies assisted with a personal injury crash at 64th Ave. NE and Dane Rd. at 10:56 p.m. March 13 Warrant Activity. An adult was arrested for a warrant at the detention center at 8:46 a.m. Use of Force. Deputies used force after being called to a juvenile complaint at 3:31 p.m. in the 100 block of Main St. E. March 14 Accident. Deputy responded to a traffic crash in the 6800 block of Frontage Rd. W at 8:12 a.m. There were no injuries reported. Vandalism. A citizen reported property damage in the 10200 block of Bixby Place at 2:13 p.m. Crash. At 5:06 p.m., deputy responded to a traffic crash at

10th St. SW and 33rd Ave. SW. No injuries reported. March 15 Traffic Arrest. Deputy stopped a vehicle at 48th St. SE and Highway 218 at 10:59 p.m. An adult was arrested at the scene.

Dodge County Sheriff The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office handled 287 complaints for the week of March 7 – 14. Some of them include: March 9 Drunkeness. At 4:27 p.m., there was an intoxicated individual in the 100 block of Mantorville Ave. in Kasson that was being disorderly and causing a scene. Deputies responded and mediated the subject at the scene. March 10 Domestic. At 8:24 p.m., deputies received a report that a father hit a small child in the 1000 block of 11th Ave. in Kasson. Disturbance. At 11:44 p.m., a fight broke out at the Claremont Pub in the 200 block of Front St in Claremont. There were three subjects involved. The manager was able to break it up for a little bit, but then they started up again. March 13 Fraud. At 3:42 p.m., a Hayfield woman reported that she was the victim of fraudulent activity. Someone had been on her computer and bought something online with the money taken out of her social security check. Assault. At 3:47 p.m., a 10-year-old boy was assaulted by a 17-year-old boy on the bus in Dodge Center.

Area Court News Steele County The following case was heard in Steele County District Court the week of March 5 with Judge Casey J. Christian presiding: April L. Bergerson, 33, Austin, previously appeared and was convicted of felony domestic assault. The defendant was sentenced to $581, 365 days in county jail, 180 days of home monitor, no alcohol or controlled substance use, do not enter liquor establishments, chemical dependency treatment, maintain employment, obtain permission to leave the state, no use or possession of firearms or dangerous weapons, 100 hours of community service and 5 years of supervised probation.

of supervised probation. The following misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors were heard in Steele County District Court the week of March 5 – 10: MN State Patrol Rochester Chad C. Bethke, 31, Owatonna, seat belt, $106; Lindsay T. Bierbaum, 30, Ankeny, IA, speeding, $131; Tessa A. Brockmiller, 26, Owatonna, DWI, $406, attend MADD impact panel and 2 years of supervised probation; Karan M. Burns, 36, Andover, speeding, $121; Alexander L. Darbut, 28, Edina, speeding, $141; Eren L. Donahue, 28, Owatonna, speeding, $131; Erin J. Dunn, 20, West Des Moines, IA, speeding, $141; Michael J. Gagliardi, 32, Faribault, speeding, $131; Michael A. Groves, 25, Maple Grove, speeding, $121; Patrick M. Hamilton, 16, Owatonna, crossover violation, $131; Nathan B. Hunt, 23, Owatonna, seat belt, $106; Brent C. Jobe, 34, Amboy, inspection violation, $181; Timothy D. Johnson, 19, Owatonna, stop sign, $131; Samantha Kelley, 21, Albert Lea, revoked license, $281; Donald J. Larson, 42, Waseca, seat belt, $106; Hsar Pipi, 27, St. Paul, no child passenger restraint system, $131; David A. Schlaak, 20, New Richland, seat belt, $106; Melissa S. Studer, 26, Graettinger, IA, speeding and no insurance, $331; Kyaw Wah, 24, St. Paul, permit violation, $131. Owatonna Police Department Laura B. Adams, 25, Owatonna, check forgery, $581, 30 days in county jail, psychological treatment, 224 hours of community service and 2 years of supervised probation; Jonathan J. Aleman, 27, Rochester, damage to property, obstruction of legal process and open bottle; Melinda Beraza, 42, Owatonna, no insurance, suspended license and expired tabs, $531; Zane A. Bloom, 16, Owatonna, seat belt, $106; Spencer C. Breamer, 19, Owatonna, minor consumption, $181; Zachary M. Carlbom, 28, Owatonna, damage to property, $381, 1 day in county jail, no alcohol or controlled substance use, do not enter liquor establishments and 1 year of supervised probation; Steven J. Conway, 61, speeding, $141; Jordan L. Hernandez-Cox, 21, Austin, fleeing a peace officer, suspended license and open bottle,

$581 and 1 year of unsupervised probation; Lance J. Crowson, 21, Owatonna, seat belt, $106; Matthew D. Devriendt, 28, St. Paul, seat belt, $106; Joshua R. Edge, 31, Claremont, seat belt, $106; Misae Gare, 47, Faribault, speeding, $121; Nicholas M. Graupmann, 35, Owatonna, speeding, $181; Robert D. Hagen, 55, Owatonna, speeding, $131; Cody A. Halverson, 20, Owatonna, revoked license and no registration, $381; Amanda M. Hartgers, 24, Owatonna, expired tabs, $111; Nathaniel D. Hoy, 28, Owatonna, improper information on license, $101; Matthew J. Huskey, 19, Owatonna, possession of Paraphernalia, $131; Jay A. Jimenez, 23, Mason City, IA, improper information on license, $101; Dean W. Jirousek, 57, Ellendale, seat belt, $106; Joshua J. Kindt, 20, West Concord, possession of Paraphernalia and minor consumption, $312; Luke M. Kramer, 22, St. Paul, speeding, $141; Jeffrey J. Lapanta, 43, Faribault, speeding, $131; Jillian D. Larson, 21, Owatonna, fifth degree assault, $131 and 90 days in county jail; Ivalu R. Lawson, 29, Albert Lea, speeding, $141; James G. Lenartowicz, 58, Owatonna, speeding, $131; Matthew D. Malchow, 17, Owatonna, illegal movement on red, $131; William R. May, 61, Clarks Grove, seat belt, $106; Timothy D. Mcnelis, 53, Faribault, speeding, $121; Rebecca J. Meillier, 36, Meriden, speeding, $121; Mark S. Morley, 54, Owatonna, seat belt, $106; Sean P. Murphy, 18, Owatonna, minor consumption, $181; Destiny R. Nelson, 21, Austin, minor consumption, $181; Stephanie R. Neuhaus, 20, Waseca, speeding, $131; James C. Nogle, 39, Owatonna, speeding, $121; Juan F. Perez-Esquivel, 30, Owatonna, no MN license, $181; Casey E. Peterson, 27, Owatonna, DWI, $606, 2 days in county jail, no alcohol or controlled substance use, do not enter liquor establishments, chemical dependency treatment, attend MADD impact panel and 3 years of supervised probation; Jose Pinedo, 19, Owatonna, domestic assault, $131 and 90 days in county jail; Teofilo R. Ramirez-Reyes, 37, Owatonna, revoked license, $281; Clint R. Ritzer, 33, Owatonna, stop sign and improper information on license, $151; Marivel S. Rodriguez, 42, Owatonna, violation of restraining order, $381; Melanie Schwartz, 35, Owa-

tonna, seat belt, $106; Veronica Vasquez, 38, Kimball, NE, stop sign, $381; Marcia K. Willcox, 41, Waseca, registration violation, $81 and 6 months of unsupervised probation; Demetrous R. Williams, 21, Rochester, minor consumption, $131 and 1 year of unsupervised probation; Jenna M. Williams, 24, Elysian, speeding, $131. Steele County Sheriff’s Office Kianna R. Alexander, 21, Minneapolis, theft, $181 and 1 year of unsupervised probation; Nathan E. Leese, 25, Faribault, speeding, $141; Wanita M. Mathans, 53, Alden, speeding, $121; Lucas A. Tischer, 18, Austin, expired license, $181; Amber L. Vold, 25, Faribault, no license in possession, $101; Paul J. Zimmerman, 27, Waseca, speeding, $141.

Dodge County The following misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors were heard in Dodge County District Court the week of March 5 – 12: Dodge County Sheriff’s Office Nathan D. Bredesen, 32, Hayfield, DWI, $80, do not enter liquor establishments, no alcohol or controlled substance use, no non-prescription drugs, no contact with persons associated with illegal drugs, 40 hours of community service and 3 years of supervised probation; Ryan D. Erdmann, 17, Kasson, speeding, $120; Kenneth D. Heins, 20, Waltham, expired license, $180; Christopher S. Moffatt, 25, Phoenix, AZ, speeding, $120; Gage R. Schwemmer, 20, Dodge Center, suspended license and speeding, $155; Dillon R. Solberg, 19, Wahpeton, ND, minor consumption, $180. Kasson Police Department Jodi L. Benda, 44, Dodge Center, seat belt, $105; Kevin J. Carlson, 21, Dodge Center, no insurance, $280; Allan M. Stewart, 28, Waltham, stop sign, $130. MN State Patrol Rochester Michael G. Franke, 50, Hayfield, seat belt, $105; Kelly F. Sorg, 54, Dodge Center, $105.

The following cases were heard in Steele County District Court the week of March 5 with Judge Joseph A. Bueltel presiding: Jillian D. Larson, 21, Owatonna, previously appeared and was convicted of felony second degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Larson was sentenced to $131 and 15 months in Shakopee State Prison. Alfred M. Maldonado, 26, Owatonna, previously appeared and was convicted of felony aiding an offender to avoid arrest. He was sentenced to $381, 170 days in county jail, no alcohol or controlled substance use, do not enter liquor establishments, no use or possession of firearms or dangerous weapons, no contact with co-defendants and 5 years

Steele County’s Most Wanted

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Last Name: HUTCHINSON First Name: SPENCER Middle Name: MORGAN Gender: Male Eye Color: BLU Race: WHITE Height: 5’ 11 Weight: 140 lbs

Last Name: DEGOLLADO First Name: RICARDO Middle Name: NMN Gender: Male Eye Color: BRO Race: HISPANIC Height: 5’ 9” Weight: 210 lbs

Last Name: LARSON First Name: CHRISTINA Middle Name: MYCHEL Gender: FEMALE Eye Color: BLU Race: WHITE Height: 5’ 7” Weight: 205 lbs

Last Name: LEE First Name: ANDREW Middle Name: DAVID Gender: MALE Eye Color: BROWN Race: WHITE Height: 5’ 9” Weight: 200 lbs

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Call 911 if you know the whereabouts of any of these criminals.

The Times â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, March 20, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ 5B

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Build the Barns Bashâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; this Saturday The public is invited to the first event in connection with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Build the Barns Bashâ&#x20AC;? at the Steele County Fairgrounds. Hy-Vee in Owatonna is teaming up with the fair board to offer a smoked pork chop dinner Sat., March 24, at the Hy-Vee Deli. Hours of serving will be 4-8 p.m. This event is one of several planned to assist in raising money necessary to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Build the Barnsâ&#x20AC;? on the Steele County Fairgrounds. Fair board members and staff will be on hand to serve A & W root beer floats at a cost of just $1. Tickets at a cost of $10 will be sold at the door. Plans are in the making for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Build the Barns Bashâ&#x20AC;? to be held on the fairgrounds June 29 and 30. A number of your favorite concessionaires will be on the grounds donating their profits, plus a number of bands offering entertainment in Fair Square Park and the Beer Gar-

FAIR TALK

Todd Hale den. Included in the Fair Square band lineup will be Dan Stursa and Big Ben and the Brians with old time music Saturday afternoon, local high school bands and Rad Zoo amphibians will be featured Friday afternoon. Entertainment in the beer garden will be Big City Band to perform Friday night and Urban Myth Saturday night. A car, pickup and restored tractor â&#x20AC;&#x153;cruise inâ&#x20AC;? will also be featured both days. This will be a non-competitive event.

Steele County families who have owned their farms for 100 years or more are encouraged to apply for the 2012 Century Farm program. Century Farms are honored during the Livestock Hall of Fame program Tuesday afternoon of fair week. Time is short to apply. Applications are available on line at mnstatefair. org (click the Recognition Programs link at the bottom of the home page). Applications are also available at the Steele County Farm Bureau office and at the fair managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office. Submission deadline is April 2. Recipients will be announced in May. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;World of Wondersâ&#x20AC;? Sideshow will make one of its few Minnesota stops at the 2012 SCFF. This show is the only traveling show still in existence. The 120-foot sideshow will be located on the Gold Star Amusements midway.

Archaeological survey coming to Steele County There's much that is still unknown about the early history of Minnesota, but 10,000 Lakes Archaeology, Inc. and AMEC Earth and Infrastructure are working to change that. This spring, the two companies will conduct an archaeological survey of Steele County to discover more about the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prehistoric inhabitants. Until now, only 16 archaeological sites have been identified in the 432 square mile county. This spring, archaeologists will use early historic records, pollen data, and soils to reconstruct Steele Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prehistoric environment. By locating prehistoric lakes, rivers and streams, they can pinpoint where early humans may have lived. Archaeologists will then work with landowners to survey potential

sites and search for artifacts. The companies will also work with the Steele County Historical Society and local residents on this project. They encourage locals to share archaeological sites or artifacts they may have already discovered in the area. Archaeologists are eager to talk to collectors, farmers and anyone else who knows about unrecorded archaeological sites. Coming forward with artifacts collected from private land or allowing archaeologists to document site locations will not result in limiting access to or use of the land, or confiscation of the artifacts unless the site is a burial site or cemetery. By learning about Steele Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early history through this project, researchers can understand how Minnesota be-

came how it is today. Discovering new archaeological sites will also help county and state agencies plan for road building and other projects. This project is part of a larger statewide initiative in fiscal year 2012 by the Minnesota Historical Society, the Office of the State Archaeologist and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council to explore the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique archaeological history. This project is made possible by the Legacy Amendmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans Nov. 4, 2008.

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6B • Tuesday, March 20, 2012 • The Times

Steele County township elections yield little change By MICHAEL RICCI

Kathryn Zipse replaced Christensen. Haberman and Zipse were required to run for one-year terms and maintained their respective positions. Each ran unopposed. Haberman received 58 total votes, while Zipse received 57. For the chair and clerk positions, Jerry Wencl received 57 votes to serve as chair, while Melissa Anderson received 57 to serve as clerk. Anderson, as clerk, reported that a total of 60 voters attended. Aurora Township reported 108 total voters, and 103 of these were for Gail Larson who secured the clerk position. Meanwhile, Kevin Loken and David Jensen vied for the supervisor position. Loken won out by receiving 61 votes, while Jensen fell short receiv-

Managing Editor Voters across Steele County put their faith into most township incumbents Tuesday, March 13, by returning them to their previously held positions last week. Individuals seeking an elected seat and those making the decisions by a vote occupied nearly 1,800 township halls in Minnesota to elect one supervisor and one clerk. The complexion of Blooming Prairie Township changed in 2011 with the deaths of former supervisor Burnell Johnson, who passed June 14, and former treasurer John Christensen, who passed Oct. 17. Both by appointment, Bob Haberman replaced Johnson, while

ing 42. Also running for supervisor were Wayne Larson and K. Johnson. They received one vote apiece. Fifty voters turned out for the Meriden Township election. Running for supervisor were Donald Wilker and Mike Cassen. Wilker defeated Cassen by a vote of 3317. Three individuals ran for the township’s clerk position, but David Armstrong handily defeated his opponents by receiving 46 of 50 total reported votes. Following were Jean Fisk with two votes, and Richard Kubat with one. Voters in Deerfield performed their civic duty by electing two officials with unanimous votes. Karl Buscho was reelected to a three-year term as supervisor with

29 votes, while Linda Kath garnered all 30 possible votes for a two-year term as clerk. Berlin Township reported 39 total voters, 24 of which went toward incumbent supervisor Dennis Grunwald and 15 going toward Larry Otto. Incumbent clerk Helen Schmidt was reelected with 37 votes, while Randy Schott received one vote for the seat. Eighteen voters turned out for the Somerset Township elections. Tom Haberman ran unopposed for the supervisor position, receiving all 18 votes, and Cindy Finch was reelected clerk with 18 votes as well. Owatonna Township had a total of 19 voters. Of them, 18

voted for Jerry Katzung for supervisor, while Lyle Meschke received all 19 for the clerk position. Merton Township reelected Brandon Balzer as township clerk with 15 votes. Eugene Peterson won the supervisor position with 16. Roger Carroll took the supervisor position in Havana Township with 15 votes, trumping one write-in. Angela Jensen, meanwhile, secured the clerk position with all 16 possible votes. Lemond Township reported 12 total voters, and all 12 reelected Dale Johnson to serve as supervisor and Roger Herbst as clerk. Both Johnson and Herbst ran unopposed.

In Summit Township, another collection of 12 voters unanimously reelected Larry Klocek as supervisor and Floyd Davidson as clerk. Clinton Falls Township had 11 total voters, all of whom voted for Darren Hagen as supervisor, while Susan Rypka received all 11 for the position of clerk. Hagen and Rypka ran unopposed. Eight voters attended the Medford Township election. Ben McAdams received seven votes to clinch the supervisor position, while Harry Buerman secured the clerk position with eight votes.

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Ti mes Extra C Section

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

planted its ‘seeds’ ...

...119 years ago The Times was not the first paper in town, has a long history

BLOOMING VOLUME 119 By JOHN GROSS Contributing Writer The Blooming Prairie Times was not the first newspaper in this community. On June 26, 1885, Benjamin E. Darby, owner and publisher of the Owatonna People’s Press, absorbed a paper published here for some time before known as the Tribune. Under the terms of the acquisition, the Press agreed to honor the fledgling Tribune’s subscription and advertising contracts, and began publishing a “Blooming Prairie Department” in that newspaper. Eight years passed and business prospects were far from bright in 1893 because of a nationwide economic depression. Not so in Blooming Prairie, however. The city was growing in population, growing in industry, and its residents were determined that it should and would advance. There were several things the town needed, but most important of all was a hometown newspaper. So vital did Blooming Prairie merchants believe a newspaper was needed, they put up the money out of their own pockets and organized a stock company. The next step was acquiring the services of Will Dynes of Owatonna, a printer, to be their first editor. Finally, they traveled to that city and purchased the equipment they needed. The new Steele County newspaper, belonging solely to the people of Blooming Prairie, turned out its first issue May 18, 1893. Published weekly, it consisted of six columns printed on eight pages. Approximately half of them, including the front, were devoted strictly to local news and advertisements. Subscription rates were modest: $1.50 per year while the advertising rate was $60 for one column per year. Editor Dynes proudly boasted in the initial issue: “We have got the big head enough to claim that we can knock out any newspaper in the country on numbers and quality of advertising matter. Our local columns are full of the latest news, and we are blessed with wide-awake, intelligent correspondents in every township adjacent to Blooming Prairie.” Newspapers of that era were vastly different from those today. There were no large head-

PRAIRIE TIMES.

BLOOMING PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA, TUESDAY MARCH 20, 2012. lines, no photographs, and few illustrations. Stories that might now use a two-column heading were buried among the locals. At least three-fourths of the front page consisted of local advertisements. One of the more unique ads on the front page was that of Dr. J. E. Frenette and J.A. Kent, whose dental office was located in a popular hotel, the Commercial House. In a banner ad across the top, they promised that teeth would be “extracted without pain.” In those days of primary dentistry, they undoubtedly needed two dentists to pull a tooth, one to hold you in the chair while the other did the “painless” extraction. The personal event was an outstanding feature of the early write-ups. Oftentimes, the editor would find himself thinking strongly about a certain occurrence, and would inject his opinion into the middle of the news story, sometimes introducing bits of clever, but biting satire. Strong winds accompanied by rain whipped through Blooming Prairie in the early morning hours of May 22, 1893 and this is how the Times reported it several days later: “Never since the doors of the Commercial House were thrown open has there been such excitement as occurred during the storm of last Monday. The guests were sleeping peacefully, until shortly after midnight when, suddenly and without warning they were awakened by elements warring in angry fury. The building shook like an aspen leaf, windows rattled, doors banged and lamps were extinguished. The house did not hold a single coward; not one was afraid. The landlord felt it his duty to see if any damage had been done, so got up in the midst of it and went down stairs to investigate. Two or three of the regular boarders followed, presumably, to take care of the proprietor. Then came the female help, and transient guests, till all were assembled on the ground floor. Most of them neglected to dress completely and they presented a motley group. The costumes ranged from the flowing night robe of one of the guests to the man wearing a bright smile and a clear conscience. Everybody was cool

and collected, so cool in fact, that their teeth chattered. The man who occupies the sample room as a sleeping apartment is reported as the only disinterested party. He was not among the rest, but his words of discontent could be plainly heard through the partition. A strong wind like that will blow the “sand” out of most people, but not such as are now at the Commercial. In less than half an hour, all was as peaceful and quiet as a grave. All Monday long each individual was expressing his or her particular reason for getting out of bed. It was a great night.” Dynes soon won for himself a warm spot in the hearts of the community. Boosting the town was his pet diversion, and he devoted considerable space to inciting action of the town people on community projects. The following editorial appeared in the Times on July 27, 1893: “At the time of the last census (1890), the total amount of population was 500, while now it will figure within 200 of a 1,00 population. A greater part of the success in advancement of this village has attained is due to the location of Campbell Bros., Roller Mills, the Huntington Elevator, the Blooming Prairie Creamery, and the establishment of a first-class newspaper plant, name the Blooming Prairie Times. Blooming Prairie is known as one of the best market centers as she receives produce for the markets from 20 miles each way. As a business center, Blooming Prairie is in the lead, and a proof of which can be had by a daily visit to the retail stores of our hustling businessmen. We will predict that the population of Blooming Prairie will increase to 1,000 in three years. Our business men are on the alert and always ready to make inducements to manufacturers.” In a January 4, 1894 editorial, Dynes hoped to see other changes in the community when he wrote: “Blooming Prairie bachelors sit and meditate. They see in the distance a fair maiden, but too bashful to pop the question. They held a meeting the other evening, and decided to advertise in the Times. These bachelors range in age from 24 to 40. The club represented by businessmen of every description. Tootsy woot-

sey gumdrop maidens are preferable. Applicants will please send their photos and information regarding appearance to W.L. Dynes, who has been elected corresponding secretary of the fast increasing club. There are only two bald heads in the club.” In another issue not long after this, he reminded readers: “Remember that Feb. 14th is Valentine’s Day, the day that is abused by sending hidden pictures to those held in contempt instead of sending beautiful verses of affection.” Later that year, the Times described a local crime and revealed how the business intended to keep in from happening again: “A. Olson and Co.’ drug store was entered by burglars last Sunday night. They gained admission by forcing the front door open ant then proceeded to help themselves. Mr. Olson estimates from $150 to $200 worth of goods were taken including jewelry, silverware, perfumes, cigars, etc. It is not known whether professional burglars or special talent committed this robbery. As a guard against the repetition of this kind of work, Mr. Olson has purchased a large Mastic dog, weighing 140 pounds, who will be stationed as a night watch at the store. Should anyone break into this store again they will undoubtedly meet with a warm reputation.” Another Will with the surname of Arnett replaced Dynes as editor in February 1895. In his first editorial, he stated: “We have no promises to make as to the future but will always work for the interested of the town and country and give the people as good a newspaper as we are capable of making.” Progress— how wonderful is it. The telegraph, telephone, phonograph, and electrical lighting are only a few of the many inventions that were rapidly changing the way people lived in the 1890s. This little news item, appearing in the Sept. 5, 1895 issue of the Times found it hard to believe the many marvels that were quickly being introduced. It reads as follows: “A horseless vehicle propelled by a gasoline motor is said to be making its way through the streets of Chicago with apparent ease. Another device to cheat a horse of

his legitimate job is a tricycle with two hind wheels which sustain an express wagon for the delivery of small packages, if necessary. A boy sits over the front wheel and propels the machine bicycle fashion.” Arnett was amazed and asked: “Where are these inventions going to stop?” In an effort to attract new business to the community, the Jan. 13, 1898, issue of the Times contained this editorial: “One who is familiar with Blooming Prairie need not be told of its superior location, giving it many natural advantages that are possessed by but few other cities of its size in the state. He need not of its splendid streets and roadways. Its imposing buildings - municipal, educational, religious, and private - are known to all familiar with our city. The same may be said of its splendidly equipped manufacturing and industrial institutions all of which are busy hives of activity. These, together with the heavily stocked mercantile and solidly established financial houses, go to make up a city of which every resident may well be proud. And this pride increases year by year as the charming city of Blooming is climbing up the ladder of fame, reaches another round, bringing to it great reputation and adding foreign laurels to its already highly established fame as one of the best, one the most prosperous and progressive and solidly established cities in Minnesota.” The editorial continued, “Our city today claims beauty, health, wealth, 1,000 people, no artificial boom, a good summer resort, fewest destructive fires, freedom from epidemics, a high grade of morality, brilliant future prospects, the highest price for labor, the best agricultural region, cheap living for working men, good educational advantages, extra inducements for capitalists, fine residences and business blocks, the largest and finest opera house of any city twice her size, and a hotel which is not excelled by any city three time our size.” About a year later, in 1899, the Times was purchased by Theodore F. Fagre, a native of Osage, Iowa, who came to Blooming Prairie shortly after graduating from the University

NUMBER 39 of Minnesota. In his first issue, the rookie editor reflected on the current status of the paper and what he hoped it would be in the future: “The Blooming Prairie Times is now entering its sixth year. It has gone through many vicissitudes, has in those years seen ups and downs common to a newspaper and has changed hands a half a dozen Times. It is, however more alive than ever. We hope and trust that the best understanding always prevail between us and the community, and that Blooming Prairie with its rich and beautiful country may always prosper and advance in riches, culture, and contentment.” In the 40th anniversary edition of the Times published Feb. 21, 1935, the editor at that time, Walter K. Mickelson, offered an answer and probably said it best, “We appreciate the temptation to smile because we had to smile when we saw the product of Billy Dynes’ hand back in 1894. As we read the newspaper, as we caught the spirit of the thing, as we read between the lines and saw how hard he had worked, how earnestly he had tried and the immense handicaps he had to overcome, the indulgent smile was gone. “In the preparation of this issue we have scanned every issue which was published in Blooming Prairie. We caught something of the spirit, which kept these editors going when their newspapers scarcely furnished the editors a decent living. We doubt if you will ever appreciate the struggle these men went through back in those early days of weekly journalism. Everything had to be set by hand, the press was all hand and foot power, advertising rates were low and printing rates prices were ruinous. “These editors were men and women of ideals and they gave their energies to the building of their newspaper. As we judge newspapers today, we realize their shortcomings and crudities but through them shines ideals which were not stifled by Times good or bad. There were giants in those days.”

THE TIMES • 507-583-4431 • Fax: 507-583-4445 • bptimes@frontiernet.net • www.bloomingprairieonline.com

2C • Tuesday, March 20,

Community 2012 • The Times

Community Calendar

History From The Times Archives 10 Years Ago Tuesday, March 26, 2002 Elsie Slinger, Editor Dr. Sylvia Steiner, professor of communication disorders at the University of WisconsinEau Claire, and Tina Pirkl, a UW-Eau Claire graduate student, received awards at the Wisconsin Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Association convention recently held in La Crosse. Thirteen year-old Kari Peterson a 7th grade student at BPHS has qualified to swim in the Midwest Regional Swim Meet. The meet is being held at the Aquatic Center at the University of Minnesota.

20 Years Ago Wednesday, March 18, 1992 Karla Ressler, Editor In approximately three weeks, April 9, the patrons of school district 756 will vote on a $5.8 million bond referendum. The referendum monies will be used in the remodeling and construction of the elementary and high school facilities. The Sweet-tooth dragons are the product if Peggy Larkin’s very creative imagination. Using only jack-knife(her husband’s) and a paintbrush, Larkin molds clay into dragons, squirrels, deer and Easter bunnies.

30 Years Ago Wednesday, March 17, 1982 Victor P. Krejci and Vernon H. Krejci, Editors The Blooming Prairie School Board terminated three teaching positions at its meeting Wednesday evening, March

10, approved shifting the methods of funding in three areas, voted to give the school administration authority to initiate other cuts and reductions and formed a committee to study and decide new fees or increases in present fees.

Did You Know? A moment in Blossom history The class of 1983 earned some very special athletic honors, but the class probably made just as many lasting memories from some of the other outstanding events and accomplishments of that year. The nostalgia began with homecoming 1982 and marched smartly through the months to the graduation of 84 seniors in the spring of 1983. Paul Anderson reigned over homecoming festivities, the only thing spoiling the occasion coming with a football game loss to Faribault B.A. Spirits picked up quickly later in the fall when the largest cast ever performed “The Wizard of Oz” as the all-school musical. Some of the large crowds were thoroughly entertained by Janelle Prokopec, Jay Behnken, and Robby Remker, as the scarecrow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion accompanying Dorothy (Ann Fakler) to see the wizard. The wrestling team saw Bruce Weiss as a co-captain, with Pat Gehling, Randy Ca-

merer, and Keith Dodge as the main wrestlers. Those three all advanced to the region tournament. A little later in the spring “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” won the district one-act drama contest and placed fourth in the region, and John Anderson and Tammy Christianson both earned a spot in the state speech contest, where Christianson placed fourth. That made 31 speech students in the last eight years who had competed in the state festival. The FFA brought home gold superior medals at the region contests, and Jeff Busho ranked first in the individual state soils contest. Janelle Prokopec (Valedictorian), Denise Harber (Salutatorian), Jay Behnken, and Brad Betlach spoke at the graduation ceremony, and the 84 graduates marched off into completely new lives, with memories firmly entrenched in their minds.

March 20

50 Years Ago Thursday, March 15, 1962 Victor P. Krejci and Vernon H. Krejci, Editors A “write-in” winner in Newry, a tie for supervisor in Westfield, postponement of voting in Blooming Prairie and little interest in Udolpho summarizes Tuesday’s annual township elections in this area. Blooming Prairie’s police department is asking motorists for their co-operation in helping prevent intersection accidents. As a safety measure, car owners are asked to place a red flag at the top of their aerial to warn other motorists, who may be blinded due to the snow drift, of their approaching at intersections.

The Blooming Prairie Women of Today will host its Fourth Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 7, in the Blooming Prairie City

Park. The hunt will begin at 11:00 a.m. Children ages 10 and under are invited to participate. There will be face painting, candy and prizes!

75 Years Ago Thursday, March 18, 1937 Walter K. Mickelson, Editor & Publisher All the teachers of the Blooming Prairie schools were re-elected with a raise in salary at an adjourned meeting of the board of education at the school Wednesday evening. Following his re-election, R.C. Oas, principal of the high school, tendered his resignation. The board hopes Oas will change his mind and decide to stay on another year.

Compiled by LeMar Nelson

Fire Up Blooming Prairie 2012 The Blooming Prairie Chamber, The Times and Sportstitch are sponsoring the 12 week walking challenge, “Fire Up Blooming Prairie 2012”. Kick off will be April 1 at 1:00 p.m. on Main Street. You can sign up any time at the BP Chamber Office or Sportstitch. The $25 entry fee will in-

clude a free pedometer and t-shirt. The competition will consist of the North vs. South and will include town residents, rural residents and anyone, anywhere that wants to participate. For more details you can call 583-4472 or 583-7001. All proceeds will benefit the July 4th fireworks.

UCare to hold informational meetings UCare is holding information meetings about its UCare for Seniors plan. To register for a meeting or for more information, call 1-877-523-1518. Meetings will be held on Tuesday, March 27, at the Ramada Hotel & Confer-

as well. Your scrap gold will turn into a tax deductible donation to the Education Foundation. You can drop your donations off to Sue Zwiener at New York Life on Main Street.

‘Stone Soup’ gospel service “Stone Soup” will be the service at St. Michaels Lutheran Church 30450 570th Ave. Waltham, MN on March 25th at 10:30 AM. They are a blue grass gos-

pel group that has a message for everyone of all ages. Come and enjoy! Refreshments will be served following worship. Information 507-477-3435

Submissions for this Happenings column must be received in the Times office no later than noon on Friday before the week they are to be published. Items received after that will be published elsewhere in the newspaper as space permits. Happenings in Blooming Prairie and Steele, Dodge, Freeborn and Mower counties take priority over happenings from other areas.

March 26 March 27

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Dr. Chad M. Eischens 344 East Main Street, Blooming Prairie 583-2271 or toll free 1-866-5DR-CHAD WWW.DRCHAD.ORG

ner Roll March 22 Breakfast: Pancakes with Warm Syrup, Ham Slice, Chilled Fruit Lunch: Corn Dog (Alt: Chicken Salad on Wheat Bun), Mac and Cheese, Seasoned Peas March 23 Breakfast: Egg Muffin Sandwich, Chilled Fruit Lunch: Cheese Bread with Marinara Sauce (Alt: Tuna Melt on WG Bun), Vegetable Blend March 26 NO SCHOOL March 27 Breakfast: Breakfast Pizza, Chilled Fruit Lunch: Scallop Potatoes with Baked Ham (Alt: Turkey Sub), Steamed Carrots March 28 Breakfast: Assorted Cereal, Toast with Peanut Butter, Chilled Fruit Lunch: Hamburger Pasta (Alt: Chicken Caesar Wrap), Seasoned Green Beans, WG Dinner Roll, Cookie

Birthdays & Anniversaries March 20 Dillon Easton, Jay Michael Salinas, Larry and Geraldine Wurst (ann.), Sandy A. Christianson, Tom Walters, Johnathan Manges, Pat Noble, Carol Colee

ence Center in Rochester at 5:30 p.m. and on Thursday, March 29, at the Holiday Inn in Owatonna at 2:00 p.m. A Medicare 101 meeting will also be held on Thursday, March 29 at the Holiday Inn in Owatonna at 10:00 a.m.

Crossword Answers

March 23

Senior Living

BP Education Foundation is digging for treasures The Blooming Prairie Education Foundation, along with Rochester Lapidary Jewelers, is accepting scrap gold donations as a fund raising event. This is not limited to gold, as sterling silver is accepted

March 22

Tues:

Community Events Annual Easter Egg Hunt

March 21

BP Public Utilities Commission Mtg., 2:30 p.m. Boys and Girls Club Board Mtg., 4:45 p.m. Chamber Mtg., 6 p.m. @ Pizza Cellar FFA Carnival @ Elementary School, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Knights of Columbus Fish Fry @ St. Columbanus, 5-7:30 p.m. Fire Dept., 7 p.m. Planning & Zoning Board Mtg., 7 p.m.

The Times â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, March 20, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘

Faith Obituary

Pastorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Corner

Melda Alexander, 97, Blooming Prairie

In light of the Owatonna city councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent decision to include prayer before each meeting, perhaps it is a good time to consider the question â&#x20AC;&#x201C; what is prayer? I am not naĂŻve enough to think that this article, or myself for that matter, could ever fully capture prayer, and so I continue forward with the acknowledgement of the complexity of prayer and that many people pray in different ways. Prayer, as one might suspect, has something to do with our relationship with God â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the ground of our being, or that which holds us all together (Colossians 1:17). As with all relationships, there are times of closeness and times of distance. Often, within a relationship, silence can be a

Melda A l e x a n d e r, 97, of Rochester passed away F r i d a y, March 16, 2012 at her home at Madonna Meadows after a short illness. Melda Arnelia Johnson was born Nov. 26, 1914 in Blooming Prairie to Arthur and Lena Johnson. She grew up in Blooming Prairie and attended school there. She worked at First National

Bank of Blooming Prairie until she moved to Rochester, where she worked for Union National Bank, Olmsted County Department of Social Services and The Dove. She belonged to Zumbro Lutheran Church and its circles and was a life-long member of Order of Eastern Star of Blooming Prairie. She married Maurice Alexander and they later were divorced. She is survived by her daughter, Myrna (Keith) Krupp of Rochester; a son, James (Joy) Alexander also of Rochester; two grandchildren, Melissa (Eric) Amundsen of Rochester

and Harley Hess of Colo.; and two great grandchildren, Mariah Amundsen and Jonah Amundsen both of Rochester. She was preceded in death by a son, M. John â&#x20AC;&#x153;Moeâ&#x20AC;? Alexander; a daughter, Mary Alexander Volker; two brothers, Arnold and Harold Johnson; and a sister, Emeline Brudwick. Funeral services were held on Monday, March 19, 2012 at Zumbro Lutheran Church. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes of Rochester were in charge of funeral arrangements.

Marriage

....prayer is the answer

sign that the relationship has begun to break down. This is not always the case, however, as some of the people we are closest to are the ones with whom we can be the most silent. But silence, or the â&#x20AC;&#x153;silent treatmentâ&#x20AC;?, does have the potential to be poison to a relationship. So we pray as a way of staying in communication - staying connected - with God. It is for the sake of a healthy relationship. If prayer is the communication between God and the people of God (also known as â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you), then perhaps prayer is not simply for us to hear the voice of God, which then guides us in our life, but for God to hear our voice as well, which then guides God in Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life! Prayer does not just have an effect on us; prayer affects God! Just like any relationships, the

communication is a two way street. One does not pray simply to ask God for something, as if God is a vending machine. One prays in order to say something to God. God wants to hear from us just as much as we want to hear from God. Sometimes what God needs to hear from us is gratitude for this life. Prayer also involves our relationship to one another. Prayer can drive us deeper into the needs of this world and it reminds us of our responsibilities to one another. Prayer binds us together in relationship through the One who holds us together. The question now: what shall we say? Jonathan Davis Pastor of Aurora Lutheran Church (Owatonna) and Trinity Lutheran (Blooming Prairie)

Janna (Lindquist) Conboy, Thomas Conboy Janna Ardell (Lindquist) Conboy of Blooming Prairie and Thomas David Conboy of Rosemount were married March 1, 2012, in Nassau, Bahamas. The bride is the daughter of Terry and Terri Le Lindquist (deceased) of Blooming Prairie. The groom is the son of Timothy and Kathy Conboy of Rosemount. The newlyweds reside in Lakeville, Minn.

Area Church Schedule Baptist FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 104 1st Ave. NE., Blooming Prairie Pastor Matt Fennell 507-583-2673 Wednesday: 6:30 p.m. Service. Sunday: 9 a.m. Sunday School; 10 a.m. Sunday Morning Service; 11:30 a.m. Second Service.

GOOD SHEPARD LUTHERANâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;LCMS 2500 7th Ave. NE., Owatonna Rev. Mark Rosenau & Rev. Gregory Schlicker 507-451-4125 ZZZ JRRGVKHSKDUGRZDWRQQD FRP

6XQGD\ D P D P a.m. Worship Services; 9:15 a.m. Sunday School.

Mennonite

ST. MICHAELâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LUTHERANâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ELCA 30450 570th Ave., Waltham Rev. John Heruth (Intern) 507-567-2474 Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.

PRAIRIE MENNONITE CHURCH 13638 750th St., Blooming Prairie Arnie Skrivseth & Dennis Martin 507-583-2081 & 507-477-3216 :HGQHVGD\ S P 6HUYLFHV Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Sunday School; 10:30 a.m. Worship Services.

Catholic ST. MARYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S CATHOLIC Rural Geneva Father Swamy Pothireddy 507-465-8217 Sunday: 10:45 a.m. Mass.

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HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH OF LITOMYSL 9946 SE 24th Ave., Owatonna Rev. John Sauer, Pastor Rev. Jon Moore, Substitute Priest Rev. Andrew Vogel, Parochial Vicar.

507-451-2299 www.litomysl.webs.com Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Mass. Wednesday: 6-11 gr. Faith-In-Action and &RQÂżUPDWLQ S P 6HFRQG Sunday: Pre - 5 grade Family Faith Formation with noon Potluck.

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ST. JOHNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LUTHERAN CHURCH â&#x20AC;&#x201D;LCMS 4532 SE 84th Ave., Claremont Rev. Warren Schmidt 507-584-2404 6HUYLFH KHOG 6DWXUGD\ (YHQLQJ DW S P +RO\ &RPPXQLRQ RIIHUHG QG 4th Sundays. Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sermon on 1st and 3rd Sundays. Sunday School and &RQÂżUPDWLRQ FODVVHV EHJLQQLQJ DW D P D P 6HSWHPEHU 0D\ Sunday Service held at 10:30 a.m. ST. JOHNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LUTHERAN CHURCHâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;LCMS 28959 630th Ave., Sargeant Rev. Ronald Prigge 507-584-6358 Sunday: 9 a.m. Sunday School; 10:15 a.m. Worship Service. TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH 5881 SE 118th St. Blooming Prairie 507-633-9331 Worship Service: 10:30 a.m.

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH ( 0DLQ 6W +D\ÂżHOG Father Emmanuel Sylvester 218-695-2641 Sunday: 11 a.m. 0DVV 5HOLJLRXV (GXFDWLRQ

$549 $549

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCHâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;LCMS 1054 Truman Ave., Owatonna Pastor Kirk Griebel 507-451-2720 www.redeemerowatonna.org Sunday: 9 a.m. Worship Service; 10:15 a.m. Sunday School.

SACRED HEART CHURCH 810 S. Cedar Ave., Owatonna Father Rev. John Sauer 507-451-1588 www.sacredheartowatonna.org Saturday: 5 p.m. Mass. Sunday: D P D P D P 0DVV 1 p.m. Spanish Mass.

Lutheran

7RQ\ 2UODQGR $ 7ULEXWH WR WKH )RXU 6HDVRQV DQG WKH %HDFK %R\V 'DQLHO 2Âˇ'RQQHOO 'L[LH 6WDPSHGH 'LQQHU 6KRZ

CHRISTMAS BRANSON

ST. COLUMBANUS CATHOLIC CHURCH 114 E. Main St., Blooming Prairie Father William Kulas 507-583-2784 Saturday: 3:45 p.m. Reconciliation; 4 p.m. Mass. Sunday: 8 a.m. Mass. Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. -1 S P 2IÂżFH +RXUV

AURORA LUTHERAN 6329 SE 38th St Owatonna, MN 55060 Sunday School: 10 a.m. Worship Service: 9 a.m.

$ 7ULEXWH 7R $ODEDPD *HRUJH -RQHV 'DQLHO 2Âˇ'RQQHOO 7LP &RQZD\

CHRISTMAS BRANSON

CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS 307 1st St. SW., New Richland Father Swamy Pothireddy 507-465-8217 Saturday: 5 p.m. Mass. Sunday: 8 a.m. Mass; 9 a.m. Sunday School.

$1019 $549

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RED OAK GROVE LUTHERANâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ELCA 30456 Mower-Freeborn Rd. Austin Pastor Lindsay Stolen 507-583-2038 or 507-437-3000 www.roglutheran.org Sunday: 9 a.m. Worship; 10:15 a.m. Sunday School (Sept-May).

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC +D\ÂżHOG Father William Kulas 507-477-2256 Sunday: 10 a.m. Mass.

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCHâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ELCA 434 1st St. SW., Blooming Prairie Charles Leonard, Senior Pastor Heidi Heimgartner, Associate Pastor 507-583-6621 ZZZ ÂżUVWOXWKHUDQES ZRUGSUHVV FRP

Sunday 8:30 a.m. :RUVKLS D P 6XQGD\ 6FKRRO 10:30 Worship. Sunday 8:30 a.m. Broadcast on .2:= )0 FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCHâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ELCA 6: WK $YH +RSH Sunday: 8:30 a.m. Worship: 9:30 a.m. Sunday School: 10:30 a.m.

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH - ELCA 7126 SW 98th St., Ellendale Pastor Gary Rusinko 507-465-8400 Sunday 9 a.m. Worship; 10 a.m. Sunday School.

Methodist LANSING UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 26875 539th Ave., Lansing 3DVWRU 0DUYLQ 5HSLQVN\ 507-437-1437 Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Worship Services. 1st Thursday of month: 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Soup Lunch. ELLENDALE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 200 6th St. NW., Ellendale Pastor Lisa Dodd 507-684-2731 www.ellendaleumc.org Sunday: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School; 10:30 a.m. Worship. GENEVA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 100 2nd St. NE., Geneva Pastor Lisa Dodd 507-684-2731 www.genevaumc-mn.org Sunday: 8:45 a.m. 6XQGD\ 6FKRRO :RUVKLS

Mormon THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 404 31st ST. NW. Austin %LVKRS 0DUN :KLWH 507-433-9042 Sacrament 10 a.m.-11.15 a.m.

Non-Denominational CEDAR CREEK CHURCH ( 0DLQ 6W +D\ÂżHOG Pastor Aaron de Neui 507-477-2255 www.cedarcreekchurch.org Sunday: 10 a.m. Worship.

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCHâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ELCA VW 6W 6( +D\ÂżHOG Rev. Paul Hauschild 507-477-2248 ZZZ WULQLW\KD\ÂżHOG RUJ 6XQGD\ D P 10:30 a.m. Worship Worship Services; 9:15 a.m. Sunday School.

ELEVATION NORTH CHURCH 217 N. Main Medford, MN Worship and Praise Service 10 a.m. Sunday School 11:15 a.m.

TRINITY LUTHERANâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;LCMS 57403 300th St., Waltham Pastor Jeff Kuddes 507-567-2272 Sunday: 9 a.m. Sunday School; 10:15 a.m. Divine Service.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ( 0DLQ 6W +D\ÂżHOG Pastor Charlie Talcott 507-477-2631 Sunday: 9:15 a.m. Sunday School; 10:30 a.m. Worship Services.

ST. PAULâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LUTHERANâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;LCMS 202 E. Park Ave., Hollandale Pastor Jeff Kuddes 507-567-2272 Sunday: 8:30 a.m. Worship; 9:45 a.m. Sunday School. COMMUNITY LUTHERAN CHURCHâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ELCA 106 3rd St. SE., Geneva Pastor Carrie McElfresh 507-256-4288 Sunday: 9:30 a.m. Worship; 10:30 a.m. Sunday School

Presbyterian

Seventh-Day Adventist SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH 2373 7th Ave. N.E. Owatonna Pastor James Van Arsdale 507-451-5761 6XQGD\ D P 6DEEDWK 6FKRRO 11 a.m. Church.

This message is contributed by these area businesses who urge you to attend the church of your choice.

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4C â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday,

The Times â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, March 20, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ 5C

March 20, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Times

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Seniors in Blooming Prairie and surrounding areas can enjoy a healthy meal at an affordable price Exercise Class

BY Per Kvalsten Staff Writer The meals are provided through the Southeastern Minnesota Citizenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Action Council, or SEMCAC. Each noon hour, approximately 25 Blooming Prairie seniors sit down, talk and enjoy a meal together at the Senior Center. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As seniors age, it is important to maintain a social life and eat healthy,â&#x20AC;? SEMCAC Site Manager Luann Fairbairn said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By coming in and eating lunch together they are able to talk and enjoy each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s company.â&#x20AC;? SEMCAC has a suggested donation amount of $3.50 for a meal. The actual cost of the meal is $6. This doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mean if a person doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the money to pay that they are unable to eat, however. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No matter if they can afford to pay or not, we will always serve them a meal,â&#x20AC;? Fairbairn said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No one is turned away for the inability to donate.â&#x20AC;? The meals vary day-by-day, but always include a main course, dessert and milk. If transportation is an issue for a senior and they want to come eat lunch, they can be picked up by bus for a charge of just $1.25 round-trip. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want every senior in Blooming Prairie to be able to enjoy a healthy meal,â&#x20AC;? Fairbairn said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are all here for them and their wellbeing.â&#x20AC;? The senior needs to be 60 years of age or older.

The Senior Center has been holding an exercise class on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m., and it has been a big success. According to Fairbairn they have had about 15 people join and the seniors are really enjoying the class. The class is free and is for the Arthritis Foundation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By keeping the seniors exercising they are able to stay healthy and happy,â&#x20AC;? Fairbairn said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is such a wonderful class.â&#x20AC;?

June Morgan, Donna Ward and Norma Hanson enjoy eating lunch during the week at the Senior Center. The center gives them the opportunity to talk to one another as well as have a good meal at a affordable price.

SEMCAC SEMCAC was started in June of 1966 in Winona, Fillmore, and Houston Counties. The council became private and non-proďŹ t that year. The agency began with a $30,000 grant. Steele County joined in 1975. It was initially started to ďŹ ght the war on poverty but has since expanded to help with community development, transportation, senior services and much more. SEMCAC serves Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Mower, Winona, Houston, Steele, Goodhue, Rice, Wabasha, and Olmsted Counties.

Times photo by Per Kvalsten

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6C â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday,

March 20, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Times

County News Happenings Books fundraiser

tonnahospital.com and select â&#x20AC;&#x153;Volunteer Opportunitiesâ&#x20AC;? under the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Quick Linksâ&#x20AC;? section or call (507) 977-2778.

The Owatonna Hospital Auxiliary is hosting a Books are Fun fundraiser 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 23, Vision Conference Room, Owatonna Hospital, 2250 NW 26th St., Owatonna. Books and gifts for all ages will be available for purchase. A portion of the sales from the fundraiser helps support Owatonna Hospital unbudgeted items and scholarships for students in nursing and health related fields. For more information about this or other volunteer opportunities with the Owatonna Hospital Auxiliary, visit owa-

Runnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clinic open house The community is invited to a runnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clinic open house 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sat., March 24, Owatonna Shoe, 121 North Cedar Ave. The event is free and open to the public and is sponsored by Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Owatonna and RunSMART (Skilled Movement and Rehab Team). The clinic includes video analysis of an individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s running walk pattern by Greg Lenz, PT, ATC, Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute-Owatonna;

a running injury assessment by Brian Bunkers, MD, Mayo Clinic Health System-Owatonna; and footwear consultations by the staff of Owatonna Shoe. For more information, call (507) 977-2150.

Marching Band Festival set The festival, scheduled for June 16 in Owatonna, pays homage to the vision and work of Harry Wenger and the continued focus on musical excellence that is the Wenger Foundation today. It is designed to provide opportunities to showcase the hard work of young band members in a competitive format, as well as showcasing the many beautiful assets of the Owatonna community. Festival director is Kim Cosens of Owatonna. The festival will feature a full

contingent of competing high school bands including those from Milaca, Osseo, NRHEG, Mankato, Elk River-RogersZimmerman, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunberg, Alexandria, Maple Grove, Spring Lake Park, Henry Sibley, St. Peter, and Waconia. The hosts, the Owatonna High School Marching Band, will also march in exhibition. The marching bands will follow the same route as the past two years, beginning on S. Lincoln Ave. to Main Street and then west on Main Street to the performance area at Elm and Main. Besides performing in the judging area, the bands will also perform at two other locations along the parade route. Former Owatonna public schools band director John Holland has been named as this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s honorary grand marshal. Holland has taught band in both the junior high and senior high

and has also directed the Owatonna Community Band. Supporters of the festival are once again invited to show their support of the event by becoming a patron. The patron package costs $70 per individual and $125 per couple. The patron package includes admission to an outdoor brunch on the morning of the festival, preferred parking and seating, and a personal listing in the concert program. Contributions must be received by May 15 to ensure recognition in the festival program, and they should be mailed to HWBMF, P.O. Box 188, Owatonna, MN 55060.

Century Farm deadline April 2

Steele County families who have owned their farms for 100 years or more are encouraged to apply for the 2012 Century

Farm program. Steele County Century Farms are honored during the Livestock Hall of Fame program Tuesday of fair week. There are three requirements to be recognized as a Century Farm: 1) the farm must be at least 100 years old according to authentic land records. 2) the farm must be in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years (continuous residence on the farm is not required) and 3) the farm must be at least 50 acres. Applications are available online at mnstatefair.org (click the Recognition Programs link at the bottom of the home page) at fbmn.org or by calling the fair secretaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office at 451-5305 or the Steele County Farm Bureau office. Submission deadline is April 2. Recipients will be announced in May. Previously recognized families should not reapply.

The Times Professional Directory Accountants

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FOR RENT : Three bedroom, two bath house for rent in Blooming Prairie. $750 per month plus utilities. Reference and security deposit required. No smoking, no pets. Available immediately. 507-4210618. tfn FOR RENT : Very spacious two bedroom apartment for rent in Blooming Prairie. Main ďŹ&#x201A;oor, laundry on site. $650 per month plus electric. References and security deposit required. No smoking/no pets. Available April 1st. 507-421-0618. tfn FOR RENT : 2 bedroom house for rent in Austin. Competely updated home with two car garage. $750 month plus utilities. References and security deposit required. No smoking/no pets. Available April 1st. 507-421-0618. tfn FOR RENT : OfďŹ ce space for rent. $600/month plus utilities. 1,400 square feet. Located at 301 E. Main St. For info call 507-583-6688, Famers and Merchants State Bank. 3/20,27,4/3

EMPLOYMENT

HELP WANTED - SALES

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SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR for Aatrix Software. Multiple projects, 12 developers + offsite development. Coordinate with partners, support, sales. Apply via e-mail: bruces@aatrix.com

WANTED: LIFE AGENTS Earn $500 a day, great agent beneďŹ ts. Commissions paid daily. Liberal underwriting. Leads, leads, leads. Life insurance license required. Call 888/713-6020

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IMPORTANT MEDIACOM LINEUP CHANGES EFFECTIVE ON OR AROUND APRIL 22, 2012 FOR:

Blooming Prairie Fox Business Network will now be available Digital Plus & Sports & Info channel 248*

ATTENTION DIABETICS with Medicare. Get a free talking meter and diabetic testing supplies at no cost, plus free home delivery! Best of all, this meter eliminates painful ďŹ nger pricking! Call 866/694-7869

FOR SALE

PLUMBERS WANTED Journeyman & apprentices. Mechanical contractor hiring journeyman plumbers and apprentices to perform commercial work. Minnetonka Plumbing Inc., Delano, MN 763/972-9181 mtka@minnetonkaplumbing.com

WINDOWS $250 DH Style. Installation included. Energy star qualiďŹ ed. Order 4. Customer pays recycling. Government ďŹ nancing available. BBB accredited contractor. Visit www.greensourcewindows.com or call 888/690-9892

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318 2nd St. NE +D\Ă&#x20AC;HOG 01

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Newspaper Internship Opportunity $5000

The Times has a paid internship position available this summer. Candidate must be a high school student or 2012 graduate between the ages of 16-19. Position will run for 10 weeks at 20 hours per week. Flexible hours.

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Intern will have opportunity to pick area of expertise, including graphic design, advertising sales or editorial (writing and photography). No experience necessary, but LQWHUHVW LQ MRXUQDOLVP RU UHODWHG Ă&#x20AC;HOG LV SUHIHUUHG *Mediacom digital converter and subscription required.

SPRING AUCTION

:H ZLOO WUDLQ &RQWDFW 7KH 7LPHV RIĂ&#x20AC;FH for more information at (507) 583-4431.

The

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Serving Blooming Prairie and the Four-County Area 6WHHOH &RXQW\ÂˇV 2QO\ &RPPXQLW\ :HHNO\ 1HZVSDSHU

Saturday, March 31, 2012â&#x20AC;&#x201D;9:30 a.m. Located: Earl Hamilton Auction Company off I-90 at Dexter, MN exit #193, then 1/4 mile east on Hwy 16.

We will be selling with 2 rings ON-LINE BIDDING AVAILABLE Items taken in thru Wed., March 28 No consignments taken in Thurs., March 29 or Friday, March 30 or the day of the sale Check web site for pictures and complete listing www.hamiltonauctioncompany.com Farm equip. items from Dayton Kehret, Meek Excavating & Equip. Boe Brothers, Tiling, Larry Kirkland. Lots of other farm equip. items, tractors, wagons, skid loaders, WHOHKDQGOHU FRQVWUXFWLRQ SRUWDEOH EOGJÂˇV PRWRUV KD\ HTXLS tillage, Trucks, trailers, semi tractors, pickups & cars, building materials, planters, & drills, livestock equip., shop & misc. LWHPV IURP 0RZHU &RXQW\ LQF YHKLFOHV RIĂ&#x20AC;FH HTXLS washers & dryers, items from 2 forfeited houses.

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8C â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, March 20, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Times

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The Federal Parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Revenge Tax Credit All right, I admit it, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not really called the Federal Parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Revenge Tax Credit. But thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my tongue-in-cheek label for the very nice tax credits and deductions available to parents of students attending college on at least a half-time basis. There are actually five different tuition related deductions and credits. Parents with a qualifying child can claim one of the four each tax year, whichever happens

to be the most beneficial for a given tax year. The most valuable of these benefits is called the American Opportunity Credit. The maximum amount of the credit is $2500, and both tuition and those everexpensive textbooks count toward calculation of the credit. So parents, in partial compensation for all those years where you put your time

and treasure into your childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lives before they turned 18 and left the house, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your chance to claim some very nice tax benefits because of them even after theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve gone off to college. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Revenge indeed.

Money Talk & Taxes <PM TQ\\TM \I` WNĂ&#x2026;KM QV \PM KW]V\Za WVM UQTM _M[\ WN *TWWUQVO 8ZIQZQM

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Sports D Section OUTSIDE THE LINES

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Three teams repeat in girls state high school basketball tourney

LeMar Nelson By LEMAR NELSON

Basketball season ends With the boys’ loss to B.A. in the subsection finals, the curtain came down on another exciting basketball season for both the boys and the girls. It looked for a few minutes that the boys may have earned a shot at a section championship, but they couldn’t quite hold on for the last few minutes. The balance on offense that the Cardinals displayed proved a little too much in the end. Still, this team got further in tournament play than an other Blossom team in almost 20 years. Certainly they were disappointed that they couldn’t come up with a victory, but I think they had a right to display a little pride in what they had accomplished. The eight seniors on the team have played together so long, both in football and now in basketball, that it will be quite a change for everyone next year. I will have some additional summary of the season in the next week or so, but a tip of the hat is certainly in order for this group of guys – well done! The girls had their awards banquet a week ago, and the coaches showed pleasure in the overall season for the team. The fact that they finished over .500, despite the loss of All-Conference performer Janelle Morem was testament to the improvement of the team play through the season, and they can take pride in that accomplishment. Senior Tricia DeBoer and junior Jenna Krell shared MVP status for the team, and freshmen Taylor Hagen and Madison Worke were both named to the All-Conference squad. Krell and Cortney Easton made AllConference Honorable Mention. Hagen led the team in scoring and rebounds and climbed into fourth and fifth respectively in rebounding and scoring for a single season. More facts are recounted in a separate article elsewhere in the Times. A final tip of the hat for the basketball girls is deserved!

Former Athletes Shining In news from the college front, two former Blossom baseball stars are concluding their college careers this season. Brendan McCabe is the starting catcher at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, and Tommy Kramer currently leads off for the Bethany College nine. Both are just returning from spring trips to get ready for the coming season. Moorningside had a 10-7 exhibition record, while Bethany was 6-6 in the young season Before this week, McCabe had already slugged three home runs in the exhibition games; he was hitting .375 at last report, and had 15 RBI’s so far. Kramer was hitting around .342 as the lead-off man for Bethany with 13 hits, 5 RBI’s, and four of four in stolen base attempts. McCabe is the son of Jeff and Rhonda McCabe, and Jeff and Sue Kramer are Tommy’s par-

Nelson Continued on Page 2D

Staff Writer Three girls basketball teams combined for an oddity in the Minnesota girls state basketball tournament when they all repeated as state champions. Hopkins capped off the tourney with a repeat title, joining DeLaselle and Maranatha Academy as repeat winners in Class 3A and 1A respectively Saturday, Mar. 17. Meanwhile, sophomore sensation Carlie Wagner of neighboring NRHEG led the Panthers to third place in 2A, setting single game and tourney total point records in the process. Wagner poured in 48 points in the 71-61 victory over Pequot Lakes, and she set a record for most points in the tournament with 112. Maranatha Academy outlasted Mountain Iron-Buhl 49-37 in the Class A title game, and Providence Academy won its first title 46-40 over Sauk Centre. Ann-Marie Healy scored 18 points in leading the Lions to the champinship. Semi-final action in the tournament saw both teams from the southeast area of the state lose games Friday, Mar. 16. Sauk Centre defeated NRHEG 56-39, and Spring Grove lost to Maranatha Academy 65-61. As well as NRHEG played and shot the ball in the tourney opener, a poor shooting game stymied the Panthers in the semi-finals. They shot only 23 percent from the field, and standout Carlie Wagner made only three baskets in the second half to get just 21 points. Kali Peschel counted 18 points and hauled in 12 rebounds for the Main Streeters. Providence Academy completely shut Pequot Lakes down in the other semi-final game, with a balanced offense and stifling defense.

Times File Photo The Blooming Prairie High School girls basketball team members are (front row, left to right) Tricia DeBoer, Kelli Naatz, Julia Manges, Cortney Easton, and Melanie Grant; (middle row, left to right) Sara Noble, Madison Worke, Shelbi Swenson, Marissa Jensen, Jenna Krell, and Jesaray Suazo; (back row, left to right) Kelsey Wolf, Janelle Morem, Taylor Hagen, Tori Poe, and Delaney Nelson.

In Class A play, Spring Grove lost a nail-biter to Maranatha Academy, and Mountain IronBuhl edged Ada-Borup 49-45. Defense keyed the Mountain Iron-Buhl victory in that contest, as the Cougars had difficulty getting through the defense of the winners. In opening-round action of Class 1A play Thursday, Mar. 15, the Section 1 champion Spring Grove defeated Warren-Alvarado-Oslo 68-66 in overtime, the closest contest of the entire first

round. Defending state champion Maranatha Christian Academy ran past Isle 76-58, and Mountain Iron-Buhl took a low-scoring 5431 verdict over Sleepy Eye. The final first-round game went to Ada-Borup over Minneota 69-63, despite 27 points from Taylor Reiss. Except for the domination performance by NRHEG sophomore Carlie Wagner in the Class 2A first round action, Reiss’ display would have been the best scoring of the initial action.

In Class 2A Wagner and her panther teammates provided the best performance in either of those classes. Wagner finished with 43 points, as Section 2 champions NRHEG ousted last year’s champion Braham 75-45. Although Rebekah Dahlman set a new state record for career points with 29, Wagner, who scored points from every angle on the floor, overshadowed her. Dahlman now has a total of 3, 895 points after that first round game.

In the other contests of Class 2A, Sauk Centre defeated Worthington 65-51, Providence Academy, ranked number 1 in the state, romped over Minnehaha Academy 64-53, and Pequot Lakes won a close contest from Section 1 champion ZumbrotaMazeppa. The action set up some interesting semi-final games Friday, Mar.16.

Girls basketball squad celebrates season By LEMAR NELSON Staff Writer It looked as if it would be a long season for girls basketball when All-Conference guard Janelle Morem was lost for the season with a torn ACL injury suffered in volleyball, but the inexperienced squad regrouped and actually finished the 20112012 season with a winning record and a third place in the Gopher conference. That is probably a little better than most fans expected. “I thought we would be in a rebuilding year for sure”, Coach John Worke said, “but we improved during the season and had some pleasant surprises along the way. The unexpected fine play of our two freshmen and the maturation of some of the previous letter winners played a big part in our success.” It all culminated in the annual awards banquet and program held Sunday, March 10. Senior Tricia DeBoer and junior Jenna Krell shared the MVP honors as voted by their teammates, and junior Tori Poe earned Most Improved award. Despite her injury, Morem received Most Dedicated honors, and Sara Noble and Delaney Nelson received the Super Soph

awards. Taylor Hagen and Madison Worke were the Fantastic Freshmen, and both of them made the Gopher All-Conference team. Jenna Krell and Cortney Easton received AllConference honorable mentions. Hagen led the team in scoring with 322 points, followed by Worke with 183 and Krell with

123. Hagen pulled down 226 rebounds to lead the team, and she also had 71 blocks over the season. Hagen moved up to fifth all-time in single season scoring with her 322 points claimed fourth all-time in rebounding with the 226 boards. Worke finished the season with 56 assists, followed by Cortney Easton

with 45 and Krell with 38. In steals Worke led again with 45, DeBoer had 40, and Shelbi Swenson added 39. Krell trailed right behind with 38. Worke was second in blocks with 30, and Krell added 17. Both Hagen and Worke were named KRFO radio’s Athlete of The Week, and Hagen also

made KAAL TV’s Athlete of the Week. Fifteen players earned letters, and 10 Blossoms also made the Academic All-Conference team. All in all the year could be counted a success, with a number of underclassmen set to return for the next basketball season

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THE TIMES • 507-583-4431 • Fax: 507-583-4445 • bptimes@frontiernet.net • www.bloomingprairieonline.com

2D â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, March 20,

2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Times

Nelson

State high school tournaments hit century mark

Continued from front Sue Kramer are Tommyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents. Another BPHS athlete in college is Tayla Jones, who is a starter on Waldorf Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s softball team. Jones was hitting .308 before this week for the 10-7 college team and had a home run, 2 triples, and 5 RBIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s We will keep readers posted periodically as their seasons progress.

Fellow Columnist Dies It was a sad moment for me last week when a fellow columnist from the Rochester newspaper died unexpectedly while returning to Rochester from a

hockey tournament. I was just one of many, many readers who read Greg Sellnowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s writing in the Post Bulletin and thoroughly enjoyed them. Just 54 years old, Sellnow always wrote about family friends, and community, and gave his columns that hometown touch that readers enjoy. He had been writing his column for 26 years and recently served the publication as editorial page editor. A wife and three children survive him, and he will be greatly missed by Post Bulletin readers.

By LEMAR NELSON Staff Writer The celebration of 100 years of state tournament is being celebrated at the two tournaments being played in the Twin Cities this month. The girls played their tournament last week, with Hopkins, DeLaselle, Providemce Academy, and Maranatha Academy the winners in the four classes. This week the boys will take the stage for their annual tournament. The girls played at Williams arena, last week, and the boys will do the same. Several articles have been written about various games and individuals through the 100 years, and one of them included a survey determining the five top games as judged by a panel of historians and experts around

the state. The five chosen were the following: - 1996 Class AA Semifinals between Osseo and Rochester Mayo- won by Osseo over the Spartans and the Miller twins. - 1997 Class AAAA semi-finals between Mayo and Bloomington Jefferson - won by Mayo 78-70 as the Miller twins scored the first 18 points for the Rochester school. - 2005 Class AAAA- Bloomington Kennedy and HopkinsKennedy won in overtime 4438, scoring the first nine points in the overtime. - 2008 Cass AA Semi-Final between Jordan and CrookstonJordan won 79-74 on Brittany chambersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 47 points. NRHEGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Carlie Wagner, who counted 48 points in the third place contest, broke that scoring record in this

yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tournament. - 2008 class AAAA between St. Paul Central and Minneapolis South- St.Paul Central defended the title by defeating South 49-44. Central came from nine points back for the win and held Southâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Star Taylor Hill to just nine points, the lowest of her career. Several other outstanding games went under consideration, including NewYork Mills against Albany in the 1979 Class A championship, with Janet Argonne scoring 38 points. but did not place in the top five. Some others would have different choices. Notable players also received accolades through the years, including the following: Janet Karvonen â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the pioneer of Minnesota girls basketball who held

the career scoring record all the way until 1997 with 3,!29 points. Tayler Hill set the scoring record for career points with 3,888 (broken by Rebekah Dahlman in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tournament) and played in three straight state tourney games. The Miller twins also played in the state tournament three years and led Mayo to one state championship. Katie Ohm later went on to an outstanding career for the Minnesota Gophers. This list could also contain many other great players, but these demonstrate nicely the caliber of layers who have come out of Minnesota high schools.

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100 pounds slamming into you at 55-70 mph can be life threatening and certainly will cause great harm. Years ago, no one buckledup in the back seat of a vehicle, even with front passengers restrained. We are now seeing more clearly - something that was happening all along, the injuries caused by unbuckled person(s) striking other occupants. Teen and young adults have the lowest backseat belt usage. In fact, in the last five years 90 percent of the backseat passengers killed in crashes, age 13-24, were not wearing seatbelts. Minnesota Statute 169.686 says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;Śa properly adjusted and fastened seat belt, including both the shoulder and lap beltâ&#x20AC;Ś, shall be worn by the

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John Rumpza Rumpza scored forty-five points in the last two sub-sections games to lead the Blossoms on offense.

Ryan McCabe In his last games as a Blossom, McCabe scored nine points in the losing effort against Faribault B.A. in the sub-section finals.

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TEAM WON LOST 1.The Roost ......................................... 32 ...............................12 2. F & M Bank ................................. 30.5 ............................13.5 3. Geneva Meats............................... 29.5 ............................14.5 4. J & H Liquor .................................. 28 ...............................16 5.Bunkies ............................................ 27 ...............................17 6. Dairy Queen .................................... 26 ...............................18 HIGH INDIVIDUAL GAME Mary Wacek ..........................................................................178 Pam Folkens ..........................................................................177 Amy Simon ...........................................................................176 HIGH INDIVIDUAL SERIES Pam Folkens ..........................................................................448 Mary Wacek ..........................................................................447 Judy Esplan ...........................................................................437 TEAM HIGH GAME (SCRATCH) Bunkies .................................................................................582 F & M Bank ..........................................................................572 TEAM HIGH SERIES (SCRATCH) F & M Bank ........................................................................1674 Bunkies ...............................................................................1577

driver and passengersâ&#x20AC;Ś.â&#x20AC;? Again, this refers to all passengers in any seating position. The occupant protection engineered in our vehicles is designed to work optimally when a person is properly restrained and remains in the appropriate position. People should give substantial regard to the threat they are to others if they are un-

restrained. Of course, buckling up greatly increases their individual survival rate as well. Drivers and passengers ages 15 and older can be ticketed if they are unbuckled. The fine is $25; with fees added by the courts, a seat belt citation could be more than $100.

PUBLIC RECORD Steele County Births Feb. 2012 Jeanette Irene Lee, Parents: Michelle and James, Feb. 6. Carlos Cruz Perez, Parents: Jessica and Martin, Feb. 6. Payton Racquel Krogh, Parents: Willow and Anthony, Feb. 7. Lillian Rachel Whitesitt, Parents: Sarah and Shane, Feb. 9. Nyla Maryjane Winslow, Parent: Bridgett Mickelson, Feb. 11. Layla Angel Chavez, Parents: Natasha Lique and Rosalio Chavez III., Feb. 13. Tritin Kenith Hershberger, Parents: Cassandra Calhoun and Jasin Hershberger, Feb. 14. Kael Michael Fangman, Parents: Ashley and Brian, Feb. 15. Zadia Rose Lucielle Olson, Parents: Rebecca and Travis, Feb. 15. Bryce Jarett Dolton, Parents: Logan and Jared, Feb. 15. Madeline Kay Seykora, Parents: Melinda David and Matthew Seykora, Feb. 17. Karis Lerae Vangen, Parents: Nicole and Dylan, Feb. 20. Juan Manuel Sandoval Jr., Parents: Maria and Juan, Feb. 21. Kurt John Erickson, Parents: Stacy and Luke, Feb. 23. Rylee Jean Hovde, Parents: Amanda and Joseph, Feb. 23. Lucas Robert Joecks, Parents: Denise and Todd, Feb. 24. Joshua James Patrick Candullo, Parents: Jennifer and Christopher, Feb. 24. Scarlett Mereidith Kruckeberg, Parents: Michelle and Timothy, Feb. 26. Morgan Allen Hershberger, Parent: Jodi Finstad, Feb. 27. Caelyn Grace Halverson, Parents: Mara and Joshua, Feb. 28.

Steele County Deaths Feb. 2012 Violet May Callahan, 90, Owatonna, Feb. 1. Muriel Christiana Segerstrom, 95, Owatonna, Feb. 6. Paul Edward Sutter, 76, Owatonna, Feb. 6. Lawrence William Balzer, 82, Owatonna, Feb. 10. Mauryon Kay Campbell, 106, West Concord, Feb. 11. Richard Stewart Kath, 79, Manchester, Feb. 11. Alice Hazel Hosfield, 89, Owatonna, Feb. 14. Martin Abraham Froehlich, 87, Owatonna, Feb. 15. Alice D. Nelson, 79, Ellendale, Feb. 17. Clara Pauline Paulson, 93, Blooming Prairie, Feb. 18. Peter David Backman, 60, Owatonna, Feb. 20. James Richard Kraay, 77, Owatonna, Feb. 22. Ethel Lillian Kunkel, 91, Owatonna, Feb. 22. Margaret Dorothy Nelson, 92, Owatonna, Feb. 22. Betty Patricia Bang, 86, Owatonna, Feb. 24. Gerda Hedwig Wobschall, 76, Blooming Prairie, Feb. 24. Timothy Francis Dunn, 57, Owatonna, Feb. 25. Elizabeth Mendoza, 16, Owatonna, Feb. 26. William Lon Eichman, 70, Owatonna, Feb. 28. Stanley Craig Salisburg, 73, Owatonna, Feb. 28. Steele County Marriages Feb. 2012 Todd Robert Shatek and Tanyia Rae Bucher, Feb. 2. Terrence Lee Kubista and Debra Ann Gerdts, Feb. 3. Joel Matthew Chambers and Lynn Beth Parker, Feb. 4. Halston Gray Schaffer and Emilie-Ane Bradley, Feb. 10. Daniel Thomas Gaul and Brittani Ann Krekelberg, Feb. 11. John Arthur Tvedt and Jodie Leone Lee, Feb. 11. Thomas Arvid Bjorklund and Maureen Kate Wanous, Feb. 14. Richard Allan Haberman and Cher Rene Cooper, Feb. 15. Alexander Cruz Corona and Heather Anne Hogen, Feb. 17. Brent Jonathon Peterson and Sarah Ann Watney, Feb. 18. Alexander Enrique Flores Villalobos and Jessica Rose Johnson, Feb. 21. Dana Bryson Delbridge and Carol Ann Teele, Feb. 22. Steele County Dissolutions Feb. 2012 DeAnne Lynn Johnson and Jay Arlen Johnson Erik Eugene Ollila and Julie Marie Ollila Patrick James Vanyo and Alice Arlene Vanyon Benjamin James Maas and Kimberly Jo Maas

The Times • Tuesday, March 20, 2012 •

Leggal Notices Mortgage Foreclosure

Mortgage Foreclosure

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALEPRIVATE

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE

THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: May 8, 2003 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $123,500.00 MORTGAGOR(S): Anita E. Knapp and Kenneth R. Knapp, wife and husband MORTGAGEE: Premier Bank Minnesota, a Minnesota corporation DATE AND PLACE OF FILING: Filed May 14, 2003, Steele County Registrar of Titles; Document No. T52893 and memorialized upon Certificate of Title No. 014430 ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc.,a California Corporation, n/k/a Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., successor by merger to Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Inc. by written assignment recorded on May 14, 2003 as Document No. T52894 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot Seventeen (17) in Northern Height's Addition to the City of Owatonna REGISTERED PROPERTY STREET ADDRESS OF PROPERTY: 539 NE 15th Street, Owatonna, MN 55060 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Steele County, Minnesota THE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: $108,991.78 THAT no action or proceeding has been instituted at law to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; that there has been compliance with all pre-foreclosure notice and acceleration requirements of said mortgage, and/or applicable statutes; PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: April 10, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. PLACE OF SALE: Steele County Sheriff’s office, in the Law Enforcement Center, 204 Pearl Street East, Owatonna, Minnesota to pay the debt then secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any actually paid by the mortgagee, on the premises and the costs and disbursements allowed by law. The time allowed by law for redemption by said mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns is six (6) months from the date of sale. Unless said mortgage is reinstated or the property redeemed, or unless the time for redemption is reduced by judicial order, you must vacate the premises by 11:59 p.m. on October 10, 2012. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: NONE “THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.”

THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: March 31, 2009 MORTGAGORS: Carol A. Kasper and Jeffrey V. Kubat, both single. MORTGAGEE: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association. DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded April 7, 2009, Steele County Recorder, Document No. A000363211. ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: NONE TRANSACTION AGENT: NONE TRANSACTION AGENT'S MORTGAGE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON MORTGAGE: NONE LENDER OR BROKER AND MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON MORTGAGE: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SERVICER: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association MORTGAGED PROPERTY ADDRESS: 2270 4th Avenue Southeast, Owatonna, MN 55060 TAX PARCEL I.D. #: 173450107 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 7, Block 1, Cedardale Addition No. 3, Owatonna, Minnesota COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: S t e e l e ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $ 1 5 9 , 3 2 4 . 0 0 AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $ 1 7 5 , 3 9 5 . 5 0 That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; That no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: April 6, 2012 at 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: S t e e l e County Sheriff's Office, Law Enforcement Center, 204 Pearl Street East, Owatonna, MN to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys' fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns unless reduced to Five (5) weeks under MN Stat. §580.07. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on October 9, 2012, unless the redemption period is reduced to 5 weeks under MN Stat. Secs. 580.07 or 582.032. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE:None "THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED." Dated: February 8, 2012. JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee

Dated: February 15, 2012 WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Mortgagee REITER & SCHILLER, P.A. By: /s/ Rebecca F. Schiller, Esq. Sarah J.B. Adam, Esq. N. Kibongni Fondungallah, Esq. James J. Pauly, Esq. Brian F. Kidwell, Esq. Steven R. Pennock, Esq. Attorneys for Mortgagee 25 North Dale Street St. Paul, MN 55102-2227 (651) 209-9760 (E7407) THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE FORECLOSURE DATA Minn. Stat. § 580.025 (1) Street Address, City and Zip Code of Mortgaged Premises 539 NE 15th Street, Owatonna, MN 55060 (2) Transaction Agent Premier Bank Minnesota, a Minnesota corporation (3) Name of Mortgage Originator (Lender) Premier Bank Minnesota, a Minnesota corporation (4) Residential Servicer Wells Fargo 800-416-1472 (5) Tax Parcel Identification Number 17-202-0117 (6) Transaction Agent’s Mortgage ID Number (MERS number) none 2/21,2/28,3/6 3/13,3/20,3/27

Read ‘Outside the Lines’ by LeMar Nelson ... Every week in the Times!

BER ON MORTGAGE: None LENDER OR BROKER AND MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON MORTGAGE: United Prairie Bank – Owatonna RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SERVICER: U.S. Bank Home Mortgage MORTGAGED PROPERTY ADDRESS: 429 Main Street W Bloomington Prairie, MN 55917 TAX PARCEL ID NUMBER: 14-111-0104 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 4, Block 1, Prairie Villa Addition to the Village of Blooming Prairie, Steele County, Minnesota COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Steele ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $92,400.00 AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY ASSIGNEE OF MORTGAGEE: $84,907.22 That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; That no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof. PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: April 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. PLACE OF SALE: The Steele County Sheriff’s Office located at the Law Enforcement Center, 204 Pearl Street East in Owatonna, Minnesota 55060 to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns unless reduced to five (5) weeks under MN Stat. §580.07. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on October 19, 2012. If the foregoing date is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then the date to vacate is the next business day at 11:59 p.m. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: None THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: February 28, 2012. MINNESOTA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY Assignee of Mortgagee Marinus W. Van Putten, Jr., Reg. No. 11232X BEST & FLANAGAN LLP 225 South Sixth Street, Suite 4000 Minneapolis, MN 55402 (612) 339-7121 Attorney for Assignee of Mortgagee THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. 2/28,3/6, 3/13 3/20,3/27,4/3

USSET, WEINGARDEN AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 30-9411 THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. 2/21,2/28,3/6 3/13,3/20,3/27

Mortgage Foreclosure 11-076105

West 38.56 feet along said right of way line, thence North 0º East 28.01 feet, thence North 89 degrees 15.5 minutes West 98.74 feet to the Easterly line of Oak Street, thence North 17 degrees 15 minutes East 6.29 feet along the Easterly line of said Oak Street, thence North 0 degrees 7 minutes East 43.97 feet along the East line of said Oak Street, thence South 89 degrees 15.5 minutes East 128.77 feet to beginning. Said bearings being assumed and based on the East line of said NE1/4 of Section 9 being North 0º East. (Being in Sublot 3 of Lot 1 in SE1/4 of NE1/4 of Section 9-107-20). PROPERTY ADDRESS: 721 N Oak Ave, Owatonna, MN 55060 PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 17.009.1203 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Steele THE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: $109,464.61 THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: April 3, 2012, 10:00am PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff's Main Office, Law Enforcement Center, 204 Pearl Street East, Owatonna, MN 55060 to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s) the personal representatives or assigns. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property, if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23, is 11:59 p.m. on October 3, 2012. "THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032 DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.

PLACE OF SALE: S t e e l e County Sheriff's Office, Law Enforcement Center, 204 Pearl Street East, Owatonna, MN to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys' fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns unless reduced to Five (5) weeks under MN Stat. §580.07. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on __November 5, 2012, unless the redemption period is reduced to 5 weeks under MN Stat. Secs. 580.07 or 582.032. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE:None "THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED." Dated: February 28, 2012. CitiMortgage, Inc. Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee

USSET, WEINGARDEN AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 10-5821

Dated: February 1, 2012 Wells Fargo Bank, NA Assignee of Mortgagee SHAPIRO & ZIELKE, LLP

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR.

BY ___________________________ Lawrence P. Zielke - 152559 Diane F. Mach - 273788 Melissa L. B. Porter - 0337778 Randolph W. Dawdy 2160X Ronald W. Spencer - 0104061 Stephanie O. Nelson - 0388918 Attorneys for Mortgagee 12550 West Frontage Road, Ste. 200 Burnsville, MN 55337 (952) 831-4060 PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, YOU ARE ADVISED THAT THIS OFFICE IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT AND DOES NOT IMPLY THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT MONEY FROM ANYONE WHO HAS DISCHARGED THE DEBT UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES. 2/14,2/21,2/28 3/6,3/13,3/20

3/13,3/20,3/27 4/3,4/10,4/17

Mortgage Foreclosure 10-069175 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: April 14, 2008 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $141,775.00 MORTGAGOR(S): Scott M. Eaton, a single person and Michael R. Eaton, a married person and Linda J. Eaton, a married person MORTGAGEE: Wells Fargo Bank, NA LENDER: Wells Fargo Bank, NA SERVICER: Wells Fargo Bank, NA DATE AND PLACE OF FILING: Filed April 23, 2008, Steele County Registrar of Titles, as Document Number T000062890 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot Eleven (11), in Block One (1) in Ochs Addition to the City of Owatonna REGISTERED PROPERTY PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1503 Cedar Ave N, Owatonna, MN 55060 PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 17-156-0111 CERT NO. 17329 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Steele THE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: $145,220.10 THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: April 3, 2012, 10:00am PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff's Main Office, Law Enforcement Center, 204 Pearl Street East, Owatonna, MN 55060 to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s) the personal representatives or assigns. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owneroccupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property, if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23, is 11:59 p.m. on October 3, 2012. "THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032 DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: February 1, 2012 Wells Fargo Bank, NA Mortgagee SHAPIRO & ZIELKE, LLP BY ___________________________ Lawrence P. Zielke - 152559 Diane F. Mach - 273788 Melissa L. B. Porter - 0337778 Randolph W. Dawdy 2160X Ronald W. Spencer - 0104061 Stephanie O. Nelson - 0388918 Attorneys for Mortgagee 12550 West Frontage Road, Ste. 200 Burnsville, MN 55337 (952) 831-4060 PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, YOU ARE ADVISED THAT THIS OFFICE

IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT AND DOES NOT IMPLY THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT MONEY FROM ANYONE WHO HAS DISCHARGED THE DEBT UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES. 2/14,2/21,2/28 3/6,3/13,3/20

BP School Board Mgt. REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING BLOOMING PRAIRIE, MN January 17, 2012 A regular school board meeting of the School Board of Independent School District #756, Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, was held in the High School Media Center on January 17, 2012, at 5:15 p.m. (open forum at 5:00 p.m.). 5:00 p.m. – PUBLIC FORUM Representatives from FFA presented a report of upcoming events and the greenhouse project. ECFE/School Readiness teacher and AmeriCorp LEAP member discussed working with the district’s pre-kindergarten children. I. CALL TO ORDER –CHAIRPERSON II. ROLL CALL - CLERK Rodney Krell, Jamie Bodenstab, Ronald Janning, Linda Kaplan, Jenny Thurnau, Jon Sunde, Kathi Peterson ALSO PRESENT: Superintendent of Schools; Elementary Principal MEMBERS ABSENT: None III.APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion by Ronald Janning and seconded by Kathi Peterson to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion carried. (7 Aye/0 Nay) IV. PRINCIPAL REPORTS Mr. Staloch and Mr. Olson gave reports. V. ITEMS ON WHICH BOARD ACTION IS REQUESTED Rodney Krell, school board chair, installed newly elected board members Kathi Peterson, Jenny Thurnau, and Jon Sunde. A. Rotation of School Board Officers Motion by Jamie Bodenstab and seconded by Ronald Janning to approve the officers to remain the same for the 2012 year. B. School Board Committee Assignments Motion by Jamie Bodenstab and seconded by Linda Kaplan to approve committee assignments for 2012. Motion carried. (7 Aye/0 Nay) C. Minutes, Bills, Treasurer’s Report, Resignation, Employment Motion by Jenny Thurnau and seconded by Kathi Peterson to approve the following items. Motion carried. (7 Aye/0 Nay) * minutes from the December 15, 2011, regular school board work session and the December 19, 2011, regular school board meeting *handwritten checks for the month of December in the amount of $12,962.86; bills for the month of January in the amount of $358,275.45; and January payroll in the amount of $372,511.32 * treasurer’s report as submitted with wire transactions noted * resignation of Matt Kittelson as boys junior high baseball coach * employment of Matt Kittelson as assistant baseball coach * employment of Ranell Kittelson as an elementary special education paraprofessional effective January 3, 2012; placement on step 0 of the prevailing Paraprofessional Contract D. Designation of Local Depositories, Newspaper, and School Attorney Motion by Ronald Janning and seconded by Linda Kaplan to approve specific financial institutions as designated depositories for school funds and investments through January 2013. (7 Aye/0 Nay) Motion by Kathi Peterson and seconded by Jenny Thurnau to approve authorization for specific personnel to make electronic or paper transactions for the district through January 2013. Motion carried. (7 Aye/0 Nay) Motion by Kathi Peterson and seconded by Jamie Bodenstab to approve designation of the Blooming Prairie Times as the district’s official school newspaper through January 2013. Motion carried. (7 Aye/0 Nay) Motion by Jenny Thurnau and seconded by Linda Kaplan to approve Hoversten, Johnson, Beckmann & Hovey, PLLP, Austin, MN as the district’s designated school attorney through January 2013. Motion carried. (7 Aye/ 0 Nay) Promulgation of the Seniority List for the Teaching Staff. Motion by Jamie Bodenstab and seconded by Jenny Thurnau to approve the promulgation of the teaching seniority listings. Motion carried. (7 Aye/0 Nay) School Calendar 2013-2014. Motion by Jenny Thurnau and seconded by Linda Kaplan to approve the 2013-2014 school calendar. Motion carried. (7 Aye/0 Nay) Schedule and Curriculum Changes 2012-2013. Motion by Linda Kaplan and seconded by Jenny Thurnau to approve adding general music back into the curriculum for seventh and eighth grades starting with the 2012-2013 school year. Motion carried. (7 Aye/0 Nay) Motion by Jon Sunde and seconded by Kathi Peterson to approve tabling action changing courses opposite of seventh and eighth grade physical education in order to incorporate more reading and math skill time until the next regular school board meeting. Motion carried. (7 Aye/0 Nay) H. School Board/BPTA Negotiations No action taken. VI. ITEMS OF INFORMATION AND/ OR DISCUSSION ONLY A. Committee Reports Committee reports given. B. Enrollment Data Enrollment for 2011-2012 school year as of January 9, 2012 was 380 at the elementary school and 334 at the high school. PSEO numbers are twelve full-time and no part-time. PSEO numbers are included in the high school total of 334. C. Dates to Note The Board noted dates as presented. VII. SUPERINTENDENT OR BOARD MEMBER ITEMS A memorial thank you was acknowledged. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Jon Sunde and seconded by Rodney Krell to adjourn the meeting at 5:50 p.m. Motion carried. (7 Aye/0 Nay) A complete copy of the official minutes may be found in their entirety in the official minute book located in the superintendent’s office at the high school; however, they will not be available until approved by the School Board. Respectfully Submitted, Jamie Bodenstab Clerk of the School Board Independent School District #756 Blooming Prairie, Minnesota 3/20

4D • Tuesday,

March 20, 2012 • The Times

Mortgage Foreclosure NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: December 22, 2006 MORTGAGORS: R o n ald V. Smith and Mary K. Elliott Smith, husband and wife. MORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.. DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded January 23, 2007, Steele County Recorder, Document No. A000347284. ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: U.S. Bank National Association. TRANSACTION AGENT: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. TRANSACTION AGENT'S MORTGAGE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON MORTGAGE: 100330000000036771 LENDER OR BROKER AND MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON MORTGAGE: Midamerica Mortgage Corporation RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SERVICER: U.S. Bank Home Mortgage MORTGAGED PROPERTY ADDRESS: 7470 Highway 14 East, Claremont, MN 55924 TAX PARCEL I.D. #: 07.023.3302 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: That part of the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest of Section 23, Township 107 North, Range 19 West, Steele County, Minnesota, described as follows: Beginning at the Southwest corner of said Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter; thence North 89º41 ‘30” East, assumed bearing, along the South line of said Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter 415.75 feet; thence North 00º02’05” West 521.65 feet; thence North 87º14’ 19” East 155.74 feet; thence North 03º47’10” West 199.33 feet; thence South 89º41’03” West 343.23 feet; thence South 00º18’57” East 530.06 feet; thence South 89º41’03” West 217.51 feet to the West line of said Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter; thence South 00º02’04” West along said West line 197.20 feet to the point of beginning. COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: S t e e l e ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $ 1 9 3 , 9 8 2 . 0 0 AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $ 2 1 8 , 6 9 0 . 3 2 That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; That no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: April 6, 2012 at 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: S t e e l e County Sheriff's Office, Law Enforcement Center, 204 Pearl Street East, Owatonna, MN to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys' fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns unless reduced to Five (5) weeks under MN Stat. §580.07. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on October 9, 2012, unless the redemption period is reduced to 5 weeks under MN Stat. Secs. 580.07 or 582.032. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE:None "THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED." Dated: February 3, 2012. U.S. Bank National Association Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee

USSET, WEINGARDEN AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 19-1013 THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. 2/14,2/21,2/28 3/6,3/13,3/20

Passante and Jessica R. Passante, Husband and Wife. MORTGAGEE: Prestige Mortgage LLC. DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: R e c o r d e d March 3, 2009, Steele County Recorder, Document No. A000362443. ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association. TRANSACTION AGENT: NONE TRANSACTION AGENT'S MORTGAGE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON MORTGAGE: NONE LENDER OR BROKER AND MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON MORTGAGE: Prestige Mortgage LLC RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SERVICER: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association MORTGAGED PROPERTY ADDRESS: 1245 Sunnydale Place Southeast, Owatonna, MN 55060 TAX PARCEL I.D. #: 175520107 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: LOT 7, BLOCK 1, MEADOW LANDS NO. 9, STEELE COUNTY, MINNESOTA. COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: S t e e l e ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $ 1 9 8 , 8 7 7 . 0 0 AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $204,090.82 That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; That no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: April 27, 2012 at 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: S t e e l e County Sheriff's Office, Law Enforcement Center, 204 Pearl Street East, Owatonna, MN to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys' fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns unless reduced to Five (5) weeks under MN Stat. §580.07. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on October 29, 2012, unless the redemption period is reduced to 5 weeks under MN Stat. Secs. 580.07 or 582.032. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE:None "THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED." Dated: February 27, 2012. JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee

USSET, WEINGARDEN AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 30-11688 THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. 3/6,3/13,3/20 3/27,4/3,4/10

Bank, National Association MORTGAGED PROPERTY ADDRESS: 520 Cedardale Drive Southeast, Owatonna, MN 55060 TAX PARCEL I.D. #: 17-345-0206 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 6, Block 2, Cedardale Addition No. 3, Owatonna, Minnesota COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: S t e e l e ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $ 1 3 9 , 7 9 6 . 0 0 AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $ 1 6 3 , 9 8 0 . 3 8 That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; That no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: April 20, 2012 at 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: S t e e l e County Sheriff's Office, Law Enforcement Center, 204 Pearl Street East, Owatonna, MN to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys' fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns unless reduced to Five (5) weeks under MN Stat. §580.07. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on October 22, 2012, unless the redemption period is reduced to 5 weeks under MN Stat. Secs. 580.07 or 582.032. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE:None "THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED." Dated: February 21, 2012. JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee

allowed by law, subject to redemption within 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s) the personal representatives or assigns. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property, if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23, is 11:59 p.m. on October 24, 2012. "THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032 DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: February 29, 2012 Wells Fargo Bank, NA Mortgagee SHAPIRO & ZIELKE, LLP BY ___________________________ Lawrence P. Zielke - 152559 Diane F. Mach - 273788 Melissa L. B. Porter - 0337778 Randolph W. Dawdy 2160X Ronald W. Spencer - 0104061 Stephanie O. Nelson - 0388918 Attorneys for Mortgagee 12550 West Frontage Road, Ste. 200 Burnsville, MN 55337 (952) 831-4060 PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, YOU ARE ADVISED THAT THIS OFFICE IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT AND DOES NOT IMPLY THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT MONEY FROM ANYONE WHO HAS DISCHARGED THE DEBT UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES. 3/13,3/20,3/27 4/3,4/10,4/17

Mortgage Foreclosure USSET, WEINGARDEN AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 30-8019 THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. 3/6,3/13,3/20 3/27,4/3,4/10

Mortgage Foreclosure 12-080835

weeks under MN Stat. §580.07. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on October 29, 2012, unless the redemption period is reduced to 5 weeks under MN Stat. Secs. 580.07 or 582.032. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE:None "THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED." Dated: February 22, 2012. JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee

USSET, WEINGARDEN AND LIEBO, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 30-12130 THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. 3/6,3/13,3/20 3/27,4/3,4/10

Mortgage Foreclosure NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALEPRIVATE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: July 26, 2005 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $190,000.00 MORTGAGOR(S): Brent J. Kavitz and Christina A. Kavitz, husband and wife MORTGAGEE: Brier Mortgage Corporation, a Minnesota Corporation DATE AND PLACE OF FILING: Filed July 26, 2005, Steele County Recorder; Document No. A000333922 ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. by written assignment recorded on July 26, 2005 as Document No. A000333923 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 9, Block 2, Oakridge Bluffs Second Addition STREET ADDRESS OF PROPERTY: 110 5th Street SE, Medford, MN 55049 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Steele County, Minnesota THE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: $197,213.88 THAT no action or proceeding has been instituted at law to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; that there has been compliance with all pre-foreclosure notice and acceleration requirements of said mortgage, and/or applicable statutes; PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: May 1, 2012 at 10:00 am PLACE OF SALE: Steele County Sheriff’s office, in the Law Enforcement Center, 204 Pearl Street East, Owatonna, Minnesota to pay the debt then secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any actually paid by the mortgagee, on the premises and the costs and disbursements allowed by law. The time allowed by law for redemption by said mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns is six (6) months from the date of sale. Unless said mortgage is reinstated or the property redeemed, or unless the time for redemption is reduced by judicial order, you must vacate the premises by 11:59 p.m. on November 1, 2012. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: BRENT J. KAVITZ “THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.” Dated: March 2, 2012 WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. Mortgagee REITER & SCHILLER, P.A. By: /s/ Rebecca F. Schiller, Esq. Sarah J.B. Adam, Esq. N. Kibongni Fondungallah, Esq. James J. Pauly, Esq. Brian F. Kidwell, Esq. Steven R. Pennock, Esq. Attorneys for Mortgagee 25 North Dale Street St. Paul, MN 55102-2227 (651) 209-9760 (E3490)

THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE FORECLOSURE DATA Minn. Stat. § 580.025 (1) Street Address, City and Zip Code of Mortgaged Premises 110 5th Street SE, Medford, MN 55049 (2) Transaction Agent Brier Mortgage Corporation, a Minnesota Corporation (3) Name of Mortgage Originator (Lender) Brier Mortgage Corporation, a Minnesota Corporation (4) Residential Servicer Wells Fargo (800) 416-1472 (5) Tax Parcel Identification Number 16-111-0209 (6) Transaction Agent’s Mortgage ID Number (MERS number) None 3/6,3/13,3/20 3/27,4/3,4/10

Mortgage Foreclosure 12-080508 NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: May 9, 2007 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $95,750.00 MORTGAGOR(S): John E. Sime, a single person MORTGAGEE: Wells Fargo Bank, NA LENDER: Wells Fargo Bank, NA SERVICER: Wells Fargo Bank, NA DATE AND PLACE OF FILING: Filed May 15, 2007, Steele County Recorder, as Document Number A000349696 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 11, Block 5, Village of Blooming Prairie PROPERTY ADDRESS: 238 1St St Ne, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 14.100.0511 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Steele THE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: $93,383.61 THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: April 24, 2012, 10:00am PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff's Main Office, Law Enforcement Center, 204 Pearl Street East, Owatonna, MN 55060 to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s) the personal representatives or assigns. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property, if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23, is 11:59 p.m. on October 24, 2012. "THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032 DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN 5 UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: February 29, 2012 Wells Fargo Bank, NA Mortgagee SHAPIRO & ZIELKE, LLP BY ___________________________ Lawrence P. Zielke - 152559 Diane F. Mach - 273788 Melissa L. B. Porter - 0337778 Randolph W. Dawdy 2160X Ronald W. Spencer - 0104061 Stephanie O. Nelson - 0388918 Attorneys for Mortgagee 12550 West Frontage Road, Ste. 200 Burnsville, MN 55337 (952) 831-4060 PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, YOU ARE ADVISED THAT THIS OFFICE IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT AND DOES NOT IMPLY THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT MONEY FROM ANYONE WHO HAS DISCHARGED THE DEBT UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.

3/13,3/20,3/27 4/3,4/10,4/17

Mortgage Foreclosure NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALEPRIVATE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: February 18, 2005 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $102,500.00 MORTGAGOR(S): Rodney C. Maxwell and Julie A. Maxwell, husband and wife MORTGAGEE: Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. DATE AND PLACE OF FILING: Filed June 28, 2005, Steele County Recorder; Document No. A000333072 ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: None LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 1 and Lot 2, and the Westerly 60 feet of Lots 7 and 8, all in Block 15 in the Village of Clinton Falls; Excepting therefrom the following described property: The South 13 feet of Lot 2; the South 13 feet of the West 60 feet of Lot 7; all being in Block 15 in the town of Clinton Falls STREET ADDRESS OF PROPERTY: 4698 N. County Road 45, Owatonna, MN 55060 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Steele County, Minnesota THE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: $91,394.03 THAT no action or proceeding has been instituted at law to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; that there has been compliance with all pre-foreclosure notice and acceleration requirements of said mortgage, and/or applicable statutes; PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: April 19, 2012 at 10:00 am PLACE OF SALE: Steele County Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office, in the Law Enforcement Center, 204 Pearl Street East, Owatonna, Minnesota to pay the debt then secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any actually paid by the mortgagee, on the premises and the costs and disbursements allowed by law. The time allowed by law for redemption by said mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns is six (6) months from the date of sale. Unless said mortgage is reinstated or the property redeemed, or unless the time for redemption is reduced by judicial order, you must vacate the premises by 11:59 p.m. on October 19, 2012. MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: NONE â&#x20AC;&#x153;THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.â&#x20AC;? Dated: March 1, 2012 WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.Mortgagee REITER & SCHILLER, P.A. By: /s/ Rebecca F. Schiller, Esq. Sarah J.B. Adam, Esq. N. Kibongni Fondungallah, Esq.

James J. Pauly, Esq. Brian F. Kidwell, Esq. Steven R. Pennock, Esq. Attorneys for Mortgagee 25 North Dale Street St. Paul, MN 55102-2227 (651) 209-9760 (E7783) THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE FORECLOSURE DATA Minn. Stat. Â§ 580.025 (1) Street Address, City and Zip Code of Mortgaged Premises 4698 N. County Road 45, Owatonna, MN 55060 (2) Transaction Agent Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (3) Name of Mortgage Originator (Lender) Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (4) Residential Servicer Wells Fargo (800) 416-1472 (5) Tax Parcel Identification Number 12-100-1501 (6) Transaction Agentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mortgage ID Number (MERS number) None 3/6,3/13,3/20 3/27,4/3,4/10

BP School Work Session REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD WORK SESSION BLOOMING PRAIRIE, MN January 11, 2012 A regular school board work session was held at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, in the Board Room at the High School. MEMBERS PRESENT: Rodney Krell, Jamie Bodenstab, Ronald Janning, Linda Kaplan, Jenny Thurnau, Jon Sunde, Kathi Peterson MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Superintendent of Schools DISCUSSION ITEMS: General review and discussion was held on agenda items for the January 17, 2012, regular school board meeting. Respectfully Submitted, Jamie Bodenstab Clerk of the School Board Independent School District #756 Blooming Prairie, Minnesota 3/20

Notice

Notice for Gravel Bids Notice is hereby given that the Board of Blooming Prairie Township, Steele County, , will meet at the Blooming Prairie Town Hall on April 3, 2012 at 7 PM to receive bids for the purchase of hauling 5,000 yards(more or less) of class 5 Âž crushed gravel delivered anywhere in Blooming Prairie Township. Bids must include proof of liability, workers compensation, equipment, price per yard and location of gravel. The Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids Jerry Wencl, Chairman Missy Anderson, Clerk Blooming Prairie Township 3/20,27

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The Times â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, March 20, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ 5D

Mortgage Foreclosure 11-074680

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: March 10, 2004 ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $240,264.00 MORTGAGOR(S): Luvern Neubauer and Geraldine F. Neubauer, husband and wife MORTGAGEE: Financial Freedom Senior Funding Corporation, a Subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB LENDER: Financial Freedom Senior Funding Corporation, a Subsidiary of Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB SERVICER: OneWest Bank, FSB (d/b/a Financial Freedom, a division of OneWest Bank, FSB) DATE AND PLACE OF FILING: Filed April 8, 2004, Steele County Recorder, as Document Number A320800, thereafter Reformed by Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order dated November 1, 2011 and recorded November 14, 2011 as Document No. A000381223 ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. ("MERS"), a Delaware Corporation, its successors or assigns, as Nominee for Financial Freedom Acquisition LLC; Dated: October 31, 2009 filed: December 3, 2009, recorded as document number A000368080; Thereafter assigned to OneWest Bank, FSB dated January 9, 2012. LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: All that part of the SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 9, T 106N, R 19 W, Steele County, Minnesota described by: Commencing at the southeast corner of said SW 1/4 of the NE 1/4; thence N 89 degrees 39 minutes 40 seconds W, assumed bearing, 300.00 feet along the south line of said SW 1/4 of NE 1/4 to the True Point of Beginning; thence N 89 degrees 39 minutes 40 seconds W 366.83 feet along the south line of said SW 1/4 of NE 1/4 to the centerline of County State Aid Highway 57; thence northwesterly along said centerline and along a nontangential curve concave to the southwest central angle 1 degree 57 minutes 36 seconds, radius 1432.39 feet, chord N 64 degrees 13 minutes 08 seconds W 49.00 feet, arc length 49.00 feet; thence N 65 degrees 11 minutes 56 seconds W 681.69 feet along said centerline to the west line of said SW 1/4 of NE 1/4; thence N 0 degrees 00 minutes 05 seconds W 640.41 feet along the west line of said SW 1/4 of NE 1/4; thence S 89 degrees 39 minutes 40 seconds E 1030.22 feet; thence S 0 degrees 01 minutes 31 seconds W 943.74 feet to said True Point of Beginning. Containing 20.00 acres, more or less. Subject to a public highway easement along said C.S.A.H. 57. PROPERTY ADDRESS: 6271 Austin Road, Owatonna, MN 55060 PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: 04 009 1300 COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Steele THE AMOUNT CLAIMED TO BE DUE ON THE MORTGAGE ON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE: $146,715.98 THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT, to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: April 26, 2012, 10:00am PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff's Main Office, Law Enforcement Center, 204 Pearl Street East, Owatonna, MN 55060 to pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within 12 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s) the personal representatives or assigns. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owner-occupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property, if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23, is 11:59 p.m. on April 26, 2013. Dated: February 28, 2012 OneWest Bank, FSB Assignee of Mortgagee SHAPIRO & ZIELKE, LLP BY ___________________________ Lawrence P. Zielke - 152559 Diane F. Mach - 273788 Melissa L. B. Porter - 0337778 Randolph W. Dawdy 2160X Ronald W. Spencer - 0104061 Stephanie O. Nelson - 0388918 Attorneys for Mortgagee 12550 West Frontage Road, Ste. 200 Burnsville, MN 55337 (952) 831-4060 PURSUANT TO THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT, YOU ARE ADVISED THAT THIS OFFICE IS DEEMED TO BE A DEBT COLLECTOR. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT AND DOES NOT IMPLY THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT MONEY FROM ANYONE WHO HAS DISCHARGED THE DEBT UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES. 3/6,3/13,3/20 3/27,4/3,4/10

6D â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesday, March 20, 2012 â&#x20AC;˘ The Times

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