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Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid St. Joseph Newsleader St. Joseph, MN 56374 Permit No. 21 ECRWSS Postal Customer
Newsleader St. Joseph
Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 Volume 29, Issue 50 Est. 1989
Town Crier
No Newsleader published Dec. 29
The Newsleader office will be closed Dec. 25-29. A Dec. 29 edition will not be published. The office will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 2 (also the deadline for the Jan. 5 edition) and we will resume weekly publications beginning Jan. 5. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us to all of you!
Text 911 now available
In an emergency, dialing 911 is a call for help. But people with hearing loss or those who must remain quiet in dangerous situations aren’t able to place a call safely or at all. That is why the Department of Public Safety Emergency Communications Network has worked with agencies throughout the state to develop Text-to-911. Here are the steps to text: enter the number 911 in the “To” field; text your exact address and type of emergency; send the message. Tips: use simple words—no abbreviations, emoji’s pictures or slang; promptly answer questions and follow instructions If you do not get a response, you will need to call. Two other items are very important, DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE and only text TRUE EMERGENCIES.
Kids Can blood drive set Dec. 28 at RCL
A Kids Can blood drive will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 CR 2, St. Joseph. Contact Tamara Huesers at 320-282-8266 OR go to https:// goo.gl/YiCWCc and set up your desired time to donate. Childcare is available. We have delicious homemade soups and desserts for donors and Red Cross is giving long sleeve T-shirts to all who donate. Please consider making this part of your day!
Postal Patron
Immigrants share stories in Green Card Voices by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Thanks to his efforts to obtain a green card, Ulises Ayala of St. Joseph was able to enlist in the Minnesota National Guard to help protect “a great, beautiful country” that he loves – the United States of America. Ayala’s personal story is one of 19 featured in a free traveling exhibit entitled Green Card Voices that debuts its month-long run Friday, Jan. 5 at the Whitney Senior Center. A welcome opening for the public will take place that day from 4-6 p.m. The exhibit will feature 20 banners, each 8-feet tall, and on the banners are large photo portraits of 19 immigrants and/or refugees from nine countries – ranging from Germany to Mexico, from Somalia to El Salvador. All of the people in the exhibit live in central Minnesota. In addition to the portraits, on the banners there is a quote from
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Ulises Ayala of St. Joseph is one of many immigrants who tells their stories in Green Card Voices, a traveling exhibit now at the Whitney Senior Center in St. Cloud.
each person, a 200-word biography of each and codes for videos that may be viewed on iPhones or iTablets. Each video shows the immigrant and/or refugee discussing some aspect of their lives in a new country. Green Card Voices is sponsored by UniteCloud.org, a local organization that promotes understanding among people of varying cultures and religions who live in the St. Cloud area and beyond. Funding Voices • page 7
photo by Carolyn Bertsch
Some of the Newsleader team and their families join together Dec. 8 to sing carols and ring bells for the Salvation Army at Coborn’s on First Ave. N. in Sartell. The group received high praise from store-goers for their Christmas-lyrics improvisation skills, which has prompted them to cut their first album, “Extra-Extra! Sing all About It!” From left to right are Matt Bertsch of Sartell, Dave DeMars of Sauk Rapids, Janelle Von Pinnon of St. Cloud, and Connor Kockler and Tracy Rittmueller, both of Sauk Rapids.
Clark receives $40,000 presidential scholarship by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
Hard work and determination recently paid off for Apollo High School senior William Clark of St. Joseph. Clark Clark was recently awarded a $40,000 Presidential Scholarship for the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. “I’m really excited to go to the University of Minnesota,”
Clark said. “I’m extremely interested in the nursing field and excited to learn more.” Clark has maintained a 4.0 grade-point-average during all four years of high school. He also participates in Spanish Club, National Honor Society and Link Crew at Apollo High School while working parttime at Mill’s Fleet Farm in Waite Park. Clark’s father, Scott, said Will acquired the drive to always give his best from his mother, Michelle, and her family. Michelle’s family is from
Viet Nam. Her parents came to the United States in 1974 following the U.S. military withdrawal from that country. “We are very thankful and blessed his hard work has paid off with his scholarship,” Scott said. Clark has been accepted into the early program at the University of Minnesota Nursing Program and plans to do something in the medical field. At present, he doesn’t think he wants to spend 12 more years in school to become a doctor, but his mother is hoping he will change his mind
about that once he gets started. “I’m extremely grateful (to) everyone who has helped me to get where I am,” Clark said. Clark has one sister, Lily, a sophomore at Apollo High School; and two brothers – Nick, a sixth-grader; and Alexander, a fifth-grader, both at Kennedy Community School. Scott has been a social-studies teacher for 35 years. He currently teaches seventh-grade U.S. history at South Junior High School in St. Cloud. Michelle works as an accounts manager at Merrill Corp. in Sartell.
Resurrection hosts Christmas community meal by Darren Diekmann news@thenewsleaders.com
Veteran ID cards now available
Veterans can now apply for a Veterans Identification Card. Only those Veterans with honorable service will be able to apply for the ID card, which will provide proof of military service, and may be accepted by retailers in lieu of discharge papers to obtain promotional discounts and other services where offered to Veterans. Visit vets.gov, click on “Apply for Printed Veteran ID Card” on the bottom of the page and sign in or create an account. Veterans who apply for a card should receive it within 60 days. A digital version of the VIC will be available online by mid-December. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Dec. 22 Town Criers.
Newsleader team rings in season
photo by Darren Diekmann
St. Joseph residents and Resurrection Lutheran Church members Rachel Haaland (far left) and Susan Curtis volunteer in the kitchen to serve food at the community meal. “I have cooking duty” Haaland says blithely, while enjoying greeting other church members. This is her second year volunteering. “I do this to give back to the community and to show my boys [Stian and Soren] that a little extra effort can do a lot to help other people out.”
Every year for the past five years Resurrection Lutheran Church puts on a community meal on the third Saturday of December as part of Joe Town Table, a monthly buffet-style meal served free to the public on the fourth Sunday of the month, except in November and December. St. Joseph Catholic Church serves the November, or Thanksgiving meal, and Resurrection serves the December or Christmas meal, on the third Saturday in December, said Angela Haynes who is on the organizational committee for the meal at Resurrection. Resurrection coordinates with
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Sunrise Church in Avon who puts on a meal for that community. “We want to do this as an outreach to the community,” Hayes said. “We go knocking on doors and get the word out that we are willing to deliver.” Sunrise in Avon does this on the same day and also makes deliveries to that community. The church delivered 113 meals today, Haynes said. They deliver to shut-ins who may get meals on wheels during the week, but don’t get them on the weekends. “We deliver to anybody who contacts us,” she said. “We also made deliveries to Sauk Rapids and the east side of St. Cloud.
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Obituary
Helen Krebsbach, 82
St. Joseph Feb. 24, 1935-Dec. 15, 2017
Helen Krebsbach, 82, of St. Joseph died Dec. 15 in the St. Cloud Hospital. Her funeral was held Dec. 20 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, St. Joseph. The Rev. Jerome Tupa, OSB, officiated. Entombment of the urn will take place at a later date. Helen was born on Feb. 24, 1935 in St. Joseph to Edward and Mary (Rennie) Pfannenstein. She married Thomas Krebsbach on June 18, 1960 at St. Joseph’s Catho-
lic Church in St. Joseph. Helen worked in Accounts Receivable for Northern States Power Company from 1955-1990. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, a Parish Volunteer, and the Canticle Singers. Survivors include the following: her siblings, MaryAnn Poepping of St. Joseph, Ione (Jim) Gustafson of The Villages, Florida, and Ralph (Judy) Pfannenstein of Brooklyn Park; and three generations of nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by the following: her parents; her husband Tom in 2013, a sister, Claudette Klein; and brothers, Eugene and Robert. Memorials are preferred to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Organ Restoration Fund.
Have any Achievements? Grad. from HS/College, Military Honors, Awards Submit to news@thenewsleaders.com For contact purposes only, please include first/last name and phone.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO BODY REPAIR Auto Body 2000
(behind Coborn’s in the Industrial Park)
St. Joseph • 320-363-1116
BEAUTY Mary Kay Cosmetics Joyce Barnes St. Joseph • 320-251-8989 CHIROPRACTOR Dr. Jerry Wetterling College Ave. • 320-363-4573 jlwchiro.com CHURCHES Resurrection Lutheran, ELCA Sunday Worship 8:30 & 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Worship 6:30 p.m.
610 N. CR 2, St. Joseph 320-363-4232 www.rlcstjoe.org
DENTISTRY Drs. Styles, Cotton & Milbert 1514 E. Minnesota St. St. Joseph • 320-363-7729 Laser Dentistry 26 2nd Ave. NW St. Joseph • 320-363-4468 ELECTRICAL HI-TEC Electric • St. Joseph Residential • Commercial Remodeling • General Services 320-363-8808 • 320-980-0514 EYECARE Russell Eyecare & Associates 15 E. Minnesota St., Ste. 107 St. Joseph • 320-433-4326
Masses: Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m. Saturday 5 p.m. Sunday 8 & 10 a.m.
PUBLISHING Von Meyer Publishing, Inc. 32 1st Ave. NW St. Joseph • 320-363-7741
YOUR INDUSTRY Your Business Address City • Phone • Website
TRUCKING Brenny Transportation, Inc. Global Transportation Service St. Joseph • 320-363-6999 www.brennytransportation.com
St. Joseph Catholic Church
St. Joseph • 320-363-7505 www.churchstjoseph.org
Call the St. Joseph Newsleader at 320-363-7741
if you would like your business included. Check out the online Business Directory at thenewsleaders.com which hyperlinks to each business’ website.
Friday, Dec. 22, 2017
People
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St. John’s Prep middle school students Sam Hoover, son of Carrie and Tom Hoover; Jaedyn Nydeen, daughter of Pam and Lance Nydeen; Clara Schleper, daughter of Susan and Alex Schleper; Samantha Roseboom, daughter of Glen Werner; and Cole Butenhoff-Phillips, son of Linda Butenhoff, all of St. Joseph, raised funds for the Anna Marie’s Alliance by holding an auction.
SJP students raise $1,400 for Anna Marie’s Christmas will be very merry for several central Minnesota families this year, thanks to the St. John’s Prep Middle School. Seventh- and eighth-grade students raised $1,400 for Anna Marie’s Alliance in just one hour on Dec. 12. With the help of Col. Frank Imholte of Black Diamond Auctioneers, the students took part in a “white-elephant” auction to raise the funds. Students learned about the auction process while also helping people in need. Col. Imholte donated his time to lead the bidding process. Students brought festive, wrapped gifts to school and indicated if the gift was for a boy, girl or either. Col. Im-
holte taught them how to bid in an auction and encouraged them to think about their purchase before raising their hands. Once they knew how to bid, Col. Imholte led them through a spirited and competitive auction. Students bid on the gifts without knowing their contents. All they could see was a wrapped gift or gift bag. Middle-school teacher Dan Stark assisted the auctioneer. Middle-school teachers Steve Larson, Susan Kolb and Robert Ellenbecker served as cashiers for the event. The proceeds will be used to fill the wish lists of three families at Anna Marie’s Alliance. Students went shop-
ping with the wish lists to find presents and ensure the families have a Merry Christmas. Gifts on the Anna Marie’s wish list range from clothing and toiletries to toys, gift cards and electronics. Anna Marie’s Alliance provides safety for battered women and children in the nine-county region of Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, Wright, Mille Lacs, Isanti, Kanabec, Chisago and Pine counties. For more information about Anna Marie’s Alliance go to www.annamaries.org. St. John’s Prep students live in more than 20 different central Minnesota towns and cities, including St. Joseph.
Local truck driver receives award Ernie Malisheske, St. Joseph, was recently awarded the One Million Mile’s without an Accident Award from Daggett Truck Line and Daggett Truck Line’s insurance carrier Great West Casualty. Truck driver Malisheske has been with Daggett since September of 2006 and has since accrued more than 1.6-million miles with the company. He has also been awarded the Daggett Truck Line Highwayman of the Month Award three times and was chosen Minnesota Trucking Association’s Truck Driver of the Month for November 2015. “Malisheske has always demonstrated great professionalism and safety-mindedness in his driving and we are proud to have him in our truck driving family. Congratulations Ernie!” said Chuck Daggett, co-owners and vice president of Daggett Truck Line. Malisheske lives with his wife Marcia in the St. Joseph area.
contributed photo
Ernie Malisheske (left) of St. Joseph receives his One Million Miles without an Accident Award from Charles Daggett, co-owner and vice president of Daggett Truck Line headquartered in Frazee, Minn. Daggett manages the Clearwater terminal.
Published each Friday by Von Meyer Publishing Inc.
Newsstands Casey’s General Store Coborn’s
Holiday Kay’s Kitchen
Local Blend St. Joseph Meat Market St. Joseph Newsleader Office SuperAmerica
www.thenewsleaders.com
Publisher/Owner Janelle Von Pinnon
Editor Dennis Dalman
Operations Assistant Rachel Mohs
Operations Director Patric Lewandowski
Assignment Editor Carolyn Bertsch
Delivery John Herring
Newsleader staff members have the responsibility to report news fairly and accurately and are accountable to the public. Readers who feel we’ve fallen short of these standards are urged to call the Newsleader office at 320-363-7741. If matters cannot be resolved locally, readers are encouraged to take complaints to the Minnesota News Council, an independent agency designed to improve relationships between the public and the media and resolve conflicts. The council office may be reached at 612-341-9357.
P.O. Box 324 • 32 1st Ave. N.W. • St. Joseph, Minn. 56374 Phone: (320) 363-7741 • Fax: (320) 363-4195 • E-mail: news@thenewsleaders.com POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ST. JOSEPH NEWSLEADER, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374.
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, Dec. 22, 2017
In Business
Traut Cos. featured by Probing Times
Probing Times featured Jen Foged (left) and Tammy Wahl of Traut Cos. as part of the Geoprobe® ‘100’ Club. Ten companies across the nation were added to the exclusive Geoprobe® machine owners who push 100 feet or beyond. Foged and Wahl reached a depth of 103 feet on Dec. 23, 2016 at a field site in Becker, Minn. The static water level was at 18-19 feet. Using a Geoprobe® Model 7800, they used Macro Core 5 (MC5) center rod continuous soil sampling system to collect large volumes of soil cores to 50 feet, then sampled every 5 feet to 100 feet, hitting cobble of high density at 105 feet.
Probing Times features a wide sampling of all types of environmental, geotechnical and mining exploration projects completed all over the world using Geoprobe® equipment and products. Geoprobe Systems® is a team of skilled designers and craftsmen producing the best possible subsurface probing and drilling equipment and tools in the world. Traut Cos. offers municipal and commercial well drilling services and products, irrigation for farm and lawn, residential products and services, and features a full-service state-certified water-testing laboratory. Learn more at www.trautcompanies.com.
CSB president, alumnae listed in ‘100 People to Know’ for 2018 College of St. Benedict President Mary Dana Hinton and two alumnae were listed among Twin Cities Business’ “100 People to Know” for 2018. CSB graduates Corie Dumdie Barry ‘97 and Brenda Piette Kyle ‘86 were also recognized with the honor, which was published in the magazine’s December issue. Hinton, who has served as the 15th president of CSB since July 1, 2014, was elected board chair of the Minnesota Private College Council in July, Twin Cities Business noted. “She’s now speaking out on issues that affect Minnesota’s 17 nonprofit colleges and universities. She will be addressing affordability and access, which are challenges at schools that charge higher tuitions than public schools do,” the magazine wrote. “As president of Saint Ben’s … Hinton is focused on strengthening women’s leadership opportunities and supporting campus inclusion for all,” the magazine concluded. Barry, a member of the CSB Board of Trustees, was named the chief financial officer at Best Buy Co. in June 2016. She has been with the company for 18 years, steadily climbing the corporate ladder. The magazine cited her work with Best Buy’s Renew Blue turnaround strategy. “She’s now working closely with (Best Buy) CEO Hubert Joly on Best Buy 2020. That strategy includes accelerating
growth in Canada and Mexico and ensuring Best Buy can excel in a multi-channel retail environment,” the magazine wrote, concluding Barry is “well-positioned to become CEO of Best Buy or another corporation.” Barry served as the 2017 CSB commencement speaker. Both Hinton and Barry were named in the “Overachievers” category, defined by the magazine as “respected figures of influence, known for longstanding effort and results.” Kyle was named president and CEO of the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce Aug. 1, after serving 11 years with the St. Paul Port Authority. “When the chamber was looking for a new CEO, its board chose someone who knew St. Paul well and had good working relationships with businesspeople and public officials,” the magazine wrote. “Kyle … is now in a position to leverage her knowledge and contacts to expand St. Paul’s economy. “She was involved in efforts to redevelop the former Macy’s and is working with city leaders on a strategy to add 2,000 tech jobs by 2020,” the magazine concluded. Kyle was named in the “Emerging” category, defined by the magazine as “leaders or influencers new to a role, whose early efforts will be closely watched by the business community.” Read the online version of the article in Twin Cities Business.
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Morcomb is winner of United Way essay contest by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
Kennedy Community School fifth-grader Gage Morcomb believes people should “live united” and not judge others no matter who they are. He was recently chosen as one of the runner-up winners of the Central Minnesota United Way “Live United” essay contest and was recognized Dec. 7 at the school for his accomplishment. Kennedy Assistant Principal Anna Willhite said to enter the contest fifth-grade students throughout Central Minnesota wrote essays about how they live united each day. This is the essay Morcomb wrote: The way I live united is by being friends with others no matter who they are. The way I live united is by not judging others. Every person in the world is different and unique and they should not be treated differently because of that. I have a lot of friends and family who are different than me. We all enjoy the same activities regardless of our race, religion, gender or beliefs. When I play games, I let others join my game. I think everyone should be treated fairly and given respect. We live in the United States, and we should all live united. United we stand, divided we fall. “It was a joy to see Gage win this writing contest,” Willhite said. “He strives each day to do what is right and help our community live united.” The contest required participants to incorporate the “Live United” theme, include no more than 100 words in the essay, be in fifth grade and live within the United
contributed photos
Above: Kennedy Community School fifth-grader Gage Morcomb (back, center) reacts when his parents, Wyatt and Sarah, walk into his classroom and he realizes he is a winner in the Central Minnesota United Way “Live United” essay contest. Morcomb was recently chosen as one of the runners-up winners for the contest and was recognized Dec. 7 at the school for his accomplishment. Way of Central Minnesota service area. Essays needed to be submitted by Nov. 17. As a runner-up winner, Morcomb received a $75 VISA gift card and was presented a certificate from United Way representatives. The first-place winner received a $200 VISA gift card. For additional information about the Central Minnesota United Way, visit the unitewayhelps.org website. At right: Morcomb holds his certificate with his teacher, Dan Schaefer.
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Friday, Dec. 22, 2017
Sometimes no money equals no lunch, but not here by Mollie Rushmeyer news@thenewsleaders.com
No one likes to think of a child going hungry or being shamed for not having money in his or her lunch account. Unfortunately, that’s the public concern in some school districts, as seen in recent headlines across the United States and even within our own state. But thankfully, in the central Minnesota school districts of St. Cloud-St. Joseph (District 742) and Sartell- St. Stephen (District 748), children and families need not fear such treatment. St. Joseph Kennedy Elementary Principal Laurie Putnam said the district has a rule that no child will go hungry regardless of the lunch-account balance. “We don’t withhold food,”
Putnam said. “They are given the same food as everyone else, and we don’t use any shaming practices.” Shaming practices in some schools may include children sent to the principal’s office if their lunch account is zero or negative, food taken from the child and thrown in the garbage, a stamp on the hand, or singling them out in the lunch line in front of other students. Taking a more positive and pro-active approach, both District 742 and 748, notify families once they are below a certain amount in their lunch accounts. Parents can choose a text alert, phone call, email or all of the above, and have the option to refill the account online 24/7. Brenda Braulick, food service
FOR RENT
director for District 748, said it’s an easy thing to do – to forget to put money into the account, especially for those families with more than one child in the district. After a negative balance and the resultant phone calls, both districts send letters home. But both emphasize they encourage those families consistently with a negative balance to apply for the free or reduced-cost lunch program through the state to ease the financial burden. They are also encouraged to explore payment options with the districts to take care of the outstanding account. Putnam said they make sure to bring it to the parents’ attention and never make it the child’s Lunch • page 7
photo by Mollie Rushmeyer
Kennedy Elementary students in St. Joseph enjoy their lunch Dec. 18, (left to right) Kenneth H., 9, of St. Joseph; Hailey S., 9, of St. Cloud; Gwen E., 9, of St. Joseph; and Amara S., 9, of St. Joseph.
A relaxing atmosphere for your comfort.
AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY - $900 Spacious (1,500-square-foot) two-bedroom basement apartment with above-ground windows, chef’s kitchen, private backyard, on-site laundry, downtown St. Joseph. Within walking distance of EVERYthing. Utilities - additional $250/month. Non-smokers only.
Call Collin at 320-493-9212
Styles, Cotton & Milbert FAMILY DENTISTRY 320-363-7729
1514 E. Minnesota St., P.O. Box 607 • St. Joseph
Parenting is a BIG JOB
and parents are the child’s first and most important teacher! Early Childhood Family Education classes are available for parents and children birth to kindergarten entry. Itsy Bitsy Yoga, Infants & Toddlers, Terrific Twos, Books Alive, Wiggle-Jiggle-Jump, Ready for K, Circle of Security, A Place to Play, Super Saturdays for Dads & Kids, Run & Read events and MORE! Register today for new winter classes!
Early Childhood Education-Colts Academy 124 First Ave SE, St. Joseph www.isd742.org/EarlyChildhood 320-253-5828
contributed photo
Deb Hahn (left), Pine Meadow Elementary food service worker, of Sartell, and Head Cook Deb Ertl (right), of St. Joseph, observe “Back to the Fifties Day” to spice up lunchtime for students.
What the Community Technology Center is NOT: • No “Squad” in our name • No hotline to dial • No waiting on hold for an agent or technician • A friendly/local voice to answer all of your questions
Community Technology Center 235 E Cedar Street Unit 101 St. Joseph, MN 56374 • 320-557-0555 • http://www.mnctc.com/
Glory to God in the Highest & Peace to God’s People Christmas Eve Worship: Sunday, Dec. 24 9:30 a.m. and 3 & 5 p.m. No Worship on Christmas Day
New Year’s Day Worship: Sunday, Dec. 31 9:30 a.m.
Resurrection Lutheran Church • 610 N. County Road 2 St. Joseph • 320-363-4232
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, Dec. 22, 2017
Happy Holidays! Wishing you happy holidays and a new year filled with prosperity and success! AFLAC - Deborah A. Krump 1407 33rd St. S., Ste. 109, St. Cloud 320-217-6040 • www.aflac.com Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
AUTO BODY 2000 INC.
611 19th Ave. N.E., St. Joseph (Behind Coborn’s in the St. Joseph Industrial Park) 320-363-1116 • www.ab2k.com Buon Natale e Felice Anne Nuovo!
BELLO CUCINA
15 E. Minnesota St. #101, St. Joseph • 320-363-4534 www.bellocucina.com Yuletide wishes from all of us at
BRENNY TRANSPORTATION INC.
8505 Ridgewood Road, St. Joseph • 320-363-6999 www.brennytransportation.com
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at
RELIABLE ROLLOFF
8232 Delta Circle, St. Joseph • 320-363-1194 www.reliablerolloff.com Greetings this holiday season. Wishing you and your loved ones peace & joy!
RIDGEVIEW PLACE
1009 10th Ave. NE, Sauk Rapids • 320-251-5228 www.ridgeviewsenioliving.com Happy holidays from all of us at
REPUBLIC SERVICES
700 40th Ave. N.E., Sauk Rapids • 320-252-9608 www.republicservices.com Wishing you the peace, joy and love of the season.
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC SCHOOL 308 Second St. N., Sartell • 320-259-9940 www.stfrancissartellschool.org
A toast to you - thanks for your continued patronage.
‘Seasoned’ greetings from all of us at
ST. JOSEPH LIQUOR SHOPPE
St. Joseph • Sartell • Sauk Rapids www.coborns.com
What’s Christmas without all the trimmings? We won’t be truly ready for the holidays until we say “thanks” to all of you!
COBORN’S
Wishing you the kind of holidays that warm your heart and make you smile.
DRS. STYLES, COTTON, MILBERT & STAFF 1514 E. Minnesota St., St. Joseph • 320-363-7729 www.stjoedds.com
Wishing you a merry Christmas from all of us at
GM DRILLING
8914 Ridgewood Court, St. Joseph • 320-363-7453 www.gmdrilling.com Season’s greetings from Courtney and Chris at
INSURANCE ADVISORS
26 E. Birch St., St. Joseph • 363-0007 www.insuranceadvisorsofmn.com Holiday greetings to you and yours from all of us at
LAWSON FAMILY DENTAL
2395 Troop Drive #101, Sartell • 320-252-6191 www.lawsonfamilydental.com Wishing everyone happy holidays from
MIDWEST VISION CENTERS
Division Place Fashion Center next to TJ Maxx • 320-253-2020 www.MidwestVisionCenters.com
Hwy. 75, St. Joseph • 320-363-8636
ST. JOSEPH MEAT MARKET
26 First Ave. N.W., St. Joseph • 320-363-4913 www.stjosephmeatmarket.com Happy holidays from all of us at
SCHERER TRUCKING
P.O. Box 178, St. Joseph • 320-363-8846 www.scherertrucking.com Hope your season, and smile, are bright!
SCHNEIDER ORTHODONTICS
325 19th St. S., Ste. 102, Sartell • 320-251-0455 www.schneiderortho.com God’s blessings on all, including you.
SISTERS OF THE ORDER OF SAINT BENEDICT
104 Chapel Lane, St. Joseph • 320-363-7100 www.sbm.osb.org Happy holidays from
STEARNS COUNTY ABSTRACT & TITLE CO. 21 Court House Square, St. Cloud • 320-251-5920 www.stearnscountyabstract.com Happy holidays! Have a wood day!
Wishing you smiles this holiday season!
TMT INTEGRITY FLOORING LLC
151 19th St. S. Sartell • 320-229-2222 www.sartellkids.com
Wishing you a merry Christmas and a safe new year!
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
The happiest of holidays to you!
PINECONE VISION CENTER
320-363-7926 • www.floorguy.net
TROBEC’S BUS SERVICE INC. – NOW HIRING! 413 County Road 2 S., St. Stephen • 320-251-1202 www.trobecsbus.com
2180 Troop Drive, Sartell • 320-258-3915 www.pineconevisioncenter.com
From all of us to you, happy holidays and new year!
Warm wishes for the holiday season!
151 19th St. S. Ste. B Sartell • 320-229-2233 www.welchdentalcare.com
QUILL & DISC INC.
320-363-7296 • www.quilldisc.com
WELCH DENTAL
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St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Our View
Minnesotans can be proud of clean-energy initiatives Clean energy is not only the wave of the future, it has become a job-booster across the nation and especially right here in Minnesota. According to Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, the state gained 2,892 jobs related to clean energy last year, a growth rate almost four times faster than the rest of the economy. The clean-energy sector now employs 57,000 people in the state, including about 1,000 people in Stearns County. Clean-energy jobs are those that involve wind power, solar power, electric vehicles, energy efficiency and alternative fuels. They are also good-paying jobs with an average annual salary of $70,000. Related jobs can be found in manufacturing, engineering, construction, maintenance, sales and more. Clean energy is obviously a win-win for everybody – not just for the companies themselves and their employees. We all benefit via the cleaner air and water we share, on lower energy costs for those who subscribe to cleanenergy utility options. The burgeoning of clean energy is a triumph of innovations, efficiency, good old-fashioned American practicality and a growing awareness of conservation to preserve our precious planet. A person doesn’t have to drive very far in central Minnesota to see vast tracts of solar panels – dubbed solar farms or solar gardens. Large installations can be seen near St. Joseph and just off Hwy. 15 in east Sartell, and there are many smaller but substantial solar installations throughout the three counties, including many on businesses, public buildings or homes. Many more installations are being considered by cities and businesses. Schools also feature installations for solar or wind power, which double as learning opportunities for students. All of us are seeing the clean-energy future galloping toward the present. Other countries, including pollution-plagued China, are also seeing the light, the happy inevitability that life on Earth will be utterly dependent on clean-energy methods. Feisty factions can debate until doomsday whether human activities cause climate change, but the clean-energy movement transcends that debate because clean air and clean water are good outcomes. Pollution is not a good outcome, period. Some grinches still sneer and scoff at environmental concerns, denigrating them as old starry-eyed hippy notions. But as nomads often say, “The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.” Meantime, tremendous clean-energy programs continue to be implemented here, there and everywhere. A kind of grassroots wisdom about clean-energy has taken root. Let’s be proud Minnesota has become a leader for the nation in that respect. And, not to forget, here in this state, at least, there has been vigorous bipartisan support for so many clean-energy initiatives. Are you listening, U.S. Congress?
The ideas expressed in the letters to the editor and of the guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Newsleaders. Letters to the editor may be sent to news@thenewsleaders. com or P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374. Deadline is noon Monday. Please include your full name for publication (and address and phone number for verification only.) Letters must be 350 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for space.
Friday, Dec. 22, 2017
Opinion Village fire turns poor Tiny Tim to ashes (Editor’s note: Several readers have asked me if I would republish this column in time for Christmas. It was originally published Dec. 7, 2000.) Those ceramic Christmas villages are nostalgic wonders, but do be careful. I was always buying those village pieces for other people as presents. This year, I decided to buy one for myself. I bought five buildings: a church, a bakery, a train station, a general store and a butcher shop. I also bought 15 little ceramic figurines, including my favorite one – Charles Dickens’ immortal Bob Cratchit with his son, Tiny Tim, perched upon his left shoulder. I set up the village on a long narrow oak table lined with a snow sheet. It made for a cheerful display, a perfect little miniature world glowing with lights, like an idyllic English Christmas scene from the 19th Century. As I gazed upon that village, I kept smiling. There, before my eyes, was this timeless miniature world whose little people never have car problems, never have bill worries, never get sick, and where children play happily forever after – skating, sledding, throwing snowballs. An enchanting Christmas world where nothing goes wrong. However, it dawned on me the village was missing something. Despite its glow-in-the-dark charm, it was a bit too perfect. It needed something, but what? I rearranged it a few times. Then an inspiration struck. I know; it needs a cozy flickering fire, like those chestnut roasters people gather ‘round
Dennis Dalman Editor on frosty nights in winter. In my junk drawer I found one of those tea candles. I cut an inch from a toilet-paper roll, lined it with foil and placed it on a snowy expanse of the village with the tea light inside of it. I lit the candle. Its flickering flame cast a realistic glow. Actually, it looked more like a barrel fire, like the ones where homeless people and winos warm their hands on cold nights. Oh well, that’s good, I thought, because it gives a hint of down-on-your-luck social realism to the too-idyllic Christmas village. Gathered by the fire were some villagers, Santa and Tiny Tim on Cratchit’s shoulder. The candlelight flickered upon them. Yep, perfect. Then I went to my office-library to write Christmas cards. After an hour I smelled something burning. The candle must have gone out, I thought. Then I smelled something really scorchy. “Oh, no! It’s the village!” And it sure enough was. The hot candle had burned a hole through the snow sheet and scorched the oak table. Then I noticed Santa, a caroler and Cratchit-Tiny Tim, all keeled over on their backs on the black snow. Santa was missing a hand, his beard partly melted. The caroler’s beaver hat was sagging down over his face.
Then I noticed a little pile of ashes by the steps of the bakery. “What the heck could that be?” I wondered. Picking up Cratchit, I noticed his upper torso was missing and Tiny Tim was no longer attached to him. “Oh no! That pile of ashes. It’s Tiny Tim!” I could almost hear that little skinny kid shout out his last “God bless us everyone!” as he burned to death. Poor tyke. Death and calamity had struck my perfect village. Now Santa stands there with one hand gone, the other a withered stump; the deformed caroler sings off-key; Cratchit is a scorched horror, missing from the waist up; and Tiny Tim is gone forever. Should I place his ashes in a little urn? A friend popped over the next day and said my sooty Christmas village looks more like the Village of the Damned. “Whatever you do,” he advised, “do not buy figurines of the Little Match Girl or Mrs. O’Leary’s cow – the one that kicked over a lantern and started the Great Chicago Fire.” But I’m not giving up. I already have plans for two more village fires, new and improved, with flammables protected from the candles, a fire hidden behind a snow bank and the little people standing at a safe distance. Just in case, though, I’m going to buy some new pieces to add to the realism of my village: a teeny-weeny fire extinguisher, an ambulance, a hospital with a big burn unit, maybe a funeral parlor.
Tra-la-la, ‘tis the season to be merry So it’s Christmas time again. Looking around this week, I can’t believe how fast it has all gone. Once again, December has flown by. Christmas is right around the corner, along with family gatherings and giving galore. The music playing, the snow on the ground; many factors come together to make this season so special. Most of all, though, are the people we have here. Every year, the holiday season comes around, and we see the deluge of traditional markers. The spectre of sales such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday start to appear in advertisements. Santa Claus and snowmen begin to populate the streets and televisions. Christmas trees pop up in windows all over town, and lights are strung on the rooftops. Now I know I talked a few weeks ago about how I felt mid-November was too early to start with Christmas, but that’s not because I dislike the season. There’s something about the holiday that makes me wish it went on longer. But part of the reason I believe it is such a special time of the year is that it’s so short. There is only one big “holiday season.” Christmas and its contemporaries are arguably the biggest holidays of the year in this country. Nothing compares in terms of how many people celebrate and participate in them. There isn’t a holiday season
Connor Kockler Guest Writer once every three months or even every half a year. If Christmas was all the time, it wouldn’t be as special now, would it? It only comes once a year, and we have to make the most of it. But in all my experience as someone growing up and living here in central Minnesota, I’ve never seen us to ever have had a problem in doing just that. Everyone in our great cities and towns knows how to make the Christmas spirit go, and I always appreciate that. Now especially, as I finish my senior year of high school and prepare to go off into the new world of college, I will make sure to carry that with me. I’ve always been inspired by Christmas in Minnesota, and no matter where life takes me, it will be the standard that everything else gets compared to. And so that’s what I really enjoy most about the holiday season. The people, the sights, the special experiences all coming together to bring out the most of these often-cold winter days, and of us. I think we just have a special set of circumstances that makes everything here for us just that
more extraordinary. But it’s not just a season for decorations, music and holiday foods, good as they are. It’s also a time for giving and for thanks of what we have. People volunteer in droves, gifts are assembled and families gather. People, and the world, are brought closer. We realize in the end, we are all in this together, and we share in our common experiences. With this season of thanks, I would like to give my own thank-you and special shout-out to everyone reading this. I thank you all for the wonderful opportunity to write and provide columns for your reading throughout the year. I know everyone is busy, and so I really appreciate your taking a little time out to read several hundred words each week. I enjoy hearing your feedback, and I’m truly honored to be able to do this. So enjoy every second of the holidays since they are with us now. I hope your days are merry and bright. This is the time of year when truly special things happen, and life takes turns that might not have been expected. May you have a holiday season to be remembered for years to come. Connor Kockler is a Sauk RapidsRice High School student. He enjoys writing, politics and news, among other interests.
Friday, Dec. 22, 2017
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Community Calendar
Is your event listed? Send your information to: Newsleader Calendar, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374; fax it to 320-363-4195; or, e-mail it to news@thenewsleaders.com.
Friday, Dec. 22 Tae Guk Kwon Do, 3-4 p.m., Independent Lifestyles, 215 N Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. 320-267-7717. Monday, Dec. 25 Free Christmas dinner, sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Church of St. Joseph basement, 105 Sixth Ave. N., Waite Park. 320-380-3794. Tuesday, Dec. 26 National Alliance on Mental Health, 7-8:30 p.m., Calvary Community Church, 1200 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud. 320-259-7101. Thursday, Dec. 28 Blood drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Veterans Hospital, CD 135 Volunteer Services, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767. redcrossblood.org. Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, the year in review and ideas for 2018, 9 a.m., Sartell Community Center, 850 19th St. S., Sartell.. Sauk Rapids Chamber, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Sauk Rapids Govern-
Lunch from page 4 responsibility. “It is a small percentage overall in the district, but for the families experiencing a tough time, it’s not a small thing,” Braulick said. To help out this holiday season at Kennedy Elementary, Putnam said some “Christmas angels” came along and sent checks to the school for overdue lunch balances. They received a check for $100 and another for $1,000 during the last two weeks, and that money cleared up the nega-
ment Center, 250 Summit Ave. N. 320-251-2940. Kids Can blood drive, noon-6 p.m, Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 N. CR 2, St. Joseph. 320-2828266. redcrossblood.org. St. Joseph Food Shelf, open 1-3 p.m., Old City Hall, 25 First Ave. NW, St. Joseph.
Sartell. St. Joseph Planning Commission, 6 p.m., St. Joseph City Hall, 75 Callaway St. E. 320-363-7201. cityofstjoseph.com Great River Regional Coin Club, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Miller Auto Marine Sports Plaza, 2930 Second St. S., St. Cloud. 320-241-9229.
Tuesday, Jan. 2 Blood drive, 1-7 p.m., Atonement Lutheran Church, 1144 29th Ave. N., St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767. redcrossblood.org.
Friday, Jan. 5 St. Joseph Area Historical Society, open 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Old City Hall, 25 First Ave. NW. stjosephhistoricalmn.org.
Wednesday, Jan. 3 St. Joseph Area Historical Society, 7 p.m., Old City Hall, 25 First Ave NW. stjosephhistoricalmn.org
Saturday, Jan. 6 Paint the Town Red for Our Blue, 7-11 p.m., concert featuring Old Man Jenkins to raise money for training equipment for the Sartell Police Department. Sonia Nordmann, 320-251-8330.
Thursday, Jan. 4 Holiday Tree Collection, all day, remove all bags, stands and decorations from your Christmas tree and place them curbside for pick-up. Blood drive, noon-6 p.m., Discovery Church, 700 18th St. N.W, Sauk Rapids. 1-800-733-2767. redcrossblood.org. St. Joseph Food Shelf, open 1-3 p.m., Old City Hall, 25 First Ave. NW, St. Joseph. Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Sartell Community Center, 850, 19th St. S.,
tive accounts. “The community has been so generous this season,” Putnam said. “It’s been great.” Though the Sartell-St. Stephen School District hasn’t received any “Christmas angels” help yet this year, Braulick said people are certainly welcome to call the Sartell District Office and ask about giving to the “Have a Heart Fund” that helps families in need within the district. And with all the talk in other school districts regarding wasted food, especially when there are those who are forced to discard their meals for the inability to pay, local residents may wonder
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Voices from front page for the exhibit came from the Blandin Foundation, the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and the Initiative Foundation. In 2013, a similar traveling exhibit, made in the Twin Cities, made the rounds of many Minnesota cities to great acclaim. That exhibit is still being shown. Green Card Voices will also be featured in cities throughout Minnesota – churches, schools, community centers, city halls and more. After its stay at Whitney Senior Center, the exhibit will move to Little Falls for a month and then to Cold Spring for another month. Those featured in the exhibit include a doctor, teachers, college students, high-school students, a truck driver and others who are working hard to realize the American Dream.
Ayala
In his video in the Green Card Voices exhibit, Ulises Ayala tells his story of moving to the United States – illegally. He was born in a small town near the Pacific Coast in Mexico. When he was very young, his father moved to the United States in the
7 early 1980s, followed by his mother and his siblings. Ayala stayed behind to finish the sixth grade. Then one day, he crossed the Mexican-U.S. border, illegally, to join his family in Fresno, Calif. He was stunned to see his family lived in a one-room unit. It was not the America of gorgeous homes and green lawns he’d seen in photos. When he was about to graduate from high school, Ayala wanted to enlist in the U.S. Marines, but the lack of a green card prevented him from doing so. That lack prevented him also from obtaining a driver’s license and greatly limited work opportunities. He married, then decided to move to Minnesota and began the application process for a green card. The day it arrived in the mail, he joined the Minnesota National Guard and is now a captain. He is also doing master’s-degree studies at Mankato State University. Now a naturalized U.S. citizen, Ayala said his goal is to instill positive values in his children so they, too, will learn to appreciate what a “great and beautiful” country America is. Any organization, school or church interested in hosting Green Card Voices should email Natalie Ringsmuth at Natalie@unitecloud. org.
no one knows. At Sartell-St. Stephen schools, Braulick said several things happen to uneaten food. Any food waste not safe for human consumption, meaning it’s open and touched or bitten into, is sent to Barthold Farms Inc. in St. Francis for hog feed. They are also trying another food recycling venture at the Sartell Middle School, where they save food waste for Tri-County Organics in St. Cloud for making compost. Anything throughout the week that is packaged food or something they can sanitize and re-use, gets redistributed. Then every Friday, Salvation Army picks up food items
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St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
8
Friday, Dec. 22, 2017
Stearns honored for solar-power developments by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Stearns County was honored with a “Silver” designation from the national SolSmart program for making it faster, easier and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar. A massive solar-energy “garden” was recently installed near St. Joseph, and solar-panel installations are becoming as common a sight as telephone poles in area landscapes. Stearns County, as well as Minnesota in general, is now one of the leaders in the nation for the application of solar power. The St. Joseph “solar garden” is comprised of 28,000 solar panels and is located on the north and south side of Interstate 94, northwest of St. Joseph. It officially opened Oct. 12. The solar panels are spread across 60 acres and will produce enough energy to power about 1,200 average Minnesota homes. Primary subscribers to the solar garden include the St. Cloud, Annandale and Paynes-
104 Chapel Lane, St. Joseph, MN
ville school districts, as well as Louis Industries, a local manufacturer. SolSmart is a U.S. Department of Energy program that helps local areas develop solar energy and promote jobs and economic growth. This designation recognizes Stearns County for its leadership and taking steps to encourage solar-energy progress and removing obstacles to solar development. For companies looking to expand, a SolSmart Silver designation is a signal Stearns County is “open for solar business.” “This acknowledges our current practices of making the permit application process clear and easy to follow and providing online resources for local solar development,” said Angie Berg, Environmental Services Land Use Division supervisor. “With this designation we will have free access to technical staff who can help and guide us in this ever-changing industry. It will be very beneficial to have this resource, a free call to a team of experts who can answer any questions we may have in this
contributed photo
A “solar garden” near St. Joseph generates enough power to provide electricity for three school districts, many homes and an area manufacturer. area.” As a SolSmart designee, Stearns County is helping solar companies greatly reduce the cost of installations and then passing those savings on to consumers. This allows even more local homes and busi-
nesses to obtain affordable, clean and reliable electricity through solar. The actions Stearns County has taken will help encourage solar companies to do business in the area, driving economic development and creating local jobs. To receive designation, cities and counties make changes to their local processes to reduce the time and money it takes to install a solar-energy system. That includes evaluating local permitting process-
es, as well as planning and zoning procedures. SolSmart designees also develop innovations in areas such as market development and finance. SolSmart is led by the Solar Foundation and the International City/County Management Association and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative. More than 100 cities, counties, and small towns have achieved SolSmart designation since the program launched in 2016.
(320) 363 -7100 www.sbm.osb.org
new year’s eve
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<Happy Holidays> from all of us at CMCU! Wishing you and your loved ones a very joyous holiday season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year!
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