Hometown News
29442 120th St. Grey
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Humor saves the day -By Harvey Mackay
MONDAYS • 5 PM
The Hometown News is a free weekly publication, which is published and distributed every Thursday.
Free Distribution In: Albany Avon Bowlus Burtrum Elmdale Freeport Greenwald Grey Eagle Holdingford Meire Grove Long Prairie Melrose New Munich St. Anna St. Rosa Sauk Centre Swanville Upsala
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It’s said laughter is the best medicine, and I heartily agree.
How many times has a good laugh – or at least a good story – rescued a difficult situation?
April is National Humor Month, appropriately starting with April Fool’s Day. While a harmless prank is a fun way to lighten things up among friends, it’s important to keep one’s sense of humor alive when things get tense at work. I’m sharing some of my favorite businessoriented stories to inspire you to lighten up uncomfortable situations.
For example, determined people possess the stamina and courage to pursue their ambitions despite criticism, ridicule or unfavorable circumstances. In fact, discouragement usually spurs us on to greater things. And a sense of humor never hurts.
It’s like the high school sophomore who was doing his best to land a job for the summer, and the interview wasn’t going so well.
“Look here,” said the office manager, “aren’t you the same young man who was in here a week ago?”
“Yes, sir,” said the applicant.
“I thought so. And didn’t I tell you then that I wanted an older person?”
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
“Yes, sir,” said the young man. “That’s why I’m back. I’m older now.”
A minister, a boy scout, and a computer executive were flying to a meeting in a small private plane. About halfway to their destination, the pilot came back and announced that the plane was going to crash and that there were only three parachutes and four people.
The pilot said, “I am going to use one of the parachutes because I have a wife and four small children,” and he jumped.
The computer executive said, “I should have one of the parachutes because I am the smartest man in the world and my company needs me,” and he jumped.
The minister turned to the boy scout and, smiling sadly, said, “You are young, and I have lived a good, long life, so you take the last parachute, and I’ll go down with the plane.”
The boy scout said, “Relax, Reverend, the smartest man in the world just strapped on my backpack and jumped out of the plane!”
Major League umpire Bill Guthrie was working a baseball game. Sharing the space behind the plate was a catcher from the visiting team who complained and protested many ball and strike calls. Guthrie put up with the abuse for three innings and then could take it no more.
In the fourth inning, when the heckling started up again, Guthrie stopped him. “Son,” he said to the catcher, “you’ve been a big help to me calling balls and strikes, and I appreciate it. But I think I’ve got the hang of it now. So, I’m going to ask you to go to the clubhouse and show them how to take a
shower.”
Having spent my entire career in sales, I know how discouraging it is to hear “no” over and over again. But a salesperson who thinks negatively couldn’t sell life jackets on the Titanic.
It reminds me of the old grizzly veteran sales rep who runs into the new kid on the block.
“How are you getting along?” asked the old timer of the new salesman.
“Not so good,” came the disgusted reply. “I’ve been insulted in every place I made a call.”
“That’s funny,” said the old man. “I’ve been on the road 40 years. I’ve had doors slammed in my face, my samples flung in the street, been tossed downstairs and manhandled by janitors. But insulted –never!”
Then there’s the old farmer who was celebrating his 100th birthday. He’d seen it all – the Dust Bowl, years of flooding rains and scorching heat, banks taking back mortgages on every farm in the county. But through it all, he’d remained positive and determined, even downright cheerful. His
Upcoming Events
• Farming Lions 20th Annual Fish Fry from 4:30-8:30 p.m. at Trappers Pub & Grub, Farming.
SATURDAY, APRIL 5
• Word Of Life Church Fish Fry from 4-7 p.m., Upsala. See ad on page 5.
SUNDAY, APRIL 6
• Spaghetti Dinner from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at St. Michael’s Church basement, Spring Hill. WED., APRIL 9
FRI.-SUN., APRIL 11-13
• 15th Annual “Journey With Jesus to Calvary” Play at St. Francis of Assisi Church, St. Francis. Wed. at 7 p.m. Fri.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m. Sun. at 1 p.m. See ad on page 4.
APRIL 10-11, 13
• Melrose Stages Inc. presents “Theatre Highlights Old and New” at the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center, Melrose. April 10-11 at 7:30 p.m. April 13 at 2 p.m.
FRIDAY, APRIL 11
• Smelt & Fish Fry, Cash Raffle from 4-8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Upsala. See ad on page 4.
SUNDAY, APRIL 13
• Matching Grant Breakfast from 9 a.m.12:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church Hall, Holdingford.
MONDAY, APRIL 14
• 45th Annual Grey Eagle Housing Association Meeting at 4:30 p.m. at the Village View Apartments. See ad on page 7.
SATURDAY, APRIL 19
• Melrose VFW Auxiliary #7050 Annual Easter Egg & Bake Sale at 8:30 a.m.; Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion, Melrose.
• Easter Egg Hunt at 12-Noon at the Burtrum City Lions Park.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23
• Grey Eagle Senior Citizens Meeting at 4:30 p.m. Potluck & Bingo to follow at the Grey Eagle Senior Center.
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
• Moses Dane Cemetery Association Meeting at 9 a.m. at the Burtrum Community Center.
ALBANY SENIORS
• Meets 1st Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at the Albany Community Center.
ALBANY TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany City Hall.
• Planning Commission meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany City Hall.
BURNHAMVILLE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Burtrum City Hall.
BURTRUM CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
FEET FIRST CLINIC
• Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Holdingford City Hall.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
• Ruby’s Pantry Food Distribution 1st Saturday of the Month from 10-11 a.m. at River of Live Church, Sauk Centre.
FREEPORT CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
FREEPORT SENIOR MEETING
• Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. with cards/Bingo/coffee/dessert.
GREY EAGLE CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7
p.m.
GREY EAGLE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 1st Monday of the month at 8 p.m. LINE DANCING
• Meets Mondays at 4 p.m. & 5 p.m. alternating Mondays at the Melrose American Legion.
MELROSE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 1st Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the town hall.
MELROSE VFW #7050 POST/AUX.
• Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Melrose American Legion Clubrooms.
MELROSE LEGION #101 POST/AUX.
• Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Melrose American Legion. (Aux. Sept.-May.)
STEARNS CO. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
• Meets the 2nd Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albany SUNSHINE CLUB
• Meets every Monday, weigh in starts at 8; meeting at 8:30 a.m. at the Village View Apartments, Grey Eagle.
ST. ROSA CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 3rd Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Community Park building.
SWANVILLE CITY COUNCIL
• 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
SWANVILLE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 8:30 p.m. at the Swanville Fire Hall.
UPSALA CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 1st Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
“The Good Old Days” -By Tom Kuehne
Baseball Is baseball still a kids game?
Remembering back to the time when kids created their own entertainment, we remember baseball or softball. The kind of game was determined by whether the ball that was available was small and hard or larger and more soft. We played with the neighbor kids and sometimes were joined by adults that were trying to find out if they could play as well as they did as a kid. It did put some extra fun in our lives.
Baseball was also part of local school sports opportunities, along with local teams that usually were sponsored by the local community. When these teams played, they created a feeling that the local communities reputation depended on whether they won or lost. The results of the game were replayed for a week in the local gathering places. Many guys had strong opinions about how last Saturday’s game would have had a different result if their expert opinion had been requested. Anyway, the games provided an opportunity for the community to gather for some entertainment.
There was a time in our lives when we would listen to big league games on the radio while milking or painting one of the farm buildings. In fact, when the Twins came to Minnesota, I knew the names of all of the players and the position they played. In my mind I could see chubby Earl Batty and skinny, wirie Camilo Pasqual. It gave the audience the feeling that they were playing for their own personal entertainment.
As time passed, it seemed that the game had become a property of big business and how it could be used to create more and more money. The player salaries changed from slightly more than a workers pay to amounts that are far in excess than fans will earn in a lifetime. The players are treated like slaves being sold to another team to enhance the new team’s ability to win and thereby increase income for the franchise
through ticket, TV and advertising revenues. If the player doesn’t meet expectations, he will be sold or dumped irregardless of the player’s personal family ties.
Another thing that professional baseball has taken away is the feeling that the players actually are from your state. How many Minnesota Twins players are actually from Minnesota? Do they really care about Minnesota or are they playing to impress the management who pays their unreal salaries.
Please forgive me for being hard on professional baseball, but I see it as something that is so much different than we remember it to be.
For feedback or story ideas, email Tom at kuehneins@gmail.com.
If you need help with Health or Life Insurance or for Senior Health Solutions Contact: Tom Kuehne 320-360-0343
Harvey Mackay continued from pg 2 family and friends pressed him for his secret on maintaining his optimism.
“It ain’t so hard,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “I just learned early on to cooperate with the inevitable.”
While I am accustomed to public speaking and make frequent speeches to large audiences, I was a little nervous as I prepared to address a very distinguished audience. I asked my wife what kind of remarks might be appropriate for the occasion.
“Whatever you do,” Carol Ann said, “don’t try to sound intellectual, sophisticated or charming. Just be yourself.”
And we are still married after 65 years.
Mackay’s Moral: Take your work seriously, take others seriously, but you should never take yourself too seriously.
Reprinted with permission from nationally syndicated columnist Harvey Mackay, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller “Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive,” “We Got Fired!...And It’s the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Us,” “The Mackay MBA of Selling in the Real World,” and “Use Your Head To Get Your Foot In The Door.”
From the Desk of Pastor Bruce
Getting your heart ready for Good Friday and Easter is hard to do in a busy lifestyle. As a pastor, I find myself not so much celebrating the day or remembering the day, but knowing the reason for the celebration. I know history buffs will be getting on my case, but I hated history in high school and college. The timeline seemed to be more important to my teacher than what happened. I like history now, since I know it is important, but I still have an issue with the “Time” it happened, the date itself is just not that important to me. Take Easter for instance, I had to look it up because I had no idea how we even got the date. It turns out there is a different date every year and Good Friday is always the Friday before. That may be elementary to most of you but what might not be common knowledge is the fact that Jesus loved you so much that he humbled Himself even unto death on a cross. Why? Because He was all about Redemption and Forgiveness!
Philippians 2:5-8 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
Jesus showed us the true definition of love. In fact, you could say He embodied it as in taking it upon Himself to show every person alive how to love. 1 John 3:16 explains it very well “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
Prepare your hearts for the upcoming Holy Week, the date is April 18-20th, but more importantly it’s a great reminder of who Jesus is and what He did on our behalf.
-Pastor Bruce Miller from Swanville Bible Church, 320-547-2916
Kathryn C. Carlson
Kathryn C. “Kathy” Carlson, age 82 of Sauk Centre, passed away after a long battle on Thursday, March 27, 2025 at Fairway Pines Senior Living in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 7 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Marty Porter officiating. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Sauk Centre with lunch to follow.
Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service Monday at the church.
Kathryn Christine Dowell was born May 9, 1942 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Merle and Evelyn (Michels) Dowell. She graduated in 1960 from Swanville High School. Later while in San Diego, she graduated with an associate degree in accounting and shortly afterward graduated as a para-legal. Kathy worked at several places including Honeywell, a print company as office manager, and several law firms as a para-legal. Kathy and John Pavlicek were married at Grace Lutheran Church in San Diego in February of 1981 and then moved to Antioch in northern California in 1994 and returned to Minnesota in 2003.
Kathy was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, walking, and family gatherings.
Survivors include her husband, John Pavlicek Sr. of Sauk Centre; step-children, Lisa Pavlicek-Adams of Escondido, California and John Pavlicek Jr. of Fontana, California; step-grandchildren, Matthew, Andrew, and Colleen Adams; sister and brothers, Donna Johnson of Little Falls, Larry (Lori) Dowell of Merrifield, Wayne (Wilma) Dowell of Melrose, Roger (Dorcus) Dowell of Albany, and Gerald (Connie) Dowell of Pella, Iowa.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Barbara Russell.
Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral and Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
Donna M. Rech
Donna M. Rech, age 88 of Watkins, formerly of Grey Eagle, passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at Hilltop Care Center in Watkins, Minnesota. A private graveside service will be held at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Grey Eagle.
Donna Mae Walker was born February 22, 1937 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Walt and Florence (Curtis) Walker. She married Frank Cleveland in 1960 and later divorced. From this union, they had a daughter, Sara. While living in Minneapolis, Donna worked at Honeywell. In 1973, Donna and Sara moved back to Grey Eagle where she began working at Jennie-O until 1997. Donna was united in marriage to David Rech on July 10, 1974 in Reno, Nevada and from this marriage, they had a son, Jeff. Donna retired when she was 60 years old and volunteered at the Senior Center in Grey Eagle.
She enjoyed painting, reading, gardening, canning, and baking.
Survivors include her children, Sara Hiltner of Watkins and Jeff (Ginger) Rech of Grove City; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; brother, David Walker of Grey Eagle; half brothers and sisters, Wallace “Wally”, Dolores “Pete”, Bonnie, and Ricky.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband, David Rech on September 9, 1977; son-in-law, Gary Hiltner in 2014; parents, brothers, Buck and Bill Walker; and sister, Fran Lene.
Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral and Cremation Services of Grey Eagle, Minnesota.
Reilene J. “Rae” Kuzma
Reilene J. “Rae” Kuzma, age 75 of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, Minnesota. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 p.m. Friday, April 4 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Mitchell Bechtold officiating. A private inurnment will be at a later date at Oak Hill Cemetery in Melrose, Minnesota.
A visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Friday at the church.
Reilene Jean Priyatel was born in Winton, Minnesota on December 9, 1949, to John and Lorraine (Janeksela) Priyatel. She graduated from Memorial High School in Ely, Minnesota in 1969. On August 2, 1969, she married Robert Kuzma in Virginia, Minnesota. Right around that time, Rae and Bob moved to Melrose and started their life together there as husband and wife. Rae worked at Pine Villa Nursing Home for a few years and then went to St. Cloud Beauty School to earn her cosmetology degree. She worked at Long’s Salon in Sauk Centre and Cut Above in Melrose. After years as a hairdresser, Rae went back to caring for the elderly and began working at Das Goldene Wohnheim in New Munich. She also provided in home daycare for many years.
Rae was a warrior who battled many illnesses throughout her life. One of which was breast cancer. After beating cancer, Rae felt blessed and wanted to give back to those less fortunate. She founded the non-profit organization Project Give a Gift. It started in Rae’s dining room with one Cabbage Patch Doll. Very quickly Rae realized that helping
others was her purpose, her mission, so she reached out to friends in the community. Project Give a Gift took up new residence in a larger space and Rae found a team of “elves” to help her carry out this mission. Over the years it has grown from helping one child to having helped up to 150 families in a given year mainly during Christmas. Rae and her team visited the elderly, sent cards and well wishes to the sick and touched many people’s lives.
Rae’s greatest love was her family. She always put their well-being ahead of her own and they were the main focus throughout her life. She was deeply in love with her soulmate and husband Bob. Their commitment to one another was apparent as they renewed their marriage vows twice over the years. Rae and Bob loved to travel. The spent countless hours in the car together looking for the next adventure. They raised a family together whom Rae was most proud of. She loved her children Cheri and Todd and had a special bond with each one of them. Her children grew up and had families of their own and gave her the most precious gift of all, grandchildren. Rae spent any opportunity she could with her grandsons. She was the grandma who showed up for every sporting event, concert, or activity her grandchildren were in. She babysat them often. She found pure joy in watching them grow.
Survivors include her husband, Robert “Bob” Kuzma of Melrose; daughter, Cheri Hemker of Sauk Rapids; son, Todd (Deb) Kuzma of Sauk Rapids; 5 grandsons, Tyler, Connor and Nolan Hemker, Jarred Taylor and Blake Kuzma; brother, John (Diane) Priyatel of Maple Grove; brother-in-law, Tim (Barb) Kuzma of Britt; sister-in-law, Sue Kuzma of St. Cloud; Niece, Becky (Jim) Glasgow of Virginia; Nephews, Kevin (Candace) Priyatel of Waukesha, WI and Mike (Teagan) Priyatel of Albertville.
Rae was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lorraine Priyatel.
Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral and Cremation Services of Melrose.
Grey Eagle Community Handbell Choir Presents Spring Concerts at Local Libraries
The Grey Eagle Community Handbell Choir will present a spring concert at 4:30 p.m. at the Grey Eagle Public Library on April 4. Additional concerts will be at the Long Prairie Library at 1:30 p.m. on April 11 and at the Melrose Public Library on May 12 at 6:30 p.m.
The handbell ringers will play a variety of both spiritual and secular selections such as Do-Re-Mi, For the Beauty of the Earth, Exuberant Praise.
The choir receives financial support from the Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions, the USA Chorus, the Minnesota Legacy Arts and Cultural Fund, and from audience members.
The group, led by Robert Kutter, rehearses weekly at the Grey Eagle United Methodist Church from September through April.
Please join us for these free concerts at the library nearest to you.
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Upsala
Upsala American Legion Auxiliary Unit 350 donated snacks to members of the Upsala Area Schools Staff. The snacks were given as a way to show appreciation to staff members for all they do to ensure our area youth are safe and educated. Pictured are (from left) Auxiliary member Kristi Brezinka Wacker, School Staff member Sherry Soltis, Auxiliary and Staff member Beth Gunderson, Principal Nick Klug, School Staff members Lizz Schafer and Gina Gross.
Upsala American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Unit 350 showed their appreciation to the Upsala Fire and Rescue volunteers during March, Community Service Month. The Upsala Fire and Rescue squad is an outstanding example of volunteers who donate their time and talents to the community when fires and rescue situations arise. ALA Unit 350 donated snack items that will help members of Upsala Fire and Rescue replenish energy during training and when on calls. Pictured are (from left) Auxiliary members MJ Blonigen, LeAnn Beneke, Kristi Brezinka Wacker and Fire and Rescue members Duke Lange, Brady Burgraff, Mike Kremers, Nick Johnson, Shawn Lampert and Neal Gerads.
Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week April 7-11, 2025
Statewide Tornado Drill Day is Thursday, April 10th
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management wants to remind everyone that Severe Weather Awareness Week is April 7-11th. On Thursday, April 10th, we will be participating in the Statewide Tornado Drills with sirens being activated at 1:45 PM and 6:45 PM. Outdoor warning sirens will sound in a simulated tornado warning. The tornado drills allow everyone in the community to practice their emergency plans for tornadoes. The first drill is intended for institutions and businesses. The evening drill is intended for second shift workers and families. There is no such thing as an “all- clear” siren.
For more information about severe weather safety and preparedness, please
Todays Thought
If the grass is greener on the other side, maybe there’s more manure.
visit the Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at https:// dps.mn.gov/divisions/hsem/weather-awareness-preparedness/Pages/severe-weatherawareness-week-program.aspx for daily topics during Severe Weather Awareness Week. Each day of the week highlights an important seasonal weather safety topic: Monday: Alerts and Warnings; Tuesday: Severe Weather, Lightning and Hail; Wednesday: Floods; Thursday: Tornadoes (with Statewide Tornado Drills) and Friday: Extreme Heat. We encourage everyone to be informed and prepared!
Sudoku is one of the most popular puzzle games of all time. The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3×3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9. As a logic puzzle, Sudoku is also an excellent brain game.
Dave Says -By Dave Ramsey
Dear Alisha,
Dear Dave, I’m 26, so I haven’t had time to accumulate a lot of money yet through my career. I do have a good, fulltime job, though, and have started saving money. Do I need a will or trust when I’m so young and have so little in terms of assets?
-Alisha
I love the fact that you’re already thinking about things like this. You’re a wise young lady.
Considering that you’re young and just starting out, you don’t need anything complicated in place. Trusts tend to be geared toward people with complex estates, so it doesn’t sound like that’s something you need to worry about. But you do need a simple, inexpensive will.
You didn’t give many details, so let’s say you have a car, along with the money in the bank you mentioned, plus a few belongings. With a basic will, it’ll be no problem to work through your estate and follow your directives if something unfortunate should happen. Here’s something else to think about, too. Another important document you’ll want in your will package is a
healthcare power of attorney directive. This includes things like who’s going to make medical decisions for you if you’re unable to make them yourself. As a part of this, you’d also want to fill out the paperwork on whether to disconnect life support systems in the event you’re in a coma.
All this stuff’s a real wake-up call, right? I know these kinds of things aren’t fun to think about—especially at your age. But thinking about them, and doing something about them, is the right thing to do. It’s the smart thing to do. Plus, it will take a huge burden off your loved ones. And all this becomes even more important if you have children, because the state will step in and decide what happens to them if you don’t.
Having these things laid out ahead of time, and sharing them with your family and close friends, would be a very thoughtful and mature thing to do, Alisha. Think about it. They’re already going to be grieving and distraught if something happens to you. You don’t want to make things harder by leaving a lot of important and difficult decisions for them to make in the middle of it all.
-Dave
* Leadership and small-business expert Dave Ramsey is the CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored eight national bestselling books, including “EntreLeadership,” and he’s a host of “The Ramsey Show” and “The EntreLeadership Podcast.”
Albany Senior Dining
Volunteers Needed! Call 320-845-4070
Mon., April 7: Salisbury steak, paprika potatoes, peas, bread.
Tues., April 8: Chicken rice casserole, green beans, bread, cake.
Wed., April 9: Hamburger tomato casserole, peaches, bread, cookie.
Thurs., April 10: Ham, broccoli & cheese stuffed baked potato, broccoli, garlic breadstick, brownie.
Fri., April 11: Tilapia, rice pilaf, strawberries, carrots, bread.
Pre-registration requested to dine daily.
For more info. call 320-845-4070.
Ask The Motor Medics®
From the Hosts of the Under The Hood radio show.
Dear Motor Medics,
I have a 2014 Ford Fusion, and I want to repair my air conditioner. It stopped working a couple of years ago and I didn’t have the money to get it going so I didn’t even take it in the shop. I had a shop diagnose it last week and they told me that it would cost about $1500 to fix it. They said it needed everything because it had a major failure. It was working all summer before it quit but it wasn’t very good. Does this all sound legit?
-Heather in Rapid City, South Dakota
Dear Heather,
Air conditioning is not cheap to repair, and it is considered a non-essential item so many people don’t fix it right away. We want to start with the last time it worked first as that could have been the key for how much the repair ends up being. When a air conditioner starts to operate poorly with the air not being as cool as normal that is the clue to turn it off and DON’T use it until it has been checked out. A weak ac usually means airflow restriction in the condenser or low refrigerant which means oil won’t flow properly in the system. This leads to a overheated system that begins to be damaged. With this type of damage, what they told you is usually true and can cost that much as most of the system can have metal shavings in it.
-Take care, The Motor Medics
Dear Motor Medics,
I have a 2020 Chevy Equinox, and I was told that the transfer case needs to be replaced. The case started making noise about a year ago, but I didn’t know what the noise was. One shop looked at it for me but didn’t know what the noise was, so it didn’t get repaired. The shop that has it now says that they found no oil in the unit, but they can’t find a leak. Could it have been saved if the people who have been working on it would have added oil to it before it failed?
-Edward in Cleveland, Ohio
Dear Edward, Transfer cases in the Chevy Equinox have been known to fail like this. This also goes for any other all drive vehicle with
THE JUNCTION
this small type of case. The transfer case holds a very small amount of oil, and some don’t even have a way to check the fluid. Once any case starts to make noise it is very unlikely that adding oil will fix the issue as the damage has already been done. As for leaks, remember when we said it has a small amount of oil? It is not uncommon that the oil will all leak out and you won’t see a leak as there is no oil left to be seen. Once it is this low the case will only last a few hundred miles at the most before failure.
-Take care, the Motor Medics For entertainment only. Always consult your local shop and follow all safety procedures before repairs. Come visit the Motor Medics® online at Underthehoodshow. com.
Local Municipality Minutes
Email Minutes to htnews@icloud.com
Burnhamville Township • February 25, 2025
The regular meeting of the Town Board of Burnhamville was held February 25, 2025 at the Burtrum Community Center. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Mike Berscheit. Members present include Supervisors Mike Berscheit, Joe Muellner and Bruce Johnson; Clerk Shirley Hulinsky and Treasurer Pam Throener. Also present were Erv Herdering and Brendan and Jackie Jay.
The minutes from the regular meeting of January 28, 2025 were approved on a motion by Sup. Johnson and second by Sup. Muellner. Motion passed.
For correspondence the township received notice of Tom Dingman variance request passed Todd County Planning and Zoning, bank forms from First State Bank that needed to be completed and more township election details.
A motion was moved by Sup. Berscheit to pay all bills numbered 6776 through 6791 totaling $9,786.08. Sup. Muellner seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Brendan & Jackie Jay were here to ask for sewer variance to place an RV on shoreland small lot on Moose Lake. Board discussed the location. Sup. Berscheit signed request showing approval. Board thanked the owners for doing things the right way. Owners now take to county.
Bruce Township contacted our supervisors asking if we want to share their road grader. After discussion board stated we would stay with Herdering, Inc.
The Swanville Sportsmen Club would like to put in an L shaped dock on Mons Lake Access. They are asking for monitory support as the township owns the access. Sup. Berscheit moved a motion to spend $2,000 on the dock with the Swanville Sportsmen Club. Sup. John-
son seconded the motion. Motion passed with all voting in favor. After discussion the board decided to go with LP Sanitation and AA Recycling for clean up day again. We will plan on same location as last year on Wilson Ave.
The township received $2,000 Boost Grant from Sourcewell for skid steer attachment. We will look into more grants as they become available in July.
Township officer training from Minnesota Association of Townships will be locally the last week of March. Three officers will try to attend.
Township offices election and annual meeting is March 11 with election from 5-8 pm and annual meeting at 8:20 pm. The board will set up booths at 4 pm. The clerk will send out post cards again noting dates for election and clean up day.
In the road report the culvert on 180th St. needed to be steamed open and washout was fixed. May need to dig gravel out later. 162nd St. is rough again. May need to place mat under road this year. Contractor and supervisors will monitor road conditions. The estimate for dust control came in at $0.97 per foot this year, up slightly from last year.
The Treasurer’s report shows balance of $93,176.21. Township received gas tax. Report approved on a motion by Sup. Berscheit and second by Sup. Muellner. Motion passed. The board audited the books of the clerk and treasurer. Everything was in order.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m. on a motion by Sup. Berscheit and a second by Sup. Johnson. Next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 7 pm and the annual meeting will be on Tuesday, March 11 at 8:20 pm in the Burtrum Community Center.
Shirley Hulinsky, Burnhamville Township Clerk
Local Century Farms Honored in 2025
The Minnesota State Fair and the Minnesota Farm Bureau recognize 77 Minnesota farms as 2025 Century Farms. Qualifying farms have been in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years and are 50 acres or more. Century Farm families receive a commemorative sign, as well as a certificate signed by Minnesota State Fair and Minnesota Farm Bureau presidents and Governor Tim Walz. Since the program began in 1976, more than 11,000 Minnesota farms have been recognized as Century Farms.
Family farms are recognized as a Century Farm when three requirements are met. The
farm must be: 1) at least 100 years old according to authentic land records; 2) in continuous family ownership for at least 100 years (continuous residence on the farm is not required); and 3) at least 50 acres and currently be involved in agricultural production.
2025 Century Farm families from our area include: Morrison County: Pierz - Stangl Family Farm, 1906
Pierz - Tschida Family Farm, 1925 Stearns County:
Belgrade - Braun Family Farm, 1887 Holdingford - Czeck, 1883
Melrose - Zierden Farm, 1896
Todd County: Eagle Bend - Nelson Farm, 1919
Osakis - McKindley-Gray, 1917
Information on all Century Farms will be available at the Minnesota Farm Bureau exhibit during the 2025 Minnesota State Fair. A Century Farm database is also available at fbmn.org.
MELROSE TOWNSHIP
Important Information Regarding Assessment and Classification of Property
This may affect your property tax payments for next year. Notice is hereby given that the Board of Appeal and Equalization of the Melrose Township shall meet on April 16, 2025 at 3:00 pm at Town Hall, 41248 County Road 13, Melrose, MN. The purpose of this meeting is to determine whether taxable property in the jurisdiction has been properly valued and classified by the assessor, and also to determine whether corrections need to be made. If you believe the value or classification of your property is incorrect, please contact your assessor’s office to discuss your concerns. If you are still not satisfied with the valuation or classification after discussing it with your assessor, you may appear before the local board of appeal and equalization. The board shall review the valuation, classification, or both if necessary, and shall correct it as needed. Generally, an appearance before your
and equalization is required by
and equalization.
Locally Growin’ Campaign Begins
Spring has sprung! It’s time to see what’s growin’ at the library. Locally Growin’, Great River Regional Library’s (GRRL) fundraising campaign runs Tuesday, April 1, through Wednesday, April 30, 2025. This year, the fundraiser will be held in April instead of March to align with Library Giving Day (April 1) and National Library Week (April 6-12).
Our Locally Growin’ campaign keeps donations 100 percent within the branch library of the donor’s choosing. Each library selects a specific “wish” item and a campaign goal. Over $27,000 was raised around the region in 2024 to support a wide variety of goals. Each library’s goal is unique and focuses on its community’s interests and needs.
GRRL’s northern library locations are raising money for the following this year:
• Staples wishes for a visit from the zoo and to add more books to their collection;
• Eagle Bend wishes for a visit from the zoo and to add more books to their collection;
• Long Prairie wishes for Play2Learn toy kits and Try It Yourself pickleball kits;
• Grey Eagle wishes to add adult fiction books to the local collection;
• Swanville wishes to add an exploration
station;
• Upsala wishes to add exploration station toys;
• Little Falls wishes for Play2Learn toy kits and children’s room items;
• Pierz wishes to add Playaway ready-toplay books;
• Royalton wishes to add an exploration station set, decodable books, and children’s theatre and STEM programs.
These are just a few of our libraries’ wishes across our six-county region. Stop by to learn what is growin’ at your local library! You can learn more about the Locally Growin’ campaign and make a difference at your library or by giving online at griver.org/locally-growin.
Great River Regional Library (GRRL) provides library services at 32 public libraries and one to-go system in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, and Wright Counties. GRRL2GO is a locker system that allows you to pick up items at the Sartell Community Center. GRRL supplies the residents of Central Minnesota with nearly 1 million books, CDs, and DVDs, 250 public computers, and information services.
Todd County Feedlot Annual Meeting
Todd Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ annual event took place at Central Lakes College in Staples on March 20th, 2025. Our meeting was titled Wanted: Dead or Alive! Feedlot topics this year pertained to on the ground options for better farm and nutrient management, feedlot program updates, and carcass disposal management and composting for feedlot owners.
We had CFOs presenting on feedlot program updates and the relationship between land application of manure and groundwater. Participants appreciated a producer panel on cover crop successes and helpful advice to those starting out
on their cover crop journey. Keynote presenters were Dr. Steve Baldwin with Freeport Veterinary Services discussed identifying avian flu and other airborne pathogens and feedlot building construction. Brady Wulf of Clear Springs Cattle Company discussed how they integrate grazing cover crops in their operation. Also, Terry Sistad from Board of Animal Health and Kourtney Frank with MPCA discussed carcass disposal management and composting. The end goal was to get producers to think about long term animal agriculture resiliency and adaptation.
ATTENTION! Grey Eagle Housing Association Members
The 45th Annual Meeting of the Grey Eagle Housing Association will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 14, 2025, in the Menge Community Room at Village View Apartments in Grey Eagle. (Our Monthly Meeting will be held at 3:45 p.m.)
Nomination & Elections of 3 Directors: If you qualify as a member of Grey Eagle Housing Association and live in the area, you may nominate yourself, or another member of the association, to the Board of Directors either at the meeting or in writing before the meeting. This year we will elect 3 people to three-year terms. Please submit the names you wish to nominate to Margaret Newberg, 303 Cedar Street North, #25, Grey Eagle, MN 56336. For more information, please call 320-285-3973.
ST. MARTIN: Spring city-wide garage sales, Fri. & Sat., April 25th & 26th. Watch for balloons.
WANTED TO BUY: Butcher cows, bulls, fats & walkable cripples: also horses, sheep & goats. 320-235-2664. SC-odB
HELP WANTED
Holtz Tree Service and Firewood Bowlus, MN; is seeking individual interested in Full Time/Part Time Employment.
Duties include outdoor work pertaining to firewood/tree work. Day shift work Monday thru Friday, no weekends. Paid weekly wage based on performance. Will train. Must have a valid driver’s license. Call or text 320-360-3512
Grey Eagle/Burtrum Lions Club is collecting old glasses, phones and hearing aids to refurbish and distribute around the world. If you have any please drop off at Neville Hardware, Grey Eagle.
WANTED: Cars and pickups from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, in your weeds or sheds. 218-640-3807 or 218-756-2257.
FREE KITTENS: Tri-colored black white gray brown with tiger stripes, people friendly and litter trained. Call 320-874-1723.
PUPPIES FOR SALE: Shihtzu mix born Jan. 12th, $200, 1 male, 1 female, vet checked, 1st shots. Call 1-877-243-2823 hearing impaired, 320-573-2631. 4/3
FOR SALE: Travel trailer 2020 Wildwood Heritage Glen 25rbhl, gently used, $18,000 or best offer. Grey Eagle 612-716-4427. tfn
FOR SALE: Used 48” vanity, custom made, 2 cupboards, 4 drawers, $300. Call 320-836-2588.
FOR SALE: Galaxy Tablet Tab E 32GB with case, 8”, $25. Call 320-894-9118.
FOR SALE: HP 98 black and HP 95 color ink cartridges $15 each. Call 320-815-1768.
FREE: Rabbits. Call 320-874-1723.
FOR SALE: 2 Amish built oak counter stools, $50. 2 painted wooden counter stools, $10. Call 320-256-4430.
DEBTS DOES DRILY EASEL EAST EDITOR EVER EYES FALL FRAME GIDDY GLAD HIDDEN IRISH LAME LEAF LEFT
LESSON LISTENS LODGE MALES MEALS MEND MESS NAMED NAVAL NEAT NESTS NETS PEELS PIRATES POETRY REAL RIVAL
WANTED: Geo Tracker, good shape, reasonable price. Call 320-267-5632. RB-tfn
WANTED: A V4 Wisconsin motor or something similar. Call 320-249-5454.
FOR SALE: Pair of Flexsteel charcoal leather love seats with electric recliners, like new, no pets, no smoking. Text for pictures 320-815-1768.
FOR SALE: 14’ Crestliner boat, oars, trailer, wheel jack, Johnson 7 hp motor, 2 seat cushions. Call 320-352-6976.
