Sully’s Big Sunny on Sunny Big Birch! Submitted by Grandpa Hans Mische.
Hometown News
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Everything begins with an idea -By Harvey Mackay
MONDAYS • 5 PM
The Hometown News is a free weekly publication, which is published and distributed every Thursday.
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In 1930, a Hungarian inventor named Laszlo Jozef Biro saw some children playing with balls in the water. He noticed that the balls left a trail of water as they rolled along the ground. He started thinking: Could one use a ball-shaped metal tip to write?
Biro took the idea to his brother Gyorgy, who was a chemist, and they worked together to create a new type of pen. They finally settled on the right design, which used a thin ink and a ball that rotated freely that was easy to control and kept the ink from drying out.
They introduced their invention in 1931 and patented it in 1938. Then World War II erupted, and the two brothers emigrated to Argentina and founded a company in their garage.
In 1943, the pen was leased to a U.S. company for $2 million. Then, in 1950, a man named Marcel Bich bought the rights. He took the “h” off his name to found the BICGroup, leading to the ever-popular pens most of us now simply call Bic.
Another fellow sat watching a great swinging lamp as a form of meditation. Then Galileo hit on the idea of a pendulum swinging as a means of accurately measuring the passage of time.
I’ve never had an idea quite like that, but some of my really inspired thoughts came to me not while I was sitting at my desk, but in an unusual assortment of venues – watching a football game, lining up a putt and looking out the window of an airplane. The few
FRIDAY, JUNE 20
minutes away from your daily grind can be a tremendous source of inspiration. The trick is putting those ideas into action.
That’s why I like writing this column. If a reader can use just one idea or concept, it’s worthwhile. That’s the coach/teacher in me. I’m happy to share ideas and help people benefit from them. I think that’s a healthy attitude for everyone to have.
Everyone benefits from sharing ideas with others. We become better individuals, better families and better businesses when we share ideas.
If I give you a dollar and you give me a dollar, we each have a dollar. But if I give you an idea and you give me an idea, we each have two ideas. In other words, a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
But remember, ideas have very little value on their own. Ideas without action are worthless. It is when determined people implement them that they become influential, whether in daily life or business.
Acting on ideas in business is crucial for several reasons:
Innovation and competitive edge. Implementing new ideas can lead to innovative products, services or processes that set your business apart from competitors. This can attract new customers, retain existing ones and ultimately drive growth and profitability.
Adaptability and resilience. Businesses that act on ideas are more adaptable to market changes and can quickly respond to new trends or disruptions, facilitating long-term sustainability and success in a rapidly changing business environment.
Employee engagement and morale. Encouraging and acting on ideas from employees fosters a culture of inclusion and innovation. This boosts employee morale, engagement and retention, as team members share in the company’s success.
Customer satisfaction. Implementing
ideas that improve customer experience can lead to higher satisfaction and loyalty. Satisfied customers are more likely to become repeat buyers and recommend your business to others, driving growth through word-ofmouth.
Efficiency and cost savings. New ideas can streamline operations, reduce waste and improve efficiency, leading to significant cost savings and better resource allocation, enhancing overall business performance.
How can you effectively act on ideas?
Create an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas without fear of criticism. This opens a diverse pool of ideas that can be refined and implemented.
Develop a process for evaluating the feasibility, potential impact and alignment with business goals of each idea so that resources are allocated to the most promising ideas. Create a clear plan for implementation and establish metrics to monitor success. This helps ensure that the idea is executed effectively and its impact is measured accurately.
Gather feedback and analyze the results of implemented ideas to learn what works and what doesn’t. This continuous improvement cycle helps refine future ideas and strategies. Ideas are the lifeblood of business innovation and growth. Acting on them with purpose and strategy can transform your business and set you on a path to sustained success.
Mackay’s Moral: Don’t just entertain new ideas. Put them to work.
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.”
Upcoming Events
• Melrose American Legion Fish Fry from 4:30-7:30 p.m. See ad on page 3.
FRIDAY, JUNE 27
• “Witness of the 1st Settlement to Present Time” Power Point & Lunch at 12-Noon at the Greenwald Pub. See ad on page 3.
FRI.-SUN, JUNE 27-29
• 62nd Annual Swanville Mid-Summer Carnival. Sunday Parade at 11:30 a.m. See ad on page 7.
TUESDAY, JULY 1
• Parkinson’s Support Group Meeting at 2 p.m. at CentraCare West Campus Board Room, Long Prairie.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 2
• Folk & Old-Time Music & Potluck from 1-3 p.m. at the Village View Apartments, Grey Eagle.
• Upsala American Legion Auxiliary Unit 350 Celebrate Freedom with Root Beer Foats from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Upsala Area Veterans Memorial.
SUN.-THURS., JULY 6-10
• Vacation Bible School from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Swanville Bible Church. See ad on page 5.
TUESDAY, JULY 8
• Melrose Community Blood Drive from 12:30-6:30 p.m. at the American Legion, Melrose.
THURS.-SUN., JULY 10-14
• Melrose Stages Presents ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center, Melrose. July 10-12, 14 at 7:30 p.m.
July 13 at 2 p.m.
AL-ANON • AVON
• Meets every Monday from 5-6 p.m. at the Avon City Hall.
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.
Weekend Weather
“The Good Old Days” -By Tom Kuehne
1938 Prices
Recently, I received a copy of a Minneapolis Newspaper from 1938. The news articles were very similar to those of today. Most of the stories involved money---taxation, spending, etc. I then began to look over the advertisements, which I found most interesting.
The grocery ads really caught my attention. For instance, one pound of butter was sold for $.25. Onions – 10 lbs. for $.15. Cigarettes – 2 packs for $.25. Quaker flour –49 lb. sack $1.29. Walleyed pike – $.14 per lb. Mission Inn Coffee – 2 lbs. for $.43. Sugar –10 lbs. for $.46. Palmolive soap – 3 bars for $.19. Kellogg’s All-bran – large package $.23. Kraft cheese – $.30 per lb. Oxydol soap – (2) 24 oz. packages for $.35. Honey – 5 lb. pail $.49.
Other ads that I found interesting were ladies shoes in sizes up to 10 – $1.99 per pair. Men’s suede leather jackets – $3.97. Ladies fur coats – $24.50. Wingtip shoes for men – $1.98.
There was also a radio guide, similar to our TV guide. It included some familiar programs which were still running in the 1940’s. Names such as Ma Perkins, Hilltop House, Jack Armstrong, Amos and Andy, Little Orphan Annie, etc. There were also several segments of big-band music. As the programming today, there were also several programs of political commentaries.
Getting back to the prices from 1938, we
Parkinson's Support Group Meeting
Parkinson’s Support Group Meeting is for anyone with Parkinson’s, their families, and caregivers. Next meeting will be July 1, 2025 at 2 p.m. at the CentraCare Long Prairie West Campus Boardroom, 20 9th St. SE. For more information contact Rona Bleess at 320-874-0222.
Herman Welp from Ankum, Germany will give a power-point on Witness of the 1st Settlement to Present Time of areas around Ankum and Damme, Germany
Sponsored by the MN Germanic Institute and the Melrose Area Historical Society Friday, June 27 at 12-Noon at the Greenwald Pub Cost is $20 for Lunch & Presentation
also need to consider how much was paid to farmers for their products. In 1938, beef was sold live for around $5.90 per 100 weight. Hogs were sold for $8.00 to $10.00 per 100 weight. Corn was sold for $.47 per bushel and wheat was $.56 per bushel. These prices were low due to the effect of the depression during the previous years.
In 1938 gas sold for $.10 per gallon, but some automobile owners did some engineering on their cars so that they could start the car with gasoline and then switch to kerosene, which was only $.07 per gallon. Wages averaged $.25 per hour. Postage was $.03 and the average cost of a new car was $700.00.
Today we watch TV and the old radio programs have gone away. The televisions show visual and sound, which uses two of our 5 senses. The old radio shows only used our sense of sound and we were able to imagine where the players were and what they looked like. Having two of our senses occupied greatly reduces our ability to accomplish other tasks while being entertained.
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
Pulse on People
South Dakota State: More than 3,800 students were recognized for their outstanding academic performance over the spring 2025 semester at South Dakota State University by being named to the dean’s list. To earn dean’s list distinctions, students must have completed a minimum of 12 credits and must have earned at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Area students include: Faith Kalthoff of Albany, Paige Meyer of Albany, Peyton Hylla of Avon, Mason Ingle of Avon, Tanner Tomasek of Avon, Briana Maus of Freeport, Adam Wilwerding of Freeport, Madison Rosenberger of Melrose.
From the Desk of Pastor Bruce
Recently I was searching for God’s qualities. We have an awesome God, and His qualities are praise-worthy. Many times, we go through trials of many kinds, and we forget about the God we serve. In fact, many times we blame Him and others for our troubles. Matthew 5:44-46 says concerning the just and the unjust. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
To put it simply, God loves His creation! Whether your having a bad day or not, or your enemy is tearing you down, God is consistent, loving the just and the unjust. A few of the qualities that I learned are put into names of God, describing His character. One name is YAHWEH-JIREH meaning “The Lord Will Provide.” Do we trust Him to provide? So
THURSDAY: 5-9 PM
Includes Salad Bar & Choice of Potato
• Chicken & Ribs $17.95
• 8 oz. Ground Sirloin $15.95
• Creamy Sweet Chili Haddock w/Wild Rice $17.95
many times, in our life, it seems our life gets hard because our expenses are more than our income. You can trust the One who provides. Another name is YAHWEH-RAPHA meaning “The Lord Who Heals.” Another time when we get anxious is when our health fails us… but our God heals both the body and soul, cleansing us from physical ailments and sin. My favorite is YAHWEH-SHALOM meaning “The Lord Our Peace.” When you are anxious, look at Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Bring your concerns to God, with Thanksgiving, and He will bless you with peace, through Jesus Christ.
God cares about you, it’s in His nature to and He will always love you.
-Pastor Bruce Miller from Swanville Bible Church, 320-547-2916
Bavarian Gardens
PM: WOOD FIRED PIZZAS Music June 19: WOBEGON BLUES BAND June 26: BEN SCHIRMERS
TUESDAY: 5-9 PM Burger Night $3.00 1/3 lb. Fresh Ground Hamburger on Brioche Buns! Dine In w/Beverage Purchase
5-9 PM
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo $15.95 or Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo $17.95 w/Breadsticks
WEDNESDAY: 11 AM-9 PM Domestic Beers: 2 for $6 • 1-1/2 lb. Wings $7.00 • $7 Baskets Your Choice: Shrimp Basket, Angus Slider Basket, 1/4 Chicken Basket, Nachos or Quesadillas w/Beverage Purchase Specials to go $1.00 charge
SATURDAY: 5-9 PM
• Freeze Dried Candy
• Gourmet Cotton Candy
• Gourmet Popcorn
• Warm Candied Nuts
• Homemade Fudge
• Ice cream
14.95
Dale Moscho
Petra V. Oevermann
Obituaries Matthew Clayton Bardson Services
Beverly J. Sorenson
Beverly J. “Bev” Sorenson, age 84 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Friday, June 13, 2025 at the Sterling Pointe Senior Living in Princeton, Minnesota.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 24 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre with Rev. Chad Schwanke officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the PattonSchad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre.
Beverly Jean DeBolt was born March 29, 1941 in Rockwell City, Iowa to John and Maxine (Michaels) DeBolt. She graduated from Rockwell City High School in Iowa. After high school, Bev worked at Car Hop in Rockwell City, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Larry Sorenson on December 5, 1959 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
She enjoyed gardening. When their harvest was plentiful, they would sell their produce at farmer’s markets as well as to folks in the community. Bev also enjoyed fishing, camping, and spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed socializing and sold Mary Kay for many years and volunteered her time in the Gradatim Club.
Survivors include her children, Clark Sorenson of Sauk Centre, Curt (Joyce) Sorenson of Rice, and Kim (Scot) Arndtson of Maple Grove; seven grandchildren, Christopher (Kate), Benjamin (Kayla), Taylor (Gaby), Alyssa (Mike), Kayla (Zach), Jason, and Justin; three great-grandchildren, Conner, Kyler, and Weston; twin sister, Bonnie McPherson; sisters, Wanda (Wayne) Hendricks, Carolyn Becker, and Kathy DeBolt; sister-in-law, Bonnie DeBolt; brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Shirley Sorenson; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Bev was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Sorenson on February 4, 2025; parents, John and Maxine DeBolt; brother, Jack DeBolt; and sisters, Joyce Stewart and Jeannine Howard.
Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral and Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
Albany Senior Dining
Volunteers Needed! Call 320-845-4070
Mon., June 23: Scalloped potatoes & ham, California Normandy, fruit salad, bread.
Tues., June 24: Hamburger stroganoff, noodles, peas, strawberries.
Wed., June 25: Chicken alfredo, noodles, Scandinavia vegetables, cake.
Thurs., June 26: Cheeseburger, sweet potato, pears, brownie.
Fri., June 27: Baked chicken, garden vegetable rice, broccoli, cookie.
Pre-registration requested to dine daily. For more info. call 320-845-4070.
Dale Moscho, age 70 of Melrose, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at his home in Melrose, Minnesota.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, July 19 at Harvest Church in Freeport with Rev. Allen Wieling officiating.
Visitation will be from 10 to 12 p.m. Saturday at the church.
Dale Moscho was born October 19, 1954 in Melrose, Minnesota to Lorraine and Joseph (Budde) Moscho. He graduated from Melrose High School and continued his education at Community College in Willmar, getting a degree in culinary. For many years he worked at Kraft in Melrose and retired in 2013. Dale was united in marriage to Dawn Ashman on July 27, 2012 at River of Life Church in Sauk Centre.
Dale is a member of Harvest Church in Freeport. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, travelling, playing cribbage, and most of all, going to his grandchildren’s sporting events.
Survivors include his loving wife Dawn Ashman-Moscho of Melrose; children, Jennifer (Andy) Wagner of Wisconsin, Nathan (Angie) Moscho of Rockville, and Aaron (Crystal) Moscho of Texas; stepdaughter, Kayla Gronau of Melrose; 11 grandchildren; and brothers, Harold (Darlene) Moscho and John Moscho.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents; and sister and brother-in-law, Beverly (Ron) Rutz.
James E. Nyhus
A memorial service will be announced at a later date for James E. Nyhus, 47 who died on June 8, 2025 at his home in Long Prairie. The Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Stein Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. James was born on October 10, 1977 to James and Shelley (Nyhus) Newago in Minneapolis. He worked various manufacturing jobs and at Dan’s Prize until complications related to diabetes placed him on disability. Above all else, Jim loved caring for his kids and hanging out with family. He was an excellent cook. Everybody loved his pot roast. Adabo was another of his specialties. Spending time with his life partner, Leshel Anderson also created many memories.
Though James was a man of few words, his presence will be sorely missed by Leshel Anderson of Long Prairie; his children, Taylor Donovan of Ramsey, Aleczander Nyhus Donavan of Redwing, Kyla Anderson, Nathan Anderson Nyhus and Abigail Anderson Nyhus all of Long Prairie; his sisters Nicole Nyhus and Tamara Nyhus both of Minneapolis and Laura Newago of St. Paul.
Petra V. Oevermann, age 50 of Melrose, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family after a long, courageous battle with cancer on Monday, June 16, 2025 at the CentraCare Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 23 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Oswaldo Roche officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery.
Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at church. Parish prayers will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the funeral home.
Petra Veronika Bender was born August 10, 1974 in Brunssum, Netherlands to Michael and Maria (Dohmen) Bender. Petra graduated high school and furthered her education at Inver Grove Community College. She was united in marriage to Karl Oevermann on October 11, 2008 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose.
After marriage, Petra farmed with her husband, Karl, until her daughter, Sarah was born. She then worked at Thoele Dentistry in St. Cloud.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose. Petra enjoyed sewing and crocheting, fishing and hunting, taking care of her farm animals, especially her dogs, and most importantly, raising her daughter, Sarah.
Survivors include her husband of 16 years, Karl Oevermann of Melrose; daughter, Sarah Oevermann, at home; parents, Michael and Maria Bender of Cottage Grove; sister, Marika Bender of Minneapolis; brother-in-law, Corey (Tina) Oevermann of Freeport; nieces and nephews, Chase, Autumn, Finley, and Wyatt; and many loving relatives and friends.
Petra was preceded in death by her father and mother-in-law, Richard and Carol Oevermann.
Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.
The Art Of Conversation, Upsala
Congratulations to the winners of the People’s Pick at The Art of Conversation gallery! The June show had an amazing array of exhibits and there were many ribbons awarded.
1st place went to Evan Yorek for his metal art “Rose.”
2nd place was shared by six people... Sam Harmon for “Cowboy Campfire,” Bob Sutton for “Centipede” and “Mr. Coffee,” Tina Yorek for a weaving entitled “LOVE” (which had a secret message in Morse code embedded), Andy Staricka for his copper hatchet artifact, and Justin Yurecko for “Bench Buddy.”
3rd place was shared by Marjorie Beers Nelson for her “Brandweave Bouquet Jacket/ Coat” and Sam Harmon for “Idle Work.”
These pieces will enjoy an extra month at Nana’s Kitchen. The show continues until Saturday June 28.
The July show will feature “Collectibles”—3,4, or 5 of what-have-you, as well as paintings and photographs on any theme, and will open on Wednesday July 2. Submissions may be emailed to steve@upsalacov.org or texted to (218) 428-8010.
The gallery is located at 105 S. Main, Suite 2, in Upsala. Summer hours are Wednesday 6-8 pm, Friday 6-8 pm, and Saturday 10 am-2 pm.
celebrating the life of Matthew Clayton Bardson, age 35 of Harvey, ND, formerly of Albany, was held Wednesday, June 11, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albany. Matt passed away on May 31, 2025, at his home. Matt was a graduate of Albany High School in 2008. He later made his home in Harvey, ND, in 2021, where he worked as a skilled Diesel Technician at High Plains Equipment. He had a deep love for “tinkering”— something he inherited from his Grandpa Jerry and Dad, Craig. He especially took pride in his W20 loader, a project he had recently acquired and gotten running, which he spoke about with great joy. Matt’s true passion was operating equipment and working with his hands. Whether on the job or at home, he found purpose in building, fixing, and creating. He was also happiest when surrounded by his loved ones—spending time at the family cabin up north, laughing with friends, or simply enjoying the quiet companionship of his loyal dog, Thea. Matt wasn’t afraid to get muddy or wreck something in the process. He found joy in the outdoors - riding side by side and snowmobiles, taking on side jobs - and also loved playing video games and was a movie enthusiast. Matt had a gift for making connections. With his big smile and contagious laugh, he never met a stranger. He was the kind of person who showed up when you needed a hand and never hesitated to offer his support. He wore his heart on his sleeve. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, coworkers, and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Matt is survived by his parents, Dawn Pfannenstein and Craig & Lori Bardson. His daughter, Autumn Moore. His siblings, Ben (Allison) Bardson, Danny Bates, Kalley (Garrett) Huhne, Mariah (Paul) Kostreba, Samuel (Grace) Bates, Jenna Bardson, and Jacob Bates. He was a proud uncle to Brendon and Bennett Bardson, and Maya, Wyatt, and Amelia Huhne. He is also survived by his grandmother, Yvonne Bardson. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Harold & Marcella Pfannenstein, and Jerome Bardson; his aunt, Jill Bardson; his uncle, Darrell Pfannenstein; and his cousin, Anna Pratt.
Swanville Senior High Student of the Month
Swanville Public School is pleased to announce the May Senior High Student of the Month, senior Jerricka Roering. Jerricka is the daughter of Isaac and Ashley Roering.
Chantelle Frie, Language Arts teacher says, “Jerricka joined us in Swanville for her senior year, and she brought her excellent work-ethic, determination, insight, and positive energy with her. Jerricka has been a delight this year as she is helpful, positive, and a great addition to class discussion. Jerricka is helpful to her fellow students and steps up in so many ways in whatever way she can be useful. Jerricka is not afraid to stand up for others and to share her thoughts. Jerricka helps her classmates in so many ways and has been a wonderful addition to the classroom this year. I have no doubt her positive qualities will shine in everything she does.”
Jerricka has many interests doing her nails, being a personal chauffeur for her friend Ingrid, bothering Hunter 24/7 and she LOVES reading. Jerricka has plans to become a nail technician until she figures out what she wants to do in life. One unique thing about Jerricka is her willingness to help others. She has played and managed school volleyball teams and also assisted with JO volleyball. She is consistently on the Honor Roll. She will graduate with high honors. Her favorite thing about school is being able to see friends. She advises other students “Don’t wait until the last minute to do things, it will add a lot of stress to your life.”
Liza Hasse, Mathematics teacher adds, “It has been a pleasure having Jerricka in class this semester. I’ve truly enjoyed getting to know her and have come to appreciate her kind and respectful demeanor. Jerricka is highly organized and consistently submits her work on time. She has developed strong problem-solving skills and demonstrates a strong work ethic, putting in the effort needed to succeed in her assignments. Her kindness toward others and her consistently positive attitude make her a joy to be around. I wish Jerricka all the best as she graduates and begins the next chapter of her life.”
Swanville Junior High Student of the Month
Swanville Public School is pleased to announce the May Junior High Student of the Month, seventh grade student Maria Keppers. Maria is the daughter of Tom and Vickie Keppers. She likes to listen to music and enjoys drawing. Her future plans include playing guitar for a band and working in the music industry. One thing that makes her unique is her love of caring for animals. Maria is in the band at school. She has been on the A Honor roll this year. Her advice to other students is to “be yourself.” Her favorite thing about school is hanging out with her friends. April Legatt, Music instructor says of Maria, “Maria Keppers has gone above and be-
yond this year as a guitarist in our high school band. Guitars don’t naturally fit into a wind ensemble setting — especially when it comes to matching keys and being heard among the other instruments — but Maria hasn’t let that stop her. She worked with me to find solutions, often coming in outside of class or during guided learning time to help make it work. Even more impressively, her learning hasn’t stopped outside of class time. Maria is constantly seeking out new material, asking thoughtful questions, and showing a genuine desire to learn more (sometimes more than I can keep up with)! She’s a dedicated, hard-working musician who has also kept on top of her schoolwork. Her passion and persistence are admirable. It is great to work with her.”
Crash: June 13, 2025: At approximately 9:18 a.m., the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a call regarding a vehicle rollover near County Road 156 and 330th Street in Albany Township.
Upon arrival on scene, it was determined that Thomas Messer, 52, of Sauk Centre, was traveling eastbound on County Road 156 in an oil and propane fuel truck when the tires lost traction with the roadway. The truck entered the north ditch and rolled on to its roof in approximately 3 feet of water. Messer became trapped inside the cab of the truck, unable to open the doors due to the truck being partially submerged. Messer was freed from the cab by Albany and Avon Fire Departments. Messer was cleared by Mayo Ambulance on scene and reported no injuries.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Albany Fire and Rescue, Avon Fire and Rescue, Mayo Ambulance, and Collins Brothers Towing.
Not your typical neighborhood visitor. A black bear was spotted strolling in the evening hours near Big Birch Lake. They were quite curious as they explored the yard. Checking out the wind chimes, walking the side walks, and searching for some midnight snacks in the garden. Submitted by Andrea Engelmeyer.
NOTICE OF MEETING DATE CHANGE MELROSE TOWNSHIP
The July Melrose Township meeting date will be changed from the 1st Thursday in July to the last Thursday in June due to the July 4th holiday. The monthly meeting will take place on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM at the Melrose Town Hall.
Cindy Willman, Melrose Township Clerk • 612-280-0595
Stearns Co. Sheriff’s Office
A visit by two mallards to Daybreak Association in Sauk Centre. Submitted by Stan Hirman.
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 Dave, My wife and I are on Baby Step 7, and we have a household income of $127,000 a year. We have an older dog who has had some very expensive vet bills recently. It has us both wondering how far, financially speaking, we should be willing to go to keep him alive. We both really love our dog, so we would appreciate your thoughts in the event we have to make a really hard decision somewhere down the road.
-Jeff
Dear Jeff,
Wow … You’re really trying to get me into trouble, aren’t you? First of all, let me say this: I. Love. Dogs. I really do. I’ve had several during my life, and right now, I have one I like more than most people I know. That being said, this little animal that I love like crazy is still … a dog. It’s not one of my grandchildren, and it’s not one of my kids. If you were to ask me how much money I’d spend to keep one of my kids or grandkids alive, the answer is simple — all the money I’ve got. Everything. I’ve started over from nothing before, and I could do it again. But there’s your answer.
Now, here’s something that’s going to be
hard for a few folks to hear. With some people who love their animals as much as I do, what I’ve observed is that the whole relationship can become more about the human than the animal. I’ve seen people spend tens of thousands of dollars to keep their pets alive, even though the animals were still suffering. At that point, it’s not fair to the animal. And unfortunately, that’s what often ends up happening with this kind of situation.
Listen, I understand this. I’m not badmouthing anyone, because I’ve experienced these kinds of feelings, too. I’ve had to have animals put to sleep, and I’ll be 100% honest with you: I’ve sat there and cried — I mean flat-out sobbed — while it happened. And in my mind, that’s a better path to take sometimes, rather than selfishly letting the animal spend its last weeks or months in pain just because you don’t want to go through something difficult. Now, if you can fix the animal — if you can give it a more-or-less normal, pain-free life by spending some money and actually correcting the problem — then, sure. Do it. There’s no rule of thumb or percentage on something like this. If you actually have the money, let’s get them fixed up. But if it takes going deep into debt, wrecking your finances or leaving your family scrambling to make ends meet as a result — then, no. I’m sorry. You should honor and love that wonderful little animal well enough that you don’t make them suffer for you.
I hope you understand this, Jeff, and that it makes sense to you. God bless you all, and God bless that old pup. I hope you’ll have many more happy days together.
-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.”
Ask The Motor Medics®
Dear Motor Medics,
I have a 2005 Chevy Malibu, and my power steering has started to give me trouble. I’m a regular listener of your Under The Hood radio show and even though I’m not much of a mechanic you have motivated me to get under my own hood and see what I may find. I thought I’d start with the fluid but now I feel a little strange because I can’t seem to find where to fill it. I don’t even see hoses in the area of the steering gear. Am I missing something? I love the show guys, keep up the great work!
-Dawn in Memphis, Missouri
Dear Dawn, Don’t lose confidence in your mechanical abilities. You are not missing something, the car is. It’s missing power steering fluid and hoses because many vehicles are now switching to electric power steering. They eliminate the fluid pump and hoses and use an electric motor attached directly to the steering gear which provides electric assist. It can be a good thing as some of the cars will provide electric steering assist if the engine were to stall, helping with safety. The downside is that they can be very expensive to repair. Check with your local dealership if yours is causing you trouble. They did have a recall on some of them and if yours is one then you could save hundreds of dollars by making a phone call to find out if it’s included.
-Take care, the Motor Medics Dear Motor Medics,
The tires on my 2014 Lincoln drop air pressure. I add air as often as every few days. I have had new tires installed and have made several return trips back to the tire store where they checked for leaks and did what they called resealed the bead, whatever that is, but they still leak. They now tell me I’m on my own unless I want to buy a full set of new wheels because that is the source of my leakage. Are they for real? How do wheels leak?
-Michael in Hastings, Nebraska
Dear Michael,
This subject comes up a lot both on our radio show and in our shop. Tires can leak air for one of two reasons. The first is the tire itself has a puncture which in most cases can be found just by looking at the tire with the naked eye. Often there will be something stuck in the tread or sidewall. The second is something leaking from the wheel and valve stem assembly. In the case of having all four tires leak at the same time it’s more likely in the wheels like your store says rather than punctures in the tires. When a car has leaking wheels, it can come from corrosion on the beads and even porosity in the aluminum causing leaks right through the wheel and yes replacement of the wheel is often the only fix. There are many stylish aftermarket options available.
-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
Grey Eagle City May 13, 2025
The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph Arnzen at 7:00 pm on the 13th day of May 2025 in Council Chambers. Council members present were Brad Johnson, Brian Hollenkamp, Roland Ahrendt and Chris Browen. No council members were absent. Also in attendance were Leon Althaus, Mike Berscheit and Beth Ramacher and guests: Ben Ettle, Greg Stang (via phone) and Brian Koehn (via phone).
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the amended agenda. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2025 meeting. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Ben Ettle was present to discuss a building permit application for 203 State Street East. The council determined a building permit is not required and he can proceed with the plan from the architect.
Leon Althaus was present to discuss various maintenance items. The surface of the tennis/pickleball courts has cracks and is lifting. The council was made aware this would happen when they were resurfaced in 2023. The Dodge truck will be serviced at Melrose Motor. The basswood tree on the northeast corner of the ballpark will be taken down. Weeds by the west lift station will not be sprayed. No sand or concrete will be put down at Bass Lake for the picnic tables at this time. There is an issue with people not cleaning up after their pets at the park. A notice will be put on the utility bills.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to donate the old picnic tables to the Heritage Club in Burtrum. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The picnic tables at the Memorial Park will be replaced with two new ones.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve Empire Memorials to reset stones at Lakeview Cemetery, up to $3000. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to have Eric Spaeth bring in black dirt, level and seed the south side of Lakeview Cemetery. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A phone call was held with Greg Stang from People Service to review the contract proposal for 2026-2028. Pricing will remain the same for 2026 if the contract is approved at the June meeting. The Minnesota Department of Health will be in Grey Eagle on May 15th to do sampling for PFAS.
A phone call was held with Brian Koehn regarding the 2024 audit. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve and submit the 2024 audit. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to transfer
$72,466.00 from the sewer fund to the sewer capital project fund (to fund debt service).
A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to transfer $29,267.00 from the general fund to the capital project fund (to close the capital project fund). A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A building permit application from Matt Doubek was reviewed for adding a 10’ x 14’ deck to the back of the house.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the application. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the quote from the City of Sauk Centre for street sweeping. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions will be donating to the electricity hookup for the digital sign by the post office. A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve purchasing two years of extended warranty. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
There are numerous cars that are not up to date on registration. There are also houses/ yards that need attention; council will bring a list to the June meeting.
Lance Chase currently services the fire department vehicles. The council would like him to service non-fire related equipment too as needed.
An update was provided from Todd County on the east ditch of County Road 102/Maple Street North. The height difference of the ditch from south to north is 3” over 700’. The typical grade for this distance should be 3.5’. The County will do what they can to help with the water flow.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the quote from Anderson Brothers to have the basketball court resurfaced. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The City was asked again if the 10 acre park is for sale. A role call vote was taken at the July 9, 2024 meeting in which all council members voted nay. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp stating the park is not for sale. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor.
The Grey Eagle Village Hall Task Force asked if they could be preapproved for all future grant applications, donations to the project, etc. and not have to come to get Council approval each time. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp stating they would need to be approved for each occurrence. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Council will need to review and make comments on the Grey Eagle Personnel Policy prior to the next council meeting. The council will review and discuss all the com-
ments at the next council meeting.
Grey Eagle was approved to get two AEDs to place in town. A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to place one outside by the Veterans’ Memorial and the second would be in the City Hall/Fire Department. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the 2025 budgeted transfer of $12,840 from the General Fund to the Fire Fund. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Resolution 2025-12: Accepting $2000 from Sourcewell for Boost Funds – Local Government FY 2024-2025. A second was made by Brad Johnson and
upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 202512: A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING $2000.00 FROM SOURCEWELL FOR BOOST FUNDS – LOCAL GOVERNMENT FY 2024-2025
WHEREAS, money has been received from Sourcewell; and WHEREAS, the City Council feels that the donation will benefit citizens of the area;
1. That the City Council of the City of Grey Eagle formally accepts the funds from Sourcewell for Boost Funds – Local Government for the fiscal year 2024-2025.
2. That the City Clerk is authorized and directed to make the appropriate revenue and expenditure budget adjustments as needed to reflect this funding and its intended use.
Adopted by the Grey Eagle
City Council this 13th day of May 2025.
There are several houses being resided due to last year’s storms. Residents are reminded that house numbers should be in a conspicuous place on front of your house. This is especially important for emergency services to easily locate your property. A memo will be placed on the website as well as noted on the utility bills.
The Council would like to remind residents that chickens are not allowed within City limits, per the Chapter 10 Ordinance regarding Animals.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to have Minnesota Rural Water fix a couple of water valve covers. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Further discussion was held on the trees on the east side of the city hall/fire hall.
New quotes will be obtained for this and presented at a future meeting.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve payment of Claims #3443-3465, totaling $25,611.89 and include additional payments of the following: MN Power $2156.64, Midwest Machinery $617.00 and Legacy Title $26.19. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to adjourn the meeting at 9:03 pm. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The next regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in Council Chambers. Beth Ramacher, Clerk/ Treasurer
June June
Carnival Carnival
Friday, June 27th
5:00 p.m. Chicken Barbeque Opens
5:00 p.m. “Paul Jensen”
6:00 p.m. Midway Opens
7:00 p.m. Bingo Hall Opens
9:00 p.m. “Booz-n-Tuna”
Stop at the Swanville Senior Center for some Ice Cream, Sundaes, Home Made Bars, Lemonade, Coffee, and Grab Bags!
Saturday, June 28th
3:00 p.m. . . . Midway Opens
Chicken Barbeque Opens Bingo Hall Opens
5:00 p.m.“Robb Justice & Riley Gutormson”
9:00 p.m. Dance to “Mason Dixon Line Band” 62nd Annual 27th, 28th & 29th 27th, 28th & 29th
Thursday, June 19, 2025
GARAGE SALE: 3 family, something for everyone! Thurs.-Fri., June 19-20: 7-5; Sat., June 21: 7-11am. 367 Highland Blvd., Melrose.
GARAGE SALE: 5 family! July 2: 1-6pm; July 3-4: 8am-6pm; July 5: 8am-4pm. New fabric: quilting, fleece, Cabbage Patch dolls, barber chair, furniture, garden bench, deck box, lawn & garden, collapsible fishhouse, fishing & hunting, tools, golf clubs, crafting supplies, housewares, home decor, clothing: girls 10-14/16, teen small thru womens plus size, mens XXL, books, games, toys, much misc. 3 miles East of Upsala, 6775 30th St. (Cty. 21) Larry Erickson residence.
WANTED TO BUY: Dairy Heifers and Cows. 320-894-7175. SC-evB
WANTED: Geo Tracker, good shape, reasonable price. Call 320-267-5632. RB-tfn
WANTED: Used mobile home. Call 320232-0048.
FOR SALE: 1984 red Corvette, top comes off, 105,000 miles, automatic, $10,500 or B/O. Call 320-267-5632. RB-tfn
FOR SALE: Craftsman 6” jointer with cabinet, excellent condition, Model #10320620, $400. Call 320-766-3119. DC-tfn
FOR SALE: 1983 Ford Mustang GLX convertible, 60,000 miles, automatic, white w/ white leather interior, 3.8L, V6, kept in garage, excellent, $9,000. Call 320-766-5119.
DC-tfn
FOR SALE: Vibo boat lift, canopy cover needs replacement, $750. Call 320-7663119. DC-tfn
FOR SALE: Vintage Tandem Schwinn Twinn bicycle, original equipment, sturdy, one speed, kick stand; needs tuneup, maybe tires, $300. BBL area 320-429-1255.
FOR SALE: 2 culverts: 25 ft. long, 30 inches diameter, $1000; 18 ft. long, 36 inches diameter, $1,000. Call 320-573-3939. 7/3
Take down & cleanup of silos in congested areas
Mobile Concrete Crushing
Fully Insured 507-236-9446 topdownsilo.com
FOR SALE: Wheelchair, great condition, $75. Call 320-845-2266. 6/26
FOR SALE: Used women’s golf clubs with bag, $20. Call 320-249-7194.
Todays Thought
A Dinner Funny
A waiter brings the customer his dinner, with his thumb firmly clamped on the steak.
“Are you crazy?” yells the customer. “Don’t bring my food with your hand all over it!”
“What,” answers the waiter, “you want it to fall on the floor again?”
