Hometown
29442
Email: htnews@icloud.com
Website:
Life is all about decisions; choose wisely
-By Harvey Mackay
MONDAYS • 5 PM
The Hometown News is a free weekly publication, which is published and distributed every Thursday. Free Distribution In:
Elmdale Freeport Greenwald Grey Eagle Holdingford Meire Grove Long Prairie Melrose New Munich St. Anna St. Rosa Sauk Centre Swanville Upsala
Sales: Lori Young Office: 320-285-2323
Cell: 612-597-2998
Email: htnews@icloud.com
Classified Ads
Email: htnews@icloud.com
Personal Classifieds:
Garage Sales, For Sale Items, Wanted (Personal) FREE up to 20 words; 25¢ for each additional word. Classifieds over the word limit must be prepaid.
Business Related Classifieds: Wanted (Items for Profit), Help Wanted, For Rent: $5.00 for the first 20 words, 25¢ per each additional word.
Mail to: Hometown News, 29442 120th St., Grey Eagle, MN 56336. Email: htnews@icloud.com
Photos • Press Releases
Photos & press releases are welcome.
Email: htnews@icloud.com
Obituaries
Publish one time free of charge. Email: htnews@icloud.com
Card of Thanks
Cards of Thanks is $5.00 for the first 50 words, 10¢ per each additional word. Must be prepaid.
To be billed: a $5 minimum applies. Email: htnews@icloud.com
Announcements
Birth Announcements, Anniversaries, Birthday Open House, Engagements, Weddings are free of charge for one publication. For additional weeks $15/week. Email: htnews@icloud.com
A prestamped, self addressed envelope is required to return photos.
Subscriptions
The subscription rates for 13 weeks is $16.00 26 weeks is $30.00 52 weeks is $60.00
Mail to: Hometown News, 29442 120th St., Grey Eagle, MN 56336
Consensusbuilding can be very difficult, even for the President of the United States.
Abraham Lincoln was faced with a nation that was split down the middle on the issue of slavery.
In 1863, Lincoln was worried that the country would break apart, so he wrote one of the most profound statements about human rights called the Emancipation Proclamation.
He read the Proclamation to his cabinet, which then numbered only six people, in the hope of building consensus and support. The vote was two “ayes” and five “nays.” Lincoln announced the vote as recorded – two “ayes” and five “nays.” Then announced, “the ‘ayes’ have it.” In this case, one additional cabinet member was the majority.
Few of us will ever have to make a decision that monumental, but as managers we will have to make plenty of smaller decisions that affect the lives and careers of our employees.
“Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide,” said Napoleon Bonaparte.
After you have done all your homework when making decisions, I’ve found that you have to trust your gut. Deep down, you know what is right. If not, I always check with people I trust to give me the knowledge on all sides.
Strong leaders have no problem in making decisions. They are confident that their decisions are the best. Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, said, “My idea of a group
SATURDAY, MAY 17
decision is to look in the mirror.”
Decision-making is absolutely critical for managers. The success or failure of an organization often hinges on the quality of decisions made at all levels, but especially by those in leadership positions.
I agree with motivational speaker Jim Rohn who said, “You cannot make progress without making decisions.”
Decisions impact organizational success. Good judgment is essential for making the best possible decisions based on available information. This can lead to successful outcomes and drive the organization forward. Conversely, poor decisions can have detrimental effects, potentially jeopardizing the organization’s future.
Decisions about how to allocate resources, including time, money and personnel, are fundamental to achieving organizational goals. Effective resource management ensures that the organization operates efficiently and effectively.
Effective decision-making builds trust and credibility. When team members see that their manager can make sound decisions, it fosters confidence and respect. It also sets a positive example, encouraging others to develop their decision-making skills.
Navigating uncertainty presents
challenges, as managers often face complex situations with incomplete information. The ability to make informed decisions under these conditions is a hallmark of strong leadership. Delaying decisions can sometimes be beneficial, as circumstances can change over time, providing more clarity.
Some tips that I use for effective decisionmaking include:
Gather comprehensive information. Collect all relevant data and information. This includes market trends, financial reports, customer feedback and competitor analysis. Then seek advice from industry experts, mentors or consultants who can provide valuable insights.
Evaluate options and consequences. Identify all possible options and consider the pros and cons of each. Bear in mind the potential risks and rewards associated with each option. Consider the worst-case scenario and how you would handle it.
Involve stakeholders. Include your team in the decision-making process. Different perspectives can provide a more rounded view of the situation. Consider the impact on your customers and gather their feedback if necessary.
Use analytical tools. Conduct a
Upcoming Events
• Big Swan Lake Improvement Association Meeting at 10 a.m. at Shattuck’s Hub Supper Club, Burtrum.
SUNDAY, MAY 18
• Breakfast from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, St. Francis. See ad on page 5.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21
• Grey Eagle Senior Citizens Meeting at 4:30 p.m. Potluck & Bingo to follow at the Grey Eagle Senior Center.
FRIDAY, MAY 23
• Upsala American Legion Auxiliary Unit 350 Poppy Distribution from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. at Lange Oil, Upsala.
FRI.-SAT., MAY 23-24
• American Legion Auxiliary of Melrose Poppy Distributions in Melrose and Freeport.
MEMORIAL DAY • MAY 26
• Grey Eagle/Burtrum: 8:30 a.m. St. Joseph’s Cemetery Program. 9:15 a.m. Grey Eagle Parade. 10:15 a.m. Lakeview Cemetery Program. 11 a.m. Burtrum Parade & Moses Dane Cemetery Program. See ad on page 4.
• Upsala American Legion Post 350 Memorial Day Commemoration at 10 a.m. at the Upsala Area Schools Gymnasium.
FRIDAY, MAY 30
• Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions American Red Cross Blood Drive from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, Grey Eagle.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4
• Folk & Old-Time Music & Potluck from 1-3 p.m. at the Village View Apartments, Grey Eagle.
MONDAY, JUNE 9-AUGUST 9
• Summer Reading Challenge begins at Great River Regional Libraries for ages 0-18. 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
Memorial Day
It’s getting close to the day when we remember those that have gone before us. Frequently, these individuals made a positive contribution to our lives, but as years passed, we no longer specifically remember their effect on our lives. An example would be the millions of troops that served in WWII. Without their sacrifices, think about how different it would be living under the rule of the Japanese or Adolph Hitler?
A story about a draftee in WWII, who wrote a book and saved a number of pictures about his experiences during 4 years, 4 months and 17 days of his life that he gave to our country. Ray Tchida of Grey Eagle, MN, was 23 when he was drafted into the Army. Previously he had experience in grocery, both as a store employee and store manager in Grey Eagle and Long Prairie. April 15, 1941 came his draft notice. One of the loose ends that he had to address was to trade in his 1936 Ford for a new Plymouth in a dealership in Grey Eagle, for a promised delivery in one year. When he was discharged more than 4 years later, he picked up his new car.
His basic training involved primarily Minnesota recruits, many of the 20,000 men were from Brainerd and Duluth. The pay was $21.00 per month and after 3 months it increased to $30.00 per month. After 6 months of basic training, he got a 15 day furlough, which was the last time he was able to see his Dad alive.
On May 12, 1942, his group landed in Belfast, North Ireland. While being stationed there, he found that their Stout didn’t taste at all like beer and due to rationing, the only restaurant food available was fish and chips, which was deep fried fish with chunks of potato. From Ireland, they went to Scotland and then to England.
On January 3, 1943, their troop carrier
landed in Oran, North Africa. After having a diet of smelly fish and tapioca in the troop ship, they found that by trading a couple of cigarettes, they could get a couple of dozen tangerines. This was such a wonderful diet change, but too many tangerines caused extreme intestinal distress for several days and an order was given that eating tangerines was forbidden.
A convoy was then organized to move the troops eastward across the top of Africa. This trip caused them to move through the war zone, which showed graves and destroyed vehicles from earlier skirmishes. Tunisha was mostly Arabs, who put up a tent wherever they found a spring to supply water for their families, their donkeys, cows and chickens. They noticed a new smell on the trip, which was the smoke from the cooking fires of the Arabs. They used animal dung and sage brush which caused the smoke smell to travel up to a mile.
More of this story next week.
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 SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to understand the internal and external factors affecting your decision. Weigh the costs against the benefits to determine the most financially sound option. Trust your instincts. After thorough analysis, sometimes your intuition can guide you. Rely on past experience if you’ve faced similar situations.
Plan for implementation. Develop a clear action plan outlining the steps needed to implement the decision. Set a realistic timeline for execution and assign responsibilities. Monitor and adapt. Regularly monitor the outcomes of your decisions and be prepared to adapt if necessary. Create a feedback loop to continuously improve your decision-making process.
The best decisions are made with a balance of thorough analysis and trusting your instincts. Always be prepared to adapt and learn from the outcomes. And realize that in most cases, decisions do not have to be final. If things aren’t working, make a new decision to fix it!
Mackay’s Moral: Good judgment is the cornerstone of effective leadership. The ability to make sound decisions can make or break your career and your organization.
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
Have you ever said something to someone, and your first thought was “Wow, I wonder where that came from?” You didn’t intend on saying that, but out it came. I have been on the receiving end of some sort of verbal abuse and after it was over, wondered where that came from.
Scripture is very clear that our hearts are the culprit. Jeremiah 17:9 says “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Ok, so the heart is wicked, what does that have to do with our language or speaking? Listen closely to Luke 6:45 “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Here is my advice, ask God to give you a
heart exam. We are all born with a bad heart, a sinful heart, and Jeremiah says it is beyond cure! But that’s if we leave God out of the picture. Psalm 139:23-24 gives us the cure… “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Here is the cure for our bad heart condition. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” Isn’t that what we want? Well, it’s what we need, forgiveness and cleansing from our wickedness, which only comes through belief in the blood of Jesus on the cross.
-Pastor Bruce Miller from Swanville Bible Church, 320-547-2916
TUESDAY:
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
Alfredo $17.95 w/Breadsticks
SATURDAY: 5-9 PM
Deep Fried Walleye $17.95 • Creamy Sweet Chili Chicken, Wild Rice, w/Breadsticks $14.95
SUNDAY: 3-8 PM
Oakley Lee Oldenburg
Oakley Lee Oldenburg passed away by suicide on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 after a courageous and long battle with depression. Oakley’s pain became no longer bearable. A celebration of life was held on Monday, May 12, at the Daniel Funeral Home, St. Joseph.
Oakley Oldenburg was born on February 27, 1998 to Sara Pendergast and Daniel Oldenburg. He graduated high school from Albany, MN. Elijah, Oakley’s son, was born on July 10, 2023. He was a very proud father. He has two siblings, Daniel and Dagon, who he grew up with, forming a true brotherhood. He enjoyed fishing, getting out of the house, cooking and grilling, riding bikes, including motorcycles, and spending time with his family. Oakley liked his Backwoods, if you know, you know.
He is preceded in death by his greatgrandmother, Joyce Gelle and best-friend, Yellow.
He is survived by his parents, Sara (Justin) Johnson, Daniel Oldenburg; brothers, Daniel Oldenburg and Dagon Johnson; son, Elijah Carlson; girlfriend, Hope Carlson; grandmother, Jerileen Davis; uncles, Gene Pendergast, Allen Katzner; aunt, Celia Pendergast (Marcus Brown); cousins, Noah (Kayla), Madison, Cole, Takira, Trennen, Brittany (Mark); and many other relatives.
A beautiful soul that was struggling is now at his eternal rest, he is loved and missed dearly.
To get help for yourself or a loved one struggling with mental health, and have suicidal thoughts and urges, please call 988 for immediate help.
Natures View Tree & Yard Care
Trimming
Removals
• Landscaping
Patios
Walkways
Mulch
Marjorie Rose Gadbaw
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 PM, Saturday, May 17, 2025 at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Long Prairie for Marjorie Gadbaw who passed away on May 12 at the Long Prairie Nursing Home surrounded by all six of her children. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM at the church on Saturday. Burial will be at the St. Mary’s Cemetery following the service.
Marjorie Rose was born on February 23, 1937, to Cecil and Rose Ann (Peltier) Rifenberick in Green Valley, MN. She was married to Arthur Gadbaw and the couple raised 6 children starting in Bertha and then finally settling in Clarissa. One of Marjorie’s favorite things to do with her children was to travel to Montana every summer for two weeks to spend time with family. Marjorie was always a hard worker. She loved her vegetable gardens and enjoyed canning in the fall. She also worked a variety of jobs and finally retired when she was almost 80 years old.
Later in life, Marjorie cherished her abilities to travel with her dear companion and travel partner, Delmar Hicks. Many winter months were spent in Mesa, AZ. They also enjoyed California and Montana. She expressed her creativity with sewing, crocheting and handmade cards. Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly, were blessed with crocheted and fleece tied blankets. Marjorie’s deep faith was apparent in the way she lived her life. She will always be remembered for her genuine warmth and the kindness she showed everyone she encountered.
She is survived by her children, Allen Gadbaw of Royalton, Marilyn Hagen of St. Cloud, Mary (Mike) Daniel of St. Cloud, Marlys (Jim Jaschke) Litzinger of Burtum, Marcene Kjono of Foley and Marsha (Mike) Wolters of Burtum; 17 grandchildren, 24 greatgrandchildren and 1 great great-grandchild; brother, Larry (Bettie) Rifenberick of Des Moines, WA; sisters Eileen Falla of Conrad, MT Cheryl Jamerson of Loraine, OH and Alice May of Spokane, WA
She is preceded in death by her parents; special friend, Delmar Hicks; grandson, Aaron Dols; brothers-in-law Randy May, Ed Falla, Ron Jameson; son-in-law Steve Litzinger and daughter-in-law Julie Holmquist.
Marjorie loved bright vibrant colors. She would be honored if the congregation were filled with colorful attire rather than clothing of mourning.
Marilynn J. Middendorf
Marilynn J. Middendorf, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2025, with her family by her side.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Friday, May 16 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Tim Wenzel officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre.
Marilynn Jean Kane was born on October 11, 1928, in Duluth, Minnesota, to William and Marie (Wenzel) Kane. She attended Sauk Centre Secondary School, graduating in 1946. Marilynn married the love of her life, George Middendorf, on October 26, 1948, at Saint Alexius Parish in West Union, Minnesota. Together, they raised five children while working side by side on the family farm for over 50 years. Their commitment to each other and their family was the foundation of a life well-lived.
Early in her life, Marilynn worked as a nurse’s aide in Melrose, Minnesota, where she dedicated herself to caring for others with kindness and compassion. Later, she and George worked together on the farm, where she was known not only for her hard work and dedication but also for her sense of humor, creativity, and joy in the simple pleasures of farm life. Marilynn was a giver at heart, always donating her time, resources, and prayers to anyone in need. Whether it was a meal for a neighbor, a helping hand on the farm, or a quiet prayer for a friend, she found fulfillment in giving of herself to others.
Marilynn’s talents as a homemaker were only surpassed by her boundless creativity. She enjoyed sewing, fine needlework, and crocheting, and had a knack for creating beautiful pieces with her hands. She was also well-known for her ability to cut hair and, on occasion, would offer the gift of an ear piercing. Alongside her sister, she designed some of the most memorable clown costumes in the area. Her fish filleting skills were legendary, and she was often called upon to use what many considered to be the sharpest knife in Stearns County.
Marilynn was an avid reader, a lover of travel, a puzzle enthusiast, and a fan of westerns. Her faith was central to her life, and she was an active member of Saint Paul’s Church in Sauk Centre. She served her community through the Homemakers Club, Christian Mothers, Prayer Chain, and as a homebound Eucharistic Minister, bringing comfort and companionship to those in need.
She will be deeply missed by her children, Pat (Bob) VonWahlde of Melrose, Jim (Myra) Middendorf of Sauk Centre, Donna (John) Broermann of Sauk Centre, and Georgiann (Marty) Primus of Sauk Centre; daughter-inlaw, LaVonne Middendorf of Sauk Centre; 21 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; and siblings, Patty Neal and John “Jack” Kane.
Harlan Bruns
Harlan Burns, age 94, of Grey Eagle passed away on February 18, 2025 peacefully. Please join Harlan’s family and friends on Saturday, May 17th, 2025 for a celebration of life at the Burtrum Community Center, a luncheon will be served from 2:00-5:00 p.m.
A Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM, Friday May 16, 2025 at the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Stein Chapel in Long Prairie for Earl Thom, 77, who passed away at his home in rural Long Prairie. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery near Clotho.
Earl was born on March 6, 1948 to George and Charlotte (Cossette) Thom in Fargo, ND. As one of ten children, he grew up on a farm near Long Prairie where he graduated from High School. He was drafted into the US Army and was stationed in Colorado Springs. He married the love of his life, Janet Jenkins on February 8, 1968. Together they raised 4 children. Earl did carpentry work for several years and was also a salesman for Engle Fabrication for several years. Most people in the area knew him as the Repo Man. He was proud of the home he built by the Long Prairie River.
Earl enjoyed dancing, fishing and hunting. He loved animals. The river in his back yard proved to be a great playground giving both he and his dogs, Jax, Major, Smoky and Bosco great joy. He was always finding unique rocks to add to his collection. Earl was truly a one-of-akind character. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. He, was kind of a BSER but never left you wondering where he stood on an issue.
Earl is survived by his children, Staci (Dan Lee) Thom, of Sauk Rapids, Curtis (Lisa) Thom of West Fargo, Shelley (Pete Behrends) Thom of St. Cloud and Brenda (Mike Puhalla) Avraham of Sartell; six brothers and 3 sisters; 5 grandchildren, Steven, Haily, Mitchel and Miranda; 4 great-grandchildren, Dax Thom, Forest, Theodore Jenkins and Sawyer.
Marilynn was preceded in death by her husband, George Middendorf on October 28, 2019; son, Michael Middendorf in 2018; parents; sister and brothers, Joyce Hansen, James Kane, and Charles Kane.
Marilynn will be remembered for her unwavering faith, tireless generosity, and the warmth she brought into every room she entered. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those who were blessed to know her.
Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral and Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Barbara Skillings; former wife, Janet and granddaughter Kayla Erickson.
Earl L. Thom
Swanville Junior High Student of the Month
Swanville Public School is pleased to announce the March 7-9th grade Student of the Month, ninth grade student Ayla Sandelin. Ayla is the daughter of Jon and Sherri Sandelin. When she has time for herself, she enjoys sports and hanging out with friends. In the future she plans to go to college to eventually become a pediatrician. She is on the volleyball, basketball and softball teams. She is active in her church and volunteers at VBS.
Ayla is a student that is consistently on the academic A Honor Roll. Her favorite thing
about school is the people she has met throughout the years. Her advice to other students is “be involved with activities and be kind to others.” One unique quality about Ayla is her ability to always look at the good in all things. Social Studies teacher Tom Bzdok says, “Ayla is an exceptional student who consistently puts in the hard work to achieve top grades and holds herself to the highest academic standards—she won’t settle for anything less than an A. In the classroom, she sets a strong example for her peers through her dedication and focus. Ayla is quiet, friendly, mature, and always treats others with kindness and respect. She avoids drama and helps create a positive, welcoming environment for everyone around her. Her classmates look up to her not only for her academic success but also for her calm and genuine nature. Ayla’s commitment to excellence and her positive attitude makes her truly deserving of this recognition. Congratulations Ayla!”
Don’t let a wildfire become a life‐altering event
As Minnesota experiences an active spring wildfire season, with 475 wildfires reported since April 1, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is urging the public to take wildfire dangers seriously. If you see a wildfire, do not attempt to fight it yourself -- call 911 immediately from a safe location. Even seemingly harmless activities like enjoying a campfire or burning a small pile of yard waste can quickly turn into a dangerous wildfire, especially on warm, sunny, or windy days. Not only do wildfires threaten property, but they can also lead to injuries and even deaths, the vast majority of which are avoidable.
“Every year, including this year, we learn of people who have suffered serious injuries that require hospitalization -- or worse, fatalities -- from attempting to control a wildfire on their own,” said William Glesener, wildfire operations supervisor with the DNR. “Just like a house fire, a wildfire is extremely dangerous and unpredictable and should be left to the experts to manage.”
Wildland firefighters are highly trained and properly equipped to respond to wildfires safely. If a fire escapes your control or you spot a wildfire, do not try to handle it yourself—immediately seek safety and call 911. Prevention is the best way to manage wildfire risks. Always be careful when burning vegetation or enjoying an evening around the campfire, and make sure the fire is completely
Swanville Senior High Student of the Month
Swanville Public School is pleased to announce the March Senior High Student of the Month, sophomore Delaney Chuba. She is the daughter of Michael and Tracy Chuba. Delaney has a wide variety of interests, which include playing sports, hanging out with friends and family. She also enjoys shopping, camping, attending church and going to the lake. She is active in school, participating in volleyball, basketball and softball since sixth grade. She also participates in theatre, student council and band. She has garnered numerous awards including the Morrison County All Area Player for the Outfield in 2024 as well as various team awards in each of the sports she participates in. She is consistently on the A Honor Roll.
Math instructor Liza Hasse says, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Delaney in the classroom over the past three years. She consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic, consistently completing each assignment with a high level of quality. Delaney is well organized and possesses the self-discipline to manage her time efficiently. Despite being actively involved in numerous extracurricular activities, she remains committed to meeting every deadline. Delaney is a positive leader both in the classroom and on the court. She engages with her peers in a respectful, encouraging manner and inspires others to put forth their best effort. Her genuine compassion and care for others are evident in all that she does.”
Delaney’s future plans are attending college and then doing something in the medical field.
One unique trait of Delaney’s is her determination. She likes to work her hardest to be
out before leaving the site – if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave. Also remember that any fire larger than 3 feet in diameter and 3 feet high needs a burning permit. By allowing burning permit activation only on days when wildfire risk is not elevated, the DNR keeps safety a priority. Learn more on the DNR’s burn permit webpage (mndnr.gov/burnpermit).
The Art Of Conversation, Upsala
By Steve Weihsmann
Congratulations to the winners in the May art gallery People’s Pick competition!
1st- Jack Jensen for “A Wonderful Mother” pencil drawing
2nd- Tyler Larson for “Hunter” multimedia
3rd- Addie Scepaniak for “Reaching for Spring” watercolor
These will be going to Nana’s Kitchen for the month of June.
The upcoming June show will feature weaving, metal art and metal artifacts (there is still time to submit a picture of your piece to steve@upsalacov.org or (218) 428-8010.
The gallery is located at 105 S. Main, Suite 2 in Upsala. Hours are Friday 2-6 pm; Saturday 10 am-2 pm; Sunday noon-2 pm. For more information, call Steve at (218) 428-8010.
the best person she can be. Outside of school, Delaney volunteers for SAB, her church, and VBS. She also helps out at the Swanville Carnival. She also helps out with younger student’s sports when possible. Her favorite thing about school is getting to be with her friends and family as well as competing in sports. She advises other students to “Treat everybody with respect and have fun playing sports while you can. Trust God through everything and always listen to your mom.”
Social Studies instructor Tom Bzdok says,
“What makes Delaney truly exceptional goes beyond her achievements. She is respectful, friendly, and carries herself with quiet confidence. She doesn’t let the opinions of others sway her, staying grounded in her strong morals, positive habits, and personal values. Her genuine character and integrity shine through in everything she does. Delaney is a true role model, and her selection as Student of the Month is a well-earned recognition of the way she consistently leads by example.”
Pulse on People
Leoma Ludwig of Holdingford has been named to Southern New Hampshire University’s (SNHU) Spring 2025 President’s List. The spring terms run from January to May.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
Sunset photo by Ron Czajkowski of St. Anna.
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, How much money do you recommend budgeting or setting aside for maintenance and repairs to your home, especially if it’s an older home?
Our house is in pretty good shape, but you never know when something might go wrong, or how often different things will need to be addressed at this point.
-Brent
Dear Brent,
I love that you’re wanting to plan ahead. Some home repairs aren’t very expensive, but others can take a huge chunk out of your bank account. Whether you directly budget for things like this, or set up a sinking fund for home maintenance, it’s always a good idea to be financially prepared. You’ve got to protect your home.
Honestly, I don’t really have a specific formula to determine this sort of thing. But I’d make sure I always look at it from a realistic point of view. For starters, you might start with a peek at your checkbook over the last few years to see what you’ve spent on maintenance and repair issues. If you’ve had a new roof put on in the last few years, that probably won’t be an issue for a good, long while. But if it’s
starting to look worn, that’ll be a big expense you’ll want to figure into your savings plan. Taking care of a home is kind of like taking care of a car. A lot will depend on the age and overall condition of the house. If you’re driving an older model car, you’d expect to put more money into it over time, right? It’s the same principle with houses. The older the structure, the greater the likelihood you’re going to have things go wrong. And that, of course, means pumping money into it.
A home is the biggest single investment most people make in a lifetime. So, I’d also recommend giving your house a good going over, inside and out, every six months or so. Preventative steps like this will go a long way toward assessing what may be needed now and what might pop up in the future.
Great question!
Ask The Motor Medics®
From the Hosts of the Under The Hood radio show.
Dear Motor Medics,
I have two older cars. The first car is a 2012 Toyota Prius, and the second one is a 1999 Volkswagen New Beetle. Here is my dilemma. I need to send one of these two cars down to my daughter who lives in Florida but I can’t seem to make a decision. I want her to have the most reliable and safest car while she is there. How do I choose? The Beetle has only 70k miles and the Prius is almost 200. Both cars are well kept and driven daily.
-Chris in Luvern, Minnesota
-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
Mon., May 19: Sweet & sour pork, rice, oriental vegetables, mandarin oranges, bread.
Tues., May 20: Baked chicken, O’Brien potatoes, carrots, bread.
Wed., May 21: Spaghetti w/meat sauce, noodles, green beans, bun/breadstick.
Thurs., May 22: Sloppy Joe on bun, tater tots, coleslaw.
Fri., May 23: Pork tenderloin, cheesy potatoes, vegetable Normandy, bread.
Pre-registration requested to dine daily. For more info. call 320-845-4070.
Dear Chris, We won’t tell you outright which car to choose as we would probably end up being wrong so that is up to you. We will say this though. If it were our car and our daughter, we would look at the overall condition of both cars first. You say that both are well kept. Has the Beetle had a new timing belt yet? So many people say they are well kept and never change their belt and that is a disaster waiting to happen. Whichever one you choose make sure you have a trusted mechanic look it over before you send it down there. Here is something else to consider in a car that far away. A 99 Beetle is fairly easy to get repaired at many shops. Need an alternator, many shops will fix it right up. Need a prius fix, not as easy.
-Take care, The Motor Medics
I have a 1989 Pontiac Trans Am turbo car with only 30k miles on it and I have no air conditioning. I started having to recharge the system every summer back in about 2005 then it became so expensive to recharge it with r12
freon that I no longer had it done. I tried to buy a conversion kit consisting of adapter fittings for the valves and recharged it with one of those DIY cans from WalMart, but it did not work very well. I tried one then two then it made a loud screeching noise, and the belt fell off. Now I can’t turn the compressor. I let all the juice out and it still won’t turn. What should I do?
-George in Huron, South Dakota Dear George, Stop man. Go directly to a professional shop who specializes in AC work. So many things are wrong with this letter. First, changing valves using adapter fittings and just adding refrigerant is a very bad idea. Second, charging a system without evacuating it first and adding proper lubrication is a death sentence for the system. Three, don’t let the juice out. We assume you mean refrigerant. It needs to be professionally recovered. As for the compressor, it’s likely toast due to the extra refrigerant and wrong oil. This is a classic ride that deserves special attention. A shop can advise you on how to fix it right.
-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.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
BOOK SALE: May 14-17: library hours. Friends of Sinclair Lewis at the Sinclair Lewis Library basement, Sauk Centre.
PLANT SALE: Saturday, May 17: 8am12pm. Albany Area Horticultural Society at Albany City Hall Parking Lot, 400 Railroad Ave.
PLANT SALE: Saturday, May 17: 10am3pm. Sauk Centre History Museum at the Sinclair Lewis Library, Sauk Centre.
PARTIAL ESTATE/GARAGE SALE: Thursday & Friday, May 22-23: 7am-6pm; Saturday, May 24: 7am-1pm. 38825 Co Rd 168, Melrose.
WANTED TO BUY: Butcher cows, bulls, fats & walkable cripples: also horses, sheep & goats. 320-235-2664. SC-odB
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.
WANTED: 1995 Dodge 1/2 ton pickup, cheap with clear title. Call 320-267-5632. RB-tfn
WANTED: Geo Tracker, good shape, reasonable price. Call 320-267-5632. RB-tfn
WORK WANTED: Local teenager looking for mowing & lawn jobs around Big Birch Lake and surrounding towns. Call/text Tyler 320-250-9815. 5/29
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: Steel boat lift with 4 tires for boat or pontoon, $400. Call 320-630-4409. 5/15
FOR SALE: Boat lift with tires, aluminum, canopy cover, $900. Call 320-630-4409. 5/15
FOR SALE: Thor A.C.E. Class A motorhome, low mileage, 2 slide-outs, Ford F53 chassis, good condition, $52,500 O.B.O. Call/text 320-249-7694. 5/29
FOR SALE: Fire pit rings, have 3, $50 each. Call 20-573-3939. 5/22
FOR SALE: Vibo boat lift, canopy cover needs replacement, $750. Call 320-7663119. DC-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: 12 hp riding lawn mower, electric start, $125. Call 612-283-2718.
FOR SALE: Apple press with shredder. Call 320-352-6976.
FOR SALE: 2008 Harley Davidson Softail Heritage motorcycle, asking $7,500. Call 320-429-5767.
Concerns Over State Budget Proposals That Shift Costs to Local Property Taxpayers
By Mike Williams, County Administrator,
Stearns County leaders are voicing strong concern over proposed state budget solutions that would shift significant financial obligations from the state to counties, resulting in steep property tax increases for local residents and businesses.
Proposals from the Minnesota House, Senate, and Governor aim to address the state’s long-term deficit but do so in part by requiring counties to shoulder the cost of state-mandated services—without providing adequate funding. County governments estimate the total statewide property tax increase because of these budget proposals would be over $200 million by 2029 and grow from there.
“These cost shifts don’t reduce the size of government and address the deficit with reforms—they simply push the bill onto local property taxpayers,” said County Administrator Mike Williams. “We understand difficult decisions must be made, but relying on local levies and higher property taxes to close the state’s budget gap is not sustainable or fair. Instead, we need real solutions that balance the budget at the state level or ease the cost of mandates for counties.”
The projected local impact is substantial:
$5.8 million in Human Services cost shifts under the House plan or $3.5 million in cost shifts under the Governor’s budget
$842,863 in cuts to County Program Aid under the Senate proposal
$410,000 from the sunsetting of a waiver for delayed non-medical care
$4.5 million in unfunded costs to implement a new state child protection mandate (the African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act)
Combined, these shifts could raise Stearns County’s tax levy by $9.2 to $11.6 million, translating to a 9.5% to 11.9% property tax
APARTMENTS
RENT
increase—before accounting for normal cost growth.
County leaders warn that this approach repeats decisions made during previous budget shortfalls, when in the late 2000s state deficits meant reduced aid to counties and cities and resulted in cost shifts that led to record property tax hikes across Minnesota. Stearns County is urging lawmakers to oppose budget measures that offload state responsibilities onto counties and instead seek long-term solutions that keep state responsibilities funded at the state level.
A Farmer Funny
You may be a farmer if...
- An overnight, out-of-state trip for equipment parts is a vacation.
- You wear specific hats to farm sales, livestock auctions, customer appreciation suppers, and vacations.
- You sometimes rinse off in the backyard with a garden hose before your wife lets you in the house.
- You’ve never thrown away a 5-gallon bucket.
- You have used baling wire to attach a license plate.
- You remember the fertilizer rate, seed population, and yields for 10 years back, but not your kid’s birthdays.
- You drive off the road while examining your neighbor’s crops.
- You borrow gravel from the county road to fill potholes in your driveway.
- You have buried a dog and cried like a baby.
- You have used a tractor front-end loader as scaffolding for roof repairs.
- When you drive your truck, everybody waves at you.
