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There ain’t no free lunch -By Harvey Mackay
MONDAYS • 5
The Hometown News is a free weekly publication, which is published and distributed every Thursday.
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When a plague of poverty decimated an ancient land, the king called in his wisest economic advisors and demanded they prepare a short textbook on economics so that he might devise a remedy.
A full year later the king’s advisors returned with 87 volumes. Enraged at having his orders ignored, the king ordered his guards to execute half the advisors. Fearful for their lives, the remaining advisors edited the economics texts down to four volumes. The angry king responded by ordering his guards to execute all but one of the remaining economic experts.
The last royal economist was trembling when he told the king, “Sire, I will reveal to you in five words all the wisdom that I have distilled through these years from all the writings of all the economists who once practiced their science in your kingdom.”
“Quick,” said the impatient king, “what are they?”
The advisor answered, “There ain’t no free lunch.”
This adage is sometimes called “Crane’s law” and is popular in communicating the idea that it is impossible to get something for nothing. It implies that everything has a cost, whether it’s immediate or hidden, and that someone, somewhere, must pay for it. In business and economics, this concept is often used to remind people that even if something appears to be free, there are usually underlying costs or trade-offs involved.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
“Free lunches don’t come cheap,” said Charles Petzold, American programmer and technical author on Microsoft Windows applications.
In economics, the phrase underscores the idea that resources are limited, and every choice involves a trade-off. If you receive a product or service for free, the cost is likely absorbed elsewhere, such as through advertising, data collection or increased prices on other products.
No free lunch demonstrates opportunity cost. Greg Mankiw, American macroeconomist at Harvard University described the concept as follows: “To get one thing that we like, we usually have to give up another thing that we like. Making decisions requires trading off one goal against another.”
In business, “no free lunch” serves as a cautionary reminder to evaluate offers that seem too good to be true. For instance, a company might offer a free trial of a service, but the long-term subscription fees could be substantial.
On a personal level, this adage encourages individuals to be mindful of the value of their time and efforts. If someone offers to do something for you with no apparent cost, consider what they might expect in return, whether it’s a favor, loyalty or future business.
Understanding this principle can help in strategic planning and decision-making. It encourages a thorough analysis of the benefits and costs associated with any decision, ensuring that you are aware of the potential implications and hidden costs.
A couple of real-world examples include the Freemium Model where many apps and online services offer free versions with limited features, enticing users to upgrade to paid versions for full functionality.
Another example is the promotional offer, where retailers might tempt customers with
“buy one, get one free” deals, but the cost is often built into the price of the first item or offset by increased sales volume.
The phrase “there is no free lunch” serves as a valuable reminder to approach offers and opportunities with a critical eye. It encourages due diligence and a deeper understanding of the true costs involved in any transaction or decision.
So I caution: always be aware of the hidden costs and trade-offs in any situation, as nothing truly comes without a price. You get what you pay for.
A man walked into a small diner and noticed a sign that read, “Free lunch for anyone who can solve our riddle!” Intrigued, he sat down and asked the waitress about the riddle.
She smiled and said, “Here’s the riddle: What has keys but can’t open locks?”
The man thought for a moment and confidently replied, “A piano!”
The waitress clapped her hands and said, “That’s correct! Congratulations, you’ve won a free lunch!”
Feeling quite pleased with himself, the man enjoyed his meal. As he was about to leave, the waitress handed him a bill. Surprised, he said, “But I thought the lunch was free!”
The waitress winked and replied, “Oh, the lunch was free. But the drinks, dessert and service charge aren’t included!”
Mackay’s Moral: In both business and life, always look beyond the surface to understand the real cost of any offer or opportunity.
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
• CUF Matching Grant Breakfast & Bake Sale from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. Michael’s Church basement, Spring Hill.
• Spaghetti & Pasta Bar from 5-7 p.m. at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Upsala. See ad on page 4.
THURS.-SUN., SEPT. 11-14
• 51st Annual Albany Pioneer Days. See ad on page 5.
SATURDAY, SEPTEBMER 13
• Grey Eagle Class of 1975 Class Reunion starting at 4 p.m. at the Double R Bar & Grill, Grey Eagle.
SAT.-SUN., SEPT. 20-21
• 17th Annual Central MN Heritage Club Heritage Days, Burtrum.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
• Melrose Community Blood Drive from 12:30-6:30 p.m. at the Melrose American Legion.
• Polka in the Park from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the New Munich City Hall.
SATURDAY, SEPTEBMER 27
• 19th Annual Hog Roast from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Grey Eagle United Methodist Church.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1
• Folk & Old-Time Music & Potluck from 1-3 p.m. at the Village View Apartments, Grey Eagle.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4
• St. John’s Catholic Church 40th Annual Craft Fair from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Swanville School.
AL-ANON • AVON
• Meets every Monday from 5-6 p.m. at
the Avon City Hall.
ALBANY FARMERS MARKET
• Meets every Thursday, Sept. 4-Oct. 2 from 3-6 p.m. Located at the corner of 2nd Street & Railroad Ave.
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.
• 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
Radio
Radios began to appear in this area in the 1920’s. They gave the rural population the chance to get the news instantly. There were also entertainment offerings for family listening after the days work was finished. We see pictures of the families gathered by the radio listening to the Fire-side Chats. This offered a chance to hear some positive news about the world outside of their local communities. The residents really needed to hear that things were going to get better.
My first remembrances of the radio was sitting at the breakfast table hearing the “World News Roundup.” Most of the news at that time involved the trouble with Russia regarding Berlin and the Berlin Airlift, which consisted of our C-47’s trying to get enough food into West Berlin to save what was left of the population. These news reports were a very poor quality. The signal from Europe and London was weak, so you would hear about 30 seconds of news followed by 30 seconds of scratching and squealing from the radio. However, this was better than we had previously, so it was an improvement over the newspaper which had news that was a couple of days old.
The radio was a console style, so that the batteries needed to make it work were tucked away from sight. The batteries were oblong,
Pilgrims of Hope
Everyone is welcome to become “Pilgrims of Hope” which is the theme of this year’s Annual Fall Conference of the St. Cloud Diocesan Council of Catholic Women to be held at the Church of St. Benedict in Avon, MN on Saturday, September 20, 2025. The day starts at 9 a.m., followed by the business meeting, musical meditation, and Mass. After lunch, Leah Molitor Brix will speak about “Discovering Hope in the Midst of Chaos.” There is a registration fee. Go to stclouddccw.org for more info.
not rechargeable and had a limited life. The radio was used primarily for news due to the cost of battery replacement.
A few years later electricity came to the farms and the new radios became smaller in size. They worked much better and since they didn’t use batteries they were played much more. The housewives now listened to Our Gal Sunday, Ma Perkins and some of the rest of the “Soap Serials.” The later evening listening included Jack Benny, the Lone Ranger, The Shadow, The FBI In Peace and War, Mr. Keen Tracer of Lost Persons, Our Miss Brooks, Roy Rogers and many other captivating programs which were meant to keep us in suspense.
The radios began to appear in the barn, it helped to pass the time, while waiting for the cows to be milked. The rumor was that the radio programs made the cows more content, so that they would give more milk. Hmmm.
On Saturday night at my grandparents, the radio was always tuned to Gene Autry followed by the Barn Dance from Nashville. Great memories of good times.
For those of you who listened to KASM, you may appreciate a memory of that station. Picture this, the station had gone off of the air for the night and the barn radio in my uncle’s barn was still tuned to KASM. At about 6:15 AM, there was an extremely loud sound of cow bells being rung as loud as possible. All the cows in the barn would lower their bodies about 4 inches from fright. This was followed by Sleepy Head Cliff loudly informing the listeners that he was the Swamp Lake Monster calling you from the middle of Swamp Lake to get out of bed. After more bell clattering and loud demands to get up, there was a pause followed The Aavae Maria Hour, about 15 minutes of meditation. Now if that didn’t get you going …......
We then found radios in cars, tractors and just simply portable radios. It was similar to today’s electronic communication devices, except that these devices didn’t require our minds and fingers to be in constant contact with them.
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
Hours: Wed.-Sun.: 7 AM-2 PM
105 State St.
From the Desk of Pastor Bruce
John 8:12 says “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” This verse is key for our life in today’s world more than ever. With all the talk of war and school shootings and all sorts of evil in our world we need to know that there is also light in our world.
Do you know Jesus as Lord and Savior? If your life is full of darkness, then you need to invite Jesus into your life. Our text says “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.”
Dr. Dell Tackett (Truth Project) had a simple illustration, he said, have you ever noticed that when you open the door to a closet that the darkness doesn’t come out and overtake the light? NO, the light goes into the closet, illuminating all that is in there. The light overtakes the darkness. It’s the same with us, in our world with so much darkness, we can overtake
the darkness because we have the light of life! Matthew 5:14-16 “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” In the same way, if we have Jesus (the light) in our lives, then we will let it shine to the entire world. We will not hide it but expose the darkness by our good deeds. We are not to be boastful, instead we just love people in the same way Jesus loved us. Jesus gave of Himself and allowed them to put Him on the cross so that all who believe in Him will live. This is the sort of light we are to shine in our world, no matter what kind of darkness there is around you.
-Pastor Bruce Miller from Swanville Bible Church, 320-547-2916
Stearns County Offers Tire Recycling Grants Through SCORE Program
Stearns County is offering grant funding to help residents, farmers, businesses, and local jurisdictions properly dispose of unwanted or nuisance tires. Funded through Minnesota’s S.C.O.R.E. (Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment) program, this initiative supports cleaner communities by promoting responsible tire recycling.
Applicants may qualify for up to $2,500 in reimbursement toward tire disposal costs. To be eligible, individuals must submit a completed application and W-9 form, along with a disposal plan that shows at least 25% of the cost covered by the applicant to be preapproved for funding.
“Tires can be a significant challenge to get rid of, and we want to make it easier,” said Mark Latterell, Environmental Health Supervisor. “Whether you’re a residential property owner, farmer, business owner, or local government entity—if you’re in Stearns County and have old tires to recycle, this program is here to help.”
Approved applicants are required to dispose of tires at licensed recycling facilities and
submit valid receipts for reimbursement. Applications and program details are available online at stearnscountymn.gov/1741.
For questions about the program or how to apply, contact Tim Oswald, Solid Waste Officer, at 320-257-8605 or timothy.oswald@ stearnscountymn.gov.
MONDAY: 4-8 PM
Full Kitchen Open! Home Made Pizzas
• Irish Italian Spaghetti $11.95
• 4 pc. Sunfish $12.95 w/Choice of Potato Bar & Off Sale: 2-8 PM Open Mondays!
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
TUESDAY: 5-9 PM
Burger Night $4.00 1/3 lb. Fresh Ground Hamburger on Brioche Buns! Dine In w/Beverage Purchase
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
Salad Bar & Choice of Potato
• Prime Rib $26.95
• Ribs $20.95
• Deep Fried Walleye $17.95
• Creamy Sweet Chili Chicken, Wild Rice, w/Breadsticks $14.95
Lois R. Maas
Lois R. Maas, age 71 of Sauk Centre, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at the CentraCare Hospital in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.
A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, September 13 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Inurnment will be held privately at a later date.
Lois Ruth Brown was born May 24, 1954 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Clyde and Donna (Ammend) Brown. She grew up in Osseo, Minnesota and graduated from Osseo High School. On March 3, 1979 she married Blair Maas. The couple raised their two boys in Sauk Centre and eventually moved to a farm north of Sauk Centre. One of Lois’ dreams was to live on a farm as she was an animal lover, especially when it came to birds and bird watching. She was a wonderful mother and enjoyed helping people.
Survivors include her husband, Blair Maas of Sauk Centre; two sons, Wayne Maas of Brooten and Ryan (MariLou) Maas of Brooten; “adopted” son, Kyle Haakinson of Sauk Centre; granddaughter, Nevaeh Butkowshi; brother, Clifford Brown of Park Rapids; and sisters-inlaw, Jean Brown of Ashville, North Carolina and Tammy Brown of Arizona.
Lois was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Donna Brown; and brothers, Scott Brown and David Brown.
Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
Michael “Mike” Pohlmann
Michael W. “Mike” Pohlmann, age 68 of Melrose, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at CentraCare Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Mitchell Bechtold officiating. Inurnment will follow the Mass.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.
Michael William Pohlmann was born March 8, 1957 in Melrose, Minnesota to Joseph and Caroline (Wiechmann) Pohlmann. On May 25, 1991 he married Lori Ann Stroeing at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Freeport. Mike worked at Kraft Foods in Melrose for 38 years and then at Bayer Interior Woods for several years. He retired in 2021 and began working part-time at NAPA in Melrose as a parts delivery driver. Mike enjoyed camping, road trips, traveling, and most of all, watching his grandchildren. Mike was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose
Survivors include his wife, Lori Ann Pohlmann of Melrose; son, Jamie (Jamie) Pohlmann of Albany; grandchildren, Jackson and Gabrielle Pohlmann; siblings, Rosanne (Wayne) Nylander of Big Lake, Paul (Jodi) Pohlmann of Cold Spring, Joan (Mark) Flaig of Willmar, Mark (Amy) Pohlmann of Melrose, and Peter (Carolyn) Pohlmann of St. Cloud.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William “Bill” Pohlmann; niece, Kyrsten Pohlmann; and parents-in-law, Sylvester and Anna Mae Stroeing.
Served 4-9
Wing Wednesday: 4-9 PM
Basket of 6 Wings $6 $1 Wings
Thursday: 4-8:30 PM Chicken Buffet
Friday
Prime Rib or Rotisserie Chicken
Saturday
Prime Rib or Rotisserie Chicken
Sunday: 10 AM-1 PM Brunch Buffet
Terrance Harold Pflipsen
Terrance “Terry” Harold Pflipsen, age 76, of Avon, Minnesota, passed away on August 10th, 2025, at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Terry was born on November 7th, 1948, in St. Cloud, MN to Harold and Alice (Smith) Pflipsen. From an early age, he was known for his strong work ethic, generous spirit, and love for the outdoors. He grew up in Avon and built his life there.
He married Diane Irene Raden on October 16th, 1971, and together they shared 52 beautiful years of marriage. Terry was a devoted husband, father, papa, and friend. He took great pride in everything he did, from his career and military service, to his volunteer work and dedication to his community.
Terry began his career at Hanauer Machine (now Columbia Gear) in 1965 as a Machinist. After 2 years, he entered the United States Army, serving honorably during the Vietnam Conflict as well as a tour in Panama. Upon his return, he worked for the Railroad and at DeZurik before returning to Columbia Gear in Avon. Over his 45 years of service at Columbia Gear, he held many positions, including machinist, foreman, supervisor, and senior buyer. He retired in 2017 after forming many lifelong friendships with his coworkers.
Terry loved the community of Avon---it was where he was born and raised, and he gave back to his community in countless ways over the years. He served as a part-time police officer for the City of Avon beginning in 1978, and from 1989 to 1997 he served on the Avon City Council before being elected mayor, a position he held until 2002. As an avid marksman and hunter, Terry volunteered for 25 years with the MN Department of Natural Resources Youth Firearm Safety program, teaching proper firearm handling and safety to the next generation of hunters. In line with his passion for hunting and firearms, Terry owned and operated T.D. Gunsmith for 20 years.
His dedication and integrity left a lasting impact on everyone he worked with, served with, taught, and befriended.
Outside of work, Terry enjoyed many hobbies, most of which involved his family- classic cars, automotive repair, hunting, fishing, camping, and traveling to California and Oklahoma. If it involved being with family, Terry was there.
Karen J. Gertken
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany for Karen J. Gertken, age 66, of Albany, who passed away at her home on Saturday, August 30, 2025, with family by her side. Reverend Julius Beckermann, OSB will officiate. Burial of the Urn will take place in the parish cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and one hour prior to services Friday at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Albany. Parish prayers will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday at the church.
Karen was born on October 17, 1958 in St. Cloud to Mathew and Dolores (Warzecka) Huls. She graduated from Holdingford High School in 1976. On August 28, 1987 Karen married Charles “Charlie” Gertken at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in St. Wendel. They raised their family on the farm in Albany. Karen also worked as a teller for Magnifi for many years. She was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church.
Karen enjoyed reading, gardening, baking and traveling. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Charlie; children, Jessica (Arnie) Grebinoski of Rice, Nickolas (Sarah) of Albany, Samantha (Mike) Greener of Albany, Tanner (Nichole Stenberg) of Becker; nine grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren; siblings, Cheryl (Ev) Bovy, Susy (Tom) Reding, Debbie (Mike) Juntunen, Kevin (Janet), Sally Huls, Jenny (Dean) Thielen; sisters-in-law, Janet and Judy Huls; and many nieces nephews and extended family.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents; in-laws, Wendelin and Thecla Gertken; and brothers, Mike and Jerry Huls.
Terry is survived by his wife Diane, children Dustin (Kendra) Pflipsen, Ember (Randy) Tamm, grandchildren Brooke (Brayden Cordes) Tamm, Coltin (Emily) Pflipsen, Riley Pflipsen, siblings Ruth (John Cofell) Pflipsen, in-laws Leroy (Mary Lou) Raden, Odie (Steve) Goward, many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by Parents Harold and Alice Pflipsen, grandson Jackson Pflipsen, in-laws, Elizabeth “Betty” Raden, Eileen Nathe, Frank “Olie” Nathe, Ronald “Ronnie” Raden, David Raden, Danny Raden, Jeffrey Raden, Gloria Smith, Jerome “Pete” Smith.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 12th at 11:00AM at Saint Benedict’s Parish in Avon, MN, with visitation beginning at 9:00AM. Interment will follow at Camp Ripley.
Terry will be remembered for his kind heart, unwavering devotion to his family, and the joy he brought to those lucky enough to know him. His legacy will live on in the love he shared and the lives he touched.
Mid Minnesota Motor Heads 10th Annual Car Show
Sunday, Aug. 31 in Grey Eagle
St. Rose of Lima Parish Festival
Sunday, Aug. 31 in St. Rosa
Grey Eagle Burtrum Lions Tractor Pull
Monday, Sept. 1 in Grey Eagle
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, I started my own small business a couple of years ago. Thanks to your advice, and a lot of hard work, we’re starting to see growth. I’m just curious, if you could go back and restart your business, would you do anything differently the second time around?
-Gerald
Dear Gerald,
This is a great question! I suppose if there was one thing I could change, it would be taking more time during the hiring process. I didn’t spend nearly enough time and energy during interviews back then. Another thing has to do with retained earnings. We didn’t begin taking a percentage of our net profits and setting it aside for retained earnings until we got too tight on cash. Starting over, I’d do that from day one. I’d run a profit and loss statement for the month, close the books for the month and take a percentage of the net profit—after paying myself a decent wage— and automatically put it aside as savings for the business.
People problems and money problems are two huge small-business killers. We fought so hard and were so passionate about everything. Sometimes, I wonder how many mistakes
I made as a result of over-the-top intensity. Don’t misunderstand; you’ve got to be intense and enthusiastic to make things work. But there were probably a few times when I could have handled things with a little more understanding and class.
I’m a little more relaxed now, and I know a couple of things for sure. Better hiring decisions, and having a little bit of money saved, changes your whole attitude and outlook on things.
-Dave
Dear Dave,
I’m a manager at a distribution center. The other managers and I are trying to change the culture of our place a little bit. It’s not a terrible situation, but some concerns about development, communication and confidence in the company have come up lately. Do you have any advice for starting this process?
-Jules
Dear Jules,
Trust begins to break down when your team members think you don’t care about them. But when someone trusts you and knows that you value them, they’ll fight tooth-andnail for you and with you.
The only way to make your team feel this way is by thinking of leadership as servanthood.
Now, serving someone doesn’t mean you bring them coffee and donuts every day, and it sure doesn’t mean you take a bunch of crap from them. When I talk about serving, I mean looking at your team as real people. As a manager, what are you going to do if a guy’s wife is in the hospital after miscarriage? How are you going to handle that? You’ve got to care about your team members as people, as human beings—not units of production.
In short, stop being bosses and start being leaders. That entails servanthood, and that also means using the Golden Rule. Before you do something with your team, take a minute and think how you’d feel if you were in their shoes. Put every decision through the Golden Rule paradigm.
All I’m really talking about is treating your people well. You can change your entire workplace culture just by doing that one thing.
-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®
From the Hosts of the Under The Hood radio show.
Dear Motor Medics,
I have a 2017 Ford Escape with an EcoBoost 1.6 engine, and I am having a heating problem. Over this winter the heat has been getting less warm inside of the cabin. The engine temperature gauge has not changed and if I switch to the digital read out it says 190 once warmed up. I have had the heater core flushed out and the thermostat replaced and nothing changed. They said they had trouble filling the coolant and getting all the air out while changing the thermostat. Both heater hoses feel warm too. Can you help me with a diagnosis?
-Justin in Owatonna, Minnesota
Dear Justin,
Diagnosing heater issues is a step-by-step process. We start at one end and go until we find the issue. In our shop the first step is to verify enough heat from the engine. This is more than just reading the gauge. You need to use a temperature probe and verify the actual temp of the engine and heater hose coolant. We need to know if it is flowing and hot. We sometimes go as far as removing the heater hoses and installing a clear hose to verify flow and check the temp with a heat probe there. Once we know the flow and heat is sufficient, we verify the heater door operation. This vehicle has been known for a block issue which can disrupt flow of coolant. Ask your shop to check the bulletin for this.
-Take care, The Motor Medics Dear Motor Medics,
I have a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan and the driver’s side rear turn signal flashes very fast, and the front does not work at all. I have replaced the bulb in the lamp housing and that did not help. It has a little corrosion, but I think I got it cleaned up well. I am also having an issue with my horn. I don’t know when it stopped working but it is dead now. Can these items all be related and maybe be a simple fix?
-Dan in Redwood Falls, Minnesota Dear Dan,
When any vehicle has a fast-flashing light it is typically an indication of bulb failure and that is how the driver is alerted to the problem. This can also be caused by the installation of aftermarket bulbs such as LED lamps that change the resistance of the circuit, causing a fast flash. If you have verified the bulb is out and have
changed it then you need to check the circuit. Even if the bulb is good and you cleaned the socket the socket may be bad. We go back to the source at the front control module and see if we have power there. If we do, then we know that the socket is bad, or the wiring has a break in it and can be repaired. If there is no output from the front control module (FICM) then it will need to be replaced.
-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.
Albany Senior Dining
Volunteers Needed! Call 320-845-4070
Mon., Sept. 8: Chicken ala king over biscuit, carrots, cookie.
Tues., Sept. 9: Tilapia, rice pilaf, broccoli, bread, pie.
Wed., Sept. 10: Pizza casserole, corn, oranges, bread, cookie.
Thurs., Sept. 11: BBQ chicken, tater tots, green beans, cake.
Fri., Sept. 12: Sausage, egg & cheese biscuit sandwich, applesauce, yogurt, cinnamon roll.
Pre-registration requested to dine daily. For more info. call 320-845-4070.
Local Municipality Minutes
Email Minutes to htnews@icloud.com
Burnhamville Township • July 29, 2025
The regular meeting of the Town Board of Burnhamville was held July 29, 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 and Bruce Johnson; Clerk Shirley Hulinsky. Sup. Joe Muellner and Treasurer Pam Throener were absent. Also present was Erv Herdering. The minutes from the regular meeting of June 24, 2025 were approved on a motion by Sup. Johnson and second by Sup. Berscheit. Motion passed.
For correspondence the township received notices from Joel Rieffer of expansion of animal feed lot, MAT District 8 meeting Aug. 20, local weed inspection notification, and upcoming meeting with Sourcewell.
A motion was moved by Sup. Berscheit to pay all bills numbered 6858 through 6872 totaling $29,075.18. Sup. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Sup. Johnson worked on cleaning up and replacing bushes in the buffers on Dunlin Road and Enchanted Loop. He noted that many shrubs were dead, unknown why so many, and he replaced them. The township will put circles around some of the bushes to help with maintenance and Sup. Johnson will do trimming every 10 days. Township will not bill land owner for dead bushes.
A resident was concerned about the speed of cars around Pillsbury Beach. The town board thought there were speed zone signs there. Flicker Road to the south of Big Swan Lake and County 12 north of the lake are already speed zone areas. After viewing, board noted that there were no speed zone signs. The area of Pillsbury would qualify as a rural residential district. The board discussed putting up speed zone signs. The clerk will prepare a resolution for next meeting.
A representative from Sourcewell offered to meet with the town board to discuss grant options. Some board members will meet with them on August 6 at 1 pm.
As supervisors are doing weed inspections with so much rain this year there are more weeds. Problem areas include along 168th St. and 150th St. in pasture areas. Supervisors will get more spray to help control several areas.
In the road report there are pot holes on 162nd St. and 150th has bad spots. Contractor will add gravel and blade as needed. 321st Ave. received a lot of gravel to raise road for the heavy machinery and big traffic. Rain has been causing issues with maintenance. Some areas of dust control needed to be resprayed. To help with brush control the supervisors discussed renting the tractor and big mower/trimmer again this year. The board also discussed getting more land owners to help pay for areas where the whole road is sprayed.
The Treasurer’s report shows balance of
Input on Stearns County Child Care Plan
Stearns County has completed a draft of its 2026–2027 Child Care Plan, and community members are invited to review and provide feedback. The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) supports working families and parents enrolled in 2- or 4-year post-secondary programs by helping cover the cost of childcare. Assistance is determined based on household income, with fees calculated using a sliding scale. On average, the program serves approximately 500 families each month in Stearns County.
While the Minnesota Department of Human Services oversees the program statewide, counties have limited flexibility to set certain local policies and procedures. The Stearns County Child Care Plan outlines these local procedures and priorities. Although much of the plan follows state guidelines, Stearns County Human Services
Local Library Events
Grey Eagle Library • 320-285-2505
Local History Series Part III: Immigrants and Ethnicity of the Grey Eagle: By local writer Robert Kutter. This event will be about the numerous ethic groups who settled in the area. Photos of people and places will be shared. If you have questions about the area history or have some personal history to share, be sure to attend. For teens and adults. Wednesday, Sept. 10: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Long Prairie Library • 320-732-2332
Thursday Afternoon Book Club: Thursdays, Sept. 11 and Oct. 9: 2-3:00 p.m.
Sauk Centre Library • 320-352-3016
Tech Time: Thursdays, Sept. 4 & Oct. 2: 4-5:00 p.m.
LEGO Hour Challenge for ages 5-12. Limit 16. Tuesdays, Sept. 9 & Oct. 7: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Book Club: Thursdays, Sept. 11 & Oct. 9: 4-5:00 p.m.
welcomes public input on the entire document. To view the draft plan, visit StearnsCountyMN. gov/1136, email HS.Planning@stearnscountymn. gov, or call 320-656-6017.
Public comments will be accepted through Sunday, September 14. Written feedback can be submitted to: Brittany Spah, Planning Coordinator, Stearns County Human Services, PO Box 1107, St. Cloud, MN 56302 or via email at HS.Planning@stearnscountymn.gov.
RJ's Country Store
28916 County Rd. 17 - St. Rosa 320-836-2583
Gas/Diesel/Premium • Propane Exchange Groceries • Pep's Pork • Schaefer's Market Harry's Pizza • Bait • ATM
Painting
Card of Thanks
A sincere thank you to friends, neighbors and family for all you did for me when I had my heart attack and during my recovery. All the prayers, visits, food and cards were greatly appreciated.
A special thank you to Nastia and Yura for rescuing me and getting me the medical attention I needed, Tom for coming and finishing the hay baling that morning, and for my neighbors and friends who helped finish with the hay crop.
I am deeply grateful to CentraCare Melrose and St. Cloud Hospital for the exceptional medical care I received. Our community is so fortunate to have the skilled doctors, nurses and medical facility we have.
Words cannot express my gratitude for your care and support.
Dale Lyon and Family
To Submit a Card of Thanks the cost is $5.00 for the first 50 words, 10¢ for each additional word. MUST BE PREPAID. Mail to: Hometown News, 29442 120th St., Grey Eagle, MN 56336.
The Melrose Township Board of Supervisors hereby ordains:
Section 1. Authority. The Melrose Township (“Township”) adopts this interim ordinance pursuant to the authority granted to it by Minnesota Statute § 462.355, Subdivision 4. Section 2. Definitions. For the purposes of this Interim Ordinance only, the following definitions shall apply:
a. Solar Farm – A solar farm is a solar energy system which primarily produces power that is used off-site. Solar farms include but are not limited to community solar gardens which provides retail electric power (or a financial proxy for retail power) to multiple community members or businesses residing or located off-site from the location of the solar energy system, consistent with Minnesota Statutes 216B.1641
b. Solar Energy System – A solar energy system is a system whose primary purpose is to harvest energy by transforming solar energy into another form of energy of transferring heat from a collector to another medium using mechanical, electrical, or chemical means.
Section 3. Preliminary Findings. The Township hereby makes the following findings:
(a) The protection of the planning process, preserving the agricultural and rural character of the land, and preserving prime agricultural ground for agricultural purposes are legitimate public purposes pursuant to Minnesota Statute.
(b) It is in the best interest of the Township to develop regulations regarding certain solar energy systems.
(c) Time is needed to consider and adopt appropriate regulations related to solar development in the Township.
(d) The Township will be studying and has scheduled one or more public hearings for the purpose of considering regulation of solar farms and solar energy systems.
Section 4. Temporary Moratorium. All Solar Farms and Solar Energy Systems shall be a prohibited use within all zoning districts of the Township for one year from the effective date of this Interim Ordinance. For one year from the effective date of this Interim Ordinance, the Township shall not approve, permit or otherwise allow applications for development, building permits, site plans, development orders, or any other land use activity within the Township which would allow or permit the construction of solar farms or solar energy systems, regardless of type or size.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Interim Ordinance is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, that holding in no way affects the remaining portion(s) of this Interim Ordinance.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Interim Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its passage and upon filing with the County Auditor.
ADOPTED this 27th day of August, 2025, by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Melrose, Minnesota.
A Public Hearing on this matter will be held on October 2nd at 7:00 PM, Melrose Township Hall. The public is invited for input on this matter; you may direct comments to the Melrose Township Clerk if unable to attend Public Hearing.
Township of Melrose
Dennis Middendorf, Chairperson By: Cindy Willman, Township Clerk Its: 11607 251st Av, Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Email: willmancindyl@gmail.com
Hulinsky, Burnhamville Township Clerk
September 4, 2025
GARAGE SALE: Sept. 4-5-6: 8am-3pm. 514 Blaine Ave. S., Burtrum. Antiques, sewing machines, wishing wells, big table, chairs, bench, tools, tablesaw, car ramps, 5th wheel hitch, Blue Ox toll bar, kids books, toys, knic-knacs, and much more!
GARAGE SALE: 34876 State Hwy 28, Swanville. Sept. 5-7 & Sept. 12-14: 9am-?
WANTED: Geo Tracker, good shape, reasonable price. Call 320-267-5632. RB-tfn
WANTED TO BUY: Butcher cows, bulls, fats & walkable cripples: also horses, sheep & goats. 320-2352664.
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: Person to cut & bale hay, Burtrum area. Call 320573-3939. 9/11
FOR SALE: Reese 5th wheel hitch w/slide, $250. Blue Ox tow bar, 2” ball, $200. Call 970-978-7795, Burtrum. 9/4
GIVE AWAY: Working automatic washing machine. Call 320-249-5454.
FOR SALE: 2005 Chevy pickup. Call 320339-5269 for Info.
FOR SALE: Onions red and yellow, and potatoes, $1 a pound. Call 320-632-3336.
NOW HIRING!
Proliant Dairy Ingredients (Premier Drying Plant)
WANTED: Machinery for scrap or salvage specializing in combines, paying cash. Call 320-292-8993.
FOR SALE: 1983 Ford Mustang GLX convertible, 60,000 miles, automatic, white w/ white leather interior, 3.8L, V6, kept in garage, excellent condition, $8,500. Call 320766-3119.
FOR SALE: 1984 red Corvette, top comes off, 105,000 miles, automatic, $10,500 or B/O. Call 320-267-5632.
FOR SALE: Vibo boat lift, canopy cover needs replacement, $700 or BO. Call 320766-3119.
•
FOR SALE: Craftsman 6” jointer with cabinet, excellent condition, Model #10320620, $350. Call 320-766-3119. DC-tfn
Natures View
& Yard Care
FOR SALE: Queen size down comforter, $45. Call 320-894-9118.
FOR SALE: 5 down pillows, standard, $25. Call 320-815-1768.
FREE: Kittens, ready to go. Please call 320201-0342.
FREE: Kittens tri-colored black, white, gray, brown with tiger stripes, people friendly and litter trained. Call 320-874-1723.
