Hayden W. Edstrom

Hayden Walter Edstrom, born on April 15, 2004, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, left this world tragically on August 4, 2023, in a car accident. He was a bright light in the lives of all who knew him and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Hayden was raised by his loving mother, Holly Pilarski (Edstrom), and Larry Pilarski. Together, they nurtured him in Upsala, Minnesota, where he thrived in high-school basketball. An exceptional athlete, Hayden's passion for sports extended to cheering on and supporting his younger siblings in all of their activities. His infectious laugh, generous heart, and magnetic personality attracted children and adults alike, creating a lasting impression on all who crossed his path.

One could always spot Hayden in a crowd by his wild printed shirts, which perfectly matched his vibrant spirit. His ability to bring laughter and charm to any situation made him a joy to be around, sprinkling a trail of smiles wherever he went.

Hayden is survived by his loving mother, Holly Pilarski (Edstrom) of Sauk Rapids, and his father, Larry Pilarski of Upsala. He leaves behind three younger siblings, Samantha, Alexa, and Benett Pilarski, all from Upsala, who he adored and cherished. His grandparents, Todd and Arlene Edstrom of Sauk Rapids and Joan Pilarski of Albany, were significant influences in his life, providing him with love and support.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Bill Pilarski.

Funeral services to honor and celebrate Hayden's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 11, 2023, at Atonement Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, followed by burial. The visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids and one hour prior to the services on Friday at the church in St. Cloud. All who loved and knew Hayden or the family are welcome to attend.

As we say our final goodbyes to Hayden, we hold dear the memories of laughter, warmth, and love which he shared with everyone around him. He touched the hearts of so many, and his spirit will live on in the hearts of those he left behind. May we find comfort in the beautiful memories we share of him.

Rest in peace, dear Hayden. Your memory will forever be a blessing to us all.

"With tears, we cry each day, in angel's arms, you were carried away. Our memories of love and laughter shall not fade, for inside our hearts, you'll always stay."

Dale: 320-493-6329

Implementation of legalized marijuana comes with questions

Several new laws took effect with the calendar turning to the month of August. That can happen several times a year, typically in January, or July, and many of those new laws don't have a huge impact on the lives of most Minnesotans. However, that's not the case this time as recreational marijuana use has now become legal in our state. The law was pushed through by the DFL majority, and it leaves many questions unanswered at the same time it takes effect.

To me, the biggest one looking for an answer is where it can be smoked. The law lists several areas where it will now be legal, but the caveat is that it cannot be done in the presence of minors. That's a gray area, which means it's up to local jurisdictions to pass ordinances prohibiting its use in public areas where young people may be. We already have rules in place saying where cigarettes cannot be smoked in public, and it would seem logical to ban the use of marijuana in those same areas.

With the exception of tribal ground, cannabis will not be available for sale over-thecounter in Minnesota for many months, probably well into the year 2025. With possession now being legal, that means the black market will flourish for the next year and a half, with no competition from legal shops set up to sell it. And when that does happen, the state will be imposing a 10-percent tax on each sale, in addition to the sales tax, which will add another layer of cost to the final cost. The sales tax rate in Greater Minnesota is currently 6.875 percent, but in the metro area it was increased this past session by the Legislature another full percentage point to help fund transit and housing. That probably means black market purchases will remain cheaper than those made legally, and that the legalization of cannabis will not make the black market go away.

Employers are now grappling with how to change their policy manuals in regard to cannabis use. Marijuana can stay in a person's system at detectable levels for weeks after using it. After that long a time, it may not be enough to impair one's ability to drive, for example, but it's still going to register on a drug test. So, how do we deal with that in terms of allowing some level of THC but not enough to cause impairment? And then add in the situation where drivers with CDL licenses have a zero tolerance, along with those who serve in public safety or transport children, and more decisions need to be made.

Although the legislation makes clear that marijuana consumption by minors will still be illegal, it takes away any punishment for its use. That leads many to believe that, in effect, we made it legal for those under the age of 19 to use it. There was a rush to decriminalize cannabis use for all minor offenses, but we also took away any penalty for young people who use it.

Minnesota now joins the list of states that have legalized recreational use. Other states who did this earlier, such as Colorado, served as the experiment on how to do this in the best way possible. One aspect of the Colorado law gave counties the ability to opt out of the legalization. Minnesota chose not to do this, but did give local governments the power to regulate where it could be used. That will take place over the upcoming months as cities enact their own rules to keep second-hand smoke away from those who don't want it.

You can always call my office at (651) 296-4317, my home phone at (320) 239-2726 or email me at rep.paul.anderson@house.mn if you need additional information.

From the Desk of Pastor Bruce

Have you ever considered the mouse trap? No, I haven’t lost my marbles…lol. Pretty simple construction really; the small slab of wood, the dinner plate, the guillotine, the spring, and the lever thingy. What would you say if I told you that the “Mouse Trap” made itself? Now you really know that I have lost my marbles. You may ask, how do you know it will work, or how did the spring get in just the right place, or why did it think of creating itself to begin with? All these questions are good to ask, for all of creation.

How can anyone think that creation just happened, or it started with an explosion and a cell evolved into humans through an enormous amount of time. The mouse trap, I know for certain, that if you gave it enough time, could not create itself. It was designed and constructed by someone who knew what they were doing.

Take the human body for instance. Just look at how complex it is! The System of organs, Musculoskeletal system, Cardiovascular system, Expiratory system, Nervous system, Digestive system, Urinary system, Endocrine system, Lymphatic system, Reproductive system, Integumentary systems all working together in a very complex and specific way. Now, how can anyone say that we or anything else that was made to support life, evolved from nothing?

I believe the Bible and every Word of it brings glory to Jesus. When it says in Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," I believe that God created everything that exists. Out of nothing. For His glory.

I love it in the book of Job, when Job was getting grumpy because so many things were going wrong in his life. God responds to him in sort of a sarcastic way… Job 38:3-4 “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.”

Give God the praise in all things, He is the One who created all things, even you! And so, He loves you so much that He died for you, instead of you, so you can spend eternity with Him. Now that’s Truth and Hope that you can hang on to!