New Munich Lions sponsored Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 14. Pictured is Amery and Lyla with Santa. Photo by John Young.
Hometown News
29442
Email: htnews@icloud.com
Powerful lessons from a bulldozer -By Harvey Mackay
MONDAYS • 5 PM
The Hometown News is a free weekly publication, which is published and distributed every Thursday.
An architect was driving through town when he saw a bulldozer demolishing an old house. He recalled his first construction job was operating a bulldozer, so he pulled over to watch and got out of his pickup.
The bulldozer’s operator saw him and asked, “Can I help you?’ They talked for a bit about horsepower. Then the operator observed, “It’s not the power that counts; it’s how you use it. This baby is geared for power.”
three elements are crucial to harnessing your power. Hope keeps you looking forward. Faith gives you the belief in what you cannot see. And love drives passion and purpose in your endeavors.
Smile more. Never underestimate the power of a smile. It can disarm negativity, create connections and spread positivity, enhancing both your influence and resilience.
Live with integrity. Integrity is the cornerstone of trust and credibility. It amplifies your power by establishing you as a reliable and ethical individual, which is critical in all aspects of life.
Embrace enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is infectious and can significantly boost your ability to inspire and motivate others, as well as yourself. It is a catalyst for creativity and achievement.
encouragement.
There was a particular instance with a young person who was incredibly passionate about starting a business but was overwhelmed by the fear of failure and the daunting aspects of entrepreneurship. He had the vision and the drive but was stuck in a cycle of doubt and hesitation.
I offered practical advice on business planning and management to instill confidence and belief in his abilities. I encouraged him to set small, achievable goals, celebrate each success, learn from setbacks and gradually build the resilience and determination needed to pursue his dreams.
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My good friend Nido Qubein, president of High Point University in North Carolina, shared: “All of us have more power in our minds, personalities and talents than we can ever use. We just have to learn to apply that power effectively.”
He added: “There is no secret to it. You have to focus on activities that contribute to the greatest value in your life and do more of those, while eliminating the activities that contribute little or no value to your life and are a meaningless investment of your energy.”
To effectively use the power we possess, it is essential to understand the multifaceted nature of power itself, which includes our intellectual, emotional and physical capacities. Some of the best ways that I have found to utilize power are to:
Harness fear constructively. Recognize that fear can be a powerful motivator rather than a paralyzing force. Let it propel you forward to face challenges head-on, transforming fear into action.
Eliminate excuses. To step into your power, you must take full responsibility for your actions and their outcomes. Excuses diminish our potential; overcoming them empowers us to create change.
Cultivate hope, faith and love. These
Encourage youth. Passing knowledge and encouragement to younger generations not only empowers them but also reinforces your understanding and commitment to growth.
Utilize your brain. Engage in continuous learning and critical thinking. Your brain’s capacity for problem-solving and innovation is immense when you actively seek to expand your knowledge and challenge your perspectives.
Practice self-reflection. Regularly take time to reflect on your values, goals and actions. It’s a powerful tool for personal growth and aligning your actions with your deepest beliefs.
Take action. Knowledge and power are potential energies that require action to produce results. Implement what you learn, take risks and make decisions that align with your goals and values.
These principles can help you harness your power to not only achieve personal growth but also make a positive impact on the world around you.
I realized early on the profound impact that positive reinforcement and guidance could have on individuals, especially those just starting out or facing challenges. This understanding led me to actively mentor young professionals and students, sharing knowledge, experience and most importantly,
What made this experience so memorable was witnessing the transformation of this young entrepreneur. Eventually he launched a successful business that not only fulfilled his personal ambitions but also created job opportunities for others. This experience showed me that sometimes the most impactful way we can use our power is by empowering others to realize their potential and pursue their dreams.
Mackay’s Moral: The greatest power is often shown not in how we elevate ourselves, but in how we lift others up.
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
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19
• Grey Eagle/Burtrum Lions American Red Cross Blood Drive from 12-6 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church, Grey Eagle.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
• Cookies, Crafts, Cocoas & Christmas from 1-4 p.m. at the Burtrum Community Center. See ad on page 4.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24
• Grey Eagle United Methodist Church Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 3:30 p.m See ad on page 7
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31
• Long Prairie Chamber Orchestra Celebrate 50 Years Broadway Blast at 6:30 p.m. at LPGE Secondary School. See ad on page 7
SATURDAY, JANUARY 25
• Sacred Heart School Dine & Wine Fundraiser at 4:30 p.m. at the Freeport Community Center.
ALBANY SENIORS
• Meets 1st Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at the Albany Community Center.
ALBANY TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany City Hall.
• Planning Commission meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the
Albany City Hall.
BURNHAMVILLE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Burtrum City Hall.
BURTRUM CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. FEET FIRST CLINIC
• Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Holdingford City Hall.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
• Ruby’s Pantry Food Distribution 1st Saturday of the Month from 10-11 a.m. at River of Live Church, Sauk Centre.
FREEPORT CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
FREEPORT SENIOR MEETING
• Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. with cards/Bingo/coffee/dessert.
GREY EAGLE CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
GREY EAGLE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 1st Monday of the month at 8 p.m.
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 first Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
“The Good Old Days” -By Tom Kuehne
Christmas
The sounds of Christmas are beginning to be heard on most of the radio stations. They range from the traditional Christmas songs to the religious carols. You quickly recognize most of the songs and quite often are able to remember the words. They usually bring back fond memories of people and occasions and the wish that we could place ourselves back at those more peaceful times.
Many of those songs make reference to the horse and sleigh days. That was 100 years ago. That was a time when hand knit socks were a common cherished gift. We knew that the gift had required the personal time and effort of the gift giver. Why are we still singing about things from 100 years ago? Those songs and the stories they tell have become part of our memories, but are there new songs to take their place? We today have fond memories and will those memories be sung about 100 years from now? Maybe the songs will be about how much fun it was going to Grandma’s house in a gasoline-powered car.
Many of us identify with Christmas carols, because as a child we sang those songs at home, church or maybe they were still allowed in school. They told the stories of Christ’s birth in a way that created a feeling of joy and celebration in us. We, as children, were able to entertain the adults with plays and they appreciated it. That helped to make our memories of those Christmas programs special in our minds.
Today we are pounded with advertising about the bargains that are available and that we should take more money from our budget to give more gifts. This is not something we like to sing about. We also may make the mistake of buying a gift in October and when Christmas comes, the gift has already been replaced by a new and improved model. Is that part of the reason why it is more fun to sing about 100 years ago?
Here’s hoping that you make this Christmas special for your friends and families. It’s up to you to make the season special for others. A gift to a needy person will make both of you have a special Christmas.
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
Stearns County Adopts Cannabis Ordinances
Stearns County Commissioners adopted two ordinances regulating cannabis businesses. Those ordinances, now on the Stearns County website, https://www.stearnscountymn.gov/1751, will take effect January 1, 2025.
The ordinances, Ordinance #679 (Stearns County Cannabis Events, Retail Business Registration and Compliance Ordinance) and #680 (an Ordinance amending Stearns County Land Use and Zoning Ordinance #439) were approved during the December 3, 2024 Board Meeting after extensive discussion in several meetings and public hearings on November 19 and December 3.
Following requirements under state law, the County’s ordinance will allow one cannabis retailer for every 12,500 residents, which equals a maximum of 13 registered businesses in the County’s jurisdiction. Cities and townships can allow additional retailers.
These new regulations also govern the following activities:
- cannabis cultivation
- manufacturing of cannabis-derived products
- sales of cannabis-derived products
- and organizing cannabis-related events.
The ordinances address important considerations, including setbacks from schools, daycares, homes, and parks; outdoor displays & storage; transportation; water and sewer management; waste disposal; hours of operation; crop production; retail sales and wholesale operations; inspections; annual registration & fees; and compliance checks.
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management will handle licensing. County zoning
approval and registration of cannabis businesses require preliminary state license approval.
Under Minnesota’s 2023 cannabis legalization law, counties can adopt reasonable restrictions on the time, place, and manner of cannabis business operations, provided these restrictions do not prohibit the establishment or operation of such a business.
For more information, visit the Stearns County website at https://www.stearnscountymn. gov/1751. There, individuals can also sign up to receive email or text notifications when there are updates related to cannabis.
For cannabis and zoning inquiries, contact the Environmental Services Department at 320656-3613. For registration inquiries, contact the Stearns County Attorney’s Office at 320-6563880.
From the Desk of Pastor Bruce
What do people generally think about this time of year? If you’re having a hard time thinking about the answer, here is a clue. Most stores offer bonuses during this time so you will spend your money at their store. I would say that most people think about “What am I getting for Christmas?” or “I wonder what I am going to give my sweetheart?”
One more question, what is love and how would you define it? Lori showed me a page of the book she is reading titled “The Book of Mysteries” by Jonathan Cahn and here is how he defined love. Love is to put yourself in the place of another, to feel their feelings, walk in their shoes, weep with their tears, rejoice in their joys, take upon yourself their burdens, and give to them your life.”
So, the best gift ever is that of Jesus Christ. In fact, He taught us how to love. 1 John 3:1618 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17If anyone has material possessions and
sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Jesus willingly allowed the soldiers to put Him on the cross and crucify Him. Why? Because He loved us! Jesus is the only perfect sacrifice, the only sacrifice that is eligible to pay for the debt of sin.
So according to the definition from Cahn, Jesus literally put himself in our place. Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He became the substitute sacrifice, paying for our sins. Now what better gift is there this Christmas season, than the gift God gave us in His Son Jesus Christ? If you have not made Jesus Lord of your life, why don’t you do it today, opening the door to that NEW Life.
-Pastor Bruce Miller from Swanville Bible Church, 320-547-2916
NEW YEAR'S EVE
Ruth A. Rahn
Ruth A. Rahn, 96, longtime resident of Swanville, MN passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at Vitality Living of Upsala. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, MN, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Spring Brook Cemetery in Swanville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church which Ruth credits with nurturing and strengthening her faith over the many years she was a member, through worship services, bible studies, and the many friendships she enjoyed. Caring for Ruth and her family is the Shelley Funeral Home in Little Falls.
Ruth Ann Neumann was born on September 10, 1928, at the family farm northwest of Grey Eagle, MN, to the late Frederick and Hertha (Abeling) Neumann. She attended Todd County District 37 rural school for the first eight grades and graduated from Long Prairie High School in 1946. She lived
and worked on the family farm until she married Lloyd Rahn at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Long Prairie Township, on November 4, 1953. Ruth and Lloyd lived in Grey Eagle and Minneapolis for a short while before moving to Swanville, MN, on January 1, 1959, where they made their home for more than 50 years. In 1959, they started a business specializing in the sale and repair of radios and televisions. In 1971, they opened Gambles Hardware Store, which later became Hardware Hank. Through their work in the hardware store, they met and helped many people from the surrounding communities. Ruth’s fondest memories from her time owning the store was ordering and selling toys, especially around Christmas. They operated the hardware store until their retirement in 1991. In addition to running their TV and hardware businesses together, Ruth and Lloyd sold Scorpion snowmobiles and taught youth snowmobile safety classes for several years.
Over the years, Ruth was an active member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, where she participated in the World Relief Quilt project, vacation bible school lunch program and many other activities. As a lifelong member of the DOVE Homemakers, Ruth always looked forward to their monthly meetings, outings and annual Secret Santa exchanges. Ruth also enjoyed gardening, sewing, fishing, camping, genealogy research, coin collecting and board games, especially when done with her children and grandchildren. Her beautiful gardens in the yard of their home were enjoyed by and shared with many over the years. Following their retirement, Ruth and Lloyd enjoyed spending many winters in Weslaco, Texas with family and friends.
Ruth is survived by her daughter, Marion (Steve) Brady, of Circle Pines; son, Brian (Beth) Rahn, of Bloomington, and daughter, Julee (Pete) Olson of Mounds View; five grandchildren, Jake, Austin, Abby, George and Ella; sister, Arlene Cobleigh of Willmar, nieces, nephews and many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Hertha Neumann; husband, Lloyd Rahn; brother, Leonard Neumann; and infant granddaughter, Cora Olson.
Emily Evangela Becker
Mass of Christian burial, celebrating the life of Emily Evangela (Vasecka) Becker, age 100, of Holdingford, was held Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Church of All Saints – Saint Mary in Holdingford. Burial will be at Arban Cemetery at a later date. Emily passed away on December 4, 2024.
Emily was born on June 8, 1924, to John and Helen “Nellie” (Kaveney) Vasecka in Mastown Township in Wadena County. She married Raymond Joseph Becker on June 10, 1948. Emily taught for 9 years in country schools in the Holdingford area. For 9 years she also taught religion classes. She also worked at the Holdingford School as an aide for 17 years. She was a proud member of the Arban Church as a lecturer, reader, and choir member. She was active in the mission groups for Arban, St. Joseph’s Society, and a lifetime member of the
Pioneer Club. Emily was a member of the Church of All Saints – Saint Mary’s Catholic Church. She was a charter member of the Auxiliary for the Knights of Columbus. She was also an officer for Christian Mothers and received a 50-year pin.
Emily met Ray while she was teaching at the country school in Arban, and he was working on the Arban church. Throughout their marriage, you seldom saw one without the other. Together they built their home and gardened and farmed. They attended church every week, even bringing their grandchildren in their later years. Emily was very competitive, she did not like to lose, especially at cards. She enjoyed reading the paper and doing puzzles. Nothing was ever wasted, and you never sat down to eat without washing your hands first.
Survivors include her children, Theresa Johannes, Avon, and Peter Becker, Avon. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 25 greatgrandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren with 4 on the way.
Emily is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Raymond; parents, John and Helen “Nellie” Vasecka; children, Owen, Pauline Lichy, Raymond Jr., and baby Ann; grandchildren, Tim Johannes and Jennifer Becker; great-grandson, Raymond Becker. She is preceded by her all of her siblings; Thomas, Helen Thorsett, Katherine Hebrink, Mary Vierzba, John Vasecka, Joseph Vasecka and James Vasecka. Emily is also preceded by her son-in-law, Leroy Johannes.
Managing Stress during Holidays
For many of us, the holiday season can bring an increased sense of family responsibility and, along with it, additional feelings of stress. Here are a few ways to help manage that stress:
Strengthen social connections – We know that strong, supportive relationships help us manage all kinds of challenges. We can view the holidays as a time to reconnect with the positive people in our lives. Accepting help and support from those who care about us can help alleviate stress.
Set expectations – It is helpful to set realistic expectations for gifts and holiday activities. Depending on a child’s age, we can use this opportunity to teach kids about the value of money and responsible spending. We need to remember our own expectations, too. Instead of trying to take on everything, we need to identify the most important holiday tasks and take small concrete steps to accomplish them.
is short. It helps to maintain a broader context and a longer-term perspective. There will be time after the holiday season to follow up or do more of things we’ve overlooked or did not have the time to do during the holidays. Take care of yourself – It is important that we pay attention to our own needs and feelings during the holiday season. We can find fun, enjoyable and relaxing activities for ourselves and our families. By keeping our minds and bodies healthy, we are better able to deal with stressful situations when they arise.
Keep things in perspective –On the whole, the holiday season
Card of Thanks
Gene, Gloria Hallermann and Family
A Cookie Funny
As we were putting out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve, I accidentally dropped one. “No problem,” I said, picking it up and dusting it off before placing it back on the plate.
“You can’t do that,” argued my fouryear-old.
“Don’t worry. Santa will never know.”
He shot me a look. “So he knows if I’ve been bad or good, but he doesn’t know if you dropped a cookie on the floor?”
Pictured is Cash and Vayda with Santa in New Munich. Photo by John Young.
Dave Says -By Dave Ramsey
Dear Dave,
My wife and I have been married for two years, and we both have good jobs. Together, we bring home around $190,000 combined. We also have $100,000 in a savings account, and no debt except for our mortgage. A couple of weeks ago, I was contacted about an opportunity to take a job in commercial real estate in my hometown. To be honest, this kind of work has been a dream of mine for several years. The problem is my wife is upset by the idea of moving. She says it’s because she doesn’t want to be even further away from her family, but it seems like something else is bothering her. Do you have any advice?
-Freddie
Dear Freddie,
Anytime you’re in a relationship and something like this happens, it’s a little like making a sale in that you’ve got to dig out the real reason for the objection. It could very well be that she doesn’t want to be further away from her family, and that’s natural—to an extent. But like you said, there could be other factors involved.
There might be something in your past
that bothers her, or something she doesn’t want you to revisit. There may even be feelings of discomfort with your family for things that have happened or been said. It could also be the insecurity that goes along with a move, a new home and a new job. I don’t know how far away you’re talking about moving, but it could also be she’s worried about leaving her job. From a relationship standpoint, you two each need to lay your cards on the table and be honest with each other. Open up, and really talk about it. Otherwise, it’s going to become a sore spot and cause even more problems. Part of marriage is making compromises. Sometimes compromises must be made by one, or both, people in order to do what’s best for the relationship in the present and in the long run.
It could be that you just need an impartial referee. Would you both be willing to attend a few sessions with a good pastor or marriage counselor together? Talking to either one doesn’t mean your marriage is on the rocks, but sometimes a compassionate and objective third party can help dig down below the surface to uncover issues and help find a reasonable solution to problems.
I hope this helps. God bless you both, Freddie.
-Dave
* Dave Ramsey is a seven-time #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.
Albany Senior Dining
Volunteers Needed! Call 320-845-4070
Mon., Dec. 23: Hamburger stroganoff, noodles, peas, pears, bread.
Tues., Dec. 24: Scalloped potatoes & ham, peas, mandarin oranges, bread.
Wed., Dec. 25: Closed.
Thurs., Dec. 26: Chicken parmesan, parslied potatoes, mandarin oranges.
Fri., Dec. 27: BBQ ribs, O’brien potatoes, corn, bread.
Pre-registration requested to dine daily. For more info. call 320-845-4070.
Ask The Motor Medics®
From the Hosts of the Under The Hood radio show.
Dear Motor Medics,
Hey guys, I have a 2021 GMC Yukon with a tow package. I use the vehicle as an everyday driver and a lot of that time is spent towing a trailer. I have a small construction company, and I am always on job sites and picking up nails in my tires. I have become used to the flat tires and all the tire repairs that come with them. I have a bigger concern though. It’s my trailer. I have plenty of flat tires on it as well and a few times those have been on the road causing an unsafe condition with the trailer. The truck has a low tire monitor, but the trailer does not. What is the best way to monitor the trailer tires?
-Moe in Bowling Green, Kentucky Dear Moe,
When the tire monitors are working correctly, they are a great safety option but so many get neglected, and people end up driving around with a low tire light on. On the new Yukons such as yours and the Silverado trucks equipped with a tow package most have an option to purchase extra tire monitors to be installed in the trailer tires which can be monitored right from the dash screen like the vehicle tires. This makes it very convenient, and you can also program in different trailer profiles. Check with your GMC dealer for information on the sensors and to purchase them. This should greatly help you when trying to make sure that your tires are inflated to a safe pressure.
-Take care, The Motor Medics Dear Motor Medics, I’m have six vehicles in our family
ranging from two months old to six years that my wife and I drive and our three kids. Two are trucks and four are cars. None of them are showing visible rust yet but they get driven in the Minnesota winters where the roads are heavily salted, which has been the cause of the replacement of all our cars since they were rusted too heavily and deemed unsafe. Is there anything that can be done that actually works to rustproof a vehicle? There are so many coatings around here and electronic devices to prevent rust and we just don’t know what would be best. We have never rust-proofed our vehicles before.
-Robert in St. James, Minnesota Dear Robert, In our shop we have seen all those products come through with some that appear to be more snake oil than rust preventive. If we had to list them in order of how well they worked by the amount of rust we see on the vehicle we would definitely rate the electronic units in the last place and the oil-based products first. The oil-based products are sprayed on to a clean vehicle covering the entire bottom of the car and frames on trucks. They are typically used on newer vehicles. Find a local applicator for more information.
-Take care, the Motor Medics For entertainment only. Always consult your local shop and follow all safety procedures before repairs. Come visit the Motor Medics® online at Underthehoodshow.com.
Local Municipality Minutes
Email Minutes to htnews@icloud.com
Grey Eagle City • November 12, 2024
The regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council was called to order by Mayor Joseph Arnzen at 7:00 pm on the 12th day of November 2024 in Council Chambers. Council members present were Brad Johnson, Brian Hollenkamp, Roland Ahrendt and Chris Browen. There were no council members absent. Also in attendance was Beth Ramacher and guest: Gene Lahr.
A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to approve the agenda. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2024 meeting. A second was made by Chris Browen and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve Gene Lahr combining his three parcels into one. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the building permit application from Steve Klaphake to build an addition on the northwest end of his house. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the building permit application from Luis Ledesma to build a shed on the southwest corner of his lot. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve Resolution 2024-27: Resolution Canvassing the November 5, 2024 Municipal Election Returns and Declaring Results. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The resolution is as follows:
A RESOLUTION CANVASSING THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024 MUNICIPAL ELECTION RETURNS AND DECLARING RESULTS
WHEREAS, the City of Grey Eagle held an election for the offices of Mayor and two Council Members on November 5, 2024 during the General Election with 201 persons voting; and WHEREAS, on this 12th day of November 2024 (7:00 pm) the City of Grey Eagle Council has met to canvass said election results; and WHEREAS, the votes tabulated at said election were:
MAYOR (2 year): Joseph Arnzen 155, Write-Ins 21. Council (4 year): Chris Browen 144, Brad Johnson 128, Write-Ins 8.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Grey Eagle City Council that the official election result winner for the Office of Mayor for the term of 2025-2026 shall be: Joseph Arnzen BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Grey Eagle City Council that the official election result winners for the Offices of Council Member for the term of 2025-2028 shall be: Chris Browen and Brad Johnson
Adopted by the Grey Eagle City Council this 12th day of November 2024.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve the Bass Lake Dock Agreement with the MN Department of Natural Resources. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon
vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to approve the 2024-2025 Snow Removal Contract from Herdering. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to rescind Resolution 2024-26: Resolution Accepting $1000.00 from Stearns Bank. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The current and outdated Personnel Policy was reviewed. A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to have Quinlivan & Hughes update the Personnel Policy. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to have Ferguson Brothers Excavating repair the far east fire hydrant on Highway 28 East.
A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Discussion was held on the ACH fees to be charged by the new utility billing vendor. A motion was made by Brad Johnson that the ACH fees would be the responsibility of the resident, not the City. A second was made by Brian Hollenkamp and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
The Patricia Seifert Estate asked the council for a discount on part of the past due utility bill. A motion was made by Roland Ahrendt to not discount the utility bill. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Discussion was held on the Todd County Development donation request. A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to not donate at this time. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
Various maintenance items were discussed, including servicing lawn mowers and the torn seat in the Dodge truck.
Quotes for a new website were reviewed.
A motion was made by Brad Johnson to move forward with Town Web and an ADA compliant website. A second was made by Roland Ahrendt and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. An application will be submitted to Sourcewell for reimbursement of third-party
A Creche Funny
A man is visiting his adult children to celebrate Christmas. When he walks into the house, he sees a beautiful nativity set. His granddaughter walks up to him, and he asks her if she knows what it is.
She replies, “Yes, it’s breakable.”
Todays Thought
Christmas is weird. What other time of the year do you sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of your socks?
MELROSE TOWNSHIP
Affidavits for Candidacy may be filed with the Township Clerk at 11607 251st Ave., Sauk Centre, MN 56378 beginning Thursday, January 2nd, 2025 at 8 AM and continue until January 16, 2025 at 5 PM. The clerk will be available at the above residence on January 16, 2025 from 1 pm to 5 pm for filing purposes as required by law. Any questions, please email willmancindyl@ gmail.com or call 612-280-0595.
Office to be filled is for a supervisor for a 3-year term. The filing fee is $2.00.
Cindy Willman, Melrose Township Township Clerk
Residents of Burnhamville Township NOTICE OF FILING FOR TOWNSHIP ELECTION
Affidavits of Candidacy for township board March election may be filed with the clerk at her home beginning Tuesday, December 31, 2024 until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2025. Offices to be elected include:
- Supervisor seat B for a 3 year term
- Treasurer for a 2 year term
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve submitting the application to Sourcewell for Match Funds FY 24-25. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to approve payment of Claims #3272-3299, totaling $32,181.97 and include additional payments of the following: MN Power $2148.63, PJ Signs $2500.00, Melrose Implement $30.80 and Todd County Auditor $37.98. This also includes preapproval to reimburse for iPads purchased.
A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried.
A motion was made by Brian Hollenkamp to adjourn the meeting at 8:06 pm. A second was made by Brad Johnson and upon vote, with all members voting in favor, motion carried. The next regular meeting of the Grey Eagle City Council will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 in Council Chambers. Beth Ramacher, Clerk/Treasurer
Filing fee $2
The clerk may be contacted at 320-285-2050.
Shirley Hulinsky, Burnhamville Township Clerk
FOR SALE: Shih Tzu mix puppies, born June 25, $250, 3 males, vet checked, shots. Call first 877-243-2823, then 320-573-2631 for hearing assist. 12/26
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. 12/26
$1,000.00
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: People to help sew bags for the veterans at the St. Cloud VA. Fabric & supplies provided. Call Cindy 651-485-5731.
WANTED TO BUY: Dairy Heifers and Cows. 320-894-7175. SC-evB
VOLUNTEERS WANTED: For Meals on Wheels in Albany for routes in Holdingford, Albany, Avon & St. Joe. Please call 320845-4070 or visit our website at ccstcloud. org and click on link Volunteer request form. We need help in our kitchen, and delivering meals.
WANTED: Wood pellet stove, must have 2 augers. Call 320-987-3317.
FOR SALE: Drive hospital bed, like new, upgraded mattress, fully electric: bed itself rises and lowers along with adjustable head and legs, new $1800, b/o. Call 612-5972998.
FOR SALE: Local honey $10/pint, $20/ quart. Pickup St. Rosa 320-290-0471. 12/26
FOR SALE: Hardwood firewood, dried, 20-22 inches, $150 full cord. Call 320-7663119. tfn
FOUND: Ring. You describe it and location, I will be happy to return it. Christine 320-402-4122.
FOR SALE: My book my 50 years of metal detecting, $13. Mike Revermann 320-2498708 or mikereverman56@gmail.com. 1/2
FOR SALE: Inversion table, $100. Call 320-491-0024. 1/2
