decorating by Sandy Beach on Big Birch Lake. Photo by John Young.
Hometown News
29442
Competition is the best form of motivation
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I’ve learned over the years not to try and keep up with others; someone will always have more.
To drive this point home, I always ask: Do you know what happens when you catch up with the Joneses? They refinance.
Competition is the breakfast of champions, not cereal. Whether you like competition or not, it makes you better and stronger. You should not only welcome stiff competition, you should actively seek it out. You will never realize your full potential in business or life unless you are challenged.
Competition has made me a better businessman, a better golfer and a better person. And when there isn’t another company or business to compete with, I try to outdo myself. If that sounds simple, well, it is. I always want to be at my best and show my best side. No one ever set a world’s record competing against themself.
As American humorist Mark Twain said, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”
Competition is not just important; it is essential. It serves as a catalyst for innovation, efficiency and improvement. When businesses compete, they are pushed to refine their products, services and customer experiences. This drive to be better than competitors can lead to breakthroughs that might not have occurred in a monopoly situation. Moreover, competition keeps businesses alert to changing market conditions and
customer needs. It encourages companies to be more customer-focused, as they must differentiate themselves to win over consumers. This can lead to better quality, lower prices and more choices for consumers.
A problem I see all too frequently is that people are afraid of competition. Perhaps it’s because they fear losing, but I suspect a better reason is that they know they are not as prepared as the competition. They are not willing to put in the necessary hard work, training and sacrifice. They think things will be easier for them than for others, possibly because others have made things look easy.
In my own experience, I’ve found that embracing competition has been a key factor in staying relevant and successful. It is important to study your competitors, learn from them and sometimes even collaborate with them to create new market opportunities.
One instance that comes to mind was when our envelope manufacturing company faced stiff competition from larger companies in the industry. These competitors had deeper pockets and could afford to undercut our prices to gain market share. It was a classic David versus Goliath scenario.
Instead of trying to compete on price alone, which would have been a race to the bottom, we decided to focus on what we could control –our service and our relationship with customers. We doubled down on providing exceptional customer service, ensuring that our clients felt valued and understood. We also invested in our sales team, training them not just to sell, but to solve problems for our customers.
This strategy required us to be more innovative and agile than our larger competitors. We had to truly listen to our customers and adapt quickly to their needs. As a result, we were able to offer customized solutions that our competitors couldn’t match. This approach
-By Harvey Mackay
helped us to not only retain our existing customers but also to attract new ones who were looking for a more personalized service.
The competition forced us to be our best, to innovate and to never take our customers for granted. It made us a better company because we had to constantly improve and differentiate ourselves in a meaningful way.
Internal competition can also boost innovation and productivity. To foster a healthy sense of competition, we set up an initiative where different teams within our company were encouraged to come up with innovative solutions to improve our processes, reduce costs and enhance our products.
We created a platform for these teams to present their ideas to the leadership, and the best ideas were not only implemented but also rewarded. This internal competition sparked a wave of creativity and collaboration that we hadn’t seen before. It broke down silos as teams worked together to outdo each other in a positive way.
The result was a series of improvements in our operations and a significant boost in team morale. Employees felt more engaged because they had a direct impact on the company’s success. It was a win-win situation – the company benefited from the innovative ideas, and the employees enjoyed the recognition and rewards for their contributions.
Mackay’s Moral: Competition always wins.
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
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
• Public Square Rosary at Noon at St. Mary’s Church, Upsala. See ad on page 4.
• 49th Annual Meatball Supper from 4:30-7 p.m. at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Grey Eagle.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13
• Matching Grant Breakfast from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Church Basement, Freeport. See ad on page 3.
• 16th Annual Spud Fest from 4:30-7 p.m. at Gethsemane Church, Upsala. See ad on page 3.
TUES, OCT. 15 & WED., OCT. 30
• Sauk Centre Area Combined Fund Drive Meeting at 5:30 p.m. at MN National Bank, Sauk Centre.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16
• Smart Driver Class 4 Hour Refresher Course from 12:30-4:30 p.m. at Word of Life Church, Upsala. See ad on page 7.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
• Melrose American Legion Fish Fry from 4:30-8 p.m. See ad on page 3.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
• Potato Pancake & Sausage Supper from 3-7 p.m. at St. John's Church, Meire Grove.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22
• Red Cross Bloodmobile from 12-6 p.m. at the Avon Community Church.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23
• Grey Eagle Senior Center Monthly Meeting & Halloween Party at 4 p.m. with potluck & Bingo to follow.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
• Long Prairie Chamber Orchestra Celebrates 50 Years Old Friends & Familiar Faces
at 2 p.m. at the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Secondary School.
• Lori Austing ALS Benefit from 4-9 p.m. at the Freeport Community Center. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
• 3rd Annual Fall Breakfast from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Melrose American Legion.
• Sweetwater Revival at 10:15 a.m. at the Community Covenant Church, Upsala.
• Sauk River Champions Fall Festival Dance from 1-3 p.m. at the Sauk Centre Legion Club.
• Bingo at 5:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, Melrose.
WEDNESAY, OCTOBER 30
• Community Meal at 5:30 p.m. at the Upsala 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.
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
Harvest Time
Even though the thermometer still shows that we are reaching the 80's, fall is here. The trees are becoming multicolored to allow us to see great colors for at least a week or two. The massive custom combining machinery is showing up on the roads and fields. The harvest is heading to the storage bins for protection from the coming winter.
Remembering how the harvest was done years ago, makes some of us older folk realize that what is being done in the field today, would probably harvest our small field in two rounds in our time. We used a field chopper to chop one row at a time, which was a big improvement, when compared to making corn bundles. Now several rows are chopped at the same time. The grain boxes that we used for oats and cob corn have been replaced by wagons that have half of the capacity of a semi trailer box. In some cases the semi box is loaded on the move in the field. What we spent weeks doing, now is being done in a couple of days.
The quality of the harvested beans and corn are usually better than in years past, since the crop is able to be harvested during the dryest weather. In the past we picked the cob corn and needed to store the corn and the cobs. The cobs usually contained extra moisture that needed to dry before it caused spoilage in the cribs. It later needed to be run through a rented corn sheller to make it a marketable product. This required manhandling the cob corn into the sheller. Today when moisture tests are done, only the kernels show the moisture content, offering improved storage ability and improved
quality. Due to the excessive cost of the harvesting equipment, many farmers choose to hire custom harvesting for their crops. This eliminates the need to invest in equipment that is used only a few days and then needs to be shredded for most of the year. As with most of our new labor saving items, each year there are new improvements that make even year old equipment outdated. And of course, new replacement equipment is available at a much greater cost.
Renting custom machinery has been a common practice for many years. Grain thrashing frequently used custom machinery. Hay balers were usually hired for $.10 per bale. Field chopping and silo filling was hired by the day. A friend told of how he used his father's tractor for custom cultivating corn, since it was faster and more efficient then horse cultivators.
Larger equipment, bigger fields, machines that can drive and operate themselves are the new world of farming. Many of these improvements are made for fields that are much bigger than the fields in our area.
Things haven't really changed, they just got a lot bigger.
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
Avon: Red Cross Bloodmobile
The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be coming to Avon on Tuesday, October 22 from noon to 6 p.m. at Avon Community Church, 204 Avon Ave N., Avon. Pleas schedule appointments online at redcrossblood.org or call/text 320-248-3375.
Card of Thanks
We would like to thank all of those who remembered us after the loss of our mom, grandma, and great-grandma. We appreciate everyone who attended the funeral, sent cards or flowers, and shared kind words about her. Thank you to Pastor Tim for all of his visits and for the nice service. Thank you to Paul for providing the funeral music, the church ladies who prepared the meal, and all who provided food. Though it has been difficult to say goodbye, it has helped to see the impact that Wilma had on the community and all of the people who cared about her. All memorials we've received will be given to the church, according to her wishes. Thank you.
Kathy, Allen, the Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren of Wilma Hedin
the first 50 words, 10¢ for each additional word. MUST BE PREPAID. Mail to: Hometown News, 29442 120th St., Grey Eagle, MN 56336.
Rick’s Painting
Commercial/Residential Interior/Exterior • Painting/Staining Outbuildings/Decks Call for an Estimate: 320-248-0731
Matching Grant BREAKFAST
Sunday, October 13, 2024
Obituaries Cheryl Locnikar
Robert H. Kampsen
Robert H. “Bob” Kampsen, age 79 of Elrosa, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at Cura of Sauk Centre Care Centre in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, October 5 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa with Rev. Mark Botzet officiating. Inurnment was in the parish cemetery.
Robert Henry Kampsen was born June 28, 1945 in Belgrade, Minnesota to Clarence and Ledwina (Weinmann) Kampsen. He graduated from Belgrade High School in 1963 and served in the U.S. Army National Guard for eight years. He was united in marriage to Karen Tiemann on October 10, 1970 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Bob farmed south of Elrosa his entire life.
He was an active member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa where he served as an usher, money counter, and was a former parish council member. Bob enjoyed his morning breakfast and coffee visiting with friends and would always make time for a doughnut too! He enjoyed watching Elrosa Saints baseball, fishing, golfing, and loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Karen Kampsen of Elrosa; children, Curt (Christine) Kampsen of Sauk Centre, Kevin (Kristen) Kampsen of Annandale, and Cory (Heather) Kampsen of Elrosa; eight grandchildren, Sara, Brandon, Caitlin, Brianna, Harper, Gavin, Noah, and Averie; brothers and sisters, Halbert (Kathy) Kampsen of Elrosa, Betz Baldwin of St. Michael, Mutz Kampsen of Otsego, and Gene (Roxane) Kampsen of Elrosa; and sisters-in-law, Doris Kampsen of New London, Bonnie Tiemann of Sauk Centre, and JoAnn Marthaler of Alexandria.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Vernon Kampsen; father and mother-inlaw, Henry and Dorothy Tiemann; and brothersin-law, Tom Tiemann, Jim Tiemann, and Jerry Marthaler.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
The celebration of life for Cheryl (Stewart) Locnikar, age 57 of Albany, will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Miller-Carlin Funeral Home in Albany. Cheryl passed away Thursday, October 3, 2024, at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Cheryl was born July 18, 1967, in Little Falls to James and Lottie (Kuechle) Stewart. She married Philip Locnikar on April 28, 1990, in Holdingford. Cheryl worked at Electrolux for 25 years and later retired in 2019.
Cheryl took great pleasure in engaging with various creative hobbies, specifically crafts, art, baking and cooking. She cherished her time with family and friends.
Cheryl is survived by her husband Philip and their children, Aaron (Katrina) Locnikar, Upsala and Adam Locnikar, Colorado Springs. She is also survived by her mother Lottie Stewart, Holdingford, and her siblings, Frank (Sheryl) Stewart, Cold Spring and Kathy (Larry Carll) Stewart, Holdingford.
She is preceded in death by her father James Stewart.
Ingeborg Morrison
We celebrate the life of Ingeborg Morrison, age 86 of Fort Myers, FL, who passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2024, surrounded by her family in Elmdale, after a short battle with cancer.
Inge was born July 3, 1938 in Rust Germany. She migrated to the United States in 1958 to marry her first husband Charles Fore of West Virginia.
Inge enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed drawing and picking wild flowers.
Inge is survived by her two sons, John, of Elmdale, and Matt of West Virginia and their families and her sister, Anneliese of Germany. She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband and her two daughters, Ellen and Lisa and one grandchild.
A memorial service will be planned for later this year in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Virginia A. Tise
Virginia A. Tise, lifelong Melrose resident, died peacefully Wednesday morning, September 4, 2024 at age 95 after just a few months at Cura Care Center in Melrose.
Born April 5, 1929, she was the only child of Lucille (Bolz) Wampach and George Wampach. Virginia met Clyde Tise, her husbandto-be, after his return from serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Virginia and Clyde were married on Valentine's Day in 1949, settled in Melrose, and eventually raised their two sons, Larry and Karl, there.
A graduate of Melrose High School, Virginia worked at several places in Melrose including Empire Memorials, Zuercher Rexall Drug (later Kuhlmann Drug), and longest at the Melrose Credit Union. Louie Kunkel, Melrose Credit Union’s first manager, hired Virginia as his first employee, and they worked in Louie’s home using an adding machine on a card table. Louie said that if he gave Virginia the name of one of the first 3000 members, she could give him that member’s number immediately.
By the time she retired, Virginia had worked for the first four managers of Melrose Credit Union: Louie Kunkel, Bob Cassidy, George O’Brien, and Simon Hellermann, attaining the
position of assistant manager without the benefit of a college education. That credit union, which started with Virginia and Louie in his home, has evolved more recently into Magnifi Financial with over 90,000 members and 26 branch locations from the Twin Cities to Moorhead.
Virginia loved her birds and collected numerous bird sculptures over the years. Her greatest pleasure, however, was watching the live birds come to several feeders that she and Clyde had in their backyard on the north side of the river on 4th Street NE. She could spend hours watching a wide variety of birds including hummingbirds, goldfinches, grosbeaks, and her absolute favorite, cardinals.
Survivors include her son, Karl, and former daughter-in-law, Marian. Grandchildren: Chad Storlie (Deborah), Charles (Chip) Storlie, Rick Storlie (Rachel), and Jaye Jonju. Great grandchildren: Breanna Storlie, Mason Storlie, Aaron Storlie, Connor Storlie, Tanner Storlie; Lauren Dahlquist, Allie Dahlquist, Gracelyn Storlie, and Everlee Storlie. Also survived by special friends: Carol, Moni and Chuck, Sandy and Bob, Alvina, Sandy, Veronica, Isaac, and so many others.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 66 years, Clyde; son, Larry; and aunts and uncles: Bill Bolz (Cecelia), Edwin Bolz, Dave Bolz, Ernie Bolz, Aurelia Bolz, Walt Wampach, Art Wampach (Ann), Wilfred Wampach, Alfred Wampach, Viola (Hal) Wampach, Lillian Wampach, Gilbert Wampach (Irene), Rose Wampach, and Harold Wampach (Julie).
A private service will be held. Memorials to the donor’s choice of organization or charity.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.
Aging With Attitude Expo
Central Minnesota residents are invited to attend the annual Aging With Attitude Expo, taking place on Friday, October 18, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Sauk Centre High School. This free event offers a day of education, information, and entertainment tailored to the needs of older adults and their caregivers.
Jerrid Sebesta, former KARE 11 Meteorologist, Speaker, Coach, and Author, will deliver the keynote presentation, “Life-Underferred: The Best Age is Right Now!” Sebesta will inspire attendees to embrace aging with confidence and purpose.
The expo will feature two rounds of breakout sessions, giving participants the opportunity to choose from eight engaging topics, including:
Don’t Be the Victim!
Ask the Expert: Are You a Caregiver or Know Someone Living With Dementia?
Keeping the Keys: Tips to Safer Driving Hidden Canvas: How Everyday Creativity Enriches Life
Sugar AND Insulin AND Diabetes, Oh My!
Navigating Aging, Dementia, and the Caregiving Journey Understanding Atrial Fibrillation: Treatment Options and Stroke Prevention Traveling with Ana Attendees will also have the chance to explore informational booths, hear from area experts, and enjoy a free lunch. Lunchtime entertainment will be provided by Singleton Street, a local group known for their lively performances of Bluegrass, Celtic, Gospel, and Americana music.
Additionally, door prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the event, and attendees must be present to win.
This year’s event is proudly sponsored by Alternative Senior Care, Sauk Centre Area Community Foundation, Great River Regional Library, Patton Schad Funeral Services, Minnesota National Bank, CentraCare, Sauk Centre Community Education, Sauk Centre Lions, Getty Street Assisted Living, Boston Scientific, UCare, and Central MN Council on Aging. The Aging With Attitude Expo is free and open to the public.
Energy Assistance Program Available
& Salad Bar & More!
The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps pay home heating costs and furnace repairs for income-qualified households. EAP is federally funded by the Department of Commerce and passed through the Minnesota Department of Health and Human Services. Grants are available for renters or homeowners that reside in Todd County. Services may include payment of energy bills, help with utility disconnections or necessary fuel deliveries, repair or replacement of homeowner’s malfunctioning heating systems and extra assistance for households with a member over 60 to pay their monthly utility bills. To be
Swanville: Ground breaking for the new water system and North Berkey 1st addition was held on Tuesday, October 1. Pictured (from left) is Lonny Hutchins (City Public Works), Ryan Odden, (Moore Engineering), Josiah Rostad (Moore Engineering), Nathan Wesenberg (Senator), Tony Maciej (City Council), Greg Blaine (Morrison County Commissioner), Sandy Lange (City Mayor), Norm Carlson (City Council), Julie Hollerman (City Clerk) and Jim Molitor (City Council). Submitted by Sandy Lange.
Unserviceable Flag Disposal Ceremony
Submitted by Kristi B. Wacker
Upsala American Legion Post 350 members held a Ceremony for the Disposal of Unserviceable Flags at Cedar Lake Campground, Burtrum, MN on September 19, 2024.
The Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags is outlined in Resolution No. 440, passed by the 19th National Convention of The American Legion in New York, Sept. 20-23, 1937. The Ceremony includes “A Flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze, or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great; but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for and lived for, and died for a free Nation of free men, true to the faith of the past, devoted
Albany Senior Dining
Mon., Oct. 14: Swedish meatballs over noodles, mixed vegetables, pineapple, bread. Tues., Oct. 15: BBQ pork on bun, tater tots, green beans.
Wed., Oct. 16: Pizza casserole, peas, peaches, bread.
Thurs., Oct. 17: Country steak, whipped potatoes, gravy, broccoli, bread.
Fri., Oct. 18: Egg & hashbrown bake, sausage, applesauce, pastry.
Pre-registration requested to dine daily.
For more info. call 320-845-4070.
to the ideals and practice of Justice, Freedom and Democracy.”
The American Legion preforms the Ceremony for the Disposal of Flags as a dignified tribute to the U.S. flag and to its symbolism. When a Flag becomes faded and worn it is honorably retired during this ceremony.
Flags of our Country that have become unserviceable are presented to and inspected by Post Officers. The Flags that are determined no longer serviceable are then destroyed by burning.
Should the United States Flag that you have become faded or torn, please give it to your local American Legion Post, and replace it with a new Flag.
Austing Family Benefit to be Held Oct. 26
An Austing Family Benefit will be held Saturday, October 26 from 4:00-9:00 p.m. at the Freeport Community Center to help raise money for a wonderful family.
On April 8, 2024, Lori (Vogel) Austing (age 55) was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig Disease). ALS, currently, is a terminal disease with no cure. The ALS Association is working with doctors and research teams to help find a treatment that will someday make ALS a more treatable disease. Lori and her husband, Dan have been married 33 years. They have three children and have been strong supporters
throughout their community. As long-time residents of Freeport, it is time for our communities to come together and show our support for Lori and her wonderful family as they battle this incurable disease.
There will be dinner and drinks, entertainment, silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle. You may also donate directly to the Austing Benefit Account set up at the Freeport State Bank. For silent auction donations, contact Jeanne Elfering (320) 249-6897, or Lisa (Vogel) Buttweiler at (320) 980-7267.
From the Desk of Pastor Bruce
I have been very distractable this week, haha, more than normal. With the pressures of ministry, and a daughter getting married, and hurricane Helene and flooding, and the shipping strike on many major ports, I almost feel overwhelmed. Now if someone came into my office asking for prayer because they are overwhelmed, I would ask them what’s going on. I would then share Philippians 4:6-8 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
This is so good and so wonderful that I thought I would share it with you. Pastors struggle with everyday stuff! Our text in Philippians gives some advice and a promise. First of all, we are to pray about every situa-
Kutter Insurance Agency
tion. Most of us, pray for help and then only as a last resort. But “every situation” means all things, good and bad, even giving thanks for the things God has helped us with. Also, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says something very similar. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” The promise in Philippians is “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The word transcends is interesting, it means that the peace given by Jesus is outside our understanding. In other words, when we give our concerns to God, with thanksgiving, then, He will give us peace, even in the middle of our turmoil.
So, Pastor Bruce, here is my advice, trust Jesus with your concerns by telling Him about them, even with thanksgiving, and He will give you peace.
-Pastor Bruce Miller from Swanville Bible Church, 320-547-2916
Upsala American Legion Post 350 members at the Unserviceable Flag Disposal Ceremony. Pictured (from left) Duane Harren, Jim Wensmann, Don Yurczyk, Dave Brezinka, Dana Pitzen, Marv Frie, Don Marty, Herb Wielenberg and Marv Wensmann.
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’m getting married next month, and my fiancé and I are both following your plan. I’m on Baby Step 3. I make $65,000 a year and have $14,000 in my emergency fund. My fiancé made $90,000 a year, and he’s on Baby Step 2 paying off his car loan. He has his beginner emergency fund in place, and we already have $3,000 set aside for a honeymoon trip. I said he “made” $90,000, because the company he was working for just went out of business. He’s an experienced heating and air technician, and he has already had a few companies reach out with offers or interviews. Do you think we should still go on a honeymoon, or wait until he officially finds another job and things are a little more stable?
-Charlotte
Dear Charlotte, I’m not generally a big fan of spending when someone loses a job. But honestly? I think your situation is a little different than most. I also think you two are different than a lot of folks I talk to. Here’s why.
First off, you’re both serious about dumping debt and getting control of your finances. That’s the big thing. Plus, you make good money, and he will again very soon, based on his prospects and the line of work
he’s in. On top of all that, you’ve got a nice pile of cash in the bank. This tells me you’re both wise enough and mature enough to know the importance of being on stable ground financially.
Your guy will have another job in a couple of weeks, considering his experience and the fact companies are already reaching out to him. If he’s lucky, he might even be able to work a deal that would allow him to start a new job right after the honeymoon. So, I like the future you two are looking at, Charlotte. You have some financial padding, he’s in a field that pays well and I’m pretty sure his income is about to be restored.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, and God bless you both. Go have a great time on your honeymoon. I hope you two will have long and happy lives together!
-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.
Ask The Motor Medics®
Dear Motor Medics, I will be ready to purchase a new car soon and will need to sell the one I have. I’d like to know how I can get the best resale value for my car and how to go about finding out how much that number should be.
-Darlene in McCook, Nebraska
Dear Darlene, When you want to get the best resale value at the time of sale you should start at the time of purchase. Along the way keep all records of anything done to the car to show the care you have given it. A well cared for vehicle will bring more than a neglected one. Follow the severe service maintenance recommendations in the owner’s manual and when things break, have them fixed. If you have done none of these things or just a few you can still get good value for your car. A clean car will usually bring more money faster than a dirty one and often people buy on impulse because of looks alone. A complete professional detail is usually in the $100 range. Once it’s clean and ready to sell set your price. Selling it privately will usually bring the most money. To get a good estimate of what you should ask, check the local papers and car lots for similar mileage and condition vehicles. This will give you a real-world estimate for the location you are in as prices can vary between markets.
-Take care, the Motor Medics Dear Motor Medics, How often should I replace the shocks and struts on my vehicles? Is there a time or mileage limit to follow and is that a rule or can they be checked? My current 5-yearold minivan has never had them replaced,
has 110,000 miles, and I plan on keeping it another 3 years or so.
-Scott in Fort Morgan, Colorado Dear Scott, Shocks and struts play a vital role in the ride comfort and safety of your vehicle keeping your tires in contact with the road and smoothing the ride. When they start to fail you may feel more bounce in the suspension or even feel the chassis bottom out over hard bumps. Usually before you feel the bounce braking distance and handling will be decreased. As they age the compressed gas/ oil mixture that is used internally will begin to leak, first the gas which goes unseen and next the oil which can usually be detected leaking down the body of the units. Any sign of leakage or excessive bounce indicates that it is time for replacement. Mileage wise at about 50,000 miles or so they will start to lose performance. If you were to drive a vehicle with new units then drive yours, you would probably see a noticeable difference. This difference can mean shorter stopping times, better handling, and a smoother ride. For your vehicle with 110,000 miles and five years it is time for replacement.
-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.
The Normalization of Debt: How It Happened and Why It’s Keeping You Broke
By George Kamel
Here are some not-so-fun facts for you to noodle on: Almost 8 in 10 Americans live paycheck to paycheck. And according to a study by Ramsey Solutions, just over half of Americans have had difficulty paying their bills in the past three months, and 1 in 3 have no savings to speak of.
Now, I don’t know about you, but all of this gets me thinking: If we live in the most advanced society in history, why does it seem like we have less time and less money than ever before? Well, I have a theory about what’s causing this mess. And spoiler alert: The financial advice you’ve trusted your whole life is the main culprit.
You see, a lot of us weren’t really taught financial literacy in school or at home. Our main teacher was cultural messaging mixed with a whole lot of monkey see, monkey do. And what did we learn from our parents and ads from credit card companies? That we need other people’s money to achieve what we want in life.
So, when it came time for college, we took on boatloads of student loans as an “investment” in the future—never mind the coming decades of debt and stress. Then we were
told a good credit score was crucial for financial success as an adult, so we opened a credit card or two . . . or 10. Pretty soon, we “needed” nicer wheels and tacked on a car loan to the tab. And at Thanksgiving, Uncle Terry wouldn’t let up about how renting is “throwing away” money, so we decided to get a mortgage for Christmas. Why not?
This is how debt becomes normal in our lives and eventually begins to rob us of financial margin and ultimately freedom. And to make matters worse, the financial systems we trusted benefit from our money struggles— meaning they’re more than happy to keep us dependent on debt and asking for more.
Take the credit score, for example. Most of us have been led to believe that a good credit score is a sign you’re doing well financially. But in reality, a high credit score just means you’re crushing it with debt management, not money management. Think about this:
Why do we want a credit score? To go into debt.
Why do we want to go into debt? For a higher credit score.
Why do we want a higher credit score? To have more access to debt.
Why do we want more access to debt? For a higher credit score.
The only way to achieve and maintain a high credit score is to go into debt, stay in debt, and continually pay your debt accounts “perfectly,” without adding too much debt or paying too much off too soon.
Are you getting the theme here? It’s all about debt. The credit score is just an ingenious way for lenders to profit by luring you
Property Taxes Due October 15
The second half of 2024 residential property taxes are due Tuesday, October 15, 2024. Second half of 2024 Agriculture property taxes are due by Friday, November 15, 2024.
Residents have several options for paying their property taxes:
• Pay online with e-Check (free) or by credit card, with a 2.5% service fee, at the Stearns County website: stearnscountymn. gov/670. There are options to “pay now” or set up a scheduled payment.
• Make payments by mail. Payments must be postmarked by the Post Office on or before the due date to avoid penalties. Return the stub portion of the tax statement along with the payment. Make the check payable to Stearns County Auditor – Treasurer and mail to: Randy R. Schreifels, Stearns County Auditor - Treasurer, P.O. Box 728, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0728
• Pay in person at either of the Stearns County Treasurer’s Office locations, at the Waite Park Service Center or downtown St. Cloud Administration Center. Both locations accept in-person payments Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Payments can also be made at the License Center drive-thru at the Waite Park Service Center. Please bring your payment stub.
Individuals who need assistance paying their property taxes can contact Tri-CAP. Tri-CAP has funds available on a first come, first serve basis to assist Stearns County residents with current property taxes. Clients will be responsible for paying a minimum of 10% and Tri-CAP will limit their contributions to a maximum of $1,000. To inquire about this opportunity or to determine eligibility, call 320251-1612, option #5.
Breast Cancer Awareness
Breast cancer is the most common invasive cancer diagnosed in women across every racial and ethnic group in Minnesota. Breast cancer is a complex group of diseases. Most commonly, breast cancers begin in ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) or lobules (glands that make milk). Breast cancer can occur in men but it is rare, accounting for only 0.2% of cancer in men. By contrast, breast cancer accounts for over 30% of cancers diagnosed. There are about 4,800 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed among women each year in Minnesota. In 2021, 661 Minnesota
deeper into debt while convincing you you’re doing great with money. In fact, according to a FinHealth Spend Report, in 2020 alone, credit card companies made $106 billion off interest. Starting to make sense why they want you hooked on your plastic and obsessed with your credit score?
So, if what we’ve been taught about money is a load of—pardon my French—bologna, then what should we be doing with money? Well, after falling for all the traps, I finally figured out that financial success is about what you have in the bank, not what you owe to the bank. And that when you’re ready to take control of your money and get rid of debt for good, you’ll find margin, peace and joy. I know paying off debt can feel impossible, but data shows that most people can do it in under two years using the proven method I personally used to get out of debt—the debt snowball. Hear me say this: You’ll never win with money if you hang on to your debt. So, do you
want to keep letting debt rob you of freedom and wealth? Or will you do the hard work to take control of the money that’s rightfully yours? If you’re still on the fence, here’s one last question: What could you do if you didn’t have any debt payments?
Answer: Anything you want!
George Kamel is a Ramsey Personality and personal finance expert. Following Ramsey’s proven money plan, George went from negative net worth to a millionaire in under 10 years. Since 2013, he has served on the Ramsey team, speaking across the country, hosting top-ranked Ramsey Network podcasts, like The Fine Print and Borrowed Future, and frequently co-hosting The Ramsey Show. His goal is to help people spend less, save more, and avoid money traps so they can live a life with more margin, options and freedom. Follow George on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, or online at georgekamel.com.
Stearns County Commissioner News
By Commissioner Steve Notch
women died from breast cancer. Screening Guidelines
The goal of screening for breast cancer is to detect the disease before symptoms develop and treat it early, when cancers respond better to treatment. Screening guideline recommendations depend on age, family history and individual risk.
• Women should talk with their health care providers about breast cancer screening tests and when to have them.
• Women who do not have health insurance, or have insurance that does not fully cover breast cancer screening costs, may be eligible to receive free screening in Minnesota through MDH’s Sage Program.
• Women screened through the Sage program who need follow-up treatment may qualify for Medical Assistance for Breast or Cervical Cancer (MA-BC). This program covers treatment and other MA-covered service costs until treatment ends.
This article will focus on the jail/justice center that the County has been working on for the past few years. In 2023, Stearns County was legislatively approved to go to the voters of Stearns County to ask them to fund this project using a three-eighths percent sales tax for up to 30 years to pay for the construction of a jail/justice center at a maximum cost of $325 million. If the voters do not approve the sales tax option to pay for this project, we, as the county board, will have to look at levying the cost to the property taxpayers of Stearns County. The main decisions made so far is that the project will include locating the facility to a green space. The facility will include the jail, sheriff’s office and the court system which includes the County Attorney’s Office, judges and their staff and room for Public Defenders to meet with their clients. The final decision that has not been made is to the full extent of what the facility will look like. Currently, schematic drawings are being prepared to get an idea of what the full buildout of the facility would look like. Based on what the cost estimates will be, will determine how much of the facility will be built or if the project will need to be scaled back to fit the parameters of the sales tax conditions put on by the State of MN. The project will be designed in a way that if the bids come in too high, we can scale back without having to totally redesign the building. Other comments that have come up at various public meetings are dealing with extra space that is in the current Administration Building and West Service Center. Yes, some space is available in each facility but as needs arise, some of these areas are being utilized. An example is moving the County Extension Office into the West Service Center, which saved the County approximately $50,000 in outside rent. Some employees are working remotely, but if the County opts to have more of them come back to the office every day, a lot of this space will be used again. The West Service Center addition done a few years ago was designed to make it easy to redesign the workspace for other services that might be needed in the building. Some of the other partners we work with and help fund such as Stearns
County Soil and Water Conservation District could one day be relocated to one of the County buildings to save on rent expense.
I, as one of your County Commissioners, do not take the idea of spending this type of money lightly. That is why it has been a project the Board has been working on for almost two years to finally bring it to a point where hopefully we can fund it through this one-time sales tax option. This tax expires as soon as the bond for the building is paid off and cannot be renewed for any other purpose. The same argument can be made for the property tax levy, but the significant difference is with the sales tax there is a larger pool of people helping to pay for the facility. When half of the inmates are not from Stearns County, it would only make sense that more people help pay for it.
In District 5 there are still a few meetings that will be held. Holdingford City Hall on October 15 from 5 to 7 pm and Sauk Centre City Hall on October 21st from 5 to 7 pm. If possible, please try and attend one to get a better understanding of this project.
If you have questions for me, I can be reached at steve.notch@stearnscountymn.gov or 320-248-3605.
A Name Funny
A pregnant woman from Washington, D.C., (whose husband was out of the country) gets in a car accident and is knocked unconscious.
When she wakes up 3 days later she sees that she is no longer pregnant and frantically asks the doctor about her baby.
The doctor replies, "Ma'am you had twins! - a boy and a girl. We couldn't reach your husband and since your brother was the first one here the day they were born we let him name them for you."
The woman thinks to herself, "No, not my brother ... he's not very bright!"
She asks the doctor, "Well, what's the girl's name?" "Denise."
"Wow, that's not a bad name, I like it! What's the boy's name?" "Denephew."
MATERIAL SALE: St. Joseph Catholic Church, Grey Eagle. Tuesday & Wednesday, October 15-16: 9:00-3:00. $2-$3 per yard. Proceeds benefit Todd County Seniors.
RUMMAGE SALE: All Saints-St. Hedwig's, 250 Cedar St., Holdingford. ThursFri., Oct. 17-18: 7:30am-6:30pm. Sat., Oct. 19: 9am-2pm. Sun., Oct. 20: 9-Noon.
BOAT STORAGE: Mound Lake area. Call 320-573-3939. 10/17
WANTED TO BUY: Butcher cows, bulls, fats & walkable cripples: also horses, sheep & goats. 320-235-2664. SC-odB
WANTED: Small boat trailer. Call 320267-5632. RB-tfn
WANTED: Machinery for scrap or salvage specializing in combines, paying cash. 320292-8993.
WANTED: Good used camper van, reasonable price. Call 320-267-5632. RB-tfn
FOR SALE: Air impact wrenches, 3 CBs: 1 Cobra 19, 1 Galaxy 959, 1 General Lee, 1 set of 17" tire chains, new in the box. 320260-2159 MT-tfn
FOR SALE: 1926 restored Model T Roadster, $13,000. 1920 GMC 3/4 ton truck, $10,000. Call 320-251-3133.
FOR SALE: Wooden rocking chair and coffee table. Call 320-845-2466.
FOR SALE: Rutabagas, beets, cabbage, carrots, onions, organically grown. Call 320-632-3336.
FOR SALE: 125 small square bales of meadow hay stored in shed, excellent for horses, no canary grass. Call 320-250-3874.
FOR SALE: Royal Crown outdoor wood boiler RS7300E, never used perfect condition, Swanville. Call or text 320-630-0000.
FOR SALE: Ski lift towers, ideal for culverts, $100 each, have 6, 11 ft. long. Call 320-573-3939. 10/31
FOR SALE: Deer stands with platforms, $100 each, have 5. Call 320-573-3939. 10/31
APARTMENTS FOR RENT
FOR SALE: New wood posts, 7-1/2 ft., $6 each, have 20. Call 320-573-3939. 10/31
FOR SALE: Oak processed firewood and boiler wood. Call 320-573-3939. 10/31
FOR SALE: Shitzu mix puppies, born June 25, $250. Call first 877-243-2823, then 320573-2631 for hearing assist. 10/24
