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Newsleader Sauk Rapids-Rice
Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 Volume 1, Issue 30 Est. 2015
Town Crier
Candlelight vigil set Dec. 13 for grieving families
Parents, siblings and grandparents of children who have died are invited to attend a candlelighting ceremony from 6:30-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 at Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. Loved ones may bring a single framed photo of their child for display if they wish. Candlelighting will begin at 7 p.m. traveling through each time zone illuminating the globe in a 24-hour wave of light. For more information, call the Living Waters church office at 320-255-1135.
Health Care Choices explores Medicare options
The Minnesota Board on Aging has published its 2016 edition of Health Care Choices for Minnesotans on Medicare, which contains comprehensive information about Medicare plan options in Minnesota and is the only comprehensive, objective statewide publication available that provides information about all Medicare plan options available on the open market for Minnesotans. To request a free copy, visit www. mnaging.org, call the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433, or email brenda.eldred@cmcoa.org.
Youth beekeeping scholarship available
For the first time, the TriCounty Beekeeping Association is offering a scholarship for youth in Central Minnesota who are interested in keeping honeybees. Beekeepers play an important role in the pollination of much of the food we eat. During the past nine years, there has been a dramatic decline in the health of our honeybee population. The club generates interest and provides education for people interested in beekeeping as a hobby or a career. The scholarship includes: one-year membership in the TriCounty Beekeepers Association; tuition to the University of Minnesota Beekeeping Course (including books) for the applicant and one parent; a complete set of woodenware for one hive; package of bees for the hive; beekeeping gear (hat, veil, gloves, tool, smoker); and mentoring by the club for one year. Applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 17 and not be the child of a beekeeper. Applications are available online at www.tricountybeekeepers.com and are due Jan. 15.
Postal Patron
Manea’s Meats co-owner leaves family behind by Frank Lee news@thenewsleaders.com
A longtime businessman who arrived in the United States from Cuba and found happiness and sucCastellanos cess in Sauk Rapids selling meats died recently, three years after his beloved wife. Rolando Castellanos, 89, co-owner of Manea’s Meats, passed away peacefully Nov. 12, surrounded by family at St. Cloud Hospital, according to relatives. “It’s a big loss,” said Alina Manea, his daughter. “He was active until probably three months ago . . . doing bookkeeping and making sure we we’re all on task.” The 64-year-old woman from
Sauk Rapids said her father had pulmonary fibrosis, and during the last two weeks of his life, he was struggling with not having enough oxygen. “He was very lovable, very open and everyone was his amigo,” she said. “He just loved his family, the town – everyone.” Castellanos was born Jan. 14, 1926, in Baire, Cuba, and met his wife Aleida in 1945 by chance on a bike ride to work one day and fell in love. They were married four years later. The father of five and his family relocated and lived in Connecticut until 1975 before settling in Sauk Rapids, where his oldest daughter, Alina, moved to after her wedding. “I met my husband on the East Coast,“ she said of Donald Manea, a Sauk Rapids native. “My father’s passion was his family; next was work. My dad only knew how to work.”
Soon after relocating to Sauk Rapids, Castellanos and his daughter, son-in-law and sons Juan and Oscar opened Ma-
nea’s Meats, which is still family-owned and operated. “We came here with nothing Family • page 3
Girls’ swimmers, divers compete at state meet
photo by Erich Martens
Sophomore Ella Benoit competes in the 100 breaststroke at State on Nov. 19. For additional photos, see page 4.
School board hears presentation on facilities study by Logan Gruber operations@thenewsleaders.com
“At the elementary level, whether resident or non-resident growth, we can’t keep up,” Dr. Daniel Bittman, superintendent of Sauk Rapids-Rice schools said at the Nov. 23 school board meeting, held at the District Office Board Room at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School.
The school board has been in the process of looking at school population projections and determining possible facility options in regard to a 10-year plan since January of this year. At the Nov. 23 school board meeting, Paul Youngquist, architect at Rego and Youngquist, presented an updated facilities study for the board to comment on. “We’ve revised the enroll-
ment projections to four percent growth in Rice’s school and 12 percent growth in schools in Sauk Rapids,” Youngquist noted, beginning his presentation. The presentation focused on elementary and pre-K buildings, as the projections indicate the middle school and high school will be able to support the population until at least the year 2025.
One consideration was whether legislators would make pre-K mandatory. It was factored into the projections that at some point in the next decade pre-K would be made mandatory statewide. “If we had a crystal ball to know what the legislature would do with 4-year-olds, that would help a lot,” Board Member Tracy Morse added. Study • page 5
Bueckers has burning Central Minnesota is passion for Toys for Tots ‘Land of 10,000’ dancers by Logan Gruber operations@thenewsleaders.com
N e i l Bueckers has been living in Sauk Rapids for 23 years. For 22 of those years he has volunteered Bueckers with the Sauk Rapids Fire Department. And for about 15 of those years he has been running a Toys for Tots drive. The fire department will host a Toys for Tots drive from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 behind the fire hall at 408 Benton Drive N. The fire department will also collect
toys as they drive through the eighth annual Holiday Parade of Lights at 5 p.m. the same night along Second Avenue. “If we can help people fight fires or help people in the community in some way and make things a little easier for them, that’s what it’s all about,” Bueckers said in a Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader interview. Bueckers was involved in charity and volunteer work at an early age, helping out at parish festivals and fundraisers. He is originally from Freeport, and as a boy had always dreamed of being a firefighter while watching the trucks roll in or out of the fire hall. When Bueckers • page 2
photo by Carolyn Bertsch
The Sauk Rapids Varsity High Kick Dance Team performs to the song Shake. Dancers from various schools, including Sauk Rapids, Sartell, St. Cloud Cathedral, St. Cloud Tech, Duluth, Rocori and Becker performed to 35 songs during a three-hour performance and competition on Nov. 21. For additional photos, see page 5.
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photo by Logan Gruber
Neil Bueckers put large signs for the Toys for Tots drive around the Sauk Rapids Fire Hall at 408 N. Benton Drive. Bueckers also posted smaller posters as well as solicited local radio stations to advertise the toy drop-off, which will be held at the back of the building Dec. 5.
Bueckers People
from front page
Two Sauk Rapids students were among nearly 450 others taking part in the 89th annual Christmas concert at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. They are the following: Tony Hommerding, son of Cheryl Hommerding, a sophomore in choir; and Quentin Markfort, son of Kristen and William Markfort, a senior in the Chapel Choir. The concerts will be held in Memorial Auditorium at 7 p.m. Friday,
Dec. 4; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. The musicians then travel to Minneapolis for concerts held at Orchestra Hall at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10. The Concordia Christmas Concert is one of the best-known events in the Midwest, with thousands attending each year. The concerts are staged with exceptional lighting and a full-sized mural that will illuminate the theme, “Let Every Heart Awake and Sing.”
The loyalty of a man to his football team was questioned in a story titled What started as art hobby morphs into business in the Nov. 20 Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader. It was stated that he did
not like the Cowboys, while he is indeed a Dallas Cowboys fan and is from Texas originally. On the other hand, he does not like the Green Bay Packers.
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he moved to Sauk Rapids with his wife, Sandy, he joined the fire department after neighbor, Dick Turch, asked him. “He came down and said, ‘We’re looking for another guy on the fire department, do you want to join us?’ So, I looked at my wife and she said, ‘It’s always been a dream of yours.’ So, I filled out the application,” Bueckers said. The Bueckerses have two children – Ashley and Matthew. “Our kids would help out with the fire department and church fundraisers,” Bueckers said. The Toys for Tots collection was started by Bueckers with the backing of the fire department, and financial help from C and L Distributing, who supplied cookies and hot cocoa. Bueckers said they now get the hot cocoa at a discount from Coborn’s, and supply everything else themselves. If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sauk Rapids Police Department at 320-251-9451 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320-255-1301 or access its tip site at www.tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for crimes. Nov. 8 7:35 a.m. Animal complaint. Circle Drive N.W. Authorities were called after a complaint of a dog barking for several hours. Upon arrival, the dog was heard and stopped barking once police were in sight. The owner was contacted and the dog was let back in the house. 8:25 a.m. Damaged property. Second Avenue S. Police received a call from a male complainant who stated his tires had been
Friday, Nov. 27, 2015
Eventually, the Toys for Tots collection began to be held the day of the Parade of Lights. Bueckers said his daughter Ashley helped start the Sauk Rapids Holiday Parade of Lights, which is now run by the Sauk Rapids Ambassadors program. Ashley was the second princess in the Miss Sauk Rapids pageant about eight years ago. Throughout the years, the toys have started to be exclusively donated to Catholic Charities. “My wife and I volunteer at Catholic Charities through our church, Sacred Heart in Sauk Rapids, about once a month throughout the year and more often in October,” Bueckers said. “Catholic Charities keeps the toys really local.” Only people in the following communities can receive toys from the Catholic Charities distribution: Sauk Rapids, Rice, Sartell, St. Stephen, St. Joseph, St. Cloud, St. Augusta, Waite Park, Eden Valley, Watkins and Kimball. Bueckers said the amount of toys they collect each year varies. Before the economic downturn they could fill two pickup truck beds. In recent years, it’s been just one pickup, but last year they just barely fit it all in. People can donate new, unwrapped toys to the Toys for Tots drive at the back of the Sauk Rapids Fire Hall from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec.
5, or you can donate to the fire department as they drive down the parade route on Second Avenue at 5 p.m. that same night. The fire department will have members walking the route, collecting toys and placing them in a truck. “Be generous during the holiday season,” Bueckers implored. “There are a lot of people out there in need.” If you can’t donate on Dec. 5, you can drop off toys at Catholic Charities emergency services at 157 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud, at donation door D, between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday or from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on Wednesdays.
slashed. Upon arrival, authorities spoke with man who said he noticed the damage earlier in the morning. No suspects or evidence has been gathered at this time.
not detect a smell nor could the resident of the alleged room be contacted.
Blotter
Nov. 9 11:30 a.m. Suspicious activity. River Avenue. Officers were summoned after a civilian claimed he had seen a possible found body. Upon arrival police spoke with the man who stated he was riding his bicycle along the river bank when he noticed what appeared to be a body. He pointed out the location; police investigated and found a campground. The City Street Department was called to clean up the camp site. 10:50 p.m. Drugs. 10th Avenue N.E. Police responded to a complainant who stated they could smell marijuana coming from a nearby room in their apartment. Upon arrival, authorities could
Family Fun Day
Besides the Toys for Tots drive at the fire hall and the Parade of Lights, the 2015 Sauk Rapids Ambassadors Kelsey Christensen, Tana Hendrickson and Nikki Bukowski invite children to join them Dec. 5 at the Sauk Rapids VFW Post 6992, at 901 N. Benton Drive, for a day of fun including kids bingo from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and Santa and Mrs. Claus from 2-3:30 p.m. A Trots for Tots 5K Run will also be held at 3 p.m., starting and finishing at the fire hall. Also, a live nativity scene, sponsored by Living Waters Lutheran Church, will be portrayed from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Coborn’s parking lot, 110 First St. S.
Nov. 10 9:59 a.m. Assault. Second Avenue S. Officers responded to a call of a female being assaulted by two males. Upon arrival, police spoke with the female who stated that two white males wearing black pants and white t-shirts attacked her. They had tried to grab her purse when two other females came by and began yelling at them. They took off running the other way. The female victim was able to retrieve all her belongings. No suspects have been found at this time. Nov. 11 Civil. Second Avenue N. Police were summoned after a female complainant stated she had propBlotter • page 3
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Local caregiver receives Care Providers of Minnesota’s ‘Champion Award’ by Logan Gruber operations@thenewsleaders.com
“Everyone else was dressed to the nines and had notecards for their speech, and I’m like ‘I just learned Fast about this an hour ago,’” Melinda Fast said in a Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader interview. Fast was the recipient of the 2015 Champion Award from Care Providers of Minnesota, a state association that provides training, support and lobbying for senior-living facilities. Fast has been the community life coordinator for Ridgeview Place Assisted Living, located at 1009 10th Ave. N.E., Sauk
Rapids, for the past four years. She has worked in creating activities for the aging population since she graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2006. The awards ceremony was in Bloomington Nov. 17. Laura Koski, executive director of Ridgeview Place, said there were hundreds of nominees for the 16 awards given out that night. The Champion Award honors the work of an individual whose words or actions have enhanced the public perception of long-term care and made a positive impact on those who live and work in these communities. “Melinda always puts her whole self in and gives 100 percent to make sure she offers a variety of opportunities for the tenants,” Koski said. “The joke around here is ‘Where is
Melinda?’ because she is very fast and very busy. Her positive energy really sets the tone for our whole crew.” As community-life coordinator, Fast creates a wellness calendar every month full of activities for the residents of the 43 assisted-living apartments and 14 memory-care suites, and she also directs the activities. Fast is also a member of a number of committees outside of the normal workday, such as organizing the ACT on Alzheimer’s group; serving on service-learning panels at SCSU, St. Cloud Technical and Community College and the College of St. Benedict/ St. John’s University; working on the planning committee for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in St. Cloud; participating in the
Community Committee working with the Paramount Arts District to bring art into the community; and working with the elderly committee for the St. Cloud Greater community to bring a traveling health fair to the older population. “It’s nice people are noticing what I do, taking on those lead roles as well as my everyday work,” Fast said. “I love what I do; this is a population I want to work with, and I’m honored Ridgeview Place let’s me go out to do these things and be an advocate.” Fast also thanked her assistant, Haley Sprenger. Sprenger is the community-life assistant at Ridgeview who nominated Fast for her work. “Haley has really stepped up to the plate,” Fast said. “If I have to be outside of the
building, I couldn’t ask for a better person to take care of the tenants.” “Haley told me, ‘I want to be you someday,’” Fast said, full of emotion. Sprenger wrote a 1,000-word essay to nominate Fast, as well as gathering two supporting letters of recommendation from tenants or their families. “Being a working mom with two toddler boys isn’t always easy, but my husband helps out a lot,” Fast said. She has been married to her husband, Shawn, for almost six years. They have two sons – Jackson, 4, and Nolan, who is almost 3. Shawn grew up in Hutchinson while Fast is from Gilman. They met while working at Cub Foods near Hwy. 10 in St. Cloud and now live in north St. Cloud.
Koda is a neutered, 1-year-old cat who needs a new home because his people were moving. In his previous home, Koda had met young children and was friendly with them. He’s described as a lap-loving cat who has a mellow and gentle personality. Koda was allowed to sleep in bed with his owner and would get very snuggly at night. He particularly liked to chase after yarn toys and laser pointers. He enjoyed being brushed on a regular basis. photos by Frank Lee
Left: Rolando Castellanos’ daughter Alina Manea stands inside Manea’s Meats in Sauk Rapids. She married Donald Manea, a Sauk Rapids native, before they started the business. Right: Soon after relocating to Sauk Rapids, Rolando Castellanos, a Cuban native, and his daughter, son-inlaw and sons opened Manea’s Meats, which is still family owned and operated.
Family from front page and he worked for every cent he had,” she said of her father, who also loved his native country of Cuba and was appreciative of life’s opportunities. “My mother’s parents owned a big slaughter place in Cuba . . . My dad went into the family business, so they sold meat to Havana to big companies and
Blotter from page 2 erty which was being withheld from her. She is currently going through a divorce and is unable to retrieve her clothing, purse, passport and some forms of identification. Her former husband will not allow her to pick up her belongings. She requested police assistance while she went to her former residence. Upon arrival, no one was home, and a message was left, asking when a good time was
raised beef.” Castellanos was buried at Benton Cemetery in Sauk Rapids, and the funeral arrangements were handled by Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids. “We come from an immigrant family, and when you come to a town and you succeed, we have to be so thankful,” Alina said. “Everyone, they help us to get us where we are today. He loved the way the community embraced us.
… We always felt welcomed.” Survivors include his daughters and sons, Alina (Don) Manea of Sauk Rapids, Rolando (Martha) Castellanos Jr. of Woodbury, Oscar (Veronica) Castellanos of Sauk Rapids, Juan (Marion) Castellanos of Sauk Rapids and Cusi (Scott) Radzak of Sauk Rapids; sisters, Raquel (Agustin) Guerra of Sartell and Enid Castellanos of Coral Gables, Fla.; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
to pick up the property. No further action has been taken at this time.
male resident hiding in a wooded area behind his apartment complex. He cooperated and walked out of the woods with police. He then returned to his residence, agreeing to follow the rules and apologized to those he had harmed.
Nov. 12 1:22 p.m. Medical. Police were dispatched to a medical emergency. Upon arrival, Gold Cross had already arrived and taken control of the situation. Nov. 13 12:12 p.m. Assist. Fieldstone Drive. Officers responded to a complaint of a resident who was breaking items and being physically violent. Authorities arrived in the area where they found the
Nov. 14 3:08 p.m. Alarm. Benton Drive N. Officers were dispatched to a local business after a report of an alarm. Police checked the area; the building was locked with no evidence of a break-in. The key holder arrived, and the area was secured.
“Helping one animal won’t change the world … but it will change the world for that one animal!” Dogs - 21 Kittens - 20
Cats - 28 Guinea pigs - 2
Rabbits - 5
Tri-County Humane Society 735 8th St. NE • PO Box 701 St. Cloud, MN 56302
252-0896
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Girls’ swimmers, divers compete at state meet
photos by Erich Martens
Above: Anna Lucas, an eighth-grader, competes in the state preliminaries in the 500 freestyle. Middle: (from left to right) Sabel Omvongot, Anna Lucas and Ella Benoit await their turn in the 200-medley relay during Consolation Finals.
Members of the Sauk Rapids-Rice Storm girls’ swimming-and-diving team competed at the state level last weekend, Nov. 18-20. All events took place at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center on the Minneapolis campus. Unfortunately for the Storm, they placed 33rd overall. However, Ella Benoit finished in 12th place in the breaststroke.
photo by Erich Martens
Senior Larissa Kleen leads off the 200-medley relay.
Student council to host state convention in April by Logan Gruber operations@thenewsleaders.com
Four-hundred students from across the state will gather at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School to discuss student Bemboom and school issues in April. The Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Student Council put in a bid for the state convention earlier this year and was recently awarded the bid. Student Council Advisor Trisha Bemboom says the council will work closely with the Minnesota Association of Student Council’s Executive Board (comprised of students from four member schools) as they host the annual leadership convention from April 9-11. “The MASC helps guide us
in our planning process but ultimately we are in charge of activities, training and the function of the conference,” Bemboom said in a Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader interview. “Within our division we are enlisting the assistance and council power of local schools as we plan for statewide attendance.” Student Council members Sydney Bitz and Luke Vannurden recently sent a letter to area businesses and community leaders asking for monetary support or in-kind donations for the convention. Interested businesses can contact Bemboom at 320-258-1827 or trisha.bemboom@isd47.org. Typically, the host student council also creates a state service project. The details on the project are still in the making, but Bitz and Vannurden indicate they may work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on the project.
contributed photo
Members of the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Student Council include: (front row, from left to right) Ian Fletcher, Jessica Weber, Hunter Schueller, Keanna Brudwick, Anna Hasbrouck, Isabella Molesky, Sydney Bitz, Cloe Meyer and Kelsey Christensen; (second row) Bailey Seppelt, Maggie Weber, Jake Ackerman, Ashlyn Kotcho, Jocelyn Thorson, McKenzie Froiland, Kristen Petron, Madi Davis, Mikayla Zaske, Abby Swanson, Briana Ackerman, Adrienne Bagley and Cyndi Cao; (third row) Advisor Cory Zimpel, Krissy Ploeger, Megan Bemboom, Jenna Bukowski, RaeAnn Boos, Danielle Schultz, Shyla Taylor, Ella Douvier, Haley Reed, Jackie Rasmussen, Kaylee Hanson, Brooke Strand, Olivia Krepp and Shawn Schoen; and (back row) Chrissy Crider, Logan McLaird, Dakotah Dorholt, Alison Mach, Rachel Leen, Summer Schmidt, McKinley Lain, Lucas Bentrud, Zach Fuecker, Jared Timm, Connor Kockler, Kyle Tomczik, Ethan Baker, Luke Vannurden, Matt Johnson and Advisor Trisha Bemboom.
Nearly 500 run races for Toys for Tots by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
It was a sunny-bright but nippy-cold morning Nov. 21 when nearly 500 people in a festive spirit took part in the U.S. Marine Corps Central Minnesota Toys for Tots Jingle Bell
1k run and 5k run in Sartell. The lion’s share of the runners were from Sartell and St. Cloud, although other area cities were also well represented, with 39 from Sauk Rapids, 17 from Rice, nine from St. Joseph and two from St. Stephen. For a list of Sauk Rapids and Rice
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participants, see end of story. Although the final fundraising total wasn’t available at press time, enough money was raised and actual toys delivered to the site to total at least $4,000-worth of toys for children in need. The 18th annual event took place bright and early outside of sponsor St. Cloud Orthopedics in the Sartell Medical Campus. There were 446 participants in the 5k race and 44 participants, under age 12, in the 1k event. Many participants brought new unwrapped toys, along with entry fees. Santa also made an appearance, cheering on the runners with jolly ho-ho-hos and giving children hugs in the frosty air. All money raised – and toys – will go to children in central Minnesota in time for Christmas. Donations can be made Tots • back page
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Friday, Nov. 27, 2015
5
Central Minnesota is ‘Land of 10,000 dancers
photos by Carolyn Bertsch
Above: The Sauk Rapids Varsity Jazz Dance Team performs to the song Revolution. Right: Dancers from Company North Crest, located in Sauk Rapids, perform to the song The King’s Style.
Study from front page Here are the current enrollments of each school, followed by the predicted enrollments in 2024-25 and then the suggested capacity. Elementary Schools (K-5) Rice - 2015-16: 335 students, 2024-25: 378 students, capacity: 348 Pleasantview - 2015-16: 740 students, 2024-25: 822 students, capacity: 695 Mississippi Heights - 201516: 935 students, 2024-25: 1,044 students, capacity: 891 Total elementary - 2015-16: 2,010 students, 2024-25: 2,244 students, capacity: 1,934 Middle School (6-8) 2015-16: 1,003 students, 2024-25: 1,120 students, capacity: 1,281 High School (9-12) 2015-16: 1,315 students, 2024-25: 1,473 students, capacity: 1,515 Entire District 2015-16: 4,328 students, 2024-25: 4,837 students, capacity: 4,730 Other - Hillside Early Childhood - 2015-16: 307 students, 2024-25: 342 students, capacity: 330 Pre-School - 2015-16: 180 students, 2024-25: 350 students, capacity: 220 Adult Basic Education 2015-16: 280 students, 2024-25: 400 students, capacity: 280 Alternative Learning Center - 2015-16: 80 students, 2014-25: 90 students, capacity: N/A
Options
Youngquist then presented a series of options to the board, which are all open to being adjusted, changed or scrapped in favor of different options. Youngquist’s purpose is to get the board and community considering how to face the space challenge that will be present in the district within the next decade.
Bittman
Morse
The first option presented was to add-on to each school as needed. This would include an expansion at Hillside for Adult Basic Education, pre-school and early childhood; an increase in Pleasantview capacity to 822 K-5 students by building extra classrooms; and an increase in Mississippi Heights capacity to 1,044 K-5 students by building classrooms. Option two was to create a new early childhood center for all pre-K students, except for those in Rice. This option would include expanding ABE into the vacated space at Hillside; constructing a new early childhood center for the 692 pre-K students; increasing Pleasantview’s capacity to 822 K-5 students; and increasing Mississippi Heights capacity to 1,044 K-5th students. Option three would create a new early childhood center for all pre-K and Kindergarten students. This option would include expanding ABE into the vacated space at Hillside; constructing a new early childhood
Youngquist center for the 1,003 pre-K and Kindergarten students; Pleasantview to remain as is and be used for 685 first- to fifthgrade students; and Mississippi Heights to remain as is and be used for 870 first- to fifth-grade students. Option four creates a fourth elementary school in the district for pre-K through grade 5. This option would include expanding ABE into the vacated space at Hillside; constructing a new pre-K through grade 5 school for 972 students; Pleasantview to remain as is and be used for 695 pre-K through grade 5 students; and Mississippi Heights to remain as is and be used for 891 pre-K through grade 5 students. Option five would locate all early childhood programs at Pleasantview and build a new K-5 building. This option would include expanding ABE into the vacated space at Hillside; use Pleasantview as a pre-K school for 692 students; construct a new K-5 school for 886 students, and Mississippi Heights
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to remain as is and be used for 891 pre-K through grade 5 students. Bittman brought up another possibility, of evening out the populations of the elementary schools to about 622 per school with the building of a new elementary school. These options do not deal with any security, cafeteria or recreation issues. At the moment, the goal is to find a solution for space and then build other needs around that solution. “We are not in crisis mode,” Bittman said. “We are strategically planning for what we will need in the future. We have updated the community through our website, the local newspapers and radio to keep things transparent . . . we are open to all options.”
Bittman said the board is not trying to convince anyone of anything, and wants as much input as possible.
How to help
A community group will come together to talk about and evaluate options at three two-hour meetings, one each in January, February and March. Then, the group will make a recommendation in June to the school board on how to proceed. The board would like to see as many people as possible involved, as long as they can commit to the meetings. To be part of the community group or for more information on the facility study, head to www.isd47.org/aboutsrr/facilities-study. Applications will be accepted through the Christmas holiday.
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6
Our View
We should accept refugees after vetting them carefully We are told 98 percent of Syrian refugees who will come to America are widows, orphans or children with mothers whose husbands have been killed. Those are heartbreaking statistics. If anybody in this world’s brutal history deserves a safe haven, it’s these people who have fled the barbarous brutality of both ISIS and Syria tyrant Bashir al-Assad. This coming year, about 10,000 Syrian refugees are set to come to America, after a rigorous vetting process. We are told only 2 percent of them will be men – that’s about 200 men. As we know all too well in recent weeks, it took only eight ISIS sympathizers – men – to perpetrate the massacres in Paris. Is it any wonder so many Americans are nervous about talk of refugees? In a recent poll, 56 percent of Americans said they are against letting Syrian refugees into this country. More than 30 governors have said they do not want those kinds of refugees in their states. Many of those governors and legislators have been accused of playing politics with the issue, of being cruel, of lacking compassion. While that may be true in some cases, in most cases such concerns are valid. One of the Paris attackers, apparently, had a fake Syrian passport and entered Europe hidden among the wave of legitimate refugees. Why shouldn’t Americans express trepidations? We are told again and again the vetting process is extremely thorough, that the process goes through double- and triple-checks before anyone is allowed to enter the United States. It takes 18 months to two years to background-check a refugee before he or she is allowed to enter America. Legislators, governors and others want to be sure that vetting process is ironclad and nobody can slip through the cracks. And who can blame them? The Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, which was a gift from the French people to America, has a welcome plaque that reads, in part, “Give me your poor, your tired, your huddled masses.” Thanks to that American creed, this country has been strengthened by the contributions from waves of immigrants. Such infusions of new people, new ideas, new cultures have always kept this nation from growing sclerotic, thus ensuring an ongoing dynamism that is the envy of the world. It’s been a messy – sometimes ugly violent assimilation – but one way or another it’s worked. Still, the current fears of Americans are understandable, the way fears of ebola were understandable a couple years ago. These days, with terrorist butchers on the loose, we live in an Age of Fear. Those who have concerns make the case these refugees are not like the ones of the past, the millions who came from Europe in the 19th Century, for example. Because of the devious viciousness of ISIS, it’s not unreasonable to assume some of these terrorists would – or at least try to – sneak their way to our shores posing as refugees. That is why the vetting process must be scrupulous, with follow-ups on refugees who are allowed to be here. And let’s not forget, aside from the 9/11 horrors, the massacres in this country have been perpetrated by home-grown monsters, not by refugee killers. There seems to be no end to these gun-crazed murderers here, there and everywhere. We must be on guard here in our own backyards, not just over there. Gun-safety laws here at home would be a start. In the meantime, it would be cruel and downright un-American to turn our backs on these refugees who have endured such pain we cannot even imagine. Should we welcome these suffering people? Absolutely. Should they be vetted carefully? Yes.
Friday, Nov. 27, 2015
Opinion ObamaCare earns ‘pretty good’ ratings After years of enrollments, how is the Affordable Care Act working? It depends on whom you ask. Most objective health-care analysts rate it as working “pretty good,” a grade of C-plus up to a B. Although favorable ratings have improved in national polls, opinions are about evenly split, half giving approval, the other half not. Some people, those most unfamiliar with the law, don’t like it but when questioned about various provisions of the ACA they give those good things a thumbs-up. Some have pointed out flaws in the law – especially its relative inability to influence premium-rate increases that are, in some cases, too high. That is something increased free-market competition is supposed to do, which, by the way, didn’t happen before ObamaCare when premiums kept soaring. Still others hate the law so much, as they have since Day One, they’ll blow any flaw way out of proportion, distort, exaggerate or even concoct outright lies to condemn the law. They are determined to throw out baby with bath water. Their barrage of loud distortions is a major reason so many people are leery of the law or do not understand it. The shrill scare-mongering has caused so much noise, it makes accurate information hard to hear in the hysterical sound and fury. One thing is certain: The ACA did not cause the end of the world. Last I checked, the world is very much with us. The ACA is not in a death spiral, despite the Republicans’ pathetic attempts to end it, voting
Dennis Dalman Editor for repeal, at last count, 67 times. ObamaCare isn’t a train wreck. It didn’t spawn death panels. It’s not a job-killer. It hasn’t escalated medical costs astronomically. It isn’t the worst thing to happen since slavery, as presidential candidate Ben Carson claimed. In Massachusetts, 98 percent of people now have health care, thanks to RomneyCare, upon which ObamaCare was based, with the concept of mandates first originating in 1989 with the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. About 16.4 million Americans now have insurance coverage who never had it before, thanks to ObamaCare and expanded Medicaid coverage in those states that have accepted the federal expansion. It you asked those 16.4 million people, chances are better than excellent they will say they are very happy about the ACA. Other people happy with the law are those who cannot be denied coverage because of a previous illness, women whose coverage costs cannot exceed those of men, children ages 26 and younger who can stay until that age on their parents’ health coverage, insurance policies that are guaranteed to cover important procedures, people who had tumors or other problems that were discovered
early enough to treat, people relieved they no longer have to worry about filing bankruptcy because of titanic medical bills (medical bills being the main cause of bankruptcies in America) and most likely insurance companies happy to now have more people on their rolls. People who do not like the law are those who blame it for premium increases, such as people whose incomes exceed the limits for being eligible for federal tax credits and other forms of financial help. And yes, even if those increases aren’t directly caused by the ACA, it’s a flaw in the law and should be fixed somehow, otherwise the Affordable Care Act cannot be considered “affordable” for a good number of Americans. On the other hand, premium increases have skyrocketed for a very long time, annually, long before the ACA became law. That national average this year for premium increases is about 7.5 percent, far less than the double-digit increases during the past couple of decades. ObamaCare is not perfect; nobody ever said it was. It will require major and minor tune-ups in the coming years, but one thing is certain: It’s better than nothing. Just ask the 16.4 million Americans who are now happy to have health-care coverage and the many millions more who will be insured through the program. This year’s sign-up period, by the way, started Nov. 18 and will end Feb. 15. If you don’t have medical insurance, now’s your chance to explore your options and then sign up. Go to www.mnsure.org.
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses
How many people throughout the world do you suppose would jump at the chance to immigrate to America? What if the word went out that anyone who wanted to come to America, the door was now open? Can you just imagine the overwhelming numbers? Why do you suppose that is? Is it because they are oppressed? Maybe some of them. Is it because they are poor? Probably most of them are by our standards. Or, just maybe, they see this country as it’s depicted in the movies and on television. They think the streets are lined with money. They think their lives would be much simpler if there was a government to take care of them from birth to death. The inscription is clear. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free.” The poem is, of course, on the “Statue of Liberty.” It welcomes immigrants from all over the world. Lady Liberty says here in America you can be free. I wish it would be just that easy, but it isn’t. Tens of thousands of Syrian refugees are looking for a new place to live. They have allowed their The ideas expressed in the letters to own homeland to be destroyed by a the editor and of the guest columnists greedy bloodthirsty dictator and now do not necessarily reflect the views of they want to escape that mess and bring the same mess here. the Newsleaders.
Ron Scarbro Guest Writer Individuals from Africa and the Middle East are looking to change addresses. People from Mexico and Central America are trying to get into America by any means available to them. It seems at times the entire world wants to live in America. What if, rather than trying to escape, they instead overthrew their oppressors and built their own free country. Sadly, regardless of the inscription on Lady Liberty, we cannot house them all. We cannot feed them, we cannot employ them, we cannot medicate them, and we cannot protect them. There are limits, period. Here’s an idea. What if we gave California to Mexico and we took over that country? All of the Mexicans would have to leave and come to California. At that point bright, entrepreneurial people from America would go into Mexico and use that country’s abundant natural resources to create an Eden on earth. Mexico could and probably would become one of the richest countries on earth.
The same talent and hard work that made America the country it is would transform Mexico into another “Land of Opportunity.” You see, it isn’t the country, it’s the people who make the country. In a matter of months, refugees from California would immigrate back to Mexico. Illegal immigration problem solved. Now concerning the Obama Administration’s plan to bring 10,000 Syrians into this country as refugees. They tell us these people will be vetted. We will know all about them before they get here. I believe this is the same government who cannot control the IRS or the VA or the massive problem we currently have with illegal immigration along with overstayed visas. This is the government who tells us they have everything under control. You’ll forgive me if I am a bit skeptical. Besides, even if they could fully investigate these so-called refugees, I don’t trust the government’s motives. There is nothing positive in this refugee settlement for us. Just more mouths to feed and the very real possibility of jihadists in their midst. Let the Saudis take them in. Leave them in the environment they know. And here’s a novel idea. How about we take care of America first and let the Middle East take care of themselves?
Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 Is your event listed? Send your information to: Newsleader Calendar, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374; fax it to 320-363-4195; or, e-mail it to news@thenewsleaders.com. Friday, Nov. 27 Christmas at the Mansions, 1-7 p.m., Linden Hills Historical Event Center, 608 Highland Ave., Little Falls. 320-616-5580. Tae Guk Kwan Do, 3-4 p.m., Independent Lifestyles, 215 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. 320-267-7717. Saturday, Nov. 28 Christmas at the Mansions, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Linden Hills Historical Event Center, 608 Highland Ave., Little Falls. 320-616-5580. St. John’s Bible pages on display, now through mid-December, noon4 p.m. Saturdays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Hill Museum and Monastic Library, St. John’s University, 2850 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville. 320-363-3351. 320-363-3514. Sunday, Nov. 29 Christmas at the Mansions, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Linden Hills Historical Event Center, 608 Highland Ave., Little Falls. 320-616-5580. Monday, Nov. 30 Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. Christmas at the Mansions, 1-7 p.m., Linden Hills Historical Event Center, 608 Highland Ave., Little Falls. 320-616-5580. Tuesday, Dec. 1 Christmas at the Mansions, 1-7 p.m., Linden Hills Historical Event Center, 608 Highland Ave., Little Falls. 320-616-5580. Blood Drive, 1-7 p.m., Atonement Lutheran Church, 1144 29th Ave. N., St. Cloud. AUTOMOBILES/MOTORCYCLES WANTED MOTORCYCLES: TOP CASH PAID! For Old Motorcycles! 1900-1980. DEAD OR ALIVE! 920-371-0494 (MCN) ALL ZONES: ADOPTION A childless married couple (ages 34 & 35) seek to adopt. Will be full-time mom & devoted dad. Financial security. Expenses PAID. Call/Text: Katie & Adam 1-800-7905260 (MCN) A UNIQUE ADOPTIONS, LET US HELP! Personalized Adoption Plans. Financial Assistance, Housing, Relocation and More. Giving the Gift of Life? You Deserve the Best. 1-888-637-8200. 24HR Hotline. (VOID IN IL) (MCN) BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES MAKE MONEY Online! $1000 A Day Or More! *Work From Home* www.OLcashFLOW.com (MCN) EMPLOYMENT/HELP WANTED OWNER OPERATORS wanted. Paid all miles. No touch freight. Many operating discounts. Family run business for 75 years. Many bonuses and good home time. Direct deposit paid weekly. Call 800-533-0564 ext.205. (MCN) CLASS A CDL Driver. Good home time. Stay in the Midwest. Great pay and benefits. Matching 401k. Bonuses and tax free money. Experience needed. Call Scott 507437-9905. Apply on-line http://www.mcfgtl. com (MCN) Hiring OTR Truck Drivers: Iowa based carrier has solo/team positions available. Competitive pay. Scheduled Hometime. Midwest & West Coast traffic lanes. Consistent miles & NO EAST COAST. 1-800645-3748 (MCN) MAKE $1,000 WEEKLY! Paid in advance!
Sauk Rapids-Rice Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Community Calendar
Sauk Rapids HRA Board, 6 p.m., council chambers, Sauk Rapids Government Center, 250 Summit Ave. N. 320-258-5300. ci.sauk-rapids.mn.us. Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction, 6-8:30 p.m., CentraCare Health Plaza, 1406 Sixth Ave. N., St. Cloud. 320-290-2155. Watab Township Board, 7 p.m., 660 75th St. NW, Sauk Rapids. watabtownship.com. Benton Telecommunications channel 3. Tartuffe, performance by St. Cloud State University Department of Theater, 7:30 p.m., SCSU Performing Arts Center, 720 Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud. Wednesday, Dec. 2 Dementia Training, 10-11 a.m., Hilltop Restaurant, 28518 Hwy 55, Paynesville. Christmas at the Mansions, 1-7 p.m., Linden Hills Historical Event Center, 608 Highland Ave., Little Falls. 320-616-5580. Tartuffe, 7:30 p.m., St. Cloud State University’s Performing Arts Center, 720 Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud. Thursday, Dec. 3 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 First St. NE, Sartell. Christmas at the Mansions, 1-7 p.m., Linden Hills Historical Event Center, 608 Highland Ave., Little Falls. 320-616-5580. Eating disorders support group, 5:15-6:15 p.m., St. Cloud Hospital, 1406 Sixth Ave. N., St. Cloud. 320229-4918. Festival of Lights, 6-8 p.m., bring a non-perishable item for the food shelf, in front of the St. Cloud Hospital, 1406 Sixth Ave. N., St. Cloud. Great River Regional Coin Club, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Miller Auto Marine Sports Plaza, 2930 Second St. S., St. Cloud. Sauk Rapids Jaycees, 7 p.m., VFW, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. srjaycees.weebly.com.
Mailing Brochures at Home! Easy pleasant work. Begin Immediately! Age unimportant! www.MyHomeIncomeNow55.com (MCN) MAKE $1000 Weekly!! Mailing Brochures From Home. Helping home workers since 2001. No Experience Required. Start Immediately! www.newmailers.com (VOID IN SD, WI) (MCN) FOR SALE B.B.Ques Barbecue Store. Shop Award Winning BBQ Rubs, Sauces, Hot Sauces & More. Shop 24/7 online www.BBQUESTORE.com - Many low sodium, Low Sugar & No MSG! Great For Gifts! (MCN) Trailer Sale! Over 125 trailers in one location. 6’x12’ V-nose ramp door $2,750.00; 6’x10’ 7k dump trailer $3,932.00; 82”x14’ UTV/ATV in Steel & Aluminum; 66”x10’ Aluminum $1,646.00; Used 2012 Gravity tilt 14k $2,899.00; 28’ Electric tilt Gooseneck 14k $7,982.00 www.FortDodgeTrailerWorld.com 515-972-4554 (MCN) VACATION/TRAVEL Join us in Texas! Would you like to get away from the cold snowy winters? Why not hook up your RV and come on down to J-5 in Mission, TX. We are a small park with a country setting yet we have lots of shopping nearby. Lots of activities in the park. We have specials for 1st time residents. Call us at 956-682-7495 or 515-229-1540 or email us at tdtuttle@hotmail.com (MCN) Tired of the snow? Become a Winter Texan where the sun meets the gulf. Over 100 RV resorts and retirement communities for you to choose from. RV sites, fully furnished rentals and more. For more information visit www.rgvparks.org (MCN) WANT TO BUY Buying and Selling Gold & Silver, collector coins, diamonds, gold jewelry, silver dollars, pocket watches, antiques, rare currency, dental gold, any gold or silver items, 33 years
Tartuffe, 7:30 p.m., St. Cloud State University’s Performing Arts Center, 720 Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud. Rice Lions Club, 8 p.m., Lions Building, Westside Park, 101 Fourth St. NW.
Friday, Dec. 4 St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 CR 2, St. Joseph. Blood Drive, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Cloud State University, 720 Fourth Avenue S. Christmas at the Mansions, 1-7 p.m., Linden Hills Historical Event Center, 608 Highland Ave., Little Falls. 320-616-5580. Tae Guk Kwan Do, 3-4 p.m., Independent Lifestyles, 215 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. 320-267-7717. Winterwalk, 5-8 p.m., tree lighting, 6 p.m., Bello Cucina patio; meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, 6:30 p.m., Heritage Hall, Church of St. Joseph, downtown St. Joseph. Tartuffe, 7:30 p.m., St. Cloud State University’s Performing Arts Center, 720 Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud. Saturday, Dec. 5 Christmas Craft Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 CR 2, St. Joseph. 320-363-4232. Christmas Cookie, Candy and Gift Sale, 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Immaculate Conception Church, 145 Second Ave. N.E., Rice. Multi-state Permit-to-Carry Class, 10 a.m., Firing Line Imdoor Gun Range, 3409 Mayhew Lake Road N.E., Sauk Rapids. 320-247-2877. Cookie Walk, 10 a.m.-noon, First United Methodist Church, 1107 Pinecone Road S., Sartell. 320-251-0804. fumcscr.org. Winter Market, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Sartell City Hall, 125 Pinecone Road N. www.marketmonday.org. Toys for Tots drive, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., behind Sauk Rapids Fire Department. 408 N. Benton Drive.
Living Nativity, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Coborn’s parking lot, 110 First St. S., Sauk Rapids. Holiday Art Crawl, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., three locations: Bruno Press, 154 Fifth Ave. S.E., St. Joseph; Bad Habit Brewery, 15 E. Minnesota St. #108, St. Joseph; and Minnesota Street Market, 27 W. Minnesota St. Benton County Historical Society, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. Christmas at the Mansions, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Linden Hills Historical Event Center, 608 Highland Ave., Little Falls. 320-616-5580. Family Fun Day, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sauk Rapids VFW Post 6992, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. St. John’s Bible pages on display, now through mid-December, noon4 p.m. Saturdays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Hill Museum and Monastic Library, St. John’s University, 2850 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville. 320-363-3351. 320-363-3514. Trots for Tots 5K Run, 3 p.m., Sauk Rapids Fire Hall, 408 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. Christmas Card Festival, 3-6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1107 Pinecone Road S., Sartell. fumcscr.org. Holiday Parade of Lights, 5 p.m., along Second Avenue, Sauk Rapids. Tartuffe, 7:30 p.m., St. Cloud State University’s Performing Arts Center, 720 Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud.
kringlefest. 320-253-8424. Christmas Open House, 1-4 p.m., Place of Hope Ministries, 511 Ninth Ave. N., St. Cloud. Tartuffe, 7:30 p.m., St. Cloud State University’s Performing Arts Center, 720 Fourth Ave. S., St. Cloud.
Sunday, Dec. 6 Christmas Cookie, Candy and Gift Sale, 9-10 a.m., Immaculate Conception Church, 145 Second Ave. N.E., Rice. Christmas at the Mansions, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Linden Hills Historical Event Center, 608 Highland Ave., Little Falls. 320-616-5580. KringleFest, 1-3 p.m., Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave. S., St. Cloud. www.stearns-museum.org/
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8
Friday, Nov. 27, 2015
It’s all fun and games
photos by Carolyn Bertsch
Above left: It was all fun and games Nov. 17 at the Sauk Rapids Government Center as friends and family brought their board games and sat down to play together. The game night was the last of three put together by 14-year-old Claire Maurus as part of a school project called “Be About It.” Maurus, who has always been passionate about board games, hoped her idea for Game Night would bring families together away from electronic devices and encourage them to play and meet new people. From left to right are Joeb McNinch, 10, Sauk Rapids; Joseph Grace, 8, Rice; Isabel Thurston, 14, Sauk Rapids; Jamos McNinch, 8, Sauk Rapids; Richard Sandoval, Royalton; and Claire Maurus, Sauk Rapids. Above center: Sartell resident Jennifer Weekes and her 6-year-old daughter, Ella, learned about the game night through their Girl Scout troop. They enjoyed playing many games together, including the board games “Sorry” and “Operation” as shown here. Above right: Jacie Grace, 6, Rice, looks on as Patty Bechtold of Sauk Rapids skillfully removes a game piece in the game of “Operation.”
Tots from page 4 until Dec. 23. To find out more, see “Donations” toward the end of this story. The times of the two running events Saturday morning were calibrated by timing chips for impeccable accuracy. Awards were presented to the top winners in each category. The winner of the 5k race was Morcelli Kombo, St. Cloud, with a finish time of 18:04. The first female across the finish line was Kathlyn Stout, 26, Minneapolis, with a time of 20:32. Second place in the 5k was TJ Benzi, 45, Rogers at 19:03, and third was Bryan Jasperson,
27, Minneapolis, at 19:35. Julia Karls, St. Cloud, who is only 14, finished eighth in the 5k race, The following were winners in the 1k race: Girls 9 and under Brookelyn Kuechle, 9, South Haven. 27:32. Annabelle Tautges, 9, St. Cloud. 30:37 Boys 9 and under Riley Luberda, 9, Foley. 30:16 Varner Jones, 8, Annandale. 38:54 Girls 10 to 12 Lauren Opatz, 12, Sartell. 24:54. Julia Johnson, 12, Sartell. 26:24. Boys 10 to 12 Andrew Karls, 12, St. Cloud. 24:31. Callahan Mechelke, 12, Sartell. 24:59.
Donate
There are several ways to donate to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program – online at stcloud-mn-toysfortots.org, by buying and placing unwrapped toys in the big cardboard boxes at many stores in the area or by bringing new unwrapped toys to Catholic Charities at 157 Roosevelt Road in St. Cloud. Ninety-seven percent of all money raised in the Toys for Tots program goes to purchase toys, books or other kinds of gifts. Only 3 percent of donations are used for fundraising expenses, not for any salaries. In addition, all funds and toys raised locally go to local children – that is, those who live in central Minnesota. Catholic Charities distributes the toys to children up to the age of 16. Parents or guardians can register to receive the toys up until Dec. 14. Registration must be done in person
at Catholic Charities and those who register should bring an I.D. and proof of address. Registration hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, 1-4 p.m. Thursday, and 9 a.m.noon Friday. The contact person at Catholic Charities is Stephen Titus, 320-420-7180. The Toys for Tots program gives toys to children in the following cities: Sauk Rapids, Rice, Sartell, St. Joseph, St. Cloud, St. Augusta, Eden Valley, Watkins, Kimball and Waite Park.
Sauk Rapids-Rice participants
The following people, listed in order of the rosters, are those from Sauk Rapids and Rice who participated in the Jingle Bell race, either the 1k or 5k. Sauk Rapids: Anthony Steinemann, Ryan Wateland, Elizabeth Wateland, Jayden Schaap, Loren
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! e l a S e n i W y Holida
Finlayson, Benjamin Jurek, Amanda Jurek, Matt Jurek, Shawn Schoen, Kenneth Dehn, Jeff Schaap, Amy Isaacson, Ann Britz, Holly Paul, Jaden Isaacson, Sarah Welsh, Sydney Kremer, Cathy Lampert, Jonathan Omann, Nikki Moeller, Tanner Janaszak, David Janaszak, Mary Durgin, Amanda Meyer, Kaitlyn Voth, Ellie Voth, Erin Voth, Sara Doelger-Leyk, Janice Wymore, Shirley Hoffman, Sam Warzecha, Catelyn Zack, Jessie Gammell Zack, Holly Warner, Amy Beseman, Desiree Fuecker, Cindy Selinski, Mary Bernardy and Tracy Broughton. Rice: Natalie Schubert, Stephanie Allen, Lisa Van Diest, Amy Reinert, Rebecca Schubert, Melanie Cota, Mollie Greener, Lloyd Orth, Lisa Poster, Lindsay Loidolt, Katleen Kostreba, Francis Januschka, Maureen Graber, Belinda Tysver, Dan Tysver, Rhonda Pratt and Sami Pratt.
Holiday WIne Sale 12.7.15 – 12.12.15
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