Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader - Dec. 22 2017

Reaching EVERYbody!

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Newsleader Sartell-St. Stephen

Friday, Dec. 22, 2017 Volume 22, Issue 50 Est. 1995

Sartell Senior Connection celebrates 10 years

by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com

Town Crier

No Newsleader published Dec. 29

The Newsleader office will be closed Dec. 25-29. A Dec. 29 edition will not be published. The office will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 2 (also the deadline for the Jan. 5 edition) and we will resume weekly publications beginning Jan. 5. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us to all of you!

Text 911 now available

In an emergency, dialing 911 is a call for help. But people with hearing loss or those who must remain quiet in dangerous situations aren’t able to place a call safely or at all. That is why the Department of Public Safety Emergency Communications Network has worked with agencies throughout the state to develop Text-to-911.

Here are the steps to text: enter the number 911 in the “To” field; text your exact address and type of emergency; send the message.

Tips: use simple words—no abbreviations, emoji’s pictures or slang; promptly answer questions and follow instructions If you do not get a response, you will need to call. Two other items are very important, DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE and only text TRUE EMERGENCIES.

Kids Can blood drive set Dec. 28 at RCL

A Kids Can blood drive will be held from noon to 6 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 28 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 CR 2, St. Joseph. Contact Tamara Huesers at 320-282-8266 OR go to https:// goo.gl/YiCWCc and set up your desired time to donate. Childcare is available. We have delicious homemade soups and desserts for donors and Red Cross is giving long sleeve T-shirts to all who donate. Please consider making this part of your day!

Veteran ID cards now available

Veterans can now apply for a Veterans Identification Card. Only those Veterans with honorable service will be able to apply for the ID card, which will provide proof of military service, and may be accepted by retailers in lieu of discharge papers to obtain promotional discounts and other services where offered to Veterans.

Visit vets.gov, click on “Apply for Printed Veteran ID Card” on the bottom of the page and sign in or create an account. Veterans who apply for a card should receive it within 60 days. A digital version of the VIC will be available online by mid-December. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Dec. 22 Town Criers.

Postal Patron

contributed photo

Sartell Senior Connection members participate in the 2008 SummerFest parade.

Many Sartell seniors don’t have a lot of time to sit around wondering what to do with their time. They are some of the busiest people in the area, volunteering many hours with the Sartell-St. Stephen School District, Community Education, Sartell Area Chamber of Commerce and much more.

These seniors are part of the Sartell Senior Connection, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary and continues to be a strong and influential group of involved seniors.

A few people commented on their involvement with the group but were sure to mention there are many other people who have been very involved with the Senior Connection.

Ann Doyscher-Domres re-

members being a part of a group of local businesses and the Central Minnesota Council on Aging, which held a town forum Nov. 14, 2007 called “Building a Senior-Friendly Community.”

About 70 people attended the meeting at Sartell City Hall.

Since then, Sartell Senior Connection volunteers have contributed many hours to the city.

Seniors have adopted families at Christmas, raised money for a Guatemalan stove project, provided free speakers on many interesting topics, sponsored Mike Lynch of WCCO radio to do his Star Watch party, donated many books and materials to the new Sartell Resource Center, provided brunch to veterans and their guests on Veterans Day and much more.

Senior • page 5

Helping others provides fulfillment for Sartell student

by Vicki Ikeogu news@thenewsleaders.com

Since her days at Sartell Middle School, Lauren Lindmeier knew she had a calling to help others.

L i n d m e i - Lindmeier er was recently named Sartell Student Volunteer of the Year by the Sartell Area Chamber of

Commerce.

“I really always had that sort of sense (to give back),” Lindmeier said. “And as I’ve gotten older I’ve realized there are more outlets to actually help others.”

As a middle-school tri-sport athlete – competing in hockey, swimming and lacrosse – Lindmeier was able to find time to squeeze in a few extra-curricular activities, mainly student council.

“But in middle school, there

wasn’t as many clubs,” Lindmeier said. “I knew I wanted to do more and then in high school was when I really found so many different areas I wanted to partake in.”

Today, the Sartell High School junior spends 12 hours daily on average at the high school.

From early morning student-council meetings – on which she currently serves as vice president – to Yoga Club, which she helped found – to swim practice, National Honor

Society, Target club (an anti-chemical-use club designed for teens), Students Against Trafficking club (to bring awareness to the issue of sex trafficking globally and locally) and of course classes – which include several college-level courses – Lindmeier’s schedule is full to bursting. Yet, the 16-year-old still feels the drive to give as much as possible back to the school and the City of Sartell.

“Nothing feels like, ‘Oh, I Student • page 3

Wolf sighted in Sartell Warming up to Minnesota

by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com

When most people look in their backyards, they don’t expect to see a timberwolf. That is why Marcia and Nick Gaetz, who live west of Sartell City Hall, were so surprised Dec. 8 when they spotted one in their backyard at about 3 p.m.

The wolf walked into their yard and hung around for a few minutes before it eventually walked back into the woods. Marcia said it did not appear to be bothered at all by the neighbor’s dog, who was outside barking.

They shared the sighting

information with some of their neighbors, but none of them had seen the wolf.

The couple has lived in Sartell for four years and said they have seen a variety of wildlife in their backyard, including deer, turkey, fox, woodchucks, ducks, geese, piliated woodpeckers, owls, sandhill cranes and about a month ago a coyote.

Marcia said the wolf was very big compared to the coyote. The colors, shape of snout, ears and the size of the animals made it clear to them the two were different species. They shared the photo they took of the wolf with several neighWolf • page 11

photo by Carolyn Bertsch

Miles Wood, 10, of Sartell, skids down the ice behind his house on his new sled Dec. 10. Wood is enjoying the cold Minnesota weather and the activities that come with it, all a drastic change from his native Arizona.

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Friday, Dec. 22, 2017

People

Sartell students to perform in the Minnesota State Honor Choirs Seven Sartell students were selected to perform in the Minnesota State Honor Choirs.

They are the following: from Sartell Middle School, Matthew Dietz, 13, son of Trina and Eric Dietz, Clayton Fuller, 14, son of Peggy and Bruce Fuller, Spencer Lathe, 13 and Katherine Lathe, 12, son and daughter of Holly and Garrett Lathe, Charlie Magnuson, 13, son of Kimberly and Chris Magnuson, and Nathan Rysavy, 12, son of Kara and Tim Rysavy; and from St. John’s Prep: Tyler Mahowald, 14, son of Marisa and Bob Mahowald.

Sponsored annually by the American Choral Directors’ Association, thousands of students from across the state audition for the prestigious choirs, sorted by age. The selected singers have the opportunity to work

with outstanding guest conductors from across the country, and meet with and perform with other young musicians from across the state.

The Grade 7/8 TTB (Boys’) and SSA (Girls’) Honor Choirs performed at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church on Nov. 18 in front of a crowd of more than a thousand people. This year, the guest conductors were Steve Hoemberg (Minnesota, a graduate of St. John’s University) and Dr. Andrea Ramsey (Missouri).

The students were submitted

by Kara Rysavy, choir director at Sartell Middle School, and André Heywood, artistic director of the St. John’s Boys’ Choir.

Four Sartell students have been selected for the Minnesota Grade 9/10 Honor Choirs which will take place on Feb. 22.

Newspaper Audit Report

Oct. 1, 2016 - Sept. 30, 2017 Free distribution every Friday

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION Frequency of Issue: Weekly No. of issues Per Year: 50 Subscription Price: $75 per year.

Mailing Address of Office of Publication: P.O. Box 324 St. Joseph, MN 56374 Mailing Address of Headquarters of General Business Offices of the Publisher: P.O. Box 324 St. Joseph, MN 56374 Full Name and Complete Mailing Address of the Editor: Janelle Von Pinnon P.O. Box 324 St. Joseph, MN 56374 Full Name and Complete Mailing Address of the Managing Editor: Janelle Von Pinnon P.O. Box 324 St. Joseph, MN 56374 Owner Name: Janelle Von Pinnon

Owner Mailing Address: P.O. Box 324 St. Joseph, MN 56374

Known Bondholders, Mortgagees and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or more of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or other Securities: None Extent and nature of circulation Total No of copies (Net press run): Total paid or requested circulation: Free distribution by mail carrier: Newsstands Restock/office copies: Gross distribution: Unclaimed/returns: Net circulation:

12-Month Average St. Joseph Sartell Both 3,740 8,620 12,360 0 0 0 3,419 8,373 11,792 275 197 472 50 46 96 3,715 8,593 12,308 64 61 125 3,651

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Borghild M. Gabrielson Sartell Feb. 6, 1923 – Dec. 13, 2017

Borghild “Borgie” Mathilde Gabrielson, 94, of Sartell, formerly of Litchfield, Minn., died Dec. 13 at Country Manor Health Care Center, Sartell.

Her funeral was held Dec. 19 at the Country Manor Chapel, Sartell. The Revs. Adam Sohre and John Gabrielson officiated. Burial was at Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield. Funeral arrangements were made by Benson Funeral Home,

Janice Foss, 75 Sartell Nov. 7, 1942-Dec. 20, 2017

Janice A. Foss, 75, of Sartell, Minnesota, (formerly of Foley, Minnesota) died Dec. 20.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23 in the God’s Greater Glory Parish, Glendorado, Minnesota, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. Interment will be in Oak Knoll Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers are her grandsons: Ryan Foss, Joshua Garcia, Derrek Helmin, Josh Urbanski, Nick Foss, Alex Foss, Mitchell Foss and Jack Jaros.

Jan was born on Nov. 7, 1942, to Lawrence and Marie (Zimmer) Loehlein in St. Cloud. She grew up and attended school in Princeton. She graduated from Princeton High School in 1960. Foss worked at the University of Minnesota as a secretary in the dean’s office for several years in the early

Obituaries

St. Cloud.

Gabrielson was born to the Rev. Arthur and Oline (Korsmo) Rholl on Feb. 6, 1923 in Halle, Germany. She graduated from Radcliffe (Iowa) High School in 1940, then attended Lutheran Bible Institute, Augsburg College, University of Minnesota and Fairview Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1947. She worked as a public health nurse until her marriage to Harland “Red” Gabrielson on Oct. 22, 1949, after which she devoted her life to Christian, family and public service. Her credo was God created each of us for a purpose, and we are to pray to know our purpose and to carry it out willingly and lovingly.

1960s. Together with her husband Joe, they ran a dairy farm until they retired from farming in 1994. Later, she worked at Cub Foods in St. Cloud until she retired in 2005.

On Jan. 30, 1965, she married Merlin “Joe” Foss. She was blessed with five children, Janelle, Joel, Justin, Jerod and Jennifer; and two step-children, Randy and Kathy. She devoted her life to her children as a loving mom, 4-H leader and Sunday school teacher. She was always present and enthusiastically supported her children’s efforts in school, athletics and other activities.

Foss was a passionate member and leader at Glendorado Lutheran Church where she served on the council for many years, taught Sunday school and was involved in many facets of the church’s mission.

Foss enjoyed quilting, playing cards and board games, attending plays, seeing movies and watching sports of all kinds. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life and she attended as many of their events as possible.

Survivors include her children: David (Vicki) Gabrielson of Baldwin, Mich.; Stephen (Patricia) Gabrielson of Sartell; Ann Gabrielson of London, England; grandchildren: John (Sara) Gabrielson and James Gabrielson, all of Sartell; Marie (Ben) Raley of Minnetonka; Robert (Laurel) Gabrielson of Maple Grove; and Megan Rapp of St. Louis Park; great-grandchildren: Arlo and Johanna Gabrielson and Erik and Jane Raley; and sister, Connie Wagoner of Seattle.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harland; son Charles; and her siblings, Arthur Rholl, Arnold Rholl and Gordon Rholl.

Survivors include the following: her children, Janelle Foss of Maple Grove, Joel (Pam) Foss and Justin (Lisa) Foss, all of Foley, Jennifer (Joel) Jaros of Hermantown, Randy (Vicki) Foss of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Kathy (Mike) Garcia of Crookston; 14 grandchildren; nine (soon to be 10) great-grandchildren; and four (soon to be five) great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Marilyn (Harold) Christensen; in-laws, Kathy Loehlein, Warren “Bud” (Marlene) Foss, Mavis Holter and Debbie Kessler; and numerous nieces and nephews; other loving relatives; and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merlin “Joe” Foss; her son, Jerod; grandson, Joe; parents, Lawrence and Marie Loehlein; and brother, Lloyd Loehlein.

A special thank you to the Quiet Oaks Hospice House for their loving compassion, care and comfort in her final days. Memorials preferred to Quiet Oaks Hospice House, St. Cloud.

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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Dec. 22, 2017

Student

Volunteering gives CDS employee sense of purpose, community

from front page have to do that,’” she said. “It’s all things I want to do and I’m really passionate about them.

And I guess I feel like I have to get it all done, so I do.”

Her volunteer work not only within the halls of Sartell High School, but outside as well, was the reason why the Sartell Chamber of Commerce, along with the Hospitality and Visitors Service and staffers with the City of Sartell have recognized Lindmeier as the 2017 Sartell Student Volunteer of the Year.

“My guidance counselor actually called me down to the office and told me I had been nominated,” Lindmeier said. “I was shocked. I didn’t expect to receive any sort of recognition. I wasn’t seeking that at all.”

In addition to her work at Sartell High School, Lindmeier is active throughout the area.

She serves as a youth mentor at her church – St. Francis Xavier.

She also teaches vacation bible school and assists at various church functions. Lindmeier also volunteers at Country Manor. She serves as the president for the Central Division of Student Council Executive Board, which is comprised of student council representatives from around the area. Lindmeier is also involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters and has volunteered to teach summer-school classes at Talahi Elementary School in St. Cloud.

She may have dropped hockey, but that seems to be the only thing Lindmeier has set aside.

“I find time for sleeping,” she said. “Even though that is a joke.”

Lindmeier said her inspiration to volunteer came from her parents and two older siblings.

“My parents have always been the ones, they taught me you work hard for what you

No-parking ordinance in effect even if no snow Sartell’s no-parking winter ordinance has been in effect since November, although with the lack of snow, many may not have been aware of that.

Police Chief Jim Hughes reminded the council of the ordinance at its last meeting.

The ordinance states parking is not allowed on any city street, alley or thoroughfare between the hours of 1-7 a.m. in the months of November through March.

The ordinance is in effect regardless of the amounts of snow that may have fallen through those months. Vehicles in violation may be ticketed or towed. The fine for violating the ordinance is $25, with an additional $5 if not paid to the city within seven days.

News Tips?

Call the Newsleader at 363-7741

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by Vicki Ikeogu news@thenewsleaders.com

photo by Vicki Ikeogu

Sartell High School junior Lauren Lindmeier, 16, stands outside of Liquid Assets in Sartell. Lindmeier was recently awarded the 2017 Sartell Student Volunteer of the Year award. get,” she said. “And in my (older) brother I saw the essence of feeling passionate about something and really finding your passion. And through my older sister I learned what volunteering could do for others and the goodness it brings. I was just really inspired by her in the sense of volunteering.”

It is Lindmeier’s hope to embody that same sense of passion and inspiration to help pave the way for her younger sister.

“I encourage her to get involved and know that she’s a freshman. I’m like ‘You can join this club or this club.’ And she’s starting to get into a few more clubs and activities that she’s really enjoyed,” she said.

While she isn’t sure what her post-high school plans are yet, Lindmeier said she would like to go to college and one thing is certain: she will continue to give of her time and talents to help others.

“Getting involved gives you so many skills and helps you learn a lot about yourself,” she said. “I personally would rather help someone out than be like, ‘no, I’m too busy.’ And in the end, it’s all worth it.”

Ryan Holter vowed never to become a personal tax accountant again.

Growing up in Willmar, Holter, now 37, had got his start in the field at the Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing location in his hometown right out of college. Soon after, he began his career by doing accounting work for several companies in the Twin Cities.

“I worked at Patterson Cos., which is a dental supply company, for seven years in their corporate tax department,” Holter said. “And then before that I was with Regis Corp., the hair-care supply company, for two years in their tax department.”

Holter said while the work was rewarding, it was rather repetitive. And living in the Twin Cities metro was not the most ideal situation either.

“I think the biggest thing for me, when I lived in the (Twin) Cities was we lived in Burnsville, we were in the Apple Valley School District, my wife taught in Richfield, I worked in Edina or Mendota Heights,” Holter said, “so, you kind of lose that sense of community.”

About three-and-a-half years ago, Holter and his family made the decision to relocate to Sartell. It was a decision Holter has not regretted.

“We are now all in the same town,” he said. “(My wife now) works in the school district that my kids go to.

And (it’s nice) to have that sense of community where you are invested in the town where you are at.”

During the day, Holter

It’s not about the place, it’s about the people .

Meet Joyce

Joyce shares her apartment with her adorable cat “Cookie.”

She loves volunteering in the gardens here at Good Shepherd, as well as crocheting and making quilt blocks. Joyce says, “I feel very safe here, enjoy the community of good people and love the gardens!”

We are proud Joyce calls Good Shepherd home.

Patio Homes

photo by Vicki Ikeogu

Ryan Holter, a senior accountant with Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing, is heavily involved in the Sartell Chamber of Commerce. Because of his volunteer work, Holter has been named the 2017 Sartell Citizen of the Year.

works as a senior accountant with CDS. The rest of his time is spent with his family and volunteering in the community he calls home.

“I just try to get involved and try to meet people in the community,” Holter said.

“And that’s what I did with the Chamber.”

Using his accounting skills, Holter has thrust himself into helping the Sartell Chamber of Commerce develop a healthier financial status with his position as trea-

surer. In addition, he helps the Chamber with the annual golf tournament. He spends an average of 10 hours per month volunteering in Sartell on behalf of CDS. And during the summer months, he helps coach his son’s baseball team.

His commitment to helping Sartell organizations has earned Holter one of the city’s top honors: The 2017 Sartell Citizen of the Year.

“It’s a neat honor, it really CDS • page 4

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CDS from page 3 is,” Holter said. “If you look back at some of the other people who have won, it’s a pretty neat thing.”

Early on in his tenure at the Sartell CDS office, Holter said his main focus was not only to do quality work, but to help CDS get involved in the City of Sartell.

“They stress at CDS for you to get involved and get out in the community as much as you can and make those connections,” Holter said. “And it just so happened within

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com my first couple of weeks here I went to a Chamber meeting and have just kept going ever since.”

The majority of Holter’s volunteer work is Chamber-related. He said his work through the Chamber on behalf of CDS has helped build brand recognition for the Sartell accounting firm.

“I kind of tried to get out there as much as I can and get the CDS name out there,” Holter said. “There aren’t many accounting firms in Sartell, so we kind of want to try to be a big name in Sartell.”

But more importantly, volunteering for Holter is just

the right thing to do.

“For me, I’m proud of where I’m from and I want to make sure it’s the best place it can be,” Holter said.

“And whatever I can do to get out there and make the community just a little bit better, that’s kind of what I hope to do. When you see the end result of where your little bit of time got you, or where it got your organization or your event or whatever it is, that’s a neat thing. You played a part in that. Little by little, if we just keep getting people out there, helping out and giving back as much as we can, it will improve everything.”

In Business

Friday, Dec. 22, 2017

Fundraiser set Jan. 6 for police equipment

by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com

An event to raise money for training gear for the Sartell Police Department will take place from 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6 at the new Sartell Community Center.

The fundraiser, which is

People

Alexis Mollner, a graduate of Sartell High School, recently graduated from St. Cloud State University. She received a bachelor’s degree in accounting, graduating with honors. Mollner has accepted a position with CliftonLarsinAllen.

Her parents are Karrie and Kent

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Foged and Wahl reached a depth of 103 feet on Dec. 23, 2016 at a field site in Becker, Minn. The static water level was at 18-19 feet. Using a Geoprobe® Model 7800, they used Macro Core 5 (MC5) center rod continuous soil sampling system to collect large volumes of soil cores to 50 feet, then sampled every 5 feet to 100 feet, hitting cobble of high density at 105 feet.

If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sartell Police Department at 320-251-8186 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 a crime. This information is submitted by the Sartell Police Department.

Nov. 29 2:41 a.m. Medical. 16 Street N. Officers were dispatched for a report of an elderly female who was going into afib. Officers arrived on scene within minutes and located the female lying in her bed. The female stated her heart was fluttering. The female was not currently feeling pain and was breathing OK. Officers gathered a medical history and monitored the woman’s condition until Gold Cross Ambulance arrived on scene.

4:32 p.m. Medical. 1901 Connecticut Ave. S. Officers were dispatched to St. Cloud Orthopedics for a report of an unresponsive male patient in the parking lot. Prior to officer arrival, staff members had begun CPR. Officers arrived on scene and assisted staff members with CPR. Paramedics arrived on scene and took over care; officers assisted as necessary.

Nov. 30 2:26 p.m. Assist agency. Ninth Avenue N./Northway Drive. While in St. Cloud for follow up on an unrelated call, an officer observed a two-vehicle crash. Both vehicles were blocking traffic so the officer assisted in moving the vehicles to a safer location. The officer then met with all parties involved and learned a female driver was experiencing chest pain and two small children had injuries. One

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Blotter

complained of head pain and another had a small laceration to his head. St. Cloud police, fire and Gold Cross paramedics arrived and took over the scene. The officer assisted with tending to injuries and traffic control.

Dec. 1 Midnight. Traffic stop. 21 CR 120. While patrolling northbound Hwy. 15, an officer observed a vehicle approach his location at a high rate of speed. The officer activated his moving radar and received a reading of 86 mph in a posted 60-mph zone. The officer turned around and caught up to the vehicle as it proceeded east on CR 1 from Hwy. 15. The officer activated his emergency lights and stopped the vehicle as it entered the Walmart parking lot.

The officer met with the driver and advised him the reason for the stop. The male party denied speeding, stating he was traveling the speed limit. The male provided valid licensing and proof of insurance. The driver was issued a citation for speed and released.

Dec. 2 1:03 a.m. Intoxicated person. 21 CR 120. An officer was dispatched to Walmart for a report of a male party who was intoxicated.

The officer arrived on scene and spoke with the male. The male stated he had passed out in the ditch near Walmart and had just woken up.

The officer administered a breathalyzer which showed a .20 (two-and-a-half times the legal limit). Dispatch advised St. Cloud detox had an available bed for the man. The male was transported without incident and left in the care of staff.

10:42 a.m. Assist agency. Hwy. 10/CR 29.

Officers were advised State Patrol was following a stolen vehicle on southbound Hwy. 10 from Royalton. The owner of the vehicle had seen it at a gas station and reported its loca-

dubbed “Paint the Town Red for Our Blue,” was organized

by Sonia Nordmann of Sartell.

A four-man band named “Old Man Jenkins” will perform classic rock at the event. The St. Cloud-based band is comprised of members Dan Brill, Mark Herron, Greg Keene and Mark Wolf.

tion. A Sartell officer got onto Hwy. 15 from CR 29 and headed north to intercept. At the Hwy. 15/Hwy. 10 split, the officer observed a Benton County deputy turn around quickly and hit his lights. The officer followed the deputy and observed the stolen vehicle ahead of the deputy. The officer advised dispatch as the pursuit entered Sartell. The vehicle then slowed and entered Norway Pines parking lot.

Officers conducted a felony stop on the vehicle and took the female driver into custody. The vehicle’s plate didn’t match the confirmed stolen plate and the VIN numbers on the vehicle appeared to have been tampered with.

Sartell officers assisted as deputies conducted an investigation.

the assault.

Dec. 3 2:08 p.m. Medical. 7 Riverside Ave. N. An officer was dispatched to Watab Park for a report of a 23-year-old male with chest pain.

The officer arrived on scene and found the man lying on the ground outside of his car holding his chest. The male stated his pain was an 8 out of 10 and he was having difficulty breathing. The officer started the man on oxygen and gathered a medical history.

Gold Cross arrived on scene and took over the assessment. The officer assisted paramedics as necessary.

11:33 p.m. Assist agency. River Oaks Lane. Offices were dispatched to assist Stearns County with an assault. As officers arrived on scene, they were advised the male suspect had fled on foot. An officer began checking the area with a thermal- imaging camera and located a heat-signature several houses to the north of the incident location. The officer confirmed the signature was a person and radioed dispatch. Officers checked the area and located a male party hiding behind a tree. Officers detained the male for further investigation into

Dec. 5 10:40 a.m. Medical. 2251 Connecticut Ave. S. Officers were dispatched to HealthPartners for a report of a possible heart attack.

Upon arrival, officers found staff were attending to a male patient. The male stated he was experiencing chest pain. Staff had given the male two nitro-glycerin tablets and aspirin.

Officers administered high-flow oxygen and monitored until Gold Cross arrived on scene to take over care.

5:12 p.m. Gun. Nuthatch Avenue. Officers were dispatched for a report of a male party with a gun. The complainant stated a man had approached his home and possibly had a gun. Officers arrived in the area and observed a male seated in a vehicle in the driveway of the home. Officers moved in on the vehicle on foot. Officers gave verbal commands for the driver to exit the vehicle with his hands up.

The male was placed in handcuffs for officer safety. The male stated he was there to do work on the house and didn’t have a gun. Through further investigation officers confirmed this to be true.

Dec. 4 4:45 p.m. Vehicle accident. Hwy. 15/CR 120. An officer was dispatched to a two-vehicle crash involving no injuries. The officer arrived on scene and spoke with both drivers.

Both stated the accident occurred at the diverging diamond. Driver one was northbound on Hwy. 15 exiting onto CR 120 when she observed the traffic light turn yellow. The driver braked hard in an attempt to not go through a red light. The driver of vehicle two didn’t observe this happen and struck vehicle one. The crash caused minor damage to both vehicles.

The officer completed an accident-exchange form and issued it to both drivers.

Mollner and and her sister is Madison, all of Sartell.

Two Sartell students recently graduated with master’s degrees from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

They are the following: Kathryn Haglin, communication disorders, and Krista Heim, reading.

Michaela Connolly, daughter of Lori and Michael Connolly of Sartell, is studying in South Africa during the final month of fall semester 2017 through the Center for Global Education at the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph and St. John’s University in Collegeville.

Connolly is a senior nursing student at CSB. Nursing students at CSB and SJU have the option to complete their studies either locally or internationally for the last month of the fall semester of their senior years. International programs include South Africa, Belize and the Dominican Republic, while the local programs work outside St. Joseph with area residents. Working with other cultures gives nursing students the opportunity to experience diversity around the world.

This cultural-immersion experience helps individuals gain knowledge and unique connections that assist them in finding future career paths. By stepping outside of their comfort zone, students encounter alternative ideas that help them develop new skills. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Dec. 22 Sartell-St. Stephen people.

Skalicky to match all food-shelf donations Contributions to several area food shelves, including the one in St. Joseph, will pay off nicely if people contribute

by Jan. 1.

The Norman C. Skalicky Foundation and the Central Minnesota Community Foundation are once again doing their “Charity Challenge” through Dec. 31.

The Skalicky Foundation will match every dollar donated to area food shelves up to an amount of $100,000. Last year, Charity Challenge raised a record-setting $464,045. In the past 16 years, it has raised $2.7 million.

Contributions, either via check or online, can be sent directly to one or more of the food shelves that qualify for the Skalicky Foundation’s matching grants. On the checks, contributors should write on the memo line, “Food Shelf Charity Challenge.”

Here are the addresses: Catholic Charities, P.O. Box 2390, St. Cloud, Minn. 56302; or online at www.ccstcloud.org; and St. Cloud Salvation Army, 400 U.S. Hwy. 10 S., St. Cloud, Minn.

56304; or online at www.salvationarmynorth.org/community/st-cloud.

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Dec. 22, 2017

Senior from front page The Sartell Senior Connection welcomes all ages and there are no requirements to belong to the group. You do not need to be a Sartell resident to participate.

Doyscher-Domres said a favorite saying of members of the Sartell Senior Connection is it “does not check IDs at the door.”

Maggie Kraemer has been a Sartell Senior Connection board member since May 2014.

She and her husband, Gary, moved from Worthington to Sartell in July 2012.

She said they chose Sartell because of its proximity to the Twin Cities and hunting/ fishing options in the Grand Rapids area.

Kraemer said she believes in a three-year commitment to an organization/project. During the first year you don’t know much, the second year you know what’s going on and during the third year, you assume a leadership role. She shared that concept with board members and in the third year, she became a chairperson.

Kraemer said seniors greatly appreciate their new space at the Sartell Community Center.

Their goal is to increase the number and variety of activities offered, including a monthly “big bang” event that is multi-generational during this first year. Those include the Star Watch party with Lynch in October, the Veterans Day brunch in November, a potluck lunch and “Fun Singers” concert in December, a puzzle day

in celebration of National Puzzle Day (exchange puzzles and completion competition) in January, maybe a “Big Game” (football) party in February and more.

Kraemer said they realize they need to schedule activities in the evenings because they want to attract a younger crowd in the 55- to 65-year age group.

“We do not have an age restriction, nor do we have membership dues,” she said.

“All are welcome.”

Gayle Smoley is the lead librarian for the sharing library located at the Sartell Community Center and coordinates a group of volunteers.

The library was developed through donations and was previously located at the District Service Center.

In May 2017, the Senior Connection helped the LeSauk Lions collect additional books for adults and started creating a collection of children’s books.

Smoley has been involved with the Senior Connection for three years. She was the Sartell-St. Stephen School District Early Childhood Family Education program director. Members of the Senior Connection often helped at special events.

She said she tried to attend the speakers about traveling, some Coffee and Conversation events, the Fun Singers and even some trivia nights. Last year, she was asked to be in charge of the library.

Smoley said she found a good friend, Jeanne Woodward, to help her. The library was moved to the Community Center in August. Smoley organizes volunteers to help

People

contributed photo

Sartell Youth Hockey PeeWee B1 team took second in early December in the River Lakes PeeWee B tournament. The goalie, Aidan Woods, had a shut-out during the second game of the tourney. Team members include (front row, left to right) Rylan Schultz, Carter Bollinger and Connor Anderson; and (back row) Jace Janksy, Carter Kubinski, Bennett Crane, Sam LeMiuer, Gavin Welsh, Aidan Woods, Bailey Woods, Anna Lundeen, Nora Sauer, Aanden VanDenBerg and Dominic Ditlefsen.

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contributed photo

Speaker Pat McNeal (left) visits with Wanda Orth and Pat Salzer after speaking at a Second Tuesday for Seniors in a District Office room. with the weekly book-shelving, which takes a majority of her time with the Senior Connection.

“I have been in charge of the library with a wonderful, hard-working committee for two years,” Smoley said.

She said the move to the new Community Center was a challenge. Books had to all be packed from the old library located in the District Service Center, unpacked and set up in the new library. They also had to be sorted, all donations were organized and everything was alphabetized.

Smoley said Sartell is a generous community. All books were donated by people in the area except for 3,000 children’s books which were donated by the LeSauk Lions. They had a book drop last year where people dropped off books at Sartell City Hall. They received more than 20 boxes of books.

“Our library is a sharing library for a sharing community,” she said.

Volunteers continue to organize and sort donations, shelve books daily in alphabetical order, organize the shelves, add new items and keep improving the library. They will soon get new shelving and a book cart.

“I love the library,” Smoley said. “We have needed one in Sartell for a long time. The access to the Great River Regional Library is perfect. It’s so easy to order a book online and just pick it up at the Community Center Library (dropoff locker system).”

She said the Great River Re-

gional Library driver who delivers and picks up books has needed to increase his trips to the Sartell locker system from once each week to three times weekly.

Smoley said the Community Center Resource Center is a beautiful place with a super collection of books – a place to sit and read in front of a fire with a beautiful view.

Many times when she arrives to work in the library, she will see a parent sitting with his or her children and reading.

“I love it,” Smoley said.

A Holiday Story Hour was recently held at the resource center, and organizers hope to plan more future events.

She said the Senior Connection provides many ways for seniors to get involved in the area, meet others, volunteer and have fun with cards, trivia, great speakers and more.

Currently, the Sartell Senior Connection’s newsletter is mailed to more than 700 seniors in the area. Attendees at events range from about 20 people for Coffee and Conversation to about 300 people for its annual Lemonade and Laughter event held in May. The Sartell Senior Connection has a volunteer board that meets monthly to plan and organize events and programs.

New programs and activities are continuously added.

The group has grown from that first meeting to monthly meetings with a speaker on various topics, monthly trivia, weekly coffee and weekly card

games such as cribbage and 500.

Doyscher-Domres, who has lived in Sartell since 1998, has been a program coordinator with the Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education for 10 years. She has also coached junior varsity tennis at the ROCORI School District for three years.

Doyscher-Domres is married to Wade Domres, who is an engineer for the DeZurik Co. They have two children. Sam Wacha is married to Jessi and they have a yellow lab, Chewy.

Emily is a sophomore at Sartell High School.

Doyscher-Domres has been involved with the Sartell Jaycees, Rotary, Sartell SummerFest, the annual American Legion Memorial Day service and the Sartell Music Association.

Kraemer also auditions readers for Central Minnesota Readers for the Visually Impaired at St. Cloud State University’s KVSC radio studio. She was an elementary librarian in Wells and a media generalist in Worthington before moving to Sartell.

Smoley has lived with her husband, Bill, in Sartell since 1974. She grew up walking to the old Carnegie Library in St. Cloud and said she loves libraries and book stores. Smoley taught for 44 years, 25 of those were with the Sartell-St. Stephen School District.

For additional information, visit the sartellseniorconnection.com website. The site includes the group’s newsletter that lists regular activities.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY Family Owned and Operated Hearing Center

• Free Hearing Screenings • Hearing Aid Sales & Service • Clean & Check All Hearing Aid Brands

320-258-4494 or 1-888-407-4327 161 19th St. S. • Ste. 111 • Sartell www.accuratehearingservices.com

AUTO BODY REPAIR Auto Body 2000

(behind Coborn’s in the Industrial Park)

St. Joseph • 320-363-1116

PUBLISHING Von Meyer Publishing 32 1st Ave. NW St. Joseph • 320-363-7741 www.thenewsleaders.com

TRUCKING Brenny Transportation, Inc. Global Transportation Service St. Joseph • 320-363-6999 www.brennytransportation.com

Call the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader at 320-363-7741 if you would like to be in the Business Directory.

6

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Dec. 22, 2017

Love, lights, laughter at Winter Wonderland

photos by Carolyn Bertsch

These friends from the Sartell Middle School choir take a break from singing to visit and share a few laughs during the Dec. 11 Winter Wonderland event at Pine Meadow Elementary School.

The friends are (left to right) Taya Lewandowski, 13; Briehyn Lewandowski, 12; Hannah Spoden, 13; and Libby Nelson, 13.

Photos with Santa were one of the attractions at Winter Wonderland at Pine Meadow Elementary School Dec. 11. Bennet Prose, 11, of Sartell, sits on Santa’s lap for a photo and shares with him what he would like for Christmas.

Trevor Bosna, 8, shows off his teetering skills at Winter Wonderland held at Pine Meadow Elementary School Dec. 11. A maze of lights was created in the gymnasium. Proceeds from the event went to benefit Owen’s Night Out.

Robotics students return with heaps of honors

by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com

Sartell fourth- and fifth-grade students came away with armloads of honors from the Vex IQ Robotics competitions that took place at St. Cloud’s Apollo High School and in Princeton earlier this month.

The Sartell Middle School teams consisted of three teams comprised of fifth-graders, and the teams excelled beyond their expectations at Apollo – with first-, second- and third-place finishes, a Sportsmanship Award, a Design Award, several trophies and three invitations to the state tournament.

The state tournament will take place Saturday, Feb. 3 in St. Cloud.

There are 26 students who take part in robotics education in Sartell’s two elementary schools and its middle school.

“This was our very first tournament, making their performances even more impressive,” said Paul Moe, Sartell instructional-technology specialist and a coach for the robotics teams at SMS and Oak Ridge Elementary School. Ron Klein is the coach for the robotics teams at Pine Meadow Elementary School.

Here are the results of the competition at Apollo High School:

SMS 1 – Yazaan Anjum, Sam Connor, Jameson Kremer and Austin Miller. The team earned trophies for third place in the teamwork challenge and second place in the skills challenge.

“They did a great job of working together on Saturday and had a very unique design compared to the rest of the robots,” Moe said.

SMS Team 2 – Anders Haroldson, Skyler Mortezaee, Grant Privatsky and Jay Wietgenant. The team earned second place in the teamwork challenge and an invitation to state competition. Its members were also given the Sportsmanship Award, which was voted on by all the teams at the competition, with the award criteria being a willingness to work with other teams throughout the event.

“Team 2 also had to deal with disappointment and showed great perseverance as their robot suffered some damage early in the day,” Moe said. “They had to drive three times with a good portion of their robot not in working condition. They kept calm and worked together to overcome the setback.”

SMS Team 3 – Jacob Ertl, Peyton Moe, Charlie Steil and Cole Swenson. The team earned first place in the teamwork challenge and an

invitation to state competition.

“That team also did a great job of working with other teams throughout the tournament,” Moe noted.

Oak Ridge Team 1: (This team, along with ORE Team 2) also competed at Apollo. Its members are Katheryn Anderson, Alivia Dixon, Landon Kadoun and Lincoln Nordby. The team won the Design Award, based on interviews conducted by two judges throughout the competition. The judges also reviewed the team members’ engineering notebooks about their ideas, designs, building and testing their robots.

“This team did an outstanding job of explaining their design and earned an invitation to state competition,” Moe said.

ORE Team 2 – Talan Dirks, Justin Hunt, Lauren Pederson and Isabell Wuellner. The team took an 11th-place award.

“They represented Sartell very well,” Moe said. “They had a great day competing and interacting with the other teams.”

The two robotics teams from Pine Meadow Elementary school competed recently in Princeton.

PME Team 1: Adam Bertsch, Logan Mayabb and Noah Waletz-

ko. The team finished third in the Princeton competition finals.

“They had fun learning, competing and checking out other schools’ designs,” Moe said.

PME Team 2 – Andre Asmus, Weston Bokelman and Camden Norman. This team took fourth place in the Princeton competition finals.

“They did a great job of working together and were very enthusiastic during the competition,” Moe said.

Background

The ORE robotics program was originally funded through the ORE Parent-Teachers Organization a few years ago. The robotics programs at PME and SMS were funded by the Sartell-St. Stephen Education Foundation through a grant and Community Education funds.

During competitions, students place their robots in an area and then maneuver via remote control, making the machines do a variety of tasks, such as picking up plastic cones, moving them, stacking them and so forth. Many hours of planning, design and construction go into the robots.

The Vex Robotic competitions

contributed photo

Lincoln Nordby (left) and Landon Kadoun try out their robot during practice time in Sartell. They are members of the Oak Ridge Elementary Team 2, along with Katheryn Anderson and Alivia Dixon. are sponsored by the national Robotics Education and Competition Foundation. The goal is for teams to design and build their own robots and then compete in a game-based engineering challenge.

Friday, Dec. 22, 2017

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you happy holidays and a new year filled with prosperity and success!

AFLAC - Deborah A. Krump 1407 33rd St. S., Ste. 109, St. Cloud 320-217-6040 • www.aflac.com Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season!

AUTO BODY 2000 INC.

611 19th Ave. N.E., St. Joseph (Behind Coborn’s in the St. Joseph Industrial Park) 320-363-1116 • www.ab2k.com Buon Natale e Felice Anne Nuovo!

BELLO CUCINA

15 E. Minnesota St. #101, St. Joseph • 320-363-4534 www.bellocucina.com Yuletide wishes from all of us at

BRENNY TRANSPORTATION INC.

8505 Ridgewood Road, St. Joseph • 320-363-6999 www.brennytransportation.com

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at

RELIABLE ROLLOFF

8232 Delta Circle, St. Joseph • 320-363-1194 www.reliablerolloff.com Greetings this holiday season. Wishing you and your loved ones peace & joy!

RIDGEVIEW PLACE

1009 10th Ave. NE, Sauk Rapids • 320-251-5228 www.ridgeviewsenioliving.com Happy holidays from all of us at

REPUBLIC SERVICES

700 40th Ave. N.E., Sauk Rapids • 320-252-9608 www.republicservices.com Wishing you the peace, joy and love of the season.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CATHOLIC SCHOOL 308 Second St. N., Sartell • 320-259-9940 www.stfrancissartellschool.org

A toast to you - thanks for your continued patronage.

‘Seasoned’ greetings from all of us at

ST. JOSEPH LIQUOR SHOPPE

St. Joseph • Sartell • Sauk Rapids www.coborns.com

What’s Christmas without all the trimmings?

We won’t be truly ready for the holidays until we say “thanks” to all of you!

COBORN’S

Wishing you the kind of holidays that warm your heart and make you smile.

DRS. STYLES, COTTON, MILBERT & STAFF 1514 E. Minnesota St., St. Joseph • 320-363-7729 www.stjoedds.com

Wishing you a merry Christmas from all of us at

GM DRILLING

8914 Ridgewood Court, St. Joseph • 320-363-7453 www.gmdrilling.com Season’s greetings from Courtney and Chris at

INSURANCE ADVISORS

26 E. Birch St., St. Joseph • 363-0007 www.insuranceadvisorsofmn.com Holiday greetings to you and yours from all of us at

LAWSON FAMILY DENTAL

2395 Troop Drive #101, Sartell • 320-252-6191 www.lawsonfamilydental.com Wishing everyone happy holidays from

MIDWEST VISION CENTERS

Division Place Fashion Center next to TJ Maxx • 320-253-2020 www.MidwestVisionCenters.com

Hwy. 75, St. Joseph • 320-363-8636

ST. JOSEPH MEAT MARKET

26 First Ave. N.W., St. Joseph • 320-363-4913 www.stjosephmeatmarket.com Happy holidays from all of us at

SCHERER TRUCKING

P.O. Box 178, St. Joseph • 320-363-8846 www.scherertrucking.com Hope your season, and smile, are bright!

SCHNEIDER ORTHODONTICS

325 19th St. S., Ste. 102, Sartell • 320-251-0455 www.schneiderortho.com God’s blessings on all, including you.

SISTERS OF THE ORDER OF SAINT BENEDICT

104 Chapel Lane, St. Joseph • 320-363-7100 www.sbm.osb.org Happy holidays from

STEARNS COUNTY ABSTRACT & TITLE CO. 21 Court House Square, St. Cloud • 320-251-5920 www.stearnscountyabstract.com Happy holidays! Have a wood day!

Wishing you smiles this holiday season!

TMT INTEGRITY FLOORING LLC

151 19th St. S. Sartell • 320-229-2222 www.sartellkids.com

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a safe new year!

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

The happiest of holidays to you!

PINECONE VISION CENTER

320-363-7926 • www.floorguy.net

TROBEC’S BUS SERVICE INC. – NOW HIRING! 413 County Road 2 S., St. Stephen • 320-251-1202 www.trobecsbus.com

2180 Troop Drive, Sartell • 320-258-3915 www.pineconevisioncenter.com

From all of us to you, happy holidays and new year!

Warm wishes for the holiday season!

151 19th St. S. Ste. B Sartell • 320-229-2233 www.welchdentalcare.com

QUILL & DISC INC.

320-363-7296 • www.quilldisc.com

WELCH DENTAL

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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Dec. 22, 2017

LEGAL NOTICE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 748 NOV. 20, 2017 DISTRICT SERVICE CENTER BOARD ROOM The regular school board meeting of Independent School District 748 was called to order at 6:01 p.m. by Vice Chair Jason Nies. Members present: Nies; Pamela Raden, clerk; Patrick Marushin, treasurer; Mary McCabe, director; Lesa Kramer, director; Jeremy Snoberger, director; and Jeff Schwiebert, superintendent. Members absent: None.

A motion was made by Raden and seconded by Kramer to APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. All in favor. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Marushin and seconded by Snoberger to APPROVE THE CONSENT ITEMS A-D WITH THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS: Add to personnel omnibus – Ashley Preusser, Renee Zieglmeier, and Patricia Zimmerman; remove from personnel omnibus Nick Phillips.

All in favor. Motion carried.

Minutes of the regular school board meeting held on Oct. 16, 2017 Minutes of the steering committee meeting held on Oct. 25, 2017 Minutes of the board work session held on Nov. 8, 2017 Checks in the amount of $2,489,300.84 as presented: General Fund 1,962,911.48 Food Service Fund 225,670.71 Transportation Fund 196,183.06 Community Service Fund 33,284.76 Capital Expenditure Fund 71,098.83 Summer Rec Agency Fund 152.00 Check numbers 169573 - 169984 Receipts in the amount of $5,157,433.18 as presented: General Fund 2,793.385.92 Food Service Fund 222,943.48 Transportation Fund 1,247.82 Community Service Fund 165,014.35 Capital Expenditure Fund 7,229.95 Building Fund 11,256.63 Debt Service Fund 1,956,355.03 Receipts 43884 - 43983 Wire transfers in the amount of $6,907.99 as presented: General Fund 927.16 Food Service Fund 5,107.70 Community Service Fund 873.13 Wire transfers 201700033-201700038 Building Fund Checks in the amount of $2,023,573.59 as presented: Building Fund 2,023,573.59 Check numbers 600145 to 600170 Accept the following donations: Sabres All Sport Booster Club, Sartell High School, $1,481.98, fall strength and conditioning program; Sartell – St. Stephen Education Foundation, ISD 748, $36,377.00, SSEF grants for 2017-2018.

Accept the resignation of Samantha Heschke, ORE, student supervisor, 11/20/17; Angela Hyde, PME/DSC, student supervisor/child care attendant, 11/3/17; Melissa Kramer, ORE, food service worker, 10/24/17; Emily Yule, Early Childhood, teacher, 2/23/18. Accept the retirement of Judy Pohlkamp, ORE, para, 12/31/17. Termination of Employment: Barb Kennan, ORE, cashier, 10/30/17.

Audit Report: • Nancy Schulzetenberg, from BerganKDV presented the 2016-2017 audit results.

Student Representative Report: Nicholas Juntunen, student representatives • Juntunen reported on happenings around the district. At the elementary level, parent-teacher conferences have concluded and each building hosted a NED Show Assembly. The Middle School held its annual Veteran’s Day program where 68 veterans were able to hear speaker Rollie Weis. It also hosted the Knowledge Bowl competition and fifth- and sixth-grade activity night. More than 40 students attended “We Day” in St. Paul.

The High School collected numerous food items with their Trick-Or-Treat and Thanksgiving food drives. The Halloween dance was held the night of Halloween and winter activities have started their seasons. The girls swim team and cross country both went to state competitions.

Superintendent Report: Jeff Schwiebert, Superintendent • Superintendent Schwiebert reported points of pride from around the district. Highlights include; the cross-country team and choir assembly participating in their state competitions. The Middle School does an immaculate job hosting its Veteran’s Day program and the Sartell Chamber of Commerce honored a Sartell High School student as their Student of the Year. Sgt. Steve Soyka was the speaker at the recent Drug-Free Coalition meeting and the PFSS promotional day is on Nov. 30.

Construction Manager Report on Building Process: • Senior Project Manager Robbie Schultz and Project Manager Lee Gruen reported the new High School building project’s timeline is on track.

This included precast starting in two weeks and structural steel and walls around the pool area in mid-December. Asphalt has been placed and 40 percent of precast should be done by Christmas.

School Board Committee Report: • Director Raden reported on the Senior Connection meeting at the new Sartell Community Center.

• Treasurer Marushin reported on Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment meeting.

• Director Kramer reported on the Drug-Free Coalition meeting.

A motion was made by Snoberger and seconded by Marushin to APPROVE #1-40: New Employees/Changes: Quinn Anderson, SHS, assistant gymnastics, $1,870 (9.5 percent), BA 4 ($39,360), 50-percent contract, outside funded, 11/13/2017; Bill Corcoran, SHS, assistant gymnastics, $4,360 (9.5 percent), BA 11 ($45,893), replacing Jazmine Malepsy, 11/13/2017; Cheryl Freihammer, ORE, head cook, $24.26/ hour, RV, S7, 7.75 hours/day, increase .25 hour/day, 10/30/2017; Leah Greer, Early Childhood/ECFE, para, $21.87/hr, RIV, S6, 2.83 hours/day, reduction; no Fridays, 9/11/2017; Andrea Hahn, ORE, AM cashier, $16.33/hour, RI, S4, 1.25 hour/day, increase .25 hour/day, 10/30/2017; Ryan Hauge, SHS, activities director, $61,523 (AD, S3), .68 FTE, replacing Jim Michaud, 11/27/2017; Amelia Klemp, SMS, junior high boys swim, $1,857 (6.35 percent), BA 1 ($36,559), 80-percent contract, replacing Tyler Malotky, 11/27/2017; Mary Knellwolf, Early Childhood, para, $17.68/hour, RIV, S2, 2.83 hours/day, new position, 11/27/2017; Jessie Kovall, SMS, food service worker, $17.04/hour, RI, S5, 3.75 hours/day, increase .25 hour/day, 10/23/2017; Nazlah Krenzelok, SHS, cashier, $14.18/ hour, RI, S1, 3 hours/day, replacing Priscilla Lessard, 10/25/2017; Jennifer LaBonne, SHS, assistant gymnastics, $3,828 (9.5 percent), BA 5 ($40,294), replacing Quinn Anderson, 11/13/2017; Brian Larson, SHS, lead custodian, $20.13/hour, RIV, S4, 8 hours/ day, replacing Robert Christianson, 11/6/2017; Priscilla Lessard, ORE, AM cashier, $14.18/hour, RI, S1, 1.25 hours/day, increase .25 hour/ day, 10/30/2017; Tyler Malotky, SMS, junior high boys swim, $488 (6.35 percent), BA 2 ($38,426), 20-percent contract, reduced contract, 11/27/2017; Mary Michaud, SMS, LTS – school counselor, $260/ day, replacing Shannon Zinken, 1/2/2018; Madi Molitor, SHS, boys diving, $3,650 (9.5 percent), BA 3 ($38,426), replacing Nicole Thull, 11/27/2017; Nikki Mortezaee, ORE, student supervisor, $13.87/hour, RI, S1, two hours/day, replacing Kathi Hammer, 10/23/2017; Holly Neitzke, SMS, cook’s helper, $17.61/hr, RII, S4, 6.75 hours/day, Increase .25 hour/day, 10/23/2017; Brian Nelson, SHS, industrial technology, $23,440, BA, S1, .5999 FTE, replacing Ariel Torborg, 11/6/2017; Rebecca Nielsen, SHS, food service worker, $14.18/ hour, RI, S1, 3 hours/day, replacing Donna Weihrauch, 10/18/2017; Cheryl Nies, SMS, food service worker, $17.04/hour, RI, S5, 4.75 hours/day, increase .25 hour/day, 10/23/2017; Julie Peabody, SMS,

food service worker, $14.18/hour, RI, S1, 3.25 hours/day, replacing Michelle Shouse, 11/2/2017; Ashley Petschen, SHS, student supervisor, $13.87/hour, R1, S1, 2 hours/day, replacing Jeff Anderson, 10/24/2017; Ashley Preusser, ORE, cashier, $14.18/hour, RI, Si, 3 hours/day, replacing Barb Kennan, 12/1/2017; Paul Rolfzen, SHS, custodian, $15.72/hour, RIII, S1, 8 hours/day, replacing Brian Larson, 11/6/2017; Jacob Sailor, SHS, winter strength coach, $1,287 (3.35 percent), BA 3 ($38,426), replacing Noel Meyer, 11/13/2017; Megan Seamans, SHS, musical choreographer, $886 (2.25 percent), BA 4 ($39,360), replacing Samantha Collen, 2/5/2018; Michelle Shouse, SMS, food service worker, $15.07/hour, RI, S2, 3 hours/day, new position, 10/31/2017; Jacob Smith, SHS, winter strength coach, $1,225 (3.35 percent), BA 1 ($36,559), outside funded, 11/13/2017; Krista Sowada, Early Childhood, child-care attendant, $14.74/hour, RI, S2, increase 1.25 hour/day, 9/18/2017; Mary Ann Terwey, ORE, AM cashier, $17.04/hour, RI, S5, 1.25 hour/day, increase .25 hour/ day, 10/30/2017; Carol Williamson, SMS, cook’s helper, $17.61/ hour, RII, S4, 6.75 hours/day, increase .25 hour/day, 10/23/2017; Renee Zieglmeier, ORE, student supervisor, $13.87/hour, RI, SI, 2 hours/day, replacing Samantha Heschkeq, 11/20/2017; Renee Zieglmeier, Early Childhood, childcare attendant, $13.87/hour, RI, SI, 2.75 hours/day, replacing Angela Hyde, 11/21/2017; Carol Williamson, SMS, cook’s helper, $17.61/ hour, RII, S4, 6.75 hours/day, increase .25 hour/day, 10/23/2017.

Leaves of Absence: Hayley Erdman, ORE, para, LOA, 3/12/18-4/27/18; Karen Evenson, Transportation, bus driver, LOA, 11/30/17-1/1/18; Valerie Gruba, SMS, student supervisor, LOA, 11/2/17-12/14/17; Aubri Petron, DSC, child-care attendant, LOA, 4/6/18-5/25/18; Stephen Schwanke, SHS, student supervisor, LOA, 1/2/18-2/23/18.

Director Kramer made the notation she is related to one of the personnel on the omnibus for the record.

All in favor. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Raden and seconded by Kramer to REVIEW AND ACCEPT THE AUDIT FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2017 AS PRESENTED. All in favor. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Marushin and seconded by Snoberger to APPROVE THE 2016-17 DISTRICT 748 WORLD’S BEST WORKFORCE PLAN SUMMARY. All in favor. Motion carried.

A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Kramer to APPROVE THE 2017-18 ISD 748 DISTRICT PLAN FOR MEETING REQUIREMENTS OF MINNESOTA STATE STATUTE 120B.11: STRIVING FOR THE WORLD’S BEST WORKFORCE. All in favor. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Marush-

in and seconded by Snoberger to APPROVE OFFICIAL REVISION TO POLICIES 101.1, 102 AND 105. All in favor. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Marushin and seconded by Raden to APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH THE SARTELL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (SEA). All in favor.

Motion carried.

A motion was made by Marushin and seconded by Raden to APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH RECOVERY PLUS/ST. CLOUD HOSPITAL. Following discussion a motion was made by Marushin and seconded by Raden to POSTPONE ACTION UNTIL THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING. Unanimous consent. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Kramer and seconded by Marushin to APPROVE FUNDRAISERS FOR BOYS SWIM/DIVE AND BASEBALL AS PRESENTED. All in favor. Motion carried.

A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Marushin to APPROVE OFF-CAMPUS COMMUNTY SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SOUTWEST MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY/NURSING PROGRAMS. All in favor. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Snoberger and seconded by Raden TO APPROVE AWARDING CONTRACT TO LOW BID FOR REBIDS AS RECOMMENDED: Contract 56 and Alternate 22; Demountable Walls; KI; $520,919.42 All in favor. Motion carried.

Schedule Work Session and Committee Meetings: Policy Committee Meeting – 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, District Services Center.

Partners For Student Success Meeting – 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, Resource Training & Solutions.

District Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Advisory Committee Meeting – 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 12, District Services Center.

Steering Committee Meeting –1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, District Services Center.

Future Board Meeting – 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 18, Sartell High School Media Center.

TNT Meeting –6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, Sartell High School Media Center.

Organizational Board Meeting – 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8, District Services Center Future Board Meeting –6 p.m Monday, Jan. 22, District Services Center Future Board Meeting – 6 p.m Monday, Feb. 26, District Services Center.

A motion to ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 7:25 p.m. was made

by Marushin and seconded by Snoberger. All in favor. Motion carried. s/ Pam Raden, clerk Publish: Dec. 22, 2017

Friday, Dec. 22, 2017

Our View Minnesotans can be proud of clean-energy initiatives Clean energy is not only the wave of the future, it has become a job-booster across the nation and especially right here in Minnesota.

According to Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, the state gained 2,892 jobs related to clean energy last year, a growth rate almost four times faster than the rest of the economy.

The clean-energy sector now employs 57,000 people in the state, including about 1,000 people in Stearns County.

Clean-energy jobs are those that involve wind power, solar power, electric vehicles, energy efficiency and alternative fuels. They are also good-paying jobs with an average annual salary of $70,000. Related jobs can be found in manufacturing, engineering, construction, maintenance, sales and more.

Clean energy is obviously a win-win for everybody – not just for the companies themselves and their employees. We all benefit via the cleaner air and water we share, on lower energy costs for those who subscribe to cleanenergy utility options.

The burgeoning of clean energy is a triumph of innovations, efficiency, good old-fashioned American practicality and a growing awareness of conservation to preserve our precious planet.

A person doesn’t have to drive very far in central Minnesota to see vast tracts of solar panels – dubbed solar farms or solar gardens.

Large installations can be seen near St. Joseph and just off Hwy. 15 in east Sartell, and there are many smaller but substantial solar installations throughout the three counties, including many on businesses, public buildings or homes. Many more installations are being considered by cities and businesses. Schools also feature installations for solar or wind power, which double as learning opportunities for students.

All of us are seeing the clean-energy future galloping toward the present. Other countries, including pollution-plagued China, are also seeing the light, the happy inevitability that life on Earth will be utterly dependent on clean-energy methods.

Feisty factions can debate until doomsday whether human activities cause climate change, but the clean-energy movement transcends that debate because clean air and clean water are good outcomes. Pollution is not a good outcome, period.

Some grinches still sneer and scoff at environmental concerns, denigrating them as old starry-eyed hippy notions. But as nomads often say, “The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.” Meantime, tremendous clean-energy programs continue to be implemented here, there and everywhere. A kind of grassroots wisdom about clean-energy has taken root.

Let’s be proud Minnesota has become a leader for the nation in that respect. And, not to forget, here in this state, at least, there has been vigorous bipartisan support for so many clean-energy initiatives. Are you listening, U.S. Congress?

The ideas expressed in the letters to the editor and of the guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Newsleaders.

Letters to the editor may be sent to news@thenewsleaders. com or P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374. Deadline is noon Monday. Please include your full name for publication (and address and phone number for verification only.) Letters must be 350 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for space.

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

9

Opinion Village fire turns poor Tiny Tim to ashes (Editor’s note: Several readers have asked me if I would republish this column in time for Christmas. It was originally published Dec. 7, 2000.)

Those ceramic Christmas villages are nostalgic wonders, but do be careful.

I was always buying those village pieces for other people as presents. This year, I decided to buy one for myself. I bought five buildings: a church, a bakery, a train station, a general store and a butcher shop. I also bought 15 little ceramic figurines, including my favorite one – Charles Dickens’ immortal Bob Cratchit with his son, Tiny Tim, perched upon his left shoulder.

I set up the village on a long narrow oak table lined with a snow sheet. It made for a cheerful display, a perfect little miniature world glowing with lights, like an idyllic English Christmas scene from the 19th Century.

As I gazed upon that village, I kept smiling. There, before my eyes, was this timeless miniature world whose little people never have car problems, never have bill worries, never get sick, and where children play happily forever after – skating, sledding, throwing snowballs.

An enchanting Christmas world where nothing goes wrong.

However, it dawned on me the village was missing something. Despite its glow-in-the-dark charm, it was a bit too perfect. It needed something, but what? I rearranged it a few times.

Then an inspiration struck. I know; it needs a cozy flickering fire, like those chestnut roasters people gather ‘round on frosty nights in winter.

In my junk drawer I found one of those tea candles. I cut an inch from a toilet-paper roll, lined it with foil and placed it on a snowy

Dennis Dalman Editor expanse of the village with the tea light inside of it. I lit the candle. Its flickering flame cast a realistic glow. Actually, it looked more like a barrel fire, like the ones where homeless people and winos warm their hands on cold nights. Oh well, that’s good, I thought, because it gives a hint of down-on-your-luck social realism to the too-idyllic Christmas village.

Gathered by the fire were some villagers, Santa and Tiny Tim on Cratchit’s shoulder.

The candlelight flickered upon them. Yep, perfect.

Then I went to my office-library to write Christmas cards. After an hour I smelled something burning. The candle must have gone out, I thought. Then I smelled something really scorchy.

“Oh, no! It’s the village!”

And it sure enough was. The hot candle had burned a hole through the snow sheet and scorched the oak table. Then I noticed Santa, a caroler and Cratchit-Tiny Tim, all keeled over on their backs on the black snow. Santa was missing a hand, his beard partly melted. The caroler’s beaver hat was sagging down over his face. Then I noticed a little pile of ashes by the steps of the bakery.

“What the heck could that be?” I wondered.

Picking up Cratchit, I noticed his upper torso was missing and Tiny Tim was no longer attached to him.

“Oh no! That pile of ashes. It’s Tiny Tim!” I could almost hear that little skinny kid shout out his last “God bless us everyone!” as he burned to death. Poor tyke.

Death and calamity had struck my perfect village.

Now Santa stands there with one hand gone, the other a withered stump; the deformed caroler sings off-key; Cratchit is a scorched horror, missing from the waist up; and Tiny Tim is gone forever. Should I place his ashes in a little urn?

A friend popped over the next day and said my sooty Christmas village looks more like the Village of the Damned.

“Whatever you do,” he advised, “do not buy figurines of the Little Match Girl or Mrs. O’Leary’s cow – the one that kicked over a lantern and started the Great Chicago Fire.”

But I’m not giving up. I already have plans for two more village fires, new and improved, with flammables protected from the candles, a fire hidden behind a snow bank and the little people standing at a safe distance.

Just in case, though, I’m going to buy some new pieces to add to the realism of my village: a teeny-weeny fire extinguisher, an ambulance, a hospital with a big burn unit, maybe a funeral parlor.

(Editor’s note: In the weeks after this column was published, I received from readers a group of small ceramic firefighters, a wee fire hydrant, a new Cratchit-Tiny Tim and a Santa I presume is scorch-proof. A nephew even gave me a framed burning permit from the City of Rice. I’m happy to report that in the past 18 years, knock on wood, the village has been disaster-free if not fire-proof.)

Letter to the editor

Taxing what hurts us may keep citizens healthier Sami Nicholson, Sartell

With Congressional Republicans rushing to place a new tax bill on President Trump’s desk before Christmas, here comes the respected British publication The Guardian suggesting a new source of tax revenue – meat. Yes, a tax on meat, to beat the health and climate crises.

The concept is hardly radical. We already pay taxes on tobacco, alcohol, sugary sodas, plastic bags, and other consumables that afflict the public health and other social costs.

The revenue would reimburse Medicare, Medicaid and other government health-care programs for treating victims of chronic diseases that have been linked conclusively with con-

sumption of animal products. It would contribute to the costs of restoring air and water quality and wildlife habitats that have been devastated by production of those meat items.

Benjamin Franklin noted nothing is certain except death and taxes. However, death can be deferred substantially by taxing the very products that make us sick.

Tra-la-la, ‘tis the season to be merry So it’s Christmas time again. Looking around this week, I can’t believe how fast it has all gone. Once again, December has flown by.

Christmas is right around the corner, along with family gatherings and giving galore. The music playing, the snow on the ground; many factors come together to make this season so special. Most of all, though, are the people we have here.

Every year, the holiday season comes around, and we see the deluge of traditional markers. The spectre of sales such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday start to appear in advertisements. Santa Claus and snowmen begin to populate the streets and televisions. Christmas trees pop up in windows all over town, and lights are strung on the rooftops.

Now I know I talked a few weeks ago about how I felt mid-November was too early to start with Christmas, but that’s not because I dislike the season. There’s something about the holiday that makes me wish it went on longer. But part of the reason I believe it is such a special time of the year is that it’s so short.

There is only one big “holiday season.”

Christmas and its contemporaries are arguably the biggest holidays of the year in this country.

Nothing compares in terms of how many people celebrate and participate in them. There isn’t a holiday season once every three months or

Connor Kockler Guest Writer even every half a year. If Christmas was all the time, it wouldn’t be as special now, would it? It only comes once a year, and we have to make the most of it.

But in all my experience as someone growing up and living here in central Minnesota, I’ve never seen us to ever have had a problem in doing just that. Everyone in our great cities and towns knows how to make the Christmas spirit go, and I always appreciate that. Now especially, as I finish my senior year of high school and prepare to go off into the new world of college, I will make sure to carry that with me. I’ve always been inspired by Christmas in Minnesota, and no matter where life takes me, it will be the standard that everything else gets compared to.

And so that’s what I really enjoy most about the holiday season. The people, the sights, the special experiences all coming together to bring out the most of these often-cold winter days, and of us. I think we just have a special set of circumstances that makes everything here for us

just that more extraordinary.

But it’s not just a season for decorations, music and holiday foods, good as they are. It’s also a time for giving and for thanks of what we have. People volunteer in droves, gifts are assembled and families gather. People, and the world, are brought closer. We realize in the end, we are all in this together, and we share in our common experiences.

With this season of thanks, I would like to give my own thank-you and special shout-out to everyone reading this. I thank you all for the wonderful opportunity to write and provide columns for your reading throughout the year. I know everyone is busy, and so I really appreciate your taking a little time out to read several hundred words each week. I enjoy hearing your feedback, and I’m truly honored to be able to do this.

So enjoy every second of the holidays since they are with us now. I hope your days are merry and bright. This is the time of year when truly special things happen, and life takes turns that might not have been expected. May you have a holiday season to be remembered for years to come.

Connor Kockler is a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School student. He enjoys writing, politics and news, among other interests.

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

10

Friday, Dec. 22, 2017

Sartell swim team finishes strong at state

The 400-yard freestyle team of junior Kristin Martens, junior Madelyn Hedlund, freshman Heidi Lenarz and senior Anna Ellis enjoy their season’s best time and fifth-place finish at the state swim meet.

photos by Erich Martens

Senior Anna Ellis competes in the 200 individual medley, eventually finishing eighth.

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Friday, Dec. 22, 2017

Wolf from front page bors and did some online research to determine that it was indeed a wolf they saw in their backyard.

“Wolves are big, beautiful animals,” Nick said.

“They are much larger in real life than I thought.”

“We certainly enjoy having the woods behind us,” Marcia said. “We have seen more wildlife than we thought we would being we live right in the middle of town. The kids love looking out the windows into the woods to see if they can spot any wildlife.”

Marcia said their children (Claire, 6; Emmett, 4; and Sullivan, 8 months) only saw the photos of the wolf but have spent a great deal of time looking out their house windows to see if the wolf will return again.

Sartell resident Jeff Plemel, who owns property west of Sartell by the St. Wendel/St. Stephen area, said he had five wolves (a male, female and three pups) on his property about seven years ago.

Plemel doesn’t think the wolf dens are on the 290acre property (of which 250 acres are wetland bank) anymore, but hunters on the property told him they thought they saw tracks again this year.

Plemel’s father-in-law had been riding a large tractor/mower when he first spotted the pups. The

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com pups came in front of the mower and he got off to check on them.

Plemel said the mother wolf, who was close by, growled at him when he got close to the pups as if to say, “That’s close enough.”

“They were pretty cool to have out there,” Plemel said. “I liked having them out there.”

Sartell Police Chief Jim Hughes said the department had received a call about a wolf/coyote spotted in the 2-1/2 Street N. area about 9 a.m. that Friday morning, Dec. 8, the same day the Gaetzes saw the wolf. An officer went to the location and was unable to locate the animal.

He said they had received no other complaints about this but did speak with a Department of Natural Resources officer.

The DNR officer said it’s not unusual for them to be seen in the central Minnesota area, adding they usually will stay in an area for a short period of time and then move on. He said the department typically does not do anything with them unless they are causing a problem or are a threat to people because normally they just move on.

Nick Gaetz is a senior information-technology manager for a local company and also owns a property management company. Marcia Gaetz is a speech-language pathologist for the Sartell-St. Stephen School District.

Plemel installs machinery for Park Industries.

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contributed photo

Marcia and Nick Gaetz spotted this timberwolf in their wooded backyard located west of Sartell City Hall. The wolf hung around for a while and then wandered back into the woods.

Community Calendar

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, Dec. 22 Benton County Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org.

Tae Guk Kwon Do, 3-4 p.m., Independent Lifestyles, 215 N Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. 320-267-7717.

Monday, Dec. 25 Free Christmas Dinner, sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Church of St. Joseph basement, 105 Sixth Ave. N., Waite Park. 320-380-3794.

Tuesday, Dec. 26 National Alliance on Mental Health, 7-8:30 p.m., Calvary Community Church, 1200 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud. 320-259-7101.

Thursday, Dec. 28 Blood drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Veterans Hospital, CD 135 Volunteer Services, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud.

1-800-733-2767. redcrossblood.org.

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review and ideas for 2018, 9 a.m., Sartell Community Center, 850 19th St. S., Sartell..

Kids Can blood drive, noon-6 p.m, Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 N. CR 2, St. Joseph. 320-2828266. redcrossblood.org.

Friday, Dec. 29 Benton County Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org

Tuesday, Jan. 2 Blood drive, 1-7 p.m., Atonement Lutheran Church, 1144 29th Ave. N., St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767. redcrossblood.org.

Wednesday, Jan. 3 St. Stephen City Council, 6:30 p.m., St. Stephen City Hall, 2 Sixth Ave SE. Thursday, Jan. 4 Holiday Tree Collection, all day, remove all bags, stands and decorations from your Christmas tree and place them curbside for pick-up.

Blood drive, noon-6 p.m., Discovery Church, 700 18th St. N.W, Sauk Rapids. 1-800-733-2767. redcrossblood.org.

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Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Sartell Community Center, 850, 19th St. S., Sartell.

Great River Regional Coin Club, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Miller Auto Marine Sports Plaza, 2930 Second St. S., St. Cloud. 320-241-9229.

Friday, Jan. 5 Benton County Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org.

Saturday, Jan. 6 Paint the Town Red for Our Blue, 7-11 p.m., concert featuring Old Man Jenkins to raise money for training equipment for the Sartell Police Department. Sonia Nordmann, 320251-8330.

Sunday, Jan. 7 Breakfast for Puerto Rico, sponsored by Knights of Columbus and Sisters of St. Benedict, 8:30a.m.noon, all proceeds benefit Colegio San Benito which is administered by the Sisters of St. Benedict monastery in Puerto Rico and the hardest hit area from the huricane, Heritage Hall at the Church of St. Joseph, 12 W. Minnesota St., St Joseph, David, 320271-7225.

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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

12

Friday, Dec. 22, 2017

Winter Extravaganza brings families together

Lisa Schliecher of St. Stephen pauses amidst the hustle and bustle to enjoy a peaceful moment of snuggling with her daughter Adlie, 15 months, during the Winter Extravaganza Event Dec. 10 at St. Stephen City Hall. The event, which included sleigh rides, crafts and visits with Santa in exchange for a toy for the Giving Tree, drew hundreds of people from all over central Minnesota.

photos by Carolyn Bertsch

The Hengel family of Sartell works on gingerbread ornaments Dec. 10 at the Winter Extravaganza event at St. Stephen City Hall. From left to right are twins Benjamin and Natalie, 5; their mother, Jenn; and Jack, 6.

Easton Paggen (right), 3, of St. Stephen, asks his friend, Eva Huls, 1, of Brockway Township if she’d like to hold his hand during a sleigh ride given by Donnor and Blitzen Dec. 10 at the Winter Extravaganza event at St. Stephen City Hall. She said “Yes.”

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Come In Liquor Is

OPEN!

8am - 10pm Monday - Saturday 11am - 6pm Sunday Prices Effective 12/22/2017 thru 12/30/2017

12 Pack Bottles Or Cans All Available Types www.facebook.com/cobornsliquor

Risata

598 Cooks

6

98

19 Crimes

750ml Red, Banished Red, Uprising Red, Cabernet, Hard Chard & Shiraz $16.98 The Warden

1298 Big House

3 Liter All Available Types

750ml All Available Types

598

Barefoot Bubbly 750 ml Moscato Types, Fruit Types, Brut & Extra Dry $7.98 Prosecco

1598

Mumm Napa 750ml Brut Prestige & Brut Rose

Delivery available thru CobornsDelivers.com

1710 Pine Cone Road, Suite #100, Sartell • 320-258-4945

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1298

Jameson Irish Whiskey

Josh

NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!

1 Liter

Bent Paddle

beerof the month

1898

750ml Plata Or Reposado $2.98 64 Oz. Daily’s Cocktail Mix - All Available Flavors

12 Pack Bottles

1298

Phillips Vodka

998