The Star Post 06-07-2023

Freeport lowers residential speed limit to 20 mph

To improve sightline, one parking stall removed on main street

BY CAROL MOORMAN STAFF WRITER

The speed limit on all city-owned residential streets in Freeport is now 20 mph and 10 mph in alleys. The speed limit on county roads running through town remains at 30 mph.

BY CAROL MOORMAN Cliff Borgerding displays a walking stick he made that has the towns along the Lake Wobegon Trail carved on it as he stands on the trail June 2 in Avon. In the close to 20 years he has been a member of the trail association, he has seen economic opportunities grow in communities like Avon, which has a well-used park the trail runs through.

400 Block update

Council members, during their May 30 meeting, approved an ordinance amendment changing the residential streets’ speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph as a way to slow down traffic in town.

During the public forum at the meeting, residents voiced concerns about speeders in town as a safety issue.

Celebrating

Steve Heimsoth said he has seen vehicles traveling at a high speed by his house, and he was concerned about young children getting hurt. Matt Worms asked the council how they plan to enforce the new speed limit. He suggested contracting with the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department for a few months during summer months. No decision was made on this idea.

PHOTO

small town communities  Borgerding sees  Lake Wobegon Trail economic opportunities take shape

BY CAROL MOORMAN | STAFF WRITER

After more than 20 years, Cliff Borgerding is starting to see the vision for the Lake Wobegon Trail take shape.

As the sun was starting to rise Monday, Commercial Contractors Company workers from Melrose were inside the Lisa’s On Main building working on securing the west wall

BY

Speed limit page 4

Stearns County stories about Stearns County people.

Local businesses in communities along the trail are seeing the benefits of the trail coming through their communities, he said, citing Art in Motion and the BOHO Café in Holdingford, Bad Habit Brewing Company in St. Joseph, Oak Station Coffee and Cone in Freeport, The Outpost Mercantile in Sauk Centre and Jordie’s Trailside Café in Bowlus.

CAROL MOORMAN

“There is such an economic opportunity along the trail,” he said June 1 wearing a T-shirt with Lake Wobegon Trail on the front.

“It’s about celebrating small towns, the connections. The stories of Lake Wobegon that Garrison Keillor came up with are classic

If anyone knows about small town life, it is Borgerding, who grew up in Freeport and is a 1969 graduate of Melrose High School, lived in St. Joseph, and currently he and wife Lindacall Avon home. He is a history buff, whether about his family or communities.

the outdoors Hooking youth on

He laughs when asked how the Lake Wobegon Trail came to be. For him, it goes back to the 1970s when he worked in St. Cloud, with employees traveling from Stearns County communities, like Osakis, Sauk Centre, Melrose, Freeport, all towns along Interstate 94 running parallel with the railroad. He always thought the railroad should have put buses on the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks to transport these people, but they never did, and he called it a “missed opportunity.”

At the time, Borgerding was a St. Joseph Jaycees member, a club that was instrumental in building the Millstream Park system.

Trail page 3

Freeport Family Fishing celebrates 25 years

BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER

One-hundred-sixteen youth got a taste of fishing June 3, some maybe even got hooked, on this sunny Saturday.

It was the Freeport Family Fishing tournament on Kings Lake in rural Freeport.

“This will be the 25th tournament,” FFF Committee President Rick Hoeschen said May 31 at Larry and Elaine Beuning’s home in Freeport. “We actually started 26 years ago, but we had one year off because of COVID.”

Fishing page 2

PHOTO

Melrose American Legion/VFW Honor Guard members Gary Sunderman (from front), Dick Koll and Joe Wilwerding carry the flag across the pier June 3 at the start of the Freeport Family Fishing tournament at Kings Lake in rural Freeport. It was the first time the honor guard presented the colors at the event.

Hudson Terres displays the only walleye caught and registered June 3 during the Freeport Family Fishing tournament on Kings Lake in rural Freeport. He caught the fish shortly after he started fishing.

PHOTOS BY HERMAN LENSING

Brea (from left), Abby, Todd and Emily Rakotz fish as a family June 3 during the Freeport Family Fishing tournament on Kings Lake in rural Freeport. One-hundredsixteen youth participated in the event.

Edwin C. Duclos Thomas A. Guenther Michael E. Kortan Angeline L. Nierenhausen Dale L. Wegleitner

Arlo Olson Blake Robert VanDrehle

tassel Turning the

night

BY HANS LAMMEMAN STAFF WRITER

Family members and loved ones filled the bleachers in the Holdingford High School gym in Holdingford to watch 61 seniors cross the stage June 2 to accept their diplomas in the room that held many memories from sporting events and pep rallies.

An estimated 500 attendees watched as the class of 2023 officially completed their high school experience.

Holdingford Superintendent

Chris Swenson opened the event before performances from the school’s concert band and chamber singers.

Student-athletes Brody Anderson and Brooklyn Bruns addressed their classmates with speeches reflecting on their academic careers in Holdingford.

Bruns highlighted shared experiences amongst the graduating class and encouraged the class of 2023 to embrace every moment in their futures.

“Thirteen years of seeing each other at the same time every day, Monday through Friday, nine months out of the year, is no more,” Bruns said. “Six years ago, we stepped into the high school for the first time as anxious seventh graders. We learned how to open the lockers (and) navigate where our classes were, hoping we weren’t late for the first day of high school, but most importantly, we found our best friends. We would all

Trail from front

That’s what the Albany Jaycees did with the Lake Wobegon Trail, he said.

“The Lake Wobegon Trail was the brainchild of the Albany Jaycees, led by Leo Sand, Jack Evens and many more from Albany,” Borgerding said.

In the 1990s, the Albany Jaycees approached the Stearns County Board of Commissioners with the idea of turning the Burlington Northern Railroad bed into a bike trail. They were encouraged by the county board to come up with $100,000, Borgerding said. The Jaycees raised $150,000.

“They went back to the board and said, ‘Here’s the money. Now build a trail,’” he said.

Almost 25 years ago, in the fall of 1998, the first stretch of the Lake Wobegon Trail from Albany to Sauk Centre opened. Since then, there have been trail expansions, and currently there are 70 miles of trails in Stearns County, some that hook up to other trails.

“In the not-too-distant future, our trails system will have nearly 400 miles of connected trails in the center

talk about growing up all the time.”

Bruns said her high

school experience flew by quickly, adding the commencement ceremony would likely be the last time her classmates would be together in the same room.

“We know now that we could’ve waited longer to grow up,” Bruns said. “We could’ve waited longer for our last homecoming, sporting event, musical performance, prom and saying goodbye to our friends, family and to our home.”

Anderson echoed that sentiment, saying graduation seemed to arrive much quicker than he anticipated.

“Over the past 12 years, I learned high school is about so much more than just studying for tests,” Anderson said. “I never truly thought this day would come so fast.”

Bruns said it was only after completing school that she could truly appreciate the memories formed at Holdingford High School. She said many seniors chased each other around Holdingford with Nerf blasters, cramming in some last-minute memories in the community they called home.

“Throughout the years, we discovered something truly special – our hometown,” she said. “In a world that nowadays often feels disconnected, we have had the privilege of experiencing the support of a community that genuinely cares.”

Arlo Olson Grant and Jenna Olson, of Stacy, are happy to announce the birth of their son, Arlo Olson, at 10:24 a.m., April 14, 2023, at M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming, Minnesota.

He weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces and measured 19.5 inches long.

Grandparents are David and Linda Orth, of Melrose; and Robert and Traci Olson, of Grand Rapids. Greatgrandparents are Eymard and Lucille Orth, of Melrose;

Blake Robert VanDrehle

Jeron and Brittany VanDrehle are proud to announce the birth of their son, Blake Robert VanDrehle, at 7:45 a.m., April 19, 2023. He weighed 9 pounds, 3 ounces and measured 19.75 inches long. Big sister Nevaeh, 1, welcomed him home with full excitement.

Grandparents are Dan and Geri Bueckers, of Melrose; and Robert and Renee VanDrehle, of Spring Hill.

Monday, June 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Mental Health Support Group. CentraCare-Albany Clinic, 30 Railroad Ave., Albany. For information call the clinic at 320-845-2157.

Monday, June 12, 7 p.m. – Holdingford City Council

Meeting. Holdingford City Hall, 420 Main St., Holdingford.

Tuesday, June 13, noon – Helping Hands Outreach Senior Dining Meal. Holdingford City Hall, 420 Main St., Holdingford. Programs are open to the public. Call 320-746-9960 for more information.

Tuesday, June 13, 7 p.m. – Melrose American Legion Post 101 and Auxiliary meetings. Melrose American Legion clubroom, 265 County Road 173, Melrose.

Wednesday, June 14, 6 p.m. – Albany School Board Meeting. District office, 30 Forest Ave., Albany.

Wednesday, June 14, 7 p.m. – AA Meetings. Back to Basic, at Tutti Frutti Marketplace, 38914 County Road 186, Sauk Centre. For more information, call 218-2401076. Big Book, Melrose City Center, 225 First St., NE, Melrose. For more information, call 320-241-3909.

Thursday, June 15, 6 p.m. – Melrose City Council Meeting. Melrose City Center, 225 First St., NE, Melrose.

Kierston

displays her diploma outside Holdingford High School after graduation June 2 in the gym in Holdingford. She plans to attend North Dakota State University.

of Minnesota,” he said. Stearns County has two projects currently in the works to connect additional trails – a 12-mile extension of the Beaver Island Trail to Clearwater and the Dairyland Trail from Brooten to Albany for another 26 miles.

The trails are well traveled. A 2012 study estimated over 300,000 people used the trail, with another 200 to 300 people who bike coast to coast using this trail.

“We have an economic opportunity to bring millions of dollars into our local economy as a result of the Lake Wobegon Trail system, and it’s only going to get better with time,” Borgerding said.

The Lake Wobegon Trail Association promotes the trail and economics of the trail.Currently, they have a seven-member board organizing three summer rides – the Caramel Roll Ride the second Saturday in June, the Lady Slipper Nature Ride the third Saturday in June and the Caramel Apple Ride the Saturday after Labor Day – as their only way to raise funds for the organization, along with money raised by the Friends of the Trail.

Borgerding, who has been on the board 20 years, officially retired in December 2022, but he is still help-

ing with the rides because he does not want to see the organization disband.

“We need people who see the benefit of the trails to join the association, people who use the trails and businesses who have a vested interest,” he said.

It was through his involvement with the association that he attended Bike Day at the Minnesota Capitol, and he met the Lanesboro chamber president, from southern Minnesota, and learned about their trail system, which has been a big plus for economic development. He cited the example of construction of a million-dollar theater in Lanesboro because of the increased popularity of community and professional theatre productions.

Borgerding sees this as a model of what could happen in central Minnesota.

“The Lanesboro chamber director said it took 20 years before the business community realized the opportunities provided by the trail,” he said.

He believes more economic opportunities are possible in central Minnesota. Borgerding recalls when his hometown, Freeport, had three grocery stores, implement and repair shops, a car dealership and even the Yellow Canary Café.

His trail promotion thinking cap is always on.

“I’m trying to come up with a Lake Wobegon cocktail. There’s that history of MN 13. All these things can come into play,” said Borgerding who has LWTRAIL on his vehicle license plates.

At age 72, he loves biking or walking on the Lake Wobegon Trail, where he has met people from England, Ireland, Sweden, Norway, France, Germany and Spain. He talks about taking the jaunt off of the trail near Peach Drive in Avon, walking into the Avon Hills Forest North, a Minnesota scientific and natural area, relishing the sights and sounds of nature.

“There are acres of natural forest that are truly like it was when the first settlers arrived, with lots of trees and wildlife,” he said. “You can walk out there and it’s so peaceful.”

To him the Lake Wobegon Trail is a perfect connection to the history and stories in central Minnesota. His long-range goal is to write a book, a combination of a tour guide and history of the communities along the trail.

“It’s all about celebrating small town communities,” he said.

To view, or even purchase more Holdingford graduation photos, scan the QR code using your smartphone camera.

Join Us in Worship

ALBANY

OUR SAVIOR’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 840 Lake Ave 320-845-2405 oursaviorslutheranalbany.org

AVON AVON COMMUNITY CHURCH 204 Avon Ave. N 320-356-9001 avoncommunitychurch.org

HOLDINGFORD

COMMUNITY COUNTRY CHURCH

FREEPORT

HARVEST CHURCH 338 Main St. W. 320-836-2997 harvestchurchfreeport.org

MELROSE

BIRCH HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCH 225 1st St. NE, (City Center) 320-429-2440 birchhillscommunitychurch.org

CASH RAFFLE

Saturday, June 24, 2023

Grand Prize - $5,000

(Left) Ken and Cheryl Christensen pose for a selfie with their grandson, Taylor Runge, in the Holdingford High School cafeteria June 2 after the commencement ceremony in the gym in Holdingford. The 2023 graduating class consisted of 61 students.

Arlo Olson

Blake Robert VanDrehle

Jack and Barbara Schwartz, of Eugene, Oregon; and Wava Olson, of Grand Rapids.

Holdingford graduate Nicole Buchta shakes hands with Superintendent Chris Swenson during the commencement ceremony June 2 in the Holdingford High School gym in Holdingford. Graduates selected “We Are Young” as their class song.

Wheat

Holdingford class crosses stage commencement

PHOTOS BY HANS LAMMEMAN

Graduates shoot confetti after the commencement ceremony June 2 in the Holdingford High School gym in Holdingford. The ceremony featured performances from the concert band and chamber singers.

OPINION

The views expressed by our columnists are the opinions and thoughts of the author and do not reflect the opinions and views of newspaper staff and ownership.

I’m calling my dad

A public service announcement commercial about proper car seats has been playing lately. In the commercial, a dad is hanging a basketball hoop in the driveway. He assures his wife and kids, who are watching his progress, that he has the job under control. To support his claim of authority and finesse, he says that he “played JV basketball,” after which the hoop crashes down onto the driveway.

The commercial breaks away for an announcement about proper car seats, and then back to the kids looking at the fallen hoop. The mother walks away muttering under her breath, “I’m calling my dad.”

The Farmers Daughter By Sonya Hoffarth

I’ve been there – so many times. I know the feeling. Ryan will be installing something like a new ceiling fan or dishwasher. Or maybe he’s trying to figure out why the breaker keeps popping or why the 3-way light switch won’t switch. Invariably, the job takes twice as long as we think it will and six things go wrong. Frustration ensues, and then I, completely trying to be helpful, say “I’m calling my dad.”

I should know better. For me, this is the solution, the best solution. Problem solved, frustration over. But only for me. Not so much for Ryan. He is intent on figuring it out; getting the job done – without reading the directions or searching a YouTube video. And certainly without calling my dad. He is the king of his castle. And he usually finds success.

But my dad, whether Ryan knows it or not, is always my back-up plan.

Weeks ago, as our piles of snow finally melted and while Ryan was on a business trip, our sump pump stopped

A great big world

working. I was really proud of myself for remembering to check it – and then stunned when I discovered the pump submerged in feet of water and not pumping any of it out. Feet of water. A stalled sump pump. Ryan in Indianapolis. And nine o’clock at night.

I plunged my arm, shoulder deep, into icy water. I fiddled with the pump. I unplugged it and plugged it back in. I really had no idea how to get the blasted thing to do the one job it’s designed to do. I tried calling Ryan, but knew he would still be at dinner with customers. So, of course, I called my dad.

I could picture his exact motions – dropping the footrest on his recliner, hopping to his feet to get his shoes, opening the closet door for the car keys, out the door and on his way.

As my dad was lacing his shoes, I jiggled that pump another way, and it started pumping. Stunned, I called Dad and told him to abort the mission. I was amazed I may have fixed it, but even more grateful for a dad who doesn’t ask a single question – even at a late hour. He jumped up and came running. And then texted me jokes while checking in with me later that night. “Good thing you’re on top of your castle, or you would have had a moat around it,” he texted. And then, “Good you checked it.”

No wonder my response, every time something gets hard, is “I’m calling my dad.”

With Father’s Day a short week away, here’s a nod to all the dads whose daughters always have a solution in their back pocket. “I’m calling my dad.”

Saying no to the county

Melrose Township, and others, were among those who voted against an agriculture county agent about a century ago.

The vote and discussion dragged across almost four months in 1923, starting with the March 13 townships elections. One of the questions was “Shall the County Board of Stearns County, Minnesota, appoint an agricultural agent?”

There was some confusion of exactly what that meant. The county agriculture agent came from the Stearns County Farm Bureau and was not from the county. Some believed the wording gave the board the power to appoint the agent. Others thought it meant the farm bureau would select the agent but it would be confirmed by the county.

The question on the ballot came at a time when people were still upset about funding for a new county courthouse. The county had issued bonds for a new county courthouse without submitting the question to a vote. Many felt it exceeded its authority in doing so. It saw the question on the ballot as giving the people a way to have a say in county spending.

According to the March 13, 1923, issue of the Melrose Beacon many voters “who voted against the proposition expressed satisfaction at the opportunity of having a voice in the cutting down of expenses with a view of reducing taxes.”

By over two to one, in Melrose and adjoining townships, and pretty much across the county, the vote for the agent failed, but the confusion on just what the question

meant had some wondering if it was really valid. It was stated the confusion led many voters to not voting one way or other. Supporters of the proposition seized on that possibility and pushed for a revote. The county board agreed – sort of. The Beacon reported in the March 22, 1923, issue the board heard information at its March 19 meeting on reasons to keep the agent. Those favoring the position argued the $2,000 appropriation would benefit farmers. No one said the agent would not benefit the agricultural community, but those against said the county could save money by cutting the position.

The board’s decision was front page news in the July 12, 1923 Beacon – “Board votes down county agent,” which pretty much summed up the board’s 3-2 vote. What was interesting was that the vote was not on whether or not to have the position but whether to fund the position.

“The action of the county board does not necessarily mean that the farm bureau office will be discontinued and at a meeting of the officers and directors of the Stearns County Farm Bureau Association to be held in Albany next Tuesday, plans will be made to continue the office with funds available,” the article stated.

Those opposed to the office took heart with the next paragraph, showing they has scored a victory of sorts.

“However, it is indefinite how long the association will be able to continue without the aid of the county appropriation, and the extent of the activities of the county agent will be curtailed in an effort to keep expenses as low as possible.”

There will always be reminders, signs that show us all how big this world is and how each of us might sometimes play just a small role in it. It happened again for me the Friday evening of Memorial Day weekend. I was hauling the camper on the way to the lake for a weekend of pontoon rides, campfires, hot dogs, fish and good company.

Ink on My Hands

by Kevin Zierden

As I passed by Melrose High School, the graduating class of 2023 was gathering around waiting for a parade to start and awaiting especially for their names to be called and diplomas to be handed out to start new lives.

I saw them out there, each in their purple gowns, and I thought to myself why wasn’t I there. Schools throughout the area, including in Albany where I had a niece and a great-niece graduating from, were also having commencement programs. This was a big night for them. Every student would have felt some type of emotion preparing to leave what had been their second home for the past 13 years or so.

For some, there might have been relief that it was finally over and they could move on. Many, I am sure, felt joy. They were ready for a change. Some were anxious, wondering what was out there and if they were ready for it. And I am sure some were afraid. High school had been about their friends, daily routines, organized activities. After this, there will be new friends to make and pressure to do something with their lives. For many, this will be the first time in their lives they will be on their own. That can be a scary time.

Some will make the transition right into further education where they acquire the knowledge and skills to secure their chosen vocation. Others might trudge through school, passing time until they figure out what they want to do. A few might go straight into the work force, earning a living while leaving their classroom days behind. Some might join the military or travel for a while. The possibilities are endless now that they are able to make their own choices.

Are we ready for the throng of new graduates?

After they throw their caps into the air, many will walk into our lives for the first time. They will be our doctors, accountants, coaches, teachers, mechanics, police officers, nurses, or farmers. They will no longer be students, now just someone from the class of 2023.

I asked myself why we weren’t there the night they graduated. Maybe I should have been, but I had a new perspective a few miles down the road, past the school. In a cornfield was a tractor and trailer and a bunch of younger kids picking rocks. Some had taken the easy, or smart, way out and were sitting in the bucket of the tractor watching for rocks from their perch. I am guessing they were oblivious to the ceremony going on just a few miles south of them at the high school. Graduating from high school is a big deal, and sometimes it appears as though the entire town has turned out to see it. It is a great big world out there as these students are about to find out. Congratulations and spend some time being free and having fun before moving on. Soon you too will be watching from the side of the road.

Help protect a valuable resource –Avon public beach

With summer clearly upon us, I would first like to wish everyone a happy belated Memorial Day. I want to extend my personal appreciation to all U.S. military personnel and especially those who have given their lives while serving this country.

Memorial Day weekend, for many, is the weekend that kicks off summer. Summer brings lots of visitors to the Avon public beach. After the holiday weekend, things have gotten off to kind of a rough start for our city staff.

Along with the police department responding to a couple of calls at the beach over the holiday weekend, the City of Avon maintenance staff reports finding the beach an absolute mess.

Use of Avon’s public beach over the holi-

day weekend resulted in ordinance violations, as well as simply plain disrespect of the public property. Several piles of dumped charcoal briquettes were left on the beach, there was garbage everywhere, and the bathrooms were left in terrible condition.

I am making some simple requests. If you are going to use the Avon public beach, please follow the posted rules and use the beach with respect. Our goal is for everyone to have an enjoyable experience while using the beach.

If you are at the beach and see something happening that you think should be reported, please contact the Avon Police Department at 320-356-7575. Here is a simple list of some of the posted

beach rules.

– The beach is closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

– No lifeguard.

– No alcohol, smoking, glass or animals.

– No children under age 10 on the beach unsuper vised.

– No nude swimming or sunbathing.

– No swimming beyond the buoys.

If you are using the beach this summer, is it possible that when you leave the beach it is in better condition than when you arrived? I know this probably is not realistic, but I know we can do better.

Let’s all try to respect the beach and each other, to keep this amazing amenity in Avon clean and enjoyable for all to use.

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Annual Subscription Rates

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Official Legal Newspaper for the cities of Albany, Avon, Freeport, Melrose and Holdingford; Independent School Districts 745, 738 and 740; surrounding townships.

Deadlines

The deadline for most news in The Star Post is 5 p.m. Friday. Exceptions are obituaries and reports of weekend events, which have a deadline of 10 a.m. Monday. The deadline for advertisements in The Star Post is 5 p.m. Friday, and in the Shopper and Classy Canary it is noon Wednesday.

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ISSN: Print: 2834-5916 Online: 2834-5924

Five-year tradition

Huskers Tractor Day salute to ag industry

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

The back of the Holdingford High School parking lot May 19 had a distinctive look.

Tractors, not pickups, four-wheelers or automobiles took up the parking spaces. It was Holdingford’s annual Tractor Day.

“We started doing it a few years ago as some neighboring chapters were doing it,” said John Roberts, one of the Holdingford FFA advisors. “If anything, it is to bring awareness to the fact of how big the ag industry is in the local area.”

This year 17 tractors, most of them John Deere models, showed for the day. There were 20 expected, but Roberts pointed out why there were no-shows.

“If you don’t have a cab on the tractor, coming in might be cold,” he said.

Those attending drove in mid-40 temperatures as a steady wind blew. Five miles was not an unusual distance to drive. Students came from all areas of the school district.

“Some come from near

Aiden

Freeport,” said Grace Woitalla, a senior and FFA member. “I had about a 20-minute drive so it wasn’t too

Stearns County Dairy Princess and Holdingford senior and FFA member Grace Woitalla presents Grant Revermann with string cheese after he drove an International tractor to the May 19 Tractor Day at Holdingford Public Schools in Holdingford.

Woitalla also drove to school in a tractor.

bad.” In her fifth year driving a tractor to school, she is part of the Tractor Day history.

“The FFA started doing it about five years ago,” she said. “I’ve driven one every year and this year was no different.”

Woitalla used the event as an extension of her duties as a dairy princess. She was among the first to arrive and greeted each arrival with a string cheese packet.

The tractors remained in the parking lot during the school day, serving as visible reminder of agriculture in the area. Roberts saw another reason for the number that turned out.

“It’s something fun for the kids to do on one of the last days of school,” he said.

Notice of Application for a Livestock Feedlot Permit

Notice is hereby given per Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116, that Clay Hills Holsteins LLC has made application to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency or the County of Stearns for permit to construct or expand a feedlot with a capacity of 500 animal units or more.

The existing and/or proposed feedlot will be located in the part of the NW 1/4 sec. 3, T 124N, R 32W of the 5th P.M. Stearns County, State of Minnesota. The existing facility consists of dairy cows, calves and replacement heifers. 327.4 animal units with robotic dairy barn, open lots, total and partial confinement buildings, vegetative treatment area, and an earth in manure pit. The proposed facility consists of the above listed feedlot components along with a proposed concrete manure storage area/tank, a concrete permanent stockpile pad (stacking slab), and a total confinement barn. The total animal unit capacity will be 654.8 animal units of dairy cows, calves, and dairy heifers.

This publication shall constitute as notice to each resident and each owner of real property within 5,000 feet of the perimeter of the proposed feedlot as required by Minnesota State Law.

Published in the Star Post, June 7, 2023.

CITY OF FREEPORT

ORDINANCE NO. 2023-02

Tractors number 38 at Albany’s Tractor Day

P-23-1B

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE FREEPORT CITY CODE OF 1995, CHAPTER XIII – TRAFFIC, MOTOR VEHICLES, AND OTHER VEHICLES

THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FREEPORT, ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Chapter XIII - Traffic, Motor Vehicles, and Other Vehicles of the Freeport City Code of 1995, is amended to add the following:

Section 1325 – Speed Limits

1325.01 Residential Streets.

No person shall drive a vehicle on any street located within or adjoining a residential district in the City of Freeport at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, and in no event at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour.

1325.02 Alleys.

No person shall drive a vehicle on any alley in the City of Freeport at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, and in no event at a speed greater than 10 miles per hour.

Section 2. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage and publication on the 7th day of June, 2023. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Freeport on this 30th day of May, 2023

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Tractors fill a portion of the Albany Area Schools parking lot May 23, Tractor Day, which has been held at least 10 years. This year’s event featured 38 tractors.

Distracted driving focus of Melrose NHS program

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

The need to be safe drivers was stressed May 2 during a National Honor Society distracted driving program at the Melrose Area High School gym in Melrose.

The NHS worked with the Melrose Police Department and Stearns County Sheriff’s Office to present information on distracted driving. Distracted driving was defined as anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road. This can be eating/drinking, tuning in to radios or entertainment devices, being intoxicated or otherwise impaired.

The greatest amount of distracted driving, according to the information, is texting when driving. It was stated when traveling at 55 mph, taking your eyes off the road for five seconds is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field blindfolded.

Videos and oral presentations were used to highlight the information. There were demonstrations given using a pedal vehicle and goggles that simulated being impaired. Students and faculty drove the vehicle through a course of cones while challenged by impairment goggles, objects being thrown onto the course and texting while driving.

During the school day there was a simulated driving machine near the main doors for students to use and outside the school was a vehicle that had been involved in an accident.

The program was used to show student drivers they need to always be aware of driving conditions and be safe drivers.

City crew works on Melrose park project

DOCUMENT 00 11 13

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS

2023 Ultrathin Bonded Wear Course Improvements Melrose, Minnesota SEH No. MELRO G07

Notice is hereby given that Sealed Bids will be received by the Melrose City Council until 4:00 p.m., Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the Melrose City Center, located at 225 1st Street NE, Melrose, MN 56352 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud, for the furnishing of all labor and material for the construction of 2023 Ultrathin Bonded Wear Course Improvements.

Major quantities for the Work include:

24,900 SQ YD Micromilling (P)

24,900 SQ YD Ultrathin Bonded Wear Course (P)

1,750 LIN FT 4-Inch Yellow Epoxy Striping Broken (Applied Material)

2,500 LIN FT 4-Inch Solid White - Epoxy

450 SQ FT Crosswalk Striping - Epoxy

200 SQ FT Stop Bar Striping - Epoxy

The Bidding Documents may be seen at the Issuing Office of SEH located at 2351 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 300 Sartell, MN 56377, 320-229-4300, Dave Blommel, PE, 320.229.4349, dblommel@sehinc.com.

The Bidding Documents may be viewed for no cost at http:// www.sehinc.com by selecting the Project Bid Information link at the bottom of the page and the View Plans option from the menu at the top of the selected project page.

Digital image copies of the Bidding Documents are available at http://www.sehinc.com for a fee of $30. These documents may be downloaded by selecting this project from the “Project Bid Information” link and by entering eBidDocTM Number 8552170 on the SEARCH PROJECTS page. For assistance and free membership registration, contact QuestCDN at 952.233.1632 or info@questcdn.com.

In addition to digital plans, paper copies of the Bidding Documents may be obtained from Docunet Corp. located at 2435 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55441 (763.475.9600) for a fee of $50.

Paper Bids shall be on the form provided for that purpose and according to the Bidding Requirements prepared by SEH dated June 2, 2023.

Bid security in the amount of 5 percent of the Bid must accompany each Bid in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders.

A Contractor responding to these Bidding Documents must submit to the City/Owner a signed statement under oath by an owner or officer verifying compliance with each of the minimum criteria in Minnesota Statutes, section 16C.285, subdivision 3. Bids shall be directed to the City Clerk, securely sealed and endorsed upon the outside wrapper, “BID FOR 2023 ULTRATHIN BONDED WEAR COURSE IMPROVEMENTS, MELRO G07.”

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all Bids, to waive irregularities and informalities therein and to award the Contract in the best interests of the Owner.

Publish:

QuestCDN: June 2, 2023

The Star Post: June 7, 2023

Patti Haase City Clerk Melrose, MN

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PHOTO BY CAROL MOORMAN Melrose city employees Bill Rieland (from left), Brent Hellermann and Keith Dobmeier level dirt at new campsites in the Sauk River Park in Melrose June 2, preparing it for seeding. The park is being

PHOTOS BY HERMAN LENSING

Young and Kylie Breth sit in the cab of a tractor May 19, Tractor Day at Holdingford Public Schools in Holdingford. Breth joined Young in the cab after he drove the tractor to school.

PHOTO BY TIM VOS

PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING

Jack Ellering drives on a simulator as Jodi Rademacher (back, left) and Steve Schulzetenberg watch May 2 at Melrose Area High School in Melrose. The simulator gave people the opportunity to experience different driving situations, including impairment, as part of a distracted driving program.

Lady Dutchmen 4th in softball section

Melrose upsets Cathedral

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

It was with mixed feelings that the Melrose Lady Dutchmen closed the 2023 softball season May 30 at River’s Edge Park in Waite Park.

“We finished fourth in sections, and this is a tough section,” said Kristie Ekstrom, head coach. “It was a good run for us.”

Melrose exited the spring season after a 5-1 loss to Kimball in the Section 6AA playbacks. Kimball dominated the game with its hitting and pitching.

“They are a good hitting team,” Ekstrom said. “They can hit a lot of pitches. We just didn’t get our bats going right away. If we don’t get

our bats going, it will get us sometimes.”

That game was one of those times. Allie Hoppe had a first-inning single. It was her last hit of the season. She injured her ankle on a steal attempt and had to leave the game.

“That injury kind of took the wind out of our sails,” Ekstrom said.

Melrose had seven hits, but until its run-scoring sixth inning, did not group them.

That inning, Hannah Hoppe reached on a strikeout and Kaydence Bertram and Theresia Nathe singled. In the seventh, the Lady Dutchmen had a runner on third after

Shantel Gruber was hit by a pitch and Hannah Hoppe singled. They remained on the bases when the game ended.

Hannah Hoppe and Paige Gruber each had two hits.

Melrose pitcher Ellie Grieve struggled in the first

Dutchmen golfers finish season

two innings, when Kimball scored all of its runs. From the third inning on, she had Kimball popping or grounding out.

Melrose 6, Cathedral 1

Three hits each by Kari Rademacher and Bertram led an 11-hit Lady Dutchmen attack in a 6-1 win over Cathedral in playbacks May 30 in Waite Park.

Rademacher scored twice, and Bertram had two RBIs.

The Crusaders took an 1-0 first-inning lead on an unearned run. It had only three other innings in which it placed a runner on third. Cathedral had a chance to score in the seventh with a runner on second and one out. Shantel Gruber, at second base, fielded the ground ball and threw to Paige Gruber for one out. Paige Gruber rifled a throw to catcher Allie Hoppe, catching a Crusader

between home and third. The rundown ended with Bertram tagging the runner for a double play.

A single from Bertram tied the game in the third. She finished 3-for-4 in the game and hit .588 (10-for-17) in the playoffs.

The 1-1 tie was broken by Allie Hoppe’s RBI double in the seventh, back-to-back lead off singles by Shantel Gruber and Rademacher, and RBI singles by Allie Hoppe.

Bertram and Paige Gruber plated two more runs in the seventh.

Grieve earned the win, striking out three. Her pitches kept Cathedral off stride.

“We played well,” Ekstrom said. “It was exciting to beat them.”

The Lady Dutchmen finished the season 15-6 with three playoff wins.

Golf from page 8

Kimball closes out

Huskies softball

BY MIKE KOSIK | STAFF WRITER

The Albany Huskies lost to Kimball 7-3 in the elimination bracket of the Section 6AA softball playoffs May 30 at River’s Edge Park in Waite Park, ending its season.

The Cubs led 1-0 after two innings, but the Huskies erased that lead in its half of the inning. Audrey Rieland led off with a double and Kendall Buerman followed with another double, scoring Alexis Funk, who came in as a courtesy runner for Rieland. Buerman scored on a single by Sophia Schiffler, giving Albany a 2-1 lead.

The Cubs got that run back in the third, added four more in the fourth and one in the seventh.

Albany, coming to bat in the bottom of the seventh down 7-2, started the inning off with a single by Allie Thelen and loaded the bases. Callie Holthaus singled to score Thelen, but that was the extent of Albany’s scoring.

The Huskies opened the playoffs with a 15-0 win against Milaca May 22 and faced Pillager May 23 in the quarterfinals, winning 4-3. A 6-5 loss to Pequot Lakes May 25 dropped the Huskies into the elimination bracket to face Kimball.

Albany finished the season 19-4.

Albany Huskies track and field athletes Olivia Goebel, Carter Schwalbe and Tysen Gerads will take their talents to the Minnesota State High School League Class A Track and Field State Tournament following their Section 8AA finishes.

Olivia Goebel finished second in the 3,200-meter run, Schwalbe took second in the 1,600 and Gerads soared to first-place in the high jump and second in the long jump at the Section 8AA championships, which took place over two days, May 31 and June 3.

Gerads just missed competing in a third event, the triple jump, where he finished third.

Olivia Goebel came close to qualifying for a second event, the 1,600, where she also finished third. Behind these performances and many more promising outings, both Huskies squads took eighth of 12 teams. The Albany boys accumulated 48 team points and the girls logged 32. Alexandria won the girls and boys competitions with 168 and 156.5 points, respectively.

BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER

The Melrose Dutchmen golf season concluded June 5 in the Section 6AA boys golf tournament at Blackberry Ridge Golf Club in Sartell.

No Dutchmen advanced from the first round to play in the June 6 round. To qualify for the second round, golfers had to represent one of the top four teams or finish with one of top eight scores of players not on those four teams.

Logan Schad’s 86 was the best of any Dutchmen. The remaining Melrose scores were Eddie Dickhaus, 87; Blake Tomford, 92, Kaleb Frieler, 99; Maverick Kulzer, 103; and Zach Nelson, 105.

Melrose finished with a 364, placing 13th of 17 teams. Pequot Lakes possessed the top score at 307. Cragun’s

Invite

The Dutchmen golfers finished their regular season May 31 in the 18-hole Cragun’s Invite on the Dutch Legacy Course in Brainerd.

Melrose tied with Pierz for 11th place of 16 teams, scoring a 366. A 309 earned Pequot Lakes first place.

Schad’s 79 earned him a tie for 11th with two others in the 97-player field. He was the only Dutchman in the top 15.

Eddie Dickhaus finished with an 85, earning a 32ndplace finish. Bringing a third score to the Dutchmen’s team points was Maverick Kulzer, who parred three holes on his way to a 99 and 65th place. Kaleb Frieler shot a 103 to take 73rd for the team’s fourth and final score.

Wapicada

Golf Club

The Lady Dutchmen concluded its regular season May 30, scoring a 418 and finishing seventh of 12 teams at Wapicada Golf Club in Sauk Rapids.

Pequot Lakes won the 18-hole contest with a 339. Aubrey Braegelmann finished tied for 19th in the 66-member field.

Tying for 25th at 103 was Van Beck and coming in at 30th place was Avery Braegelmann’s 106 score. Kraemer’s 110 finished the Lady Dutchmen scoring. That score tied her for 35th place.

Preliminaries and some finals were May 31 at Rocori High School in Cold Spring. The championships concluded June 3 at Detroit Lakes High School in Detroit Lakes. Schwalbe ran his event in 4 minutes, 25.82 seconds and Goebel in 11:09.32. Gerads lept 6 feet, and 2 inches in the high jump and 20 feet and 10-1/4 inches in the long jump. The Class AA state track and field competition starts at 9 a.m., Friday, June 9, at St. Michael-Albertville High School in St. Michael, with events running through the morning. The Class AA competition concludes Saturday, June 10. Albany girls results: 100: 15. Brooke Hoffarth 13.84 seconds, 19. Laina Kalthoff 14.03 and 25. Abigail Barrow 14.30. 200: 6. Hannah Klein 27.16, 23. Bridget Goebel

PHOTO BY TOM FENTON

Melrose's Izzie Van Beck follows through on a powerful swing on the tee of hole No. 13 of the Section 6AA girls golf tournament June 5 at Blackberry Ridge Golf Club in Sartell. Van Beck landed in 20th place, the highest finish for the Lady Dutchmen.

PHOTO BY TOM FENTON

Melrose's Blake Tomford lines up a putt on hole No. 4 of the Section 6AA boys golf tournament June 5 at Blackberry Ridge Golf Club in Sartell. The eighth grader tallied a 92 on the day.

SilverStreaks maintain hot streak

Martins leads SCL South Division

BY HERMAN LENSING | STAFF WRITER

The New Munich SilverStreaks moved to 6-0 with a 17-6 eight-inning win over the Farming Flames June 3 in Farming.

Will Funk was the player of the game for the SilverStreaks. His 4-for-4 night included a three-run home run. He scored four runs.

Carter Birr scored four runs and had three RBIs, Brandon Holm’s three-hit game produced three RBIs and Keagan Stangler tripled in two more. Caden Sand, who doubled, had two hits.

Jim Thull pitched through the seventh for the win. Will Funk pitched in the eighth for the save.

Farming clawed out of a fourth-inning 5-0 deficit with a single by Tylor Schroeder and a home run by Adam Winkels. Singles by Isaac Evenson and Schroeder and a double by Taylor Fourre in the fifth produced three more runs. Farming had no other hits in the game.

Blake Winkels took the loss, pitching four innings.

St. Martin 8, Lake Henry 2

The St. Martin Martins had five extra-base hits in an 8-2 win over the Lake Henry Lakers June 2 in St. Martin.

Backed by a good defense, Scott Lieser and Ryan Morse were in control. Scott Lieser struck out eight in six scoreless innings, allowing two hits. He helped his own cause with two doubles.

Kyle Lieser, Nolan Rueter and Tanner Arceneau, who had three RBIs, doubled.

Meire Grove 28, Roscoe 11

Hitters, not pitchers, ruled the day in the Meire Grove Grovers’ 28-11 win over the Roscoe Rangers June 4 in Roscoe.

The Grovers had 21 hits, seven of them for extra bases.

Brady Birch hit a grand slam, going 3-for-4 with five runs and five RBIs. Tyler Moscho had six RBIs on three hits and Jordan Klaphake had four hits. Josh Olmscheid logged two hits and five runs, Ryan Olmscheid drilled three hits with two doubles and Alex Welle and Kurt Marthaler had two hits.

Josh Olmscheid, pitching the final four innings, was the winning pitcher.

Spring Hill 11, Richmond 1

The Spring Hill Chargers had a seven-inning win, topping the Richmond Royals 11-1 June 4 in Spring Hill.

Ben Welle pitched a complete game, allowing four hits. He helped himself with an RBI single in the first. Spring Hill scored six that inning. The big hit was a double by Owen Meyer, who later homered.

Austin Schoenberg had three RBIs with a two-run home run. Devin Orbeck doubled in two runs.

Elrosa 7, Greenwald 2

The Greenwald Cubs stayed with the Elrosa Saints until the seventh, when the Saints scored five runs to win 7-2 June 4 in Greenwald.

The Cubs rallied for two in the third to tie the game, set up by Tyler Thomas’s single and Max Wehlage reaching on an error. Brett Engelmeyer’s single scored a pair.

Engelmeyer pitched into the seventh and took the loss.

VICTORY LEAGUE St. Wendel 28, Pierz Bulldogs 3

The St. Wendel Saints scored a 28-3 seven-inning win over the Pierz Bulldogs in St. Wendel.

Tanner Tomasek’s 4-for-6, five-RBI day featured a triple and four runs. Austin Dickmann, who was 2-for-3, Rolando Ramos and Tyler Huls all hit homers. Ramos and Huls also scored four runs.

Tanner Reis’ three hits produced three runs. Connor Breth, Ethen and Taylor Marshik each had two hits and Marshik had four RBIs.

Ramos earned the win, pitching five innings.

Royalton 5, Opole 4

The Opole Bears fell 5-4 to the Royalton Riverdogs in 11 June 4 in Royalton.

Tate Lange pitched into the 11th, taking the loss. He doubled and scored. Dominick Hoikka had three hits and Luke Bieniek singled twice.

Opole 6, Upsala 5

Opole won 6-5 over the Upsala Blue Jays June 2 in Opole.

Isaiah Folsom struck out 10 in a complete-game win.

Schmitz, Bieniek and Alex Lange each had two hits. Bieniek’s sixth-inning double scored Dierks Opatz with what proved to be the winning run. Drew Lange tripled in two in the second.

Upsala’s Matt Swanson doubled twice and drove in four runs with three hits. Brock Cichon doubled and Jeremy Mugg singled twice.

Micah Ripplinger pitched into the second inning in taking the loss.

St. Wendel 5, Swanville 2

Peter Schumer was key in St. Wendel’s 5-2 win over the Swanville Swans June 3 in St. Wendel.

He pitched into the eighth, scattering eight hits and striking out four batters. His two hits included a fourth-inning single that gave the Saints a 2-1 lead.

Tomasek hit his first amateur home run. A few batters later, Austin Dickmann hit a two-run home run.

Jake Ethen earned the save, coming on in the eighth inning.

Pierz Brewers 4, Freeport 1

The Freeport Black Sox could not find that big hit in a 4-1 loss to the Pierz Brewers June 4 in Freeport.

Both teams had six hits. Matt Johnson tripled and scored in the ninth inning to prevent the shutout. Cody Rose and Ike Sawyer each had two hits.

Mitch Reller started and took the loss, pitching five innings.

Albany baseball advances in elimination bracket

BY MIKE KOSIK STAFF WRITER

The Albany Area Huskies baseball team, behind the pitching of Carter Voss and an errorless defense, blanked Pierz 7-0 in a Section 6AA elimination game June 5 at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud.

The Huskies scored four runs in the second, two in the third and one in the sixth.

Voss scattered four hits in the complete-game shutout. He struck out seven and walked two.

While the defense was shutting down the Pioneers, the offense went to work. Devin Hansen, Voss, Drew Cramlet and Elliott Burnett singled to start the second inning. Following a sacrifice bunt from Owen Carlson, Izaac Hutchinson singled to knock in the fourth run.

Albany added two runs thanks to Tanner Reis’ leadoff double and Ethan Borgerding’s RBI single. Borgerding came in to score after a stolen base and RBI single from Voss.

The lead remained 6-0 until the sixth when Carson Holthaus got a two-out single.

On the next pitch, Hutchinson lined a ball down the first-base line to score Holthaus from first base.

Reis, Borgerding, Voss and Hutchinson had two hits each.

Albany 11, Pillager 1

The Huskies needed five innings to stay alive in the Section 6AA playoffs with an 11-1 win over Pillager June 1 at Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud.

Albany pounded out nine hits and took advantage of six Pillager errors.

Voss pitched four innings, giving up three hits while striking out four.

Pillager scored a run in the first, and the Huskies came back to score two in that inning.

It looked like Pillager would add to its score in the second inning when it loaded the bases with one out, but a double play ended the threat.

That defensive momentum carried over to Albany’s half of the inning, when it scored

seven runs with RBI hits from Borgerding, Cramlet and Burnett.

Foley 5, Albany 4

The Huskies lost a close contest and a tight game from start to finish to Foley 5-4 in the quarterfinals of the Section 6AA playoffs May 31 at Dick Putz Field.

Foley led 2-0 after the third, but the Huskies came back to score a run in the fourth on a Cramlet RBI single.

Albany took a 4-2 lead in the fifth. Holthaus reached on an error and scored. Reis doubled. Hansen then delivered a two-out, two-RBI double to give the Huskies a 4-2 edge.

Foley came back in the fifth to tie on a two-run homer and ended the game with a walk-off single in the seventh.

Owen Sunderman started and went four innings, giving up three hits and three earned runs while striking out four.

Albany 9, Melrose 0

Albany started its playoffs strong and ended Melrose’s season with a 9-0 win May 30

at Blattner Field in Avon. The Huskies executed a double steal, with Reis scoring for a 1-0 first-inning lead. Albany finished with six steals, including three by Hansen. The Huskies defense played errorless ball and turned a double play behind the pitching of Voss, Jake Lauer, Sunderman and Tyler Hoffarth. Voss earned the win, pitching four innings. The other three pitched one inning each of hitless ball. Albany retired the final nine batters. For Melrose, promising first inning started with a double by Devin Orbeck and Brad Dobmeier being a hit batter but ended with a double play. Anthony Berscheit’s bunt single and Ethan Frieler’s single to center were the other Dutchmen hits.

Orbeck started and worked 3 2/3 innings, taking the loss. Melrose finished its year with a 9-9 record.

Melrose track and field ends season at sections

Jumpers earn 3rd place

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

The Melrose Area track and field season concluded at the Section 8AA finals June 3 at Detroit Lakes High School in Detroit Lakes.

No member of the team advanced to the Minnesota State High School League Class AA Track and Field State Tournament.

The meet was a two-day event, preliminaries and some finals were May 31 at Rocori High School in Cold Spring.

The closest any member of the team came to reaching state was Isabelle Jaenicke, who finished third in the girls triple jump and long jump. Her 16-foot, 10 1/4-inch long jump

missed second by a three-quarter inch. Alea Berscheit finished sixth in the triple jump. The best finish from the Melrose boys team also came in jumping events. Kendall Jaenicke took sixth in the long jump at Detroit Lakes. Andrue Stalboerger finished in ninth place in the pole vault at Rocori.

The best track finishes for the boys came in the relays, where three of the four teams finished in eighth place. Kendall Jaenicke had the best individual finish on the track, taking 10th in the 200-meter dash preliminaries. Right behind him was Freddy Raya Garcia.

Only relay teams and the 1,600 competitors ran in the section finals at Detroit Lakes. No Melrose runner qualified for the finals after first day of competition.

Isabelle Jaenicke came the

closest, finishing ninth in the 200. Her 27.61 finish was .03 of a second from advancing to the section finals, and she took 11th in the 100 as well.

Maria Hinnenkamp finished at 2:31.78, snagging 11th in the 800 preliminaries.

The Dutchmen finished 12th of 12 teams, earning six points. Alexandria, with 156.5, was first. The Lady Dutchmen earned 10th, finishing with 15 points. Alexandria, 168, took the title.

Melrose girls results: 1,600: 10. Hinnenkamp 5 minutes, 47.99 seconds and 18. Bridget Hingeveld 6:05.69.

3,200:21. Kayla Meyer 13:30.63. 4x100:

10. Josie Eveslage, Georgia Anderson, Melissa Ambriz and Berscheit 53.56.

4x200: 11. Melissa Ambriz, Lizbeth

Raya Ambriz, Nicole Rademacher and Natalee Hoffner 1:57.84. 4x400: 10. Alyssa Stordahl, Lily Wiechman, Zoe

Hoeschen and Hinnenkamp 4:30.98. 4x800: 10. Stordahl, Hoeschen, Meyer and Bridget Hingeveld

HOLDINGFORD SPORTS

Boys track races to state

BY MIKE KOSIK STAFF WRITER

Connor Patrick sped his way to the top spot in the 200-meter dash and the 4x100 and 4x200 relays on the Holdingford Huskers boys track and field team also raced to firstplace finishes in the Section 5A championships at St. John’s University in Collegeville.

Running in the 4x100 were Patrick, Jeffrey Hall, Brandon Hall and Antanas Martinaitis and representing Holdingford in the 4x200 were Patrick, Dawson Hofer, Garrett Frink and Martinaitis.

Competitors from 20 schools for the girls and 19 for the boys took to the sectional track and field events. The boys Huskers tied for fifth place as a team at 47 points and the girls also took fifth, compiling 60 points.

Eden Valley-Watkins/Kimball claimed the girls championship at 131, while Sauk Centre and its 96.5 points took the boys title.

“We came close with quite a few girls taking third place,

The Holdingford 4x100 relay of Brandon Hall (front, from left) and Connor Patrick; (back, from left) Jeffrey Hall and Antanas Martinaitis signify their ranking at the Section 5A championships May 31 at St. John’s University in Collegeville.

The grouping is headed to state after finishing first at the section meet with a time of 44.28 seconds.

unfortunately we didn’t get anyone through (to state),” said Tracy Huls, Holdingford girls head coach. “We had a great

season as a team and individual successes. We are a young bunch that will be back next spring.”

The Huskers were well-represented

Baseball falls to Foley in section tourney

BY MIKE KOSIK STAFF WRITER

The Holdingford Huskers baseball team lost 3-0 to Foley in the Section 6AA playoffs, ending its season.

The Huskers faced the Falcons June 5 at Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud, in an elimination game following a win over Staples-Motley the week before.

After two scoreless innings, Foley plated two runs in the third and added one in the sixth.

The Huskers got a single in the first inning by Dominick Hoikka, singles from Jaxon Bartkowicz and Masyn Patrick in the third and a single by Luke Bieniek in the sixth for a total of four hits.

Drew Lange pitched 5 2/3

innings and was tagged with the loss. The Huskers ended the season with an 11-11 record. Holdingford 9, Staples-Motley 2

The Huskers jumped to a 6-0 lead in the first two innings on its way to a 9-2 win over Staples-Motley June 1 at Dick Putz Field in St. Cloud.

Holdingford scored a run in the first inning with two outs, as Bieniek doubled to left and scored on Tomasek’s double to right.

Holdingford’s big inning came in the second, when it plated five runs. Gavin Johnson, Mason Lyon, Patrick, Drew Lange and Hoikka scored in that inning.

Holdingford added three more runs in the fourth.

Bieniek and Patrick had two hits each.

CJ Clear pitched the win, going 5 2/3 innings. He gave up two unearned runs, striking out three and walking three.

Eden Valley-Watkins 11, Holdingford 1

The Huskers scored a run in the top of the first, but that was all, as the Eden Valley-Watkins Eagles pulled away with an 11-1 win May 31 at Joe Faber Field in St. Cloud.

Lange scored on fly ball to center by Opatz after doubling to right to lead off the first.

EV-W scored three runs in the first and added one in the second, four in the fourth and three in the six in the six-inning game. Holdingford 3, Annandale 1

The Huskers opened the Section 6AA playoffs with a 3-1 extra-inning win over the host Annandale Cardinals May 30 at Annandale Rec Park in Annandale.

Holdingford’s first-inning run came from Bieniek on a home run. With two outs and the bases loaded in the ninth, Clear smashed a single to center, scoring Bieniek and Opatz. Lange started on the mound for Holdingford, striking out six and walking four. He gave up the one unearned run over eight innings of work. David Heinen came in to pitch the final inning. Clear had three hits for Holdingford and Bieniek had two.

PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON

NationalHonor Society

BY HERMAN LENSING

The 2022-23 Melrose Area High School National Honor Society chapter consists of Ema Feldewerd (front, from left), Aubrey Braegelmann, Camryn Roering, Addie Maus, Danica Kerzman and Olivia Van Beck; (second row, from left) Gretta Kasper, Nadia Berscheit, Shantel Gruber, Anessa Redepenning, Alexa Toenyan, Kayidance Pohlmann and Hannah Hoppe; (third row, from left) Jazmin Finken, Anthony Berscheit, Nathan Welle, Logan Schad, Derick Rademacher, Brooke Klaphake, Jaiden Smith and Audrey Waldvogel; (fourth row, from left) Reagan Mueller, Madison Baysinger, Grant Hellermann, Austin Kelzer, Natalie Enright, Bridgette Hingeveld

Philip Job; (fifth row, from left) Hallie Drossel, Ellie Heller, Kaylee Nathe, Alyssa Stordahl, Ria Nelson, Jessica Pohlmann, Bryanne Feldewerd, Amelia Brower and Andrew Traeger; (sixth row, from left) Isaac Rosenberger, Jackson Seanger, Eddie Wenker, Ryan Herdering, Autumn Oevermann, Anna Neu, Alyssa Scherping, Ella Harren, Kayla Meyer and adviser Stephan Rink; (back, from left) Paige Gruber, Emily Rieland, Jamie Klasen, Kari Rademacher, Kathryn Rohe, Kendra Primus, Kendra Funk, Alexis Baumann, Kaylee Allen and Janessa Hoeschen.

The Melrose Area High School National Honor Society stresses scholarship, service, leadership and character. Under the direction of advisor Stefan Rink, the NHS worked with the Halloween food drive and Project Give-AGift, presented a distracted driving program,

2022-23

conducted an annual blood drive and assisted with the musical matinee, fun run and Food for Thought walk.

The torch was passed during a May 3 induction ceremony with the traditional naming of new members who took the NHS oath.

PHOTO

and

320-256-3846

Band & Choir

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

The 2022-23 Melrose Area High School concert band consists of Victoria Olson (front, from left), Janessa Hoeschen, Kendra Funk, Julia Toenyan and director Todd Prout; (second row, from left) Lathan Hinnenkamp, Andrew Berscheit, Logan Schroeder, William Sjogren, Jonathan Ambriz, Autumn Oevermann and Isaac Thompson; (third row, from left) Daniel Zamora, Sawyer Frieler, Anna Neu, Hayden Wieling, Darin Huston, Ethan Frieler and Enoc Morelos Martinez; (back, from left) Grant Hellermann, Adam Wilwerding, Abigail Welle, Diana Lira, Ben Kloth, Trevor Blonigen and David Ramirez. Not pictured is Tim Wilwerding.

Band

The Melrose Area High School concert band wrapped up its 202223 year during the May 26 Melrose High School graduation in the elementary school gym in Melrose.

The band performed numerous times this school year, including at the November Veterans Day program and December and spring concerts. Band members competed at a large group contest in Albany and during a solo ensemble contest in Pierz, with bands and individuals earning superior and excellent awards.

Choir

The Melrose Area High School choir presented concerts in October, December, March and May. The choir performed during the November Veterans Day program and concluded its season singing at the Melrose

2022-23

High School graduation. Their concerts took audiences through seasonal changes, uplifting reflective meditations, holiday memories, patriotic salutes and showtune highlights.

The 2022-23 Melrose Area High School choir consists of Patricia dela Cruz (front, from left), Meadow Schaefer, Gretta Hellermann, Brooke Ruoff, Asher Utsch, Regan Mueller, Natalee Hoffner and Jayda Davis; (back, from left) Brinley Ritter, Aiden Kluempke, Andrew Traeger, Logan Schad, Elver Garcia Morente, Ben McChesney and director Emily Krogstad. Not pictured are Lauren Dehmer, Anessa Redepenning and Vanessa Santana.