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Vol. 169, No. 35

Plans for ‘School District Academy’ announced Pilot program open to public BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

The public will have several opportunities in the coming months to learn more about the inner workings of the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District. District leaders are launching a program called “School District Academy.” The program involves four informational sessions at various district buildings in an effort for the public to become more informed about what goes into operating a school district. The program was one of several discussion topics at a SRR Board of Education meeting Nov. 30 in the district of ce meeting room at SRRHS. “This will allow residents an inside look to see what the district does, not too dissimilar from the conversations we’ve had at this board table (during this meeting) so that people can start to understand the basics of how a school district works,” SRR Board of Education Director Mark Hauck said. “It helps to increase knowledge in the community, create connections with staff, administration and the school board and students.” The rst of the meetings, which are scheduled for about 90 minutes each, is Wednesday, Jan. 17. Additional sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 21, Wednesday, March 20, and Wednesday, April 17. All meetings start at 6:30 p.m. The meetings are open to district residents 18 and older and will be limited to 15 people. Those interested can apply online on the board of education page on the district website at isd47. org or by calling the district of ce to receive a paper application.

School board page 4

Sauk Rapids neighbors love

local holiday parade Duo spearhead ‘Jingle & Mingle’ float development BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER

Mary Buhs and Pat Walz are longtime Sauk Rapids neighbors and holiday parade oat creative masterminds. Their artistic interaction has been forged over 30 years of living next to each other and 20 years as walking partners. There’s been plenty of laughter and holiday good times shared along the way. Each year, the duo’s labor of love produces festive entries for the community’s Jingle & Mingle Lighted Parade. “I usually come up with the PHOTO BY TIM HENNAGIR theme in January or February,” Mary Buhs (from left) and Pat Walz hold up six rolls of colored holiday lights Nov. 29 in Buhs said.

Parade page 5

Sauk Rapids. The duo’s labor of love produces Rock Creek Coffeehouse festive parade entries for the community’s Jingle & Mingle Lighted Parade.

Heavy-duty farewell offered to towing company titan Sauk Rapids, industry pay tribute to Hovanes BY TIM HENNAGIR STAFF WRITER

Andrew “Andy” Hovanes’ nal ride in a towing rig through Sauk Rapids was a memorable one. His casket was carried to its nal resting place on the back of a atbed truck Monday afternoon. That truck was followed by a long line of big rigs representing towing companies from near and far. Hovanes, 81, was a lifelong resident of Sauk Rapids and a member of the Sauk Rapids Fire Department from 1963 to 2001. He worked his PHOTO BY TIM HENNAGIR Modern heavy-duty towing rigs flank a restored replica 1937 Chevrolet wrecker way through the leadership ranks, at Sauk Rapids Sacred Heart Catholic Church Nov. 27 in honor of Andrew “Andy” serving as chief for 12 years. Hovanes, a lifetime community resident and one of the former co-owners of Andy’s Towing, of St. Cloud. Steve Hovanes estimated 125 trucks were parked at the church and on surrounding streets prior to his brother Andy’s morning burial mass.

PUBLIC NOTICES

The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.

• Mortgage Foreclosure - pg. 7B • Sauk Rapids-Rice School Ad for Bids (2) - pg. 11 • City of Sauk Rapids Notice of Hearing on Improvement - pg. 11 • Probate Notice - Tollefson - pg. 7B • Benton County Board of Commissioners Public Hearing - pg. 7B

• City of Sauk Rapids Reg. Meeting Minutes, Nov. 13 - pg. 11 • City of Sauk Rapids Ord. No. 2023-817 - pg. 11 • Benton County Planning Commission Public Hearings - pg. 7B • Mayhew Lake Township Meeting Notice - pg. 7B

Hovanes page 3

OBITUARY Karen Rudy

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Page 2 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

What’s H A P P E N I N G

NEWS

Sing it loud, proud

Saturday, Dec. 2, 10:30-11 a.m. — SCSU Saturday Storytime. St. Cloud State University education students present stories, songs and movement activities geared toward ages 3-6 but all are welcome. Great River Regional Library, 1300 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. Sunday, Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m. — “What Does Earth-Based Spirituality Mean to Us?” Sunday service featuring Jane Barth and Erin Hughes. St. Cloud Unitarian Fellowship, 3226 Maine Prairie Road, St. Cloud. Sunday, Dec. 3, 3-8 p.m. — A Victorian Christmas. Musical performances, Santa, horsedrawn sleigh rides, bon re, refreshments and more. Proceeds bene t local charities. Sable Inn, 10631 Glen Street, Foley. Monday, Dec. 4, 2-3 p.m. — Tech Time. Trouble understanding your laptop, tablet, e-reader or other electronic device? Questions about downloading library materials? Register with library staff for your one-on-one 30-minute session. Great River Regional Library-St. Cloud, 1300 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. Monday, Dec. 4, 6 p.m. — Rice City Council Meeting. Rice City Hall, 205 E. Main St., Rice. Tuesday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to noon — Living Waters Lutheran Church Food Shelf Distribution. Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1911 Fourth Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. If in need of emergency food assistance, call 320-255-1135.

PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER

(Above) The Sauk Rapids-Rice High School varsity, Storm and concert choirs take stage Nov. 27 in Sauk Rapids as they perform songs during “Reminisce, Reflect, Resonate.” The choirs performed 18 songs during the 1.5-hour concert, ending with a combined choir performance of “Freedom Train.” (Right) Soloist Adison Peterson sings a portion of “Carry the Light” during the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School choir concert Nov. 27 in Sauk Rapids. Peterson is a member of Storm choir. BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

The Sauk Rapids-Rice High School’s choral department presented “Reminisce, Re ect, Resonate” Nov. 27 as the varsity, Storm and concert choirs took stage at the Performing Arts

Center inside SRRHS in Sauk Rapids. Conducted by Steven D. Mick, SRRHS choir director, and accompanied by Tony Kapinos, the three choirs sang 18 songs during the 1.5-hour con-

cert. The late November concert was in place of an earlier fall and winter concert due to scheduling con icts and the choir’s next public performance will be in spring.

Tuesday, Dec. 5, 12:15 p.m. — Rice Senior Citizens Monthly Meetings. First Tuesday of the Month. Old Creamery Café, 405 E. Main St., Rice.

What’s happening page 3

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A quartet of Matthew Jegers (form left), Liam Mick, Nik Berger and Riley Meinert sing “That Lonesome Road” to a crowded auditorium Nov. 27 in Sauk Rapids. The choir concert included songs sang in Latin as well as ones with hand clapping and movement.

33RD ANNUAL CITY OF SAUK RAPIDS

Holiday Lights & Display Contest Winners will be announced in the 2nd Place Dec. 16 issue of the Sauk Rapids Herald. $100 Cash Prize

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in a wind.” Last year’s parade entry took fourth place in the best oat contest and featured a “White Christmas” theme based on the classic 1954 American musical lm. That oat, featuring Buhs’ grandchildren, was Walz’s favorite. Another year, a trip to a junk store up north produced a cardboard replace that became the centerpiece of another oat and Buhs’ favorite. Buhs and Walz really get rolling with oat construction in late November and early December. “We try and make it pretty obvious regarding the theme and what it represents,” Walz said. “You have to remember this parade is at night and it’s dark. You have to light up everything.” That effort includes

of 61 years, daughter-in-law Jane Rudy, son Steve Rudy (Dawn), daughter Lana Moon, and son Scott Rudy. She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Erin (Mike) Horn, Kyle Rudy-Kohlhepp, and Rachel Rudy; Tyler and Charley Rudy; Cooper, MacKenna and Riley Moon; as well as great-granddaughter Lottie Rudy, sister Jan (Leroy) Flaata, brother Mike (Alice) Miller, and many nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held Dec. 1 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria. Visitation was Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.

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Karen Rudy passed away Nov. 24, 2023, at the age of 81. She was born Nov. 1, 1942, in Echo. Karen grew up in Belview, and graduated from Belview High School before continuing on to Mankato State University where she received her degree in elementary education. Karen met Bruce Rudy during their high school years. They were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Belview Sept. 22, 1962. They lived in Fairfax until 1968 when they relocated to Sauk Rapids and raised their family. Karen worked as a special education teacher for three years followed by several years of substitute teaching. While

Page 6 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Christmas trees

A website search on Christmas trees revealed articles from several state extensions. Michigan State University has several YouTube videos on Christmas tree selection and care. Suggested trees and useful facts from GREEN AND these websites inGROWING clude the Douglas r, IN BENTON COUNTY BY LINDA G. TENNESON which has soft, at blue-green needles that will hold ornaments that are not too heavy and have a citrusy smell. Fraser and Balsam rs have thicker needles and slightly stiffer branches with a spicy, resinous scent. Concolor, Canaan and Korean rs are newer trees for Christmas tree use. The Colorado Blue spruce is another short needle favorite that can hold heavier ornaments. Spruce needles are sharp on the ends in contrast to r species and will drop if the tree is not well-watered. Trees with long needles that emerge from the branch in clumps are pines. The white pine needles come in groups of ve and the Scotch pine in groups of two. They are both fragrant and the Scotch pine will hold heavier ornaments than the white pine. Trees will be freshest if purchased locally and not cut too long before being placed in water. Keeping trees well hydrated is the best way to delay needle loss. A stand that can hold a quart of water per inch of stem diameter is recommended. With most trees that amounts to a stand that can hold a gallon or more of water. The cambium or area just under the outer bark is the tree’s circulation system. If the outer layers of tree bark are whittled down to t in a small tree stand, the tree will not be able to take up water and will die quickly. A straight cut a quarter inch from the bottom of the trunk may be necessary to stimulate water absorption if the tree was cut more than 12 hours before being placed in a stand. Christmas trees should be placed away from heat sources which would cause the tree to dry and drop its needles quicker. Anti-transpirants, gels or oral preservatives do not keep trees hydrated longer. Trees that have very dry brittle needles should be removed as re hazards. Newer LED light strings put out less heat than older lights which will help the needles to last longer but should be turned off when the room is unoccupied. After the holidays tree boughs can be used as mulch on top of perennials. Or trees may be stood up outdoors which will provide shelter for ground-feeding birds. Suet and other bird feed may be attached to the branches. Christmas trees do not grow into the desired pyramid shape without human intervention. They are sheared as they grow to remove wayward branches and encourage the branches to grow thicker. The terminal leader or highest branch on the tree may be cut to keep the tree at a desired height. Neighboring branches are sheared to keep them from becoming a new terminal leader. Branches close to the ground may be removed. Spruce and r may be sheared at most times of the year, but not during excessive cold periods which may cause additional twigs or branches to die off. Pines are only sheared in mid-summer. The stump or trunk area that remains after a tree has been harvested may have new sprouts which can be trained to become new terminal leaders and to produce a new tree from the established roots. Linda G. Tenneson is a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener and Tree Care Advisor.

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

Importance of a vibrant community

SAUK RAPIDS-RICE PUBLIC SCHOOLS A vibrant community is one wellness, skill development and that caters to the diverse needs social engagement. At Commuand interests of its residents, nity Education, we offer a variety spanning across all age groups. of courses ranging from learning From our youngest learners taka new skill and art to nance and STORM CORNER ing their rst steps into structured technology, providing opportuniBY NICOLE WILKE, learning to senior citizens seeking COMMUNITY EDUCATION DIRECTOR ties for personal growth and lifeengaging activities, the fabric of long learning. a community is woven with opportunities for enrichSeniors, an invaluable part of the community, ment and recreation. greatly bene t from activities tailored to their unique For the youngest members of our society, infant needs. Exercise classes designed for their abilities, to preschoolers, the emphasis is on both fun and art and craft sessions, gardening and discussion foundational learning. Early Childhood introducgroups provide not just recreation but avenues for es young minds to the magic of storytelling and mental stimulation, social connections and overall fostering a love for books. Additionally, art, music well-being. We also offer volunteer opportunities and lessons are tailored to spark creativity and dein our district for intergenerational connections that velop essential motor skills. Playgrounds with safe, bridge the gap between different age groups, fosterage-appropriate equipment also serve as hubs for ing understanding and mutual respect. social interaction and physical development. Moreover, technology has played a signi cant As children grow and transition into elementary role in expanding opportunities for remote learning, and middle school, Community Education expands virtual tours and online communities. Online coursofferings to include sport camps, coding and science es, webinars and digital platforms for sharing expecourses, and a variety of enrichment opportunities. riences have become increasingly popular, allowing These activities not only nurture their interests but individuals of all ages to access enriching content also encourage teamwork, problem-solving and and connect with like-minded individuals beyond the healthy competition. boundaries of their physical communities. Teenagers, in their quest for self-discovery and In conclusion, a community’s vitality is deeply independence, bene t greatly from community rooted in its ability to offer diverse and inclusive programs tailored to their interests. From volunteer opportunities for enrichment and recreation across opportunities to skill-building courses in areas like all age groups. Community Education makes it a photography, theater or entrepreneurship, these priority to offer programs that cater to the needs and activities provide avenues for self-expression and interests of preschoolers through to senior citizens. personal growth. Our district and community-based Communities not only enrich individual lives but partners often organize leadership opportunities, also foster a sense of togetherness, unity and mupublic speaking, and career guidance sessions to tual growth. It is this collective investment in the support their transition into adulthood. well-being and growth of all its members that truly The adult population, amid their professional de nes a thriving and interconnected community. and personal responsibilities, seek diverse avenues If you would like to instruct a course or learn more, for enrichment. Fitness classes, cooking workshops please contact the SRR Community Education ofand book clubs cater to various interests, promoting ce.

It is too much

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all and actions. They can be physical, mental, the way into the unknown. Yes, the jolly and spiritual. They can be accusations, or music and the cinnamon scented pinecones complete silence. Or both, accusations and welcome us into this Christmas season upon then complete silence. What would be the every building we enter. And yes, there are purpose of hardened hearts, failing bodies still some who face dif culties amid the or pressures of living? If you’re like me, yuletides. feeling that it is all too much, I will leave What ery trials impose upon your you with these inspiring messages from everyday life? Anxiety comes in many other’s, whom God lled with wisdom to forms: a nal exam, an approaching help us make it another day: LIFE BY FAITH deadline, bills needing to be paid, “The cruel chisel destroys a stone BY MERCY NYGAARD with each cut. But what the stone suffers lifechanging surgery, standing in front of those who have insulted you or families split by repeated blows is no less than the shape apart. How do you hold up under the weight of it all? the mason is making of it. And should a poor stone Rushing through trials, fake-smiling your be asked, ‘What is happening to you?’ it might reply, way through them, forcing joy and bursting out ‘Don’t ask me. All I know is that for my part there is encouragement to others only makes for immature nothing for me to know or do, only to remain steady followers of Jesus. Our servant king held both joy and under the hand of my master and to love him and suffer sadness, just as light has no meaning if there was no him to work out my destiny. It is for him to know how darkness. There is sadness because there is darkness, to achieve this. I know neither what he is doing nor and there is joy because of our savior, Jesus, who why. I only know that he is doing what is best and most sacri ced himself for all so we can have eternal life perfect, and I suffer each cut of the chisel as though where there will be no more tears, death, mourning or it were the best thing for me, even though, to tell the pain. We are to be maturing every day until that day, truth, each one is my idea of ruin, destruction and so don’t rush through it. Let the trial do its work in you defacement. But, ignoring all this, I rest contented with and tell the truth about it. the present moment. Thinking only of my duty to it, I Sometimes everything makes sense in view of the submit to the work of this skillful master without caring big picture. God created, and the devil destroys. But to know what it is.’” — Jean Pierre de Caussade, The bad things happen to good people, and sometimes there Sacrament of the Present Moment. is no explanation for it. I found myself preparing supper “Grand, Almighty God, as the darkness and and saying the unthinkable. “I hate this God, I hate….” hardness of our esh is so great that it is needful for My mind quickened to correction. “Don’t you dare say us to be in various ways af icted — grant that we it.” And then turned from uttering “I hate you” to “I patiently bear thy chastisement, and under deep sorrow hate what you’re doing.” ee to thy mercy displayed to us in Christ so that we When bad things happen to good people, when the depend not on thy earthly blessings of this perishable enemy shoots his ery darts, God had to allow it. He life, but relying on the word go forward in the course didn’t block the darts. Or, as he sees t, he blocks but of our calling, until at length we be gathered to that allows some to slip through. And alas, I still love God blessed rest which is laid up for us in heaven, through and trust him with my whole heart. The hate and the Christ our Lord. Amen.” — John Calvin prayer which love is true, and so I confess it. concludes his exposition of Habakkuk. These attacks from the enemy come in thoughts

Page 8 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

SPORTS

Successful debut

Vikings enter bye week facing quarterback Big second half conundrum keys comeback I’m not going to sugarcoat things. Josh Dobbs’ quarterbacking performance in Monday night’s awful 12-10 loss to the Chicago Bears was unacceptably bad. That was an eminently winnable game for a Minnesota Vikings team that is still COLUMNIST rmly in the NFC playoff SPORTS BY ANDY THAYER picture, and bad decisions and inaccurate throws by Dobbs were the biggest on- eld reason for why the Vikings lost to an offensively inept Bears team. The 6-6 Vikings are reportedly going to use their bye week to gure out which quarterback on their roster — Dobbs, Jaren Hall or Nick Mullens — gives them the best chance of salvaging their season. In the Nov. 27 loss, Dobbs completed 22 of 32 passes for 185 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. It’s easy to make excuses for Dobbs — the offensive line played poorly, his receivers weren’t making contested catches and tipped a couple of balls to defenders, and the offensive game plan seemed focused on turning him into a pocket passer instead of building around his biggest strength as a quarterback: his rushing ability. Despite each of those things being true, it’s still fair to say Dobbs played terribly. His throws were wildly inaccurate and his timing was off all night. He missed Jordan Addison down the left sideline in the fourth quarter on a play where Addison had cooked his defender so badly that he could have crawled the last 30 yards into the end zone before a Bears player would’ve gotten to him. It was the type of throw you’d expect a high school quarterback to consistently make, and Dobbs threw the ball out-ofbounds. Is Dobbs going to improve his accuracy and timing moving forward? While anything is possible, it’s more likely that we are starting to see why seven other teams have moved on from Dobbs already in his career. His raw athleticism makes him dangerous, but his inconsistency and unpolished passing gives him an extremely low oor as a quarterback. With No. 1 wide receiver Justin Jefferson returning for the team’s next game Dec. 10 in Las Vegas against the Raiders, the Vikings are going to want to start the quarterback that gives them the best opportunity to maximize his talents and impact. Could rookie Hall or veteran Mullens do that better than Dobbs? Head coach Kevin O’Connell noted that Hall “showed some real positives” in his brief playing time against Atlanta (completing 5 of 6 passes for 78 yards) before suffering a concussion as he attempted to rush for a touchdown. Like Dobbs, Hall is an athletic quarterback who can extend plays with his legs, and starting him would also give the Vikings the bene t of evaluating his play before deciding whether they need to draft another quarterback next offseason. Nick Mullens is the most experienced quarterback on the Vikings active roster with 24 games under his belt. He got extended playing time with the 49ers while lling in for an injured Jimmy Garoppolo back in 2020, completing 211 of 326 passes for 2,437 yards with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He lacks the athleticism of Dobbs and Hall but could make up for it with his ability to keep the train on the tracks and avoid rashes of back-breaking turnovers. It will be interesting to see who will be under center in Las Vegas. The Vikings still have a 58% chance of making the playoffs according to ESPN. com, and with Jefferson returning, they are nally going to have their full complement of offensive weapons back on the eld. Will they opt for the playmaking ability of Dobbs, the raw potential of Hall or the steady hand of Mullens? This decision will likely de ne the playoff fates of the 2023-24 Minnesota Vikings.

victory BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

It did not take long for Brooklyn Harren to earn her rst career victory as a head coach. One game, to be exact. “The atmosphere in the gym was electric,” said Harren, a 2017 Sauk Rapids-Rice High School graduate. “The support from the fans undoubtedly kept the girls energy up. We got our rst-game nerves out of the way in the rst half, and the girls came out ready to play in the second half.” After a sloppy rst half, the Storm cleaned things up to rally for a 57-47 nonconference win over North Branch Nov. 28 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School gymnasium in Sauk Rapids. SRR played with jitters often associated with a season opener, struggling to maintain control

PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON

Senior Courtney Paulsen drives to the basket under the close watch of a North Branch defender as the Storm girls basketball team opened the season Nov. 28 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Paulsen was 10for-12 from the free-throw line in helping SRR to a 57-47 victory.

of the ball along with making shots in falling behind 30-20 by halftime. A more determined defense appeared in the second half while junior post Lauren Schloe took control of the boards, keying her team’s 37-17 advantage in the nal 18 minutes. Senior Courtney

Junior Josalynn Morford weaves her way through the line for the Storm basketball team Nov. 28 at Sauk RapidsRice High School in Sauk Rapids. Morford started at point guard and finished with four points and four assists.

Paulsen did not waste time establishing her role as team leader. Paulsen led the Storm in scoring last year and nished with a team-best 15 points,

including 10 of 12 from the free-throw line, while adding nine rebounds. Olivia Mohs hit three 3-pointers to nish with nine points and also had eight rebounds. “We stayed united as a team and were determined to change the outcome of the game in the second half,” Harren said. “That was the mindset we needed to win.” The Storm traveled to Willmar for their Central Lakes Conference opener Nov. 30 and played host to Zimmerman Dec. 1, which starts a six-game homestand. Alexandria, which defeated SRR in last year’s Section 8AAA championship at St. John’s University, visits for a Tuesday, Dec. 5 game. The Storm will host the St. Cloud Crush Friday, Dec. 8. NB SRR

30 17-47 20 37-57 SRR: Paulsen 15 (9R), Mohs 9 (8R), Ella Jevne 8, Schloe 6 (17R), Petermeier 5 (5R, 3 A), Josalynn Morford 4 (4A), Megan Anderson 3, Alison Schreifels 3, Alexis Swanson 3 and Emily Berg 1.

Storm guard Alison Schreifels reaches for a loose ball Nov. 28 at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. Schreifels scored three points as SRR defeated North Branch 57-47.

First win proves elusive the nal day of the tournament. Sartell. Storm’s Sabres skate Both games were at the Municipal “The change in culture has to tie at Turkey Trot Athletic Complex in St. Cloud. been going well so far,” Coach

“It’s unfortunate that our record so far doesn’t re ect how our season is truly going,” said Bre BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER Hess, head coach. “Obviously, it isn’t how we wanted things to go, but we have a very young team Their record is not what the and they are learning and getting Sauk Rapids-Rice/Sartell girls better every day.” hockey team hoped it would be Against Rock Ridge, SRR/S through ve games. Fortunately for the Storm’n Sabres, the season got goals from Megan Hess and Brayley VanDenBerg but could has just begun. SRR/S fell to 0-4-1, culminat- not notch the game-winner in ed with a 9-0 loss to Section 8AA overtime. Morgan Dorn stopped 30 of 32 shots in goal. powerhouse Moorhead Nov. 28 The Storm’n Sabres hosted at Bernick’s Arena in Sartell. The Superior, Wisconsin, Dec. 2 at Storm’n Sabres tied Rock Ridge Bernick’s Arena in Sartell. They (Eveleth-Virginia) 2-2 on Day 1 travel to Alexandria Tuesday, of the Turkey Trot Tournament Dec. 5, and will host Fergus Falls Nov. 24 then lost a 3-0 game to Fort Frances, Ontario, Nov. 25 in at 7:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, in

Hess said. “It’s something we have been working really hard on, and it’s fun to see the girls push each other in practice in a positive manner. We lean on each other, and everyone pushes each other to be better. We need to start getting to the net and nd a way to score goals so we can come out victorious in close games.” MOOR 5 2 2-9 SRR/S 0 0 0-0 SRR/S goalie: Dorn 26 saves of 35 shots on goal. FORT F 0 1 2-3 SRR/S 0 0 0-0 SRR goalie: Dorn 22 of 25. RR 0 1 1 0-2 SRR/S 1 1 0 0-2 SRR/S: First period: 1. Hess (Faith Torborg, Liz Krueger) 1:49. Second period: 3. Brayley VanDenBerg (unassisted) 13:02. Goalie: Dorn 30 of 32.

PUBLIC NOTICES

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023| Page 9

REGULAR MEETING SAUK RAPIDS CITY COUNCIL SAUK RAPIDS GOVERNMENT CENTER, 250 Summit Ave N. Monday, November 13, 2023 6:00PM MINUTES 1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Kurt Hunstiger called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. All members present. 2. Additions or Changes to the Agenda NONE 3. Approve the Agenda Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Ellering to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. 4. Approve Minutes A. 10-23-2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Motion: Moved by Councilperson Seamans and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to approve the 10-23-2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously. 5. Receive and File NONE 6. Mayor’s Communications • Thank you to Veterans and Their Families-Mayor Hunstiger stated that with this past Saturday being Veterans Day, he wanted to take time to thank all veterans and their families for their service to our country. 7. Audience Items/Visitors Total Time Limit 2 Minutes for Items NOT on the Agenda NONE 8. Public Hearings A. Applicant City of Sauk Rapids Purpose To Consider an Amendment to Ordinance Section 10.15C Which Regulates Energy Projects in the City of Sauk Rapids 1. Open Public Hearing 2. Close Public Hearing Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Ellering to close the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Consider Action Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to approve the Ordinance amendment to Section 10.15C and approve the summary of publication resolution. Motion carried unanimously. B. Applicant Sauk Rapids Economic Development Authority Purpose To Consider the Re-Platting of Property Once Known as the Sauk Rapids Locker Plant Across from Coborn’s Grocery Store 1. Open Public Hearing 2. Close Public Hearing Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to close the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously. 3. Consider Action Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to approve the Preliminary and Final Plat on the condition that the easements be subject to nal design. Motion carried unanimously. 9. Consent Agenda

A. Approve Plumbing and Mechanical Contractor Licenses for 2023 B. Approve Police Department’s Continued Participation in Requesting Equipment From the Law Enforcement Support Of ce or other Federal Source C. Approve Detailed Estimate for the Potential Undergrounding of Power Lines Along Second Ave South As A Part of the Second Ave South Reconstruction Project D. Approve Authorizing Appointment to Police Of cer Position E. Approve Ferguson Waterworks Meter Reading Software Update and Equipment Purchase F. Approve and Authorize Purchase of Park Pickup Truck G. Approve Outdoor Specialties & Boundary Fencing Quotes for Pickleball Court Project H. Approve Change Order No. 1 to the 2022 Riverfront Phase 2 Improvements Project I. Approve Change Order No. 3 to the 2022 Industrial Boulevard Improvements Project J. Approve Change Order No. 1 to the 2022 Overlay Improvements Project K. Authorize SEH to Proceed with Topographic Survey for the 2024 Overlay Improvements Motion: Moved by Councilperson Thronson and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to approve consent agenda item 9A9K. Motion carried unanimously. 10. Regular Agenda A. 2024 Budget Jack Kahlhamer reviewed the Enterprise Fund Budgets as well as the Capital Plans. He provided a summary of the following funds along with proposed increases: • Liquor Fund • Water Fund • Sewer Fund • Storm Water Fund • Street Light Fund Reminder on Levy and Budget Amounts Kahlhamer reminded the Council that the Truth & Taxation Public Hearing on the 2024 Final Levy and Budget will be on Monday, December 11, 2023 at 6:00pm. The City Council agreed by consensus to continue moving forward with the budgets as presented. B. Overlay Improvements Motion: Moved by Councilperson Sauer and seconded by Councilperson Ellering to approve the Resolution Accepting the Feasibility Study and Calling for a Hearing for the 2024 Overlay Improvements. Motion carried unanimously. 11. Other Staff Items NONE 12. Other Council Items and Communications A. Compost Site Reminders-Councilperson Sauer reminded residents of the compost site hours as well as the fact that the nal day that the compost site will be open for the season is Wednesday, November 22nd. 13. Approve List of Bills and Claims Motion: Moved by Councilperson Thronson and seconded by Councilperson Seamans to approve the List of Bills and Claims. Motion carried unanimously. 14. Adjournment Motion: Moved by Councilperson Ellering and seconded by Councilperson Thronson to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Hunstiger adjourned the meeting at 6:39 pm R-48-1B

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 47 SAUK RAPIDS-RICE PUBLIC SCHOOLS CALL FOR BIDS 2024 RICE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WINDOW AND EXTERIOR WALL REHABILITATION Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received for the 2024 RICE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WINDOW AND EXTERIOR WALL REHABILITATION by Independent School District 47, hereinafter called the Owner, at the District Of ce, Door 2 on the Second Floor located at 1833 Osauka Road NE, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota 56379 until 10:00 a.m., local time on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at which time and place bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. In general, the work consists of the removal of the existing masonry face brick, windows, masonry control joints, roof edge sheet metal, and associated materials, tuckpointing, and, masonry cleaning, and the installation of new masonry face brick, windows, thru-wall ashing, roof edge sheet metal and ashing, masonry mortar joints, and masonry control joint sealant as speci ed. It is the Owner’s intent to award each Bid Item for the project to one Contractor. The Responsible Contractor submitting the lowest responsive Bid Item is required to provide appropriate trade crews working within the District, fully equipped and staged, until completion of the Contract or as directed by the Owner’s Representative. Bidding Documents have been prepared by ZMD Engineered Solutions, LLC (ZMD), 28 – 2nd Street NW, Suite #100, Osseo, MN 55369 (telephone: 763-515-8733) and will be available on Monday, November 27, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. To order documents and view project information such as Drawings, Speci cation, plan holder list, prebid sign-in sheet, addenda and bid results, visit the Franz Reprographics web site at www.franzrepro.com and select the Plan Room option. Please login with your email address and password, or Register if this is your rst time in the Plan Room. Select the project from the list of public projects. Once you have selected the project, please review the Bid Package Information for ordering documents. To receive Electronic Downloads, Bid Addenda and Shipped Order Con rmations for this proj-

ect, you must make the following email address a Safe Sender in your Outlook Email: info@ipdservices.com If you do not, your email server may block the receipt of these noti cations. These noti cations are sent from this email address, not from the email address of ZMD Engineered Solutions, LLC or Franz Reprographics. If you encounter problems, please contact Franz Reprographics by phone at 763-503-3401. Documents may also be reviewed at ZMD, and the Minnesota Builders Exchange. On Tuesday, December 5, 20232, at 11:00 a.m., a prebid conference will be held at Rice Elementary School, 200 NE 3rd Ave, Rice, MN 56367. Attendees shall meet at the main entrance door of the school. All interested bidders (Prime Contractors and Sub-Contractors) must submit with their bid the “Responsible Contractor Certi cate” as provided in the Bid Documents verifying compliance to Minnesota Statute 16C.285, Subd. 3. A Bid Bond or Certi ed Check for 5% of the maximum bid payable to Independent School District 47 is required as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, the Bidder will execute and le the proposed contract and provide 100% Performance and Payment Bonds within ten (10) days after the award of the Contract. The Certi ed Check will be returned to the Bidder as soon as the Contract and Bonds are executed. If, after ten (10) days, the Bidder shall fail to execute said Contract and Bonds, the Certi ed Check or Bid Bond shall be forfeited to Independent School District 47, as liquidated damages. The Owner reserves the right to waive irregularities and to reject any and all bids. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of Sixty (60) days after the date set for the opening thereof. At the Owner’s discretion, liquidated damages in the amount of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per calendar day will be assessed against the Contract if the project is not completed on the dates indicated. This Advertisement for Bids is issued by the authority of Independent School District 47. -- END OF SECTION -R-47-2B

SECTION 00 11 13 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Theatrical Lighting Upgrades 1835 Osauka Road Northeast Sauk Rapids, Minnesota 56379 Independent School District #47 will receive single prime sealed bids for Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Theatrical Lighting Upgrades until 2:00 PM local time on December 19, 2023 at the Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools District Of ce, 1833 Osauka Road Northeast, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota 56379, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bidding documents, including the Proposal Form, Drawings and Speci cations, will be on le at the Minnesota Builders Exchange; McGraw Hill Construction/Dodge Plan Center; Reed Construction; iSqFt Plan Room (St. Paul, MN), The Blue Book Building and Construction Network; and from PlanWell at: https://customer.e-arc.com/arcEOC/Pwell_Project_Main.asp?pub=63-2-14030 American Reprographics Company, 4730 Park Glen Road, St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55416 (952) 697-8800, facsimile (952) 697-8803 will provide complete downloadable sets of the Bidding Documents to prospective bidders and subcontractors. The downloads will be available on or about November 17, 2023. A deposit check in the amount of $25 made out to ARC for each set downloaded via the internet at https://www.e-arc.com/location/st-louis-park/ and clicking on the PlanWell icon, then the Public Plan Room icon, select Sauk Rapids-Rice High School Theatrical Lighting Upgrades. Make proposals on the bid forms supplied in the Project Manual. No oral, telegraphic or telephonic proposals or modi cations will be considered. Submit with each bid, a certi ed check or acceptable bidder’s bond payable to Independent School District #47 in an amount equal to ve percent (5%) of the total bid. The successful bidder will be required to furnish satisfactory Labor and Material Payment Bond, and Performance Bond. Bids may not be withdrawn within forty ve (45) days after the scheduled time of opening bids, without the consent of the Owner. The Owner reserves the right to accept any bid or to reject any or all bids, or parts of such bids, and waive informalities or irregularities in bidding. A pre-bid walkthrough will be held on December 6, 2023 at 2:00 PM. Attendance is not mandatory but is highly encouraged. Attendees are to meet at Door #2 at 1833 Osauka Road Northeast, Sauk Rapids, Minnesota 56379. The Owner requires Substantial Completion of the project on or before August 16, 2024. Board of Education Independent School District #47 END OF SECTION 00 11 13 R-47-2B

Notice of Hearing on Improvement TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is hereby given that the city council of Sauk Rapids will meet in the council chambers of the city hall at 6:10 p.m. on December 11, 2023, to consider the making of 2024 Overlay Improvement No. SAUKR 174658, an improvement on 4th Avenue North from 8th Street North to 18th Street North and Osauka Road Northeast from Mayhew Lake Road Northeast (CSAH 1) to Golden Spike Road Northeast (CSAH 3) by Full Depth Mill and Bituminous Overlay of the Street; a sidewalk extension along the west side of Mayhew Lake Road Northeast for approximately 140 feet south from Osauka Road Northeast; and storm water catch basin repairs on Park View Lane Northeast between Providence Place Northeast and Preserve Drive Northeast, pursuant to Minn. Stat. §§ 429.011 to 429.111. The area proposed to be assessed for such improvement is 4th Avenue North from 8th Street North to 18th Street North and Osauka Road Northeast from Mayhew Lake Road Northeast (CSAH 1) to Golden Spike Road Northeast (CSAH 3). The estimated cost of the improvement is $2,046,343. A reasonable estimate of the impact of the assessment will be available at the hearing. Such persons as desire to be heard with reference to the proposed improvement will be heard at this meeting. Ross Olson City Administrator Published in Sauk Rapids Herald on November 25, and December 2, 2023 R-47-2B

SUMMARY OF PUBLICATION ORDINANCE No. 2023-817 The following is the of cial summary of Ordinance No. 2023-817 approved by the Sauk Rapids City Council on November 27, 2023: The City Council made certain changes to the City’s Fee Schedule with the adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-817. Some fees have been changed, some increased, and some new fees have been added consistent with services the City is providing. A complete, printed copy of the ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular of ce hours at City Hall or the entire Fee Schedule may be viewed on the City’s website at www.ci.sauk-rapids.mn.us. R-48-1B

Page 10 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Football Contest NEW ENGLAND VS. PITTSBURGH

CONTEST RULES 1. 2. 3. 4.

Grand Prize $200

Anyone can enter except employees of this newspaper. Contest judges are the newspaper staff. Winners will be announced in next week’s Sauk Rapids Herald. Entries due at office by 12 p.m. on Wednesday. Sauk Rapids Herald 2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

DETROIT VS. CHICAGO

5. 6. 7. 8.

Prize will be mailed to the winner after their name is announced in this paper. Only one entry per person per week. Two entries per address per week. In case of a tie, a random drawing will be held. Contestants with the most season picks will win a grand prize of $200 cash.

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023| Page 11

SPORTS

Close call

Lumberjacks win in shootout after Alexandria rally BY EVAN MICHEALSON STAFF WRITER

Top line powers opening win

Dodge, Fitch each tally 6 points

ing Alexandria 34-17 over the course of the rst two periods. “We just needed to play hard and match their energy,” Vold said. “Alexandria is always a team that plays heavy and plays fast, and we have the ability to do that, too. We just needed to come out and play our game and stick to what we do best, and normally it works out for us.” After a scoreless rst period, Edan Cho gave the Lumberjacks an important jolt. Cho scored the game’s opening goal with under ve minutes remaining in the second period. He later picked up a key assist on Carson Strapon’s goal 3:46 seconds into the third period to give Granite City a 2-0 advantage. “He’s really coming along,” Vold said. “He went through a tough stretch here for a month and has come out on the other side and been successful.” Granite City did not wait for the Blizzard to respond. Joe Greniuk increased the cushion to three goals at 4:56.

BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER

The end of the Granite It was far from perfect, but it was a heck of a lot City Lumberjacks’ West better than last year. Division game against the The Sauk Rapids-Rice boys hockey team had a few Alexandria Blizzard was leaks in their defense — which is a point of emphasis something out of a nightthis season — but a high-powered offense sparked by mare. an electric rst line powered the Storm to a 9-5 seaWith 12 minutes left son-opening victory over Becker/Big Lake Nov. 28 at in the contest, the LumPrinceton Ice Arena in Princeton. berjacks were ahead 3-0 It was a drastic improvement to a surprise 4-3 loss against their longtime PHOTO BY EVAN MICHEALSON in the rst game of the 2022-23 season at Sports Arena rival and on the doorstep Granite City defenseman Sam Brennan controls the puck East in Sauk Rapids. of their sixth win in a row while looking for a shot angle Nov. 22 at Sports Arena “We played good, not great, for our rst game of East in Sauk Rapids. Brennan totaled one goal and two and possibly their most the season,” head coach Brady DeGagne said. “We assists in the Lumberjacks’ 7-1 victory over the Minnesota impressive victory of the executed our game plan in the offensive zone by conLoons. season to date. However, trolling the puck, playing team hockey through puck that was when the BlizAlexandria rst said. “We knew we had to movement, and attacking high scoring areas. The last zard woke up, and by the few weeks of practice have been focused on adjusting showed signs of life with step it up, and I thought time a disastrous nal our systems and offensive mindset to put us in situaa man down, scoring a we did a pretty good job half of the third period shorthanded goal on a up until the last minute of tions to see the ice better and read our opposition’s deconcluded, it was 3-3 with fensive zone coverage. We started to put some pieces of breakaway at the 7:16 the game.” overtime on the way. mark. The Blizzard conThe Lumberjacks did the puzzle together.” Luckily for Granite They did so thanks much in part to the efforts of tinued to build momentum just enough, however, to City, the team snapped out with a second goal seven escape with the win. Jack senior Teagan Dodge and sophomore Elijah Fitch, who of that nightmare and remade quite the impression in his varsity debut. Dodge, minutes later. Louko, Thomas Gerum turned to solid hockey just who had 44 points last season, and Fitch each scored Even after Granite and Brennan converted in time. Sam Brennan’s three times and added three assists as SRR gave up the City steadied the ship after their shootout tries while shootout tally gave the that, it was too late as a re- goaltender Sam Schowal- game’s rst goal 26 seconds after faceoff but dominated Lumberjacks a stressful juvenated Blizzard squad ter denied the Blizzard on the rest of the way. 4-3 win Nov. 25 at Sports Senior Vince Murn assisted on three goals for the picked up the equalizer on four of six attempts. Arena East in Sauk RapStorm, who scored three times in the rst period and an empty-net attack with Granite City faced the ids. added four more in the second to take a 7-3 lead. Chase 13 seconds left. Minnesota Loons for the “You’re not mad Hiltner added a goal and an assist for SRR, which faced “You could feel it third time in two weeks when you win, but you swing when they scored Nov. 30 and travel to Will- River Lakes Nov. 30 at Richmond Ice Arena in Richstill are,” said D.J. Vold, the second one,” Vold mar Civic Center Arena in mond. associate head coach. “We Zander Parker stopped 17 of 22 shots to get the vicWillmar to play the Willplayed pretty well for tory in goal. mar WarHawks at 7:10 about 45 to 50 minutes in “We have made adjustments to our defensive zone p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. the game and then took coverage and Becker/Big Lake’s top line exploited ALX 0 0 3 0-3 our foot off the gas and let GCL 0 1 2 1-4 some of our miscommunications and occasionally bethem back in it. Part of the Second period: 1. Cho (Greniing out of position,” DeGagne said. “Our biggest enemy uk) 15:29. Third period: 2. Strapon learning curve is learning (Cho, Patrick Dunaiski) 3:46. 3. Gre- was playing mentally undisciplined. We took a few unhow to win games, and niuk (Gerum, Ashton Ericksen) 4:56. necessary penalties and they capitalized on the chances. we didn’t do a good job Shootout: Louko (Y), Greniuk (N), Our goal has been, and continues to be, to play our best Strapon (N), Gerum (Y), Dunaiski of that late in the third (N) and Brennan (Y). Schowalter 27 hockey in February. This was a solid rst step in the period.” saves of 30 shots. right direction and we are excited about building upon Granite City knew Granite City 7, it.” entering the big-time bout Minnesota 1 The Storm traveled northwest to face Thief River that Alexandria was going The Lumberjacks ushFalls at Ralph Engelstad Arena Dec. 1 and will take on to be a challenge. Winners ered in the Thanksgiving Little Falls in their home opener at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, of six of their last nine holiday on a winning note, Dec. 5, at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids. SRR also games, the Blizzard came taking down the Loons 7-1 travels to Willmar Thursday, Dec. 7. into Sauk Rapids with SRR 3 4 2-9 Nov. 22 at Sports Arena skyward momentum and B/BL 1 2 2-5 East in Sauk Rapids. SRR: First period: 2. Dodge (unassisted) 3:55; 3. Fitch (Dodge) 8:17 an intensity that was going and 4. Dodge (Fitch, Kade Gibbons) 14:19. Second period: 6. Hiltner Granite City forward Hayden Johnson battles for a loose to be hard to face. The (Fitch, Vince Murn) 2:09 pp, 7. Hiltner (Hunter Behling, Alex Johnson) 2:40, Junior Hockey puck Nov. 22 at Sports Arena East in Sauk Rapids. Johnson 8. Dodge (Murn, Fitch) 3:13, 9. Fitch (Dodge, Murn) 10:26. Third period: Lumberjacks were up to page 12 11. Fitch (Dodge) 8:17, 14. Gunnar Jacobson (Colin Gruber) 15:35. Goalie: the task, though, outshoot- is the team leader in points through 20 games with 21. Parker 17 saves on 22 shots on goal.

OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM GAMES FOR WEEK #14 Due at office by Wed., Dec. 6 at 12 p.m. D&B Auto Body _______________________ TWFG Insurance Services _________________ Sauk Rapids Liquor (Wine) ________________ Haller Realty _________________________ Purpose Driven Realty ___________________ Danny’s Dugout _______________________ Morrie’s of Little Falls ____________________ Murphy Chevrolet (Drew) _________________

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Winner for Week 11: (13) Donna Salmonson from Rice

Winner for Week 12: (12) Bob Salmonson from Rice

BENTON AG Plus

Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023

Drought assistance programs

Serving rural Benton, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec counties

Communication vital to dairy farmers’ lifestyle NAMI provides support, services for mental health issues

Farm Service Agency News by Ryan Brunn, executive director for Benton and Mille Lacs counties

With the extremely dry weather we have been experiencing in Central Minnesota we continue to provide Farm Service Agency programs to assist our livestock producers. All producers in Benton, Mille Lacs, Sherburne and Anoka counties can apply for the following programs if applicable to their farming operation. Please read the below programs and see if FSA can help. The deadline to apply for assistance is Jan. 31, 2024. 2023 livestock forage losses Producers are eligible to apply for 2023 Livestock Forage Disaster Program bene ts on small grain, native pasture, improved pasture, annual ryegrass and forage sorghum intended for grazing.

Drought page 3B

BY HERMAN LENSING STAFF WRITER

he need to communicate and listen. That message was at the heart of a Thankful for Family Farmers Growing Our Future presentation by Ted Matthews Nov. 10 during a National Alliance on Mental Illness presentation in Melrose. Matthews is a mental health specialist with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. He provided information about dealing with stress on dairy farms. Matthews said there have been many changes in the last 50 years, some which add to the stress levels of farming. “Everything in farming is an educated guess,” he said. “It doesn’t mean it will work out. What is the only reason a person would be a dairy farmer? It’s because that’s you and what you are.” The swing of feelings caused by hope and expectations versus the reality of getting the work done and crops in, changing prices and

PHOTO BY HERMAN LENSING

Irene Lieser (left) and her daughter, Sara Ranta, visit with Nick Johnston, president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of St. Cloud, during a Nov. 10 presentation in Melrose. NAMI-St. Cloud Area organized a Thankful for Family Farmers Growing Our Future with Ted Matthews that addressed mental health in agriculture.

the need to meet payment schedules are not always understood by non-farming communities. “I’ve had many conversations trying to explain what farming is like,” he said. “It’s important we understand who we are working with. I

have several friends who are farmers, and I call them all the time (and ask) how things are going, what prices are and what that means.” Matthews said the role of women is the biggest change in farming in the last 50 years. It used to be that the husband

did the work outside. Some of that was because of labor demand to work the elds, some of it was because of technology. Some was tradition.

Farmers page 2B

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 | Page 3B

BENTON AG

I’ll be seeing you

A calendar of area events to expand agricultural knowledge

This past weekend, I endured one farm, so I took them on a drive north of of the most dif cult events of my life: I Sartell. We were almost to his farm when said goodbye to my mother during her my mom let out an exclamation, “Wait! I celebration of life. It was during this know this place!” time with family and friends that stories We were about a mile south of our were shared. Though my mom wasn’t a destination, and the farm that she indifarm girl, she de nitely had connections cated was the one where she had helped to farm life because it had been part of in the kitchen. It was now owned by the her family. estate of my husband’s grandfather. It RUMINATIONS One memory shared was about my would only be several years after this WITH MARY great-grandparents and how they moved revelation that I would nd myself in that MARY BARRON-TRAUT their farming operation from Atlantic, same kitchen quite often as my in-laws Iowa, to Clearwater. Some of the details are fuzzy, decided to move into that farmhouse, so my hubby but the family had loaded all of their livestock and and I could stay on the home farm. It’s dif cult not household goods onto a train and shipped them to a to believe that the universe conspired to bring my farm outside of Clearwater. One of the hired hands hubby and me together. who worked for the family at the time went along, I often wondered how mom felt about me and eventually asked for my grandma’s hand in mar- marrying a dairy farmer. She never speci cally riage. The two of them moved to town. My grandma said anything about it, but she often told me how was a teacher, and my grandfather worked mostly as proud she was of me. She knew I was balancing my a painter and carpenter though he did other odd jobs. teaching career along with raising a family, keeping One of those jobs was watching over a sheep a garden and helping with chores. She worried I farm for a friend who lived near Princeton. My mom worked too much, but she had taught me so many was about 10 years old at that time. The farm was life skills that I assured her I could handle it. set back a mile or so from the main road, and she I was blessed in the last few years to spend a bit had to make that trek alone to catch the school bus. more time with her, and she enjoyed helping me in One morning as she walked the tree-lined road, she my farm kitchen — snapping beans, making jelly could hear and see wolves following her just beyond and just being together. the brush. For several days after, her father walked It’s only been a few short weeks that mom with her, so she would be safe. hasn’t been part of my physical world, but she’s As a teenager, my mom’s farm experience with me constantly. On the road that I travel almost wasn’t in the elds but in a farm kitchen. One of my daily, I pass by the farm where as a teenager she great-uncles purchased acreage north of Sartell and helped with feeding the threshing crew, and I pass in the fall the threshing crews came. My great-aunt by the apartment building where she lived until her needed help feeding those hungry workers, so my health started to decline. mom was loaned out to help. She never said a lot The connection to her past and my present is about what she was required to do, but enough was strong, and I know that at some time in the future, said that we knew she didn’t like it, partially bewe will meet again. cause that aunt was a bit grumpy. (An aside: Of the 40 columns I’ve now written, The universe has a strange way of playing with this is the rst she has not edited. She was always us. Many years later, I started dating a dairy farmer, my biggest fan.) now my husband. I wanted to show my parents his

Drought from page 1B

beef cattle, buffalo and beefalo as well as alpacas, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, reindeer, horses or sheep. Additionally, the livestock must have been owned 60 calendar days prior to the beginning of the drought and be physically located in the county designated as a disaster area due to drought. Adequate livestock watering systems or facilities must have existed before

the drought occurred and producers are only eligible if they do not normally transport water to the livestock. Livestock that were or would have been in a feedlot are not eligible for transporting water. ELAP covers the additional cost of transporting water and does not cover the cost of the water itself. The deadline to submit an application for payment for 2023

ELAP assistance is Jan. 31, 2024. Producers must provide documentation to FSA that shows the method used to transport the water, the number of gallons of water transported and the number of eligible livestock to which water was transported. For more information, producers should contact their local county FSA of ce or visit fsa.usda.gov.

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LFP provides compensation if producers suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash-leased land or re on federally managed land. County committees can only accept LFP applications after noti cation is received by the national of ce of qualifying drought or if a federal agency prohibits producers from grazing normal permitted livestock on federally managed lands due to qualifying re. Additional costs of transporting water to livestock If producers incurred additional operating costs for transportCall ing water to livestock Randy due to an eligible or drought, assistance may Derek be available through the Today! Emergency Assistance for Livestock, HoneyFree Estimates ates • Free Delivery bees and Farm-Raised Locally Owned and Operated Fish Program. Locally Owned and Operated Eligible livestock • Residential • Agricultural • Light Commercial • Drafting must be adult or nonSt. Martin, MN • www.lifestylelumber.com • 320-548-3459 • 800-699-9774 adult dairy cattle,

Growing your education Land rental agreement sessions

Farm land rental rates are the largest input for producers, and negotiating fair rental agreements is a challenge. Landlords, producers and agri-business professionals can learn more about establishing fair farm rental agreements by attending a presentation in December. David Bau and Nathan Hulinsky, extension educators in agriculture business management, will provide several ways — through examples, fact sheets and worksheets — to determine a fair farm land rental rate for both parties. No registration is required. Remaining land rent meetings will be: — 9:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, at Meeker County Extension Office Conference Room, 1230 N. Armstrong Ave., Litchfield. — 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4, at Wright County Government Center Room 1104, 3650 Braddock Ave. NE, Buffalo.

Reducing Market Risk Program

Reducing Market Risk is a farm finance program offered by the University of Minnesota Extension that aims to increase resiliency of dairy producers in complex markets. The program is open to all livestock producers and will takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Initiative Foundation, 405 First St. SE, Little Falls. The event features four speakers and a catered lunch. Register at z.umn.edu/reducingmarketrisk2023 or by contacting Dana Adams at adam1744@umn.edu or 320-204-2968. Deadline to register is Nov. 28. “Dairy producers have been struggling with low milk prices and continually have to battle a fluctuating market,” said Adams, a University of Minnesota Extension Educator. “Dairy producers might benefit from hearing ways to optimize cash flow and hear about ways they can strategically control risk on their operations. This program will give our attendees the opportunity to ask experts their tough questions and start the ball rolling on wrapping up farm finances for 2023.”

Starting a Cottage Foods Production Business

Cindy Hale, a University of Minnesota Extension Educator in food safety, will present a free workshop regarding cottage foods in Minnesota. The workshop, will cover what types of foods qualify as cottage foods, the advantages of cottage food production and how people can register as a cottage food producers and sell products from their homes. The workshop takes place from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation’s large conference room, 501 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. Space is limited. People can register at ifound.org/ trainings or contact Haakon Lehn at hlehn@ifound.org with questions.

Minnesota Beginner Farmer Institute

The Minnesota Beginner Farmer Institute is a workshop series geared toward young or beginning farmers who are either joining an existing farm or starting their own farm and who are using their farm as a business for profit. The 2024 four-part workshop — held in Clearwater Jan. 9, Jan. 16, Jan. 23 and Jan. 31 — is free to attend, and lunch is provided. The class will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. Registration is required at z.umn.edu/BF23. Institute participants will tackle questions like: “What is a business plan and what does my banker want to see when I’m applying for a loan? What can I take for a business deduction and when is the best time to market my grain?” Topics include business planning and goals, taxes, business entities, financial statements, record keeping, grain marketing and land rent. Each workshop will have educational handouts and presentations. Contact University of Minnesota Extension Educator Nathan Hulinsky at 218-828-2680 or huli0013@umn.edu with questions.

Page 4B | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

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h norable impact on FFA An

Stemper recognized at national convention

BY HANS LAMMEMAN STAFF WRITER

For the past threeand-a-half decades in early November, Al Stemper was in attendance at the National FFA Convention. This year, however, he wasn’t there to supervise Foley students. Stemper was among the distinguished candidates on stage Nov. 3 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis to accept an award honoring high-quality teachers and individuals who have provided national exceptional service to agricultural education, agriculture and FFA. Current Foley FFA adviser Victoria Keiser and about a dozen Foley students attended the convention and celebrated the achievement with Stemper, exchanging high ves and taking photos. “It was fun to have

PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Members of the Foley FFA Chapter — Shelby Knosalla (front, from left), Grace Loehrer, Braelynn Kuperus and adviser Victoria Keiser; (back, from left) Chase Dahler, Grace Gadacz, Gabby Orton, Raylynn McColley, former adviser Al Stemper, Abby Jurek, Cylie Marshik, Mykayla Benc, Ben Lewandowski and Tyler Knosalla — gather for a photo Nov. 3 during the 96th annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Stemper was awarded an Honorary American Degree during the event.

them come through, and they were cheering for me,” Stemper said. “It’s just a nice feeling and a great way to wrap up a

career in the agricultural education eld, that’s for sure.” Keiser is one of Stemper’s former

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students. She said Stemper left a deeprooted impact on the Foley community throughout his 36-year career. Keiser said she models aspects of her classroom experience from Stemper’s teaching style. “He was in Foley for a long time, and he created a great program and helped design a lot of curricula here at the school,” Keiser said. “He’s done a lot and made a lot of impacts on the people in this community.” Stemper spent his entire teaching career in Foley, moving to the area in 1987 as a fresh graduate from the agricultural education program at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. He initially started

with the district in a temporary role to ll a leave of absence for another teacher. That teacher did not return, and the district offered Stemper the full-time position. In addition to serving as the Foley FFA adviser, Stemper said taught a variety of subjects, including welding, construction, horticulture and agricultural business, Stemper grew up on a farm in Caledonia in the southeast corner of Minnesota. He farmed with his brother throughout high school and into college, often waking up before school to lend a hand in the dairy barn. Stemper said his passion for agricultural education came after his high school agriculture teacher suggested he

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Al Stemper and Victoria Keiser stand together Nov. 3 during the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. Keiser was one of Stemper’s students when he was an agricultural teacher at Foley High School, and she took up his role when he retired in fall 2022.

pursue the career path. From that classroom, Stemper said he took inspiration to bring a hands-on teaching style to his future students. “Once you gured it out, it wasn’t about what you were teaching,” Stemper said. “It wasn’t about the test scores. It wasn’t always about the homework not getting done. It was, are you making a connection? Are you teaching some real-life skills that kids are going to take home?” He estimated bringing an average of 10 kids to the national convention for more than 30 years. Stemper said he played a role in writing curriculum used at the state level. As an educator, he hosted workshops for other teachers to give them ideas on how to get kids engaged in the classroom. Stemper said his three daughters — Alisha, Abbey and Emily — were all Foley FFA presidents and members. Now retired, Stemper mentors new agriculture teachers across central Minnesota through Teacher Induction Program at the University of Minnesota. Dan Martens is a former educator with the University of Minnesota Extension Service in Benton County who worked with Stemper for about 30 years. He said Stemper exempli es the values, educational principles and opportunities that all agriculture and FFA programs want to create for young people. “He (Stemper) was very good at empowering students to do things and instilling in them the belief that they could because he believed they could,” Martens said. “There was a lot of hands-on learning and getting to work with things, so that you could see how it worked in the real world.” While Stemper will be adding the Honorary American Degree award to his wall of achievements at home, he said it is the connections with students, staff and colleagues across the state that make him proud.

BENTON AG

SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 | Page 5B

Community bands together for Schumann family 4-H hosts annual silent auction event

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PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Jerry and Carol Schumann (center) are surrounded by their children Jennifer Hoggarth (from left), Matt Schumann, Rob Schumann, Daniel Schumann, Wendy Roben and David Schumann. Benton County 4-H hosted a fundraising event in the Schumanns’ honor as Jerry has been battling pancreatic cancer.

County Fair Board and was the beef project leader. Their families were members of the Graham 4-H Club. Both Jerry and Carol have had some uphill battles with their health. Carol was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and then a rare oral sarcoma. She has undergone bouts of radiation, chemotherapy and reconstruction surgery. In 2023, Jerry was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has also gone through radiation and chemotherapy. Through all the diagnosis and Karen Meehl focuses on placing her bid at the Jerry and Carol Schumann 4-H Silent Auction at Mr. Jim’s in Foley. There were over 200 items to bid on as well as baked goods to purchase in the event that showed support from many sponsors, volunteers and community members.

medical bills, Jerry and Carol’s faith has remained strong, and they are humble and grateful for all they have. Sadly, Jerry and Carol were not able to attend the event in their honor. In October, Jerry had a major surgical procedure for his pancreatic cancer and then developed the life-threatening Cedif infection and remains hospitalized recovering from both. With Carol by his side, Jerry is remaining encouraged. Carol sent a video greeting to all of the participants at the 4-H Silent Auction. “We are blessed, humble and very grateful for all of the prayers, love and support from the 4-H clubs, our families, friends, community and even strangers,” the couple said. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

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Benton County 4-H hosted a 4-H Silent Auction at Mr. Jim’s in Foley Nov. 18 to support Jerry and Carol Schumann, of Rice. The tables were packed with donation items from 4-H Clubs, businesses, families and individuals. The room was a steady stream of conversations between old friends and new. It was indeed a night of celebrating and building up others in the true sense of 4-H. Jerry and Carol Schumann are longtime supporters of the Benton County 4-H program.

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 | Page 7B

BENTON AG

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in conditions of the following described mortgage: DATE OF MORTGAGE: September 9, 2011 MORTGAGOR: Thomas Kolbo, a single adult. M O RT G A G E E : Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Liberty Savings Bank its successors and assigns. DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded September 21, 2011 Benton County Recorder, Document No. 383861. ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association. Dated December 17, 2015 Recorded December 23, 2015, as Document No. A413639. And thereafter assigned to: Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC. Dated October 9, 2019 Recorded October 15, 2019, as Document No. A438849. TRANSACTION AGENT: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. TRANSACTION AGENT’S MORTGAGE I D E N T I F I C AT I O N NUMBER ON MORTGAGE:

1003624-1045299240-8 LENDER OR BROKER AND MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON MORTGAGE: Liberty Savings Bank RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SERVICER: LoanCare, LLC M O R T G A G E D PROPERTY ADDRESS: 909 7th Street Northeast, Rice, MN 56367 TAX PARCEL I.D. #: 150066600 LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: Lot 16, Block 2, Fox Meadows, Benton County, Minnesota. COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: Benton ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $161,658.00 AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $125,602.93 That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; That no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof; PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in

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said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows: DATE AND TIME OF SALE: January 11, 2024 at 10:00 AM PLACE OF SALE: Benton County Sheriff’s Of ce, 581 Highway 23 Northeast Foley, MN to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees allowed by law subject to redemption within six (6) months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns unless reduced to Five (5) weeks under MN Stat. §580.07. TIME AND DATE TO VACATE PROPERTY: If the real estate is an owneroccupied, single-family dwelling, unless otherwise provided by law, the date on or before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate the property if the mortgage is not reinstated under section 580.30 or the property is not redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. on July 11, 2024, unless that date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, in which case it is the next weekday, and unless the redemption period is reduced to 5 weeks under MN Stat. Secs. 580.07 or 582.032. M O RT G A G O R ( S ) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION

ON MORTGAGE: None “THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S P E R S O N A L R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.” Dated: November 2, 2023 Lakeview Loan Servicing, LLC Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee LIEBO, WEINGARDEN, DOBIE & BARBEE, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/ Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 100 - 23-005956 FC IN THE EVENT REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW: THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. R-45-6B

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Notice of Public Hearing The Benton County Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on December 19, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. in the Benton County Boardroom, 531 Dewey Street, Foley, for the purpose of taking public testimony on possible changes to the Benton County fee schedule. All persons interested may appear and be heard at the time and place set forth above. Individuals unable to attend the public hearing can make written comment by writing to the Benton County Administrator, Benton County Courthouse, 531 Dewey Street, Box 129, Foley, Minnesota 56329. Written comments must be received prior to the public hearing. A copy of the current fee schedule and proposed changes can be obtained from the Benton County website (www.co.benton.mn.us) or by calling the Benton County Administrator’s Of ce at 968-5000. R-48-1B

Mayhew Lake Township Meeting Notice Mayhew Lake Township monthly meetings will be at the Jess Molitor Shop Building 7032 Little Rock Rd. NE, Foley, from December through April at 7 p.m. on the rst Tuesday of each month and at the Townhall, 9511 55th Ave. NE, Foley, from May through November at 7 p.m. on the rst Tuesday of each month. R-48-2B

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS *Note time change to 6:00 p.m. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Benton County Planning Commission will conduct public hearings on December 14th, 2023, in the Commissioner’s Room, Benton County Government Center, Foley, and beginning at *6:00 p.m. The Planning Commission will hear the following: 1. Jesse Arndt requesting approval of a 13-lot major preliminary plat entitled “Archibald Acres” in the R-3 Residential District. Pursuant to Section 10.8. The affected property is described as follows: part of Gov’t Lot 1 and part of Gov’t Lot 2, Section 9, Sauk Rapids Township. 2. Rolling Ridge Properties LLC, Randy Schmitz requesting an interim use permit to operate a Rural Event Venue in the Agricultural District. Pursuant to Sections 7.2.5(D), 9.17 and 11.7. The affected property is described as follows: NE1/4 SE1/4 Section 35, Watab Township. 3. New Heights Dairy, Brent Czech requesting a conditional use permit for a livestock waste storage facility in the Agricultural District. Pursuant to Sections 7.2.4(Z), 9.12 and 11.6. The affected property is described as follows: part of the SW1/4, Section 8, East Langola Township. ANYONE with comments regarding the above will be heard at this meeting. FR-48-1B

PROBATE NOTICE STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF BENTON DISTRICT COURT SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT PROBATE DIVISION Court File No: 05-PR-23-2007 NOTICE OF INFORMAL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS (INTESTATE)

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In Re the Matter of Daniel H. Tollefson, also known as Daniel Harold Tollefson, Decedent. Notice is given that an Application for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative was led with the Registrar. No Will has been presented for probate. The Registrar accepted the application and appointed PATRICIA M. TOLLEFSON, whose address is 157 RIVERSIDE DR. NE, ST. CLOUD, MN 56304, to serve as the Personal Representative of the Decedent’s estate. Any heir or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as Personal Representative or may object to the appointment of the Personal Representative. Any objection to the appointment of the Personal Representative must be led with the Court, and

any properly led objection will be heard by the Court after notice is provided to interested persons of the date of hearing on the objection. Unless objections are led, and unless the Court orders otherwise, the Personal Representative has the full power to administer the estate, including, after thirty (30) days from the issuance of letters of general administration, the power to sell, encumber, lease, or distribute any interest in real estate owned by the Decedent. Notice is further given that, subject to Minn. Stat. § 524.3-801, all creditors having claims against the Decedent’s estate are required to present the claims to the Personal Representative or to the Court within four (4) months after the date of this notice or the claims will be barred. Dated: November 17, 2023 /s/ Heidi Rasmussen Registrar Dated: 11/17/2023 /s/ Megan Bergman Court Administrator LUND ROSS, P.A. Betsey Lund Ross, Attorney at Law (#0389061) 1139 Franklin Ave. NE, Suite 2 Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 Telephone: (320) 259-4070 E-mail: Betsey@lundrosslaw.com ATTORNEY FOR APPLICANT R-47-2B

Sauk Rapids -Rice

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS

Big things on horizon Size, speed, experience spark high hopes on court

to be. They do of the games standards,” Bauer said. that for this team we’ll be in dur- “This main varsity group not only on the ing the regular has been playing together court but off the season,” Allen for a while, and we play court.” said. “We’ve as one. We have to play The Storm been getting unsel sh basketball. If BY TOM FENTON are coming off some good we play as a whole, we’ll STAFF WRITER an 11-16 season hype from high have a great chance to that showed school basketsucceed in March.” It did not take long ashes of promball media, but Allen said the comJason Allen, for second-year head ise, though getone thing I exbination of his team’s head coach coach Jason Allen to ting everything plained to them size and speed will help establish intensity in the to click at once is it doesn’t defensively, but he added rst practice of the Storm proved challenging. For matter how much hype that is not the only key boys basketball season. the second straight year, you’ve got if we don’t to success on that side of About 30 seconds to SRR saw its season end come to the court and the court. They need to be exact. on rival Tech’s home play defense. My job is talk, then talk some more. The rst sprint of court in the section semi- to make practice hard but “We have the ‘lift’ preseason workouts did nals. also where they see them- that we need to be able to not live up to Allen’s Returning captains selves getting better.” play defense the way we high standards, and the Logan Bauer, Keller Omoke brings a want to play,” Allen said. chatter in between was Hanson, Austin Kunz slashing presence to the “I like to switch back a no-no. That led to an and Hudson Omoke all offense, and Hanson is a between man-to-man and extra line sprint on the bring leadership and sharpshooter while Kunz zone, but where we have Sauk Rapids-Rice High athleticism to the oor. and Bauer bring a bit of to get better at defensiveSchool gymnasium oor. Those traits were on dis- everything. ly is being more vocal. A If the team is to ful- play during a successful The Storm will have team that is vocal when ll the high expectations summer campaign that size inside with 6-footall ve guys are talking of both Allen and his saw the team win every 7-inch junior Spencer — that’s intimidating.” players, wasting time in Breakdown tournament Swenson and emerging Though he admits practice is not an option. in which they competed. freshman Isayah Cook, intense practices can be “We’re really exThose performances, whom Allen said is one enduring, Kunz said it is cited for our season,” Allen said, raised eyeof the top players in the what this team needs to Allen said. “We’ve got brows area-wide about state at his age group. reach their goals. four varsity guys coming this team’s potential. “High expectations “Coach really pushes back, and all of them are “The guys have been are a great thing to have, us to be better,” Kunz captains. They’ve done a battle-tested throughand I believe with that said. “He gets what we good job setting the tone out the summer, which comes big responsibility need to get things done for how practice is going should help them in some so we can live up to our even though it’s not al-

PHOTO BY TOM FENTON

The 2023-24 Sauk Rapids-Rice boys basketball team captains are Austin Kunz (front, from left) and Logan Bauer; (back, from left) Hudson Omoke and Keller Hanson. The Storm are coming off an 11-16 season in 2022-23.

ways fun. But you know and it boosts our con what is fun? Winning dence when he believes games, and that’s what he in us.” helps us do. … He makes Boys basketball us strive for greatness, page 3C

Check out previews for Storm winter sports Boys basketball .....................................1C Gymnastics .............................................2C Girls basketball ......................................3C Boys swim and dive/ Wrestling........4C

Boys hockey ...........................................5C Dance ........................................................6C Girls hockey ...........................................7C Nordic ski .................................................8C

Page 2C | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS

New faces, new program Gymnasts join St. Cloud Crush co-op

team was not having a season. The biggest reason SRR needed to join the co-op was lack of a head coach. Co-coaches gymnasts means they BY TOM FENTON Morgan Thompson and STAFF WRITER will not be wearing Kayla Sigler resigned green and gold during after the 2022-23 seaBeing resistant their routines this season. to change is a natural son, trading it for the Activities director trait. For members of blue and orange of the Phillip Klaphake emthe Sauk Rapids-Rice St. Cloud Crush. barked on an exhausgymnastics team, they The cooperative tive search starting last have no choice but to program also includes spring that eventually welcome it. Apollo, Cathedral and resulted in not ﬁlling In an ideal world, Tech high schools. Un- the position. SRR would have its der Minnesota State “I wasn’t sure own program and com- High School League we’d be able to have pete in its own gym, rules, the co-op is a a season, so hearing but extenuating cirminimum two-year about the co-op and cumstances rendered commitment. The alter- their team’s willingthat impossible. The native for the eight SRR ness to take us in was compromise for Storm gymnasts out for the something we’re all thankful for,” said Bella Rudolph, a junior allaround competitor. “But that also came with a lot of nerves and uncertainty. There wasn’t much time to prepare or think about the (change) in advance.” The Storm are joining a program that has enjoyed a great deal of recent success. The Crush, who are coached by the husband-wife team of Joel and Colleen Stark-Haws, were runners-up in the Minnesota State High League Class Home - Farm - Business - Auto - Health - Life & more! School AA Girls Gymnastics State Meet last season. Both Joel and Colleen were assistants with the Storm program from 1993-97, helping SRR to a Class A state title in their ﬁnal season. “Practices have AVON insuranceaves.com been going well from SAUK RAPIDS FOLEY 320.356.9440 our standpoint,” Joel Stark-Haws said. “All

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through this season’s journey together. The team is in a good place, training hard, supporting and encouraging each other. Transitions can be a challenge, and we are leaning into this one and working through it. We have student athletes from four different schools, four different grades of girls living in different cities and communities, but we will always be one team.” Though the Crush was hit hard by graduation, including state all-around champion Taylar Schaefer, they

are almost always a factor in the Central Lakes Conference and Section 8AA competitions. Elizabeth Krueger is the lone SRR athlete on the team, and though it is early, Joel Stark-Haws said he also expects varsity contributions from Storm competitors Laci Legatt, Kendra Teff, Grace Stark and Rudolph. Home meets will be at Tech, which boasts top-of-the line equipment and a spacious facility — something SRR did not have while competing in the Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School’s north gym. “There were a lot of different feelings and emotions that came with the decision to join St. Cloud,” Rudolph said. “My first emotion was grateful that we would even have the chance to compete. The team brings a lot of great opportunities with an experienced and full coaching staff along with some great equipment we lacked sometimes.” On its own last season, SRR finished seventh in the eightteam section meet, led by Teff’s 14th-place allaround finish. Rudolph said her fellow Storm athletes and she are looking forward to the challenge. “Coming into this team can be intimidating as they have many extremely talented gymnasts,” Rudolph said. “This isn’t easy or the most ideal situation for anyone, but our goal is to build bonds and become stronger together. Obviously, we want to be competitive and to do that, we need to work as a team.”

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Alexandria Area Thursday, Dec. 14 H Brainerd Thursday, Dec. 21 H Little Falls Tuesday, Jan. 9 H St. Cloud Crush Friday, Jan. 26 A Willmar Thursday, Feb. 1 A Conference Championship Saturday, Feb. 10 A

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 | Page 3C

Tough act to follow Storm girls look to build off big season

an impressive mix of inside-outside balance and defensive tenacity along with veteran leadership at point guard, a position Grace Roesch held for four years before moving on to St. Cloud State BY TOM FENTON University this fall. STAFF WRITER Offensive balance The 2022-23 season should remain intact as was monumental for the leading scorer Courtney Sauk Rapids-Rice girls Paulsen returns along basketball team. Repeatwith wing-type players ing that success will Petermeier, Ella Jevne likely come down to how and Olivia Mohs. Paulsen quickly a group of young averaged 12.5 points per players adjust to more game and nearly six reimportant roles and how bounds last season. the veterans take charge. “Last year showed There are enough rewe can actually go far,” turning players that callPaulsen said. “We’ve PHOTO BY TOM FENTON been underdogs for a ing the season one of rebuilding is not accurate, The 2023-24 Sauk Rapids-Rice girls basketball team while, but that proves seniors are Sienna Petermeier (left) and Courtney we can win big games. but this season’s Storm will certainly have a dif- Paulsen. The Storm are coming off an 18-11 season that We’ve got a lot of new ferent look — including ended one game short of the state tournament. girls, but we’re all good a new head coach. players. We just have to “We’re not necessar- Petermeier, senior guard. head coach Brooklyn get the hang of things. ily rebuilding because It’ll be good.” “We’ve been with this Harren, who we had relationships The Storm group of girls for a while, takes over a prowith the girls coming expect to have and we have to work off gram she played back before, but we’re an inside presof that.” for in high trying to glue together a ence as well Putting those new school. Harren bit more coming off of with junior Laupieces together will be takes over from last year,” said Sienna ren Schloe. The the responsibility of new former coach Division I volJon Roesch, leyball prospect who resigned afaverage seven ter coaching the Brooklyn Harren, points and six team for four head coach rebounds per seasons. Alexandria Area game last season The Storm Tuesday, Dec. 5 H 7:15 PM are coming off a for SRR, which St. Cloud Crush milestone season that saw opened its season against North Branch Nov. 28. Friday, Dec. 8 H 7:15 PM them reach the Section Catch phrases have 8AAA championship, Fergus Falls become a hot trend in the where they lost 69-44 to Thursday, Dec. 14 H 7:15 PM sports world, and high Alexandria. (The CarBrainerd school basketball is no Tuesday, Dec. 19 H 7:15 PM dinals went on to place fourth at the state tourna- exception. The mantra for Detroit Lakes this season’s Storm is all ment.) Thursday, Dec. 21 H 7:15 PM SRR finished 18-11, about sticking together. Monticello Invite “Our main focus is which was the most wins Thursday, Dec. 28 A 2:00 PM for the program since ‘Stay United’ — that’s our focal word,” said 2000. The program had Monticello Invite Harren, a former Sauk Friday, Dec. 29 A 12:00 PM not won a section game Rapids Community in 19 years. Dassel-Cokato “What this team did Ambassador who graduThursday, Jan. 4 A 7:00 PM ated in 2017. “If we stay last year helps because Cathedral now they’ve been there,” united throughout the Saturday, Jan. 6 H 2:00 PM Harren said. “You can highs and lows, we’ve Sartell can do good things. The tell that they’re itching Tuesday, Jan. 9 A 7:15 PM to play a game again first weeks of practice were super awesome. The Rocori and get out there and gym is filled with a lot of Friday, Jan. 12 H 7:15 PM compete. That mindset energy. I’ve seen a lot of of knowing they can do Bemidji competitive sides come it based off the success Thursday, Jan. 18 H 7:00 PM out of these girls that I from the end of last year Willmar honestly think they were can carry over. They’re Tuesday, Jan. 23 H 7:15 PM hiding. I’m excited to see ready and confident to Alexandria Area their potential come out.” play.” Thursday, Jan. 25 A 7:15 PM Much of last season’s St. Cloud Crush success can be traced to Thursday, Feb. 1 A 7:15 PM Bemidji Saturday, Feb. 3 A 2:00 PM Sartell Take Out Tuesday, Feb. 6 H 7:15 PM Available Waconia Thursday, Feb. 8 A 7:00 PM New Menu Moorhead Daily Food Saturday, Feb. 10 A 6:30 PM Specials! Brainerd Tuesday, Feb. 13 A 7:15 PM Rocori Thursday, Feb. 15 A 7:15 PM 736 S Benton Drive • Sauk Rapids Fergus Falls Tuesday, Feb. 20 A 7:15 PM OPEN EVERYDAY FROM 11 A.M.- 8 P.M.

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Little Falls Tuesday, Dec. 5 A Willmar Thursday, Dec. 7 H Alexandria Area Tuesday, Dec. 12 A Tech Friday, Dec. 15 A Brainerd Tuesday, Dec. 19 A Becker Thursday, Dec. 21 A Albany Friday, Dec. 29 A Buffalo Saturday, Dec. 30 H Monticello Thursday, Jan. 4 H Sartell Friday, Jan. 5 H Saint Michael-Albertville Tuesday, Jan. 9 H Fergus Falls Thursday, Jan. 11 A Moorhead Saturday, Jan. 13 A Apollo Friday, Jan. 19 H Rocori Thursday, Jan. 25 A Bemidji Saturday, Jan. 27 A Willmar Tuesday, Jan. 30 A Alexandria Area Friday, Feb. 2 H Tech Thursday, Feb. 8 H Brainerd Tuesday, Feb. 13 H Sartell Friday, Feb. 16 A Elk River Saturday, Feb. 17 H Fergus Falls Tuesday, Feb. 20 H Big Lake Friday, Feb. 23 A Apollo Monday, Feb. 26 A Rocori Friday, Mar. 1 H

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time to back down Building process No Boys swimming and diving team ready for next step continues BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

Jason Tangen does not see it as a problem. Instead, the Sauk RapidsRice boys swimming and diving coach sees his team’s move from Class A to AA as a challenge that everyone involved is ready to embrace. The Storm are coming off a fourth-place finish in the Minnesota State High School League Class A Boys Swimming and Diving State Meet. The fact SRR is now in Class AA neither changes the approach or the expectations. And when the section meet approaches, Tangen hinted there may be a few PHOTO SUBMITTED surprises. Senior Vance Barz is the captain for the 2023-24 Sauk “We’ve been in AA Rapids-Rice wrestling team. Barz is coming off a third- before and know what place finish at 126 pounds in the Minnesota State High to expect,” Tangen said. School League Class AA State Tournament last March. “This team takes pride working harder than anyone else. We might not be the deepest team in the section, but we will have better results than BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER everyone else in diving and swimming come There are two schools of thought when it comes championship time. We’ll to high school wrestling: It is an throw a wrench or two into individual sport with a team aspect some of the bigger team’s or a team sport with an individual plans.” aspect. SRR is coming off a Which theory applies to a given wildly impressive season. team depends on a number of facAt last year’s state meet, tors. the team quietly kept movFor the 2023-24 Sauk Rapidsing up the leaderboard in Rice squad, the focus will be on inthe live team standings dividuals while continuing to work on building a team as the Storm will Derik Gilbertson, on the scoreboard at the University of Minnesota’s head coach be short of filling a varsity roster. Jean K. Freeman Aquatic That leaves the focus on simply Center. getting better, ignoring team scores while following When the team what could be a special individual year for senior Vance learned their finish, the Barz. celebration was filled with What third-year head coach Derik Gilbertson will smiles, hugs and some not do is put young wrestlers into a varsity spot until well-earned tears. With a they are ready. big nucleus of that team “Team and dual events are going to be a struggle again this season considering we will not yet be able to back, SRR is in no mood to back down. fill a full lineup in varsity,” Gilbertson said. “We will “This season is goonce again focus on our individuals and getting them ing to be tough due to the best matchups for their current skill level. The last thing we want to do is put a young wrestler into the var- moving up to AA, but the team will surprise everysity lineup just to fill spot.” one because we have a Much of this season’s attention will be on Barz, who became the 13th SRR wrestler to place at the Min- lot of strong swimmers nesota State High School League Wrestling State Tour- and strong relays,” senior nament last March, taking third at 126 pounds in Class Hayden Zabinski said. AA. At state, Barz lost his first-round match but rallied “We will send a lot of to win four in a row to claim the bronze medal, finish- people to sections, and after that a decent amount ing with a 32-6 record. of people will qualify To say Barz is excited to get the season started is an understatement, and he is not shying away from his for state, including some relays. We need to work goal of becoming the school’s first state champion. hard, help each other and Wrestling page 8C cheer for each other, which

Barz looks for big finish after taking 3rd last year

PHOTO SUBMITTED

The 2023-24 Sauk Rapids-Rice boys swimming and diving team seniors are Christopher Anderson (front, from left) and Alex Lucas; (back, from left) Ian Eichers, Trace Nelson, Gavin Butkowski and Hayden Zabinski. The Storm placed fourth in at the Minnesota State High School League Class A Boys Swimming and Diving State Meet last season and are in Class AA this season.

of the season is the team’s success. won’t be a probdevoted to getting At the same time, relem because our his team in shape flecting on the importance team already and learning of the sport and what it does that.” which events fit means to him will be a big The wealth them best. part of his last season. of talent remains “Some ath“Swimming has truly as juniors Cash letes have been been a huge part of my Walz and Garpracticing and are life,” Lucas said. “I have ret Broman, ready to go, but a been swimming since I among others, Jason Tangen, lot of our athletes was 6. Swimming has been also return. That head coach come from other my driving factor. I love to duo, along with sports or interests get up each morning and Zabinski, were and aren’t quite ready to try my hardest, and the on fourth-place 200-yard best part is watching that medley and 400 freestyle train at 100%,” Tangen hard work pay off. One of relay teams at state. Evan said. “They’ll get there.” Alex Lucas is a senior my favorite parts of the Scapanski also returns with state meet experience. who has been involved in sport is watching my teama swimming family his mates get the times that Zabinski is the rare they have been working combination of an athlete entire life. He also has who excels in both swim- state meet experience and toward in practices.” expects to be a big part of ming and diving, and he also is not backing down while acknowledging the challenges of balancing both. One of his goals this season is to break the pool record in both six- and 11- Monticello Tuesday, Dec. 12 A 5:30 PM dive competitions. “The key to achievBrainerd ing your goals is to just Thursday, Dec. 14 A 6:00 PM believe you can do it, then Thunderhawk Invitational put the work in the pool Saturday, Dec. 16 A 9:00 AM and just keep pushing for Alexandria Area it,” said Zabinski, who Tuesday, Dec. 19 A 6:00 PM placed fifth in diving at state last season. Elk River Swimming and diving Thursday, Dec. 21 A 6:00 PM is the last Minnesota winSartell ter sport to start practice as Thursday, Jan. 4 H 6:00 PM the first day was Nov. 27. Border Battle in Fargo That means the learning Saturday, Jan. 6 A TBD curve for Tangen has just begun, and he said a big Tech part of pre-holiday section Thursday, Jan. 11 A 6:00 PM

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Tightening in own zone big key for SRR boys play smart and strong hockey, we’ll Time to get defensive wedefensive do great.” The Storm opened the the liking of head coach season Nov. 28 at PrinceBrady DeGagne. “Our biggest strength ton Ice Arena in Princeton and won 9-5 At the risk of stating should be our over Becker/Big ability to put the the obvious, scoring goals Lake — a team puck in the net,” is a rather important asthat shocked pect of hockey. Prevent- said DeGagne, them last year. whose team ing the opposition from SRR is coming gave up 5.15 doing the same is just as off an 8-17-1 goals per game crucial. season while last season. “I The Sauk Rapidsaveraging 3.18 Rice boys had the former expect our goals goals per game. per game averdown pretty well last Senior coBrady DeGagne, age to be in the season, but the latter head coach captain Teagan was a sticking point. The 4-5 range, but Dodge, by far that doesn’t Storm could score, but the team’s leadmean anything if we get the number of defensive that many scored on us. If ing scorer last season with breakdowns were not to 26 goals and 18 assists, is a big reason for the preseason optimism. His speed and craftiness with the puck cause opposing blue-liners headaches. PHOTO BY TOM FENTON Little Falls “This team is working The 2023-24 Sauk Rapids-Rice boys hockey team captains are Will Gunderson (from Tuesday, Dec. 5 H 7:00 PM hard, and they don’t give left), Vince Murn and Teagan Dodge. The Storm are hoping to improve on an 8-17-1 Willmar season. up so far,” said Dodge, Thursday, Dec. 7 A 6:00 PM whose biggest adjustment Fergus Falls might be learning to play He’s got to be a real lead- should be a lot deeper on we can be,” he said. Tuesday, Dec. 12 H 7:00 PM without longtime linemate er for us, and we’ve got a defense. We just have to “But that doesn’t mean Mound Westonka Luke Pakkala. “The effort lot of guys coming back keep working on not let- anything until we get Thursday, Dec. 14 A 7:00 PM in our defensive core.” has been really good so into game situations and ting anybody have time Other leading return- and space in our own far. Our expectations are execute. My expectations Pine City ing scorers senior Jett high. We’ve got a lot of revolved around a gamezone.” Tuesday, Dec. 19 H 7:00 PM young players, and by the Wheeler (eight goals, to-game mindset and the DeGagne is simply Hutchinson four assists), co-captain end of the year, I hope we principles we have. If we excited to see what his Thursday, Dec. 21 A 7:00 PM can go somewhere in the Vince Murn (one goal, six team has. fulfill those, we can be Mankato East playoffs. We just have to assists), Jackson Dhein “I’m always optimis- really good.” Thursday, Dec. 28 H 1:45 PM (two goals, six assists), work together.” tic about where I think Monticello Kade Gibbons (two goals, One of the biggest Friday, Dec. 29 H 5:00 PM three assists) and Michael issues for SRR last year Fuecker (two goals, two Litchfield was giving up goals in bunches. The team would assists). Saturday, Dec. 30 H 1:45 PM “We just have seemed be playing well, but too Sartell to click so far,” Murn often gave up goal-scorThursday, Jan. 4 H 7:00 PM said. “We seem like a big ing fl urries that left holes Windom Area family. The effort and too deep to escape. Big Saturday, Jan. 6 H 3:30 PM deficits can lead to press- work we put in throughBrainerd out the year will help us ing on offense and often Tuesday, Jan. 9 A 7:15 PM get to where want to be.” collapsing defensively. St. Francis Parker will be a part Those issues resulted Saturday, Jan. 13 H 3:30 PM in an early season eight- of the defensive emphasis. He played 23 games game losing streak, but Mora the Storm stabilized as the last season, posting an Tuesday, Jan. 16 H 7:00 PM season progressed, finish- 8-13 record with a 4.87 Prairie Centre goals against average and ing 6-6-1 in their last 13 Friday, Jan. 19 H 7:00 PM .844 save percentage. games before losing to Willmar The defensive core is Little Falls in the section Tuesday, Jan. 23 H 6:00 PM young, featuring several semifinals. Albert Lea “We’re changing our sophomores. That means Saturday, Jan. 27 A 12:45 PM systems a bit to reflect the Will Gunderson, a co-capRocori - River Lakes talent we have,” DeGagne tain, will be counted on to stabilize the defense, said. “Limiting shots on Tuesday, Jan. 30 H 7:00 PM especially early. net is going to be a focus. Alexandria Area “We’ve got a lot of We can’t let the puck get Thursday, Feb. 1 H 7:00 PM guys that can put the into high scoring areas St. Cloud Crush puck in the net,” Gunderand (we need to) keep Tuesday, Feb. 6 A 7:15 PM son said. “Scoring goals them to the outside and Fergus Falls let the goaltenders do the shouldn’t be a problem Friday, Feb. 9 A 7:15 PM work. Zander (Parker) re- for us. We’ve got a lot Princeton ally has to pull his weight of sophomores coming Saturday, Feb. 10 A 7:00 PM between the pipes in net. up who are good, so we BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER

BOYS HOCKEY

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New class, new bar

Dance team not backing down from new class

kids put a lot of pressure on themselves and they want so badly to do well, especially now that we are competing at the AAA level. I really want BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER the kids to be confident in what they bring to the One of the themes and Sartell in the Central table.” for the Sauk Rapids-Rice Lakes Conference. SRR debuted its dance team this season Their mantra matches jazz and kick routines could likely be summed the title of a 2000 movie — titled “Dream” up in two words: based on a cheer team and “Emerald City,” challenge accepted. competition, “Bring It respectively — in The Storm have On.” competition at a CLC routinely proven their “We have set event Dec. 1 at Brainerd ability to compete at the higher expectations for High School in Brainerd. Class AA level in recent ourselves as a team,” The host Warriors were seasons. SRR qualified senior co-captain Jaida third at state in kick in for the Minnesota State Burrows said. “We would Class AAA last season. High School League state love to slay in AAA “If we keep pushing meets in both jazz and as it is definitely more our skills and endurance kick in 2022 and 2023, challenging, but we reach we could get very far,” making finals in both to have success. We just Burrows said. “Our divisions two years ago have to work harder than strengths this year are and narrowly ever and put in definitely the creativity missing out 110%. I do feel in our routines and on finals last a little bit more movement quality. Our season. pressure being dances this year have If SRR is we have harder a lot of potential, and going to kick competition, once we get everything and twirl its but we all have way to state this danced forever, PHOTO BY TOM FENTON cleaned, we will get far.” A big core from last season, it will and we are used Captains for the 2023-24 Sauk Rapids-Rice dance team are seniors Campbell Arndt have to do so to performing in (left) and Jaida Burrows. The Storm opened competition season Dec. 1 at a Central season’s team returns, Shantelle adding fuel to the high in Class AAA. front of people.” Lakes Conference competition in Brainerd. DesMarais, expectations. The Storm Returning head coach “We have I’m excited for a new have plenty of team members out of qualifying for the a couple of very grown close to one successful seasons, both challenge and to create experience competing are still stinging from the finals in both divisions. another, which is an new successes.” performance-wise and against big schools with 2023 state meet when That motivation has important team aspect,” The Storm are under placement-wise,” Arndt powerhouses Brainerd they finished one spot carried into preseason Arndt said. “I’ve seen new direction under said. “We always have practices and a pair of so much growth from exhibition performances strived to get better each first-year head coach the time girls joined the Shantelle Des Marais, season with our dances at St. Cloud State team to now and I believe but team and coach and performances, University and Sartell they will continue to get are familiar with each which is a pressure High School to prepare other as she served as an better. The chemistry our that just comes from for competition season. team has will continue exceeding past years. We assistant coach the past Senior co-captain LAUNDROMAT & TANNING to advance as the season two seasons under Jennie have a fresh start because Campbell Arndt also said progresses, and I’m her message to the team of our jump to AAA this Weber, who resigned is to embrace the change. year. It gives us a chance after the 2022-23 season. excited to see how much everyone improves. If we “We have a lot of to set new standards. “We have had talent on our team, but it put our minds to it and OPEN DAILY continue to work hard at tends to get smothered Laundry 15 North 2nd Ave. practices, our team has when we let self-doubt 6 am-9 pm Sauk Rapids, MN the ability to do well and get in the way,” Des Tanning www.washntanmn.com continue to raise the bar.” Marais said. “I know the Chanhassen Invite 8 am-9 pm 320.259.0882 Saturday, Dec. 2 A 11:00 AM Sauk Rapids-Rice Invite Saturday, Dec. 9 H TBD Emergency Conference Championship 24 Hour Monday, Dec. 18 A 7:00PM Services Edina Invite Saturday, Jan. 6 A TBD Sheet Metal & Heating, Inc. Becker Invite WHATEVER IT TAKES Saturday, Jan. 13 A 9:00 AM 5 Time Recipient for Wayzata Invite Residential/Commercial Medal of Excellence Saturday, Jan. 20 A TBD Family Owned & Operated Since 1978 • Sales • Service • Installation Spring Lake Park Invite • Heating & Air Conditioning Saturday, Jan. 27 A TBD Call for Free The Haller Team, SUPPORTS Section www.lyonheating.com Estimate! A TBD ALL STORM ACTIVITIES. GO STORM! Saturday, Feb. 3

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SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 | Page 7C

Familiar face takes over Former player, assistant to lead Storm’n Sabres BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER

Bre Hess always Hess said. “They’ve been dreamed of being a high relentless in practice, school hockey coach. which is cool to see. We’re Leading the same team she also a close team, so our played for only two years team chemistry will take into her teaching career, us pretty far.” however, is a bit much for There are plenty of her to comprehend. reasons for optimism — The resignation of 15, to be exact. That is the longtime coach Marty number of returning playAnderson after last season ers, including 13 skaters put Hess, a 2017 Sartell along with Morgan Dorn, High School graduate and who begins her fourth seathree-year standson in goal. out for the Sauk “I plan to Rapids-Rice/ bring my experiSartell program, ence to help the on the fast track team with confito lead a program dence in the way close to her heart. that I play and in She also helped knowing what’s the Storm’n Sagoing on,” said bres to their only Dorn, who saw PHOTO BY TOM FENTON state tournament 813 pucks last The 2023-24 Sauk Rapids-Rice/Sartell girls hockey team Bre Hess, appearance in season, stopping captains are Brooke Pogatchnik (front, from left) and head coach Megan Hess; (back, from left) Morgan Dorn and Emily 2016. 718 for a .883 Though she save percentage VanVickle. The Storm’n Sabres are coming off a 5-20-1 has been behind the bench and 3.78 goals against av- season but return 15 players. as an assistant coach the erage. “The little things we on and off the ice. That’ll preparation process has past two seasons, Hess do are important, and so work well for us. We all been extensive and that has jumped into the is being positive. Things just fit together. No one she is looking forward to head coaching role with have gone well so far. I is shy, so we bond well. watching the team come abounding enthusiasm. like the energy that we There’s a lot of laughing together. “I really didn’t expect have, and we’re melding and never a dull moment.” “Our expectations are it to come this soon,” said well as a team.” The Storm’n Sabres high,” she said. “We’re Hess, who played four Eight of the top nine are off to an 0-4-1 start preaching being all one years of collegiate hockey point leaders from last after tying Rock Ridge big family on the rink. at the College of St. Bene- season all return, led by (Virginia-Eveleth) 2-2 on Everything is going to be dict. “Things just worked Brayley VanDenBerg out in my favor and every- (seven goals, eight assists), Day 1 of the Turkey Trot fast, and we decided we thing lined up for me to Brooke Pogatchnik (four Tournament Nov. 24 at the want to out-work the other Municipal Athletic Com- team. We want the other get this opportunity. The goals, 10 assists), Faith first couple weeks have Torborg (six goals, five as- plex before falling 3-0 to coaches to come up to us been great. I was a little bit sists), Jalyssa VanDenBerg Fort Frances, Ontario, on and say, ‘That was a really Day 2 Nov. 25. SRR/S tough game and you’re renervous about the transi(five goals, five assists), ally hard to play against.’ tion from assistant to head Emily VanVickle and Sella then dropped a 9-0 decision to Moorhead Nov. Whether it’s a win or a coach because of the great Grams (four goals, five 28 at Bernick’s Arena in loss, we want other teams relationships I have with assists each) and Megan Sartell. to not want to play the the girls.” Hess (five goals, four Coach Hess said the Storm’n Sabres again.” The Storm’n Sabres assists). Megan Hess is know there is work to be Coach Hess’ sister. done after a 5-20-1 season VanVickle, whose that ended with an 8-0 younger sister Lauren loss to a Moorhead team, saw action in 11 games which won the consolation last season in goal, said title at the Minnesota State the camaraderie the girls High School League Class share expects to be another AA Girls Hockey State positive heading into the Tournament. SRR/S prides season. itself on working hard re“We’ve all been toYO U R H O M E T O W N B A N K gardless of the scoreboard, gether for three years,” pinecountrybank.com pinecountrybank.com something Hess said will VanVickle said. “There be crucial this season. was a big group of us that Little Falls Rice Royalton “They have been moved up to varsity at 1201 1st Ave. NE 412 N. Hwy. 10 750 Cty. Rd. 21 working so hard, and their the same time. Everyone 320-393-4200 320-632-9740 320-584-5522 work-ethic is something knows each other, so we we’ll rely heavily on,” should be able to connect

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Page 8C | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

Wrestling from page 4C Matt Shankey has the school’s best ﬁnish, taking second in 1997 at 103 pounds. Barz was the second SRR wrestler to place third. Jacob Hutchins took bronze at 189 in 1999. “I’m going to be honest, I’m looking to win this year and be humble at the same time,” Barz said. “I will respect every opponent I go against, keeping my head in the match and hopefully I can go out on top. Staying healthy is a big thing, not getting sick and just working hard are the keys for me.” Four additional wrestlers with varsity experience return for the Storm, including two who reached double digits in victories last season. Barz’s sophomore brother, Jack, is coming off a 16-21 season that included several victories over strong opponents. Also back is freshman Carter Pesta, who was 11-25. Senior Carter Koltes was 4-16 and sophomore Dylahn Nagel ﬁnished 1-5, getting extensive action late in the season. They will play key roles in helping the team garner points in duals even though several weights will be forfeited. Gilbertson said freshman Bryce Ness has the potential to crack the varsity lineup. Freshman Kenzie Wagman-Kelley also may see time with the varsity boys team, and she also will compete in girls-only competitions, including the section meet. “We may have six or seven wrestlers that we will look to have in the varsity lineup at the start of the season,” Gilbertson said. “If things work out and everyone stays healthy, we may be able to slot two more wrestlers into the varsity lineup. There are a few others we will be watching, and if they prove they are ready for varsity, we will provide that opportunity.” The Storm open the season Friday, Dec. 1, at the Melrose Invitational and will debut at home Tuesday, Dec. 12, with a triangular at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School in Sauk Rapids. With the end of his high school career just over three months away, Barz is looking to cherish every takedown, every match and every victory while leaving a positive mark on the program. “I’ve really enjoyed my time with the program,” Barz said. “I’m going to be focusing on spending time with my teammates and building the team up again.”

WRESTLING

St. Michael-Albertville Invite Saturday, Dec. 2 A 9:00 AM Zimmerman Triangular Friday, Dec. 8 A 5:00 PM Chanhassen Tournament Saturday, Dec. 9 A 9:00 AM Triangular Tuesday, Dec. 12 H 5:00 PM Foley Thursday, Dec. 21 A TBD Foley Invite Saturday, Jan. 6 A 9:30 AM Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Triangular Friday, Jan. 12 A 5:00 PM Elk River Invite Saturday, Jan. 13 A 9:00 AM Bemidji Triangular Thursday, Jan. 18 A 5:00 PM Eastview Invite Saturday, Jan. 20 A 10:00 AM Rocori Triangular Tuesday, Jan. 23 A 5:00 PM Triangular Thursday, Jan. 25 H 5:00 PM Becker Thursday, Feb. 1 H 5:00 PM

WINTER SPORTS PREVIEWS

Waiting for snow Nordic skiers ready to embrace conditions BY TOM FENTON | STAFF WRITER

Let It Snow? Winter team. “So, once it snows, the easier it’ll be to transiWonderland? tion into it. But we’re also Hardly. looking forward to snow.” Though the weather The program is unoutside has been far from der the direction of new frightful — much to the head coach Anders Meier. delight of those clingThe eighth-grade sciing to fall — the Sauk ence teacher has Rapids-Rice been an assistant Nordic ski team coach with the is eagerly awaitSRR crossing the season’s country program first significant for four years snowfall. and helped with No snow for the ski program skiers is no diflast season under ferent than hockNick Snavely, ey players trying PHOTO BY TOM FENTON The 2023-24 Sauk Rapids-Rice Nordic ski team captains to compete with- Anders Meier, who resigned head coach after moving out are Sophia Nielsen (left) and Patrick Eichers. The program out ice. is under the direction of new head coach Anders Meier. of the district. The weather, While admitting he however, is beyond the control of a Storm roster, is fairly new to the sport, essary. It’s never too late but it’s also an individual Meier is not short on to learn.” sport,” Eichers said. “The which has been training enthusiasm. He also is The program is not best thing I can do for my at Mayhew Creek Park. grateful for the knowledge focused on trying to win team is to tell them to just Considering many team keep working hard.” members also were on the assistant coach Jon Vollen conference or section titles. Goals like that are Other than Nielsen, cross-country team in fall, will bring to the 19 athletes signed on the team. in the distance, which is returning girls on the team the location is familiar “Jon has been skifine with a coach who is are Amelia Reker, Faith territory. “The main thing that ing longer than I’ve been simply trying to build the Bogle and Sarah Amberalive and might have more program. son. Seventh grader Abby motivates us is the fact miles on skis than I do on With 10 of 19 skiJohnson will add to team we’re all back together my car,” Meier said. “I ers on the team, Meier is depth. again and that we have couldn’t do this without hoping this is the start of Boys skiers who this fun thing to look him. Hopefully we can bigger things. Both boys return include Eichers, forward to,” said junior inspire more students to and girls teams have ski- Ryland Silbernick and Sophia Nielsen, who is Braxton Schmidt. Crossin her third year with the join — no experience nec- ers who have seen what it takes to compete at the country runners Alex Osvarsity level. tendorf and Collin Wiebe Sophomore Patrick are also giving the sport Eichers is a co-captain a try. along with Nielsen, “The addition of Alex Sartell Invite though an injury suffered and Collin is very excitThursday, Dec. 14 A TBD in fall tennis means he ing,” Meier said. “I can may not compete. Either hardly wait to see what Mora Invite these two boys can do on Saturday, Dec. 16 A TBD way, his role as a leader will not change. skis. I know they will put Brainerd Invite “I enjoy skiing bein the work and have the Thursday, Dec. 28 A TBD cause of the teamwork drive to succeed.” Mesabi Invitational Saturday, Jan. 6 A TBD St. John’s Prep Invite Thursday, Jan. 11 A TBD Alexandria Invite Tuesday, Jan. 16 A TBD Willmar Invite Saturday, Jan. 20 A TBD Little Falls Invite Thursday, Jan. 25 A TBD Central Lakes Conference Tuesday, Jan. 30 A TBD Sections Wednesday, Feb. 7 A TBD

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