PRSRT STD ECR U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #861
11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
“Minnesota’s Oldest Weekly Newspaper” Vol. 162, No. 18
Sauk Rapids, Benton County, Minnesota 56379
A continuation of the Frontiersman, The Free Press, Sauk Rapids Sentinel and St. Cloud Sentinel.
(USPS 482-240)
August 11, 2016
Citizens ask for help with crime by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Chris Nielsen and Madelyn Buttereld enjoy a midway ride at the Benton County Fair on Friday. The 104th fair was held Aug. 2-7. More Benton County Fair photos are on page 6.
A fair to remember
SAUK RAPIDS — A conversation fueled by fear was at the forefront of Monday's Sauk Rapids city council meeting. A group of 10 residents appeared in council chambers to discuss the recent crime sited in their central neighborhood — an issue they say is a growing problem. “This is a safety concern and I just want to know what you can do for us,” said Laure Rosty. “We need safety, security and we need your help. Seventeen places in the month of July were hit in a three block radius of our house. That’s huge. It’s time that we act before and not after.” Rosty explained the
City Council continued on pg. 3
Hunstiger, Konietzko selected for ballot lowed to select two of the by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS — Kurt Hunstiger and Guy Konietzko were selected as the Sauk Rapids mayoral candidates to appear on the general election ballot November 8. Hunstiger and Konietzko received the two highest vote totals from the primary election Aug. 9, where residents from Sauk Rapids were al-
three candidates to proceed to the next leg of the campaign. Hunstiger received 487 total votes with the majority of the vote at 48.51 percent. Konietzko received 324 votes, 32.27 percent and incumbent Mayor Brad Gunderson 193 votes or 19.22 percent. Among the 7,104 registered voters, 1,004 cast their votes at the six precincts voting for the municipality.
Schroeder to become high school activities director by ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER
Henry Zimmer (seated in center) celebrated his 95th birthday surrounded by family at Benton County Fair Aug. 5. Pictured are: (front, from left) Emmett Buhs, Evan Buhs, Klair Zimmer, Katie Zimmer, Kyle Zimmer and Greta Buhs. (second row, from left) Roman Brenny, Adrien Buhs, Henry Zimmer, David Stamm, Maggie Stamm, Suzie Buhs and Matt Buhs. (third row, from left) Art Buhs, Mary Buhs, Colleen DeGardis, Tobin DeGardis, Everly Malikowski, Jonathan Malikowski, Haley Brenny, Jill Zimmer, Bonita Zimmer, JoAnne Zimmer, Shelly Zimmer and Jolene Buhs. (back, from left) Jason Brenny, Dale Zimmer, David Zimmer, Jeff Zimmer and Clint Buhs.
Zimmer turns 95, celebrates at county grounds by NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS — “Look at what I’ve created,” said Henry Zimmer, in reference to a group of people gathered outside the 4-H Lunch Stand Friday at the Benton County Fairgrounds. Zimmer, who turned 95-years old Aug. 6, celebrated his birthday the same as he has since the mid1990s — at the fairgrounds, surrounded by family, with hamburgers, French fries and pies. “It just kind of happened,” said his daughter Mary Buhs. “Dad would always be at the fair, so we decided we might as well stop in, say hello and wish him a happy birthday. From there it evolved into a family tradition. It’s not when is Dad’s birthday? It’s, when is Dad’s birthday . . . at the fair?” Zimmer loves the Benton County Fair, which cel-
ebrated its 104th year this past week. Having grown up near Mayhew Lake, Zimmer has attended the county fair almost as long as it’s been around. “I’ve been going to this fair ever since I was four or ve-years old,” he said. Zimmer’s parents would drop their children off at the fair when they made their shopping trip into St. Cloud. It was a different era, and with nine children, they relied on Zimmer’s older sisters to keep watch over him. “They gave us a couple nickels to spend and we went and looked at all the animals and the other things to look at. We didn’t have much for clocks and we were supposed to be at the gate at a certain time. Most of the time we were out at the gate an hour earlier because we didn’t want our folks to leave us at the fair. It ain’t like the children nowa-days who run around. We
were scared to be alone and scared they would forget about us,” Zimmer said. A lot has changed since Zimmer’s early days at the fair. At that time, the only animals brought to the grounds were cattle, hogs and horses. A nickel would purchase Zimmer a one-dip ice cream cone, candy bar or possibly even a ride at the midway. “The Ferris wheel was really something,” Zimmer said. “That was my most favorite ride because you could sit up there and see the whole fair when they dropped people off at the bottom.” The grandstands were also interesting to the fair enthusiast. With little money, his siblings and he would sneak under the bleachers to be able to watch the events which included horse races. “When I was young, there were horse races every year. It drew some pretty big racers because I remember they’d go on to compete at the Minnesota State Fair. It was quite a thing to be able to watch,” he said.
But fair memories for Zimmer aren’t limited to those of his childhood. They span his entire life. After Zimmer nished his education in eighth grade, he continued working on his father’s farm until eventually marrying his wife Marian and creating a farmfamily of their own. The two had six children, David, Allen, Dale, Mary, Teresa and Colleen. Oftentimes, the couple would break away from the farm and parenting for an evening of dancing which included trips to the Fairgrounds Ballroom, which was demolished in 1983. “There was one night a week, I believe it was Thursdays, where come hell or high water Mom and Dad were going square dancing,” Zimmer’s son David said. Zimmer and his wife would put their children to bed, drive to town and attend dances at the ballroom, as well as people’s homes in the area. Dancing was just
Zimmer continued on pg. 2
SAUK RAPIDS – NaDean Schroeder has a passion for interacting with students as they strive to be the best football player, actor or speaker they can be. From a young age, Schroeder has been immersed in activities and athletics, being a tri-sport athlete and going with her dad to activities in Maple Lake, her hometown. “I think my sisters and I would have given my dad a heart attack if we weren’t involved in something,” Schroeder said. “He was the activities director at Maple Lake High School for 25 years before retiring this past spring, so he always took us to everything.” Following in her dad’s footsteps, Schroeder recently accepted the open activities director position at Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. She will start full-time on Aug. 22 contingent upon the school board’s approval of her contract at the Aug. 15 meeting. “I’ve done a lot with athletics at the college level, but I wanted to get to the high school level where I can get to know the students and coaches and interact with them on a daily basis,” Schroeder said. Schroeder will be closer to home in Sauk Rapids and is looking forward to being with friends and family.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
NaDean Schroeder was hired as the new activities director for Sauk Rapids-Rice High School and will start the position Aug. 22, contingent on the school board’s approval of her contract on Aug. 15.
“I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Living in Illinois, it’s not the easiest,” she said. “Now that I’ll be in Sauk Rapids, I’ll be able to spend more time with them.” Schroeder is anxious to start her new job and for students to come back to school. “It’s the process of being around the students and the energy they give that I’m most excited for,” Schroeder said. “It fuels us to do our jobs day in and day out.” Throughout the interview process, Schroeder has been able to get a sense of the community and the peo-
Schroeder continued on pg. 5