by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com What started out as a mere suggestion quickly turned into a reality, and that reality, dubbed Quarantine Storytime, is now a viral hit with housebound children and parents on Facebook. Every weekday starting at noon, Mary Bruno, owner of Bruno Press, reads a storybook online from her printing shop in St. Joseph. She not only reads
Students worried graduation could be canceled
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Lauren Sip and Alyssa Gehrke of Sartell are just two of hundreds of high-school seniors who are disappointed that a graduation ceremony might be canceled due to the virus crisis. However, school officials are still not able to determine with certainty if – or what kind of – ceremony could take place. If the ceremony is
Volunteers sew safety masks for hospital use
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com During the virus crises, there are so many needs to be met here, there and everywhere, but fortunately there are many people stepping forward to fill those needs. One of them is Lori Dornberg, the long-time teacher of family-and-consumer science at Sartell Middle School. For years, Dornberg also taught a sewing class, and her sewing skills
Virus precautions affect shelter animals too
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com The ongoing virus crisis affects just about every human being on the planet, but it is also affecting animals and the people who care so much about them. Locally, at the Tri-County Humane Society, the good news is that – despite any gloom and doom – a “fair number” of people are still adopting animals, according
Transform isolation into fun family bonding
Social isolation does not have to be a miserable dilemma akin to solitary confinement in a jail. In fact, it can be a rewarding, connective experience – a time for families to slow down and strengthen bonds. A long time ago, we kids loved those happy days when we were shut inside the house during blizzards and rainstorms. We’d get
Residents urge fixes for dangerous Grizzly Lane
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Grizzly Lane used to be a pleasant road winding through the Celebration neighborhood in southwest Sartell, but in recent years it has morphed into a virtual speedway, making that route a potential death zone. At the March 9 City Council meeting, two Celebration residents spoke about their deep concerns during the Open Forum portion of the
Borgerding urges, ‘Become friend of Wobegon Trails’
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com Little did Cliff Borgerding realize in the 1970s that a railroad bed one-half mile from his home in Avon would someday become a bicycle trail he would come to know and love. At that time, Borgerding worked for the Fingerhut company in St. Cloud, with lots of employees that commuted from cities to the west: Sauk
Virus utterly changes world – at least for a while
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com By mid-March, the world had utterly changed – at least for the time being – with the closings of schools, churches, nursing homes, hospitals, community events and some work places, as well as unprecedented changes in how and where people meet. There are candidates debating without audiences, sports teams playing without spectators, students at home instead