by Patric Lewandowski news@thenewsleaders.com The Sartell Community Education Dance held its annual fall recital Dec. 2, just as it has for the past 30 years. Only, this year, the long-standing community tradition had some changes: the show was in December instead of November and long-time lead dance instructor Shelly Teff handed over the reigns to her protégé Hannah Ronyak. While
ASA students fill boxes for homeless
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com All Saints Academy-St. Joseph students are busy with the school’s annual Advent Box service project. Each year, the students give of their time, talent and treasures to help make Christmas time more fun for other children in the area. All Saints Academy students will fill shoeboxes with donated items and give them to Place of Hope
Winners announced for peace-poster contest
Lions International Peace Poster Contest is a contest that encourages children ages 11-13 to express what peace means to them. The contest allows students to share their images of peace with others so all have greater tolerance and international understanding.
Neighbors come, go; warm tradition remains
by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com Through the years, neighbors come and neighbors go, but in the Royce and Bonnie Nies neighborhood in Sartell, a tradition that bonds neighbors old and new remains unchanging. It’s the Oak Hill Luminary Night, which takes place the first Sunday of every December. This year, it will take place starting at 5 p.m. Dec. 3. The
First ‘Country Lights Festival’ set Dec. 2-31
by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com The lights around Lake Francis, located on Pinecone Road by the new community center in Sartell, will be shining brightly throughout December to liven up the holiday season. The first “Country Lights Festival” will debut Saturday, Dec. 2 and continue throughout the rest of the month. Activities planned include an Angel of Hope candlelight vigil (with
Dezurik’s jig hobby-job now in 50th year
by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com It’s probably no accident Jim Dezurik of Sartell is an expert maker of fishing jigs because he has always been very good at “catching” what he needs and wants, whether it’s fish or – yes – even a wife. Growing up just north of Sartell next to the Mississippi River, Dezurik developed an almost uncanny sixth
‘Plowing Vets’ plows free for public servants
by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com Public servants and/or their families can get their driveways plowed free this winter, thanks to a volunteer program known as Plowing Vets. Such public servants in the greater St. Cloud area who include veterans, families of veterans stationed elsewhere, police officers, firefighters and first-responders. It’s the second year of the free service, which was founded by
Help needed for homes for sexploited women
by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com Sex trafficking is one of those vile, disgusting crimes most people would prefer to think is not happening here – not in central Minnesota. But, in fact, central Minnesota is, after the Twin Cities, second in the state for the prevalence of sex trafficking, and it’s a virtual training ground for the vicious sexual exploitation of