Joyce Gelle, Sartell During this season of Thanksgiving and now Christmas, my thoughts turn to those persons in our community who are our unsung heroes – namely, Police Chief Jim Hughes and the staff of the Sartell Police Department and Fire Chief Ken Heim and the staff of the Sartell Fire Department. During the Verso paper-mill fire that demanded their
Harp music set Dec. 19
Harpist Amy Filipczak will play the Celtic harp from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19 in the Waite Park Public Library. Library patrons may browse the library collection and check out books and other materials as they enjoy her performance. This entry in the Music Sessions at the Library Series is funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural
Hooray! Winter makes a comeback
When I woke up last Sunday, the room was filled with angelic white light – that kind of light that can mean only one thing: new-fallen snow. I got up and looked out the windows. Snow! Still softly falling, it had blanketed everything. There were drifts in the yard and wind-molded snow sculptures on the Christmas displays. The branches of
Santa, Mrs. Claus to visit St. Stephen
Santa and Mrs. Claus will pay another visit to St. Stephen when the city hosts its third annual “Winter Extravaganza” from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at St. Stephen City Hall. The event is free, and everyone is welcome to attend. There will be reindeer sleigh rides, courtesy of the Hemker Zoo in Freeport. There will also be crafts
Decker’s murder should remind us to be grateful for law enforcement
The tragic, disturbing murder of Cold Spring-Richmond police officer Tom Decker is yet another reminder of how dangerous are the jobs of law-enforcement personnel. In Minnesota, 124 officers have been killed by gunfire since 1881, according to the “Officer Down Memorial” webpage. The cold-blooded killing of Decker was, for those who remember, a traumatic flashback to the murder of officer
Wacosa recycles holiday lights
Don’t throw those old holiday light sets in the garbage. Recycle them instead. WACOSA, in collaboration with the Recycling Association of Minnesota, is collecting unwanted light strings, electrical, telephone and appliance cords this holiday season. WACOSA workers will remove the bulbs from the holiday light strings and then all bulbs and donated cords will be recycled. Several area businesses have
Holiday Market Place to raise funds for malaria nets
The fourth annual Firefleyes Holiday Market Place will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 in the Boy Scout Building, 1191 Scout Drive, Sartell. There will be 40+ vendors, a silent auction and door prizes. Free admission. A child dies of malaria every 30 seconds. This year’s proceeds will provide malaria nets to save lives. For
CROSS Center seeks donations
The CROSS Center of Benton County is in need of the following donations: new toys, diapers, food-shelf donations and sponsors for family holiday gifts. Contact Carole, CROSS Center of Benton County, at (320) 968-7012.