If I were on death row, and the warden, keys jangling, walked up to my cell to ask me, “Dalman, what do you want for your last meal?,” I wouldn’t pause for a second. “Pizza,” I’d say. “A really good pizza.” I’ll never forget tasting my first pizza in the mid-1950s. A place called Sammy’s opened in St. Cloud, and my
2014 will be a very interesting year
Did you know 98 state legislators from 32 states met in December in Mt. Vernon, Va. to discuss the possibility of the states calling for a “Constitutional Convention” for the purpose of amending the U.S. Constitution? To remind you of high-school American history, our constitution can be amended by a two-thirds vote in congress and then ratified by three-fourths of the
Jan. 3 St. Joseph
Bruno Teaching artist receives grant for Kennedy Elementary School residency Mary Bruno received $1,425 from the Central Minnesota Arts Board to conduct a “Basics of Letterpress Printing” residency to begin in January 2014 for fourth-grade students at Kennedy Elementary School in St. Joseph. Students will learn the basics of printmaking, the principles and importance of good design, the impact and
Please be generous in season of giving
‘Tis the season to be jolly. And generous. It’s disappointing to learn the local, St. Cloud-based Salvation Army is behind by about $30,000 on its red-kettle donations this season. The agency hopes to raise between $225,000 and $230,000. Last year the bellringers raised an impressive $219,000. Those funds are vital for operating many services at the Salvation Army. As Jim
What’s sadder than a kid without a toy?
Every Christmas season the twins Ken and Sandra cross my mind. They were two of the students in my third-grade class at Washington Elementary School in south St. Cloud way back in the 1950s. Christmas was always an exciting time in grade school. Our little heads were filled with happy thoughts of the toys “Santa” would be bringing us on
Christmas elves pay secret visit to Newsleader office
After a long Thanksgiving weekend, I walked into the Newsleader office Monday morning, greeted the staff in my usual way and exclaimed, “Who put up the Christmas tree? What a nice surprise.” Smack in the middle of the front window stood a 5-foot tall imitation Christmas tree with brand new cinnamon-colored balls and baubles hung on its many branches. The
Obituary Scott Kalla, 38, Elk River
Scott A. Kalla, 38 Elk River, Minn. Oct. 11, 1975 – Dec. 14, 2014 Scott A. Kalla, 38, of Elk River, Minn., died Saturday Dec. 14 at the University of Minnesota Hospital due to unexpected heart complications. Services will be held at Dare’s Funeral and Cremation Services in Elk River. Visitation is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec.
Ask a trooper 2013
If you have any questions concerning traffic-related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Hwy. 10 W., Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205 or follow him on Twitter @MSPPIO_NW or reach him at, jesse.grabow@state.mn.us. Is the use of blinkers a state law or only an optional courtesy? Q: I’m wondering is the