July 10

Birth announcement

Lucy Jane Gruber

Lucy Jane Gruber, daughter of Jeni and Logan Gruber, Sartell, was born Monday, July 6 in St. Cloud Hospital. Logan is the operations manager at the Newsleaders.
She weighed 5 pounds 7 ounces and measured 17.5 inches.
Grandparents are Mona and Albert Gruber of Meire Grove and Jan and Bob Leukam of Melrose.

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Winners of the July 4th parade, sponsored by the St. Joseph Lions Club and selected by independent judges, were the following: In the Wow Extreme category, Pineview Park BMX took first place with Landwehr Construction taking second; in the Cool Youth category, 742 Guang Ming Academy won first place with Little Saints Academy placing second; in the 4th of July Theme category, Store Bergan Skolekorp, Norway Band was awarded first with the Foley Ambassadors placing second; in the Best Dressed Business category, Sauk Rapids Ambassadors won first place with Andy’s Towing placing second; Classy Vehicles category, Rock on Trucks won first place with St. Cloud Antique Auto Club taking second; and in the Animals category, Shady Oaks Ranch won first place with Notsch’s Belgians placing second. The Lions wish to thank all participants and sponsors.

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Dave Cofell, St. Joseph, was recently awarded $3,000 for the professional recording of a CD titled A Thousand Shades of Blue comprised of original music from the Central Minnesota Arts Board Artist Career Development program, which provides funds of up to $3,000 in support of projects, training opportunities and purchases that assist artists in making the next step in their artistic careers. Funding for this program is provided through the McKnight Foundation.

Three criteria are used to evaluate applications: artistic quality and merit, professional need and ability. An applicant must receive an average score of 3.0 or higher to be considered for funding.

The CMAB supports collaborative and innovative arts opportunities through partnerships and financial investments in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright counties as one of 11 Regional Arts Councils designated by the Minnesota State Arts Board. The CMAB works with community partners to increase access to the unique cultural assets of Minnesota.

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The Central Minnesota Arts Board awarded $9,735 in Small Capital Arts Grants to four area nonprofit arts organizations.

The CMAB Small Capital Arts Grant to Nonprofits program provides funds of up to $3,500 with a 15-percent match requirement to purchase equipment and related non-consumable supplies and services to make capital improvements. Such activities must advance the mission of the organization and have the potential for significant or long-term impact.

Organizations receiving grants included the following: Minnesota Center Chorale, $1,891, portable sound system to improve the quality of performances at outdoor concerts and other venues; Minnesota Dance Ensemble, $1,503, two laptop computers to create, organize and advance programming and communications, replicate CDs and DVDs for rehearsals, and for use at meetings and other events; Paramount Theatre and Visual Arts Center, $3,500, to replace 13 theater seats; and SOAR Regional Arts, $2,841, Ipads for ticket scanning and survey processes, a Bose L1 Compact Portable sound system to use at rehearsals, a wireless microphone for performances, a laptop and printer for efficient administration and communication.

Funding for the CMAB Capital Arts Grant is provided through the Arts and Cultural Legacy Amendment as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008. Capital Arts Grant funds must be used for arts and arts access, arts education, and arts and cultural heritage as required by law.

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Zachary Whitley of St. Joseph, a University of Minnesota Duluth student, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from a midwest consulting firm MSA Professional Services. This company employs hundreds of people to partner with clients on all types of building projects.

Whitley’s MSA scholarship is one of only six given to students in the Upper Midwest. The award was based on many factors including academic performance, an essay, leadership and volunteer experience. Whitley will be a junior at UMD this fall. He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and expects to graduate in 2017.

“I’m really excited and it’s a nice reminder that all of my hard work is paying off,” Whitley said. “I’m interested in the work MSA Professional Services does, too, as it clearly relates to civil engineering. Someday, I may be interested in a career with them.”

MSA President/CEO Gilbert Hantzsch said, “MSA is pleased to offer scholarships to exceptional engineering students who have shown academic excellence, leadership and a willingness to contribute through volunteering. We wish them continued success.”

Whitley decided to pursue engineering as a career after taking an engineering course in high school. He favors civil engineering because he is intrigued by transportation networks. Whitley compares highways to veins continuously feeding blood to cells in order for the body to function and he looks forward to a career that would benefit society.

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Katrina Johnson, St. Joseph, was recently named to the spring dean’s list at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn. Students must earn a minimum 3.5 grade-point average to qualify for this honor.

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