County auctioning several hundred properties
Stearns County will be selling approximately 400 prime pieces of property at its tax-forfeited property auction at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13 at the Stearns County Service Center, 3301 C.R. 138 in Waite Park. Doors will open at 6 p.m. to allow interested buyers an opportunity to look at property maps, obtain information and get their questions answered. Starting bid prices are half of the assessed value. There are properties for sale in areas across Stearns County.
“This auction has something for everyone,” said Randy Schreifels, Stearns County auditor-treasurer. “Anyone interested in buying property, whether to build their own new dream home or to buy a group of lots to develop and sell, this auction has it all. With the number and variety of parcels for sale, individuals or developers should find what they’re looking for.”
Stearns County has an additional 200 pieces of property for sale that won’t be on the auction, but can be purchased anytime at the county’s auditor-treasurer’s office for the minimum bid. These are parcels that did not sell at previous auctions.
All the properties that are for sale, whether in inventory or by auction, are listed on the Stearns County website at www.co.stearns.mn.us. Each property has a map location, listed with minimum bid price, special assessments and many other details about the property.
Tax-forfeited lands are properties that have defaulted to Stearns County’s ownership after five years of non-payment of taxes.
Any questions about the auction can be directed to the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office at 320-656-3904.
Summer Reading Program begins June 10 at GRRL
Great River Regional Library will begin its annual Summer Reading Program for children and teens on Monday, June 10, continuing through Saturday, Aug. 10 at all 32 GRRL locations in Central Minnesota. Two programs are offered: “Dig Into Reading” for children from birth through sixth grade, and “Beneath The Surface” for children entering grades six through 12. Children entering sixth grade may choose to register for either program. “Dig Into Reading” includes a baby/toddler program for children up to 3 years old to enjoy with their parents/caregivers. Watch for fun SRP additions on the library website.
Participants will receive reading records that provide a measure of how much reading has been done. When completed, these become coupons which can be turned in for prize drawings. Check out the events calendar on www.griver.org to find out about special programs at your local library. Visiting children who do not live in the area are also welcome.
Waite Park library offers June programs
An adult writers group will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, starting June 10 at the Al Ringsmuth Public Library, 253 5th Ave. N., Waite Park. Share your writing with other writers. Each meeting will feature a prompt for writing and an inspirational theme selected for the following month. Call the library to learn about the month’s theme.
Children’s program include the following:
Dig Into Reading with Magician Jared Sherlock from 1-1:45 p.m. Tuesday, June 11 for children 3-12 and their families. Sherlock blends magic, juggling and audience participation for a high-energy, interactive, comedic event. The attendance limit is 50 and advanced registration is required.
Composing with Worms from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 13 during Family Fun Fest Kids Day. St. Cloud State University professor Bill Cook will explain how worms can turn food scraps and yard waste into garden compost. Expect to get dirty.
Four children ages 5-10 may spend up to 15 minutes reading to Basil the Therapy Dog from 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 15. Call or stop by the library to register.
For more information, call the library at 320-253-9359.
Library hours are from noon-8 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, 2-6 p.m. Wednesday and Friday and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday.
Experience granite heritage
June 15 at Quarry Park
Come see the 100-year-old wooden Liberty Derrick at work at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve on Saturday, June 15 as part of Waite Park’s Spas Tag Festival. For more information, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.
website version
Experience granite heritage June 15 at Quarry Park
Come see the 100-year-old wooden Liberty Derrick at work at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve on Saturday, June 15 as part of Waite Park’s Spas Tag Festival.
Derricks were used by granite companies from between 1900 to 1950 for lifting granite. Stearns County Parks will operate the Liberty Derrick to demonstrate the process. A four-ton block of granite will be hoisted from the quarry floor at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Visitors also will be able to see interpretive displays, view the operation shack and talk to staff about quarrying.
The Stearns County Parks Department acquired the Liberty Derrick in 1996. The derrick is operated once a year; however, visitors can view the derrick exhibit anytime Quarry Park is open. A video on the “History of the Liberty Derrick, Lifting the Past into the Future” can be seen at co.stearns.mn.us.
United Way volunteer opportunities for week of June 2-9
Help with summer school
St Cloud Area School District 742 is looking for volunteers to assist students with building math and reading skills for our Targeted Services summer program at Discovery, Talahi and Westwood elementary schools. Dates vary, but typically volunteers are needed 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. We ask volunteers complete an application, criminal background check and training in their assignment. Contact Sonia Dickrell, volunteer coordinator, 320-529-6500.
Spring cleaning?
No child should sleep on the floor. You can help by donating gently used items to help out a low-income family in need. Items accepted include couches, love seats, lamps, recliners, rockers, kitchen tables and chairs, end tables, night stands, dressers and complete bed sets (no king). Furniture with rips, stains, rust, tears or mold cannot be accepted. Tax receipts and pick up is available. Contact the Community Furniture Program at 320-656-9004.
Volunteer at Quiet Oaks Hospice House
Quiet Oaks Hospice House is seeking help with cooking and baking. Volunteers will interact with family members and provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This is an important element of this volunteer opportunity. Volunteers are required to have a background check and two mantoux (TB) tests (arranged at no cost to the volunteer). Further requirements include reading our volunteer training manual and completing two shadow shifts. Contact Eileen Bitzan, Quiet Oaks volunteer coordinator, at 320-255-5433.
Food for kids
Catholic Charities Emergency Services is in need of food for their food shelf this summer. They are specifically seeking food items that are kid friendly to help parents and their children during the summer months. Suggested food items: canned food with a popped top and no cooking required, peanut butter, tuna, soup, canned fruit and vegetables, cereal, oatmeal and more. Donations are accepted at Catholic Charities Emergency Services, 157 Roosevelt Road Suite 100, St. Cloud. Contact Catholic Charities Emergency Services at 320-229-4560.
RSVP…your invitation to serve
RSVP is a volunteer program for men and women 55 and up offering a variety of one-time and on-going volunteer opportunities within 220 local human service organizations. With RSVP, volunteers choose how and where they want to serve. They choose the amount of time they want to give. And they choose whether they want to draw on current skills or develop new ones. Volunteers can utilize optional mileage reimbursement through RSVP. Contact RSVP at 320-255-7295 or visit www.ci.stcloud.mn.us/RSVP.
