Maple syrup operation tours set at Kraemer Lake County Park
The public is invited to tour the maple syrup operation at Stearns County’s Kraemer Lake – Wildwood County Park.
Visitors are welcome on Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. during the last weekend of March and the first two weekends of April. Please call ahead for group tours at 320-248-7784. Tours are free. There are approximately 1,400 taps on a tubing and vacuum-pump system – the only system of this kind in Stearns County – as well as 200 buckets used to collect tree sap. A wood-fired evaporator is used to boil the 16,000 gallons of sap into 400 gallons of pure maple syrup.
Visitors can get tours of the sugar shack, the pump station and the different methods used to collect sap in the woods.
Kraemer Lake – Wildwood County Park is located just southwest of the City of St. Joseph off CR 51 at 29709 Kipper Road. There will be signs for parking.
Wildwood County Park contains 265 acres and was acquired by Stearns County in 2007. Existing trails are open year-round for public use with the trailhead located on CR 51. For more information about Kraemer Lake – Wildwood County Park, visit the Stearns County website at www.co.stearns.mn.us/recreation.
Tillemans to be featured
on ‘On the Road’ March 30, 31
Sartell resident Larry Tillemans will be featured in a three-minute interview about the Nuremberg War Crime Trials by TV journalist Jason Davis on KSTP Channel 5 at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30 and at 11 a.m. and noon Monday, March 31 in Davis’ “On the Road Again” segment and also on his website.
Training set April 5 for therapeutic horseback riding
Volunteer training for Project ASTRIDE will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 5 at Avon Hills Paints and Quarter Horses in Avon. This is a 100-percent volunteer organization providing therapeutic horseback activities to individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities. Contact the program at info@astride.org or visit www.astride.org.
Residents’ input needed for comprehensive plan
Input from Sartell residents will be crucial if the city is to formulate a successful 10-year Comprehensive Plan. City staff is urging residents to attend one of four public meetings and/or to give suggestions via the website.
The next scheduled meeting will take place form 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 1 at Westside Learning Center at the intersection of 2nd Street S. and Pinecone Road.
Those who cannot attend meetings are encouraged to email questions and suggestions to Sartell City Planner and Developer Anita Rasmussen at anita@sartell.com. Or visit the city’s website at: www.sartellmn.com. To read the story in its entirety, see the April 4 edition of the Sartell Newsleader.
SCSU hosts History Day
More than 260 students from schools in Central Minnesota will present their exhibits, documentaries and performances at the regional History Day event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 29 at Atwood Memorial Center at St. Cloud State University. The event includes 6th- to 12th-graders from public, private and home schools in the region. Student exhibits and performances will explore the theme “Rights and Responsibilities” as part of a statewide program co-sponsored by the Minnesota Historical Society and the University of Minnesota history department. The local History Day event is sponsored by the SCSU history department. Thousands of students statewide are researching topics of their own choosing, and going beyond facts and dates to create in-depth projects about their findings. In the process, they learn skills used by exhibit designers, filmmakers and scholars. Winners of the regional events will advance to State History Day on May 5 at the University of Minnesota. State winners are eligible to go on to the National History Day competition in June in Washington, D.C.
Hot off the press
If you’d like to receive the Newsleader hot off the press, send us your email address and we’ll notify you with a link when our website is updated, which is typically by noon a day in advance of the print edition. Send your email to news@thenewsleaders.com and you should start receiving your reminder at that address within a week. Notify us otherwise.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Read to children for Llama Llama Read-A-Rama
Llama Llama Read-A-Rama is a St. Cloud Area community initiative to encourage reading with children, starting at birth. The St. Cloud Times and United Way of Central Minnesota are working with community partners to move this important message forward. Volunteers can read to children and assist with projects in preschools, Head Start Reach Up Inc., and Boys and Girls Clubs on April 10-11. All readers are encouraged to talk about their work/daily life as part of their volunteer experience so children hear about the importance of reading in everyday activities. For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way Community volunteer coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkripper@unitedwayhelps.org.
Junior Achievement
Each year, Junior Achievement in the St. Cloud area partners with community volunteers to deliver programs to over 29 local schools in 275 classrooms. By sharing their personal and professional experiences and skills, volunteers help students make the connection between what they are learning in school and what they will need to succeed in work and life. The time commitment is minimal, scheduling is flexible, and training is provided. Depending on the age of the students, volunteers make between 5-7 visits to their classroom. Each visit lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. Volunteers select a local classroom in which they want to work and are provided a packet of materials, which contains detailed lesson plans and hands-on activities to engage the students. As a volunteer you will help local students learn the value of controlling their own financial future, while they acquire the important life skills of communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and decision making. Contact Ileana Merten or Sara Freeman at 320-345-0499 or Ileana@jaum.org or sara@jaum.org.
Project H.E.A.L.
Project H.E.A.L. (Health, Education, Access, Link) is an outreach program of CentraCare Family Health Center. Thanks to the support from St. Cloud Hospital and several community partners, CentraCare Family Health Center sponsors Project H.E.A.L., offering free health screenings and basic care at various Central Minnesota locations. This ecumenical effort has more than 50 volunteers from local congregations, including many health-care professionals working full-time jobs who are committed to our mission. Volunteers needed include receptionists, nurses, physicians and patient advocates. Contact Paul Knutson, Project H.E.A.L., at 320-240-3116.
St. Cloud Area Schools #742 ~ youth activity volunteer
St. Cloud Area Schools District 742 is currently looking for youth activity volunteers with their Parent in Action programs at Lincoln (336 5th Ave. SE) and South (1120 S 15th Ave.). Volunteers will be expected to assist children and staff with activities (such as reading, coloring and other fun) while their parents are attending the Parent in Action meetings. Visit www.isd742.org to apply. Contact Sonia Dickrell, K-12 volunteer coordinator, at 320-529-6500 x6268.
Join the Good Shepherd Team
Northern Delights Store volunteers needed. Join a great team of volunteers with flexibility and the opportunity to build some great friendships. We are currently seeking volunteers for the 9 a.m. to noon shifts Tuesdays and Thursdays. Duties include running the cash register, making coffee, light stocking and visiting with customers. Contact Jenny, Good Shepherd Community, at 320-258-8661.
Donation needs for Place of Hope
Place of Hope needs donations throughout the year to help their clients. Personal needs include deodorant, socks, gloves, laundry soap, razors, feminine products, combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and other personal-care items. Volunteers are needed to help with meal preparation. Contact Place of Hope at 320-203-7881.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way Community volunteer coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkripper@unitedwayhelps.org.
MAT scholarship apps now available
The Minnesota Association of Townships is again offering a township scholarship program for high school juniors in the state of Minnesota. Up to four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.
The Minnesota Association of Townships is a non-profit corporation representing Minnesota townships while promoting an understanding of the heritage, future and being a voice for its roughly 9,000 officers. It regularly conducts research and educational programs designed to foster efficient and economical town governmental services and acts as a liaison between township officers and other local government officials to encourage sustained cooperation.
The Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program is designed to heighten awareness among young people about Minnesota’s Grassroots Township government. The program encourages every high school in the state of Minnesota to offer this opportunity for juniors to participate in this scholarship program.
ELIGIBILITY
All students currently enrolled in the 11th grade and attending a Minnesota public, private or parochial high school or a home-study program and who plan to further their education at a college, university or vocational school are eligible for this program. They cannot be the child, stepchild, grandchild or step-grandchild, brother, stepbrother, sister or stepsister of a MAT director or staff member.
REQUIREMENTS
• Applicants must complete an application form and submit it along with a written essay discussing this year’s topic, which is “Township Pride – Fostering the Township Community.” With that in mind, your essay should answer each of the following questions: Why is it important to you to feel like a part of your community? And, what steps can townships take to develop or foster a feeling of community in today’s youth?
• Essays must be between 450 and 500 words, and must be typed with double spacing.
• Applicants should not name themselves, their school, their town or city, or their local officials in the essay.
• See the application for research tips (application can be found on our website www.mntownships.org).
Along with the completed application and written essay, students must submit:
• Current high school transcript
• Letter of recommendation from a high school teacher or counselor.
• All items must be submitted in one envelope and mailed to: Minnesota Association of Townships Scholarship Program, P.O. Box 267, St. Michael, MN 55376, postmarked by May 1, 2014. Incomplete applications or applications postmarked after May 1, 2014 will not be accepted.
SELECTION
Each essay will be judged by an independent panel based upon originality, knowledge of subject matter in relationship to the title and supporting statements, as well as correct spelling and punctuation. The judging will be completed by Oct. 1, 2014 at which time up to four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. Winners will be notified in writing in mid October 2014 and will be invited to attend the Minnesota Association of Townships’ annual meeting to be held on Nov. 20-22, 2014 in Duluth. Scholarship awards will be paid to the appropriate financial aid office upon receipt of verification of completing their first term at a college, university or technical school.