Bob Fulton, author of Pickle Bumps for Baby Dill, read his book out loud to Kennedy Elementary students during a visit by the RSVP Readers’ Theater April 29. The story, about a pickle born without bumps, contains themes of diversity and acceptance.
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Allen Gill (center) and his daughters Aubrey (left) and Alisha have been awarded Family of the Year 2016 by the Father Werner Council 7057 of the Knights of Columbus. Gill has been a member of the Father Werner Council for more than two years. The Gill family earned this recognition by helping with the parish’s religious education program, working council breakfasts and burger and brat sales, passing out roses after Mass to support the pro-life cause, serving Mass and recruiting new potential Knights.
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The Family of the Year exemplifies service to the church and community and is respected by many. Allen Gill and his two daughters Alisha and Aubrey exemplify the value of responsible Christian living. They generously serve each other and others with love that extends out to their church and the greater community. Allen has been a member of the Father Werner Council for 2.5 years.
Allen and his children have worked tirelessly in the church and community, helping out whenever and wherever they were needed. They all contribute to the 4th of July by working in stands with smiles and dedication. They rode in the parade last summer in the Knights of Columbus float. Allen has helped with the parish’s religious education program for seven years as the fifth-grade catechist teacher. The family often works at the council breakfasts with smiles and energy and at the council’s hamburger and brat sales. They pass out roses for life after Masses to support the pro-life cause. Allen is dedicated to recruiting new members for the council and routinely talks to potential Knights after Masses. Alisha and Aubrey are Mass servers. They demonstrate in many ways how the Catholic church, through its people, serves others in need. The council applauds their strong and unwavering support of Catholic values.
In the community, the Gill family is well known for their openness to giving assistance however they are able. The honor of Family of the Year is especially bestowed on them because of the manner in which they support the church, the Knights of Columbus and the community, showing others the value of generous stewardship of time, talent and treasure.
“The Knights of Columbus has really taught me a lot about Catholic morals and family values that I (Allen) have raised my two daughters with,” said Allen, when interviewed for this honor. “The Knights of Columbus is an outstanding way to serve the community and church in the footsteps of the Knights of Columbus. Raising my two daughters in the Catholic church is my greatest achievement.”
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Dan Thielman, pictured here with his wife Darlene, has been selected as the 2016 Knight of the Year by the Father Werner Council 7057 of the Knights of Columbus. He has been a member of the Knights for 20 years. Thielman earned this award by his activity within the church and community: helping out at the KC monthly breakfast, setting up and taking down Fourth of July stands, participating in the choir, delivering Meals on Wheels and joining the Fun Singers at the Whitney Center.
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The 2016 Knight of the Year, Dan Thielman, is a long-time faithful member of the Father Werner Council and daily lives out the Knights of Columbus tenets of unity, charity, fraternity and patriotism. He has several noble titles: son, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He serves the community, the church and his family with energy and dedication and gives generously of his time and talents. The council is proud of Thielman, his family is proud of him and the Knights of Columbus are blessed to have had him as a member for 20 years.
Thielman is most active with his family, with the church and in the greater community. He works at the KC Monthly breakfast demonstrating his cooking talent, always with a smile and his delightful sense of humor, which he shares with all he encounters.
In the church, Thielman has been a member of the Sunday choir and the Resurrection Choir since joining the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Thielman helped with the setup and takedown of the 4th of July stands for several years and was a stand chairman many years before the stand was eliminated a few years ago.
Thielman is a member of the American Legion and was the chairman and worker at the chicken frys for many years. Thielman delivers Meals on Wheels and has for several years gifted others with an extra dose of friendship and service. His singing ability also extends to the Fun Singers at the Whitney Senior Center, where Thielman and his fellow Fun Singers practice weekly and sing at many nursing homes whenever the group is invited. He has been the friendly and generous barber for many of us throughout the years.
When Thielman’s mother-in-law had serious surgery and was unable to return home, he graciously took her into his home, where he and his wife cared for her. His heart and their home have constantly been open to those in need. He and his wife have two children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
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Devan Meyer (left), of St. Joseph boy scout troop #84, visited the St. Joseph City Council meeting Monday, May 2 in order to fulfill his Citizenship in the Community merit badge. While there, he had the opportunity to meet Sixth District Representative Tom Emmer, who he is pictured with here.
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Dave Gruenes, an employee at the St. Joseph Stearns Electric Facility, received the Greater St. Cloud Development Corp’s Leadership Award on April 28. This award recognizes organizations and individuals who have been a source of inspiration, leadership and support in advancing the mission of the GSDC. Gruenes has been a central leader in the GSDC during and since its inception.
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Meghan Wick of St. Joseph was named to the spring dean’s list at the University of Mary in Bismarck.
To qualify for the honor, students must earn a minimum 3.50 grade-point average.