photo by Carolyn Bertsch
Jayden Grittner, 6, throws a bean bag with gusto Aug. 6 as his grandfather, Arnie Hiemenz, cheers him on during the National Night Out event in St. Stephen. This year the St. Stephen Lions Club helped sponsor the event, which took place at a new location, Upper Smoley Field.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch
Gavin Mark Schaefer, 9, explores a St. Stephen Fire & Rescue vehicle Aug. 6 at the St. Stephen National Night Out event. The vehicle was one of several available brought by attending local police and fire department personnel for children and adults to check out.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch
Neighbors gather to share laughs Aug. 6 at the Lavender Avenue National Night Out. A total of 27 Sartell neighborhoods participated in National Night Out this year.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch
Kate Bohn-Gettler and her son Owen, 2, head from the playground to the party on Lavender Avenue Aug. 6 during National Night Out.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch
Lucia Ramirez and daughter Madeline, 11, grab a table and share a smile Aug. 6 as they wait for others to join them for a dinner of sub sandwiches, chips, and lemonade at the St. Joseph Mobile Home Community National Night Out.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch
The Lewis-Summers brothers enjoy a game of tag Aug 6 during National Night Out at the St. Joseph Mobile Home Community. They are (left to right) Dakota, 2; Michael, 9; and Bryton, 7.
Author: Carolyn Bertsch
Bertsch has worked for the Newsleaders since 2015. She and her husband, Matt, and their three children live in Sartell where they also own and operate Four Seasons Window, Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning. Bertsch also stewards the “Reads and Seeds and Other Needs” Little Free Library in Sartell. The “Other Needs” portion of the library functions as a collection site for donations to the Salvation Army where Bertsch serves as a board member. Her other hobbies include volunteering at the food shelf, cooking, baking, and growing a vast array of fruit in her backyard orchard. Bertsch believes that every single person can choose to make the world a better place for someone else and at the end of the day the only question that matters is, “What kind of difference did you make?”