While 2020 headlines tell of all we lost due to COVID-19, these snapshots tell all that we gained. Celebration and connection. Compassion. Resilience. Hope. We truly are in this together.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Sartell’s Raging Bulls Team gives “thumbs up” to compete against Ramsey’s Team Furious George Jan. 4 at the Vex EDR Tournament which took place at the Sartell Middle School. Thirty teams from seven middle schools competed in the all-day event and three Sartell teams, including Raging Bulls, qualified for the state tournament. Pictured are (left to right) Justin Hunt, 12; Grant Privratsky, 12; Domanick Gehrking, 14; Dylan Weakly, 14; and Danny Rosenthal, 13.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Shannon Mohs, of Sartell, sets up a giant checker board Jan. 24 with his son, Julian, 8, at Math Night at Pine Meadow Elementary School.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Friends, Reagan Kimble (left) and Grace Magnuson, both age 8, of Sartell, react as a Mathnasium volunteer helps them play “Number Detective,” Jan. 24 during Math Night at Pine Meadow Elementary School.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Emily Schneider of Sartell and daughter Kendra, 6, appear to be dancing as they fill a giant Connect Four board with game pieces Jan. 24 at the Pine Meadow Elementary Math Night.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Girl Scout members work together to make blankets Feb. 6 at the Sartell Community Center. They are (left to right) Mallory Thueringer, 11, of Rice; Jenna Navratil, 11, of Sartell; Janel Bitzan, of Sartell; Ruby Carlson, 11, of Rice and Kelsey Kinville, 14, of Sartell. Bitzan is one of the troop leaders.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Mallory Thueringer, 11, of Rice, cuts around the edges of a colorful piece of fleece Feb. 6 at the Sartell Community Center.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Ruby Carlson, 11, of Rice, (left) ties fabric edges together after Jenna Navratil, 11, of Sartell, cuts them Feb. 6 at the Sartell Community Center.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Nora Nelson, 7, of Sartell looks at the book “Thelma the Unicorn,” at the book fair Feb 25 during Oak Ridge Elementary School Family Fit night. “I love books!” said Nelson.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch When the gym equipment needs to be cleared for family dodgeball Feb 25 at the Oak Ridge Elementary School Family Fit night, Max Buccholz, 9, of Sartell is quick to volunteer.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch A family attempts a suggested exercise at the Oak Ridge Elementary School Family Fit event Feb 25. They are (left to right) Ephraim Mabrey, 9; Shannon Laporta and Uriah Laporta, 6, all of Sartell.
photo by Dennis Dalman Every Wednesday, groups of women enjoy games of mahjong at the Sartell Community Center. At the table in the foreground are (left to right) Jane Matthews, Jane Hoffman, Linda Ganshert (all of Sartell) and Bev Dobbelaire of St. Cloud.
photo by Mike Knaak The Food Truck Challenge includes students creating model for their businesses.
photo by Mike Knaak Teacher Joey Vanek provides tips for mixing ingredients to (from left) Amber Teer, Annika Organsen and Sophie Line.
photo by Mike Knaak Annika Orjansen tries her hand at flipping the finished crepe cheered on by classmates.
photo by Mike Knaak Austin Legatt carefully turns over his crepe.
photo by Mike Knaak Tenley Goenner, 6, of Sartell checks her look in a mirror after her face was painted by Liz Brylski at the Sartell Community Showcase on March 7.
photo by Mike Knaak
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Sartell middle school lunch staff deliver smiles, breakfast and lunch to families waiting in their vehicles March 18. They are (left to right) Carol Williamson, Kim Mitchell, and Shelby Rachel, all of Sartell. About 120 bagged meals were served on March 17, with an increase expected.
contributed photo Food service staff pass out meals at the Middle School for Sartell-St. Stephen students Tuesday, March 17. Meals will be available from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. through Friday, March, 20. Food Service is providing cold bagged breakfast and lunch meals to any students needing this service during school closure.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Molly Chappell, 12, of Sartell, rides a scooter alone up and down a deserted portion of Fifth St. N. March 17. The street, which is usually a busy artery of kids streaming to and from school, is now quiet due to the school being closed and social distancing rules in effect.
contributed photo Paige Rademacher of Sartell, with help from her dad Eric and her brother Ethan built these appropriately spaced snowmen on Sunday, March 29, after the snowfall Saturday night.
contributed photo This row of safety masks was made by Lori Dornberg from left-over quilting materials. Dornberg expert in sewing, a subject she taught for years at Sartell Middle School. She donates the masks to the St. Cloud Hospital, along with many other local mask-makers.
contributed photo Lori Dornberg sews the edges of face-mask panels on her at-home sewing machine. Like so many others, Dornberg is self-isolating but is able to teach her Sartell Middle School students via online courses.
contributed photo During a recent FaceTime call, Verna Watts kissed the iPad because she misses her husband Wendall Watts so much. The husband and wife live on different Country Manor campuses.
contributed photo Verna Watts, a resident at the Country Manor Health Care and Rehab Center in Sartell, communicates with her husband, Wendall Watts, a tenant at Woodcrest in St. Joseph, using an iPad.
contributed photo Staff at Country Manor printed a photo of Wendall Watts, a tenant of Woodcrest of Country Manor in St. Joseph, for his wife, Verna Watts, to hang in her room at the Country Manor Health Care and Rehab Center in Sartell.
photo by Mike Knaak Frank Slivik waves to well-wishers on his 80th birthday and a parade weaves through his farm yard.
photo by Mike Knaak A line of more than 30 cars approaches through a corn field.
photo by Mike Knaak A St. Stephen fire truck and classic cars pass in front of Frank Slivnik’s St. Stephen farm.
photo by Mike Knaak Families pick up instructional packets for PreK through fourth graders Thursday, April 23, at Pine Meadow Elementary School. Schools across Minnesota will continue distance learning through the end of the school year.
photo by Mike Knaak Food service staff pass out prepared breakfasts and lunches to families in waiting cars at Sartell Middle School. The food service will continue through June 30 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The school district has distributed as many as 2,000 meals a day.
contributed photo The extended family of Eugene and Marilyn Borgert gathered outside County Manor in Sartell on May 25 to greet Eugene, who is being treated for back issues. Marilyn died on May 22 and his family was not able to be with him because of Covid-19 restrictions. The staff moved his bed closer to the window so he could see his family and they talked on speaker phone.
photo by Mike Knaak Fireworks light up the sky at the end of Sartell High School’s graduation ceremony May 30.
photo by Mike Knaak Principal Brenda Steve speaks to the senior. Steve is retiring at the end of this school year.
photo by Mike Knaak Carter Potthoff was one of the senior class speakers.
photo by Mike Knaak To maintain social distancing, seniors stay in or on their vehicles during the ceremony.
photo by Mike Knaak To maintain social distancing, seniors and their families staying inside, or in some cases, on their vehicles.
photo by Mike Knaak Looking for photos of friends before the ceremony.
photo by Mike Knaak More than three dozen people kneel along Pinecone Road Thursday, June 4, for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time George Floyd was pinned on the ground by Minneapolis police.
contributed photo (From left) Terri Boysen, Lou Jagielski and Joan Thralow with cookies for the soldiers.
photo by Dennis Dalman At long last, the Teders family of Sartell were able to dine at a restaurant – well, right outside of a restaurant – after weeks of social isolation. Anejos Fine Mexican Cuisine restaurant in Sartell opened for outdoor service June 1 after weeks of take-out orders only. Trent and Meghann Teders and their sons Keelan (left) and Kyler enjoyed a long, leisurely lunch on a warm and windy Sunday, June 7. Said Meghann: “It’s fabulous to be here. It’s much needed after being home so much.”
photo by Dennis Dalman On a warm and windy June 7, a group of friends gathered for a drink or two at Winner’s Sports Bar and Grill in Sartell. Like other restaurants/bars in the area, Winner’s opened for outdoor service June 1. From left to right are Pat Gorman, Sauk Rapids; Taylor Zimmerman, Sartell; David Kroger, Sartell; Hayley Kosloske, Sartell; and Leah Stock, St. Cloud.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Julianne Fauske and her son Greyson, 4, both of Sartell, purchase honey, fresh onions, and seasoned pretzels June 22 at the Sartell Farmers Market.
contributed photo Anna Mae Lease visits recently with family outside of Woodcrest of Country Manor after new visitation policies began June 22. Pictured are (left to right) Tom Lease, Debbie Lease, David Curtis and Susan Curtis and Anna Mae Lease (back).
contributed photo Ansie Sperl visits with Audrey Mueller outside the Country Manor Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Sartell after new visitation policies began June 22.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Cousins take a stroll along 9th Avenue North in Sartell July 17. They are (left to right) Zoey Mugg, 10; Adeline Loehrer, 10; Dexter Loehrer, 9, and (in the stroller) Charlie Hagberg, 1, all of Sartell.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Paul Lieser, 2, of Sartell, enjoys candy under the pavilion July 17 at the Celebration neighborhood wading pool in Sartell.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Johnny Schneider, 3, of Sartell, cools off July 17 at the Celebration neighborhood wading pool in Sartell.
photo by Mike Knaak Gov. Tim Walz receives a social distant greeting from Lori Vrolson, executive director of the Central Minnesota Council on Aging during a visit to Sartell on Aug. 4.
photo by Mike Knaak Police and fire operations share Sartell’s new Public Safety Facility.
photo by Mike Knaak Locker store each firefighter’s gear.
photo by Mike Knaak There is plenty of space for all the fire department’s vehicles.
photo by Mike Knaak Principal Zach Dingmann (right) and Assistant Principal Brittney Shoephoerster (far left) greet students and parents as they arrive for open house Sept. 1 at Riverview Intermediate School. In-person classes for the school’s 900 grade three through grade five students begin Tuesday, Sept. 8. Students arriving by bus will enter the east doors and students dropped off by car will enter the west doors. The Riverview mural was painted by art teacher Erin Huot.
contributed photo A whimsical apple tree towers about joyous young swimmers about to jump from a dock.
contributed photo A chalk mural celebrating life in Minnesota was made in a burst of spontaneous creativity by a group of artists/friends/children on part of the parking lot at Bernick’s Arena in Sartell.
contributed photo Summer, swimming, smiles and love. What more could one ask for on a beautiful Sartell day?
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Trump supporters (left to right) Lori Bell, of Sartell, Terri Kangas, of Wadena and Emily Larson, of Sartell, sit on a swing and chat Sept. 5 while waiting for the Trump Patriotic Boat Parade to begin.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch A boat participating in the Trump Patriotic Boat Parade Sept 5 features an eagle mascot waving the American flag and a Trump campaign flag as shoreline bystanders clap and cheer.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch The first of more than 100 boats makes their way down the Mississippi River in Sartell Sept. 5 while bystanders cheer along the road during the Trump Patriotic Boat Parade.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Sartell varsity football players practice with a coach Sept. 29 on the SHS field.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Sartell varsity football players practice Tackle Wheel drills Sept. 29 on the SHS field.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Sartell varsity football players practice proper tackling technique using a football sled Sept. 29 on the SHS field.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Vanessa Tasto, 5, of Sartell, sports an inside-out outfit for Spirit Week Sept. 29 as she cartwheels around the playground at Oak Ridge Early Learning Center.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Friends wave scarves on the playground at Oak Ridge Early Learning Center Sept. 29. They are Aaliyah Ramirez (left) and Evelyn Fronden, both age 5 and of Sartell. Fronden is wearing her sweatshirt inside-out for Spirit Week.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Brookston Konnight, 6, of Sartell, eyes up his soccer goal Sept. 29 while scoring big on his Spirit Week inside-out clothing goal at the Oak Ridge Early Learning Center Playground.
photo by Mike Knaak Sartell Sabre Dance Team members show off their steps for an audience of family and friends at the Community Center Oct. 6. The team usually performs at home football games but because of Covid-19 restrictions, those performances were canceled.
contributed photo Daughters of some of the Sartell-Sauk Rapids MOMS Club have fun with balloons at a residential park in Sartell. From left to right are Riley Stegman, Lauren Spoden, Hazel Maloney, Benelli Ensign and Emma Meling.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Scott and Bridget Hamak of Sartell cruise down a hill and around a bend of the Chapel Trail at St. John’s University Oct. 10.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch The Bidinger family of Sartell hikes the Chapel Trail at St. John’s University in Collegeville Oct. 10. They are (left to right) Tiffany; Landyn, 6; Gavin, 10; Rory and Keegan, 14.
photo by Mike Knaak Jeffers Foundation facilitator David Grack gathers Riverview Intermediate School teachers before sending them on a hunt to find objects matching the colors on paint sample cards.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Levi Headley, 2, of Sartell, with his mother, Blaire, holds his bucket up to a chute to receive candy from the Sartell fire and police department at the Sartell Community Center Monster Dash Event Oct. 24.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Gru and his Minions collect candy at the Sartell Community Center Oct. 24. They are (left to right) Carsyn Kowalski, 10; Ryan Kowalski, 14; Tate Olson, 3; Tina Kowalski and Taylor OIson, of Sartell.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Ryan Brinker, 8, and his sister Emma, 10, of Sartell, trick-or-treat Oct. 24 at booths set up along Lake Francis and on the sidewalks of the Sartell Community Center. The Sartell Chamber’s event, called “Monster Dash,” was attended by roughly 500 area children and their families.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch The Moon family of Sartell chooses a pumpkin at the annual VoigtJohnson pumpkin give-away and food drive Oct. 24. They are (left to right) Mandi, Xander, 7; Josh and Lainey, 4.
contributed photo In her sewing room, Rosie Nodo creates one of the more than 2,000 anti-virus masks she has sewn and given to people who need them.
contributed photo Rosie Nodo shows one of her home-made masks from inside a plastic bag hanging on a shepherd’s hook by her driveway at 609 – 2-1/2 St. S. in Sartell.
contributed photo Jill Steinkopf meticulousy applies paint, stroke by stroke, on “stained-glass butterly” mural art work.
contributed photo A riot of radiant, pop-out, high-gloss colors stand out brightly from a very old drab brick wall in downtown St. Cloud.
The Braegelmann boys camp out around the house as each tackles distance learning in Sartell. They are (left to right) Tyler, 17; Riley, 15; Calvin, 13 and Kolby, 11.
contributed photo
Sartell Citizen of the Year Jessica Lundsetter completes Care Kits at the CLC Free Community Store.
photo by Mike Knaak Shannan Houghton and he daughter Lilly wrote “Grounded,” a collection of memories and photos about Sartell in the time of Covid-19.
photo by Mike Knaak A ribbon of lights greets visitors who walk the trail around Lake Francis in Sartell. The 33-acre Country Lights display runs through Dec. 31. Because of Covid-19 restrictions some of the traditional events, such as a warming house and a Santa visit, aren’t happening this year and visitors are asked to observe social distancing and mask guidelines. A fireworks display is planned for 7 p.m. Dec. 31.
Live streams are one way residents are celebrating with family and friends in senior living communities restricted during COVID. At Country Manor (left to right), Brady Johnson, Ansie Sperl and Jennifer Jankowski.
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Kay Peterson, a resident of Edgewood Senior Living, Sartell, holds a framed photo to her window Dec. 15 when Santa asks, “How long has it been since we last saw each other, Kay?”
photo by Carolyn Bertsch Rodney Austin of Sartell’s Edgewood Senior Living, receives a surprise visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus Dec. 15. The gift of holiday cheer was arranged for by Express Employment Professionals, of St. Cloud, who sponsored trips to several local assisted living facilities.