by Dennis Dalman
editor@thenewsleaders.com
The City of St. Stephen hosted a National Night Out on Aug. 2 in Lower Smoley Park as a way for city officials and residents to get to know one another and to raise awareness about crime.
Special guests included firefighters, a huge firefighting rescue truck, and a Stearns County Sheriff’s Department squad car and its driver, Deputy Joel Schmidt. Eager children had a chance to climb aboard the fire rig and to sit in the back seat of the squad car.
Parents chatted with one another and with the invited guests as children scampered on the grassy park lawn and played games. There was also face-painting for the kids, as well as coloring books and other gifts.
St. Stephen was one of many cities and neighborhoods that celebrated National Night Out, a nationwide annual event to promote safety and social connectedness among people.
Parents and children enjoy meeting and chatting with Stearns County Deputy Joel Schmidt, who was a welcomed guest Aug. 2 at the the St. Stephen National Nigh Out.
Stearns County Sheriff’s Deputy Joel Schmidt demonstrates how he puts handcuffs on a “suspect” with Braden Kuklok of St. Wendel playing the “suspect.” Braden’s friend, Brady Bristlin of Rice (background) looks on.
Children had a chance to sit in the back of a Stearns County Sheriff’s Department squad car Aug. 2 at the St. Stephen National Night. In front are Brady Britlin of Rice (left) and Braden Kuklok of St. Wendel.
Danita Traut, a St. Stephen City Council member, hands out snack treats and bottles of water Aug. 2 at the St. Stephen National Night Out. The weather was very hot that night, but participants enjoyed a laid-back, conversational time.
The St. Stephen Fire Department’s Rescue Unit was a prominent feature of the St. Stephen National Night Out Aug. 2 in Lower Smoley Park.
Ava Hagerty, 7, of St. Stephen has her face painted Aug. 2 at the St. Stephen National Night Out.
Autumn Borgert, 11, of Sauk Rapids, sports a face-painting Aug. 2 at the St. Stephen National Night Out in the city’s Lower Smoley Park. Autumn’s father, Tim, is a firefighter who attended the event.
