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Your workspace shouldn’t be your lazy place -By Harvey
Mackay
MONDAYS • 5
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The business owner carefully observed a new employee for the first 30 days. Not being a real ball of fire, the employee displayed a lessthan-enthusiastic work ethic. Unable to restrain herself any longer, the owner said, “You’re one of the laziest people I have ever seen. You have barely completed a week’s worth of work since I hired you. Help me understand one reason why I should keep you around?”
The employee calmly pondered the question and then responded, “One benefit is that when I take a vacation, you won’t need to find someone to fill in.”
In the workplace, dealing with what might be perceived as laziness can often be more complex than it appears. It’s important to consider the underlying factors that might contribute to an employee’s lack of engagement or productivity. Unfortunately, the road to success is marked with many tempting parking places. The first thing I look at is understanding the root causes.
Motivation Issues: Sometimes, what appears as laziness might be a lack of motivation. It’s important to understand what drives individuals and how their roles align with their interests and goals. Motivational guru Zig Ziglar said, “There is no such thing as a lazy person; he is either sick or uninspired.”
Skill Mismatch: If someone is not performing well, it could be due to a mismatch between their skills and the job requirements. Providing training or adjusting responsibilities might help.
Personal Challenges: External factors such as personal issues or health problems can affect someone’s performance. It’s crucial to approach the situation with empathy and understanding.
Before labeling someone as lazy, seek to understand the underlying causes. Empathy and clear communication can turn perceived laziness into productivity.
Tony Robbins, author, coach and motivational speaker said, “People are not lazy. They simply have impotent goals – that is, goals that do not inspire them.”
Managers can help by setting clear expectations. Ensure that job roles and expectations are clearly defined.
Regular feedback helps employees understand how they can improve and feel more engaged in their work. Take note of specific behaviors or instances where the employees
seem disengaged. This will help you provide concrete examples during your discussion. I have had great success scheduling one-on-one meetings with employees over the years.
Recognizing and rewarding effort and achievements can boost morale and motivation. Acknowledge and reward progress and improvement. A person may not be as good as you tell them they are, but they’ll try harder thereafter.
Offering opportunities for professional development, such as additional training or resources, can encourage employees to take initiative and improve their performance. Education is an investment and never an expense.
Denzel Washington, the famous Hollywood actor said, “I’d be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I’d been given. I’d be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.”
Mackay continued to pg 3
Upcoming Events
FRI., APRIL 3 & SUN., APRIL 5
• Good Friday & Easter Services at Grey Eagle United Methodist Church. April 3 at 7 p.m. April 5 starting at 8 a.m. See ad on page 5.
SATURDAY, APRIL 4
• VFW Auxiliary’s Annual Easter Egg & Bake Sale starting at 8:30 a.m. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion, Melrose.
• Annual Easter Egg Hunt at 12-Noon at the Burtrum City Lions Park. See ad on page 4.
TUESDAY, APRIL 7
• Parkinson’s Support Group Meeting at 2 p.m. at CentraCare West Campus Board Room, Long Prairie.
FRI.-SUN., APRIL 10-12
FRI.-SUN., APRIL 17-19
• The Resurrected Artists Present ‘Whose Wives Are They Anyway?’ Dinner Theatre at Shady’s Sunset Bay, St. Anna. Fri. & Sat. at 5:30 p.m. Sun. at noon.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
• Moses Dane Cemetery Association Annual Meeting at 1 p.m. at the Burtrum Community Center.
• Word Of Life Church Fish Fry from 4-7 p.m., Upsala. See ad on page 4.
SUNDAY, APRIL 12
• Melrose Boy Scout Troop 68 Pancake, Sausage & Eggs Breakfast from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Melrose American Legion.
• St. Rosa Lions Breakfast from 8:30-12 p.m. at St. Rosa Lima Church Basement, St. Rosa.
• Spaghetti Dinner from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at St. Michael’s Church basement, Spring Hill.
MONDAY, APRIL 13
• 46th Annual Grey Eagle Housing Association Meeting at 4:30 p.m. at the Village View Apartments. See ad on page 7.
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
• Grey Eagle Senior Center Meeting at 4:30 p.m. Potluck & Bingo to follow.
SUNDAY, APRIL 19
• Skywarn Spotter Training from 2-4 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church, Upsala.
THURSDAY, APRIL 20
• Annual Community Connection Event
at First Baptist Church, Long Prairie.
SUNDAY, APRIL 26
• Knights of Columbus #9307 Chicken & Ham Dinner from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Pelican Lake Ballroom, St. Anna.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6
• Folk & Old-Time Music & Potluck from 1-3 p.m. at the Village View Apartments, Grey Eagle.
FRI.-SAT., MAY 8-9
• 3rd Annual Melrose Area Festival of the Arts from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Friday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday at the American Legion, Melrose.
AL-ANON • AVON
• Meets every Monday from 5-6 p.m. at the Avon City Hall.
ALBANY SENIORS
• Meets 1st Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. at the Albany Community Center.
ALBANY TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 4th Monday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany City Hall.
• Planning Commission meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany City Hall.
BURNHAMVILLE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Burtrum City Hall.
BURTRUM CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
CHAIR YOGA EXERCISES
• Meets Tuesday & Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Community Center, Upsala.
FEET FIRST CLINIC
• Freeport: Meets 1st Wednesday of the month at the Freeport Senior Center.
• Holdingford: Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at Holdingford City Hall.
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
• Ruby’s Pantry Food Distribution 1st Saturday of the Month from 10-11 a.m. at River of Live Church, Sauk Centre.
FREEPORT CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the last Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
FREEPORT LIONS CLUB
• Bingo every Saturday thru March at 1:30 p.m. at the Corner Pub, Freeport.
FREEPORT SENIOR MEETING
• Meets the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. with cards/Bingo/coffee/dessert.
GREY EAGLE CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
GREY EAGLE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 1st Monday of the month at 8 p.m. LINE DANCING
• Meets Mondays at 4 p.m. & 5 p.m. alternating Mondays at the Melrose American Legion.
MELROSE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 1st Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the town hall.
MELROSE VFW #7050 POST/AUX.
• Meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Melrose American Legion Clubrooms.
MELROSE LEGION #101 POST/AUX.
• Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Melrose American Legion. (Aux. Sept.-May.)
STEARNS CO. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
• Meets the 2nd Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albany. SUNSHINE CLUB
• Meets every Monday, weigh in starts at 8; meeting at 8:30 a.m. at the Village View Apartments, Grey Eagle.
ST. ROSA CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 3rd Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Community Park building.
SWANVILLE CITY COUNCIL
• 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
SWANVILLE TOWNSHIP
• Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Swanville Fire Hall.
UPSALA CITY COUNCIL
• Meets the 1st Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
Weekend Weather
“The Good Old Days” -By Tom Kuehne
Different Thinking
When our grandparents or great grandparents immigrated to this country, they brought with them the language, thinking and accepted actions of the old country. They frequently began their lives in the US in an area that included many families that had the same thoughts about how life should be lived. They named their towns with names like Upsala and Sobieski. In one case the citizens in an area of Todd County wanted to call their township Berlin, but since the official couldn’t spell very well in English and neither could the rest of the Germanic population of the township, it is still called Burleene Township today.
How they made their living and how they raised their kids stayed with the traditions of the old country. The children were taught to behave and respect their elders. Sometimes there was a need to use spankings to instill the importance of abiding by the rules. “Spare the rod and spoil the child.” Along with discipline was the need to perform duties that were their responsibility to their family’s well being. Sometimes the physical spankings etc. were excessive, but we lived through it and it did create a lasting memory in regard to wrongdoing.
I recently had a friend tell me about what the brothers and sisters were responsible for in her family. They had a small dairy farm. The girls needed to separate the cream and put it into glass bottles and deliver it, morning and night, to their customers in the neighborhood. This created an additional cash flow for the family. It must have been a good idea because after a few years the milkman took over.
In the earlier years, “things” were usually not as readily available for kids. Families didn’t find it proper to “waste” money on a lot of “junk” for kids to play with. Gifts were frequently home made, thereby passing
the time, affection and concern of the giver to the receiver. It seems that currently one remembers that they feel they need to get a gift for someone, so one walks through the toy or clothing isle and buys something that the kid might like, if it fits into the budget. The rest of the givers are doing the same thing and frequently the result is a bunch of stuff that may or may not actually be appreciated.
Someone recently told of her grandchild, age 5, that was told in preschool that if an adult caused pain to them in the form of discipline, they were to contact the school or other authorities. This troubled the grandmother! This troubled her, since she felt that the government was taking away the family’s ability to raise their kids. In the past, there were penalties for wrongdoing, but today???? For feedback or story ideas, email Tom at kuehneins@gmail.com.
Harvey Mackay continued from pg 2
Employees can take several proactive steps to demonstrate their commitment and counter any perceptions of laziness in the workplace:
The first one is punctuality. Arriving on time and meeting deadlines consistently shows reliability and dedication.
Regularly update your supervisor on your progress and any challenges you face. Effective communication and transparency demonstrate responsibility and initiative.
Actively ask for feedback and use it to improve your performance. This shows a willingness to learn and grow.
Look for opportunities to go beyond your assigned tasks. Take initiative by volunteering for projects or suggesting improvements that can highlight your proactive attitude.
Use tools and techniques to manage your workload efficiently and stay organized. This can help you stay on top of tasks and avoid last-minute rushes.
Engage in professional development opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge, showing your commitment to your role and the organization. You are in school for a lifetime.
Maintain a positive and cooperative attitude, even during challenging times. This can foster a productive work environment and demonstrate your dedication.
You may be on the right track, but if you just sit there, you may get run over.
Actions speak louder than words. Consistently demonstrating commitment and initiative is the best way to show you’re anything but lazy.
An Army sergeant looked disdainfully at the new recruits and shouted, “Men, I have a nice easy job for the laziest rookie here. Will the laziest man step forward?”
From the Desk of Pastor Bruce
Good Friday, a day of pain and tremendous loss that we know as the day Jesus died on the cross. It is good, because if His blood was not shed on the cross, there would be no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 says, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” What about the day before Good Friday? Was there something special about that day too, that would teach us an important foundational truth?
It was soon time for Passover, so Jesus sent two disciples to find the “borrowed” room and make all necessary preparations. When the rest of the disciples join them, they recline at the table and Jesus taught them. If you read Luke 22, you will see that the disciples just finished an argument about who was the greatest. They were still expecting Jesus to overthrow the Roman government, but that is not the kingdom that Jesus came to create. Jesus taught a very important concept by giving them a demonstration.
Now, in that culture they wore sandals and it was customary for the host’s servant to wash the feet of those who came to any meal. There were only the disciples and Jesus, there was no servant, so they went on with their meal. But Jesus prepares to wash their feet and He does so, one at a time. The disciples must have been uncomfortable, watching their Lord & Teacher wash their feet. And since His time was short, Jesus wanted to be sure they understood. Then in John 13:17 He says, “Now that
EASTER BUFFET
you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” Jesus was not talking about washing feet, NO! He was talking about being a servant.
As we enter Good Friday and Easter, let me share one more important text from 1 John 3:16. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” This is not only the meaning of love but is a full demonstration of what being a servant is. Please consider loving others in the way Jesus did, He gave up everything by humbling Himself, suffering and dying on a cross, but don’t forget …
SUNDAY’S COMING!!
-Pastor Bruce Miller from Swanville Bible Church, 320-547-2916
Instantly, all the men stepped forward –all but one.
“Why don’t you step up to the front with the others?” demanded the sergeant.
“Too much trouble,” drawled the rookie.
Mackay’s Moral: Rip Van Winkle is the only man to become famous while he slept.
Reprinted with permission from nationally syndicated columnist Harvey Mackay, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller “Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive,” “We Got Fired!...And It’s the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Us,” “The Mackay MBA of Selling in the Real World,” and “Use Your Head To Get Your Foot In The Door.”
FRIDAY LENT SPECIALS • 5-9
Obituaries Anthony August Niehaus
Sharon Marie Kemper
Sharon Marie Kemper, 72, of Minneapolis passed away peacefully March 15, 2026 at a memory care facility.
Sharon was born on December 30, 1953 to Leo and Marjorie Kemper in Melrose, MN. She graduated from Melrose High School. At Abbott Northwestern in Minneapolis she studied to become a nurse. She worked as a registered nurse at different hospitals throughout her career. Sharon loved gardening, sewing, bicycling, quilting, antiques and caring for dogs. She spent weekends for years with her family on Sugar Lake.
Sharon is survived by her sisters: Lucy Rau (Walter), Karen Massmann and Mary Kemper, brothers-in-law Al Heinen and Ken Thull along with nieces and nephews: Cindy Massmann, Paul Massmann, Brian Massmann, John Massmann, Missy Patterson, Mindy Valenzuela, Erik Heinen, Steve Heinen, Becky LaChappella, Todd Kemper and Tom Kemper.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Marjorie Kemper; sisters Maggie Thull and Dorie Heinen; her brother David (Whitey) Kemper; and brother-in-law Bill Massmann. We take comfort that she is now at peace. We will miss her smile, laughter and sense of humor.
She will be interred in the Oak Hill Cemetery at a later date.
Anthony
August Niehaus passed away peacefully at home March 29, 2026 surrounded by his children.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, April 1, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Mitchell Bechtold officiating and Rev. Vince Lieser concelebrating. Interment was held in the parish cemetery. The Mass was livestreamed at www. oneinfaith.org.
Born on December 15, 1930, Tony lived 95 full and meaningful years, spending his entire life in his hometown of Melrose, Minnesota. He met the love of his life, Carol Eveslage, while ice skating on King’s Lake. The two were married on August 17, 1954, and together they built a life on the Niehaus family farm north of Melrose, where they lovingly raised their seven children.
Tony was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a strong believer in giving back to his community. He served on the Melrose Township Board, the Magnifi Credit Union Board, and the Minnesota Mutual Insurance Board, always contributing his time and leadership for the benefit of others.
Tony’s “heaven on earth” was the Niehaus family cabin on Big Birch Lake, where family and friends were always welcome. He loved cruising the lake in his classic wooden speed boat and remained an avid water skier well into his later years—still skiing at the age of 87. Even into his 90s, Tony could be seen riding his motorcycle between Melrose and Big Birch Lake.
Known for his generous spirit, Tony had a special way of seeking out and supporting the underdog. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. A gifted storyteller, he will be fondly remembered for his “Tonyisms” and the joy he brought to every conversation. Tony had a deep love for children, and after retiring from the farm, he and Carol found great happiness living across from St. Mary’s Catholic School, where he could often be found visiting and connecting with students. Above all, Tony was happiest when surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his children: Jeanne (Michael Howe), Anthony Jr. “Butch” (Mary), John (Mary), Bob (Deb), Allen (Sheryl Glebe), Julie (Jeff) Comfort, and Jan (Mick) Herke; 15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.
Tony was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carol; his infant children, Ann Marie, Mary Jo, Thomas, and Mark; his parents, Joseph and Agnes Niehaus; his brothers, Joseph, Ted, Alquin, Ed, Albie and his sisters, Mae, Julie, Hildie, Sr. Inez, Sr. Venard, and Sr. Helen. Arrangements were made with PattonSchad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.
Card of Thanks
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and this year’s theme, “25 Years Stronger: Looking Back, Moving Forward,” marks a milestone in the movement to end sexual violence. For 25 years, survivors, advocates, and communities have worked tirelessly to break the silence, challenge harmful norms, and create safer spaces for all. While we have come far, our work is far from over.
Looking back, we honor the courage of survivors who have shared their stories, the dedication of advocates who have fought for stronger protection, and the educators who have taught the values of consent, respect, and healthy relationships. These efforts have changed laws, improved services, and shifted public attitudes.
Moving forward, we must continue to expand prevention efforts, engage new voices, and ensure that every survivor has access to compassionate, trauma-informed support.
Community Connection Night
Please join us on Thursday, April 20th for our Annual Community Connection Event at the First Baptist Church in Long Prairie. A free meal will be provided, community resource fair and activities for the whole family.
Sexual violence impacts people of every age, gender, and background, and ending it requires all of us – listening, believing, and taking action in our daily lives.
This April, let’s reflect on how far we’ve come and recommit to building a future where safety, dignity, and respect are the norm. Together, we can build a world free from sexual violence.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026 4-7 PM
Serving: Fish, Baked Potatoes, Coleslaw, Buns & Bars FREE WILL OFFERING
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month and throughout the year, Todd County Health and Human Services encourage all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Todd County a healthy place for children and families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can help prevent child abuse and neglect by making meaningful connections with children, youth and families in our communities. We know child maltreatment is a preventable problem. All adults play a role in building the safe, stable, nurturing homes and environments needed for the healthy development of our future generation of parents, leaders, and community members. Report any child abuse, suspected child abuse or neglect if you believe that a child’s health or safety is jeopardized due to abuse. Contact the child protective services agency in your county.
Pulse on People
The following students graduated after the summer and fall 2025 semesters at South Dakota State University. More than 1,000 students completed all requirements for a degree and/or certificate program.
Overall, students from 35 states and 26 nations graduated following the summer and fall 2025 semesters. Nearly 40 students received two or more degrees or certificates from a college.
Audrey Rieland of Albany, graduated with an Associate of Science from SDSU’s College of Education and Human Sciences.
Briana Maus of Freeport, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science from SDSU’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.
Madison Rosenberger of Melrose, graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from SDSU’s College of Nursing.
Easter decorations in Greenwald. Photo by Lori Young.
Sudoku
Sudoku is one of the most popular puzzle games of all time. The goal of Sudoku is to fill a 9×9 grid with numbers so that each row, column and 3×3 section contain all of the digits between 1 and 9. As a logic puzzle, Sudoku is also an excellent brain game.
Dave Says -By Dave Ramsey
Dear Dave, I’m 65-years old, and I work part-time. My wife is 59, and she works full-time earning about $160,000 a year. We’re both self-employed, so at what point do we stop buying term life insurance? I have a $500,000 policy, and we have $500,000 in savings. We’re debt-free, except for two car loans that total $25,000.
-Franklin
Dear Franklin,
Okay, first let’s clean up those car loans. With your combined incomes, plus the money you two have in savings, there’s no reason to have car payments hanging around your necks. Aside from that, you’re in pretty good shape.
When it comes to life insurance, you
should ask yourself some questions: Why am I buying this? Who am I trying to help with it? How much will they need? Life insurance is all about taking good care of the folks you leave behind.
It sounds to me like you’ve done a good job of looking out for your wife. If you passed away anytime soon, God forbid, she’d have a half-million in insurance money, plus an income of $160,000 a year. On top of all that, there’s another $500,000 already in the bank, plus a paid for home. She wouldn’t exactly have to struggle financially, would she? Now, if she passed away first (again, God forbid) you’d still have half-a-million in savings, plus a house that’s paid for. And don’t forget your part-time income.
Guess what, Franklin? At this point, you two are very close to being self-insured. On the other hand, if you want to spend a little money on a term policy for your wife over the next few years—and you can do so and still continue to build your nest egg—that’s okay, too.
-Dave
* Leadership and small-business expert Dave Ramsey is the CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored eight national bestselling books, including “EntreLeadership,” and he’s a host of “The Ramsey Show” and “The EntreLeadership Podcast.”
Sudoku Answers from March 26
Albany Senior Dining
Volunteers Needed! Call 320-845-4070
Mon., Apr. 6: Salisbury steak, egg noodles, garden salad, bread.
Tues., Apr. 7: Chicken rice casserole, glazed carrots, garden salad, chocolate pudding w/whipped topping.
Wed., Apr. 8: Hot beef commercial, whipped potatoes, gravy, mixed vegetables, dinner roll.
Thurs., Apr. 9: Baked pork chop, whipped potatoes, gravy, mixed vegetables, bread, cake.
Fri., Apr. 10: Chicken tetrazzini, cranberry sauce, garden salad, Texas toast.
Pre-registration requested to dine daily. For more info. call 320-845-4070.
Ask The Motor Medics®
Dear Motor Medics,
My business purchased a brandnew vehicle and during the delivery at the dealership they told me to bring it back to them for all service to ensure the warranty remains in effect. They did not tell me directly that the warranty would be void if I had it serviced elsewhere but they strongly implied so. I have been a faithful customer of another dealership for many years, but my company decided to go with this model and being a company supplied vehicle that is free for me to drive I must live with their choice. They do give me the choice of where to have my service work done as I live 80 miles from that dealership. My question to you is, can they void my warranty because I have my general service work done elsewhere? This is the first car I have driven that has had any kind of warranty at all. My personal cars have all been 3-5 years old when I buy them.
-Richard in Magnolia, Minnesota Dear Richard,
The dealership would love to have you back for all your service work. They can ensure that you can get all the services that you need to take care of your car, however, so can almost any independent repair facility out there. You could choose to have your non-warranty work performed anywhere if the parts used meet or exceed factory specifications.
-Take care, the Motor Medics Dear Motor Medics,
I am in need of a third set of intake gaskets on my car in an eight-year period. I now have 150,000 miles in my car and the first set went out at 40,000. I have searched the internet and found countless people with the same engine
Eagle Outdoor Services
style in their cars and vans with the same issue. How can the manufacturer have so many failures out there and not have a recall on them? I have owned other cars with recalls for things that weren’t even broken, and I could not find anyone else with the issue, these gaskets are almost an epidemic with no recall. Why don’t they recall them?
-John in Owensboro, KY
Dear John, I know what you mean. I too own a car that I’ve had to pay for repairs on myself many times over and I felt the parts should have been designed better. For a recall to be issued complaints must be filed with the government safety office and then they are investigated to determine if they are safety related which could cause consumer harm. Recalls are not usually issued if there is no safety concern. A manufacturer does not have to repair a vehicle out of its warranty period unless a repair is deemed to be a safety hazard and a recall has been started. On occasion, some manufacturers have extended warranty coverage as a good faith measure to retain customers.
-Take care, the Motor Medics For entertainment only. Always consult your local shop and follow all safety procedures before repairs. Come visit the Motor Medics® online at Underthehoodshow. com.
A little girl was watching her daddy repair his tractor.
She asked her mother, “What happens to old tractors when they finally stop working?”
Sighing, her mother answered: “Someone sells them to your father, dear.”
Local Municipality Minutes
Email Minutes to htnews@icloud.com will set up the booths at 4. Voting will be held from 5- 8 pm and the annual meeting will start at 8:20 pm.
Burnhamville Township
February 24, 2026
The regular meeting of the Town Board of Burnhamville was held February 24, 2026 at the Burtrum Community Center. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Mike Berscheit. Members present include Supervisors Mike Berscheit, Bruce Johnson and Joe Muellner; and Clerk Shirley Hulinsky. Treasurer Pam Throener was absent. Erv Herdering was also present.
The minutes from the regular meeting of January 27, 2026 were approved on a motion by Sup. Johnson and second by Sup. Berscheit. Motion passed.
For correspondence the township received notice that Planning & Zoning request from township resident passed, ad for ditch cutting, and short course training information.
A motion was moved by Sup. Berscheit to pay all claims numbered 6965 through 6976 totaling $5,386.28. Sup. Muellner seconded the motion. Motion passed.
March Township Annual Election and Meeting will be held March 10. The board
Minnesota Association of Townships is offering short course training in central Minnesota the 4th week of March for township boards members.
In the road report the contractor will keep sanding and plowing snow as needed.
The board reviewed and approved the postcards the clerk will send out about the annual meeting.
The Treasurer’s report shows balance of $102,767.76. Sup. Berscheit moved a motion to approve treasurer report. Motion was seconded by Sup. Johnson. Motion passed.
The supervisors then audited the books of the clerk and treasurer.
A reminder that the March regular meeting was set for March 24, 2026.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. on a motion by Sup. Berscheit and a second by Sup. Johnson. Next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 7 pm in the Burtrum Community Center.
Shirley Hulinsky, Burnhamville Township Clerk
Sauk Centre Library Closed April 6 to 11
The Sauk Centre Sinclair Lewis Library, a branch of the Great River Regional Library (GRRL) system, will be closed for window replacement from Monday, April 6, through Saturday, April 11.
Sauk Centre patrons can choose to have their library requests suspended or rerouted to a nearby GRRL location, including the libraries in Melrose and Grey Eagle. Patrons who already have items checked out from the Sauk Centre location do not need to rush to return items, as all due dates will be extended until after the building reopens. Returns can also be made to any of GRRL’s 33 locations.
Any changes for reopening will be posted on the library website, griver.org, and the Sauk Centre Sinclair Lewis Library page on Facebook. For any library concerns, con-
tact us at griver.org or at the library hotline 1-833-GET-GRRL (1-833-438-4775).
We will be excited to welcome everyone to a fresh library space to explore titles on the bookshelves, discover fun checkout items (like Try It Yourself kits), access public computers, and reconnect with their community. Great River Regional Library (GRRL) provides library services at 32 public libraries and one to-go system in Benton, Morrison, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright Counties. GRRL2GO is a locker system that allows you to pick up items at the Sartell Community Center. GRRL supplies the residents of Central Minnesota with nearly 1 million books, CDs and DVDs, 250 public computers, and information services.
Spring burning restrictions begin
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is restricting the open burning of vegetative debris which started Monday, March 30, due to increased wildfire risk resulting from warm temperatures and dry conditions in parts of central, northwest, and northeast Minnesota. The restrictions apply in the following counties: Aitkin, Anoka, Beltrami South, Benton, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Norman, Otter Tail, Pine, Pope, Ramsey, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Washington, Wilkin, and Wright.
The DNR will not issue permits for open burning of brush or yard waste in these counties until restrictions are lifted.
“Wildfire risk increases each year after the snow melts and before vegetation greens up,” said Karen Harrison, DNR wildfire prevention
specialist. “Spring burning restrictions help reduce the number of wildfires, especially those caused by debris burning.”
Harrison encourages people to use other methods to handle yard waste, such as composting, chipping or taking brush to a collection site. For more information, visit the composting for woodland owners page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/wildfire/prevention/ debris-composting.html).
People cause more than 90% of wildfires in Minnesota. If a fire rekindles or escapes, the person who set it is liable for any damage caused, as well as for the costs of wildfire suppression.
Burning restrictions will be adjusted as conditions change. For more information and daily updates on current fire risk and open burning restrictions, visit the statewide wildfire danger and burning restrictions page of the DNR website (mndnr.gov/burnrestrictions).
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Local Library Events
Grey Eagle Library • 320-285-2505
Winter Eco Printing: Use seasonal and preserved plant materials to create beautiful botanical prints on silk fabric! For ages 16 and up. Limit 15. Registration required. This program was made possible with Arts & Cultural Heritage Funds from Minnesota’s Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment. Saturday, April 25: 10:30 a.m. to Noon.
Long Prairie Library • 320-732-2332
Textiles for Teens: Pattern Design Studio: Get a jump start on your surface design career! Design your own repeating pattern using traditional illustration techniques and then print your pattern on a cotton tote bag. Take your pattern block home to use again and again! For teens ages 13+. Limit 15. This program was made possible with Arts & Cultural Heritage Funds from Minnesota’s Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment. Wednesday, April 8: 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday Afternoon Book Club: Join a local book club and explore titles from across the genres. Each month, readers select a title then meet as a group for discussion and sharing what they learned and liked (or didn’t like) about the book. Please check with the library for title selections. Meets the second Thursday of the month. For adults. Thursday, April 9: 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Melrose Library • 320-256-3885
Art Night: Come make art. Feel free to work on an art project – watercolor painting, scrapbooking, cardmaking, sewing, quilting, needlework, yarn work, adult coloring pages or even digital scrapbooking or photo editing… almost anything creative you might like to do. Bring any project you are working on or come and find a new craft to explore and enjoy. We want this to be a creative space for people to work and enjoy time together. Anyone is welcome, regardless of age or ability. Children are welcome to come with parents who will be there to work with or alongside them. Come enjoy, relax, create and get inspired. No registration required. Monday, April 6: 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
LEGO Time: Join us to imagine, design and create with LEGOs! A theme will be given each week to build your creativity on and let your imagination do the rest. For ages 5 to 10. Limit 12. Registration required. Thursday, April 9: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
WANTED TO BUY: Dairy Heifers and Cows. 320-894-7175. SC-evB
WANTED: Cars and pickups from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, in your weeds or sheds. 218-640-3807 or 218-756-2257.
FOR SALE: HP ink jet cartridge 67XL, 95, 98 $5. Womens Redwing steel toe boots 9M $15. MN Twins authentic pull over size Large $15. 320-894-9118
FOR SALE: 1969 Lund 14 ft. fishing boat with 6hp Johnson motor; and boat lift, $500/ bo. Big Birch Lake 612-240-1714.
FOR SALE: Sixteen - 12 ft. Priefert horse panels; One - 6 ft. ride thru gate, J-legs, 62 diamater; Two - 14 ft. steel gates. Call 320493-6387.
FOR SALE: Hewitt boat lift and green canopy, 1800 pound, 110x20 foot. Co Rd 104, passed the Hub, $1800. Call 612-554-2932.
FOR SALE: 5/16” ratchet load binder, new, 5400 lbs., $50 pair. Call 320-808-8631.
FOR SALE: 5th wheel Louvered tailgate, fits Chevys, $200. Call 320-808-8631.
Fri., April 17: 8 AM-6 PM Sat., April 18: 9 AM-2 PM Home Decor • Vintage Items • Furniture Majority of Items 50% OFF (some exceptions) 15202 450th St., Bowlus, MN 56314
Lawn Care Services for the Melrose, Sauk Centre, Birch Lake area! Spring Clean-Ups • Call for a free estimate! Caleb: 320-292-5357 Greenwald, MN
ATTENTION! Grey Eagle Housing Association Members
The 46th Annual Meeting of the Grey Eagle Housing Association will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026, in the Menge Community Room at Village View Apartments in Grey Eagle. (Our Monthly Meeting will be held at 3:45 p.m.) Nomination & Elections of 2 Directors: If you qualify as a member of Grey Eagle Housing Association and live in the area, you may nominate yourself, or another member of the association, to the Board of Directors either at the meeting or in writing before the meeting. This year we will elect 2 people to three-year terms. Please submit the names you wish to nominate to Margaret Newberg, 303 Cedar Street North, Box 25, Grey Eagle, MN 56336. For more information, please call 320-285-3973.
This may affect your property tax payments for next year. Notice is hereby given that the Board of Appeal and Equalization of the Melrose Township shall meet on April 16, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at Town Hall, 41248 County Road 13, Melrose, MN. The purpose of this meeting is to determine whether taxable property in the jurisdiction has been properly valued and classified by the assessor, and also to determine whether corrections need to be made.
If you believe the value or classification of your property is incorrect, please contact your assessor’s office to discuss your concerns. If you are still not satisfied with the valuation or classification after discussing it with your assessor, you may appear before the local board of appeal and equalization. The board shall review the valuation, classification, or both if necessary, and shall correct it as needed. Generally, an appearance before your local board of appeal and equalization is required by law before an appeal can be taken to your county board of appeal and equalization.
Cindy Willman, Melrose Township Clerk
7:00am-7:00pm; Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm; Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm
off sale excludes hunting & fishing licenses, twine, lawn mowers, gasoline, diesel, kerosene, tobacco products, pop & sale items. See store for additional exclusions.
