Hometown News
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Change your habits, change your life -By Harvey Mackay
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A friend of mine said his wife has the worst habit of staying up until one or two o’clock in the morning, and he can’t break her of it.
I asked him, “What is she doing all that time?”
“Waiting for me to come home.”
Bad habits are like comfortable beds – easy to get into, but hard to get out of. If you don’t master your habits, they will master you.
My friend John Maxwell got me thinking when he said: “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”
Most of your everyday routines are relatively comfortable, and you’re probably doing okay with them. But imagine the dreams you could realize by mixing things up to achieve what you really want.
Some studies suggest that it takes about 21 days to create a new habit or break a bad habit. However, according to a study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, it can take 18-254 days to form a new habit. The study also concluded that, on
FRI.-SUN., MARCH 27-29
average, it takes 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. Breaking a habit also tends to involve a more consistent, conscious effort.
So why not start today – ditch your bad habits and focus on building better ones. Breaking bad habits is a challenging journey, but the rewards are worth the effort. Try this approach to get started:
Identify the habit. Clearly define the habit you want to change. Understanding the specific behavior and its impact on your life is the first step toward change.
Understand the habit loop. Every habit consists of a cue, routine and reward. Identify what triggers the habit (cue), the behavior itself (routine), and what you gain from it (reward).
Recognize triggers. Pay attention to the situations or emotions that trigger the habit. Is it stress, boredom or a specific environment? Knowing your triggers can help you avoid or manage them.
Find a replacement. Instead of just trying to stop the habit, find a healthier alternative that satisfies the same need. For example, if you tend to snack when stressed, consider taking a walk or practicing deep breathing exercises.
Set clear and achievable goals. Establish specific, measurable and realistic goals. For instance, if you want to reduce screen time, set a goal like “I will limit my phone use to 30 minutes after dinner.”
Create a plan. Develop a strategy for how you’ll handle situations that trigger the habit. This might involve avoiding certain environments or having a go-to alternative activity.
Track your progress. Keep a journal or use an app to monitor your progress. Recording your successes and setbacks can provide valuable insights and motivation. Stay patient and persistent. Breaking a habit takes time and effort. It’s normal to experience setbacks, but persistence is key. Celebrate small victories to maintain motivation.
Seek support. Share your goals with friends, family or a support group. Having accountability partners can provide encouragement and help you stay on track. Reflect and adjust. Regularly reflect on your progress and adjust your strategies as needed. Be flexible and willing to try new approaches if something isn’t working. Breaking bad habits require rewiring
Upcoming Events
• 16th Annual “Journey With Jesus to Calvary” Play at St. Francis of Assisi Church, St. Francis. Fri.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m. Sun. at 1 p.m. See ad on page 4.
THURS.-FRI., MARCH 26-27
SUN., MARCH 29
• Melrose Stages Inc. Presents “Midlife! The Crisis Musical” at the Marit Elliott Performing Arts Center, Melrose. Thurs. & Fri. at 7:30 p.m. Sun. at 2 p.m.
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
• Smelt & Fish Fry, Cash Raffle from 4-8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Upsala.
SUNDAY, MARCH 29
• CUF Matching Grant Breakfast from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church Basement, Holdingford.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
• Folk & Old-Time Music & Potluck from 1-3 p.m. at the Village View Apartments, Grey Eagle. See ad on page 8.
• Lenten Soup Supper & Worship at 6 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Grey Eagle.
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 5.
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. See ad on page 7.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11
• Word Of Life Church Fish Fry from 4-7 p.m., Upsala. See ad on page 5.
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.
• 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.
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
Industry
Occasionally a reader will call me with a thought about something that they felt should be the subject of a story. I really appreciate their input, because it is often difficult to find something that would be of interest to my readers. The readers are sometimes in their 20’s and others are in their 90’s. Some lived when there was no electric service, phones or indoor plumbing, while others can’t believe that people could live under those conditions.
To relate to these changes, one must remember that life was generally not comfortable during the 1930’s. Then came the 1940’s with rationing and the war, during which there was a shortage of manpower and many wives began to work out of the home to pay for their family’s needs and support the war effort.
After the war, the family budget still required the female paycheck. The war created many manufacturing jobs and to keep those plants running, they switched to items that could be used to make home life easier. First came electricity, then came an electric water pump, which required overground and underground piping to get the water to the house and barn where it was needed. The house needed to be plumbed to deliver the water and also dispose of the used water. The house needed to be wired to get the electricity to the places in the house where it was needed. Now an electric stove, freezer, refrigerator, water heater, toaster and the rest of the wonderful labor saving items that advertising convinced the homemaker she needed. The industrial plants kept running and the housewife’s paycheck was required.
In the 1950’s, our economic geniuses decided that we could have Japan build our stuff cheaper and help their country recover
from the war. This foreign economic benefit program has expanded to many countries. Cheap labor has caused many of the industries that were an economic benefit to this country to move or expand their growth in foreign countries. Maybe the finished products can be made at a lesser expense and a greater profit to the manufacturing company, but if these jobs were here in the US our country’s economic picture would look more positive.
Another concern is in regard to the friendliness of the foreign country. China today doesn’t create warm and friendly feelings toward the US and we return the feelings. The economic and human losses suffered by the US in China to help drive out the Japanese Invaders in WWII are of no concern to the Chinese government. China was invaded by Communist Russia at the end of WWII. Now they are a Communist Nation and manufacture many of our nation’s needs.
Cause for concern????
For feedback or story ideas, email Tom at kuehneins@gmail.com.
Harvey Mackay continued from pg 2 your brain and forming new neural pathways. It involves consistent effort and a willingness to embrace discomfort as you transition to healthier behaviors.
Let me share a light-hearted story about breaking one of my bad habits. I had a notorious habit of midnight snacking. It seemed innocent enough at first – just a quick nibble here and there. But soon, it became a nightly ritual that left me feeling groggy and guilty the next morning.
One night, I tiptoed to the kitchen. As I reached for the cookie jar, I accidentally knocked over a tower of pots and pans. The clatter was so loud, it could have awakened the neighbors! Standing there in the kitchen, I realized this habit was getting out of hand.
Determined to change, I decided to replace my midnight snack with a healthier routine. I started keeping a glass of water by my bed, and whenever the urge struck, I’d take a sip instead. One night, half-asleep, I reached for the “cookie jar” and ended up pouring water all over myself.
From the Desk of Pastor Bruce
Now some of you may know me personally, so what I say may not surprise you. I saw an advertisement the other day that just tickled my funny bone. The ad went something like this… “Self-cleaning cat litter box.” We do not have cats, but can I guarantee a box with no stink or work, ever? The only other option is to postpone the cleaning, which I would not “advertise”, or leave your cat outside.
Many people think the same way when it comes to eternal life. They say, don’t worry about it, I will clean up my life later, and postpone a relationship with a loving and Holy God. Others might say “It will take care of itself” and ignore God all together. Now both of these situations are not healthy mindsets, they leave God’s redemption out of the picture leaving a mess to clean up.
Read this text and consider Jesus today. Romans 1:18-20 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Good Friday is next Friday, the day we recognize as the day Jesus’ blood was spilt on the cross, to pay for our own sins. God’s Word says that we come into a relationship with Jesus only through faith in the work
that He accomplished on the cross. Hebrews 10:22 “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”
Please consider a personal relationship with Jesus. A relationship that you will trust Jesus with your heart and life and the redemption He provides. Remember He loves you deeply.
-Pastor Bruce Miller from Swanville Bible Church, 320-547-2916
Sometimes, the best way to break a bad habit is to make a splash – literally or figuratively.
Mackay’s Moral: Good habits are as addictive as bad habits and a lot more rewarding.
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 PM
Julimay T. Ngiratreked
Julimay T. Ngiratreked, 41, of Long Prairie, Minnesota, passed away on March 21, 2026. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 10:30 AM at the River of Life Church in Long Prairie. There will be a visitation starting at 9:30 AM.
She was born on May 15, 1984, in Guam, USA. Julimay made her home in Long Prairie, where she built a life centered on family, hard work, and meaningful connections.
Julimay dedicated 16 years of her life working at the Long Prairie Packing Plant. She was known for her strong work ethic and the friendships she built along the way. Outside of work, she loved fishing, cruising, and embracing spontaneous adventures. She especially loved spending time with her family and her dogs, who brought her great joy. Her vibrant spirit and love for life were evident in everything she did.
She will be remembered as an outgoing, friendly, and caring woman with a warm, loving heart. Julimay brought joy to those around her and lived by her well-known words: “Be Positive, You Only Live Once.”
Julimay is survived by her mother, Rolmii Ngiratreked; her siblings, Justin, Jason, Jesse, Jenny, and Joseph Ngiratreked; her beloved son Jerry Bid Remeliik; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Joshua Ngiratreked.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Delbert Francis Norwood
Delbert Francis Norwood passed away on March 18, 2026, at his home in Hackensack.
Delbert was born on December 16, 1955, in Redfield, South Dakota, to James and Marilyn Norwood. He graduated from Swanville High School in 1975 and later attended school in Staples, where he studied diesel mechanics.
Delbert was a hardworking man throughout his life. He spent many years working at Long Prairie Packing and was also dedicated to construction, building prefab homes and cabinets. He later made his home in the Hackensack area, where he continued his work and built a life he was proud of.
Delbert enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Though not an avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing and hunting whenever he had the chance. He also enjoyed DJ’ing for many years on the side, as well as singing in a band whenever he could. While in school, he enjoyed playing in the band and was a member of the football team at Swanville High School. Delbert was a true jokester who seemed to love life, talked to everyone he met, and thoroughly enjoyed being around people.
Delbert was preceded in death by his parents, James and Marilyn Norwood; his brother, John Norwood; his sisters, Candace Anderson, Belinda Prather, and Barbara Norwood; his brother, Roland Norwood; and his significant other, Jan Sorensen.
He is survived by Jim and Beckie DeJesusNorwood; Buenna and Warren Knacke; and Mary and Tom Witucki, as well as several nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and greatnephews.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date, with details to be announced.
LaVonne J. Metcalf
LaVonne J. Metcalf, age 91 of Sauk Centre, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Thursday, March 19, 2026 at the Cura Care Center in Sauk Centre, Minnesota.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 27 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Mark Botzet officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church. Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.
LaVonne Jean Boushey was born December 15, 1934 in Grand Forks, North Dakota to Lawrence and Corrine (Lageson) Boushey. On August 26, 1953 she was united in marriage to Joseph “Joey” Metcalf, Sr. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. The couple lived in East Grand Forks until moving to Sauk Centre in 1970. LaVonne was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre, Christian Mothers, Sauk Centre American Legion Post 67 Auxiliary, Osakis VFW Post 7902 Auxiliary, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 3063 in Alexandria. LaVonne volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Cura of Sauk Centre Care Center, and at various other organizations. She loved spending time traveling with her family on motorcycle trips.
Survivors include her children, Gary (Mary) Metcalf of East Grand Forks, James (Mary) Metcalf of Sauk Centre, John (Debbie) Metcalf of Sauk Centre, Debra Cole of Champlin, Patrick Metcalf of Jensen Beach, Florida, Thomas Metcalf of Sauk Centre, and Nancy (Kevin) Guenther of Carver; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Lotus Scheving of East Grand Forks, Marlyce Dahlquist of East Grand Forks, Roger (Rita) Boushey of Eldorado Hills, Sister Nancy Boushey of Rio Grande City, Texas, Dianne McMenamy of Lakeville, and Danny (Jennie) Boushey of Pinole, California; daughter-in-law, Marge Metcalf of West Palm Beach, Florida; and sister-in-law, Linda Boushey.
LaVonne was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Metcalf, Sr. on February 24, 2003; parents; sons, Larry Metcalf in 1974 and Joseph Metcalf, Jr. on June 23, 2023; grandson, Joseph Metcalf; and brother, Gary Boushey.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Sauk Centre.
Mickey Joseph Morisch
Mickey
Morisch a 58-yearold of rural Randall, passed away after health complications on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the St. Cloud Hospital. A memorial service in his honor took place on Monday, March 23, 2026, at the Iten Funeral Home Chapel.
Mickey Joseph Morisch, age 58, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a lifetime of memories cherished by those who knew and loved him.
Mickey was born on February 8, 1968, in Hartley, Iowa, to William and Connie (Hinders) Morisch. He was one of five sons born to the couple, growing up surrounded by the strong bonds of brotherhood and family. In 1980, Mickey moved with his family to Long Prairie, Minnesota, where he made his home and built lasting friendships.
On October 17, 1987, Mickey was united in marriage to Rose Swenson. In 1988, they were blessed with their daughter, Jennifer, who brought great pride and joy to his life.
Mickey worked most of his life as a mason, a trade that reflected his strong work ethic and dedication. He also spent time helping at his parents’ restaurant, where he could often be found cooking in the kitchen or tending bar, enjoying the camaraderie and conversation.
He was a man who felt deeply sentimental at heart, at times stubborn, but always caring. Mickey had a big heart and a way of showing up for the people he loved. He found happiness outdoors, whether fishing or hunting, and enjoyed riding four-wheelers and snowmobiles whenever he could. He also liked playing pool and relaxed while listening to country music or classic rock.
Mickey will be remembered for his hardworking nature, his love of family, and the many simple moments he shared with those closest to him.
He is survived by his wife, Rose; his daughter, Jennifer (Josh Fisch) Morisch; brother, David (Barb) Morisch, Mark Morisch, Billy (Ashlee) Morisch; grandson, Owen; nieces and nephews, Josh Morsich, Joe Morisch, Ryan Morisch, Ashley Morisch, Taylor Morisch and Trey Morisch; and many extended family members and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Connie Morisch; brother Doug Morisch.
Robert Martin Mohs
Robert “Bob” Martin Mohs, 79, of St. Joseph, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026, at Mother of Mercy in Albany, Minnesota.
Bob was born on April 23, 1946, at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Anthony and Alma (Buermann) Mohs. He grew up in Waite Park, Minnesota, where faith and family were central parts of his upbringing. He was baptized as an infant on May 5, 1946, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in St. Cloud and later confirmed in his Catholic faith on March 13, 1960, at the Church of St. Joseph in Waite Park, Minnesota. He received his education in St. Cloud and graduated from St. Cloud Cathedral High School in 1965. He later furthered his education at St. Cloud Technical College, where he studied to become a machinist.
On May 29, 1971, Bob married Sandra Lee Kostreba at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Opole, Minnesota. Their marriage was rooted in their shared faith, and together they raised seven children and built a large and loving family.
Bob proudly served in the United States Army. At the age of 20, Bob enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served three years of active duty. His military occupational specialty was in communications, and he achieved the rank of Specialist during his service.
Throughout his working years, he was employed at St. Cloud Tool and Dye, Franklin Frigidaire, and another local manufacturing company before beginning a long career at the Sartell Paper Mill, where he worked until retiring at the age of 55.
Faith remained an important part of Bob’s life. He stayed actively involved in his church, quietly serving in many ways over the years, including helping count the weekly offerings and supporting charitable causes.
Bob also found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, and playing cards, and he especially cherished time spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Sandra, and his seven children: Eric Mohs and his wife, Kristina, of Menahga, MN, Jason Mohs and his wife, Megan, of Sauk Rapids, MN, Tami Nieland and her husband, Jeffrey, of Grey Eagle, MN, Jeremy Mohs and his wife, Yolanda, of Belle Plaine, MN, David Mohs, and his wife, Diana, of Belle Plaine, MN, Joseph Mohs and his wife, Krista, of Cologne, MN, and Susie Haus and her husband, Jason, of Holdingford, MN. He was a proud grandfather to 19 grandchildren and a great-grandfather to 9 great-grandchildren. Bob is also survived by his sisters, Betty Sieben and her husband, Wayne, of Paynesville, MN, and Irene Bruemmer and her husband, Ron, of St. Cloud, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Alma Mohs, and his twin brother, Norbert Mohs.
Bob will be remembered for his deep faith, his devotion to his Wife, his love for his family, and the quiet ways he served others throughout his life.
Funeral mass will be at 11:00 am Thursday, March 26, 2026, with visitation one hour prior at Our Lady of Mt Carmel, Opole, MN.
A private interment of Robert’s ashes will occur at a later date at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Today’s Thought
Friend’s Facebook post: I finally lost my mind. If found, do not bother to return it. It wasn’t working anyway.
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, My wife and I are in our midthirties, and the only debt we have is a combined $15,000 in student loans and credit card payments. We’ve got almost $100,000 in our 401(k) plans, plus we have no children. What steps can we take toward becoming even better investors?
-Curt
Dear Curt,
Whether you’re building a house or building wealth, a rock-solid foundation is an absolute must. Without a firm foundation, everything can easily fall apart. So, while you two aren’t off to a bad start investing-wise, let’s talk about the “construction” process a little.
The first brick you want to lay in your financial foundation is becoming debt-free. The second is to have an emergency fund of
three to six months of expenses in the bank. This is money that you never touch, except in the case of an actual emergency. It doesn’t go toward vacations, Christmas or anything else.
These two elements help form a firm foundation from which you can build wealth. Most people skip these steps, and jump right into funding 401(k)s, Roth IRAs and mutual funds. These are all great things, but the problem in doing it that way is you’ve started work on the house before you’ve laid the foundation. Believe me, this can cause all kinds of setbacks down the road.
Basically, we’re talking about the first three Baby Steps in my plan. Baby Step 1 is to get your emergency fund started with $1,000 in the bank. Baby Step 2 is paying off all your debt, except for your home, using the debt snowball system. And Baby Step 3 is to finish building your emergency fund to the point where you have three to six months of expenses sitting there.
Curt, the debt you two have isn’t a huge problem. But it is the symptom of you both buying a bunch of stuff you couldn’t afford with money you didn’t really have. Get on a written, monthly budget together, where you both agree on where every dollar is going before the month begins. I want you and your wife to break the debt cycle by having a permanent game plan.
Once you do that, you’ll have freed up your largest investing and wealth-building tool—your income!
-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.”
THE JUNCTION
Ask The Motor Medics®
From the Hosts of the Under The Hood radio show.
Dear Motor Medics,
I own a 2005 Chevrolet Impala that I bought used in March of 2006 with 8,000 miles. The vehicle now has 252,000 miles so it does not sit still very often. I have been having problems with the speedometer and other instrument cluster gauges not working correctly. Sometimes the speedometer will stick on 60 and not drop down until I shut off and restart the car. Is this a common problem with this type of vehicle and if so, how do I fix it?
-Doug in Minneapolis, Minnesota Dear Doug,
We have repaired several of these, but many are still ticking with well over 200,000 miles on them. A general repair shop should be able to diagnose the issue and if they find that it is within the speedometer, they can replace the unit with a rebuilt unit that is available from most auto parts stores. The units are pre-programed for easy installation. When they order the unit, it can take a couple of weeks or so as they need to send your vehicle information like mileage and identification number to the manufacturer of the unit so that they can enter it into the replacement. Once it arrives your shop can install the unit and they will have you sign a mileage affidavit stating that the mileage you gave them to enter the replacement was correct. They will then box up the old unit and send it back as a core.
-Take care, the Motor Medics Dear Motor Medics,
I have a 2005 Dodge Caravan SE that we bought used, and it was not equipped with power windows, door locks, or power sliding doors. We would really like to add these features and keyless entry. Can this be done
for a reasonable price and where do we go to get it done?
-Janet in Madison, Wisconsin
Dear Janet, Power features have become standard on vehicles or at least it seems that way. More and more vehicles, especially ones that are used for hauling the family like a van seem to almost always have full power in them. It is a rarity for one to come into our shop that does not have at least power windows and locks, but they are out there. The cost of the accessories will be dependent on the shop and the quality. As for adding them to the front doors, that should not be that big of an issue. Many companies offer aftermarket power windows and lock kits, and remotes can be added easily as well. The power sliding doors are another story, and I have not seen anyone who makes an aftermarket unit for those, but they may be out there. Power sliders can be very difficult to work on, and I have fought with my share. Check around with local vehicle accessory shops that install cruise controls, air conditioning, remote starts, etc. These types of shops often install power accessories like this as well.
-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.
Albany Senior Dining
Volunteers Needed! Call 320-845-4070
Mon., Mar. 30: Polish sausage, fried onions & peppers, baked potato, vegetable Normandy, bread, Rice Crispy treat.
Tues., Mar. 31: Beef burrito, mandarin oranges, cake.
Wed., Apr. 1: Fried chicken, sweet potato, coleslaw.
Thurs., Apr. 2: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, dinner roll, chocolate/cherry cake.
Fri., Apr. 3: Closed.
Pre-registration requested to dine daily. For more info. call 320-845-4070.
Local Municipality Minutes
Burtrum City • March 3, 2026
Call to Order/Roll Call: The Mayor called the meeting order at 7:00PM.
Attendance: Mayor Romie Gessell Jr., Sara Macho, Bobby Veldkamp Jr., Juli Scherping, and City Clerk Brooke Thieschafer. Absent: Irene Ehlert
The Pledge of Allegiance recited.
Agenda: Scherping made a motion to approve the agenda. Veldkamp supported. All in favor, motion carried.
Minutes: Macho made a motion to approve the minutes. Scherping supported. All in favor, motion carried.
Bills: Macho a motion to approve the bills. Scherping supported. All in favor, motion carried.
Todd County Sheriff’s Report: City Clerk went over the calls for the month.
Building Permits - None
Old Business: a. Easter Event - Working hard on the event. Volunteers stuffed eggs over the weekend.
New Business: a. Furnace: The current furnace in the community center is not working properly. A professional did come out for maintenance, it does kick on and off. There was a suggestion of replacing the furnace. A discussion was had about grants out there to help support and add a heat pump. More to come. The holding tank was also brought up. Macho made a motion to get the septic pumped every 3 months, to get on a schedule.
b. Recycling: It was brought to the council about opening it up on the weekends. A discussion was had about opening it on the weekend. No decision was made at this time.
c. New Sourcewell Grant: One-Time Funding Opportunity. A furnace would be a great option. More to come on what projects are actually available. The City Clerk will report back with more options for the grant.
Announcements: Easter Event April 4th, 2026 at 12 PM sharp - Lions Park Finance Committee: April 7th, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Adjournment: Macho made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:46 PM. Macho supported. All in favor, motion carried.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for April 7th, 2026 at the Burtrum Community Center.
Brooke Thieschafer, City Clerk
Grey Eagle Township • March 10, 2026
Annual Meeting Call to Order: Mike Rohe called the meeting to order at 8:00 pm. The pledge of allegiance was recited.
Present Board: Mike Rohe, John Young, Alan Roering. Also Present: Dennis Bacon, Joe Kemper, Mark Messman, Mike Lyon, Al Maciej, Peter Rutherford and Lloyd Blommel.
Election of Moderator: Mike Lyon made a motion to nominate John Young for Moderator, seconded by Al Maciej; motion carried.
Agenda Approval: Motion was made by Lloyd Blommel to approve the agenda for the meeting as presented, seconded by Joe Kemper; motion carried.
Approval of Minutes: Minutes from the 2025 Annual Meeting were reviewed. A motion by Mark Messman was made to approve the 2025 Annual Meeting Minutes as present-
ed, seconded by Mike Lyon; motion carried. Annual Financial Report: Dennis Bacon read the financial report for 2025 (titled Cash Control Statement) covering Jan 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. Beginning balance of $202,178.95, Receipts of $1,127,737.14, Disbursements of $1,166,919.32, Ending Balance of $162,996.77. Dennis had reviewed the Townships financial books and said all was in order. Dennis stated the large influx of incoming and outgoing money in the 2025 ledgers was due to wrapping up payment on two big projects carried over from 2024. Dennis suggested increasing the Fire Levy as that account has been in the negative the past few years. He also suggested the Township keep up with inflation and future needs with setting levies as future project needs would be better off being financed by yearly, gradual levy increases over major increases in levy at the time of the need.
Road Report: John Young shared that 2025 was a maintenance year with replacing a few culverts and keeping up with the gravel road needs. There were no large projects in 2025. Looking ahead into 2026: John Young shared that the Board will be focusing on maintenance of the roads with gravel, spray as in the past, and crack sealing many if not all of our tar roads. The Board is also looking to start the replanting of trees on a stretch of 295th street in the rebuilding process from the August 3, 2024 storm.
The main recommendation from the 2025 Annual meeting was to review the rules around dust control. That was reviewed and changed at a regular Township meeting in 2025.
Setting Township levy: Lloyd Blommel made a motion to set the General Fund levy at $37,500 for the 2027 year. This was seconded by Joe Kemper; motion carried.
Joe Kemper made a motion to set the Fire Fund levy at $40,000 for the 2027 year. This was seconded by Al Maciej; motion carried.
Discussion was held on the current and future needs of the Township in regard to maintaining gravel and tar roads, paying off current debt for the 2024 tar project, and future tar projects.
Motion was made by Joe Kemper to set the Road and Bridge Fund level at $235,000 for the 2027 year. This was seconded by Mark Messman; motion carried.
The 2026 Township Levy for 2027:
General Fund: $37,500
Fire Fund: $40,000
Road and Bridge Fund: $235,000
Total Levy: $312,500
Schedule of the 2027 Annual Meeting Date: A motion was made by Lloyd Blommel to set the 2027 Annual meeting time, date and location to March 9, 2027 at 8:00 pm at the Grey Eagle Township Hall. This was second-
may affect your 2027 Property Taxes
The Board of Appeal-Equalization for Grey Eagle Township is scheduled for Wednesday, April 08, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at the Grey Eagle Town Hall. The purpose of this meeting is to determine whether property in the jurisdiction has been properly valued and classified by the assessor.
If you believe the value or classification of your property is incorrect, please contact your assessor’s office to discuss your concerns. If you disagree with the valuation or classification after discussing it with your assessor, you may appear before the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization. The board will review your assessments and made corrections as needed. Generally, you must appeal to the local Board before appealing to the County Board of AppealEqualization.
You must make an appointment to appear before the board of appeal and equalization. For appointments, contact Todd County Assessor’s Office at 320-732-4431.. Christine Gagne, Grey Eagle Township Clerk/Treasurer • March 16, 2026
ed by Al Maciej; motion carried. There were no public comments.
Adjournment: Joe Kemper made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 pm, seconded by Al Maciej; motion carried.
Submitted by, Christine Gagne, Clerk/ Treasurer Minutes pending approval as of March 10, 2026
RJ's
Country Store
28916 County Rd. 17 - St. Rosa 320-836-2583
Gas/Diesel/Premium • Propane Exchange Groceries • Pep's Pork
A Neighbor Funny
As I was doing my jogging exercise on the road this morning, I got mugged! I told the police, “First, I got hit by a violin, then a clarinet and finally a tuba.” The policeman said, “I think this was an orchestrated attack.”
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.
WANTED TO BUY: Butcher cows, bulls, fats & walkable cripples: also horses, sheep & goats. 320-235-2664. SC-odB
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.
WANTED: An old, oblong livestock tank for a raised garden. Call or text Jason at 320402-4713.
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: Small World rhythm clock, collectors dualing panio player, perfect condition $175. Call 320-815-1768.
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.
Growing Our Regional Food Leadership
Community members across the region are invited to attend Growing Our Regional Food Leadership: A Conversation on Community, Capacity & Funding, a hybrid event taking place Tuesday, April 7th from 4:00–6:00 p.m.
This gathering will be hosted simultaneously at five regional site locations:
• Morris Public Library, 102 E 6th St, Morris
• Family Service Center, Room 8, 715 11th St N, Moorhead
• Sourcewell Office, 202 12th St NE, Staples
• Stearns County Service Center, Room 1104C/D, 3301 County Road 138, Waite Park
• Otter Tail County Government Services Center, Dead Lake Room, 560 Fir Ave W, Fergus Falls
Participants are encouraged to attend the site nearest to them to connect in person with others in their community. A virtual option will also be available. In the event of inclement weather, the event will transition to a fully virtual format.
The event is designed for farmers, nonprofit leaders, economic development professionals, educators, advocates, and residents who care about strengthening the regional food system.
Attendees will: Learn about the Food Council’s role in advancing regional food system priorities; Explore how community members can
shape future initiatives; Brainstorm ways that Climate Smart Food Systems funding could be used in our region; Receive a sneak preview of an upcoming capacity-building training series focused on using AI tools to identify funding opportunities and support grant writing; Build connections with others committed to resilient local food systems
The Food Council is currently welcoming new members and partners. This event offers an opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and explore how to get involved.
Please register for the event by March 31. If you register for one of the five in-person meeting locations, a complimentary light supper will be provided. To register, visit the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/PWTfmYxUTwCL6fhOV7FVjA#/registration
