Herald Sauk Centre
NUMBER 41 • VOLUME 156
THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2023
| WWW.STAR-PUB.COM
Library windows need replacing Project had estimated $100,000 cost in previous years BY BEN SONNEK STAFF WRITER
The unique, tall windows at Sinclair Lewis Library in Sauk Centre need to be replaced, but such an undertaking comes with a large price tag. During Sauk Centre City Council’s March 1 meeting at Sauk Centre City Hall, City Administrator Vicki Willer brought up a critical point of the recently-received facility assessment of the local library, conducted by the Great River Regional Library system. As anticipated, the assessment identified the library’s windows as a critical area of the building that needs to be addressed. “This facility’s need for windows has advanced quite a bit,” Willer said. “We had water infiltration into the library from the windows, and the wind blows inside the building in the winter, so we need to keep that in consideration when looking at funding.” Marisa George, Sinclair Lewis Library service coordinator, has been feeling the effects of the library’s windows for years. By her estimation, the tall, Carnegie-style windows are original from when the library was built in 1904, and they have passed their prime. “They really do need to be replaced,” George said in a March 2 interview. “Besides some putty, we have some felt shoved into the windows and then tape on the inside, just to keep them from blowing in, but sometimes you can feel some air blowing through at the top.” During the summer storms in 2021, one window in the library’s office space blew open. Fortunately, the only damage sustained was to paperwork. “We’re lucky there wasn’t any damage to our computers or server,” George said. “Our main server is back in the office room as well.” During the 2022 rainstorm with high winds, water came in one of the windows in the back of the building. When the weather is not inclement, the windows still let out heat in the winter and also make it hard to keep the building cool in the summer. While the city handles the library’s utility bill, George anticipates new windows will bring down those costs. “I know, just from having replaced windows in my home, that it makes it more efficient,” George said. Replacing the library’s windows will also pose a significant benefit to the books, as a stable humidity and temperature can help keep them in better condition for longer.
Fair weather for
ice fishing Aboutt 110 sixth Ab i th h graders d tackle t kl Fairy F i Lake L k eventt BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER
M
arch 3 was a fair weather day, with temperatures in the mid30s and hungry fish – in other words, a perfect time for the fifth annual Sixth Grade Ice Fishing Day on Fairy Lake. The Sauk Centre Conservation Club and other area businesses and organizations put on the activity to introduce students to the state’s signature winter pastime. In previous years, the fishing day was held in January, but it was delayed to late February because of the extreme cold, and
Publications The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.
Ice fishing page 2 PHOTOS BY BEN SONNEK
(Above) Students and volunteers spread out on Fairy Lake north of Sauk Centre during the March 3 Sixth Grade Ice Fishing Day. About 110 students and 50 area volunteers took to the ice for the event. (Right) Sauk Centre Public Schools sixth grader Elijah Deters presents the fish he caught at the Sixth Grade Ice Fishing Day March 3 on Fairy Lake north of Sauk Centre. Deters won the prize for catching the biggest sunfish.
Two from Sauk vying for dairy princess titles Pageant March 11 at Freeport Community Center BY CAROL MOORMAN | STAFF WRITER
Emily Peters and Lanna Walter from Sauk Centre are among eight young ladies vying for five Stearns County Dairy Princess titles Saturday, March 11, at the Freeport Community
Center, 307 Seventh St. SE, in Freeport. Candidates include Bethany Gerads, 18, daughter of Tim and Karey Gerads of Albany and a Holdingford High School student; Marissa Hartung, 18, daughter of Mike and Nancy Hartung of Opole and a Holdingford High
Sold
School student; Emily Peters, 17, daughter of Jeff an Melanie Peters of Sauk Centre and a Sauk Centre High School student; Megan Ratka, 20, daughter of Kevin and Kathy Ratka
Dairy princess page 4
on Springfest
Winter continues auctioneering for HFS fundraiser BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER
A good auction needs a good auctioneer, and Kevin Winter of Sauk Centre continues to be that auc auctioneer for Springfest, the largest annual fundraiser fo for Holy Family School in Sauk Centre. With his quick voice and eye for bidders, Winter, who works as an aauctioneer throughout the year with Mid-American A Auction Co., enjoys being part of this event that is abou about more than just raising money. “I just love meeting the people,” Winte Winter said. “There are so many nice people to see, peop people you haven’t seen for a year or two, and it’s just a good social gathering.” The 28th annual Springfest fundraiser w was held March 5 after a two-year pause due to COVIDCOVID-19 concerns.
Springfest page 2 PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK
Kevin K evin Winter calls out bids during the Springfest live auction March has M arch 5 at Holy Family School in Sauk Centre. Winter Win been bee en the auctioneer for every Springfest live auction since si the fundraiser fund draiser was started 28 years ago.
City council page 3
ST R
then it was delayed again to March because of the snow. Fortunately, the delays played into the event’s favor. “It’s a beautiful day,” said Marty Sunderman with the SCCC. “The fish bite a little better when you get closer to March anyway, so it’s been good.” About 110 students from Sauk Centre Public Schools and Holy Family School in Sauk Centre fished. As the event previously hosted between 90 and 110 students, this year was one of the best, if not the best, in terms of attendance.
Scan me
PUBLIC NOTICES
to start or renew your subscription!
• Mortgage Foreclosures (3) - pg. 7 • Probate Notice - Hagen - pg. 7 • City of Sauk Centre Advertisement for Bids - pg. 7 • Notice of Feedlot Permit Application - pg. 7 • West Union Township Property Assessments Notice - pg. 7
$
1.50