Herald Sauk Centre
NUMBER 18 • VOLUME 157
Sauk Centre hospitality grows
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
WWW.STAR-PUB.COM
Building up to
homecoming 2023
City approves Ding Dong variance, short-term rental permits BY BEN SONNEK STAFF WRITER
Sauk Centre’s hospitality options are expanding, whether it is a cafe renovation or the addition of new short-term rentals. During their Sept. 20 meeting at Sauk Centre City Hall, the Sauk Centre City Council approved a variance to the Ding Dong Cafe for a setback of 0 feet from the road right of way and of 2.7 feet from the interior side yard; the setback is usually 30 feet for both the side yard and the street. The decreased setback allows for additions to the west and south sides of the Ding Dong Cafe, which will result in a final size of 75-by-35 feet. Prior to the council’s decision, councilmember Diane Kelly expressed concern over the cafe’s condition, including rotting siding boards, major appliances left outdoors and the large dent in the building from where a tree fell on it. City Administrator Vicki Willer assured the council those issues would be resolved as part of the cafe’s renovation plan.
PHOTO BY MARK KLAPHAKE
The 2023 Sauk Centre Homecoming Court (bottom, from left) seniors Stella Schirmers, Alexis Groetsch, Addison Hoffman, Ava Friedrichs, Zach Klimek, Devon Cervantes, Andrew Drevlow and Matthew Evens; (middle, from left) junior Enara Nelson, seniors Serena Middendorf and Raya Sebek, sophomore David Gilmore, seniors Chris Polipnick and Devin Crawford-Klinnert; (top, from left) freshman Kahlen Suelflow, sophomore Nya Thieschafer, junior Ingmar Berghahn and freshman Lucas Ahrens gather on the football field Sept. 26. Homecoming coronation is Oct. 2.
City council page 3
Nurturing nature
PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK
Jane Jenc arrives for Sausage Supper setup work Sept. 25 at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union. The Sausage Supper is the church’s annual fundraiser, and it used to be held twice a year. PHOTO BY BEN SONNEK
head cheese
Marty Claussen assembles a collection of yard decorations Sept. 22 at Tree Top Nursery and Landscaping in Sauk Centre. Brothers Marty and Tom Claussen founded Tree Top in the spring of 1983.
Head of the
Tree Top Nursery and Landscaping turns 40
Jenc, fellow St. Alexius parishioners prepare for Oct. 1 Sausage Supper
BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER
The nursery has not always been on Sauk Centre’s north side, but over its 40 years of operation, Tree Top Nursery and Landscaping has become a local go-to gardening greenhouse for people looking to grow, plant or add more scenery to their yards and gardens. The owner, Marty Claussen, was first interested in the field while he was growing up, helping out at the nursery belonging to his brother, Tom Claussen, near Long Prairie.
Tree Top page 4
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Publications The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.
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BY BEN SONNEK | STAFF WRITER
very parishioner at St. Alexius Catholic Church in West Union has their role to play in the church’s annual Sausage Supper fundraiser, being served Sunday, Oct. 1. Jane Jenc’s job is to lead the makers of head cheese, an old recipe that lives on through the supper. “As hard of work as it is, it’s a lot of fun,” Jenc said. “I’d rather do one big fundraiser than a lot of little fundraisers. It’s the only fundraiser our church does.”
Jenc has been a parishioner 66 years. She helped out with some of the earliest sausage suppers, back when the fundraiser was held twice per year and there were more farming families in the area who could help out. There also used to be roast beef in addition to the sausage. Growing up, Jenc’s role at the Sausage Supper evolved from waitressing to being head of the dining room. She helped with the head cheese, and about 13 years ago, she was convinced to lead the head cheese-making part of the operation. “It happened to be one of my mom’s very good friends who was head of (making head cheese),” Jenc said. “I just started helping … and about 13 years ago, she looked me in the eye and asked me if I would take over, and what do you say?”
Sausage Supper page 3
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