Benton County ounty unty nty ty y News ews wss | Tuesday, uesday, esday, June 10, 110 2025 20 202 2 «P Pa Pag Page 1
FOLEY
Schedule of events*
June 13-18, 2025
Commemorative Foley Fun Days buttons are on sale at Foley City Hall, Brenny’s Oil, Frandsen Bank & Trust, Falcon National Bank and Coborn’s as well as through the Foley ambassador candidates and Foley Civic Group members.
Foley Fun Days - 2025 brought to you by the Foley Civic Group Inc.
Friday, June 13 Varied hours ....................................................City-wide garage sales Library hours ............................Friends of the Library Book Sale Foley Public Library 9 p.m............................................................................. Karaoke. Mr. Jim’s
Saturday, June 14 Varied hours ....................................................City-wide garage sales Library hours ............................Friends of the Library Book Sale Foley Public Library 7:30 a.m. ............................................................. Medallion Hunt begins Clues posted each day at Brenny Oil Co. until found 10 a.m. .............................................Foley FFA Alumni Tractor Drive Meet at Foley High School and travel to The Fitch Ranch 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. .............................................. Bicycle Safety Rodeo For ages 10 and under. Foley Lions Park 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ................................................... Car and Craft Show Stone Creek Golf Course Bar & Grill 6 p.m.................................................. Foley Ambassador Coronation Foley High School auditorium 9 p.m. to midnight...............................................Adult Bingo Mr. Jim’s
Sunday, June 15 7:30 a.m. ............................................................. Medallion Hunt begins Clues posted each day at Brenny Oil Co. until found 8 a.m. to noon ................................................ SAL Omelet Breakfast American Legion Post 298
Monday, June 16 7:30 a.m. ............................................................. Medallion Hunt begins Clues posted each day at Brenny Oil Co. until found Varied hours ............................................................ Carnival Downtown 2-8 p.m. ..................................................... Sidewalk Sales Downtown 2:45 p.m. ........................................Timberworks Lumberjack Show 3:30 p.m. .................................CLIMB Theatre — Babe the Blue Ox City Chambers 4:45 p.m. ........................................ Timberworks Lumberjack Show 6 p.m. .......................................................................5K Run/Walk + Kid K Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. Kid K starts at 5:45 p.m. Race at 6 p.m. near Mille Lacs Veterinary Clinic 6:45 p.m. ........................................ Timberworks Lumberjack Show 7 p.m. ...................................... Lumberjack Beard Contest judging Downtown Stage 7:30-10:30 p.m. .. Live music: Radio Nation Downtown Stage
Schedule of events page 3
PHOTO COURTESY OF BENTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Joe Freecheck (front, left) holds a pan of baking powder biscuits while lumber workers eat lunch in the woods in the late 1800s. In the mid-1870s, the Foley brothers established the first sawmill in St. Cloud that processed oak and pine wood.
A community rooted in How one commodity shaped Foley BY HANS LAMMEMAN STAFF WRITER
Much of Foley’s history — even several decades before it was formally incorporated as a village — can be told through the lens of lumber, a commodity that has shaped the community since its beginnings as an unpopulated, densely forested stretch of Central Minnesota. In the early 1870s, a set of business-savvy lumber barons from Ontario, Canada, set their eyes on Central Minnesota. Michael H. Foley, then in his late 20s, convinced his brothers, Thomas, Timothy and John, to venture to Benton County for the region’s abundance of timber. At the time, according to Mary Ostby, executive director of the Benton County Historical Society & Museum, the siblings sought a means to make the most of harvesting the region’s towering trees, unaware their initiative would one day spawn a community that would share their surname. “When the original lumber business started and the Foley brothers came out into the Foley area in the 1870s, lumber was one of the big three,” Ostby said. “Agriculture, lumber and granite — those were Benton County’s big three development industries.” Midway through their first decade in Central Minnesota, the Foley brothers established the first sawmill in St. Cloud that processed oak and pine wood.
LUMBER
Prior to starting their logging and sawmill operation, the brothers purchased 160 acres of land, which eventually became the early footprint of Foley. The small community experienced a surge in population and momentum in the early 1880s following the completion of a section of the Great Northern Railroad. This railroad, which connected Sauk Rapids and Hinckley, passed directly through modern-day Foley. In response to the railroad, the Foley brothers built mills in the areas that eventually became the communities of Foley, Foreston and Milaca. “The Foley brothers’ lumber was shipping internationally and nationally, plus feeding the Foley markets,” Ostby said, adding that much of Foley’s early lumber contributed to the expansion of railroads while also going to mills in the community where barrels were constructed for a fledgling pickling industry. The growth of the Foley brothers’ lumber efforts proved contagious to the rest of the young community’s economy. With the arrival of new residents and an influx of foot traffic from the railroad, cafes, hotels and other businesses sprouted in the community around the time it gained village status in 1900. While the Foley brothers are often considered lumber
barons due to the vast amount of land they owned, Ostby said they strayed from the stereotype associated with that title by being hands-on and actively involved in the communities where they worked. This was especially true of John Foley, the town’s namesake, who is recorded as having had a positive relationship with most area residents. Before his death in 1907, John Foley donated funds for the construction of St. John’s Catholic Church and the Benton County Courthouse. He also reportedly gifted properties to former workers who wanted to build homes and promised to maintain the land. The role of lumber in Foley did not stop with the Foley brothers, though. In their wake, several mills popped up around the village, including one where a young William Kotsmith learned the ropes of the lumber industry before launching Foley Lumber in the 1930s. “Lumber availability sure helped the farming community and helped the housing builds in Foley (regarding) travel,” said Randy Kotsmith, William’s grandson and the third generation to have managed Foley Lumber.
Foley history page 2
A supplement to the Benton County News | www.bentonconews.com
Page 2 » Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | Benton County News
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Foley history from front While lumber proved fruitful for Foley, the jobs were undeniably laborintensive and dangerous, according to Ostby. One of the duties reserved for the courageous was dislodging log jams by running across densely packed logs as they floated on a river or stream, using a hook to break the jam, and then running back to land atop the logs after they started traveling downstream. That fearlessness required by lumber workers and other early positions common in Foley, Ostby said, stayed in the community even as primary industries shifted. “Most of the early jobs that you look at —
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BENTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A wide sleigh bunk loaded with hardwood logs on an iced tote road heading toward the Foley brothers’ mill in Foley. In the early 1870s, a set of business-savvy lumber barons from Ontario, Canada, with the last name of Foley set their eyes on Central Minnesota.
farming, dealing with draft horses, heavy cast iron equipment, lumber — a lot of the skills that were required to earn a living were dangerous,” Ostby said. … “There was a great amount of pride in what Foley had accomplished, building itself with those early business people and
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the variety of businesses they had. Anybody who has an entrepreneurial spirit has a different kind of culture to step forward and try to make it (the community) better.” Randy Kotsmith said he has watched the lumber industry change drastically over the years, as managing the lumber business in Foley has been passed down from one generation to the next in his family. While Foley Lumber is no longer in business in the heart of Benton County, Randy’s son, Nick, is keeping the tradition alive with Kotsmith Lumber under construction this year along Highway 25 in Foley. “I’m proud of it just because my son is taking the next step to continue our legacy in Foley,” Randy said. … “It (Foley Lumber) was a business that was very difficult, but it was a very good business, and we were very proud of that.”
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Benton County News | Tuesday, June 10, 2025 « Page 3 entertainment,” LaSalle said. The competitors are a pair of professionally trained lumberjacks; the Timberworks Lumberjack Show has four touring units who travel around and can handle up to three shows on a weekend. They have been featured on programs such as ESPN’s “Great Outdoor Games,” STIHL’s “Timbersports Series” and ABC’s “Wide World of PHOTOS SUBMITTED Nick Hastedt throws an axe during Sports.” the Timberworks Lumberjack Show “It takes a lot of skill in 2023 in Roanoke, Virginia. The to do what we’re doing,” Timberworks Lumberjack Show is LaSalle said. coming to Foley Fun Days for the The lumberjacks first time June 16. go through a gauntlet of challenges at each event. States and Canada, includ- One of the challenges, over 12,500 chopping blocks, They normally ap- ing on-farm events in fall. “We go wherever pear at up to 40 venues per anybody wants lumberjack Timberworks page 4 year all over the United
Cutting - edge
entertainment
Foley Fun Days to feature Timberworks Lumberjack Show
Schedule of events from front Tuesday, June 17 7:30 a.m. ..........................................Medallion Hunt begins Clues posted each day at Brenny Oil Co. until found Varied hours. ....................................... Carnival Downtown 11 a.m. ..................................................... Tennis Tournament Foley High School tennis courts 2 p.m. ...................................... Card games/board games American Legion Post 298 2-2:45 p.m. ............................... Storytime with the Foley Ambassadors Foley Public Library 2-8 p.m. ................................. Sidewalk Sales Downtown 3-6 p.m......................................... The Jolly Pops Concert. Downtown Stage 4 p.m. ............................................... Pickleball Tournament Foley High School tennis courts 5-7 p.m. ......................................................... FFA Petting Zoo Near Mille Lacs Veterinary Clinic 5-8 p.m. ...................................... Heavenly Hot Rod Show. St. John’s Catholic Church 6 p.m. ....... Kiddie Parade Sign up at 5:45 p.m. with a costume contest by the Downtown Stage 6-8 p.m. ................................Family Fun Night Downtown 6-8 p.m............... Free Grace United Ice Cream Social Free Grace United 7:30-10:30 p.m. .......................... Live music: Grungebox Downtown Stage
Wednesday, June 18 BY BEN SONNEK STAFF WRITER
The 2025 Foley Fun Days has a new event in its lineup, one derived from the heritage of the northern woods. The Timberworks Lumberjack Show will feature professional, competitive and entertaining displays of log-chopping. Samantha LaSalle is not only the Timberworks Lumberjack Show’s marketing and communications manager; she has also competed in the events as a lumberjill — a female lumberjack — and knows firsthand how much fun the show can be for everybody. “It’s really exciting (and) very family-friendly,” LaSalle said. “We try to sneak some humor in there along with some history, so I would say it’s definitely a show geared at people of all ages.” The lumberjack show will take place at 2:45 p.m., 4:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. on June 16. Over its run of about 25 years, the Timberworks Lumberjack Show has performed at nearly 400 state fairs and gone through
Hope you enjoy Foley Fun Days!
7:30 a.m. ..........................................Medallion Hunt begins Clues posted each day at Brenny Oil Co. until found Varied hours .........................................Carnival Downtown 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. .........CARE Music, Lunch and Bingo First Presbyterian Church 1 p.m. .............................Bingo with Foley Ambassadors Foley City Hall 2-8 p.m. ................................... Sidewalk Sales Downtown 5:30-7:30 p.m. ..................... Real Branch Slap Painting Foley Community Art and Crafts Group 6 p.m. ..................................................... The Grande Parade From Norman Avenue North to Second Avenue to Dewey Street to Eighth Avenue 8-10:30 p.m. ................................Live music: 200’ Away Downtown Stage (begins after parade) 8:30 p.m. .................................Lions Cash Raffle Drawing Downtown Stage * Subject to change
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Timberworks from page 3 the springboard chop, involves a historical method lumberjacks used to stand above a large root system to cut down a tree — or to simply have a level surface to stand on. “They would chop a notch in a tree, hook the metal toe that’s on the end
of the springboard into the tree and then stand on that and chop,” LaSalle said. “It makes it really dangerous and difficult because that board is flexing and bouncing as they chop, so it’s one of the more difficult lumberjack events we compete in.”
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Other trials include single buck sawing, axe throwing, a chainsaw race, an obstacle pole relay race, speed climbing, logrolling and some chainsaw carving. A master of ceremonies coordinates the competition, dividing the crowd into two teams — or “logging camps” — to cheer on their assigned lumberjack. The Timberworks Lumberjack Show brings their own wood to the venue, and they try to keep it moist so it is easier to chop. “You definitely don’t want to be chopping dry wood, same with firewood,” LaSalle said. As for the leftover wood scraps, the team often uses them for their stove or outdoor campfires. The organizers and competitors in the Timberworks Lumberjack Show are ready to make their appearances in the Foley Fun Days festivities, something people will talk about and remember long after the sawdust has settled. “We just try to make sure anybody who’s there is going to enjoy it, not only from the competition aspect of it and the sheer amazement of what these guys are doing, but also from the historical and comedic aspect,” LaSalle said.
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Meet the Foley Junior
&
ambassador candidates: The Foley Ambassador Program will take place at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at Foley High School in Foley. The doors open at 5:30 p.m. The program includes the crowning of Foley Junior Ambassadors (ages 11-12) and Little Miss Foley (age 7).
Lauren Harris
Lauren is the daughter of Chris and Julie Harris. Her siblings are Landon, Liam and Lynora. Tell us a little about yourself. I love making crafty things like bracelets and sketches. What attracted you to become a junior ambassador candidate? I feel like the junior ambassador program is a great way for me to learn new things, talk to new people and explore new places, making friends along the way. What are three words you would use to describe the Foley community? Charming, enjoyable and fun because our small town can be full of opportunities and fun places for friends and family to enjoy. If crowned as a junior ambassador, what are you most looking forward to? I look forward to meeting new people and making friends when we go to parades, and I would love cheering on other junior ambassador candidates when I go to other towns’ coronations. How do you think young people can make a difference in our community? By helping out at nursing homes and cleaning up parks and churches. What is your favorite activity to do on a sunny summer day? Playing outside with my family or volunteering at church for Bible camp so that I can help out the smaller grades to experience new things and learn new opportunities.
Left to right: Jordan Brambrink, Andrew Murphy, Chad Levercom, Charlie Shiek, Mitch Olson, Sam Peterson, Jason Forsland, Jill Lentz, Susie Bradley, Wayne Koscielniak, Mark Moses
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Heaven Thomas
Heaven is the daughter of Izell Scales and Brandy Thomas. What attracted you to become a junior ambassador candidate? All the Foley events I’ve been to, they look really happy, and they look like they’re having fun. What are three words you would use to describe the Foley community? Loving, welcoming and warm. If crowned as a junior ambassador, what are you most looking forward to? The events and getting to know the girls. How do you think young people can make a difference in our community? By being kinder to everyone, especially kids with disabilities. What is your favorite activity to do on a sunny summer day? Go outside with friends and swim at the YMCA with friends.
Kinsley Studenski Kinsley is the daughter of Chad and Niky Studenski. Tell us a little about yourself. I love being creative and spend a lot of time drawing and doing art. I do two sports — dance and tennis. I am a Cadet Girl Scout with our local troop. And I have one dog and eight cats — two inside and six outside. What attracted you to become a junior ambassador candidate? My friend is the current Little Miss Foley; I learned about the Foley Ambassador Program from her. If I get picked to be a junior ambassador, it will be a fun experience, and I am looking forward to getting more involved with our town. What are three words you would use to describe the Foley community? Kind, supportive, close-together. If crowned as a junior ambassador, what are you most looking forward to? If I am crowned, I am most excited to meet new friends and maybe learn some leadership skills. How do you think young people can make a difference in our community? By setting a good example to everyone. If a kid can pick up trash or take command of a project that helps the community, then anyone can do it. What is your favorite activity to do on a sunny summer day? Swimming.
MakennaChristopherson
Makenna is the daughter of Andrew and Nancy Christopherson. Her sibling is Waylon. Tell us a little about yourself. I love sports and hanging out with family and friends. What attracted you to become a junior ambassador candidate? I was a candidate as a mini and junior, and I thought it was really fun. What are three words you would use to describe the Foley community? Fun, small, giving. If crowned as a junior ambassador, what are you most looking forward to? Going to the festival and meeting other people. How do you think young people can make a difference in our community? They can treat our community with respect and kindness. What is your favorite activity to do on a sunny summer day? Swim with friends and family.
Little Miss Foley candidates
To be eligible for the Little Miss Foley Program, candidates must be age 7 by June 1. Candidates must be residents of Foley or its surrounding community. The Little Miss Foley program takes place at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 14. This is not a judged event. As a reigning Little Miss Foley, selected candidates will participate in Foley Fun Days events and the parade and represent Foley in other areas and events.
Adeline Isaacson
Aria Martin
Millie Czech
Daughter of Benjamin and Miranda Isaacson
Daughter of Tim and Beth Martin
Daughter of Denis and Lora Czech
Adeline Lloyd
Ava Knowles Daughter of Ben and Nikki Knowles
Onnika Strande
Daughter of Tobias and Stephanie Llyod
Kylee Beack
Daughter of Damon and Jenessa Strande
Alyson McMillin
Daughter of Jeremy and Katrina Beack
Thea Hauber
Daughter of Mike and Katie McMillin
Maelee Fisher
Daughter of Bryan and Michelle Hauber
Daughter of Michael and Kelsie Fisher
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