Celebrate American womanhood DWI patrols target 13 counties Maple Lake ice fishing event canceled due to unsafe ice conditions Health recovery leads to devoted help for orphanages Bone Marrow Registry Drive scheduled Good start for Masons’ food shelf drive ‘Alice in Wonderland’ opens soon in Maple Lake BACK ISSUES December 16 December 23 December 30 January 6 January 13 January 20 January 27 Wright County Board discusses road projects and government spending Horse haven (Press Feature)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrate American womanhood

Performers in “Quilters,” Buffalo Community Theater’s musical that opens on Feb. 10, include those shown above: (from left) Sydney Segelstrom, Jenny Olson, Kim Haggen, Tricia Johnson, Louise Rau, and Joelle Strandquist.  (Photo courtesy of BCT)

 

BCT’s ‘Quilters’ opening Feb. 10 at Discovery Center

      Tickets are on sale now for Buffalo Community Theater’s production of “Quilters,” a unique musical celebrating the spirit and lives of women on the American prairie.

      Combining music, dance movement and scenes of vivid dramatic intensity, the play pays eloquent tribute to the courage and spirit of our nation’s pioneer women and captures their stories in their unique art form, quilting.

      The stories of these pioneer women illustrate the beauty and harshness, the terror and joy, the challenges, and abiding rewards of frontier life.  Each story, told in song and movement, is represented by a quilt patch, and when these patches are ultimately assembled into one glorious, brilliantly colorful quilt, the effect is both breathtaking and magical.

      “Quilters” will be presented Feb. 10-12 and 16-18 at the Discovery Center auditorium in downtown Buffalo.

      Tickets will be available at the door, through Buffalo Books (downtown Buffalo) and online at www.bctmn.org .  Tickets are $8 for youth (under 18), $10 for seniors and $14 for adults.  During intermission, concessions will be available for purchase, and raffle tickets for beautiful, handmade “quilting inspired” items will be sold.

      This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund through a grant from the Central Minnesota Arts Board as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

 

 

DWI patrols target 13 counties

      Roads in Minnesota’s 13 counties with the highest combined totals of alcohol-related traffic deaths and serious injuries will be hot-spots for increased DWI enforcement through September, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety.

      The following 13 counties accounted for nearly half of the state’s alcohol-related deaths (202) and half of the state’s serious injuries (462) during 2008–2010: 1. Hennepin, 2. Ramsey, 3. Anoka, 4. St. Louis, 5. Dakota, 6. Wright, 7. Olmsted, 8. Rice, 9. Washington, 10. Stearns, 11. Sherburne, 12. Scott and 13. Carver.

      New to the 13 counties list is Sherburne County; taken off the list from 2011 was Itasca County.

      Heightened enforcement in the 13 counties began in October 2011 as part of the 12-month federally funded enforcement program (Oct. 2011–Sept. 2012).

Alcohol-related fatalities, injuries and DWIs have dropped in recent years; there were 131 alcohol-related deaths in 2010, the lowest on record. Officials say enforcement and education is contributing to this trend.  Still, each year alcohol-related crashes account for one-third of the state’s total road deaths.

      “DWI enforcement and education are solid, necessary tools to address this ongoing issue,” says Jean Ryan, DPS Office of Traffic Safety impaired driving coordinator.  “But to really reduce impaired driving incidents, we need every Minnesotan to do their part to make sure they don’t take the risk.”

      Agencies in the 13 counties will use high-visibility enforcement tactics to alert motorists of increased enforcement, including electronic message board signage and heavy patrols along specific corridors.  Advertising will accompany the enforcement to encourage Minnesotans to avoid driving impaired.

      The announcement of the 13 targeted DWI counties follows a statewide December enhanced DWI enforcement effort that resulted in the arrest of 2,573 motorists.

      A DWI offense can result in loss of license for up to a year, thousands in costs and possible jail time.  New, stronger sanctions are in effect for all repeat DWI offenders, as well as for motorists arrested for a first-time DWI with an alcohol-concentration level of 0.16 and above.  Under these sanctions, these DWI offenders must use ignition interlock for at least a year or face at least one year without driving privileges.  Interlock requires the driver to provide a breath sample under 0.02 for the vehicle to start.

      DWI enforcement and education is a component of the state’s core traffic safety initiative, Toward Zero Deaths (TZD).  A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior.  TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes: education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency trauma response.

 

 

Maple Lake ice fishing event canceled due to unsafe ice conditions

Other activities, including Arctic Plunge, will proceed

      The 37th annual Maple Lake Ice Fishing Derby, along with the Auger Drilling Contest and “Take a Kid Fishing,” have been canceled due to unsafe ice conditions.  These activities were scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 4.

      Other activities will proceed.  A pre-party at Madigan’s is taking place on Friday, Feb. 3, beginning at 6 p.m. and will feature music by Section 30.

      The third annual Maple Lake Arctic Plunge is taking place on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Efforts are being made to keep everyone on the thick ice close to shore.

      A costume contest is planned.  All proceeds go back to the community to support causes such as the Fire Department and the high school post-prom event.

      Sign up at Madigan’s, Maple Lake Trading Post or the Legion.  A minimum $100 donation is requested to jump in the lake.  Make checks payable to the Maple Lake Property Owners Association.  For group jumps (maximum five jumpers), each person needs to raise $100.

      Cash prizes are being awarded for the top three costumes.

 

 

Health recovery leads to devoted help for orphanages

      A former newspaper reporter in Delano now lives in Buffalo and has been recovering from a very serious health issue.  She now serves as a public relations associate with overseas orphanages and is seeking donations for the children.

      After struggling with debilitating chronic pancreatitis for three years, Jennifer Bakken was told a life-changing and rare surgery was required.  On Jan. 24, 2011, Bakken had a total pancreatectomy with auto islet cell transplant at the University of Minnesota.  The eight hour procedure was successful, and her pancreas, spleen, appendix, a portion of her stomach, and a portion of her intestines were removed.  After two months in the hospital, and home care with feeding and drain tubes in her abdomen, she is now diabetic and still recovering, but the experience has left her with the desire to do something with her life.

      The 41-year-old mother of three has always had a passion to volunteer and work with children.

      “I had a lot of time laying around in hospital beds, and at home,” said Bakken. “All I could think about is that I’ve been waiting for the right time to make a difference.  I told myself that as soon as I could I would stop waiting and start doing.”

      In 2009, Bakken lost her father to Agent Orange related cancer from his service in Vietnam.  Before he passed away her father took the entire family on a memorable trip to Mazatlan.  While there, Bakken volunteered in an orphanage.

      “I fell in love with those children immediately,” she remembered. “I never felt more at home and I just knew I had to do more.”

      Bakken kept in touch with the orphanage and hoped one day she could return.  However, her health issues have left her unable to work full-time and in financial trouble.  One day she was contacted by Tres Islas Orphanage Fund and asked to attend their spring mission trip.  At first Bakken thought she would put this in the “some-day” file, but then she remembered her vow to stop waiting and start doing.

      “I decided that minute I would find a way to make this happen,” she said.

      During the spring, mission volunteers will work in five Mazatlan Orphanages and Bakken, a former preschool teacher, plans to work directly with the children.

      A fundraising website has been established to help Bakken with the mission, http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=590&url=mazat lanorphanagemissiontrip.

      For more information, contact Jennifer Bakken at 763-614-0386 or by email at jenniferlbakken@gmail.com .

 

 

Bone Marrow Registry Drive scheduled

      A Bone Marrow Registry Drive is taking place at the Cokato City Hall on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

      The event is being planned by the Cokato family of Taylor Tenhoff, a 14-year-old bone marrow transplant recipient.

      “We are hoping for a large turnout!  Please consider being on the registry or providing a financial gift,” Taylor wrote on his Be The Match web page, www.tinyurl.com/TaylorTenhoff .  “A fundraising page has been set up.  Please help out by posting it on your Facebook and emailing it to your friends.”

      His parents wrote, “We are very interested in helping Be The Match (National Marrow Donor Program) after our son, Taylor, age 14, has had two bone marrow transplants.  The need for donors is great, and we would like to see the Be The Match national marrow registry grow in numbers and commitment.”

      Taylor had a transplant in 2008 for an auto-immune disorder, in which your bone marrow is attacked and destroyed by your immune system as though it is a foreign body.  When Taylor’s condition was discovered, he had practically no bone marrow left.  Your bone marrow produces all of your blood cells.

      After receiving a bone marrow transplant in 2008, Taylor’s transplant failed in 2010, leaving him with no blood cells and relying only on blood transfusions over a period of four months.  During that time, he fought life-threatening infections.

      “By supporting Team Taylor, you will help add more potential donors to the Be The Match registry,” the Tenhoffs state on Taylor’s web page.  “We hope you’ll consider making a financial contribution today.  Click ‘Make A Gift.’  Every $100 raised helps Be The Match add another potential donor to the national marrow registry.”

      What to expect at the Feb. 11 event: Complete a confidential registration/ consent form and perform a painless cheek swab.  No blood is drawn and the entire registration process takes only 30 minutes.

      For more information, please contact Kristine Reed, a Be The Match representative, at 612.617.8389 or kreed2@nmdp.org .

 

 

Good start for Masons’ food shelf drive

      The banner is now up on the Nelson Lodge building in Buffalo.  Members are letting everyone know you can multiply your support of the local food shelves.

      The banner (see photo inside this week’s issue of the Journal-Press) was partially donated by Franklin Outdoor Advertising of Clearwater and was installed by Loberg Electric of Buffalo.

      So far, the six food shelves in this area have a combined total of just a little over $11,000 in non-Masonic donated funds, reports Mike Hilgert, Masonic Lodge Master.  Annandale is leading with over $7,100 donated funds; Buffalo has just under $3,000.

      “This means the food shelves will be receiving another $22,000 from Minnesota Masonic Charities (and their double matching grant).  We are on our way!” Hilgert said.

      The double matching food shelf fund drive continues through Feb. 29.

      To donate, make your check payable to Nelson Lodge No. 135, and in the memo area of your check, write the name of the food shelf you want to receive your donation.  You can mail donations to: Klein-Bank, attn. Therese, PO Box 40, Buffalo, MN 55313, or you can deposit your donation at any KleinBank location.

      The double match works as follows: For example, if you donate $10, Masonic Charities matches it with $20 for a total donation to the food shelf of $30.

 

 

‘Alice in Wonderland’ opens soon in Maple Lake

      Maple Lake Community Theater is presenting Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” later this month.  The show opens on Feb. 17 in the Maple Lake High School Auditorium.

      The show dates and times are: Feb. 17, 18, 24, and 25 at 7 p.m., and Feb. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m.

      General admission seating costs $7 in advance or $8 at the door. A $5 opening night special is planned.  Advance tickets are available at First National Bank on Highway 55 in Maple Lake, at The Costume Shoppe, from any Community Theater member, or by calling 320-963-3161.

 

 

Wright County Board discusses road projects and government spending

By Ed DuBois

      Transportation matters touched off some discussions about budget concerns and government spending during the Wright County Board meeting last Tuesday, Jan. 31.

      The Board was presented with proposed resolutions of support for road projects that are eligible for funding under the Routes of Regional Significance Account of the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP).  Five projects involving, CSAH 33 in Rockford Township, CSAH 35 on the western side of the county, CSAH 37 and CSAH 42 in Otsego, and CSAH 75 in Monticello, were considered.

      Commissioner Pat Sawatzke offered motions to approve resolutions for CSAHs 33, 42 and 75 because those projects would probably not cost the county as much in local share costs.  These motions were approved.

      The CSAH 35 project involves solving a longtime spring flooding problem in the Wolff swamp area between Annandale and Howard Lake.  Wayne Fingalson, the county’s highway engineer, said the project could cost as much as $1 million, and the LRIP funds, if provided to the county, would probably only cover half the cost.

      Commissioner Jack Russek spoke in favor of submitting the CSAH 35 project for LRIP funds, saying the flooding in the Wolff swamp area has gone on for years and years.  He added that the people of the western half of the county deserve some consideration since road funds often go to the busier roads on the eastern side of the county.

      “We owe something to the west, too,” Russek said.

      A motion to approve a resolution of support for the CSAH 35 project passed 3-2, with Russek, Commissioner Dick Mattson and Commissioner Elmer Eichelberg in favor and Sawatzke and Board Chair Rose Thelen opposed.

      There was no action on the CSAH 37 project.

      Another transportation matter involved a letter to Congress regarding transportation funding.  Thelen and Sawatzke briefly debated the politics of government spending.  Sawatzke said the federal government spends too much money and asking for more money for roads adds to the problem.

      “If we are there with our hand out, we are part of the problem,” Sawatzke said.

      Thelen suggested that, nonetheless, “we have to invest in infrastructure.”

      She added a comment about billions of dollars being spent by super PACs “to make sure we are not spending money.”

      The quick debate was put aside to focus on the proposed letter to Congress.  The letter was provided by the Minnesota Transportation Alliance. A motion to authorize signatures on the letter was approved 3-2, with Thelen, Mattson and Eichelberg in favor and Sawatzke and Russek opposed.

      In other business:

 

ELEVATOR

      Building code changes require the county to improve the elevator in the courts area of the County Government Center. The cost is around $25,000.  The Board approved the project, which is to be completed this spring during a period of time of about five days to two weeks. Sawatzke plans to find out if state law might allow the county to avoid making the improvements.

 

BROADBAND

      The Board approved a proposal to conduct a Wright County Broadband Symposium in the Community Room at the County Government Center on March 13 at 10:30 a.m.

      Representatives of all the cities in the county, plus high speed internet service providers, are being invited.  Bill Swing, the county’s information technology director, described the event as a learning session and said a good, informative, lively discussion is anticipated.

 

TRAILS

      The Board approved two resolutions of support for grant applications regarding Wright County Snow-mobile Association trail projects. One grant request involves a trail bridge over the Locke Lake channel in Silver Creek Township, and the other grant request generally involves bridges and trail shelters.

 

ADJUSTMENT

      Charlotte Quiggle, who chairs the Corinna Town-ship Planning Commission, was appointed to the Wright County Board of Adjustment.

      Commissioner Dick Matt-son wondered if the appointment could potentially lead to some possible conflict of interest problems.  He said he had to step down from a township board position when he joined the County Board.

      Commissioner Jack Russek suggested two elected positions cannot be held by one person, but two appointed positions can be held by one person.

      Board Chair Rose Thelen said Quiggle was considered a good candidate for the Board of Adjustment because she is knowledgeable and has been at all the Board of Adjustment meetings.

 

MISC.

      In other actions, the Board:

      * approved updating the county’s deficient bridge resolution (The current resolution lists eight bridges, and two of them have been replaced since the last update.);

      * scheduled a Transportation Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 9:30 a.m., in the County Public Works Building;

      * scheduled a bid opening for road overlay projects on March 6 at 9:30 a.m.;

      * scheduled a ditch information session on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the County Government Center (Ditch consultants are providing ditch repair process information for county officials and any interested property owners.);

      * authorized seeking proposals for engineering services regarding Ditch 10;

      * accepted a recommendation from the Planning Commission to approve a request from Clifton Simon to rezone about 50 acres in Franklin Township from agricultural use to agricultural-residential use; and

      * authorized signatures on a memorandum of agreement with Teamsters Local No. 320 in regard to a one-year extension for a plan with eight, ten and twelve-hour shifts for civilian communications officers.