Band and Choir present Spring Concert and Music Awards
Susan Sudtelgte directs the Elkton-Lake Benton High School Choir during the Spring Concert and Music Awards on Tuesday night.
By Dan Kuss
lbnews@itctel.com
Elkton-Lake Benton School presented its Spring Concert and Music Awards, directed by Susan Sudtelgte and Nicole Eggebraaten, on Tuesday, May 8.
The show opened with the fifth grade band playing “The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down” followed by the sixth grade band playing “Ode to George of the Jungle” and “The Torch Burns Bright.”
The freshman music awards were presented as the fifth graders departed and the sixth graders set up and the sophomore music awards were presented prior to the Junior High Choir presentation of “Agnus Dei” and “Follow the Sun.”
The junior high music awards were presented before the Junior High Band played “Valley ForgeMarch,” “In the Shining of the Stars” and “Eagle Crest.”
The junior high music awards were presented prior to the High School Choir performing “Bless theBroken Road” and “Little Red Riding Hood,” featuring the male members of the choir singing and howling.
“My main howler, Derek Haugen, is gone tonight,” joked Sudtelgte. “He is a phenomenal howler, but these guys did their best. I have to say it was the longest minute of my life.”
The female choir members followed with another golden oldie and playfully tagged off from the right to the left side singing “You Don’t Own Me” as the guys’ real estate was in the center of the stage and Richie Mulder accompanied them on piano.
The High School Choir finished their set with “I’m Just A-goin’ Home” and a moving rendition of “Thank You, Soldiers” while Nick Delaney presented a slide show of parents of students and former students in uniform.
The Select Choir then performed “I Got a Name” by Jim Croce in perfect harmony.
Students took to the risers to receive their various awards, two of which were the Festival of Young Voices and the Band Master Contest in which several Elkton-Lake Benton students were chosen by audition.
The seniors lined up on the big stage in the north gym decorated with flower baskets which were sold at the end of the evening.
As the senior awards were presented, each was escorted down the stairs to receive a hug and a 12-pack of their favorite soda or a bucket of Gatorade with a special helium balloon in the shape of star attached.
A special award was presented to senior Molly Koch, who has designed the artwork for every music concert since she was in the eighth grade.
The High School Band then played “Sousa Spectacular,” “Eagle Mountain Overture” and “Exaltation” before the High School Jazz Band closed the evening with “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “In The Mood,” with help on the saxophone from Band Director Nicole Eggebraaten.
The FCCLA sold and served ice cream sundaes in the cafeteria after the performance.
Filed under Community |Dakota-Minnesota Saddle Horse parade openings
By Dan Kuss
lbnews@itctel.com
The Lake Benton Chamber of Commerce still has openings for units in the Dakota-Minnesota Saddle Horse Parade to be held at noon on Sunday, June 17.
Community groups and organizations are invited to participate by contacting Janel Stuefen or Cheryl Kjergaard at 507-368-4261.
The Lake Benton Chamber of Commerce is offering $100 in Lake Benton Chamber Bucks for the Most Creative Entry, $50 in Lake Benton Chamber Bucks for the Most Colorful Entry and $50 in Lake Benton Chamber Bucks for the Best Musical Entry.
Lineup will start at 11 a.m. at Creamery Park by Lake Benton Lake.
Filed under Community |Let the fishing begin on Lake Benton
Fishermen line the pier by the old creamery on Lake Benton Lake on the opening day of fishing. Good-sized crappie and walleye were reported to have been caught on a lovely day for fishing. For photos from the fishing opener turn to page 6.
City to replace squad car, pave and repair streets
By Dan Kuss
lbnews@itctel.com
The city council discussed the purchase of a new police squad car, paving Mork Street and repair of Cottage Street at the Monday night city council meeting.
Police Chief Guy Harding presented quotes for two different vehicles to the council and explained the details necessary to get one of them operational by city standards.
“Both vehicles are all-wheel drive and get around 18 miles per gallon compared to the 11.5 now,” said Harding. “One is an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) and the other is a sedan.”
“They’ve been working on a replacement for the Crown Vic for about four years and came up with the Interceptor.”
The vehicle would come with 90 percent of the necessary equipment and all the city would have to pay for is to fit a new radio, radar and light bar.
“We can install a brand new $2,200 radar system for around $750,” said Harding. “The old one was used when it was purchased 10-12 years ago.”
“We can wrap vinyl graphics on the car as opposed to spray painting so when we go to sell it we can just peel the graphics off.”
The projected cost of the squad car would be around $33,300 plus an additional $1,500 for the additional equipment for a total cost in the area of $35,000.
City Maintenance Supervisor Todd Draper said the engineer has given him a cost estimate of $85,165 plus contingency funds for a total of around an estimated $115,165 to paveNorth Mork Streetwith payment coming from tax-incremental financing (TIF) funds.
The project calls for water, sewer, curb and gutter from 100 feet west of Royal Lynn’s new place all the way to Benton Street with a catch basin in the southeast corner.
“That street has been there for quite awhile and should be paved,” said Mayor Mike Carpenter.
Draper suggested having the city attorney go through the documents.
The council also discussed resurfacing Cottage Street. The sewer lines are new but the water mains are cast iron and need to be replaced.
Draper said it might be the time to try out a new geo-tech fabric to keep the soils separated.
“I don’t know why we didn’t deal with it in the 2008 Street Project, but now it’s time,” said Carpenter. “We need to set up an informational meeting with the property owners to discuss our options.”
There are seven or eight property owners on that street and repairs would be assessed to them, since the city has an assessment policy in place.
The council authorized City Clerk Rosie DeZeeuw to send a letter to property owners about a special meeting on Tuesday, May 22 to hear their concerns about the possibility of improvements to the water and street.
Library project architect Tim Fonder of Banners said the projected cost is within the loan/grant range from USDA but the city needs to contract with an electrical architect for the heating, cooling and electrical for the building.
The city will send it out for bids on May 16 and hopes there is interest from local contractors. A performance bond is required to protect the city. There will be two bids, one for the electric, heating and cooling and the other for construction/remodeling of the building.
Carpenter asked Library Committee Members Duff Trautman and Barb Powell if there is any reason not to move forward with the project.
Powell said, “As long as we’re in budget.”
Carpenter said all i’s are dotted and t’s crossed and the next step is to call for bids. The council approved moving forward with the project.
Costs for electrical, heating and cooling will be on hand at bid opening.
The earliest construction could begin is mid-July and the goal is to be done by the end of the year.
Draper said he is watching the water levels onParkview Driveand may disconnect the drainage system to alleviate problems facing the northwest residents.
Draper also said the oil prices are down for the seal-coating project and the county will lock in a price on May 15.
Draper is also researching the best way to go with a street sweeper. There are two types, mechanical and hydraulic. There are pros and cons with each type as mechanical creates more torque and hydraulic wears out faster, but is easier to repair.
Bids for painting the water tank should go out in June.Tyleris painting their tower and Draper and Powell will talk to that company for information.
Carpenter said Greg Mensen reported that the Opera House Beaver Tail System is working and the floor was dry after the big rain over the weekend.
The council authorized issuing a $3,100 check from the insurance company to the Opera House, who will replace the signs damaged in the July 1 storm.
Johansen’s Repair submitted a letter to the city saying they will clean up some cars, barrels and iron by June 16.
The city attorney had a question on insurance for leasing the West Side Football Field to the Wildcats. The clerk will check with Coach Mike Tiedeman.
The city received the $5,000 grant for the siren project and will work with Meghan at USDA Rural Development on a low interest loan for the remainder.
The council authorized the mayor and the clerk to sign the mowing contract for Cemetery Hill once LaDon Prosch signs the document.
The city will have its annual Rabies Clinic at reduced rates on May 21 from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Fire Hall. Dog licenses will also be available at this time.
USDA Rural Development agrees with the city on redirecting CD funds for city projects.
The next meeting of the city council will be on Monday May 21, with theCottage Streetspecial meeting on May 22.
Filed under Community |Lake Benton Elementary Student Council celebrates successes
By Dan Kuss
lbnews@itctel.com
The Lake Benton Elementary Student Council celebrated this year’s successes by holding a carnival in the gym on Thursday afternoon.
The student council consists of representatives from each third through sixth grade class who also worked the various stations at the carnival with assistance from teachers and staff at the school.
The stations included three huge inflatables, a rock wall with a slide, an obstacle course and a trampoline in addition to a Fish Pond, Bean Bag Toss, Cake Walk, Penny Pitch, Chuck the Chicken and temporary tattoos.
The kids had chances to win prizes at each station.
“The kids earned the inflatables from the Chip Shop fundraisers,” said Curtis Carlson of The Big Blast and Marlis, Inc. out ofSt. Cloud. “The two companies have merged and are growing so fast we have to expand the warehouse.”
Students ran from one station to the next, spotted on the inflatables by the teachers and served at the others by members of the student council.
Sixth Grade Teacher Kelli Larson and Music Director Marijane Borresen are the student council advisors.
“The older students played bingo in the lunchroom for 45 minutes while the younger students played in here, then they switched,” said Larson. “It turned out great. The kids are having fun and it’s good for them.”
Lake Benton Elementary participates in a subsidiary program called Paws for Character in which they teach elementary students character education.
The program was designed to help students understand the importance of thinking and acting in ways that reflect good character and shows students what they gain when they adopt positive character traits and what they can lose without them.
“This is an end-of-the-year event to celebrate all of our successes throughout the year,” said Superintendent/Principal Ryan Nielsen. “The kids did well on their MCA tests and this is also a celebration of their positive behavior during the whole school year.”
The Minnesota Department of Education Assessment Division provides test specifications for the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) in mathematics, reading and science as well as other state tests.
Test specifications are specific rules and characteristics that guide the development of a test’s content and format.
“The kids are having a lot of fun,” said Cal Farmer, substitute teacher. “The kindergartners hardly played at all on the playground during recess and said they were saving their energy for the carnival.”
“It’s interesting that the younger kids figured that out on their own so they could have more fun at the carnival and wouldn’t get too tired.”
Filed under Community |Fire Department responds to electrical fire in Verdi
The Lake Benton Fire Department responded to an electrical fire in Verdi last week, according to Fire Chief Al Trigg. The building was Clippers Store for years and became KIT’s Corner with a grocery store, gas station and café. The building was a total loss.
“Our Story” series comes to Lake Benton
lbnews@itctel.com
The City of Lake Benton has gone viral, sort of. “Our Story” is a local television show that focuses on news and events happening in small towns in Minnesota and surrounding states and Lake Benton just happens to be one of them.
Based out ofFairmont, Our Story Productions spotlights over 120 towns with productions that tell about the interesting facts and events that those towns hold dear.
“Our mission is to get the word out about small-town living,” said Founder and Executive Director and Producer Jeff Rouse. “There are movers and shakers in each of these towns trying to make things happen. The biggest thing we’re all missing is airtime on TV and shows on the Internet.”
In 1997 Rouse took matters into his own hands and founded Our Story Productions.
He set up a studio to record 60-minute programs that air on cable TV stations and the Internet which now reach 1.4M households in 43 counties in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin and South Dakota.
One way Rouse passes the word about activities in towns is to produce talk shows in which his cast of characters interview people of stature or business sponsors within the communities.
“People come to our studio to shoot these talk shows,” said Rouse. “We never make fun of a town, a guest or an event, but we definitely draw attention to things.”
What he means is, “Our Story” has a cast of characters and has built a following by using down-home country and at times corny humor.
The talent are volunteers from the Fairmont community and surrounding area and part of the ambiance is to not appear totally professional, kind of like the 1969 to 1993 TV show “Hee Haw.”
“We know we are using mediocre talent and we ad lib a lot off the script but we let people know that we are in on the joke,” said Rouse. “The talk shows always start the same way as do the soap opera “As The Corn Grows,” the “Cocklebur Morning Show” and “Split Hoof Tonight,” which is a take-off on Johnny Carson.”
The shows center around Sweet Swine County in which nothing happens, so they talk about the neighboring counties that surround them.
The town names in Sweet Swine County are the likes of New Pork, Split Hoof and High Horse.
There is a show called “Cooking with Betty” and though Betty doesn’t cook on the show, she knows the best places to go eat.
“It’s a cross between Garrison Keillor and Andy of Mayberry,” said Rouse. “We do all this with four staff members and 52 volunteers.”
Lake Benton Executive Director Heather Ulrich- Glynn represented Lake Benton on the talk show to highlight activities such as Saddle Horse Holiday and the Benton-Fremont Te Tonka Ha Festival.
Ulrich-Glynn was interviewed live by two of the characters in a studio audience setting with no people in the crowd.
While watching the show it is obvious to viewers that the studio is using a laugh track and a clap track to add flavor to the show.
“We run ‘Sweet Swine County’ every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m. on our cable access channel,” said Ulrich- Glynn. “People should tune in to watch it because it’s hilarious.”
You can also find the programming at www. ourstorymn.com.
“Every town has their own page,” said Rouse. “Just in Lake Benton we’ve had the Benton House Bed and Breakfast and Kjergaard Sports sponsor a show and we look forward to doing more.”
Sweet Swine County’s Clarice Plow tours places of interest such as the Benton House.
“There are back stories to every character and place in Sweet Swine County,” said Rouse. “Elmer Plow is Clarice’s brother and Lawyer Ed had a running-with-scissors accident as a child and wears one dark lens on his glasses.”
“He just can’t remember which eye, so if you look closely, you will notice that the dark lens switches from eye to eye.”
There are many other shows on Sweet Swine County such as “Earl Steps Out” and “The Women of Sweet Swine County,” which is a take-off on “The View” at Our Story.
Over 800 video shows are posted to You Tube, Facebook and Pinterest for viewing pleasure.
“Once it hit the Internet, it really took off,” said Rouse. “We invite everyone to join in the fun.”
Filed under Community |Lake Benton Elementary presents Spring Concert
Lake Benton kindergarteners through fourth graders performed a medley called “Go Fish” at the Elementary Spring Concert on Thursday night in the school auditorium.
By Dan Kuss
lbnews@itctel.com
Lake Benton Elementary School presented its spring music concert directed byMarijane Borresenon Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m. in the evening.
The show opened with third grade students playing “Tea Bag Tango” followed by fourth graders playing “Ode to Joy” on recorders. The third and fourth grade students then combined to play “Mary’s Mixmaster.”
The sixth grade band opened with “Breckenridge Overture” and “Into The West” before the fifth grade band members joined them for “March Ahead” and “Let’s Go Band” at the end of which the entire band enthusiastically shouted “Let’s go band” in perfect unison.
The preschool children were up next, performing “Once an Austrian Went Yodeling,” “Mother Gooney Bird” and “Cool Bear Hunt” while acting out the parts with almost perfect, if not humorous choreography.
Gifted young vocalist Jonathon Murray soloed on “We Are the World” accompanied in part by a talented kindergarten through fourth grade choir who followed with a fine presentation of “Go Fish” while dressed in costume.
“Go Fish” was a medley of “Oceans of Fun,” “We’re Sharks,” “Commotion in the Ocean,” “Roundup Under the Sea” and “The Colors of the Sea” with fun and interesting choreography and student actors playing many speaking parts from sharks to various fish in the ocean.
There was an octopus with seven legs, a tuna who couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, a zebra fish with spots instead of stripes, a star fish who hadn’t had a lead role in some time and a clown fish who was a joke in addition to many other varieties of fish who told a story.
As it turned out, the great white shark said each of the fish were unique in their own way with musical attributes to keep the audience amused.
The fifth and sixth graders performed “Smile” and not to be outdone, broke out with their own dance moves to “Dance Evolution” which was a medley of hit dance tunes from the 1960s to the present day.
The show closed with the fourth grade girls performing a dance routine called “Breaking Dishes” choreographed by Dani Bjork.
Treats were served in the cafeteria after the performance for the students and their audience of parents, grandparents, siblings and friends.
Filed under Community |Lake Benton Sportsmen’s Club cleans up lake shore
Ila Mae, Tommy and Jenae Christensen and Lonnie Willert are pictured cleaning up the lakeshore at the Creamery Park pier on Wednesday. The Lake Benton Sportsmen’s Club held their annual lakeshore cleanup before the fishing opener.
By Dan Kuss
lbnews@itctel.com
The Lake Benton Sportsmen’s Club met atCreameryParkon a mild Wednesday evening to perform the annual lakeshore cleanup.
Sportsmen began scouring the rocky coastline at 6 p.m. to remove any foreign debris and obstacles that washed up and might get in the way of fishermen and others enjoying the shoreline.
“It was pretty clean this year,” said Eldy Nordmeyer. “We had a mess a few years ago when we had that weed problem and hauled away truckloads of rotting weeds and other junk.”
On hand to assist the Sportsmen were Daryl Schlapkohl of Lincoln County Parks with a track loader and Troy Nordmeyer with the city dump truck.
Sportsmen young and old made short work of the cleanup by gathering debris into a pile to be picked up by the loader and placed in the truck.
Carter Bressler and Jacob Miller rode their bikes down to help pitch in and Janae Christensen came along with her dad Tommy to help out.
Club President Lonnie Willert and Secretary Eileen Christensen were also on hand to roll up their sleeves and get the job done.
When the work was done, the crew met at the shelter for a picnic of burgers, brats and brat burgers cooked on the grill by Treasurer Scott Christensen in addition to chips left over from the recent Wild Game Feed and other goodies such as brownies and Rhubarb Delight prepared by Ila Christensen, Wanda Nordmeyer and others.
“We could use a little more water in the lake this year,” said Nordmeyer. “My grandfather homesteaded that area across the lake and I haven’t seen it this low since about 1976.”
“Back in the 1930s the lake dried up completely.”
This is the last Sportsmen’s Club event before the fishing opener and their year-end picnic in May.
Filed under Community |School board discusses changes in GED requirements
By Dan Kuss
lbnews@itctel.com
The Lake Benton School Board discussed requirement changes in General Education Development (GED) testing which will take place in 2014.
GED tests are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American or Canadian high school-level academic skills. The five subject areas are math, language arts, reading and writing, social studies and science.
“We just want the public to be aware of changes coming to the GED tests, especially for those working on them now,” said Superintendent/Principal Ryan Nielsen. “The cost of the testing is going up to $80 and the tests will be given entirely on-line.”
“There are two writing essays and all five competencies will need to be passed by January 2014 or participants will have to start all over from the beginning.”
The school board assigned committee positions for the 2012-2013 school year.
Representing the school board on various committees will be: Janell DeVries, Community Education; LaDon Prosch, Title 1; Tony Schwing, Staff Development; Roger Rudebusch, Building and Grounds; Darrell Busselman, Wellness and Mike Smith, Public Relations.
The school board assigned Superintendent Ryan Nielsen to the Meet and Confer committee.
The board will assign two members plus an alternative to the negotiations committee in the near future.
The board had its first reading of the Health and Safety Policy, which is available at the school. Nielsen met with Police Chief Guy Harding and Gary Serie of the First Responders to gain insight for the policy.
The board spent considerable time reviewing, discussing and comparing the differences in theLakeBentonand Elkton 2012-2013 school calendars.
Nielsen tried to match the schedules as close as possible and said six days won’t match up time-wise next year, requiring Lake Benton to send a bus back out to pick up the high school kids.
Lake Benton won’t take prime learning time from kids and will adjust accordingly, probably eliminating recess on those days.
The board will address concerns at the joint advisory meeting between Elkton and Lake Benton and may approve the schedule at a special meeting in two weeks.
The board opened bids for seal-coating the parking lot and playground hard top. The board accepted the bid from Dakota Seal out of Sioux Falls for $7,671.62, which was about $5,000 less than the bid from R & H of Russell.
Nielsen produced a handout for board members to track possible projects for next year.
Roof replacement will take place in the future and the bids for sealing the parking lot, driveway and basketball court were opened at this meeting.
There is a sink hole in the blacktop at the playground and Steve Bennett will look into it before the seal-coating happens.
Nielsen would also like to put in a light at the playground, which can be set with a timer to go off at a certain time to save on electricity.
There are a few minor repairs that need to take place by order of the Fire Marshall and a few areas around the school building that need touchup painting.
Nielsen said the music curriculum from 1991 needs to be replaced at $10,000 to $13,000 as the school cannot find workbooks for the old books which coincide with the lessons.
Nielsen would like to implement 20 Apple iPads to keep Lake Benton kids up on the latest technology so they don’t fall behind. Nielsen said he would like two in each classroom at about $9,800.
He is attempting to secure granting funds from the Lake Benton Area Foundation to help offset the cost.
Nielsen said updating the front desk is more expensive than he thought at around $5,000 to $6,000 and the school is trying to obtain quotes for less money.
Nielsen recommended that the school board “watch our pennies” for the next few years as stimulus money and tax revenues decrease.
“The geothermal system and tower will be paid off in a few years,” said Nielsen. “If we can weather the storm we should be okay.”
The next meeting of the Lake Benton School Board is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16.
Filed under Community |