News

An article in the June 16 Herald-Dispatch titled “Students Investigate Duckweed Growth” summarized experimental evidence showing that decaying lawn clippings, twigs, and leaves contribute to an increased growth rate of vegetation in an aquatic ecosystem. Sleepy Eye residents were encouraged to help maintain or improve the water quality in the lake by not dumping compost materials over the banks of the slough behind St. Mary’s School. This article introduces the “Adopt-A-Storm Drain” program as another way residents can actively participate in stewardship of Sleepy Eye Lake.

The statue of Chief Sleepy Eye in Wooldrik Park (by the post office) was restored over the weekend. An anonymous donor arranged for the restoration through Brodin Studios of Kimball. The processes of restoration include sand blasting, repatination, and clear coating to help restore the statue to its original coloring.

Ahoy mates! The Summer Reading Program “Oceans of Possibilities” is in full swing. We have over 150 youth committed to reading over the next six weeks. We offer weekly story time as well as weekly take home projects. For the older children there are 3-D pen activities and cartesian divers (make your own scuba diver in a bottle) activity, please stop in or call to sign up as space is limited. Scott Kadulka from the Minnesota DNR put on a very popular “Wild About Wildlife” program for the kids last week. They really enjoyed this handson program, touching and naming the different animal furs that were presented. Next Thursday, June 23, we will be visited by the Bookaneer, an engaging Library Pirate Adventure. Capt. KID will entertain at 1 p.m. at the Event Center. Hope you can all make it!

(Editor’s note: Teacher Mary Beth Botz and students Maya Nelson, Hannah Pelzel, Elle Kyllonen and Joey Herzog prepared this report which was edited for length.) “If the people of the Sleepy Eye area want to promote good (or improved) water quality in Lake Sleepy Eye, then maintaining the well-being of that slough is important! It isn’t the only thing that needs to be done… but it is probably right up there with being one of the most important things that needs to be done,” said MSU Professor Bryce Hoppie, hired by the City of Sleepy Eye to conduct a study of the watershed surrounding Sleepy Eye Lake. St.

Minnesota DNR Naturalist Scott Kudelka presented a special program called “Wild about Wildlife” to children at the Dyckman Free Library Friday morning, June 10. In this photo he is talking to the kids about coyotes as a volunteer carries a coyote fur around for the children to touch. In addition to Story Time on Thursday mornings, the library also has extra programming planned for the summer. See Library News on page ?? for more information. Deb Moldaschel

Sleepy Eye FFA Members of the Month for May are Jose Castorena, Noah Rossbach, Rachel Portner, and Lee Wahlborg. Jose Castorena is in 9th grade and has been in FFA for one year.