Over the holiday season, Christensen Farms, one of the largest family- owned pork producers in the country, is donating over $15,000 to food banks across the Midwest. The organization collaborates with local food banks in 18 communities in which it operates, to provide pork certificates to those in need, which included a donation of a $1,000 pork certificate to the Sleepy Eye Area Food Shelf.
Koozie Group recently presented their annual donation to Santa’s Closet. It included a $1,779 cash donation raised from various activities throughout the year, along with hundreds of toys donated by the company and employees. Pictured from left: Kim Maninga, Jenna Zuhlsdorf, Donna Dewanz, Nathan Pearson (Santa’s Closet/Sertoma Club representative), Sue Becker, and Lana Heinrich. Submitted
State Senator Gary Dahms (R – Redwood Falls) and State Representative Paul Torkelson (R – Hanska) made the rounds in District 16B communities for their joint town hall meetings on Wednesday, Dec. 14. Sleepy Eye was the first stop of the day with a meeting at 7:15 a.m. at the Event Center. It was sparsely attended, maybe due to weather conditions.
St. Mary’s Class of 1987 held their 35-year reunion on Saturday, Nov. 26, at the Sleepy Eye Golf Club, front from left: Clint Krzmarzick, Sleepy Eye; Scott Fischer, Elko New Market; Lisa (Fromm) Nickel, Mountain Lake; Renee (Hanson) Braun, Sleepy Eye; Janelle (Reinarts) Kopacek, Sleepy Eye; Peggy (Hillesheim) Zinniel, Waseca; Ben Hoffmann, Sleepy Eye and Greg Hoffmann, Comfrey. Back row: Jeff Schotzko, Rochester; Rodney Domeier, Sleepy Eye; Ron Tauer, Sleepy Eye; Dohn Schroepfer, Sleepy Eye; Jeff Sellner, Sleepy Eye; Art “Bud” Seidl, Elko New Market; John Lux, Morgan and Todd Ibberson, Sleepy Eye. Submitted
Wondering how to get outside and enjoy the outdoors this winter? The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has some great no- and low-cost activities open to everyone. “We know Minnesotans love being outdoors, and winter offers a whole different way to play outside,” said Ann Pierce, DNR parks and trails director.
Each year Minnesota high schools are invited by the Minnesota State High School League to nominate one girl and one boy for the ExCEL Award — Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership. The award is a recognition program for high school juniors who are active in school activities, leaders in their schools, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service. This award is sponsored by the League’s corporate partner Wells Fargo.
New this year, a special mobility needs ride night was held on Wednesday evening, Dec. 7.
Sleepy Eye Utility customers may have received a mailing regarding a solar project in Xcel Energy territory. This mailing is for Xcel customers only and does not pertain to Sleepy Eye Public Utility customers. Sleepy Eye residents should disregard this mailing. If there were to be any type of project like this, information would come directly from the Sleepy Eye Public Utility.
The Sleepy Eye Police Department released the following statement on Dec. 8.
Jeremy Gulban, owner of CherryRoad Media group of newspapers, was elected in October to a two-year term on the board of the National Newspaper Association. Gulban has over the last two years purchased and started newspapers across the nation and now owns more than 70 papers.