Let’s Play Hockey! 1st Annual Outdoor Memorial Hockey Tournament This Weekend
Starting bright and early at 8 AM Saturday February 6th, 2010 the 1st Annual Beau Berglund Memorial Hockey Tournament will kick-off at the outdoor hockey rinks located outside the Pine City Civic Center, formally Korbel Arena. Last I heard, there were over 10 teams entered into the tournament with varying levels of skills, so the day should bring lots of entertainment & fun.
With temperatures expected to be reasonable - in the mid to upper 20’s - why not bring the whole family up to watch a Minnesota pastime and remember Beau Berglund and his love of the game of hockey.
For those of you that didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Beau, he was a fellow Pine Citian who loved to hunt, fish and play hockey and had an infectious grin that helped him befriend everyone he met. His friends decided to start this tournament to help remember him, after his life was cut short this summer after a long battle with cancer.
The weekend’s activities include continuous games Saturday and Sunday, a possible and always entertaining skills competition (think out of shape grown men trying to “look” like professional hockey players), as well as a raffle drawing. The warming house will be open for people to utilize and many friends of Beau and his family have donated food, items for the raffle, and supplies to help the tournament run smoothly, all weekend long.
Put your warm clothes on, fill your thermos full of your favorite hot beverage and get outside to watch some hockey!
For more complete information, contact the tournament director Cody Youngbauer at 320-629-4874 or codyyoungbauer@aol.com
Are you on a Diet?
No not that kinda diet- one of those spending and budgeting diets. I know we are. Come summer on the farm there is so much work, but not so much money coming in until fall. Budgeting all year is so important, not just for things we want but so that we can pay our monthly bills. I have to admit I am not that great with money, I think every year I am getting better and better. That might also correlate with the fact it seems every year we have less and less money, and having a kid does help is the spend less department.
With the way this economy is going learning how to spend and save is so important, and having access to someone who can help is sometimes hard to find, let alone free. Well lets count ourselves lucky because Communities Investing in Families (CIF) and PC Horizons is offering a free financial class. The class is coming up this month, actually next week, so mark your calendars! The presenter is Sara Turner with Rural American Bank, she will cover some of the basics like:
■ Understanding Your Credit Report and Score
■ Preventing Identity Theft and Fraud
■ Debt Collection Practices & Your Rights
■ Budget for Life
■ More Money- More $ense
Stop those yo-yo diets join CIF and PC Horizons, and Sara Turner of Rural American Bank
Thursday, February 11th @ 9:00am – 10:300am
City Hall/Library Community Room
For more information or to RSVP, please call:
Marcia at 320-438-0324 or cif@scicable.com
Cell Phone Recycling by NHS
The National Honor Society is collecting cell phones and will be recycling them as a fundraiser. The NHS uses much of the money we raise for charity, so the more cell phones we can collect, the more money we have to help others. All kinds of cell phones are accepted, along with chargers and other accessories. We chose to do this fundraiser as a way to help others and the environment. Thank you for your support.
A community collection site has been set up at the Pine City Pizza Pub, located in Downtown Pine City. If you have a cell phone that you would like to recycle, please bring it to this collection location before February 12th.
Thank you for supporting our local students and the environment!
Pine City wins Subsection championship
- Another public performance scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m.
Pine City High School won its second straight Sub-Section One-Act Play Championship on Saturday and will advance to the Section Festival for the third year running. “The Exonerated,” directed by Bradley Mariska, is a true story of four individuals wrongly accused and convicted of murder.
Saturday’s contest was hosted by Pine City for the first time in the school’s history and featured performances from six area schools. Pine City’s performance not only took top honors but two of the three judges gave the local production a perfect score of 100. Second place, and also advancing to Sections, went to Mora High School for their production of “The Forced Marriage” by Moliere and directed by Gary Hirsch. Milaca High School, who advanced to the State Festival a year ago, took third place, followed by Rush City, Zimmerman, and Braham.
The Pine City students have been rehearsing for about seven weeks and also participated in a pair of festivals in St. Cloud and Mora to help prepare them for Sub-Sections. The play is a dramatic and sometimes disturbing tale of flaws in the criminal justice system and its innocent victims.
The play is told firsthand by the exonerated themselves, their words drawn from personal interviews, police interrogations, court records, letters, and depositions.
According to Mariska, the cast is the strongest he’s ever had. “The students are doing a phenomenal job with a script that is unbelievably difficult and emotionally taxing. I’m really proud of the kids’ hard work and seriousness in wanting to stretch themselves as actors.”
The judges praised the local students’ skills, saying that their acting portrayed “complete confidence and strength.” Another judge wrote that he found the show “powerful” and “convincing.”
The local thespians now advance to the Section Festival at St. Paul Harding this Saturday, Feb. 6. There will also be one more chance for local audiences to see “The Exonerated” this week. An extra public performance has been added for this Thursday (Feb. 4) at 8 p.m. in the Elementary Auditorium. Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for students or free for anyone with a PCHS Winter Activities Pass. Due to subject matter, the play is not recommended for elementary students.
Calendar Highlights for January 29 - 31
I’d like to send a special thanks to “Mary”, one of the “weekenders” that frequents this great town that so many of us call home. She came across our blog and took the time to send us a note asking for some weekend highlights for Pine City. I will do my best to share this information as it comes in, but if you know of other Community Calendar events that are not included, please comment on this post.
Pine City will be hopping with activity this weekend, so put down the book and enjoy one of the great events that will be happening this weekend:
Visit the 2010 Lifestyle Show sponsored by WCMP/WXCX Red Rock Radio. Nearly 40 exhibitors will be on hand to provide great information about their business or their organization. Friday, January 29th from NOON - 7PM and Saturday, January 30th from 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM.
The Pine City High School invites the public to attend the One-Act presentation of “The Exonerated” at 7:30 PM on Friday, January 29th at the Pine City Elementary Auditorium.
The 18th Annual nine-hole golf scrample on Lake Pokegama will take place on Saturday, January 30th at Mitchell’s Landing. Team sign-up begins at 10 AM. Shotgun start at NOON. Call Mitchell’s Landing at 320-629-9979 for more information.
On Saturday, January 30th, the Pine Riders ATV Club is sponsoring a Radar Run at the Chengwatana Country Club/Maverick’s, just 6 miles east of Beroun. Registration begins at 9AM and the runs will begin at 11AM. For more information vist the Pine Riders ATV Club website.
For more event information, check out the Community Calendar on the Chamber of Commerce website or the Events listings online at the Pine City Pioneer.
The Pine City Area Chamber of Commerce will gladly accept information on events that are happening in the Pine City area to add to our calendar of events. If you would like your event added, send an email to info@pinecitychamber.com
PCHS presents “The Exonerated”
Culled from interviews, letters, transcripts, case files, and the public record, The Exonerated tells the true stories of four wrongfully convicted survivors of death row in their own words. The stories of Kerry Max Cook, Sunny Jacbos, Gary Gauger and Delbert Tibbs move between first-person monologues and scenes set in courtrooms and prisons. They paint a picture of an American criminal justice system gone horribly wrong and of four brave souls who persevered to survive it.
In this photo, Jorie Williamson (foreground) reads a monologue as Sunny Jacobs, a woman who spent sixteen years on death row for a murder she never committed. The talents of a dozen Pine City students were put on display on Mon., Jan. 18 as the local thespians presented ”The Exonerated” one-act play at a festival at St. Cloud State University, where judges praised their performance as “bold.” The students also travel to Mora on Tues., Jan. 26 for an exhibition festival.
The students will present “The Exonerated” for the public on Fri., Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Elementary Auditorium. Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for students, though due to subject matter, the play is not recommended for elementary students.
They will also be competing in Sub-Section Contest on Sat., Jan. 30. If the students place first or second, they will advance to Sections at St. Paul Harding on Sat., Feb. 6. Pine City has advanced to the Section Finals each of the past two years.
Crazy madness begins
In case you did not know it is almost the end of January, almost the beginning of February, almost Farmers’ Market and Community Garden time. I know we have a few more months, and with the weather today we are surely not that close, but the meetings are starting. Last week was our first Community Garden Committee meeting (if you want to be apart of this years organizing please let me know), it feels good to be starting again. And this year we hope things will go a little smoother. Last year we were in a kind of hurry because the garden was under a deadline for the Horizon’s program. So things were a little intense. Right now are focus is getting the word out there. PINE CITY HAS A COMMUNITY GARDEN! This garden is for those who want to learn to garden, don’t have the space to garden, want to socialize and garden, want to cut down the grocery bill, or just plain want to garden. We have over 30 plots available, with more tillable land if needed.
Maybe because we live in a “farming community” people might not think that having a community garden is important, but there are so many people in our community that do not have access to land, or the resources to garden. When I first started with the Horizon’s program I learned that Pine City has a poverty rate of over 10% of it’s population, that is so huge. This garden should serve as a way for families to spend time together, learn about healthy foods, and feed themselves. A month or so ago I watched a great documentary called Food Inc., anyway in the movie there was a family that was followed as they went grocery shopping. This family was spending most of their income on medication, anyway in one particular scene they were in the produce department, they looked at a few items and decided that they could not afford the “healthy” foods that it was cheaper to feed their family at a fast food restaurant than buying fresh produce in the grocery store.
Being able to provide fresh, healthy food for your family is a gift, if you or anyone you know might want to be part of the garden this year, please have them call Colleen Gallus at 629-7145. For a limited time each plot will only be $15 (a $5 savings over last year), there is grants available for those that need them. There is also a program for children, call Colleen for more details:)
This garden is a gift to Pine City, what a wonderful resource, what a wonderful gift!
Ahh back on line
I love living in a small rural community. I love how quiet it is, I love how there is still land, trees and water. Living in the ‘country’ the things I don’t like are, no or low cell phone reception, no voice mail (yep you can have a phone but forget about voice mail- does not make sense to me but we are living proof), and almost no way to get internet (sorry there is no way I call dial-up internet, and I refuse to pay any money for the ’service’). Anyway we finally got internet at home, only 2 months later to break the darn external modem thing, so $120 later we are back online!!
This was only exacerbated by the fact that 3 weeks ago I slipped on the ice, sprained my ankle and have been on crutches ever since. Oh, the things you think you can get done when you are laid up in bed, none checked off the list so far. If you know me, you know that sitting still is not my thing, well unless I am sleeping or watching a movie. I have however done several things that were not on my list, one being putting all my favorite recipes into my very own homemade cookbook. Having one place to go for all my recipes is very handy, especially when I cook at least 2 meals a day, sometimes 3. And you can’t forget all the desserts, my book is half meal recipes and half desserts:) So speaking of desserts this one is for all you trying to cut corn syrup out of your diet.
Halfway Healthy Pecan Pie
1 cup sugar
½ cup brown rice syrup
¼ cup butter
3 eggs
1 ¼ cup pecans
Combine sugar, syrup and butter in saucepan, bring almost to a boil. Remove from heat. In a bowl, beat eggs until frothy, stir in pecans. Slowly pour the hot syrup mixture over the eggs and pecans, mix thoroughly. Pour into pie shell and bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes. Be careful not to over-bake, center should be a little “wiggly.”
December Pine City Horizon Team Meeting Minutes
Pine City Horizons Team
Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 21st, 2009
5:00 pm Pine Tech
Purpose: Sustain the vision of building prosperity, reducing poverty – keep the “fire alive”- and coordinate Work Team activities in the community.
Vision: Welcome to Pine City where people live, work and play. Our beautiful city offers many recreational choices, community events and an active arts community. Youth are healthy, active and drug-free and a part of a positive multi-generational culture. Energy is renewable & sustainable. We welcome change that makes our community better and we welcome you to visit or stay and live here with us.
Present: Cyndy Cohen, Kathy Doenz, Kris Engh, Marcia Howard, Becky Schueller, Becky Macki, Jennifer Peterson, Jennifer Erdmann.
Absent: Kayla Defenbaugh, Jan Nettleton, Sydney Rydberg, Lezlie Sauter.
Learning About:
Marcia presented on Crisis Transportation Funding for low-income households who are receiving services from Isanti, Chisago, and Kanabec Counties. Pine County has yet to sign up. To make inquiries regarding Pine County participation in the program call Pine County Human Services. The following Transportation –related expenses covered:
• Necessary auto repairs, auto insurance payments, auto loan payments, licensing fees, repair related towing expenses, gas vouchers/card, transit passes and costs associated with obtaining a Drivers license (excluding fines or penalties).
Minutes from 11/16/09
No changes needed.
Work Team Reports (Activity since last meeting)
• Everything Pine City: Met the week of December 14th. They have given the Pine City Pioneer the information that they had already collected to incorporate into the existing “Pine City Pioneer Information Guide” as published by the Pine City Pioneer. The information guide should be published sometime in January or February. They will also be holding a “Networking Luncheon” in January/February with local businesses and service groups. Will promote increased membership, advertising for upcoming events/fundraisers and co-ordination of services.
• Looking Forward – Youth: Becky & Becky reported attending the last PTO meeting. Over the next few months the PTO will be piloting the Enrichment Classes on Thursdays. In January grades 5 & 6, February grades 3 & 4 and in March grades 1 & 2 will have enrichment classes from 3:00 to 4:30 for a minimal fee of $10.00 for the month. When completed the teachers, parents and students will be given a questionnaire which will let the PTO know if the program was a success and of any suggestions for the next year. Discussion was had on how the Initiative Foundation might assist in the possibility of having a student intern from the University of MN earn credits while working with the PTO and the enrichment program.
• People Helping People: Kris reported that Evergreen Church had completed the application for Angels Food Ministry program and the application was accepted. They had training at the Living Word Christian Center. They expect to start taking orders in January for a February food distribution. There was a $50.00 application fee. Judy Lawhon will be writing an article in the Pioneer. The following volunteers will be needed: help with serving, carrying bags to vehicles, directing people where to go, un-loading trucks.
• Pine City Prospers: Marcia reported that Sarah from Rural American Bank agreed to conduct the More $ More Sense on Tuesday January 19th. Every other month the classes will be held in the evening. PCP team will put the class in the Happenings section of the newspaper. Marketing for the class also included passing out flyers.
Fiscal Agent
Our Fiscal Agent has still not been determined. We have received an extension until mid January. Becky will be attending a meeting tonight at Evergreen Church to discuss the possibility of their being our fiscal agent. We can use a temporary fiscal agent until a permanent one can be found, however we will not be able to change the fiscal agent again until after our final check comes through in April/May. Becky Maki reported after speaking with Dennis Fischer she did not feel that the Pine City School system would be a good fit. Other suggestions for a fiscal agent: Lakes and Pines and the Pine City Food shelf.
Treasurer
Becky Maki – nothing to report.
Resources needed
People Helping People:
• Love Inc
• Newpathwaysmn.com
• Interfaith (church members with families helping families in need)
• Contact Pine County Housing Authority and ask if there are 1 or 2 places to serve as temporary/emergency housing (guest rooms or apartments)
• Evelyth Horizon community
• Greater MN Housing Fund (form a task force first).
Pine City Prospers:
• Community Center Feasibility Plan “Healthy Communities”, Don Frank @ the Initiative Foundation completed one for Braham at no cost.
• Conference call meetings set up by the foundation to ask questions.
• Get information from the St. Paul Foundation, Starbeck and Hoffman Horizon communities, Mountain Lake Alumni community.
• There is money available to communities who have limited “Disaster Areas” Oberstar’s office will help get the funds.
• Guaranteed Loan Program: work with Local banks to secure emergency loans for low-income residents of pine city.
Looking Forward – Youth:
• Curriculum for Dollars 2 Works program, Ring of Engagement, Youth Works Institute, Adults Engaging Youth.
Everything Pine City: Has no need at the present time for any outside resources.
Grant Writing Workshop Debrief and Follow-up
Everyone should be looking for grant applications. Start utilizing the information from the grant training. Contact Lori Ann for review and critique of applications.
MN Nonprofit Conference: Passport Program
Statewide Horizon Communities to host events in which other Horizon Communities would visit and network. Each community will have a passport that they will have signed, contacts noted. This would ensure that there will be a strong network in place for all Horizon Communities.