Pheasants Forever urges voters to OK amendment

Saint Paul, Minn. - Minnesota’s pheasant hunting season opens this Saturday, Oct. 11. While the prospects for this season are good, the outlook for future seasons - because of wildlife habitat losses - is murky. That’s why Pheasants Forever strongly encourages Minnesota pheasant hunters and other voters to vote YES for The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment on the November 4th ballot. [More...]

Funding for wildlife habitat remains near historic lows, and over the next 25 years, over 1 million acres of farmland, wooded lands and other natural areas will be lost as Minnesota continues growing faster than any other state in the Midwest. Voting YES will ensure $100 million for Minnesota’s Outdoor Heritage Fund, $100 million for the Clean Water Fund, $59 million for the Cultural Heritage Fund and $43 Million for the Parks and Trails Fund - all annually. Choosing not to vote on this amendment when you go to the polls will result in a vote of NO. The result of the November 4th voting will drastically impact Minnesota and Minnesotans far into the future.

To support the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, Minnesota Pheasants Forever has donated $20,000 to the Vote Yes Minnesota Campaign. “While we’re extremely excited about the arrival of pheasant season, it’s important that we also think about future generations and the declining state of our natural resources. The ring-neck pheasant has brought colorful beauty and hunting opportunities to Minnesota’s farmland for decades. Voting YES this November 4th is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure our children and grandchildren continue to have those opportunities,” said Matt Holland, Senior Field Coordinator for Pheasants Forever.

Pheasants Forever has several public service announcements (PSAs) in support of voting YES for the Amendment critical to ensuring Minnesota’s outdoor future. If you’d like to do more to support this Amendment, please ask your local radio station to play one of the 15, 30 or 60 second PSAs as often as possible before the November 4th vote. If you’d like MP3 files of these PSAs, please email stpete@pheasantsforever.org with your request.

For more information on The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, log onto www.YesForMN.org.

If unsure as to whether or not you are a registered voter in the state of Minnesota, or if you’re unclear about where to vote, please visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are non-profit conservation organizations dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant, quail, and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education. PF/QF has more than 129,000 members in 700 local chapters across the continent.

Caring Bridge site is set up for Madison

A Caring Bridge site has been set up for Madison Kautz of Cokato, 2, www.caringbridge.org/visit/madisonkautz.

Madison has been diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Her benefit will be Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Silver Lake Auditorium, from 4:30 to 8 p.m.

Kautz has been in and out of Children’s Hospital of Minneapolis since July, undergoing many tests, surgeries, chemotherapy, speech therapy, and fitness and exercise treatments, and also receives care at home.

This unusual type of cancer is called Primitive Neuroectoder Tumor (PNET). A shunt was placed in her brain to help drain the fluid daily.

Kautz is the 2-year-old daughter of Amber Kautz, granddaughter of Larry and Kathy (Mosher) Kautz of Cokato, and the great-granddaughter of Agnes and the late Emil Kautz of Silver Lake and Evelyn Mosher and the late Fred Mosher Sr. of Buffalo. Continue reading ‘Caring Bridge site is set up for Madison’

Cokato will soon have an art studio on Millard Avenue

COKATO, MN – The former Enterprise Dispatch building on Millard Avenue in Cokato, now owned by Larry Hunter, is being remodeled into an art studio. The builders working on the windows Oct. 2 are Mark Willette of Watertown and Dan Willette of Delano, both of Willette Building Company of Maple Plain.

Pumpkins popping up in Dassel

DASSEL, MN – Pumpkins are popping up in autumn decorations all over Dassel. This display is at 918 Sellards Dr., Dassel.

Meeker County 4-H awards to be presented Sunday

LITCHFIELD, MN – The 2008 Meeker County 4-H Awards Celebration will be held on Sunday, October 12th at First Lutheran Church in Litchfield, beginning at 2 p.m.  The 2008-2009 Meeker County 4-H Federation Officer Team will be installed at this time, along with awarding scholarships, volunteer awards, club officer awards, and many others.  Ice cream sundaes and bars will be served following the announcement of awards.  If you have any questions, please call the Meeker County Extension Office at 320-693-5275.

Hawks and owls will be displayed at park Oct. 18

MAPLE LAKE, MN – Lake Maria State Park is home to several species of hawks and owls.
Some of them will be on display Saturday, Oct. 18, when the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota visits the park.
The event begins at 10 a.m. and will take place in the outdoor council-seating area adjacent to the nature center, weather permitting.
“Several hawks and owls visit or reside in the park, and they include the redtailed hawk, the sharp-shinned hawk, the broadwing hawk. the red-shouldered hawk, the great horned owl, the barred owl, the screech owl and the snowy owl,” said Park Manager Mark Crawford.

Continue reading ‘Hawks and owls will be displayed at park Oct. 18′

A new pumper for Dassel is planned

DASSEL, MN – The Dassel City Council heard a report Monday from the Dassel Fire Department’s committee to get a new pumper truck to replace the department’s 1981 unit. Fire Chief Dale Grochow said with the new emission requirements and other requirements for 2009, a new pumper might cost between $300,000 to $550,000. The council authorized the committee, which includes DJ Ohm and Kurt Mortenson, to put together specifications for a pumper truck so they can get price information. Mayor Ava Flachmeyer asked them to get the information before December so it can be put in the 2009 city budget before it is finalized.

Cokato Legion reports on September meeting

From Theresa Liepold, adjutant
COKATO, MN – Sixteen members were present at the September meeting of Cokato American Legion Post 209, conducted by Commander Robert Holly.
Membership paid at this time numbers 55. Our goal is 71 members.
Our annual turkey supper will be Friday, Oct. 24. Watch for details.
It was voted to purchase 10 pheasant dinners for hospitalized veterans.
A thank-you was received from Lt. Fiedler for the care package.
Donations were received from the families of Ed Tormanen, Don Carlson, and Joe Hammer; the legion provided military rites for Tormanen, Carlson, and Hammer. Thank you cards have been sent.
The new members of the honor guard will meet to access and resolve the needs of uniforms.
The next meeting will be Monday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the back room of Cokato City Hall. All eligible veterans are encouraged to attend.