Local arts organizations receive grants FOLEY — The Central MN Arts Board Dec. 14 awarded $70,977 in Arts Organization Development Grants, including to two local groups. The Avon Hills Folk School received $10,000 to support hiring a part-time program and outreach coordinator responsible for programming, artist and maker recruitment and retention to deliver more diverse class offerings as well as serve as a community liaison.
One of the Three Kings in a cutline on page 8 in the Dec. 20 The Star Post was identified incorrectly as Adam Paulsen. It should have read Three Kings Jerry Stark, Mike Carbert and Andy Paulsen present gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to Baby Jesus, played by Elliot Amberg, and held by Mary, played by Sarah Amberg, during the Dec. 10 Christmas pageant at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Albany. The Star Post regrets the error.
The Melrose Area School Board approved a $2,737,945.18 levy payable in 2024 during its monthly meeting Dec. 18 at the Melrose High School media center in Melrose. The levy is a .81% increase over the previous levy. It is the maximum amount the school district could levy.
Albany’s approved 2024 budget and levy is dollar-friendly to street improvements. City leaders decided against lowering a 16.38% levy increase Dec. 20 after finding additional money for construction.
Melrose property owners should not see a big jump in the city portion of their 2024 taxes. Melrose city council members approved the 2024 levy and budget and the five-year capital plan during their Dec. 14 meeting at the Melrose City Center in Melrose.
Avon Community Center organizers are seeking donations or pledges for a 6,000-square-foot, $2 million project. City leaders learned about the effort spearheaded by the Over the Hills of Avon senior citizens group Dec. 4 during a public forum presentation by Mike Appel.
Bright sunlight fills the living room of Norm and Cyrilla Euteneuer’s rural St. Martin home Dec. 12 where a tall Christmas tree is the centerpiece. Filling their hearts is love — love for family, friends and their Christian faith; each has helped them through these past five months.
Eighteen people gathered around a long table at JD’s Taphouse in Melrose Dec. 1. There was Jeron and LaVonne Hinnenkamp, Ted and Renee Kemper, Karl and Judy Klaphake, Janel and Rick Moening and Mike and Sharon Zierden of Melrose; Barb and Kevin Zierden of New Munich; Dave and Denise Croatt of Avon; Tom and Sandy Hellermann of Long Prairie; and Darlene and Alver Schlangen of Paynesville.
Avon Community Church congregation members will celebrate the real meaning of Christmas during their first ever living Nativity from 6-8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 22, at the church, 204 Avon St., in Avon. They invite people to the Christmas reenactment put on by 70 adults and more than 40 youth from the congregation.
ST. CLOUD — The Stearns County Highway Department warns that plowing or shoveling snow from your driveways or sidewalk onto a public road, pushed across a public road or dumped onto a public road right of way may be punishable as a misdemeanor.
Fargo, N.D. — Connor Patrick, son of Melissa and Brian Patrick, St. Joseph, received the North Dakota State University Provost Award. The award recognizes students who have a 3.65-3.799 high school GPA or have scored a 25-28 on the ACT and have a 3.5 or higher high school GPA.