UNASSUMING SERVANTS

Chisago County's 2008 Outstanding Seniors Lois and Walden Johnson don't volunteer to be recognized. They do it because they enjoy it.

"Walden and Lois Johnson are truly representative of the qualities of loving care and concern for others while going about it in a quiet and unassuming manner," said Phyllis Lindberg of North Branch.
It is because of this that she nominated the couple as the 2008 Outstanding Seniors for Chisago County. The Johnsons were given the award on Thursday, July 10, 2008 and will represent the county at the State Fair at the end of August.
PERSONALLY TOUCHED HER LIFE
Lindberg has known the North Branch couple for years, but they began to personally touch her life five years ago. When she needed a ride to her weekly hairdresser appointment, Lois volunteered to bring her. "She has been picking me up each Friday ever since," said Lindberg.
When her husband Carl couldn't be left alone, Walden stayed with him.
"This, I'm sure, is just one example of the many thing these two people have done for others," Lindberg added.
"I truly think they are worthy of being Chisago County Senior Citizens of 2008."
IT STARTED WITH MEALS ON WHEELS
The Johnsons have also been active in their church, but began volunteering outside of it about 12 years ago. Lois retired in 1995, and the two began delivering Meals on Wheels in 1996.
Lois noticed a blurb in their church bulletin that asked for help delivering meals to an individual with some mental issues who couldn't get out. "We started with him. After that we got quite a few more people on our route," said Lois. "We figured we had time to do that."
The two now deliver meals twice a week. Their route takes between one and one-half to two hours.
Lois has high praise for the Meals on Wheels program. "I think it's very valuable. A lot of people can stay home because of it. It's pretty hard to hire someone to stay with you."
Walden added that those delivering the meals are then able to check up on the participants and discover if there are problems.
A cell phone has come in handy many times while they make their rounds. Occasionally, they are given the wrong address, noted Walden. Once, they were told to turn at Hiawatha. When he called from the road, he learned it was actually Hemmingway, and they were just a block away.
Other times, they arrive at a home but the resident is nowhere to be found. A quick call usually solves the problem. Some people who are hard of hearing might not hear a visitor knock, but they can hear the telephone ring, noted Lois.
FAITHFUL CHURCH MEMBERS
Faithful church members, according to Immanuel Lutheran Church Pastor Brian Bergin, the Johnsons are involved in numerous activities, despite moving from Almelund to North Branch 20 years ago.
Both have been members of the property/building committee since 1994. They frequently serve as ushers, greeters and coffee servers. They also help assemble the monthly newsletter.
Lois is a member of the women's W.E.L.C.A. group and has served as a Circle Leader. She is also involved in the Immanuel Quilters, the Prayer Shawl Ministry and the library committee.
A former farmer, Walden assists as needed on projects inside and outside the church.
In the winter, he helps the youth group by cutting pine boughs for the holiday wreaths the kids make and sell.
Lois serves as treasurer for numerous entities, including the property/building committee and memorial fund; she also counts the weekly offering money. Outside her church, Lois is the treasurer for the Almelund Senior Citizens and the Chisago County Senior Center. The work builds upon the 45 years she spent managing the office of Fidelity Acceptance Corporation in Minneapolis.
"Somebody has to do it," Lois said about their tasks. "Once you start a job, it's yours until you either die or you refuse to do it."
GIVING BACK TO VETERANS
A veteran, Walden has long been active with the VFW in Lindstrom, the town where he grew up and lived until moving to Almelund in 1957.
He has held many positions there over the years, including Commander, and Quartermaster. Active in the Honor Guard, he attends the funerals of many veterans as part of the Honor Guard firing squad. Each year, he sells poppies, and on Memorial Day he visits six cemeteries.
Prior to its disbandment, Lois was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary.
The couple are active with the St. Peter's Cemetery Association in Dresser, Wis., which is where Lois grew up and her parents are buried.
REASON FOR SERVICE
"They contribute quietly as they go about their business of doing things for others," pointed out Lindberg.
"I think we get as much out of it as those that receive the help," said Lois. "It gives you a reason to get going."
Added Walden, "We just enjoy doing it."

TO A POINT: Were you SIGHTED at the fair?

I haven't spent so much time at the Isanti County Fair since I was a girl (with the exception of last year). Whereas we used to live for five days at my dad's booth in the Curling Club building, this year I was all over the place.
It started on Tuesday, a day I didn't even know was busy at the fairgrounds. I was never in 4-H, but apparently all the members arrive the day before the fair officially starts to bring their exhibits for judging. This year I was asked to help judge the photography entries. Wow, there's a lot of talented kids out there! I left pretty impressed.
Wednesday night I arrived just for fun to spend the night at the Midway with two friends. Their boys ran from ride to ride, while we ate cheese curds and chatted. Despite being there just for me, I have to confess my camera was on my shoulder, ready to pop out whenever I saw a great shot.
I spent a couple two-hour stints at the Isanti County Historical Society booth. That woman hollering about the great deal we were offering – a t-shirt for $2 – yeah, that was me.
Friday was the day I was waiting for. The donkey races returned. Once again I competed in the celebrity heat. And just as it was the year before, the entire event was hilarious. It's the kind of roll-on-the-ground funny stuff you don't get often enough. The donkeys were just as cantankerous as the year before – actually, I think they were more. I know I could hardly lead my first donkey around the pen – and that was before I hopped on and the race started. My second pick was a big 'ole fat donkey. I could hardly jump up on it after it ducked me off. And the stomach was so big, I couldn't lock my feet together either. I tried to do as the organizer instructed me (he must have seen my look of panic halfway around as the donkey took off at a gallop) and lie down while holding on tight. But the donkey got the better of me and just leaned down. I went shooting over his head. Next thing I knew the donkey had decided it was the perfect time to dash around the arena, and I went sprinting after him. I caught up just before the finish line, jumped on and crossed the line – dead last, I'm pretty sure.
I sure didn't bring home the first-place trophy, but my six-year-old nephew told me I did a great job. He and my friend's six-year-old daughter still thought I was a winner. Aren't they the sweetest kids ever?
I took Saturday off, but showed back up at the fair on Sunday. Despite it being the last day, there was still a lot going on: talent show, car show, and the ATV pull/mud run. Plus, my husband and I once again were recruited to be salsa competition judges. Are we lucky or what? There wasn't a lot of heat on the fresh salsa side this year, with the recent pull of all jalapenos from the grocery shelves, but the salsa was still delicious. I was pretty impressed by the olive salsa – how creative! I loved the mixture of both black and green olives. Again, it was a pretty tough choice for us judges.
Being a journalist for the STAR, I was never without a camera while at the fair. See all the photos I and others snapped at the various events by browsing our online photo gallery. Go to mystarnewspaper.com, then head to the READ page. Click on the photo gallery button, and then start browsing to see if we SIGHTED you.
Photo galleries include: the donkey races, 4-H judging, car show, motocross, and demolition derby (there was a fire that shot flames up 30 feet in the air!). Another includes various shots of the fair, such as the Midway, booths, ATV pull, salsa contest, Kiddie Day events, animals, dunk tank and more.
We'd love to see your photos on our web site, as well. Go to the Interact tab and click Post Your Photos. It's easy.
See you online!

TO A POINT: Don't just whine about things; file for office and start making changes

Do you gripe about how things are run in your town? Do you have ideas on how things could be better? Do you want to lower taxes? Improve parks? Slash spending? Bulk up the police force? Clean up the weeds sprouting in empty developments? Widen Highway 95? Offer people alternatives to traveling on Highway 95? Bring in new business? Fill up industrial parks? Better water quality?
Then do something about it. Add your name to this year's ballot. The filing period for city slots is open from Aug. 26 to Sept. 9.
There are plenty of spots to fill. In Cambridge, John Schlagel has decided not to run for re-election. Council member Bob Shogren's seat is also up, although he plans to run again.
In Isanti, Ralph Johnson has decided to leave his city council seat and is instead running for county commissioner. The slot for mayor is also up, and there are two vying for the position thus far, incumbent George Wimmer and current council member Sue Larson. Jeff Kolb's term will also be ending, and he intends to run again. (The filing period for Isanti, which will include a primary, closed on July 15.)
Mayor Rick Smisson is stepping down in Harris and is not pursuing another term. That race is wide open.
Braham's mayor Terry Turnquist is moving away from Braham politics and is eyeing a county commissioner berth, leaving his seat open for grabs. The terms of two council members also expire in December 2008.
Terms will also be up in North Branch and Rush City, as well as the Cambridge-Isanti and Braham School boards, although I haven't yet heard if the current incumbents intend to step away from politics or re-file.
If you live in either Oxford or Nessel Township, they have several seats open. Their elections coincide with the general election in November rather than the typical March election date.
If you have higher aspirations, you can always try for a state, federal or county office, although the filing period for those offices officially closed on July 15. But go ahead and work on a write-in campaign. If you've got a solid platform and great ideas, you'll have a chance. Personally, I'm looking for candidates for all offices that I feel will put the people's needs over their own selfish gains. It's especially disheartening to read about federal legislators across the nation who put their own pork-barrel projects ahead of the greater good. We've got a lot of issues in our nation: our rapidly increasing national debt, schools failing to make adequate yearly progress, a failing Social Security system (which I know will never benefit my generation despite the thousands I've contributed), a transportation system that focuses too strongly on automobiles instead of alternatives like rail, lack of affordable medical care, and more. I'm looking for new ideas and a push away from the status quo. We've got things that aren't working; so we need to find new methods of getting stuff done.
What brings me hope is knowing we've got a lot of talented and intelligent people in this nation. When we put our heads together, we will find solutions. I truly believe that.
So, be part of the solution instead of merely complaining about how our country is going downhill.
File for election. Make a difference.

Fire equipment bid sparks controversy among council members

After two meetings, council members award bid to low bidder on a 3-2 vote.

HARRIS – The fear of being blacklisted by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) drove the Harris City Council towards accepting the low bid for fire department equipment on Thursday, July 31, 2008.
The decision was the result of a meeting which began on Wednesday night, July 30 and continued the next night.
Two bids were opened on Wednesday morning, July 30. Alex Air Apparatus submitted the high bid at $129,088.68. The low bidder was Metro Fire at $111,235.46.
However, the issue wasn't as simple as accepting the low bid. It was complicated by the fact that members of the fire department – without the chief's knowledge – had ordered the equipment from Alex Air Apparatus without going out for bids. Staff at city hall became aware of the order when they received a bill.
To rectify the situation, city clerk Jennifer Wothe then compiled equipment specifications and followed the legal bidding process, as required by the $121,000 grant the city received from FEMA for the personal protective equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment.
During the meeting on Wednesday night, council members Doug Chaffee and John Pelant, both members of the fire department, requested to see Metro Fire's equipment in person. Arrangements were made for Metro Fire to show up on Thursday night.
Council members also discussed how Metro Fire had submitted a complete bid, while the one from Alex Air Apparatus did not include any equipment details, but merely an overall price.
"[Alex Air] dropped the ball for the bidding process," said Pelant.
Council member Doug Chaffee defended the company, stating that they were honest.
Prior to leaving the council chambers, members were instructed by Mayor Rick Smisson to have no contact with either of the two companies until the next night at the council meeting.
After looking at the Metro Fire equipment on Thursday night, Pelant questioned what the company's warranty was. He also expressed his belief that Alex Air's equipment was better because it had a swivel head that enable the packs to move with the firefighter when he/she turned.
Wothe pointed out that the equipment Metro Fire submitted matched the specifications that were part of the bidding process. She said that if the council members wished to change the specs, they would have to reject all bids, revise the specs, request bids and advertise all over again. She reminded council members that the city has a deadline of October to have the equipment.
Mayor Rick Smisson said he was concerned that because someone placed an order already, the city was then trying to amend its specifications in order to match the equipment that was lying around somewhere.
"The fire department kind of dropped the ball on this and didn't get enough information," said Pelant. "It was passed around to too many people."
Smisson stressed that the problem the city has now is following the proper process. "We will be taking on FEMA if we void out this process."
He pointed out that because the bids have been opened, the city has shown the hands of both companies. Regarding the option of rebidding, he said, "If you do that it looks like you're trying to rig the process. …
"I'm not going to vote for something that knowingly violates the law.
"If we wanted swivel whatever, we should have put it in the specs."
Smisson added, "You've got to think about the future rather than whether you want all the bells and whistles. I don't think they're worth being sued over. I don't think they're going to make a difference in saving your life."
Council member Doug Chaffee, who wrote the grant, stated that he was "totally disgusted" by what was occurring. "I am never going to write another grant," he said.
Pelant asked if the city could lose the FEMA grant.
"Yes," replied Smisson. "FEMA could step in and make us repay the grant and then we'd be blacklisted."
"In my opinion we go with the low bidder," said Pelant. Kathy Olson then made a motion to accept the bid from Metro Fire.
"And we learn our lesson and make sure next time we follow the process to a T," said Smisson.
He then called the vote. Voting for were council members Wayne Busiman, Kathy Olson and Smisson.
Voting against was Pelant and Chafee.

4-H volunteer, teacher dies in crash

Neil Stoeckel killed in crash along Highway 8 in Chisago County

A 58-year-old Isanti man was killed on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 5, 2008 along Highway 8 in Chisago County near Forest Lake.

Neil Stoeckel was a passenger in a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier that was attempting to cross Highway 8 at Pioneer Road. The Cavalier, driven by a 15-year-old Lindstrom teen, was struck broadside at 1:30 p.m. on the passenger side by a 1999 Chevrolet Blazer.

Stoeckel died of internal injuries.

The 15-year-old boy was transported to St. Croix Regional Medical Center with minor injuries, as was the driver of the Blazer, Elizabeth Miller, 61, of Turtle Lake. Both were treated and released.

Neither alcohol nor drugs are contributing factors in the fatal crash.

For 35 years, Stoeckel taught industrial technology at St. Francis Middle School (SFMS). He also served on the safety committee.

"He was an excellent employee," said SFMS Principal Dale Johnson.

Outside of work, Stoeckel was a valued Isanti County 4-H volunteer. He died while working as a driver's education instructor, which he had been doing for the past few years.

The funeral service for Stoeckel will take place on Saturday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m. at Long Lake Lutheran Church. Visitation will be on Friday night, 4 to 7 p.m. at Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service.