10 days

In just 10 days the opening day of preseason practices for the Jaguars football, volleyball and girls' tennis teams will be here.

One interesting note: for the football team, this fall will be the last year they'll be a member of the Central Minnesota Conference. All other B-B-E sports will remain in the CMC. (Which I believe is a good thing)

The girls' tennis team will have a new head coach. He is current elementary teacher Matt Olson, who taught one of the three first grade sections last year.

On an unrelated note. The Belgrade August Fest celebration is coming up on Friday/Saturday, August 8-9. I hope many of you can make the trip to town and take in all the activities.

I hope you and your family are having a safe and enjoyable summer!

~Pray for peace in this unstable world.

Volleyball captains practices

Details:
Captains Practice Aug 4th-8th
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
@ the B-B-E High School
All grades 7-12 Jaguar volleyball players are welcome.

**Athletic meeting is tonight

The curb is being poured today along the B-B-E elementary sidewalk.

The B-B-E elementary school is in the process of getting a brand new parking lot. I am excited! It's gonna look really, really sharp when it's done.

Don't forget about the Jaguar athletics program mandatory paperwork/rules-related meeting tonight at the elementary school at 8:15pm. It signals the start of the 2014-15 athletic season and the end of the summer of 2014! UGH!! It seems like summer just started about 3 weeks ago.

Amateur baseball update

Here are the teams advancing to the Region 15C amateur baseball tournament, which will be held in Elrosa over the next two weekends = St. Martin, Lake Henry, Richmond, Spring Hill, New Munich, Meire Grove, Regal and Norway Lake-Sunburg.

In the Stearns County League (amateur) playoffs, the Elrosa Saints led 2-0 going into the sixth innings before losing by a final score of 5-3 to visiting Meire Grove today.

In the Stearns County League Little Dipper Final Four round, the Elrosa Saints beat Regal to advance to next Sunday's championship game. In the other semifinal, host Farming beat New Munich 6-4 and will host the SCL title game.

Details to follow.

(Photo galleries) 17-U fastpitch, amateur baseball

Here's New Munich vs. Elrosa amateur baseball playoff action from last Sunday:
http://saukherald.smugmug.com/2014-Sports/Elrosa-and-SCL-amateur-basebal/SCL-playoffs-New-Munich-at-Elr

And here's photos from the 17-U fastpitch league playoffs:
http://saukherald.smugmug.com/2014-Sports/2014-BBE-Jaguar-summer-sports/BBE-17U-fastpitch-vs-Eagle-Val

Sorry that I haven't posted much here in the last few days. Summer has been just a tad bit busy!! The rat race continues on Sunday juggling the Glenwood Waterama activities, Elrosa Saints amateur baseball playoffs and then Elrosa Saints Little League playoffs. Luckily the circle between Brooten, Glenwood and Elrosa isn't terribly huge!!

A small glimpse of Waterama 2014:
http://lifeinpopecounty.blogspot.com/2014/07/waterama-excitement-is-underway.html

Staffing updates

I'm very excited to report that we have a new band teacher hired! Plus a teacher for choir as well.

When I get more time I'll post more information, but it's great to say that all but a handful of junior-high level coaching positions are left open. The teaching staff is set for the 2014-15 school year at B-B-E.

In sports news, the B-B-E Jaguars 17-U fastpitch team lost 11-7 in their playoff opener to Eagle Valley last night. Details to follow.

Jaguars 17-U fastpitch update

Morgan Gronli getting a base hit against Browerville in last Thursday's home doubleheader.

Sarah Schmitz batting for the Jaguars this spring.

The B-B-E Jaguars 17-U fastpitch team begins the West Central League East-division playoffs tonight with a 5 p.m game at Sauk Centre high school against Eagle Valley. If they beat the Rebels, they'll advance to play top-seeded Melrose Area at 6:15 p.m. tonight in a game also held at Sauk Centre.

Also playing at 6:15 p.m. are #2-seed Sauk Centre and #3-seed Royalton.

At 7:30 p.m., the winning teams from 6:15 p.m. face one another, and the losing teams from 6:15 p.m. also square off. The losers are eliminated, while the winner of the 7:30 p.m. game between the winning teams advances to the championship game that is on Thursday at Osakis at 7 p.m.

Spring Hill's game

The upcoming Spring Hill vs. New Munich game at Chargers Field starts at 11:00am this Sunday (July 27).

Another tough one-run loss

Kevin Kuefler, their number-two batter, had one of Elrosa's hits today.

The Elrosa Saints amateur baseball team lost 3-2 today to visiting New Munich in a region-qualifying playoff game. Going into the 8th inning, the game was tied 1-1 before the SilverStreaks plated two runs in the top half of the frame. The Saints got one back in the bottom of the 9th but couldn't tie it or win it. They're in a must-win situation now when they host Meire Grove next Sunday, July 27 at 2:30pm at Saints Field.

The 4th-seeded Grovers lost 21-8 in 7 innings at Spring Hill.

Top-seeded Spring Hill hosts third-seeded New Munich at noon next Sunday. (No, it is at 11:00am)

In the Stearns County League Little League playoffs, #2-seeded Elrosa beat Spring Hill 11-1 tonight to advance to the Final Four round. Fifth-seeded Regal won at #4-seed Roscoe by a 2-0 score to also earn a spot in the semifinals.

In the Sinclair Lewis Days youth baseball tournament at Sauk Centre, the Elrosa Saints lost 2-1 in the championship game to Osakis. In the third-place game, the B-B-E Jaguars beat Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg 9-7 thanks to a huge rally after they fell behind 5-0 in the first inning.

More to follow.

B-B-E, Elrosa find wins in Sauk Centre

Ben Waller shown playing for B-B-E against Osakis tonight.

Coach Van Beck talks to his Elrosa defense during the top of the 5th inning against K-M-S tonight.

At the Sinclair Lewis Days Little League tournament in Sauk Centre, teams from B-B-E and Elrosa earned wins today on an absolutely fabulous day for youth baseball. The B-B-E Jaguars defeated Long Prairie-Grey Eagle 7-1 in their opener before losing to a loaded Osakis team in the semifinals. The Elrosa Saints beat Sauk Centre Maroon 6-3, then faced Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg tonight and won 8-1.

Once it's done processing on YouTube, click here to see a video of the last two outs recorded between Elrosa and K-M-S tonight, with the Saints turning a double play (second baseman unassisted to first base):


Speaking of baseball, tomorrow is a big day for area teams!

The Elrosa Saints amateur baseball team hosts New Munich in a region-qualifying postseason game, also the Stearns County League North division playoff opener. That starts at 1:30pm.

At 2:15pm at Jaycee Park in Sauk Centre, the Elrosa Saints Pee Wee team faces Osakis in the Sinclair Lewis Days Little League championship. Earlier, the B-B-E Jaguars play K-M-S at 10:45am.

Later that night, at 6:30pm in Elrosa, the Saints Little League team hosts Spring Hill in the Stearns County League playoff quarterfinals.

Here's a few Elrosa photos from their K-M-S game tonight in Sauk Centre:
http://saukherald.smugmug.com/2014-Sports/2014-BBE-Jaguar-summer-sports/Elrosa-Saints-at-SLD-youth-bas

And photos from the B-B-E vs. Osakis game:
http://saukherald.smugmug.com/2014-Sports/2014-BBE-Jaguar-summer-sports/BBE-vs-Osakis-at-SLD-youth-bas

(Photo gallery) Bonanza Valley Days grand parade

Click:
http://saukherald.smugmug.com/2014-Events/2014-BelgradeBrootenElrosa-are/Bonanza-Valley-Days-grand-para/

(Photo gallery) Miss Brooten coronation

Click:
http://saukherald.smugmug.com/2014-Events/2014-BelgradeBrootenElrosa-are/Bonanza-Valley-Days-Miss-Broot

Scenes from Bonanza Valley Days

Here's Max Hanson with Brooten Fire Department member Mark Torkelson at the kids water wars.

Bonanza Valley Days are already a few days old, but here's a couple of my favorite photos from the weekend in Brooten.

Now we gear up for many other activities to focus on in the newsroom: Sinclair Lewis Days in Sauk Centre, Jaguar 17-U fastpitch playoffs, Stearns County League baseball playoffs at all levels and soon the Stearns County Fair, Belgrade August Fest, Region 15C baseball.

Before you know it, the 2014-2015 school year will be upon us. It's coming.

FINALLY, here's one Sauk Centre Herald photo album from Bonanza Valley Days. More to follow.
http://saukherald.smugmug.com/2014-Events/2014-BelgradeBrootenElrosa-are/Bonanza-Valley-Days-1

Elrosa Little League update

Elrosa's Little League team beat New Munich 8-7 on Sunday night to finish the regular season in a tie for 2nd place at 8-2 in the 11-team Stearns County League.

Up next is playoffs, details to follow.

Beautiful day for BVD grand parade

Here's a few kids riding the B-B-E Baseball Association float today.

And some video:


Mid-70s, a nice breeze, moderate clouds and some great sunshine. Can't beat it!

Click here for video from some Saturday events (rough iMovie work and some poor videotaping on the coronation, sorry)
http://saukherald.com/content/bonanza-valley-days-brooten

Saints clinch second in SCL-North

Matt Schmitz had four hits today against Greenwald and reached a 5th time on an error.

A 6-0 win at Greenwald today helped the Elrosa Saints amateur baseball team clinch second place in the Stearns County League North division. The Saints had 16 hits altogether and scored four times in the 8th inning. The Greenwald win, combined with Spring Hill's 7-5 win over New Munich, put them in second place with an 8-5 record compared to New Munich's regular season mark of 7-6.

Up next: the SCL-North playoff opener on Sunday, July 20 at 1:30pm at Saints Field. They'll host New Munich, and the winner gets an automatic bid to the Region 15C tournament.

(Video) Miss Brooten coronation

Here's video from Saturday afternoon at Classic Co.:


More video is being uploaded tonight from the big Bonanza Valley Days weekend. It's unlikely that I'll get the photo galleries loaded for online viewing before Thursday this week.

Rain breaks to sunshine, superb weather at BVD

At least a dozen or so kids enjoyed the water wars with actual fire truck hoses.

Rick Thonvold was one of over a dozen parents who took turns trying out the tractor pedal pull.

After a good shot of rain early this afternoon, the skies have cleared and the sun is shining brightly on the annual Bonanza Valley Days celebration in Brooten.

The kiddie tractor pull brought a huge turnout, and once the 3-11 year olds were done, parents were invited to take a crack at it.

Here's the newly-crowned 2014-2015 Miss Brooten royalty: Alex Evenson (Miss Brooten Princess), Mariah Heinze (Miss Brooten), Madison Hofmann (Lil Miss Brooten), Ava Deters (Lil Miss Brooten Princess).

The Miss Brooten Pageant was splendid. Great job to all the participants! It's a really nice addition to Bonanza Valley Days, and throughout the year above and beyond all the summer parades it's important for the town to have royalty for various community functions.

In the 3-on-3 basketball tournament, Jayden Miller, Parker Schwinghammer and a guy from West Central Area schools (didn't write the name down) won the high school bracket out of a field of 6 teams. I haven't heard who won the adult division.

Elrosa 3rd-4th grade wins BVD title

The Elrosa Saints 3rd-4th grade team with Coach Illies and Coach Fischer.

The Elrosa Saints Pee Wee 3rd-4th grade team just won their division of the Bonanza Valley Days youth baseball tournament. I was buried at work until after 4:00 and ended up just barely missing the final game of the 3rd-4th grade tournament. I know that Elrosa beat Minnewaska Area in the 3rd-4th grade division championship game.

The Paynesville Bulldogs won the 5th-6th grade title.

Beyond that, the turnout for the Brooten Fire Department chicken feed was great. It was nice to see such terrific support for Brooten's finest.

Tomorrow's a huge day! I hope many of you can make the trip to town.

Bonanza Valley Days is about to begin!

Bonanza Valley Days kicks off Friday with three full days of activities coming to Brooten. Organizers put together a schedule that includes fun for all ages whether it's sporting events, dancing, singing, eating a wide variety of food or visiting with friends and neighbors around classic cars and tractors.

To kick things off, city-wide garage sales start at 7 a.m. both Friday and Saturday.

Friday's events also include an elementary baseball tournament for grades three through six at the city park and Quisberg Park beginning at 9 a.m.

The Brooten Firemen's Chicken barbecue runs from 5 p.m to 8 p.m. with the Brooten Community Band performing during the chicken feed.

The Steffl Sisters perform at the Pavilion from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., and at the Classic Company Bar and Grill a variety show will be held at 7 p.m. The night wraps up with a free street dance starting at 8:30 p.m.

A staple of Bonanza Valley Days, the men's slowpitch softball tournament, starts at 7:30 p.m. Friday night and continues at 8 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday.

Saturday's events begin with a car and tractor show on main street runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. plus a National Guard climbing wall and jungle gym.

Other main street activities on Saturday include a dunking tank operated as a fundraiser for the B-B-E Dazzlers dance team, inflatable jumping rooms, a kids' waterball fight and a kids' tractor pull.

Sporting events for everyone run throughout Saturday including sand volleyball, three-on-three basketball, a walk and run plus the Gary Fauskee Old Times softball tournament, which is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Quisberg Park. The softball tournament is a fundraiser for the Gary Fauskee Memorial Scholarship now going into its third year.

A kiddie parade is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and those who go to that can venture to the pavilion between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to have free milk and cookies served by Stearns County Dairy princesses.

Also at the pavilion on Saturday is a craft and vendor show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other activities near the pavilion at the city park on Saturday include pony rides and a petting zoo.

At 1:30 p.m. at Classic Co. is the Miss Brooten and Little Miss Brooten Pageant.

Saturday evening activities include a street dance with music by "The Coolers", food stands and fireworks at dusk at Prairie View Community Golf Course.

Sunday starts off with Dad's Belgian Waffles at the city park from 8 a.m. to noon, sponsored by the B-B-E Boy Scout Troop 66.

The grand day parade is at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, and following that is an ice cream social at the city park, sponsored by the Bonanza Valley State Bank.

A church service led by Pastor Bryant Kaden is at 5 p.m. at the city park wraps up the weekend schedule for Bonanza Valley Days.

A lighter moment at Hall of Fame night

As John Olmscheid was trying to open the box containing Joe Duevel's Hall of Fame plaque in Elrosa last Thursday, Joe had to get his car keys out to help open the box.

...and moments later, the plaque was given to Joe for his induction into the Elrosa baseball Hall of Fame.

Click on the link to see the Sauk Centre Herald photo gallery from that night:
http://saukherald.smugmug.com/2014-Sports/Elrosa-and-SCL-amateur-basebal/Elrosa-vs-New-Munich-and-HOF-n

Walk/Run fundraiser for the Jaguar wrestlers

Sharing this from the B-B-E Jaguars wrestling club:
Join us in Brooten on Saturday morning for the Bonanza Valley Days two mile walk/run! Registration starts at 8:00 am. Walk/Run starts at 8:30 am. Cost is $15.00. All proceeds go to the Jaguar Wrestling Club. All pre-registrants will receive a t-shirt. Additional t-shirts available on a first come first serve basis on day of race. To register, contact Annette Fischer @ 320-290-3694

A dangerous green Ford Ranger pickup

This morning at approximately 10:00am a Ford Ranger 4×2 truck drove through the intersection at Highway 55 and main street in Brooten while my wife and youngest daughter were walking north across 55 in the crosswalk. At the time, east and west-bound semis were stopped on both sides of the intersection.

The Ranger was pointed south towards 55 and made a left towards Belgrade. For the LIFE of me I can't figure out how he thought that because both semis on 55 were stopped at the intersection that somehow he had the right to pull out off of County Road 18/main street.

His front bumper grazed my wife's leg. She doesn't recall if it was a regular cab or extended cab but it rode low enough that we're confident it was a 2 wheel drive model.

Beware! If I see such a truck I'll definitely be quizzing the driver. I'm guessing he's a local guy. Idiots that stupid do not deserve to have driving privileges.

Unfortunately I don't have more details than that. While what he did was illegal, I don't see enough details there to get us a conviction.

Web link for online donations

Here's a secure online way (link below) to donate online to the Jiminez family in Brooten who lost their house to a fire on July 9. Another option is to mail checks to the Bonanza Valley State Bank payable to "Jiminez Fire Fund" or of course drop off checks at the bank or in their drop box on the south side of the building.
Bonanza Valley State Bank
PO Box 400
Brooten, MN 56316

This is really, really great! Let's work together and do our part to keep this family at B-B-E! And please feel free to donate any amount of money. If it's just $10 don't think that it will not help. The response in just the first day has been really really terrific. Makes me proud to be from Jaguar Country!!
$5
$10
$20
$50
$100...anything you can give will add up in a hurry.

 http://www.gofundme.com/ba7b4c

Coming tonight: Bonanza Valley Days notes

Check back later for more information on the upcoming weekend's activities.

I also had a thought that it would be helpful to have people donate gift cards to for example the Belgrade Hardware Hank or perhaps Target...for the Jiminez family. The only question would be where to drop them off...maybe city hall in Brooten? Or Bonanza Valley State Bank?  It would have to be a secure place.

Family loses home to fire

The house caught fire last night, it was put out, bupeople. ortunately it restarted around 3:00am this morning and the two-story structure is now a total loss after fire fighters had to tear it down to prevent the fire from spreading.

**UPDATES: make checks at Bonanza Valley State Bank payable to: "Jiminez fire fund" and let's show the family how Jaguar Country rallies behind one another in times of great need!!! If you can't physically drive to the bank this week or in the near future, the mailing address is:
Bonanza Valley State Bank
PO Box 400
Brooten, MN 56316

Below are clothes sizes for what the family needs for clothing. Rooster's Bottle Shop is the current drop-off site. Hours are Monday-Wednesday 10:00am to 10:00pm and Thursday-Saturday from 9:00am to 10:00pm. Read below for other information. Another thought...once housing can be found for the family, other items like a TV, kitchen ware and simple things like books, toys, etc. can be donated as well.

CLOTHES SIZES:
Girls/women: 
XL Jr. Tops, size 11 jeans
Med. Jr. Tops, size 9 jeans
Girls size 10-12
Women's size 12, men's med. or women's large

Boys/men
Med. men's shirts, 32x30 jeans
Boys 14-16
Boys 10-12
Lg. Men's shirts, 36x30 jeans

**Another update: here's a secure online way to donate to this family, giving another great option for the public to do our part. Click on the link and then donate as you are able to. Even if it's just $10 it will add up in a hurry!
http://www.gofundme.com/ba7b4c

Background:
A Brooten family with six children lost their home to a fire overnight on the morning hours of Wednesday, July 9. Miraculously, no one was injured. The mom of the family is a full-time teacher at the Jaguar Kids Connection at the B-B-E elementary school. I can't imagine what they're going through. It has to be overwhelming. They are a family that's very involved in the town and school and would be the first to offer help to others in this type of calamity. The fire started on a malfunctioning golf cart in the driveway, and it was completely, totally accidental fire that quickly hit the house and grabbed onto the vinyl siding. It's the kind of fires that can happen to anyone that you'd never, ever plan for or think could happen to you. I'm still a little shocked that it happened just three blocks from our house. (Now would be a good time to go check your fire alarms BTW!) As sad as I am about this, I remind myself that it's a miracle that we don't have a funeral of a child or parent in the works.

I think back to my farming days, and my days as a kid on a farm and all the times I handled old batteries or worked on small engines and even hot small engines and wonder how many close calls I had that God's Angels instead took care of. Uuf Da.

****For folks of Jaguar Country: you can drop of household items/clothes at Rooster's Bottle Shop (they close at 9:00pm) in Brooten. It appears that the family lost all their possessions in the fire except the vehicles parked in the driveway. They have three teenagers and three upper-elementary age kids. The Brooten city clerk is gathering details on what sizes of clothes they wear.

ALSO spread the word that cash donations are being accepted at the Double-D Thrift Shop (at the former Jim's Corner grocery store) so the family can come in and pick up necessary items at no charge. Every 5 or 10 dollars goes a long ways! (And THANK YOU Deb for getting on that right away!)

A formal donation fund is being set up at the Bonanza Valley State Bank...details to follow on that along with clothes sizes for donations.

By 10:00pm, this webpage has been viewed by over 2,000 people. Great!

12-U fastpitch ties, beats Minnewaska Area

The Jaguars fastpitch 12-U team played through an extra-innings tie against Minnewaska Area and then picked up a 1-0 win in the second game of a home doubleheader tonight.

Two 5-inning games were scheduled, but after 5 innings in the first game with the score tied at 3-3 the coaches decided to allow it to go to 7 innings and see if a winner could be determined. After 7 innings the 3-3 tie remained on the scoreboard.

And here's the Sauk Centre Herald photo gallery:
http://saukherald.smugmug.com/2014-Sports/2014-BBE-Jaguar-summer-sports/BBE-12U-fastpitch-vs-Minnewask

3rd annual Gary Fauskee Memorial tournament is Saturday

Gary Fauskee, Brooten Class of 1976, shown in his Dana College baseball uniform. He pitched at Dana College after his highly successful career as a four-sport Buccaneers athlete at BHS.

The third annual Gary Fauskee Memorial old-timers softball tournament is Saturday afternoon (1-4pm) at Quisberg Park. Mushball and possibly kickball depending on how many kids attend the event will also be a part of the event. It's one of an endless list of activities for all ages at Bonanza Valley Days, which runs Friday through Sunday in Brooten.

The Gary Fauskee tournament, through a free-will donation, supports the Gary Fauskee Memorial scholarship, which started in 2013. Fauskee died in an accident at his home in rural New London on July 23, 2011.

Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming BVD celebration.

Amateur baseball from the County Line League

Here's news out of the County Line League. The top two finishers in the CLL playoffs advance to the Region 15C tournament, which will be held in Elrosa in August.

A 19-inning game

Check this out, a game from the Cornbelt League:
http://www.wctrib.com/content/amateur-baseball-rockets-burn-saints-19-inning-battle

Duevel joins Elrosa Hall of Fame

Herman Kampsen, Joe Duevel and Vincent Haider gathered in front of the stadium Hall of Fame banner. They are three of the six Hall of Fame members.

Joe Duevel, who coached the Elrosa Saints Little League from 1963 to 1970, was inducted into the Elrosa baseball Hall of Fame last night. All four of Joe's sons - Bruce, Jim, Steve and Randy - played for the Elrosa Saints amateur baseball team during their baseball careers.

Check out some video from last night by clicking at this Sauk Centre Herald website link:
http://saukherald.com/content/duevel-inducted-elrosa-hall-fame

Tought night at the office

New Munich won 10-0 in regulation innings on Thursday night at Elrosa to move into second place in the Stearns County League North division.

Elrosa's next SCL game is Sunday, July 13 at Greenwald; that will conclude the regular season. Division playoffs start one week later.

More coming on Friday.

Lake Henry beats Saints

Third baseman James Kuefler makes a 5-3 put out throw in the bottom of the 3rd inning.

The Lake Henry Lakers won in Elrosa by a 6-3 score on Wednesday night. The Lakers outhit the Saints by a 12-10 margin with Nathan Meyer getting the complete-game win on the mound.

The Saints, who slipped to 7-4 in the Stearns County League North division, host New Munich tonight in a key match up of playoff-bound teams.

Lake Henry moves to 5-4 in the SCL-South with the win and next plays at Greenwald on Saturday at 1:30pm. Just 24 hours later they play at Farming on Sunday, July 6.

It's also Hall of Fame night, with Joe Duevel being inducted in a ceremony at 7:00pm.

In Little Dipper SCL action, the Elrosa Saints won at Meire Grove 22-4.

Two nights of amateur baseball

Elrosa hosts Lake Henry tonight and New Munich on Thursday night in Stearns County League amateur baseball action. Both games start at 7:30pm at Saints Field. See you there!!!

Babe Ruth baseball at Waite Park

Jaden Pastian leaning back on a pitch at Waite Park.

The B-B-E Babe Ruth 7th-8th grade baseball team competed at Waite Park on Tuesday night in cold, windy conditions. After taking a 2-0 lead in the third inning, the Jaguars faded in the final innings in a 7-2 loss.

Up next is a home game next Monday at 6:00pm against Atwater.