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News from the week of November 24, 1999

Tracy school board forms panel on Balaton request

The Tracy Board of Education referred a tuitioning proposal from the Balaton school district to a committee that will meet with members of the Balaton Board of Education. School board members acted on the proposal at their regular Monday night meeting.

Board members Eric Nelson and Dennis Fultz and Supt. Rick Clark will serve on the committee, along with two members from the Milroy Board of Education yet to be named.

Declining enrollment prompted Balaton school board members to seek tuitioning agreements with Tracy Area Public Schools and Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Schools for students in grades 9-12 beginning with the 2000-01 school year for a two-year period. The Balaton School would continue to operate a full K-8 program.

A letter from the district earlier this month requested that the tuitioning fee be set at 75% of the per pupil foundation formula.

The 25/75 split was requested as a transitional proposal to help the district meet severance pay obligations for tenured staff who would find themselves without a teaching position should the district no longer operate a 9-12 program.

A tuitioning agreement between District. 417 and Milroy has Milroy paying 90% of the foundation formula for students attending Tracy Area High School, plus $75 for capital expenditures such as textbooks.


Seniors show growing cyberspace enthusiasm

Why would anyone old enough to remember war bonds and ration stamps want to "surf the net?"

“I want to be able to send e-mail and get pictures of my grandchildren.”

“I feel like a dinosaur. I don't want to be left in the dark.”

“ I want to learn to use the Internet — it's like a library to me.”

These were just a few of the reasons a dozen participants gave for attending an Internet Class designed for older adults at Tracy Area High School last week.

Nan Ladehoff, technology coordinator for the school district, wass the instructor for the Community Education class held in the school's new computer lab.

Interest in computers has really taken off among adults in the over-50 age group, she noted.

“We've offered the class before, but this is the largest group we've had sign up.”

Ladehoff's observation concurs with research conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons — senior citizens are the fastest-growing segment of the Internet community.

Setting up an e-mail account was one of the topics covered in the class. How to use search engines to find information was another.

Some students have been on-line for some time but came to hone their skills. Others had computer experience, but hadn't hooked up to the Internet. Several pupils admitted they had new computers at home, barely out of the box.

“At first I was afraid to step into it,” said class participant Madalyn Lasnetske. “But my kids have been promoting it.”

The Tracy woman plans to use her home computer to communicate with her children and grandchildren via e-mail and to sell stamps on-line.

Arlene Frechette has been using a computer for quite some time. Every evening she and her children and grandchildren meet in cyberspace. She took the class, she says, to learn more about how to use search engines to get information.

Americans over the age of 65 already make up more than 30 percent of the population, and the fact that they make up the fasting growing segment of computer users means businesses and web page designers are creating websites with seniors in mind, such as ThirdAge and SeniorNet.

Older Americans, according to CNN, are also leading the way when it comes to Online shopping. The age group with the highest concentration of online buyers is the 50 to 64 segment, at 27%.; the fastest growing segment is 65 and over — just 4% last year, but up to 16% this year.


'Messiah' set Dec. 12

Singers invited to join performance

Continuing a 19-year holiday tradition, area people will gather Sunday, Dec. 12 at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Marshall to participate in the "Messiah Sing." The event begins at 7 p.m.

The Southwest State University Music Program and St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, co-sponsors of this year's performance, invite anyone to join in the singing or to come and listen.

"All that is needed to participate as a singer is your voice and a 'Messiah' score," said Dr. M. Michael Suzuki, director of vocal-choral music activities and Professor of Music at SSU. Scores may be purchased at music stores or they may be checked out from the music office in the Fine Arts Building, Room 125, at SSU any day prior to the event, " Suzuki added.

The performance of Handel's classic work was initiated 19 years ago by Dr. Suzuki, with support of Professor Charles Kauffman, organist, and Dr. Alan Taylor, trumpeter. According to Suzuki, community participation in this "sing-along" festival has been tremendous, with more than 300 area residents participating one year and an even greater number of participants anticipated this year.

Dr. Suzuki will conduct the choral portions of the "Messiah," Kauffman will play the organ and Taylor will play the trumpet. Additional support will be given by string players from the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra, including Gretchen and Curt Wagner, Diane Wright, Bill Wagner, and Emily Swartz.

Soloists will be Elizabeth Swanson-Bushard, soprano; Vickie Daub, contralto; Nate Hansen, tenor; and Reed Ethington, bass.

The event is open to the public without charge. It is sponsored in part by the Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee. For more information, contact the SSU Music Program at (507) 537-7234.


1950 grad is latest THS 'Wall of Fame' inductee

An Eden Prairie man is the latest induction into the Tracy High School "Wall of Fame."

Paul Johnson, a 1950 Tracy High School graduate, was honored at the Tracy American Education Week Banquet Thursday.

"This is a great honor," Johnson told the banquet crowd. The St. Olaf College graduate is the president of The Mutual Agency, Inc. of St. Louis Park.

"Paul is a respected, successful businessman and citizen," said Principal John Rokke, who introduced Johnson.

Paul Johnson is the son of Reed and Ruth Johnson, who for many years operated Johnson's Fairway on the southwest corner of Fourth and Morgan streets in Tracy.

The salutatorian of his class, Johnson participated in chorus, football, basketball, baseball, track, class play and National Honor Society in high school. He was class president both his junior and senior years, as well as student council president.

After college, he enlisted in the Air Force, becoming a tanker co-pilot and achieving the rank of First Lieutenant. After the service, he married Shirley, a girl he had met at St. Olaf. Together they raised three boys in St. Louis Park. After working as a JC Penney department manager, he entered the insurance business.

Leo "Gabby" Sebastian, Johnson's football coach, related an incident about Johnson receiving a penalty for unnecessary roughness in a game against Springfield. After the game, the father took his son over to Springfield to look up both the player and the coach. Young Johnson apologized for the unnecessary roughness penalty.

"My Dad was pretty tough," Paul said. "I grew up with more kicks in the pants than pats on the back. I always knew where you stood with him." Johnson recalled when his dad caught him smoking a cigarette during high school. His father told his coach about the smoking, and that ended his basketball season.

"That took care of the smoking," Johnson said.


Education banquet highlights excellence

Excellence in education was in the spotlight at the Tracy American Education Week banquet held Thursday. School representatives from St. Mary's School, Tracy Elementary and Tracy Area High School participated.

Awards presented were:

Tracy Elementary Teacher of Year (selected by students): Sixth grade teacher Gale Otto.

Tracy Area High School Teacher of Year (selected by students): Science teacher Russ Stobb.

Tracy Education Association A+ Award: Ade Miller and Jeff "Jesse" James.

Helping Hands Award (selected by Tracy Education Association): School Bus Driver Jim Donner.

School support award (selected by school administration): Ken and Colleen Schiller.

High School Recent Achiever: Ben Lightfoot, son of Bill and Charlene Lightfoot.

High School Consistent Achievers: Jacob Gervais, son of Paul and Pam Gervais; Amanda Rasmussen, daughter of Paul and Vicky Rasmusson; Mark Freeburg, son of Russell and Grace Freeburg; Andy Fraser, son of Mike and Margie Fraser; Kim Bornitz, daughter of Larry and Jan Bornitz; Deb Gabel, daughter of Pastor Wes and Diane Gabel.

St. Mary's Consistent Achievers—Jillian Tholen, daughter of Randy and Elaine Tholen; Krysta Tholen, daughter of Gary and Theresa Tholen; Stacey LaVoy, daughter of Jan and Steve LaVoy; David Schiller, son of Colleen and Ken Schiller.

Tracy Elementary School Recent Achievers—Mai Vue Moua, daughter of Blia Thao Moua and Mai Xe Lor; Brianna Schroeder, daughter of Dennis and Dawn Schroeder.

Tracy Elementary Consistent Achievers—Bobbi Jo Buyck, daughter of Steve and Lynn Buyck; Cody Arnold, son of Kevin and Kim Arnold.

Academic Letterwinners

12 consecutive quarters 10.0 (A-) grade-point-average or above: Jenna Boerboom, Christopher Gervais, Heather Engesser, Kara Nelson, Deborah Gabel, Amy Rykhus, all seniors.

Eight consecutive quarters: Seniors—Julie Gifford, Suzanne LaVoy, Nicole LaBat, Gayra Ostgaard, John Rialson. Juniors—Andy Fraser, Amanda Labat, Brady Schmidt, Alison Tanghe.

Four consecutive quarters: Seniors—Jeremy Goltz, Sarah Zwach, Lance Baumann. Juniors—Kim Bornitz, Ben Gervais, Carin Gervais, Kayla Hosier, Katie Louwagie, Lisa Soupir, Kelly Warner, Nicole Wilking.

Sophomores—Brady Averill, Rhonda Bitker, Joe Brockway, Lisa Buysse, Stephanie Carter, Mark Freeburg, Scott LaVoy, Rebecca Lessman, Megan Schons, Kamaria Skoglund, Jenna Tholen.

School employees recognized for reaching 10, 20 or 30-year milestones with District 417 were: 30-year—Verla Gayle Stoffel, Richard Brink, Charlie Goerish, Laurie Thoma; 20-year: David Johnson; 10-year: Annie Syverson, Lori Erbes, Sharon Hohler, Shelley Nelson, Jolynn Norstegard, Kathy Blanchette.


City turns switch for energy-saving lights

$48,200 project has estimated 5 1/2 year payback

The City of Tracy is moving ahead with an energy-saving lighting plan for city-owned buildings.

Tracy City Council members approved a proposal from Hebig's Electric of Tracy to retrofit the lights in seven municipally-owned buildings at a cost of $48,200. The improvements will reduce wattage demands in the city facilities an estimated 27%. George Hebig, the owner of Hebig's, is providing guarantees that the city will save at least $48,200 in lower electricity needs over the next ten years.

Bruce Sundquist, of Minnesota Electric Supply in Marshall, estimates the improvements will save the city $8,920 a year in energy costs. Hebig agreed to guarantee the savings with a letter of credit. He will also furnish the city with a performance bond covering the installation of the work.

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The most dramatic energy savings will come in the Prairie Pavilion gym, where electricity needs will decline from 24,000 watts to 10,800 watts. Although 48 fixtures will be replaced by 30 fixtures, the new lights will provide much brighter illumination than now exists.

Installation will begin as soon as documents are finalized and Hebig can order in supplies.

The lighting retrofit includes the Tracy Municipal Building, public works and water treatment plant, library, liquor store, fire hall, senior center, Prairie Pavilion gym.