Pride of Main Street Dairy Closes; Photos from the Parade

Sunday, August 9, 2015. Last month I talked about the Ding Dong Cafe's owner getting ready to retire. The Ding Dong will, I'm confident, still be around when a new owner's found.

Pride of Main Street Dairy, not so much. This week's Sauk Centre Herald top story, after Jeff Otte's deep fried cheese curds and other Stearns County Fair fare, was "Pride of Main Street Dairy closed indefinitely."


The headline says it all: "Pride of Main Street Dairy closed...." (August 6, 2015)

Sounds like Lifeway Foods, an Illinois-based company, is moving the production processes Main Street Dairy handled to Wisconsin or Illinois. That's put 11 of the 13 folks who worked at Main Street Dairy: out of work.

Someone's working in the office, and another doing building maintenance; the building's up for sale, and the small retail dairy store that was in the building is gone. I remember seeing Pride of Main Street Dairy's skim, 1%, 2%, whole and chocolate milk; and a few ice cream flavors; in Coborn's.

It was nice having locally-made dairy products, and looking for work is anything but fun: my experience, anyway. But I understand that change happens.

On a happier note, I don't think I shared these photos from the Sinclair Lewis Day parade, week before last.


Someone noted that kids scooting out to pick up goodies thrown from Sinclair Lewis Days Parade units reminded him of chickens going after corn. (July 18, 2015)


Sauk Centre's fire/emergency response department: new equipment - - - (July 18, 2015)


- - - and anything-but-new equipment. (July 18, 2015)

I've probably got photos from the Stearns County Fair, too: but those will wait until next week. Or the week after that, or whenever. That depends partly on whether I get any nifty pictures.

Ding Dong Café For Sale

Sunday, July 12, 2015. The Ding Dong Café has been around for 69 years, this week's Sauk Centre Herald says. It is not, the current owner says, going to become a bicycle shop: according to the Herald. Amazing, the rumors that get started. It is, however, for sale. The current owner, Judy Bailey, says she's getting ready to retire: after 20 years as owner, and four before that working there.

The Ding Dong is a cultural/community landmark here: small wonder this news made top story on the front page.


Ding Dong Café: front page news. (July 9, 2015)


Lots of lightning, thunder, and rain. From my webcam. (8:46 p.m. July 12, 2015)

A big thunderstorm has been rolling over Sauk Centre, and a large swath of central Minnesota. There've been reports of wind damage in Albany, St Joseph (Semaphore traffic signal down): and trees down here in Sauk Centre. Still, it could have been a lot worse.

St. Paul's Construction, Re-Roofing the VB Building, and a Raffle

Sunday, July 5, 2015. There's a severe thunderstorm/flash flood watch on for a swath from eastern South Dakota to Minnesota's arrowhead region. One line went over a bit earlier, but it looks like there's more behind that one: so I'll be up for another hour or so, at least. It's an 'abundance of caution' thing.

St. Paul's construction/expansion continues. That's a huge project.


Construction at St. Paul's continues. That "Road Closed Ahead" sign was on the street west of the church. (July 1, 2015)


I'm glad to see a new roof going on the old Vocational Biographies building. (July 1, 2015)


Sign announcing/advertising a Holy Family School fundraiser. The drawing will be at Greenwald Pub, August 14. (July 1, 2015)

I was glad to see a crew on the old Vocational Biographies building roof, putting a long-overdue new set of shingles on. That's a fine old mansion/funeral home/office building: with a remarkable fraction of the original woodwork intact.

That Holy Family School fundraiser sign caught my eye. It's in the Our Lady of Angels parking lot: a logical place, since the St. Paul's lot is part of the construction project. Folks in the two parishes cooperate pretty well.

That's all I've got this week: and more than I remembered, when I started writing it. Next week: who knows?

The Flu, Empty Storefronts, and All That

Sunday, February 1, 2015. The flu left town, so the nursing home is back to its usual visiting times. I'm feeling better, myself.

I'm not happy about the number of 'for rent/sale' signs in empty storefronts downtown. But we've been through this sort of thing before.


Main Street and South 4th: the corner building's been used as offices most recently. Now it's bleakly empty: or ready for new tenants, depending on your viewpoint. (January 26, 2015)


Left to right, a for-rent storefront; Centre of Attention, a new-to-me fashion store; and Centre Floral. (January 26, 2015)


The corner building, at one time home to Winter's drug store, is for sale. (January 26, 2015)

The old mansion that housed Vocational Biographies for the 20 years I worked there has been for sale for some time. Driving by this week, I noticed something new.


Tax forfeiture property. Not exactly a cheerful sign: but one of my kids pointed out that this means there's a better chance of someone buying the place. (January 26, 2015)

I'm old enough to start being a surly old coot, constantly kvetching about newfangled — everything. Never could see the percentage in that. Besides, I've got a pretty good memory, 'good old days' weren't, and that's another topic.

Downtown was a tad empty in the mid-1980s, when my family and I moved here. Things picked up a few years later: and I'm pretty sure that will happen again this time around.

Farewell, Ungers; Hello Hillcrest Plaza

Sunday, November 16, 2014. Winter started this Monday, when about nine inches of snow fell. Since then, it's been below zero, Fahrenheit, several nights, and we've had a few 'cat track' snowfalls.


Snow, about 1:30 p.m. on Monday. November 10, 2014.


By Tuesday, we had about nine inches. November 11, 2014.

I was sorry to see a 'going out of business' sign in front of Unger's Furniture, downtown. That place has been a landmark here since the start of the 20th century. Looks like they couldn't pay off the estate taxes. (September 27, 2011)

I'll remember the 'good times,' including Unger's participation in the 2008 Sinclair Lewis Days parade. (July 19, 2008)


Ungers: a Sauk Centre fixture for 113 years, going out of business. November 12, 2014.


The Hillcrest Motel on south Main is now Hillcrest Plaza: rental office space. November 12, 2014.

Another change in town: the Hillcrest Motel on south Main is now Hillcrest Plaza, an office park.

Outpost Mercantile and Autumn Colors

Sunday, September 28, 2014 There's a new(ish) business in town: Outpost Mercantile, near Lake Wobegon Trail and the Ding Dong Cafe. I gather that it's an eatery.


Seen from the north-northeast, their new sign doesn't stand out all that much. September 27, 2014.


Outpost Mercantile, seen from the west. September 27, 2014.


A little bit of 'everything:' the rear of Outpost Mercantile, someone's boat, and autumn foliage. September 27, 2014.


Fall colors, some trees still green, and lots of sunshine. September 28, 2014.


The corner of 9th Street South and Ash, this afternoon. September 28, 2014.

That's all I've got for now: see you next week.

Tech Support: Real and Otherwise

Sunday, September 21, 2014 Oddly enough, yesterday's storms went by, mostly south of Sauk Centre, with nary an interruption of power. This afternoon, with little but cloudiness happening, power went out in our house: and stayed that way for what felt like fifteen or 20 minutes.

We may or may not get good fall colors this year. One tree near the north end of Ash Street is, as usual, getting a head start on one of its branches: but otherwise we're still reasonably green around here.

Help with computers, legitimate and otherwise, is in the Sauk Center Herald. That "Police warn of a computer scam" is the old 'tech support' scam, where someone calls a computer owner, talks the person into giving the caller remote access to the computer, and then demands money to get it "fixed."

That happened to someone here in Sauk Centre on September 11, and apparently it's been done elsewhere in the area. The computer owner wouldn't pay, and ended up with a virus getting installed.

I've gotten calls like that, myself: not often, and not recently. Happily, I'd read about that sort of scam: and knew enough about Microsoft to realize that their tech support staff wouldn't be calling me.

Before getting to a new business in town, these Wikipedia pages do a pretty good job of talking about common sense and today's tech: Technical support scam; Ransomware; Virus hoax.


From the Sauk Centre Herald. September 21, 2014.

"How safe is your computer from hackers" tells about Sauk PC Repair, a new business that's in the old Hillcrest Hotel Building on South Main. The folks there do quite a bit besides virus removal: like upgrades, making custom computers, and repairing laptops.

No More Mead's

Sunday, August 24, 2014. I've got a few photos left to share, from the Stearns County Fair.


Stearns County Fair, Conservation building: the duck in the water pan is okay. He's got his head underwater, looking for food. July 30, 2014.


Stearns County Fair, the midway: near sunset. July 30, 2014.


Stearns County Fair, near the Bingo booth: a family having fun with a high striker. July 30, 2014.


Stearns County Fair, midway: on my way home. July 30, 2014.

Mead's department store, downtown, won't be there soon. I gather that the Mead's are selling the store: and that another outfit will open a similar outlet in the building. I may know more about it next week. Then again, maybe I won't.

Garage Sales and Bowling

Sunday, August 10, 2014. Sauk Centre's bowling lanes are closing. The Sauk Centre Herald article quoted the owners as saying that there hasn't been enough use of their facility, since the recession started. It's not the end of bowling, of course: places are still open in other towns.

On a happier note, we haven't had as many mosquitoes this summer: which made the mild weather a lot more fun to be out in.


Marian Garden by Our Lady of the Angels Church. August 5, 2014.


Flowers, grass, and ivy in the garden. August 5, 2014.


Garage sales: part of summer. August 8, 2014.

Our household teamed up with another this summer, with two rummage/garage sales. These were the third and fourth we've done. They take more effort to set up and run than I might have thought: not that I did much of the work.

Two Transitions: Pizza Hut, Father Statz

Sunday, July 13, 2014. Last week's Sauk Centre Herald had articles about two major transitions on the front page.

The Pizza Hut on south Main closing was news to me. Looks like their last day of operation was June 25. The paper said that the company that owned this Pizza Hut, Sky Ventures, filed for bankruptcy. Misery doesn't really love company, I've found: but nine other Pizza Huts had been closed earlier this year.

I'm not a big pizza person: but I'll miss knowing that the Pizza Hut is there. My kids and I celebrated by going there a few times.


Two transitions in last week's paper. July 3, 2014.

I wrote about Father Statz in A Catholic Citizen in America. (June 29, 2014)

On a brighter note: it's been a beautifully sunny day.

"Walking with the Enemy," Followed by Q&A With Charles Hubbell

Wednesday, May 7, 2014. Main Street Theatre is celebrating their 75th year of operation. The Douvier family has operated the movie theatre since 1976.

This year, "In Conjunction with the 75th Anniversary of Main Street Theatre and the Sauk Centre Premiere of 'Walking with the Enemy' we are Announcing a Special Event for Opening Night on Friday, May 9. Meet one of the actors, Charles Hubbell, a Minnesota Native who will be available for a 'Q&A' following the showing of the film which will continue to run for a 2 week period!"


Advertisement from the May 4th Dairyland Peach.

I won't be there: I don't get out much. But don't let that stop you.

Dairyland Peach ran an article about Main Street Theatre, the Douviers, and a planned attraction, last year. (May 13, 2013)

New Places, and Shoveling the Roof

Sunday, February 16, 2014. I still haven't been in La Central Market and Isabella Boutique, unless you count their website: www.lacentralmarketmn.com. I did get a photo of the storefront, though. It's where Corner Drug used to be.


LaCentral Market and Isabella Boutique, at the corner of Sinclair Lewis Avenue and Main. February 1, 2014.


Shoveling Coborn's roof. February 11, 2014.


Sunshine, snow, clear sky, and the industrial park windmill. February 12, 2014.


New-to-me: Elmerz, west of Walmart. February 12, 2014.

We've had quite a bit of snow this winter. It's scenic, but means more work for folks with sidewalks, driveways, parking lots: and, in some cases, roofs.

ElmerZ restaurant and bar opened recently. It's whereGerard's used to be. The Sauk Centre Herald did a pretty good writeup on the new place: "Zimmer family to reopen popular establishment," Sauk Centre Herald. (November 8, 2013)

New Mexican Meat Market and Clothing Boutique in Sauk Centre — Also Snow

Sunday, February 9, 2014. Today was a warm day, compared to much of this winter. The high was zero Fahrenheit, about -18 Celsius.


Neighbors with a Valentine's Day yard display. February 9, 2014.


Brown's Park Build a Forest: planted in 2007 for the class of 2018. February 9, 2014.


It's been a good year for snowmen. February 9, 2014.

There's a new business downtown: La Central Market and Isabella Boutique, a Mexican meat market and fashion boutique at the corner of Sinclair Lewis Avenue and Main. They've got a pretty good website: www.lacentralmarketmn.com.

I haven't been inside: partly because I haven't been outside much in the last few weeks.

Golf Courses, Toppling Trees, and Chow Mein

Sunday, October 27, 2013. The Sauk Centre Country Club's changing hands. An article on WJON-AM's website says that a developer bought the Country Club property and plans to build homes along the 9-hole golf course, and a marina on Sauk Lake.

I drove by the Country Club Wednesday afternoon, to see what was happening.


Sauk Centre Country Club's southeast corner, Main Street and Country Club Road. October 23, 2013.


The Country Club's east side. October 23, 2013.


North side of Sauk Centre Country Club. Those trees have already been toppled. October 23, 2013.


A crew was pushing trees over on the west side of the golf course Wednesday afternoon. October 23, 2013.


Sauk Centre Country Club's clubhouse, and birdhouse. October 23, 2013.


Sauk Centre Country Club's current course layout, from the Sauk Centre Country Club's scorecard. Used w/o permission.

My guess is that the new owners looked at those trees, saw how old they are, and decided to push them over before one fell on someone. That makes sense, but I'll miss them.
aThat article says that the folks who owned Sauk Centre Country Club bought GreyStone Golf Course. Apparently folks who like to golf on that 18-hole course won't notice much difference, since the place will still be open to the public.

Assuming that the developer keeps a 9-hole golf course there on the north side of Sauk Centre, that'll make two 18-hole courses and a 9-hole course in or near Sauk Centre. Folks who like to play golf may have trouble deciding where to go, but I don't think they'll mind having options.

I did a little checking, and all three golf courses have websites, or are supposed to. I'd provide a link to the GreyStone course, but when I tried using their Internet address, the website's software started doing very odd things to my browser. It's probably a technical problem, related to the place changing hands. Searching Google or another search site for GreyStone Golf Course should give you some information about that place.

Here's where to find the other two online:

• Sauk Centre Country Club
  (www.saukcentrecountryclub.com)
• Lynx National Golf Course
  (www.lynxnationalgolf.com)

Finally, my parish's chow mein fundraiser went well: and Fr. Statz said that, contrary to what someone heard someone else say, he's not retired, semi- or otherwise. Today was one of those beautiful October days that poets and writers get excited over, and I'll be back next week. That's the plan, anyway.

Sauk Centre Country Club

I glanced at the Sauk Herald's front page at the grocery yesterday. Looks like the Sauk Centre Country Club is closing to make way for a nine hole "executive" golf course and housing.

I suppose that with larger golf courses north and south of town, not as many folks have been using the 18-hole course in Sauk Centre's north side. I've swung a golf club, and actually hit the ball once: but never played golf. Even so, I'll miss the current course. It's been a beautiful bit of landscaping, across the street from lakeside houses.

A "Million Dollar Rain," Sinclair Lewis Days, and Changes on Main

Sunday, July 14, 2013. Sinclair Lewis Days started today. It's a week-long set of civic events, including a kiddie and pet parade, and Crazy Days downtown: that's when retail stores set up tables on the sidewalk by their storefront, and hope for sunny skies.

Someone called today's weather a "million dollar rain." We had drizzle or light rain most of the day: not good for picnics or outdoor shopping, but great for getting moisture into the soil.

I noticed some changes along Main Street, between the Lake Wobegon Trail bridge and the Interstate.


Hillcrest Motel on South Main. It really is on the crest of a hill. The slope is on the side away from Main. July 12, 2013.


A little north of Hillcrest Motel, on the other side of Main, a new(ish) building has occupants. July 12, 2013.

That building across the street from the Hillcrest Motel, the two-story one with tannish-brownish-gray siding, was under construction for a long time. Last September I'd guessed that it would be an apartment building.


The new building on South Main may be ready by winter: or, not. My guess is that it'll be apartments. or something else. September 8, 2012.

I still think it looks like a multiple-unit housing facility, but it's being used as a professional/office building.


At least two outfits, an insurance office, and "Dentistry for Children," have moved in. July 12, 2013.

Folks coming to town for Sinclair Lewis Days shouldn't have much trouble seeing where the pedestrian crossings are. We've got new paving and paint on some of the major near-downtown streets.


Friday afternoon near downtown Sauk Centre. That's St. Paul's church in the background. July 12, 2011.

I want to check out the parade route for Sinclair Lewis Days. It went by my house for several years: which made getting pictures very easy.

Slightly-related post:

• "Construction and a New(ish) Name on Main Street"
  (September 30, 2012)