-Only- $4.95/Issue The (Cheap!) GalacticGazette

Ahh, Spring. A few thunderstorms & some warm weather. Not a good thing on the planet Venus though. See the story in the Science & Tech section. Volume 18 Issue 4 Artist’ depiction of the Russian April 2018 “Venera” spacecraft on the surface of Venus. Weather: Sunny, rainy & warmer. “All of the news you really need.” “Noli credere omnia legis” Hillbillies & Cough Drops Feudin’ Fightin’ & Fussin’ Performed by The Cosmos Community Theater at Mug Shots Bar & Grill in Cosmos March 9th, 10th & 11th Lastly, the three youngest Fernheiser daughters, Honeysuckle, Whoda thunk it? Magnolia and Hyacinth round out the brain trust in the Fernheiser household. 13 year old Hyacinth seemed to agree on any subject, as her head is constantly nodding, just like the bobble-head wiener By Mark Minnick dog in the back window of your grandpa’s Buick. Polecat County is smack dab in the middle of hillbilly territory. When the rich old sea hag, Mrs. Snodgrass, sees that her You can easily imagine the hanging possums, baying coon dogs trusted assistant William puts up an extremely ugly building that and the smell of wood smoke in the air. As unassuming and isn’t going to be library, ‘the ship hits the sand’. She throws a fit, backward as the county is, some folk figure it is due for some fires Billy and wants that abomination of a structure torn down! It ‘civilizing’. That’s the thought of the arrogant and well-to-do Mrs. doesn’t look good for the locals or romance. Snodgrass, the “Cough drop queen of America”. As she comes Mrs. Snodgrass may have piles of money from her “Cough rolling into town with her business assistant, William Bishop III, drop empire”, but she’s no match for true love, hillbilly smarts and she is intent on building a library to bring some culture and smarts her own cough drops. What you say, her own cough drops? If you to the local populace. saw the performance, you understand. If you didn’t, you missed But don’t tell them that to the locals. ‘Ol Paw Fernheiser, out on a good story told by some great local thespians. Yes, love leader of the anti-library contingent proclaims, “We don’t need no did conquer all, but I don’t know about the cookin’ up some vittles libeery - we need a reecreeashun’ hawl!”. The Feudin’, Fightin’ with……cough drops. More pics and info next page. and Fussin’ about the subject now rules the day in Polecat county and at the Fernheiser residence. (It’s really just a shack.) As the plot unfolds, the city slicker William Bishop III is working on marketing and designing the new structure. Alas, love is in the air as he falls head over heels for Lizzie Fernheiser, ‘Ol Paw’s oldest (and prettiest) daughter. With her womanly charms, she convinces him that a recreation hall would be the best thing to build for the county. With stars in his eyes, he falls for her and the idea, hook, line and sinker. Cupid’s arrows also struck Lizzie’s younger sister Betty Su, as she is trying to get local hillbilly, Zeke Kendall, to ‘pop the question’. The poor boy isn’t real bright, and just can’t deeecide what to do. Then there’s Widow Kendall and her other dumb-as-a-post boy Hiram, throwing their 2 cents into the ‘libeery’ argument. Hoo Photo by Diane McClain boy… Zeke and Betty Su talk over whether or not they should get hitched. Feudin’ Fightin’ & Fussin’

The Cast

Photo by Diane McClain

Fuedin’ Fightin’ & Fussin’ cast L to R; Hiram Kendall-James Gransee, Widow Kendall-Jale Gregoire, Hyacinth Fernheiser-Bailey Stahl, Betty Sue Fernheiser-Tracey Rogers, Zeke Kendall-Preston Rogers, Magnolia Fernheiser-Meghan McClain, Mrs. Snodgrass-Elaine Berry, William Bishop III-Nate Blum, Honeysuckle Fernheiser-Taylor Rogers, Lizzie Fernheiser-Elizabeth Lasanen, Paw Fernheiser- Keith McNeil, Maw Fernheiser-Judy Raske

Director Sue Gransee Assistant Director Kieth McNeil Stage Crew Tracey Rogers Kelsey Whitcomb Steve Whitcomb The Crew Preston Rogers Lighting Chuck Raske Preston Rogers Make-up & Props Joan Doty Elaine Berry Table Decorations Randy Hoff, Floral Expressions Publicity Harry Weseloh Photo by Diane McClain Lizzie Fernheiser just can’t resist the charms of the snappily dressed William Bishop III.

Photo by Diane McClain The youngest Fernheiser sisters, weighing in on the situation. No, these aren’t members of the cast. I just figured that you can’t write about a hillbilly story without including some ‘possums! *Attention* Open House Wedding Shower Spring Graduates & Parents April 28th, 2018 The Galactic Gazette will be publishing high school at the 12:00-3:00 pm graduation announcements and color photos in the May issue. (It will be here before we know it.) Cosmos City Center for Please E-mail the announcement that you wish to publish to; Jeremy Anderson & Marysa Murphy [email protected] *We like to use this simple 4 line format for your grad. ● Who: Graduate’s name ● What: School Graduation, Graduation Open House, etc. ● When: Weekday, date, year & time ● Where: Location for reception or celebration *We can also custom design something for you, with or without a photo, but please talk to us about your idea, the earlier the better. Prepayment can be delivered to Mark, Rich or Delores. You can also mail it to; *Prices* Galactic Gazette Full Page $100.00 350 Neptune St. North Half Page $50.00 Cosmos, MN. 56228 Quarter page $25.00 If you have any questions, *The deadline to make the talk to us or E-mail May issue is April 20th! [email protected]

P.S. We will also publish confirmation, pre-school, kindergarten, grade school or college graduation announcements. They will be separate from the high school grads, but honored just the same. Celebrate their accomplishments!

Cosmos Coed Softball Summer League Sign-up

● $150 entry Fee - 5 game guarantee (Based on 4 teams) ● MSF Sanctioned League ● Friday Nights starting first week in June & ending last week of July ● Deadline to sign up is May 14th

To sign up or for questions please contact Emily Schmeling @ 320-583-1570

Image courtesy Mark Minnick or [email protected]

Babe's Blossoms The PLCW’s Eleventh Annual Opening for the Season Table Time at Friday, April 20th, 2018 Peace Lutheran Church of Cosmos Get ready for a great growing season! th Offering unique baskets and containers ready to Saturday, April 14 display, annual plants, perennials, shrubs, vegetable Table viewing starts at 10:45 a.m. plants and seeds, strawberry plants, custom potting Salad Luncheon at 11:30 am and more! -Program featuring Hours beginning April 20 Monday - Friday 9 am - 6 pm portraying singer Saturday 9 am - 5 pm Patsy Cline- Sunday Noon - 5 pm Tickets are $8.00 Babe’s Blossoms Call the church office after 7 Mi. So. of Cosmos April 2nd for available on State Hwy 4 320-848-6566 admission tickets, Babesblossoms.com payable at the door. 320-877-7500 Check us out on Facebook! Time Warp Breakfast Buffet Whozit?

at ttįUG SttíOTS in Cosmos th It’s the spring of 1971, the second year of organized girl’s sports in the Cosmos Sunday, April 29 school district. The girls track athletes did quite well, as they swept a district 9 am – 12:00 pm meet at Glencoe. Can you name any of these girls, left to right? Whozit?

(Free will donation) “Proceeds will benefit our Veterans, their families and our communities.” *Hosted by the Cosmos American Legion Family The Second Blizzard

Time Warp Wham! Cosmos Gets Hit Again! (The chains won’t do much good here Eunice…) Part 2 of the March ‘65 Blizzard(s) More Time Warp Lake Region MINNESOTA Insurance Agency USED TRUCK SALES Trisha Kruse - Agent John Boll 805 E Lincoln Ave * PO Box 131 Cell: 612-868-6835 [email protected] * Olivia, MN 56277 Office: 320-877-7331 PO Box 216 Tel:320-523-1114 * fax:320-523-2111 Fax: 320-877-7224 Cosmos, MN 56228 www.lakeregionagency.com*[email protected] www.minnesotausedtrucks.com

Whitcomb Farm Drainage GPS Controlled Field Drainage Steven Whitcomb Septic Systems 320-894-6269 Greg Whitcomb Lawn Mowing Excavation/Demolition 320-212-7852 12199 165th ST SE Lee Danielson Lake Lillian, MN *Insured* 56253 Call for Estimate 1-320-583-0318

[email protected]

SELFat STORAGE10 Milky Way N Cosmos, MN. -Storage areas include- *10x10 ($40 per month) *10x15 ($55 per month) * 25x35 with overhead garage doors ($200 per month) *Outdoor spaces ($40 per month) for large RVs, Boats, Pontoons etc. -Contact- L&M Rentals, LLC. 507-240-0030 Those Darn Kids & Aliens “Turn That Crap Down!” By Local Chicken Musical musings, recollections As I was strolling through and discoveries worth the uptown area the other day writing & talking about. looking for kernels of corn, I happened to notice the aluminum can collection trailer. As I looked a little longer, I noticed cans in plastic garbage bags that had been thrown in with the rest of loose cans. Then I looked up at the large sign, and it read plain as day, “ALUMINUM CANS ONLY! NO GARBAGE BAGS!” As I pondered as to how those bags could have possibly got in there, I came up with four possible scenarios; 1. While on their way to Alpha Centauri, aliens make a rest stop at the Cosmos Community Center. Before they continue on, they tidy up the cockpit of their space ship, as the co-pilot consumes a lot of Diet Pepsi. Not proficient at reading American English, they see other bags in with the cans and figure it’s ok. 2. Environmentally conscious Mountain Dew indulging pre- schoolers who haven’t learned how to read yet. How they reach Image courtesy wikipedia.com the door latch is beyond me. Stand on the trike seat I guess. 3. People that drink lots of beverages and think they are helping out, but didn’t pay attention in school and can’t read. By Mark Minnick 4. Big beverage drinkers that think they are helping out and can I have to be more careful when cruising around on YouTube. read, but don’t care that the Community Club volunteers have to When searching for an artist that Rich brought to my attention, remove each and every sticky, gooey and stinky plastic bag before I ran across this Australian group ‘The Seekers’. I vaguely the cans can be recycled. remember them for their hit “” from the “60’s. I always thought that the Community Club does lots of good They’re one of those groups that I forgot about because; A) I things in the area and this is one of the ways they raise a few extra wasn’t that impressed at the young age of 10, B) they sang wimpy shekels to put right back into the community. How hard is it for , C) old people loved them. D) they sang wimpy folk donors to open the bag, empty the cans and properly dispose of music. My general reaction over the years to this is said bag? I’m a chicken and I can figure it out. What the heck? like that of Bluto Blutarski smashing the serenading folk singer’s I guess I’m gonna have to get on those little kids and ignorant guitar in the movie “Animal House”. If you think about it, they aliens, it’s gotta be them. Just sayin…….Cluck, cluck. could be defined as the “Antithesis” of this column. Any grandma would say “Turn those nice kids up.” Sigh…… I listened a little more. The big hit “Georgy Girl” wasn’t that bad, but I can remember it being overplayed on the airwaves at the time. I sampled a few more tunes. "", "", "Someday, One Day" (written by ),"" and "I'll Never Find Another You" were five that I liked. ("I'll Never Find Another You" was my favorite.) By gosh, like it or not, the lead singer has an excellent set of pipes and plays piano. , , and round out the Aussie quartet with harmonizing vocals and various instruments. (You know, those folk music instruments.) After listening to these forgotten tunes, I gained an appreciation for music this group produced. Smooth and to the groove, with unique harmonies. I can’t believe I’m admitting this but, enjoyable stuff. (WTH, my man card is about shot anyway.) From wikipedia.org, here is an apt description; Australian music historian Ian McFarlane described their style as "concentrated on a bright, up tempo sound, although they were too pop to be considered strictly folk and too folk to be rock." Although I have enjoyed rediscovering the sound of this group, don’t expect to hear it blasting out of my speakers in the garage this summer as I’m enjoying smoking some meat and sippin’ a Hamm’s. Some hard Rock n’ Roll goes better in that situation. Plus, I don’t want to have to fend off the grandmas mooching beer and wanting me to “Turn those nice kids up”. Photo courtesy Mark Minnick -The Galactic Gazette Presents- Tales from the

Tavern

Stephen Hawking being presented by his daughter Lucy Hawking at the lecture he Stephen Hawking gave for NASA's 50th anniversary in 2008. Photo by NASA/Paul Alers By Mark Minnick I was always intrigued by the “Crippled guy in the wheelchair with One of the best known theoretical physicists in the world and my the robot voice” who, despite his disabilities, went on with his life and favorite cripple, Stephen Hawking, died at the age of 76 at his home in contributed so much to our understanding of the universe. He understood Cambridge, England on March 14, 2018. A highly visible and outspoken and comprehended physics and mathematics to a level that makes my gray man of math and science, he will be missed by his fellow scientists and matter overheat and hurt, just thinking about what he knows. laymen alike. This editor will miss him too. The man authored (and co-authored) many popular books, children’s books and was involved in many educational TV science documentaries. Here is a quick overview of Mr. Hawking from wikipedia.org: The book, “A Brief History of Time” his first and arguably the most Stephen William Hawking was an English theoretical physicist, popular, made ‘Stephen Hawking” a house hold name. He brought his cosmologist, author and Director of Research at the Centre for ideas and theories to the common man, so that us normal folk could also Theoretical Cosmology within the University of Cambridge. His scientific enjoy the feelings of awe and wonder when it comes to understanding the works included a collaboration with Roger Penrose on gravitational universe. singularity theorems in the framework of general relativity and the At his best, I thought Stephen William Hawking, as smart as he was, theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, often called never took himself too seriously. He had a great sense of humor and could Hawking radiation. laugh at himself and the world at large. He was a frequent guest on Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology explained by numerous TV shows, dramatic and comedic. “Star Trek: The Next a union of the general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. He Generation”, “The Simpson’s” and “The Big Bang Theory” are just a few was a vigorous supporter of the many-worlds interpretation of quantum of the shows I can think of that he had a role in. All of these appearances mechanics. were of him playing himself and they all made me chuckle. Hawking was an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a lifetime The series, “Genius by Stephen Hawking” aired for one season, in member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a recipient of the 2016, on PBS. It was planned to do more shows, but obviously his death Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United means that this was his last TV offering to us. States. In 2002, Hawking was ranked number 25 in the BBC's poll of the To a person that will be held in the same regard as Ptolemy, Galileo, 100 Greatest Britons. Newton and Einstein, I think he would have a grin on his face (even though He was the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of he physically couldn’t grin) about the day on which he died. Cambridge between 1979 and 2009 and achieved commercial success 1.) That day in March, the 14th, makes it “Pi” Day, (3.14). Math with works of popular science in which he discusses his own theories and people giggle and wow about Pi. For those who can’t remember, Pi is the cosmology in general. His book, A Brief History of Time, appeared on the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. 3.141592+….The actual British Sunday Times best-seller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks. number goes on and on, in other words ‘infinite’. Always a mind boggler Hawking had a rare early-onset slow-progressing form of ALS, also to the fresh young minds first exposed to the conundrum in middle school. known as motor neurone disease or Lou Gehrig's disease, that gradually 2.) March 14th is the birthday of Albert Einstein, renowned theoretical paralyzed him over the decades. Even after the loss of his speech, he was physicist in his own right. Born in 1879, this always frumpy looking and still able to communicate through a speech-generating device, initially messy haired scientist was very recognizable and looked upon as being through use of a hand-held switch, and eventually by using a single cheek ‘the ultimate smart guy’. I think Einstein was to his generation what Mr. muscle. Hawking is to this generation. When I first heard of Hawking’s death, I shot a text to my son Tyler. As we both admired the man, I noted the significance of Pi Day and Albert Einstein’s birthday occurring on the same day as his death. He shot me a text back that included a clip of the “The Twilight Zone” television show theme song and video. As I watched and listened, I chuckled and thought Hawking would approve. My next thought sobered me up a little bit; Who’s going to be our next Stephen Hawking?

Stephen Hawking enjoys zero gravity during a flight aboard a modified Boeing 727 aircraft owned by Zero Gravity Corp. Courtesy nasa.gov It’s quite the universe you helped us understand, Mr Hawking. “If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.” Mark Twain Venus Earth

Size Comparisons of the Three Planets Venus: Ancient Goddess of Love, Beauty & Fertility She’s a hot number!……I mean really hot! By Mark Minnick images courtesy wikipedia.org Venus is the Roman goddess whose functions encompassed love, The best NASA engineers and beauty, desire, sex, fertility, prosperity and victory. Whew, what a gal! scientists designed rockets, put Showing herself in the morning and evening, she is the second brightest satellites in orbit and built rovers object visible at night, after the Moon. The planet Venus has long been a to land and drive all over the welcomed and familiar celestial sight to people, past and present. Martian surface. Mankind got back In modern times, the planet is often referred to as Earth’s sister planet, some great information and as it is just about the same size and mass. Standing on it’s surface, we stunning images. Lately, Elon Mars would weigh slightly less on Venus compared to Earth, so we would get Musk and SpaceX have bumped up around similar to Earth. Why haven’t we sent a rover to investigate this the red planet hype. This has everyone excited about people going to Mars, planetary neighbor like we’ve done on Mars? Or people? Maybe we possibly within the next ten years. Pretty exciting and surprising at the should look at colonies on Venus instead of Mars? Read on…. same time for a place that’s cold, lifeless and has deadly radiation Seems lately that we have a love affair with the planet Mars. The red streaming from the sun; brutal conditions. So why don’t we make the same planet, it’s ruddy hue visible to the naked eye on earth, reminded the effort with Venus? It can’t be that bad, can it? Actually, yes. Just like a ancients of blood. “God of War and Plague” and “Star of Judgement” real goddess, there can be unseen issues. Heh, heh….read on. were just a couple of the descriptions given to this well known object in Our good looking and popular goddess in the night sky, Venus is the night sky. In the late 1800’s the Italian astronomer Giovanni quite the harsh mistress. Similar size and mass to Earth is where the Schiaparelli thought he saw canals on the surface. Wild speculation led niceties end. Venus’ atmosphere is composed of about 96% carbon to aliens moving water, populated cities and invading spacecraft. Science dioxide. At the planet’s surface, the atmospheric pressure is over 90 times fiction books and movies about Martians trying to subjugate the human that of Earth. That would be the equivalent of the pressure you would feel race. Lotsa love and romance for the red planet that is still in our psyche. a little over 3000 ft underwater! Remember we called Venus “Hot”? Yea, Early satellite flybys of Mars showed us that the red planet was pretty she’s hot alright, the hottest in the solar system, to the tune 860 degrees lifeless and benign. A vast cold and dry desert. Nothing there but sand, F. Hot enough to melt lead! Add to that incessant violent electrical storms rocks, mountains & valleys and some frozen H2O and carbon dioxide. that arc across the greenish yellow skies. Why is the sky that sickly color? We still wanted to take a closer look at Mars, and NASA led the way. That’s because her dense cloud cover is composed of sulfuric acid. Yes, acid! Scientists figure that there is some sulfuric acid rain, but that it probably doesn’t hit the ground because of the high surface temps. From space, she looks so pretty and easy to see as she reflects sunlight off of the dense clouds. The image you see above left, is a composite of radar images taken of the planet’s surface. The front page header is an artists depiction of the Russian Venera 13 spacecraft that landed on the surface and sent back the first color pictures in 1982. Because of the high temps, atmospheric pressure and sulphuric acid, the craft lasted about 2 hours before being destroyed. NASA and it’s partners are working on landing craft that will withstand Venus’ hellish environment - Stay tuned. Our “Sweetheart” neighbor, Venus is a very, very inhospitable, unforgiving and brutal planet. It makes Mars look like a walk in the park. That’s why were not going out with the goddess right now. Maybe later. I like our historically imagined and envisioned version of the goddess The Birth of Venus, by Sandro Botticelli c. 1485–1486 better anyway. Every guy’s and the original go-go dancer. Cool. Hey, it’s nice outside!

*New Northern Pike Regulations are in effect for the 2018 Minnesota Fishing Season. Details in the May edition of the Galactic Gazette. Image by katdaned (Pike) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

“Butterfly Blades” “Dragonfly” By Northland Tackle By Lunkerhunt Lures By Mark Minnick Many lure manufacturers have produced dragonfly lures over the years and still do. This new offering by Lunkerhunt Lures really caught my eye. It looks very realistic, comes in an assortment of colors, can be fished weedless with spinning gear and is reasonably priced. Can you say ‘finesse’ topwater? This insect imitator is 3 inches long, has a new tougher formulation soft plastic body and silicone skirted ‘wings’. I’m Northland Fishing Tackle Press Release guessing it should stand up quite well to the rigors of fooling Bemidji, Minn.—Northland Fishing Tackle boosts your odds numerous topwater feeding lunkers. of a solid hookup when spinning its revolutionary new Butterfly At the right place and the right time, this should be a fun little Blades past short-striking walleyes with the introduction of the guy to fish with. It looks like another of those lures that I can’t two-hook Butterfly Harness. wait to try. I suppose one of each color is in order. Check your “The heart of this harness is the uniquely shaped, poly- local bait shop or on-line supplier for availability. carbonate Butterfly Blade,” says Northland Pro Staffer and noted *Here’s the specs: Length -3 inches Weight - ¼ ounce walleye expert Chip Leer. “Butterfly Blades produce different Colors - Black, White, Green, Red, Yellow and Blue. flashes, vibrations and sounds than walleyes are used to seeing, Weedless hook included hearing and feeling, so they trigger strikes from heavily pressured fish. “Lightweight, free-spinning Butterfly Blades also tend to ride higher and spin at slower speeds than traditional metal Indiana and Colorado blade designs,” he adds. “Plus, the addition of a second premium hook eliminates short strikes, lost bait and missed fish,” Leer continues. “The Butterfly Harness is a great choice with nightcrawlers, but don’t overlook it for leeches, either. Hook the leech’s head on the front hook and its tail on the trailer. Artificial baits like Northland’s IMPULSE® Nightcrawler work well with this rig, too.”

*Northland Tackle’s Butterfly Harnesses are 60 inches long and available outfitted with size 1 or 2 Butterfly Blades in 12 colors ranging from frosted tip patterns to flashy metallics, all with a suggested retail of $3.99 apiece. *Colors: Cisco Purple, Clear Tip Blue, Clear Tip Chartreuse, Clear Tip Orange, Clear Tip Pink, Gold Shiner, Metallic Gold, Metallic Silver, Silver Shiner, Parakeet, Rainbow, Sunrise “The richest values of wilderness lie not in the days of Daniel Boone, nor even in the present, but rather in the future.” Aldo Leopold MINUTES CITY OF COSMOS REGULAR MEETING March 8, 2018 A regular meeting of the Cosmos City Council was called to order by Mayor Emily Schmeling at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2018 COUNCIL PRESENT: Council Members Terry Anderson, Tom McCarthy and Angelica Hopp. Absent: Jody Fruetel. ALSO PRESENT: John Douville, Jeremy Anderson, Josh Halverson and Meeker County Deputy Jason Danielson. Adopt Agenda – A motion by Anderson, seconded by McCarthy, to approve the Agenda. Motion carried. Adopt Consent Agenda – A motion by Hopp, seconded by Anderson, to adopt the Consent Agenda as listed. Motion carried. a. February 8, 2018 City Council Minutes b. Move April Council Meeting to April 19, 2018 5:00 p.m. c. 3.2 Liquor License – Fire Relief d. 2018 Fire/Ambulance Section Rates/Fire Contracts e. 2018 LMCIT Workman’s Comp – Regular Premium Option $6,520 f. Res 18_03 2017 General Fund Reserves

VISITORS PRESENTATIONS, PETITIONS AND CORRESPONDANCE

Brad Nelson, ACGC Community Education, was present to discuss the summer recreation program. He provided a list of activities for kids that have completed grades K-6 this year. He requested the annual contribution of $1,200 from the city.

Summer Recreation - A motion by Anderson, seconded by Hopp, to approve the $1,200 for the summer recreation program. Motion carried. Chuck Dvorak was present to discuss snow clearing in the business district and where snow was being pushed/stored. There was some communication between Councilmembers and Mr. Dvorak to clarify some issues and the Council would look at extending the area they are responsible for during snow clearing. Josh Halverson, Bolton-Menk, discussed water quality issues that would be monitored and operations adjusted if need be. Jason Danielson, Meeker County Sheriff’s Department, was present to report on city policing coverage. 24 calls of service were provided in February. March 8, 2018 Bills List - A motion by McCarthy, seconded by Hopp, to approve the March 8, 2018 Bills list with check numbers from 12943-12995 for a total of $27,519.97. Motion carried. Resolution 18_04 2018 Capital Plan – A short term capital plan was presented for equipment purchases in 2018. A change from purchasing a tractor to purchasing a skid steer with all the needed attachments was made in the plan along with the addition of ballfield lights and a zero turn mower. A motion by McCarthy, seconded by Hopp to approve Resolution 18_04 2018 Capital Plan. Motion carried. Department Heads - John Douville reported that the field audit just finished up and that went well. The 2017 audit presentation to the city council will possibly be presented at the April 19th council meeting.

Mosquito Spraying - A motion by Anderson, seconded by McCarthy, to approve the additional mosquito spraying of the alleys for 15 applications at an additional $75 per spray for a total of $5,625 with the general fund absorbing the additional costs. Motion carried.

ADJOURN - A motion by Hopp, seconded by McCarthey, to adjourn at 6:30 p.m.

______- DRAFT-______John A. Douville, Administrator/Clerk

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” Albert Einstein FalconThe ACGC

Events, Activities & Happenings in the Atwater/Cosmos/Grove City School District Spring: The Beginning of the End of the School Year By LeAnn Melberg great getting to know the community and being a positive influence Can you believe there are only 2 months left of school? These in young peoples lives. Being a coach has been very eye opening last 2 months are usually so busy they go really fast for students, for myself, and has taught me to be empathetic and to teach/coach teachers and of course for parents. Concerts, banquets, track, with purpose. ACGC coaches and staff really do great things for softball, baseball, golf, Student Council Convention, Trap this community, and I am happy to be a part of it and raise my Shooting and State FFA are just some of the activities going on at daughters in this district. ACGC this Spring. Let’s hope the weather cooperates! Softball by Coach Brad Nelson The Booster Club would like to congratulate This is my ninth year coaching varsity softball. As always, the softball girls will be giving their best effort on the field. Softball these musicians on a job well done! is a fast-paced, exciting game that is great to watch in person Shayla Mead, sophomore, received a score of 36, which gave especially since there is no charge for admission to ACGC home her a superior in both subsection and section in band. Jordan softball games. There will be a lot of new, talented girls on the Schurlz, senior, received a score of 37, which also gave him a field this year with six seniors graduating last year. Just like every superior in both subsection and section in band. year, ACGC softball will grow every better every game ready for Nicole Lilleberg and Madison Denton, both seniors, duet a playoff push which brings out the best in our girls on and off the received a Section Superior for their performance of field. Mendelssohn's "O Wert thou in the Cauld Blast", and the Teri My favorite part about coaching at ACGC is getting the Evenson and Alexis Schmidt, juniors, duet got a Section Excellent opportunity to help and watch our outstanding student-athletes for their performance of Mendelssohn's "I Lean'd against a grow into exemplary citizens that our communities can be Tow'ring Mast". extremely proud of now and down the road. Here’s a little insight into our FFA’ers Slingin’ Sketty-Mama Mia! Spring Sports at ACGC

Track by Coach Terry Singsank I have coached Track & Field at ACGC for 21 years. We will have strong senior leadership this season with 7 seniors girls and 4 senior boys. Addison Bernstein, Nicole Lilleberg & Sutton Junkermeier should have strong performances in the hurdles while Michael Lambert, Cullen Lewis & Andi Hinther will lead us in the jumping events. Anna Grimsgard, and Karina Kinzler will lead us in the throwing events. Ethan Friton and Ashtyn Goodsen will be handing the sprint events. We have some sold underclassmen that will fill in where need in the 18 event in track & field. What do I like best about coaching at ACGC? Supportive parents & fans

Golf by Coach Jeremy Boeyink I have been the head golf coach at ACGC for three years. I previously coached track and field, but am now able to coach the sport I have great passion for, golf. Photo by Michelle Hansen The golf team this year will be young, with only two seniors. On Sunday February 18th, ACGC FFA Members provided a So the upcoming years will be very exciting. We are also excited community service for the Kandiyohi County Farmer’s Union to return a state participant, in Brennen Arndt this year. He has a Spaghetti Feed. The members helped by setting up chairs and lot of potential to return to state again. tables, serving and clearing tables, and helping with the silent Coaching at ACGC has been fantastic for my family and I. I auction. coach football, Jr. High basketball, as well as golf. It has been “What’s the use of a high school education if you can’t recall it when needed later on?” Hal Clement The ACGC Falcon Future Farmers of America at ACGC -Here’s What’s Happening- Morgan Paulson (Freshman at U of W River Falls) lives and works Supervised Agriculture Experience on the Paulson family dairy farm, located in Atwater, Minnesota. She (SAE) Award Applications owns a small herd of Milking Shorthorn dairy cattle and two Red and by Michelle Hansen White Holsteins. In eight years, she grew to a herd of eight milk cows and Atwater Cosmos Grove City FFA member calculate hours, eight placement heifers. With the milk that the cows produce, she and her investments and earning in SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience). family sells the milk to First District in Litchfield, MN to make cheese. FFA members develop skills in agriculture pathway of the student’s Ryan Peterson (11th grade) owns and manages Suffolk-Hampshire interests. One SAE would be a students could choose an exploratory Crossbred Sheep. My flock grew from one ewe to eight breeding animals. project learning about an agriculture topic. For example, learning about My parent provide buildings, land, feed, and medication in exchange for the common weeds in the garden and creating a booklet weeds for my labor on our farm located south of Grove City, Minnesota, In identification purposes. additional to his flock, Ryan takes charge of sheep operations with the Another SAE area is an agriscience project; the student identifies a guidance of his parents. I evaluate each lamb from the lambing crop to question in agriculture, develops a hypothesis and conducts an experiment see which lambs I want to keep for breeding stock replacements and (usually 3-5 trials). The third type of SAE is placement; an FFA member determine show lambs for fair showing season. I focus on using good has employment at agriculture related business. The last type of SAE is genetics to produce market ready animals, and produce commercial entrepreneurship; the FFA member develops agriculture business, based breeding ewes. I currently own 8 out of the 13 ewes on my family's farm. on current and non-current assets and liabilities. Eleven ACGC FFA Skyller Schmidt (12th Grade) has two major SAE. Her career submitted applications and interviewed at the Region V FFA level on pathway is education has planned activities for agriculture classroom and Monday February 12 in MACCRAY. All application will be submitted to elementary students. She has had small projects related to plants, State FFA review March 16. Official Results will be posted by March 23, landscaping, and turf grass management. Skyller earned and invested over 2018. $2000, completed 360 hours in agriculture education, community service, Wilson Gratz--Grain Production Placement Proficiency ability to conduct a meeting, a presentation of agriculture topics to acquire Ethan Melberg—Ag Service Entrepreneurship Minnesota State FFA Degree. Maggie Meyer—Minnesota State Degree, Dairy Production, Ag Sales Brittney Schultz (11th Grade) has a placement on the Schultz farm. Morgan Paulson--Dairy Production Entrepreneurship She involves set-up Precision Ag systems with my father on the Schultz Ryan Peterson—Sheep Production Entrepreneurship farm located between Atwater and Grove City MN. She assures everything Skyller Schmidt—Minnesota State Degree, Ag Education, Landscaping, from the tractors being maintained to the technology is working at its best Food Science performance. I also help in the process of repairing and maintaining the Brittney Schultz—Ag Mech: Design and Fabrication farm equipment and staying up to date with all of the changing farm Savannah Stafford—Beef Production Entrepreneurship technology. Through this experience, Brittney has an interest in precision Daniel Williamson—Agri Science: Integrated Systems Natural Resources, agriculture from design, installation, and use. Diversified Livestock, Diversified Agriculture, Forage, Goat Production Savannah Stafford (10th grade) started by raising market dairy Entrepreneurship steers to market weight. In her third year she has invested in 4 heifer Darrin Williamson—Turf Grass Management, Ag Mech: Design & calves to raise Angus/Limousin beef cattle. She plans to increase and Fabrication, Agriscience Integrated Systems: Power, Structure, and develop a commercial beef herd. Savannah has gained experience and Technology. knowledge with animal husbandry, handling, animal nutrition, and keeping Each FFA member has a unique project. financial records. Her career pathway includes Agriculture Wilson Gratz (9th Grade) live and works for 5th generation farm, Communications and Animal Systems. Gratz Farm, that grows about a thousand acres of corn with one field under Daniel Williamson (11th grade) lives on a diversified, organic irrigation. He assists grain operation by preparing the fields for planting, livestock and crop farm. He has five SAE projects. He assists with scouting for weeds and insects, assisting harvest by using grain cart and livestock and crops. He assist his father with crop production and livestock controlling grain dryer. The most impact I have had is learning how to husbandry. He also owns and small herd of dairy and meats goats. He has use the Drone and software applications. Because of my interest in drone also applied for grants to complete agriculture experiments related to technology, I will plan career in drone technology and utilizing it with a water. Daniel has been awarded grants to help him with his water commercial pilot's license. experiment projects. He also has been recognized at the State and National Ethan Melberg (10th Grade) operates a Soil Sampling business helps FFA Convention as a finalist for his SAE projects. farmers in the Renville, Meeker, Kandiyohi and McLeod county area. His Darrin Williamson (9th grade) enjoys designing and constructing items role includes soil sampling, the financial work, and planning location and for, himself, individuals, or groups. He designed and fabricated a bottle date to sample the soil. His business takes each soil sample and records car to test the velocity of blades to the sample placement with a software program. He sampled over 5,000 determine how many blades acres and has set a goal to sample 6,000-7,000 acres. This year he hired windmills should have. He also tested an employee to help sample soil. As he expands with more acreage, Ethan different insulation to determine the will invest to purchase equipment for his business. Another goal is to best R-Value and cost to be used in expanded his clientele to three to four total clients. insulating an animal containment unit. Maggie Meyer (12th Grade) works at Running Farm and Fleet and Other projects include rewiring an her parent’s dairy farm. She acquired cashier, retail sales, and inventory antique light, building a dog house, skills at Runnings. She has acquired many dairy husbandry skills required classroom benches, step stool, in caring for Dairy cattle and calves at the family dairy farm. Through hydraulic phone lift jack, Adirondack her experience she qualifies for Minnesota State FFA Degree because of chairs, and a router name sign and he her hours in agriculture education, community service, ability to conduct rebuilt benches for the city of Cosmos. a meeting, a presentation of agriculture topics, and has earned and invested Darrin has been awarded grant to help $2000. him design and build solar panel for his upcoming Agriscience SAE project. CITY of COSMOS CITY of COSMOS -Now Hiring- -Now Hiring- Seasonal Ball Field Concession Worker The City of Cosmos is accepting applications for 1 seasonal Maintenance Worker position in the Parks and Rec. Department. The position will The City of Cosmos is accepting applications for 1 seasonal be assigned to the Ball Field Concession Stand. This position position in the Public Works Department. This position will will work Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays with the occasional perform various types of manual labor and operate light weekend tournament. equipment in the maintenance of City streets, parks, utilities Minimum qualifications: and landscaping. ● Must be 18 years of age or older Minimum qualifications: ● Reliable and Friendly ● Must be 16 years of age or older ● Able to handle money and make correct change ● Possess a valid driver's license and good driving record. Duties: For more information contact Jeremy Anderson at ● Sale of concession products 320-905-7185 or [email protected] ● Ordering and stocking of products ● Cleaning of concession equipment and facility Applications are available online at For more information contact Jeremy Anderson at www.cosmos-mn.com or at Cosmos City Hall. 320-905-7185 or [email protected] Review of applications will be on April 5th, 2018. Applications are available online at Please return applications to www.cosmos-mn.com or at Cosmos City Hall. Jeremy Anderson, the City Hall, or mail to: Please return applications to City of Cosmos Jeremy Anderson, the City Hall, or mail to: Attn. Jeremy Anderson Attn. Jeremy Anderson PO Box 614 City of Cosmos Cosmos, MN 56228 PO Box 614 Cosmos, MN 56228

City of Lake Lillian Cosmos -Now Hiring- Community Center Seasonal Part Time 24 hour Fitness Center Public Works Position Sign up fee: $35.00 $23.00 per month 1st Person The City of Lake Lillian has a seasonal $15.00 per month 2nd person opening in their Public Works position. The $10.00 per month 3rd person individual will be responsible for parks and general public works. 25-35 hours per week.

Email [email protected] for job application and description. Or call 320-664-4440 John Douville, City Clerk City of Lake Lillian Sign up during regular hours or E-mail [email protected] or call the city office at 320-877-7345 *Pay dependent on for after hour sign-ups for the fitness center. experience and qualifications. *Position will remain open until filled. Ask us about the Extended Library access cards! M 2 Spaghetti T 3 Broasted chicken dinner W 4 Beef dinner or commercial T 5 Pizza hotdish UG ttíOTS F 6 Lasagna ttį S Bar & Grill M 9 Grilled cheese & chili or soup T 10 Chicken spaghetti W 11 Hamburger hotdish T 12 Pork dinner or commercial F 13 Lasagna M 16 Fish sandwich w/ff or tt Indoor Garage Sale T 17 Broasted chicken dinner Saturday W 18 Sauerkraut hotdish T 19 Scalloped potatoes & ham th F 20 Lasagna April 7

M 23 Shrimp basket 11 am - 5 pm T 24 Meatball dinner “It don’t matter if there’s rain, snow or W 25 Tator tot hotdish T 26 Sausage & kraut dinner blazing sun, we’ll be inside havin’ fun! F 27 Lasagna *Limited number of sellers spots available Talk to Marvella to reserve a spot - 320.877.7525 M 30 French dip w/ff or tt “Mug Shots One Year Anniversary is on April 14th. Man, how time does fly when your havin’ fun!”

8th Annual Corvuso Meats Co-Rec Softball Tournament At the Cosmos Softball Park Saturday, June 23rd ● One Day Double Elimination Tournament ● Cash Pay Backs ● First & Second Place Teams For more information contact Emily (320) 583-1570 or [email protected] *FREE* No hook-up camping available

Send Entry Fee, $150.00 payable to; Emily Schmeling 136 Milkyway St N. Cosmos, MN 56228

Team Name:______Phone #______

Address______Manager______

Entry Fee Deadline is June 15th “See you next month, same Bat time, same Bat channel! The Galactic Gazette The 350 Neptune St. North Galactic Cosmos, MN 56228 Gazette Department of Co-editors: Rich Gieser and Mark Minnick Reporter for the ACGC Falcon Flyover: LeAnn Melberg Behind the scenes dirty work: Delores Arndt Corrections

*A non-profit monthly publication, mailed to the local Hard as we try to be perfect, residents free every month we had a couple of omissions *Out of town subscriptions, 12 months for $20.00 and made a boo-boo in the *We encourage our readers to exercise their writing muscles last issue. and showcase said talents. Contact us with your ideas, we can use help with reporting and writing articles. Letters to the editor *We forgot to mark the start of are welcome. Daylight Savings Time on March 11th. *We will, to the best of our ability, work with you to design *We forgot to mention the Spring an advertisement or announcement to your satisfaction. Drop Equinox on March 20th. us an E-mail, a letter or talk to any of us personally with your *We spelled the Thompson Lake ideas or questions. Master Tournament Angler’s first *We reserve the right to accept or refuse to publish any and name, Griffin, right and wrong in the all submissions. All submissions must include the writer’s same article. No ‘e’ right buddy? name and phone number/E-mail address. Fear not, the appropriate th Submission deadline is the 15 of the month punishment has been meted out and the offending editor has atoned for *Advertising prices per monthly issue* said sins. ● Notices or Want Ads-20 words maximum (name and phone/e-mail # don’t count) $ 5.00 ● 1/8 Page $12.50 ● 1/4 Page $25.00 ● 1/2 Page $50.00 ● Full Page $80.00 We will do announcements, thank you’s, open houses, bridal showers, etc. Use above pricing and decide how big What, has an alien got your tongue? you want your announcement to be. Feel free to contact us Nobody figured out last month’s Whozit picture. for more info; -Contact Methods- Maybe you just didn’t let us know. E-mail: [email protected] Regardless, there will be NO Kewpie dolls for you! E-mail for Falcon Flyover: [email protected] Ground Mail: The Galactic Gazette The three pastors in training standing next to Pastor 350 Neptune St N Smrcka left to right were, Cosmos, MN 56228 Delores’ Phone: 320-359-0120 Ron Koch, Charles Arndt and Duane Kamrath.

Letters to the Editor Thank you for the AWESOME tackle box. -Reduction Sale- (Fishing contest prize.) Saturday April 7th 11-5 I will use it ALOT! Caden Peterson *At Mugshot’s Bar & Grill*

*You’re welcome Caden. We know that you can never have too much fishing tackle, so you need a place to put it! Don’t miss it! Editor The ACGC Falcon Seniors Head Out on East Coast Excursion

Photo by Shane Hagstrom At 2:30 am on March 19th, these ACGC Seniors were off to the East Coast cities of Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC for seven days! Stay tuned until next month for more insight on their trip.

Graphic design by the Cosmos City Park Committee The Galactic Gazette Postal Customer PRSRT STD 350 Neptune St. North ECRWSS Cosmos, MN 56228 U.S. POSTAGE Cosmos, MN 56228 PAID EDDM RETAIL Cosmos Lions Pork Chop Dinner

$11.00 at the door Extra chop available Ages 6 and under $3.00 Saturday April 21st 2018 5:30-8:00 PM

Menu Grilled Pork Chops Potato Salad Beans, (Green and Baked) Bread Beverage The Lions will be serving at “Mug Shots” in Cosmos The Cosmos Fire Department dance follows Proceeds support community projects

*Please bring your old, no-longer used eyeglasses to the supper.*