Learning on the Go

In April of 2020 my husband and I made a purchase that we had dreamed of for years - a new Glacier Ice House, RV Edition, in bright green. Not only would it be fun on the lakes during the winter, but it also came equipped with all the hookups and gear necessary to use it as a camper. We were ready for a summer of fun. What we got was so much more.

Our first trip in the camper was to Sunset Bay Resort on Dead Lake in Richville, Minn. We spent three nights living totally out of the fish housebathroom accommodations and all, since their public bath houses were closed due to the pandemic. With a dog, a 2-year-old, a 6-month-old, my husband and me … it was a full house. Lesson one: Be thankful for our home and all the space and luxuries it provides.

Later that summer we planned another long weekend at a campground called Kamp Dels located in Waterville, Minn. We booked two spots and went with my brother-in-law, his wife, and their two boys. This place is a kids’ paradise with a huge outdoor waterpark, mini golf course, petting zoo, and even a dance party with a DJ one night. The kids had an absolute blast and ended every day so exhausted they could barely keep their eyes open, let alone finish their s’mores. Lesson two: As parents of young children, there is no greater joy than watching your kids make memories.

On our first trip of 2021, we went to Father Hennepin State Park on Mille Lacs Lake. We met up with four other couples and their kids for a weekend of complete chaos and fun. With 10 adults, four teenagers, five toddlers and two babies, there was a great deal of chasing, cleaning and feeding involved — along with a lot of rambunctious joy. Lesson three: It takes a village to raise a family — especially since 3-year-olds can run away surprisingly fast.

For our last trip of 2022, we went with our neighbors to William O’Brien State Park. When some severe weather in the area sent us home a day early, we made the best of it. Sunday morning, our neighbors came to our house and we enjoyed bacon and cast-iron waffles over our fire pit for breakfast. Lesson four: Sometimes plans change, but improvising might just lead to even better memories. Bonfire breakfasts with the neighbors have become a regular tradition at our house.

Camping has taught us a lot, but the best lesson of all is to appreciate all the family time you can get. Rich and Jodi Erkens know a thing or two about helping families make the most of their time together. In their story on page 28, the Erkens express their gratitude at being able to enhance families’ lives through entertainment. As owners of Audio Video Extremes and parents to four boys, they make family time a priority in their lives as well.

As for the 2023 camping season, we have trips to Monticello, Sibley State Park, Two Rivers Campground, and Lake Itasca on the books.

Bring on the future lessons!

Until next time,

Emily Bertram, Editor

Publisher Julie Lunning // Editor Emily Bertram

Founding Editor Gail Ivers

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Emily Bertram, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

Jeff Clancy, Quinlivan & Hughes, P.A.

Michelle Henderson, BadCat Digital Marketing

Dr. Fred E. Hill, St. Cloud State University

Mike Killeen, freelance writer Chase Larson, St. Cloud Financial Credit Union

Lynn MacDonald, Thomas Mayhew and Hannah Mayhew, St. Cloud State University

Jeanine Nistler, freelance writer

Steve Penick, formerly with Stearns History Museum

Tricia Schleper, Schleper Coaching

ADVERTISING

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Ad Traffic & Circulation

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ART

Design & Production

Yola Hartmann, Hazel Tree Media

Cover Story Photography

Joel Butkowski, BDI Photography

WEBSITE

Vicki Lenneman, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce

1411 West St. Germain Street, Suite 101, P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0487 Phone (320) 251-2940 Fax (320) 251-0081 BusinessCentral Magazine.com

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Editorial suggestions can be made in writing to: Editor, Business Central, P.O. Box 487, St. Cloud, MN 56302-0487 or emailed to ebertram@ stcloudaareachamber.com Submission of materials does not guarantee publication

ST CLOUD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

2022-23 BOARD MEMBERS

Marilyn Birkland, SCTimes/LocaliQ

Ron Brandenburg, Quinlivan & Hughes

Doug Cook, Headwaters Strategic Succession Consulting LLC.

Tanja Goering, Board Vice Chair

Joe Hellie, CentraCare

Ray Herrington, Pioneer Place on Fifth Patrick Hollermann, InteleCONNECT

Hudda Ibrahim, Filsan Talent Partners

Kevin Johnson, K. Johnson Construction, Board Chair

Matt Laubach, West Bank

Bernie Perryman, Batteries Plus Bulbs, Past Board Chair

Laurie Putnam, St. Cloud School District 742

Paul Radeke, BerganKDV

Brenda Sickler, Theisen Dental

Donella Westphal, Jules’ Bistro

Dr. Jason Woods, St. Cloud State University

Colleen Zoffka, Park Industries

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Digging History / People to Know / Do it Now! / The Trouble with Business

Places We Go

Meaningful connections require an understanding of emotions and experiences.

By Dr. Fred Hill

Dr. Brene Brown has once again delivered a masterful piece of literature. It is crafted in words, pictures, illustrations, and purpose.

From the back of the dust jacket, “In Atlas of the Heart, Brown takes us on a journey through eightyseven of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. As she maps the necessary skills and actionable framework for meaningful connection, she gives us the language and tools to access a universe of new choices and second chances.”

This book has thirteen chapters.

1. Places We Go When Things Are Uncertain or Too Much

2. Places We Go When We Compare

3. Places We Go When Things Don’t Go as Planned

4. Places We Go When It’s Beyond Us

5. Places We Go When Things Aren’t What They Seem

6. Places We Go When We’re Hurting

7. Places We Go with Others

8. Places We Go When We Fall Short

9. Places We Go When We Search for Connection

10. Places We Go When the Heart is Open

11. Places We Go When Life is Good

12. Places We Go When We Feel Wronged

13. Places We Go to Self-Assess.

Each chapter includes examples of the “Places We Go.” For example, in Chapter #6: Places We Go When We’re Hurting, we take a look at anguish, hopelessness, despair, sadness, and grief. These are just five of 87 different feelings or emotions or experiences that Dr. Brown explores in this book. She says that the ability to name an emotion or experience is essential to being able to process it in a productive and healing manner.

From the front dust jacket, “In her latest book, five-time #1 New York Times best-selling author Brene Brown writes, ‘If we want to find the way back to ourselves and one another, we need language and the grounded confidence to both tell our stories and be stewards of the stories that we hear. This is the framework for meaningful connection.’ ”

Brown believes that we are the mapmakers and the travelers. We need to know we’re not alone – especially when we’re hurting.

Muleya named EPIC Coordinator

Michelo Muleya has been hired as the EPIC coordinator at Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation in partnership with the EPIC Board of Directors. EPIC (Exploring Potential Interests and Careers) is a community collaborative comprised of events, resources and programs that bridge education and industry for Central Minnesota learners and employers. Muleya previously worked as an economic development specialist at the Benton Economic Partnership.

Kramer “Top Financial Advisor”

James Kramer III, an independent LPL Financial advisor at Kramer Financial in St. Cloud, was recently recognized for his inclusion in the LPL Patriots Club. This award is presented to less than 7 percent of the LPL Financial’s more than 21,000 independent financial advisors nationwide.

Sentry Bank supports Humane Society

In 2022, Sentry employees raised $1,348 by wearing jeans on Fridays. The annual "Jeans for a Cause" fund was donated to Tri-County Humane Society.