The Litchfield Area Mentorship Program will be visible at numerous events throughout the rest of the summer. Members of the organization will be participating in Saturday evening’s Watercade parade in Litchfield – with a baseball theme.
LAMP Business Manager Judy Hulterstrum says they will also have a booth at the Meeker County Fairy in August – with free popcorn, and will serve a pulled-pork sandwich meal during Thriving Thursday in Central Park on August 15th. She says they will have a booth at the Songs of Summer Festival on August 16th; will be in the Red Rooster Days Parade in Dassel; and will also be at the Fallin’ into Fun Fest in Litchfield on September 21st.
Hulterstrum says they are also planning a family carnival day on October 5th at Litchfield Middle School and will participate in the community Trunk or Treat event at the end of October. She says they rely on proceeds from their events, private donations and some grants to fund LAMP and they will send out a newsletter in September with information about the program which will include an opportunity to make a donation.
Hulterstrum says donations may be sent to Post Office Box 82 in Litchfield. She says you can get more LAMP information by emailing info@lampkinship.org or by calling 320-699-1616.
On Tuesday morning at 9:45 a.m., the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a building fire at the Hilltop Restaurant at 28518 State Highway 55 in Paynesville Township. It was reported a fire had started on the roof of the building and the occupants were evacuated. A new rubber roof was being installed and a torch was being used to join two areas. Two fire extinguishers were used to help contain the fire until fire crews arrived. Assisting the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office were Paynesville Police Department, Belgrade Police Department, Paynesville Fire Department, and Allina Medical.
On Tuesday afternoon at 4:21 PM, the Stearns County Emergency Communication Center received a 911 call about a possible drowning at Quarry 11 inside Quarry Park and Nature Preserve in Waite Park. When emergency personnel arrived, witnesses said that a 17-year-old male identified as Emmanuel Seward Jr. of Brooklyn Center had jumped off a ten-foot-high cliff, into the water and never resurfaced.
Witnesses attempted to dive into the water but were not able to locate him. Members of the Stearns/Benton Dive Team, along with the Waite Park and St. Cloud Fire Departments, deployed boats and started searching the quarry. At approximately 8:45 P.M. the victim was located in 31 feet of water.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Waite Park Police Department, St. Joseph Police Department, Waite Park Fire Department, St. Cloud Fire Department, Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service, and the Stearns/Benton Dive Team.
The Litchfield Kiwanis Club has its annual Pancake & Sausage Breakfast on Friday from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Central Park in Litchfield. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Long-time Litchfield Kiwanis Club member Leland Fredman says this is an important fundraiser for the Club and they also collect Kans-for-Kids and have a raffle later in the summer to raise more money – which mainly support youth programs. He says they help the Litchfield Area Mentorship Program, and also award six $1,000 scholarships each year to graduating Litchfield High School seniors.
Fredman says he’s been with the Litchfield Kiwanis Club for about 35 years and the Pancake Breakfast was originally part of Litchfield’s Crazy Days. He says the Kiwanis Club meets on Wednesdays for noon lunch and new members are welcome to join.