Robin Fish
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Articles by Robin Fish
Park Rapids 8th graders visit All Veterans museum
Eighth graders from Park Rapids Area High School filled the museum twice over on Thursday, Nov. 12 at the Hubbard County All Veterans Museum. It was the girls’ turn first, then the boys came as a separate group. Eighth grader Victoria Wetzbarger chats with U.S. Army Vietnam veteran David Buchholz. "They sure show a good interest in the military and the past, and ask a lot of good questions and seem to be enjoying themselves a lot," said U.S. Air Force veteran Roger Buggert.
WORD ON THE STREET: Deer camp snacks
The Enterprise asked random people in downtown Park Rapids, “What's your or your family's official food for deer camp?” These are their answers. Tony Meech: "In our deer camp, we always do a big pot of chili and soups and a big barbecue, but then we also do meat sticks and Little Debbies for the kids in the deer stands." Bonie Schrupp: "They have to have chili.
Being a veteran is about service, Nevis school speaker says
“Looking out across this room, I see fifth graders who are just starting to figure out who they want to be, and I see seniors who are only a few short months away from stepping out into the world on their own,” said U.S. Navy Veteran Scott Windrum.
Park Rapids gets award for sewage treatment
“It’s kind of a crappy job, but you do it well,” Mayor Pat Mikesh quipped during the Park Rapids City Council’s Tuesday, Nov. 10 meeting. Mikesh had just presented Public Works Supervisor Scott Burlingame with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s award for 2025 outstanding wastewater treatment facility operation.
Park Rapids parks board looking at fulfilling Liam’s skate park dream
Liam Gustafson’s dream to build a skateboard park in his hometown of Nevis has shifted its focus to Park Rapids. Liam’s mom, Heidi Gustafson, sounded out the Park Rapids Parks, Beautification and Urban Forestry Board on Monday, Nov. 9 about their interest in moving forward. Liam was unable to attend, due to school. Heidi said Liam started talking about building a skate park in Nevis about five years ago. “We’ve had many ups and downs, mostly downs,” she said.
WORD ON THE STREET: What are your hunting traditions?
The Enterprise asked random people in Park Rapids, “What is your favorite deer hunting tradition?” These are their answers. Sam Yliniemi: "I go out and sit in my stand. Hopefully, I see something." Dean Brose: "Watching big bucks, how they behave." Doug Landt: "Every year, we go up north by the Canadian border. It's camaraderie, the same six guys. Started out as 10, we're down to six.
School referendums fail in Park Rapids, Nevis
A ballot question regarding a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of funding going from the state’s permanent school trust fund to school districts has passed, with roughly 73% of Minnesotans voting in favor of the amendment, as of 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. In Hubbard County, the measure was approved by a margin of roughly 67%. There were 7,883 “yes” votes and 3,644 votes against the amendment.
Park Rapids schools get clean audit on $27 million year
The Park Rapids School District received an “unmodified,” or “clean,” opinion in an audit of its financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. That’s “the highest level of assurance that (we) as auditors can give,” Mary Reedy with CliftonLarsonAllen LLP told the school board on Monday, Nov. 2. Reedy noted that instructional costs led the district's expenditures at 45%, with capital outlay still high at 11% as building projects wind down.
Tighter budget in focus for Park Rapids schools
The Park Rapids Area School closed the books on a $38 million year while projecting only about $33 million in expenditures for the year in progress. The school board on Monday, Nov. 2 approved the district’s revenues and expenditures budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. According to the district’s budget publication, actual revenues for fiscal 2026 totaled $33,216,193 for all funds, including transfers in, and actual expenditures totaled $37,954,729, including transfers out.
WORD ON THE STREET: The creature within
The Enterprise asked random people in downtown Park Rapids, “What Halloween creature would you choose to be for a day, if you could, and why?” These are their answers. Shovana Rydeen: "A dragon because I'm reading 'Fourth Wing,' and they have some pretty cool powers. It would be nice to be able to fly and see things." Terri Wenda: "A vampire because vampires can be very sexy. Like Elvira!" Patti Lempola: "A dragon.
Sun shines on trick-or-treat and no one says boo
It was an eerily sunny and pleasant afternoon for a Halloween party, but a crowd of kids with their families and friends faced it bravely. Meet the Flintstones – Vanessa, 2-year-old Louie and Zach Oien. Trick or Treat Park Rapids on Friday, Oct. 30, featured a dark, creepy haunted house at Coldwell Banker Crown Realtors with options for “scary” or “safe,” along with opportunities to grab candy and other treats inside and outside Main Avenue businesses. Leighton Savage, 1, collects chicken treats.
Hunter and Holmer win bid for Park Rapids farm leases
The Park Rapids City Council on Tuesday, Oct. 27 awarded the bid for leasing five parcels of city-owned, irrigated farmland. Weasner said there were three bids for the leases, and Lonnie Hunter and Roger Holmer’s winning bid came in at $245 per acre, a total of $142,285, for three years. Council member Liz Stone’s motion to approve the bid award passed 4-0 with Mayor Pat Mikesh abstaining. The council later held a closed session to discuss contract negotiations.
Air handling unit tops budget wish list for Park Rapids armory
Updating the city-owned facility’s air-conditioning system is the top budget priority for the Armory Arts and Events Center (AAEC). The Park Rapids City Council asked AAEC board president Brian Ahart to lay out his board’s major budget priorities during a work session Tuesday, Oct. 27. Ahart said they are looking at replacing some flooring in the building, including worn carpet in a small studio being used by a children’s dance class that he said could become a hazard.
Park Rapids nixes Hwy. 71 roundabouts
It was a hard pass for the design alternative recommended by consulting engineering firm Kimley-Horn for U.S. Hwy. 71’s Park Rapids corridor. The Park Rapids City Council voted 5-0 to deny the proposed improvements on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Kimley-Horn walked alongside the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) in a recent corridor study of Hwy. 71 from 8th Street to approximately Main Avenue in the city.
WORD ON THE STREET: Movies to chill the blood
The Enterprise asked random people in downtown Park Rapids, âWhat's your favorite scary movie, and why?â These are their answers. Mark Garcia: "When I was younger and I saw 'The Birds,' I was scared of birds for a long time. I didn't want to go outside." Lynda Olafson: "John Carpenter's 'The Thing.' It was just a good creeper. It was more of a monster movie than a slasher." Katie Pappenfus: "I think my favorite scary movie is the whole 'Scream' franchise.
Timber and town fathers brought railroad to Park Rapids Original
Who knew that “on the wrong side of the tracks” meant “downwind of the cattle yards,” and that Park Rapids had three breweries concealed in a grain elevator? Who knew that a need for hardwood to lay railroad ties across North Dakota brought a branch of the Great Northern Railway to town? Chas Bettendorf, managing editor with the Great Northern Railway Historical Society, told these stories and more to a Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning crowd on Oct. 20.
WORD ON THE STREET: Election issues
The Enterprise asked random people in downtown Park Rapids, “What issue are you most concerned about in this year's election, and why?” These are their answers. Roxanne Gilbert: "The cuts in Medicare and medical help for elderly people. I don't need it, but my dad does, and so do other people in this community. It's just crazy, the cuts and rising costs." Bob Anttila: "The House and the Senate need to be Democratic.
Theft of entire cattle herd near Park Rapids reported
Brazen thieves made off with an entire herd of 11 cattle on Oct. 8 in Hubbard County. Owner Rob Kelm, of Bemidji, said he found out about the theft on Oct. 11 from a pasture that he rents, 1 mile from Emmaville. “About noon, it sounds like, they pulled in there. By about 1:30 p.m., they were driving out with them,” he said. “They used my barn to load them.
Thieves near Emmaville loaded up whole herd and took off, says owner
Brazen thieves made off with an entire herd of 11 cattle on Oct. 8 in Hubbard County. Owner Rob Kelm, of Bemidji, said he found out about the theft on Oct. 11 from a pasture that he rents, 1 mile from Emmaville. “About noon, it sounds like, they pulled in there. By about 1:30 p.m., they were driving out with them,” he said. “They used my barn to load them.
Thieves near Emmaville loaded up whole herd and took off, says owner
Brazen thieves made off with an entire herd of 11 cattle on Oct. 8 in Hubbard County. Owner Rob Kelm, of Bemidji, said he found out about the theft on Oct. 11 from a pasture that he rents, one mile from Emmaville. “About noon, it sounds like, they pulled in there. By about 1:30 p.m., they were driving out with them,” said Kelm. “They used my barn to load them.
Park Rapids High School aiming for school spirit, student success
The student council is looking at ways to raise school spirit at Park Rapids Area High School. Junior class president Jaden Davis and senior class president Brady Hirt told the school board about their initiatives on Monday, Oct. 19. “The school spirit has been really good this year,” said Hirt.
Minnesota Department of Transportation inspectors give Park Rapids bus garage a once-over
Park Rapids school buses recently passed a white-glove inspection. Transportation Director Mike Arvik told the school board on Monday, Oct. 19 that a neighboring school district gave him a heads-up that Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) inspectors were going through school buses “with a fine-toothed comb,” finding issues that bus inspectors normally don’t care about. A couple days later, he found out for himself.
Eww, bugs! Hubbard Extension Office names your fall home invaders
In early fall, a person’s fancy lightly turns toward thoughts of squashing bugs. It’s a time when homes are often visited by tiny, uninvited guests. They get in even when windows and doors are shut tightly. Open them just a crack, and a minor annoyance turns into a plague. And they don’t squash easily. These six-legged invaders have names. Printable ones, even. The Enterprise asked Hubbard County Extension Educator Tarah Young to tell us about them.
Park Rapids Sculpture Trail art repaired following vandalism
An artist repaired his artwork on the Park Rapids Sculpture Trail in September after it was vandalized this summer. Artist Mark Hall had to replace the glass piece at the top of his sculpture, "Manure," located on Main Avenue South along the Park Rapids Sculpture Trail, after it was damaged. Meeting on Monday, Oct. 19, members of the Park Rapids Arts and Culture Advisory Commission (ACAC) discussed issues surrounding what happens when sculptures on the trail are damaged.
Pilot seeks more time to get off the ground
A pilot who was going to hang it up is now asking for more time to get flying again. The Park Rapids Airport Commission on Wednesday, Oct. 14 discussed a request from hangar tenant Clint Hoffman to extend his lease for an additional six months, although he doesn’t currently have an airplane.
Park Rapids could get state’s second airport clinic
With a minor tweak to its regulatory language, the Park Rapids Airport could soon have an on-site clinic offering, among other services, pilots’ medical certifications. Weasner told the Park Rapids Airport Commission on Wednesday, Oct. 14 that she has discussed Scott Maanum’s proposal with TKDA project manager Matt Gustafson. TKDA is the city’s airport engineering firm. According to Weasner, Maanum proposes to operate his business east of the airport’s arrival-departure building.
Contract still up in air for taxilane reconstruction
A day after the Park Rapids City Council approved a $334,542 contract with Hobs Excavating, Inc. to rebuild a taxilane at the municipal airport, the city and the contractor are back at the negotiating table. City Administrator Angel Weasner told the Park Rapids Airport Commission on Wednesday, Oct. 14, that the council was only able to approve the contract on Tuesday after Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) grant agreements were in place.
Park Rapids to bill apartment buildings at base water rates
A city code amendment is addressing an oversight in Park Rapids’ water billing procedures. The Park Rapids City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance on Tuesday, Oct. 13 to amend the city’s water and sewer fee schedule. There were no citizen comments during a public hearing on the ordinance. City Administrator Angel Weasner explained the amendment does not affect residential water rates.
Seven old birds won’t have to move, thanks to variance
Six elderly ducks and one hen will not have to move their retirement home, if the city council follows the Park Rapids Planning Commission’s advice. Donn Hoffman and Carol Nelson asked the planning commission on Monday, Oct.
WORD ON THE STREET: What was your hardest task?
The Enterprise asked random people in downtown Park Rapids, “What’s the hardest thing you’ve done in the past year?” These are their answers. Brandi Bennett: "I gave up drinking alcohol. It wasn't easy. It actually took an injection to get over that hump. It's something that developed over the last few years. I was an RN during COVID, and as you know, liquor stores were a necessity. Liquor stores were open at that time, and that transitioned to alcoholism for a few years.
‘Life is possible with dementia,’ says Park Rapids guest speaker
“Today we’re going to find a little bit of skill that we’re going to practice,” said Beth Nolan, “to recognize that life is possible with dementia.” Living with purpose and meaning can help you live longer with dementia, Nolan told Living at Home of the Park Rapids Area’s fifth annual dementia conference on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Nolan is the chief public health officer with Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care (PAC). She began with a distinction between giving up and letting go.
Carter’s Farm goes a-Viking for fall festival
The 71st fall festival at Carters’ Farm, west of Park Rapids, has a Viking theme this year. Joseph Carter, 11-month-old son of Steven and Renée Carter, poses among the pumpkins during his first fall on the family farm. According to Steven Carter, the farm’s assistant manager, fall festival coordinator and artistic coordinator, Viking history lends imagery to the giant corn maze, while Nordic myths inform the wagon ride theater.
WORD ON THE STREET: New business in town
The Enterprise asked random people in downtown Park Rapids, “What kind of business would you like to see come into the community?” These are their answers. Jen Shern: "I would love to see Coborn's come back, and Ben Franklin, because they were part of the community for so long and we miss them." Carter Pidde: "I think another place like Main Street Meats would be cool because when everyone gets their deer around here, they can take it in and get it processed a little bit faster.
Hubbard has fortunate day for theater’s fall festival
The Long Lake Theater had a warm, sunny day for its annual fall festival on Saturday, Oct. 10. Woodrow Helfrich, 12, and Jasen Atkinson, 12, sit for a tarot reading with fortunteller Esmeralda of Ohio, originally from Ukraine. Jasen got a favorable fortune for his ambition of becoming a pilot. “We have invited 30 vendors here of various kinds,” theater volunteer Hans Lillejord explained. “We have a bounce house for the kids. We have pumpkin painting. We have a slime station. We have face painting.
Panthers parade in pursuit of pep
Prime Time, the Panthers mascot, waves between throwing pawsful of candy. The Park Rapids football team brings up the rear of the homecoming parade on Friday, Oct. 9 at Century Elementary School. Century Elementary students show pep for the homecoming parade. The Park Rapids FFA chapter displays confidence and color. Proud lady Pant(h)ers stir up the school spirit as they pass the elementary school crowd. Theater students promote their play, "I Hate Shakespeare," with performances Oct. 23 and 24.
HOOKED ON BOOKS: Kid-sized chillers put the ‘boo’ in books
Halloween is mostly about two things – kids and scary stuff. Put them together and what you get is stuff that’s only a little scary, but not too much. Here are a few more books featuring kid-friendly horror, to give young readers a Hallows’ Eve chill without keeping them up until All Saints’ Day: ‘The House with a Clock in Its Walls’ by John Bellairs Recently adapted as a movie, this spooky kids’ classic introduces an unlikely hero named Lewis, who is pudgy, crybabyish and terrible at sports.
Former Park Rapids teacher launches career as children’s author
A sometime local teacher hopes to reach kids with the kind of book he would have wanted in his classroom. Former Park Rapids schoolteacher Cary Hauth, now living in Fargo, has edited a book of local artist Rick Lundsten's work as well as two children's books. Cary Hauth spent 14 of his 30 years as an elementary school teacher in Park Rapids. Since his retirement, he has been working as a senior learning and development specialist with Sanford Health in Fargo.
Park Rapids FFA going for gold at nationals
“It seems like each time we’re back here, it’s like, ‘This is something that just doesn’t happen,’” said Park Rapids career and technical education (CTE) teacher Stephen Funk. “Here’s another thing that just doesn’t happen.” Funk and the other high school CTE teachers requested school board approval on Monday, Oct. 5 for out-of-state travel for staff and students to attend the national Future Farmers of America (FFA) convention Oct. 19-25 in Indianapolis.
Jenson and Brewer crowned as Park Rapids royalty
Danika Jenson was crowned as homecoming queen with Zack Brewer as king on Monday, Oct. 5 at Park Rapids Area High School. The 2026 homecoming king and queen at Park Rapids Area High School are Zack Brewer and Danika Jenson. Crowned on Monday, Oct.
Lake George Lutherans celebrate a mystery – lutefisk
“The piece of cod that passeth understanding,” otherwise known as lutefisk, was a featured dish on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake George. Though not a sacrament, “It’s a must if you’re a Scandinavian,” said one parishioner. Pastor Philip Houser encourages diners to try the white sauce for the lutefisk on their potatoes as they go through the serving line. “People like it because it's part of their heritage and it's good to eat,” said Pastor Philip Houser. “Some people like it.
LaDuke decries ‘punishing … gyrations’ of federal hemp policy Original
A local fiber hemp grower is calling out the U.S. government for what she calls “regulatory jiu-jitsu.” Winona LaDuke, an enrolled member of the White Earth Nation, owns Winona’s Hemp and Heritage Farm in Pine Point. “I stand by that hemp is a crop for the past and the future,” she said.
Panthers homecoming goes to ‘paradise in the jungle’ and beyond
“Wage war” is the theme of Homecoming week, Monday, Oct. 5 through Saturday, Oct. 10 at Park Rapids Area High School. The 2026 homecoming queen candidates are seniors Molly Cederstrom, Cassidy Grewe, Emma Morris and Danika Jenson. King candidates are Aiden May, Sawyer Harvey, Brady Hirt and Zack Brewer. Royal court attendants are freshmen Brooklyn Popanda and Kryton Nilson, sophomores Evelyn Swanson and Zaden Kocka and juniors Maddie Shepherd and Luca Rodulfo Bruschi.
Engineers tout benefits of Park Rapids Hwy. 71 options
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) called on the Park Rapids City Council to support one of its concepts for improving safety along the city’s U.S. Hwy. 71 corridor. The council heard from MnDOT representatives and associates during a Sept. 22 work session. Brandon Bourdon, project manager with Kimley-Horn, said MnDOT plans in 2032 to rebuild Hwy. 71 from 8th Street in the south to around Main Avenue in the north.
Student council hypes Panther pride
The Park Rapids student council is pushing Panther pride. Student council secretary Christian Thorson and treasurer Makenna Maanum told the Park Rapids School Board on Monday, Sept. 21 about new pep-building opportunities for grades 7 through 12.
Park Rapids school group hoofed it in New York
Participants in a school trip to New York City put in their steps in July. High school English teacher Emily Schueller told the Park Rapids School Board on Monday, Sept. 21 that it was a very different trip from the summer 2025 school trip to Washington, D.C. Instead of going everywhere by coach bus, she said, the group walked the streets, took the subway. “The first day, we walked 12 miles,” she said, “from the bridge, all of Wall Street, all of those things.
Park Rapids plumbing project aims to stretch state funds
A contract to replace lead water services in Park Rapids is being designed to make the most of a state grant award. City Engineer Jon Olson with Apex Engineering advised the city council on Tuesday, Sept. 22 to award the bid for the 2026 lead service line replacement (LSLR) project to Levanen Underground, LLC of Kimball, Minn.
Total tax levy for Park Rapids touches $4 million mark
Park Rapids’ preliminary property tax levy for 2027 just broke $4 million, up from the city’s 2026 levy of about $3.8 million. The levy came back for city council approval on Tuesday, Oct. 22, following a Sept. 8 work session where council members agreed to increase the general fund levy by 5% from this year’s preliminary $2.8 million to $3,004,599 in 2027.
Maximum levy is 8% decrease for Park Rapids schools
The Park Rapids School Board set the district’s preliminary 2027 property tax levy at maximum. Business Manager Kent Fritze told the school board on Monday, Sept. 21 that the actual amount of this maximum levy allowed by state law is still fluctuating and will be influenced by whether the district’s operating levy referendum passes on Nov. 3.
Dollar General seeking to redevelop Pizza Hut lot
A developer is looking to tear down Park Rapids’ former Pizza Hut location and build a Dollar General. Paul Abdo with Abdo Markethouse discussed his variance request for the proposed store with the Park Rapids Planning Commission on Monday, Sept. 14. Abdo said the site at 109 1st St. E. is still owned by Joe Comes with Comes Investments, which closed the Pizza Hut restaurant in June. Abdo said purchasing it is contingent on city approval of the variances needed to move forward.
Should a chatbot be our shrink?
A loneliness epidemic is underway, says coffee talk speaker Brina Ellison with Minnesota Suicide Prevention, and a growing trend of turning to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots may not be helping. A small group discussed the topic “technology and mental health: using AI as your therapist” on Sept. 9 in Park Rapids.
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