Burns, sophomore third baseman batting third, rapped three doubles and a singe in five at-bats, driving home four runs and scoring three.

Athey, senior catcher batting fourth, blasted a two-run homer (her second of the year), double and single in five trips, knocking in five runs.

The Elks, now 5-7 in conference and 8-9 overall, sprayed out 20 hits and finished strong, scoring 10 runs in the last three innings.

The Elks had 12 hits in a 9-3 win over Centennial on Monday and 15 hits in an 11-3 conquest of Armstrong on Tuesday. They’ve homered in three straight games, with  Jamie Langebehn connecting in the previous two.

“We are just more relaxed,” assessed coach Stacey Sheets of the three-game spree of hitting. “And we are hoping we can keep it going through playoffs!”

Kathi Opsahl was 3-for-5, Ali Krohn 2-for-4 (two RBI), Langebehn 2-for-3 (three runs, RBI), Austyn Bees 2-for-5, and Courtney Jensen 2-for-5 (RBI).

Anna Pipenhagen threw her third complete-game win in as many days, giving up seven hits and three walks, striking out six.

Blaine  starting pitcher Lauren Anderson took the loss (nine runs in 5 1/3 innings) with Gena Anderson finishing (five runs in 1 2/3 innings). Abby Valoske and Hannah Zurn were each 2-for-4 for the Bengals  (5-7 conference, 7-9 overall).

The Elks will close the regular season at Andover on Thursday.

Associate editor

The Houlton property is outlined in red. It is located along the Elk and Mississippi rivers, near Orono Dam in Elk River.

A 315-acre farm along the Mississippi River in Elk River is for sale, and the Elk River City Council is interested in gathering more information about the possibility of buying it for park land.

The city staff had been approached by Dotseth Realty, inquiring if the city is interested in the Houlton farm. The farm is located near the Orono Dam.

Council members discussed the matter during a work session Monday, May 7, and agreed by consensus that the city staff should look into it further. No vote was taken.

“I don’t think it hurts to explore it,” said Council Member Jerry Gumphrey.

“I think it’s worth looking at and at least see where it goes. Don’t spend a tremendous amount of staff time on it, but see what … you can come up with,” Mayor John Dietz told Parks and Recreation Director Michael Hecker and City Administrator Cal Portner.

Council Member Matt Westgaard said it’s a fantastic opportunity for the city, but the question is how to pay for it. Unfortunately, the opportunity to buy the land comes at a time when things are tough and the city’s park dedication fund is pretty severely depleted, he said.

But, he said it would be a great asset to have for the city and the council would be foolish not to explore possible options with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Minnesota Historical Society and any other entities that may be able to help the city secure it.

Elk River’s park dedication fund is typically the source tapped to buy park land, but that fund is dry. Its balance is zero, according to City Administrator Portner.

The park dedication fund is replenished as land develops, with developers either donating land or paying a fee of $3,712 per dwelling unit, $7,444 per acre of commercial property or $2,485 per acre of industrial property. But with the downturn in development in recent years, the flow of money into the fund has slowed to a trickle.

Hecker said the Houlton property’s assessed value is $1.4 million, but the list price is “considerably higher than that.”

A DNR grant is a possibility to help fund acquisition costs if the city were to decide to buy it.

“They mentioned there’s assistance … I’m hoping it’s large dollars,” Hecker told the City Council.

Hecker said probably the biggest asset the property offers is the opportunity for a trail along the Mississippi River. The farm has about 1.75 miles of river frontage. The city’s comprehensive park plan shows a future trail system along the Mississippi.

Rebecca Haug, who is the staff liaison to the Elk River Heritage Preservation Commission, said the Houlton farm has huge historical significance as well.

“There are old mill ruins still intact on the property. That type of tourism is increasing greatly,” she said.

Oxcart trail ruts can also still be seen, she said, and the farm is home to many bald eagle nests and the largest tree in Sherburne County.

“It does contain an island, which is pretty unique to be able to purchase an island on the Mississippi River,” Haug said.

Of the 315 acres of land, about 36 acres or 11 percent of the property sits outside the flood zone, according to Hecker.

Trident Polymers and the CAER food shelf will discuss their innovative recycling initiatives. Learn how businesses can utilize recycling to help reduce costs and environmental impacts. Lunch will be provided. RSVP to 763-635-1000.

Dual meets count for half and the conference tournament counts for half in the final standings. The finale will be held Friday, May 25, at Bunker Hills. The Elks are trying for their fourth straight NWSC title.

Sadie Martin shot 41 and Alex McDonald, Ashlee Lindeen and Samantha Lindeen all had 48′s. The 185 score was Elk River’s highest of the year in conference duals, which coach Dave Bleyhl attributed mainly to Baker being “a pretty tough course.”

Next for the Elks is the Duluth Invitational on Friday.

by Joni Astrup

Associate editor

Seven months after construction began on a new two-story memory care wing at Guardian Angels By The Lake in Elk River, the building is completed.

A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony were held Tuesday, May 15. Guardian Angels’ chaplain, Margaret Quill, also offered a blessing on the facility, staff and residents.

“In times like these, we pause to thank God and to celebrate the completion of this building — the triumph of love over fear, of caring over indifference and the collaboration of so many over competition in the world we live in. Help us as we listen to Your voice, inviting us to bring out the best in one another, in service to others,” she prayed.

The new $3.5 million wing consists of two memory care units, each about 13,000 square feet in size and containing 15 apartments, according to Guardian Angels President and CEO Dan Dixon.

The apartments are around the outside, with common areas like the dining room in the center. There is a sitting room with a fireplace on each of the two floors, as well as other touches of home. There also is a spa with a whirlpool.

Ward Isaacson, architect for the project from Pope Architects, commended Guardian Angels officials for being progressive in their thinking. “This really is kind of a new concept. You don’t see any double loaded corridors with rooms (on both sides), you don’t see equipment sitting out in the middle of the hallway, you don’t see a nurse station with people sitting around it. It’s a home, is what we’re trying to create here,” Isaacson said.

Pope Architects designed the building and Kraus-Anderson was the contractor on the project.

Jim Bartz, vice president of Guardian Angels, cited the Fourth Commandment.

“We are to honor our father and mother, and that’s not just our personal father and mother but it is all fathers and mothers,” he said during the grand opening. “That charge is that we would not just do it if they know what’s going on, it’s not just if they would appreciate what we’re doing for them and it’s not just if the job is easy. This command is just to do it. That’s what we’re here to do is to just do it, and to do it cheerfully.”

Annette Greely, director for Guardian Angels By The Lake, thanked her staff. “We’re all committed to making sure that this is people’s homes, and that we’re serving our seniors,” she said.

Guardian Angels by the Lake is located by Lake Orono, at 13439 185th Lane.

Guardian Angels traces its roots to 1962. Today Guardian Angels employs more than 450 people and last year served 2,500 people, from skilled care to independent housing, Dixon said.

Motorists travelling in the Highway 10 work zone between Clear Lake and Big Lake will see the new concrete pavement being placed on the westbound lanes, beginning in Big Lake today (Wednesday, May 16.)

The traffic patterns will remain the same, utilizing the eastbound Highway 10 lanes.  This will allow construction crews to complete all the required concrete paving between the cities of Big Lake and Clear Lake.

Motorists will also encounter gravel surfaces while crossing over the westbound lanes at the intersections of County Road 11 and Rolling Ridge.  The existing concrete pavement will be removed this week, with the work taking place during the night.  State Patrol troopers will be on site to help direct traffic.  Signal lights will also be used to control traffic flow.

MnDOT and the Prime Contractor, PCI ROADS, want to make travelers aware that all area businesses within the project perimeters are open for business during construction.  Accesses, which may not be the normal travel route, are being provided with emphasis on safety and convenience.

This project is scheduled for an early August completion, weather permitting.

The Thunder finished the regular season with a 4-16 overall record and 3-9 in the Granite Ridge. They will start sub-section playoffs Friday at Maple Lake.

Zimmerman third baseman Kyle Connelly snagged a bouncing ball and threw the Cathedral batter out at first base. (Photo by Erik Jacobson)

Bo Schmitz belted a pair of three-run homers as St. Cloud Cathedral routed Zimmerman 17-1 on Tuesday in Zimmerman.

Schmitz went 3-for-4 with eight RBI and Tommy McMorrow was 3-for-4 with four RBI as the Crusaders, ranked No. 4 in Class 2A, improved to 14-2.

Brandon Sevre took the loss for Zimmerman (2-7 conference, 6-10 overall).

The Thunder will play at Princeton on Thursday.

Langebehn, am eighth-grade outfielder, socked a three-run homer and finished 2-for-5 with two runs. She had a solo on Monday in a 9-3 win over Centennial at  home.

Also punching two hits were Jessica Neuman (two runs), Michaela Bruns (double, two runs), Austyn Beese (double, RBI, two run), Dani Edwards (two RBI), Kathi Opsdahl (RBI) and Ali Krohn. Bethani Athey was 1-for-3 and was hit-by-pitch twice, and scored three runs.

Anna Pipenhagen pitched, allowing two hits  by Armstrong (2-15) and striking out six.

The Elks, 5-7 in the NWSC and 7-10 overall, will close the regular season with games at Blaine on Wednesday and Andover on Thursday.