Michael Zauhar, a student from St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School, waits for Father Scott Padrnos to place ashes on his forehead Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, during school mass at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd. Students from the school and members of the congregation receive the imposition of ashes and communion to start the season of Lent.
I was raised on a farm in western Minnesota where I participated in 4-H, high school sports, and everything that farm kids do for fun after chores. Graduated from Ridgewater Community College with an AA degree and my first taste of newspapering. I worked a summer on the Ortonville Independent as a reporter and photographer.
