Let me introduce myself. I am your editor and publisher, Julie (Friermood) Sarkauskas. Many of you already know me. I am the daughter of Bill and Joyce Friermood who co-owned Friermood’s Service Station and Arctic Cat Dealership on Hwy N in Barnes with my Uncle Jerry (Dad’s brother) and Aunt Viola from 1956 to 1980. Some question my sanity about coming back here to live (I moved back in 2009) but I’ve never regretted being born and raised here in Barnes.

Of course, those were the days when you climbed trees and rode your bikes for fun and having four brothers and two sisters, we were pretty much never bored. (And you didn’t dare tell mom you were bored or she would have a mop or a broom in your hand so fast it made your head spin.)

I wasn’t sure if it was a crazy idea or not, but I decided to try my hand at getting some of the stories and news that you enjoyed back to you.

The original paper (The Barnes Blog) was created by Lu Peet in 2009 with just a few pages of important information for the community; but it soon tripled in size. People thrived on being informed of area happenings and situation. It was much needed publication and Lu succeeded very well.

One of the features in The Barnes Notes and News is a “Reminiscing” section where we share the memories and tales of the town’s businesses and people that helped build this community, and the ones that keep it strong and growing today. 

The first edition of The Barnes Notes and News was published in May of 2017. We will share the last 12 months on this website, however, if you wish to have older issues please email me at barnesnotesandnews@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to forward whatever issues you need. (Please note, the paper was not published from September 2018 to May 2022.)