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agriculture & industry • community • faith & charities Education • down through the years • family & home business & health • life • neighbors • people A PUBLICATION OF THE ALBERT LEA TRIBUNE • FEBRUARY 2014
Sue McCormick, center, and Carol Busch talk Feb. 12 inside Prairie Wind Coffee on Broadway. Sarah Stultz
Let’s go downtown!
Broadway is changing in more ways than just new pavement By Sarah Stultz
sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com
A
lbert Lean Linda Knudsen has fond memories of the city’s downtown. With everything from Herberger’s and Leuthold’s to other retail stores like Woolworth’s, it was often a community gathering place, she said. “It was loaded,” Knudsen said. “We had lots of clothing stores; there were drug stores and there were tons of people.” Knudsen, who now owns Plymouth Shoes with her husband on Broadway, said she hopes someday the downtown can get back to that. “It’s all about bringing the community here to see what we have to offer,” she said. Several community leaders say the city is taking steps in that direction with the reconstruction of Broadway last summer, the implementation of new events downtown and renovations of several downtown buildings. Having a local coffee shop and swanky bar and grill open up in the past two years hasn’t hurt for getting people downtown, either. “We’ve been very pleased with the private and civic support of the downtown,” said Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams. “We just hope it continues to be a domino effect. That’s part of the intent is to get more density in the downtown.”
Broadway reconstruction City leaders and residents celebrated the $4.6 million downtown reconstruction in October with a 5-kilometer Color Dash, games, food, dancing and music. Crews replaced aging water and sewer infrastructure under the road, put in new roadways and sidewalks and installed bumpouts that shorten the distance to cross streets. Downtown Albert Lea is more pedestrian-friendly than before. Large flower pots now adorn the sidewalks, along with benches and new street lights. Restaurants will be able to have seating and tables outdoors next to their businesses. Susie Petersen, executive
director of the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau, said once spring arrives and the snow is melted, downtown business owners and volunteers plan to plant flowers in all of the pots on the ground plus install hanging plants on the light poles. “It will be a great transformation,” Petersen said. “We already get people when they come in, they say, ‘You have a beautiful town,’ I’m just excited about it.” Prairie Wind Coffee owner Lisa Hanson said she has enjoyed seeing the improvements downtown. “It has dressed it up,” Hanson said. In the spring, crews will complete the reconstruction of Fountain Lake Park, and once that is done there will be another celebration planned by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. The project is expected to continue south down Broadway in 2015. Adams said the state is planning a mill and overlay of Broadway south of Main Street. The city hopes to have some of the same design features — street lights, benches and decorative pavers — put in there as there have been on Broadway north of Main Street. Adams said though he knows the reconstruction will not revitalize the downtown overnight, it can, together with collaboration from other groups, point the city in the right direction.
Downtown events In 2012, the downtown debuted its summer market and music festival called Wind Down Wednesday with the goal of bringing people to the heart of the city. Designed after a weekly festival in Rochester called Thursdays on First, it was moved to Central Park in 2013 because of the construction. It is slated to return to Broadway this year. It will be once a month in June, July and August and features vendors, food, entertainment and other activities. “We wanted to do more for 4Downtown, Page 8
Photo courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum
The intersection of Broadway and Main Street in Albert Lea might never be as busy as shown in this undated photograph, which looks to be before the freeways were built. However, the downtown in the past two years has gone through changes that have spurred increased interest. On some evenings this winter, cars are parked up and down the northern three blocks of the four-block stretch of Broadway north of Main. Sometimes, they fill the North Broadway parking lot, too. That rarely happened at night as recently as three years ago. There is momentum in the downtown’s favor now, and it’s not merely a new street.
Sarah Stultz
A woman walks down Broadway on a cold afternoon in February past the new 112 on Broadway. Spring will allow many Albert Leans to see the upgraded downtown in all its newness without snow and winter grime.
Page 2 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • PROGRESS 2014 - LIFE
IOWA, MINNESOTA, TOGETHER On the Air Online On Your Mobile Device 135 East William Street Albert Lea
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Take a swing at Green Lea Golf Course offering a rich tradition and beautiful scenery
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LIFE - PROGRESS 2014 • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 3
Knowledge Saves You Money!
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Page 4 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • PROGRESS 2014 - LIFE
The next level of education
Health Services Directory
Eric Johnson
Pamela Tranby is the dean for allied health at Riverland Community College and has been involved in programs that help students get their bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Meet Pamela Tranby By Trey Mewes
news@albertleatribune.com
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Pamela Tranby has been busy. She’s no stranger to hard work at Riverland Community College. The longtime-biology instructor was a vice president at Riverland from 1998 to 2001, and she has always stepped up to help students achieve their goals, from students looking to satisfy general education credits to medical students who needed a foundation for their future classes. Tranby is helping to build a foundation for future medical students this year. Ever since she stepped into the role as interim dean for allied health last August, she has helped Riverland become a new kind of community college: She’s helping its students get bachelor’s degrees. Riverland is part of a growing wave of community colleges across the nation that partner with four-year colleges and universities to offer bachelor’s degree programs for students. For rural centers like Albert Lea, it pays to be able to pursue a four-year degree close to home. Students who want to get further certification in fields like nursing, while others interested in education, business and someday even engineering and agriculture can achieve their undergraduate dreams without ever leaving the area of Freeborn and Mower counties. It’s a revolutionary approach to keeping costs down while keeping people in the area, and an approach Riverland is pouring resources into to watch it pay off. “You know, it’s really a neat thing,” Tranby said. “Our community providers are really asking us for those bachelorprepared students, and so we want to be able to provide as many as we can.”
Classroom change Riverland’s nursing program has led the way in getting a four-year
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degree. As far back as 2011, Riverland officials were in talks with Winona State University to partner and offer a bachelor’s degree program. Riverland was known in the area for its medical-related associate degrees, especially its nursing and radiography programs. At the same time, college instructors were hearing from students and community officials how the health care industry was looking for more nurses with bachelor’s degrees. The end result was the first of Riverland’s “2+2” programs, which allowed students with associate degrees in nursing to go to Riverland for classes taught by Winona State instructors. Students could get bachelor’s degrees without traveling large distances for classes. “With Winona, students who already have their two-year degree can come back and finish it,” said Mary Davenport, vice president of academic and student affairs at Riverland. Davenport has been a large proponent of 2+2. She has worked on building partnerships for them over the years, and she is part of the team looking to expand Riverland’s opportunities to offer a pathway to bachelor’s degrees for students. She has heard from many students going back to school for further training that distance is one of the biggest barriers to get-
Age: 62 Hometown: Aberdeen, S.D. Fun fact: Tranby loves sailing. She got involved in sailing in her 20s and sailed in British Columbia’s Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia last summer. She also received her doctorate in human resources development and educational leadership from Colorado University in 2012. More info: Tranby is one of several leaders at Riverland Community College transforming the way local students can earn associate and bachelor’s degrees.
ting those degrees. “They have families, they have jobs, they can’t pick up and go to Mankato or Winona or the Cities,” she said. From there, Riverland has secured and built even more partnerships with colleges. Riverland’s business program graduates can go to Cardinal Stritch University to build on their classes into a bachelor’s degree in management. And last fall, Riverland, Winona and Austin Public Schools announced a huge opportunity for education students: A 2+2 program that would include student teaching placements at Sumner Elementary School. Students would earn an associate degree in elementary education that would specifically tie into Winona’s education programs. They’ll finish the last two years with classes at Sumner, where students would also do their practicums. The program will start small, with as many as 25 students ready for school next fall. “It’s seamless,” Davenport said. Perhaps the biggest change to Riverland education was announced
in February: Riverland, along with seven other community colleges, is offering a four-year bachelor’s degree program through Metropolitan State University. Called the Minnesota Alliance for Nursing Education, or MANE, the program will have area students attend Riverland for a Metro State-accredited nursing program for all four years. In effect, Riverland is offering a bachelor’s degree instead of a seamless path to a bachelor’s degree. “Students will actually be able to start a bachelor’s program here,” Tranby said. “It will be entirely at Riverland. They will be able to stay at our campus, our community.” Of course, students can theoretically drop out to earn an associate degree halfway through the MANE program. But the program generated enormous interest even before it was formally announced: Riverland is accepting 40 to 50 applications for the program’s start in fall 2014, and more than 100 students showed interest in the first weeks of February.
Riverland Community College nursing student Trae Swehla takes notes as other students prepare a scenario in the school’s simulation lab.
We are very happy to be part of the vibrant Albert Lea Community.
Contract Manufacturing of Snacks and Cereals.
LIFE - PROGRESS 2014 • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 5
We asked 6 local dietitians:
By Drew Claussen
What is your favorite food?
“Honestly, I’d have to say that my favorite food is Oreos and ice cream with milk poured over it so the Oreos get nice and soft. I could tell you that it’s a salad, but then I’d be lying.” — Anne Harguth
“I would have to say my favorite foods are fresh fruits or vegetables. No only because they’re good or good for me — that’s a plus — but I think because it’s something that I produced myself.” — Gala Kubat
“I love that nuts are a very healthy fat, so they’re very heart-healthy. So they are a really good snack and can satisfy people for a long time, to kind of take the edge off.” — Amy Pleimling
“My favorite food would be a bowl of homemade soup. Either chicken or vegetable noodle soup. It’s a comfort food and you can make it different ways. It’s good on a cold day, and I guess I was raised on homemade soup. My mother and aunts would make it.” — Karen Nyenhuis
“I really like eggs because they’re a really good source of protein. They’re the most bio available, which means it’s absorbed the best and you get the most nutrition out of it, and they have healthy fat in it and all the essential amino acids. You can make them in a bunch of different ways and they’re really quick and easy. So omelets, scrambled and egg bakes, and pair it with a healthy fat like butter and vegetables like spinach or peppers.” — Kelsey Schauer
“Raspberries are full of lots of fiber and low in calories. They also contain many antioxidants.” — Emily Schmidt
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Page 6 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • PROGRESS 2014 - LIFE
Debbie’s Little Dumplings
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Open 5:30am-5:30pm Minimum 25 hours
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373-6280
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Day Care
Nutritious Meals, Food Program Indoor-Outdoor Activities
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Warm, fun loving atmosphere Lots of indoor playspace • Fenced in yard
• 26 YEARS EXPERIENCE • • Christian Environment • Daily Actvities • Playground • Close to Manchester • Country Setting Laura 826-3585
514 Pilot St • 373-6561
What could be more important than locating just the right place for your child's preschool training or finding a good day care center to care for your children?
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Call Sue at 373-0912
providers are now interviewing for openings
377-1253
1208 Spartan Ave.
will provide FREE Child Care Referrals to anyone interested in placing their child in a Licensed Day Care Home.
“LITTLE RASCALS”
373-5466
Licensed Daycare Provider
Cherie Osmundson
Providing all kinds of activities, field trips, art projects & crafts. Food Program and fenced in yard.
2305 Margaretha
377-9202
• Have fall openings • Infant to kindergarten • Fun Loving Environment • Before & After School Care Available
Kids "R" Us Day Care • Happy Homelike Environment • Food Program • Art • Music • Storytime • Etc.
Northside Location
373-5493
Great location with fenced play yard Across from YMCA 26 Years Experience
Linda Christian
605 James Avenue 801 Luther Place
Mary Gilman–377-0060
Kristie’s Kids
Jaclyn Flatten 510 E Hawthorne 369-5171
FREEBORN COUNTY LICENSED DAY CARE ASSOCIATION
• B.S. Social Work • Licensed daycare provider • Crafts & lots of outdoor outings • Culturally diverse • Fenced backyard • Close to Hawthorne School
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It’s a small world
2014-2015 Registration starts April 7
373.7979 www.alchildrenscenter.org
DAY CARE • • • •
Licensed Provider
Robin Helgerson 373-8089 1909 Stevens Rd.
Fun Loving Environment Field Trips • Craf ts Member Food Program 19 Years Experience
Wende Taylor
•Preschool Program
1220 Martin Rd.
•Story Hour •Crafts •Circle Time
377-3242
•Nut. Snacks & Meals
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37 years of
• Dependable, loving, nurturing provider • Licensed preschool - grade 6 teacher • New curriculum offered each week for well-rounded, fun learning experience • USDA food program • Emphasis on manners, values & respect • Located in a safe, quiet neighborhood
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quality, dependable day care.
Debbie Baas 1208 Swanhill
Infant to Kindergarten
373-5466
Debbie Prihoda 514 Pilot St 373-6561
Linda Christian 606 Pilot Ave 373-5493
Debbie Pirsig 709 Hammer Road 373-0869
Sue Rechtzigel 1919 Brookside Dr 373-0912
The Children’s Center Main Site 605 James Ave. 373-7979
Debbie Baas 1208 Swanhill 373-5466
Freeborn County Licensed Day Care Association Referral 373-5466
Starr Holt 317 Summer Ave. 373-7789
Sherry Hoenisch 1208 Spartan Ave 377-1253
The Children’s Center 801 Lutheran Place 373-8226
Laura Back 71205 255th St 826-3585
Wende Taylor 1220 Martin Rd. 377-3242
Deanna Hutchins 2221 Milo Ave. 377-0182
Kristie Lau 340 E. 3rd St. 507-271-1890
Elaine Bohlen 208 Fredrick Drive 373-6280
Judy Gulbrandson 306 East Hawthorne St. 373-4301
Lisa Moyer 20044 780th Ave 373-3824
Jaclyn Flatten 510 E Hawthorne 507-369-5171
Mary Gilman 402 Wedgewood Road 377-0060
Robin Helgerson 1909 Stevens Rd. 373-8089
Cherie Osmundson 2305 Margaretha 377-9202
Emily Honsey 2141 Highland Ave (507) 402-0781
Clip and Save this Handy Directory of Licensed Day Care Providers
LIFE - PROGRESS 2014 • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 7
All roads lead to
DOWNTOWN ALBERT LEA
EXPERIENCE | SERVICE | RESULTS www.iscfinancialadvisors.com 200 N. Broadway Ave. 507-373-8216
T-N-T Used Appliance Store
A consignment shop that has your style! 123 N. Broadway Ave. 507-373-0388
Auto • Home • Business • Life • Health Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Dave Klatt 106 S. Broadway Ave. 507-373-2377
Sales and Repair 121 N. Broadway Ave. Brock Tufte, Owner 507-373-6022
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Your #1 headquarter for Under Armour & shoes!
Reinertson’s Embroidery • Hats • Jackets • Sweats • Denim • Blankets • Business Logos “It’s a beautiful stitchuation!” 127 S. Broadway Ave. 507-373-0751 www.reinertsonsembroidery.com
PUT YOURSELF IN OUR SHOES! 129 S. Broadway Ave. 507-373-6793
Floral, home decor, candy, purses & more! 216 S. Broadway Ave. 507-377-2081
Celebrating 55 years! 1959-2014 507-373-5665 thealbertleaartcenter.org • alartcenter@gmail.com
To be the best, take from the best. Classical Ballet - Jazz - Tap - Pointe 114 S. Broadway Ave. 507-377-1183 www.joycematthiesdance.com
Voted 2013 Small Business of the Year 202 S. Broadway Ave. 507-373-3925
Local Community Bank 143 W. Clark St. 507-379-2551 www.justcallhome.com
Group tours and vacations wwfor people going places 130 W. Clark St. 507-373-2473
Locally owned drycleaner since 1986 116 S. Washington Ave. 373-2318 Owned & Operated by Robin Carstens Open Mon-Fri 6am-5:30pm, Sat 9am-11am
Member FDIC
Your neighbor, your bank. 217 S. Newtown Ave. 507-377-7000 www.americanbankmn.com
Like us on
Agents readily available to help you today. 209 S. Washington Ave. 507-373-3062 www.albertleains.net
Checking • Savings • Loans • CD’s • IRAs • HSAs Credit Cards • ATMs Debit Cards • Internet Banking Telephone Banking • Safe Deposit Boxes
Member FDIC
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B&
Page 8 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • PROGRESS 2014 - LIFE
usiness service
directory LIVE FOR TODAY. PLAN FOR TOMORROW.
Health insurance is changing. But you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. As your local Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota agent, I’m here to help. Call me and we can discuss your health plan options.
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Leisure Vacations
• Rail tickets/tours • Honeymoon & Hawaii Specialists • Individual or group vacation packages & cruises
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Business Travel
• Airline tickets • Hotel & car arrangements • Individual & group travel arrangements • Superior personalized service!
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373-8830 • 888-339-9954
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Albert Lea Veterinary Clinic Dr. Daniel Smith
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Dentistry • In House Lab Laser Surgery Therapy Laser Convenient Location Medicine • Behavioral Consultation Puppy Classes Hear Dr. Dan’s “Pet Talk” Friday Mornings at 8:35am on KATE Radio-1450AM Albert Lea Veterinary Clinic 401 St. Thomas Ave Albert Lea, MN 56007
507-373-8161
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HANNA’S HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING
Lyle, MN • Phone: 507-325-2509 www.hansoncsc.com
Serving Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa in Design, Building, and Quality Custom Cabinetry Since 1980.
Wangen
Excavating & Septic Tank Pumping 36 Years in business Complete backhoe, bobcat, dozer, septic tank pumping & parking lot sweeping, hauling & snow remobal
Albert Lea 507-377-3577
Servicing the community since 1988
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373-8435
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MN I.D. # 20037743
Photo courtesy Freeborn County Historical Museum
South Broadway looking south, 1943.
Downtown: Renovations could spark other ideas Continued from Page 1 our community and have people come out and hang with their friends and have some fun,” said, Knudsen, who is one of the organizers. “We want to help people see there’s so much here that Albert Lea has to offer and that you don’t have to go out of town to have a good time.” In turn, the organizers hope people from out of town might want to stay in town overnight and shop at some of the stores here. “It helps our downtown but it also helps the community,” Petersen said. Aside from Wind Down Wednesday, community leaders in the last few years have created other events in the downtown. Last year, there was Celebrate Albert Lea, which started with a 5-kilometer Color Dash, Open Streets Albert Lea and other activities during the Fourth of July. Petersen said this summer, the car show on the second day of Eddie Cochran Weekend will be downtown instead of at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. The decision was made in part because of the street construction project, she noted. The Marion Ross Performing Arts Center is active about every weekend, even showing live opera on a widescreen from the New York Metropolitan Opera. The American Legion Club continues to be a common gathering spot. And the Albert Lea Art Center is looking for new ways to reach the public, even perhaps finding a new home downtown in the coming year or two.
Building renovations In February 2011, the Albert Lea City Council created the Broadway Ridge Renewal Grant program through contributions of the city and Freeborn County to encourage downtown redevelopment. The grant involves a 50/50 match up to $50,000 for approved building projects. Buildings on Broadway including Plymouth Shoes, Stadheim Jewelers and the former St. Paul Clothiers took advantage of the fund and have since undergone renovations. Others, such as Youth for Christ’s The Rock, renovated without city funds. A new restaurant and bar, the 112 on Broadway, opened in September 2012, bringing more people to the downtown in the evenings, and the
opening of Prairie Wind Coffee in spring 2012 created a community gathering place for area residents. “It’s fun to watch the people come in and make all these connections,” Hanson said. City leaders hope the renovations will spark the interest of other building owners and encourage them to improve their buildings as well. “A community’s success is often measured by the vitality of its downtown,” Adams said. Along the same efforts, the city is hoping to find a developer for the Freeborn National Bank and Jacobson Apartments buildings at the intersection of Broadway and William Street. Officials are reviewing three proposals, including two from out of town, for the development of the buildings. “One of our top priority goals for the community is to increase tax base,” Adams said. “We see this project as an anchor for not only the downtown.” The two buildings have been under city ownership since 1998. In 2007, the city spent about $2 million to restore the exterior of the Freeborn Bank building, including tuckpointing, a new roof, a skylight and new water, sewer and electrical service to the buildings, among other improvements. Inside, crews have cleaned out asbestos, filled in the basement and taken out a majority of the plumbing. A developer would need to replace electrical, plumbing, and heating and air conditioning, among other improvements. At one point, city officials estimated renovations would cost another $4 million to $6 million. “These are two beautiful buildings that have a great deal of historic character that will be general attractions to the downtown,” Adams said. The first floor of the Jacobson building presently houses Prairie Wind Coffee Pat Mulso, executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum, said she hopes the new streetscape and renovations downtown will draw more business and activity there. “I’m really excited,” Mulso said. “I’d really love to see downtown become a destination point for our community and for those from out of town,” Hanson added.
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City officials received three proposals for renovating the Freeborn National Bank and Jacobson Apartments buildings and hope to select one by the end of February. They hope the buildings will strengthen the revitalization efforts downtown.
LIFE - PROGRESS 2014 • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 9
Then & Now
Modern-day photos by Micah Bader Photos courtesy of the Freeborn County Historical Museum
202 S. Broadway, Wiegand Building, 1950s
202 S. Broadway, Fisher’s Fine Jewelers, 2014
807 E. Main St., Mobil, no date
807 E. Main St., The Bicycle Works, 2014
202 W. Clark St., Moulton Food Stores, 1939
202 W. Clark St., Jamie Kyllo Attorney at Law, 2014
130 W. College St., Van Dorin Motors, 1938
130 W. College St., Aragon Bar, 2014
110 W. Clark St., Coast to Coast, closed in 1987
110 W. Clark St., The Mary Go Round Shoppe, 2014
Page 10 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • PROGRESS 2014 - LIFE
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We thank you, our customers, for your continued business & loyalty!
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LIFE - PROGRESS 2014 • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 11
INDEPENDENCE, SAFETY AND AFFORDABLE LUXURY
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2014 Honda Accord Coupe
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Page 12 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 23, 2014 • PROGRESS 2014 - LIFE
Cargill would like to extend further appreciation to our Albert Lea associates who have been making meat for more than 20 years. See their tenures below: Conley, Carol M Stahl, Ronald C Herfindahl, Jean M Ruff, Paul H Iverson, David A Rippentrop, Lori A Miranda, Genevieve M Schmidt, Charles D Josephson, Gary D Drescher, Alan M Lebarron, Renata A Sorenson, Brenda K Jacobson, Bruce A Schwartz, James L Peterson, Richard F Johnson, Jerald D Mason, Luann M Dagestad, Jo A Graber, Julie M Clark, Tammy L Drescher, Ricky A Paulsen, Norma L Knudtson, Gary D Lewison, Diane E
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Beighley, Steven D Mason, Gerald D Hove, Annette F Sorensen, Darlene E Nelson, Nona C Behr, Janelle K Nelson, Michael D Langfald, Doyle D Lacore, Maureen E Hutchinson, Patricia A Lee, Steven M Porter, Dennis J Thoms, Lon W Johnson, David N Olson, Ute U Lukes, Cheryl A Fitz, Ronald L Navarro, Virginia A Strand, Kevin C Hill, Larry G Nash, Gary R Mullenmaster, Maurice J Groff, Timothy A Navarro, Alma A
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© 2014 Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Navarro, Mildred A Peterson, Belinda J Schewe, Stephen P Helgeson, Nanette J Levorson, Kevin K Bangs, William D Tonding, Lars Johnson, Michael E Uzlik, Carmen M Hall, Debra K Charron, Shari L Behrends, Ricky J Bartness, Evelyn Karow, Christina M Page, Nancy E Schatz, Debra K Doeden, Todd S Wrolson, Wanda C Starken, Thomas G Edwards, Jean A Anderson, Peggy A Roe, Julianne E Roberts, Michael T
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