Progress neighbors
“preserve
If you don’t history
you lose it.”
Barb Wildgrube and Rodney Hatle look at old copies of the New Richland Star for Dairy Days that are part of the New Richland Area Historical Society’s collection. The Historical Society, which has been storing parts of its collection in the former Hotel Washburn will soon launch a campaign to raise money to renovate the building for permanent use. Sarah Stultz/albert lea tribune
Desk launched historical society; now that group seeks a permanent museum new richland reSidentS ready to take next Step By Sarah Stultz
sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com
NEW RICHLAND — It started with a desk at an auction in 1998. New Richland resident Barb Wildgrube and a friend attended the auction — after the closing of Bruzek Hardware — and saw a desk for sale from the former New Richland railroad depot. Though they would have liked to purchase the desk, it sold to a man from Hope, Wildgrube said. “We just thought it was terrible that our original depot desk was going to be leaving town,” she said. Three years later, in 2001, that same man held an auction, and the desk was for sale once again. With the help of the State Bank of New Richland, she and others purchased the desk and brought it back to town. Wildgrube and a group of others later in August that same year formed the nonprofit New Richland Area Historical Society. Now, 13 years later, after years of collecting other historical items, the society is preparing to launch a major fundraising campaign to renovate a longtime New Richland building into a permanent museum. “If you don’t preserve history, you lose it,” said Pam Goehring, another member of the Historical Society. The building is the former Hotel Washburn at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Division Street. It originated around the time of New Richland’s creation, in 1877 or 1878, and over the years has been most widely known as the Hotel Washburn and the New Richland Hotel. At one point it also had apartments. Wildgrube said the society has stored items in its collection in the building for many years, but it was just that — storage. Other items have been housed in the basements of the society members, and there has not been a permanent museum for items to be shown and open to the public. She said the previous building owner, who turned the property back to the State Bank
186
The New Richland Area Historical Society has stacks of old documents, books and other paperwork.
DOOR DOOR by
Jordahl Meats is at 25585 Minnesota Highway 13 in Manchester. It is one of a handful of businesses in the city. The company provides meat processing and meat retail.
Glass slides in the New Richland Area Historical Society’s collection.
This desk was the impetus behind the formation of the New Richland Area Historical Society in 2001. It was previously at the railroad depot in New Richland. of New Richland, had started making some renovations, but major work still needs to be done. The building is structurally sound, but there is no heat, a bathroom needs to be put in and walls need to be resurfaced, to name a few. Goehring said she and the others will research any grants that may be available. “Any and all contributions are welcome — money, labor, materials,” said member Dawn Halgren. The group did not have an estimate for how much the renovations would cost. The building was donated through a vote by the board of directors at the State Bank of New Richland. The Area Food Shelf of New Richland will be in the back of the L-shaped building, and the Historical Society will be in the front. The society’s members said they know they have a large undertaking but are hopeful the community will be supportive. In the meantime, they are constantly looking for new things to add to their collection, whether it be from people they know, Facebook or online auctions. Over the years, they have collected everything from yearbooks, to postcards, to military uniforms to old newspapers. Goehring said they received two collections totaling 182 postcards, and they have 186 glass
5
Books the society has put together about different aspects of history in New Richland.
See MUSEUM, Page 2
200
Postcards in the collection of the New Richland Area Historical Society.
ide? What’s ins
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Page 2 | AlbertleAtribune.com | Progress 2015 | neighbors | sundAy, FebruAry 22, 2015
neighbors by the nuMbers hartland
2010 census: 315 Median age: 36.8 Households: 140 Housing units: 148 Square miles: 0.3 City hall address: 407 Broadway St. City hall phone: 845-2469 Railroads: Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (Canadian Pacific), Union Pacific Highways: Minnesota Highway 13 Schools: none; is in NRHEG School District
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Varsity football anD fifth-graDe basketball? coAcH serVes A Wide rAnge by Micah bader
NRHEG youth basketball coaches
NEW RICHLAND — From fall to winter, Dan Stork’s students change size. Dramatically. His conversations go from explaining blocking schemes to 300-pound nose tackles to taking a knee to teach basketball fundamentals to grade-schoolers. When the leaves are turning, he paces the sidelines as the Panthers’ varsity football head coach. When there’s snow on the ground, he teaches in a gym at Ellendale as NRHEG’s fifthgrade girls’ basketball coach. When asked about the similarities, Stork smiled. “Somebody told me this a long time ago, ‘Coaching girls, you’re coaching emotions. Coaching boys, you’re coaching egos,’” he said. “It’s a little different, but it’s a lot of fun.” At the youth level, NRHEG has eight basketball teams. From third to sixth grade, there’s a team for each grade and gender. Stork isn’t the only coach in the youth program with a gridiron influence. John Schultz, the Panthers’ offensive line coach and the man who led NRHEG’s
girls 3rd grade: Jackie Schultz 4th grade: John Schultz 5th grade: Dan Stork (assistants Troy Utpadel, Jack Harpel) 6th grade: Darian Baker 7th grade: Mark Domeier 8th grade: Deb Goette
micah.bader@albertleatribune.com
boys 3rd grade: Mark Lee 4th grade: Mike DenHerder 5th grade: Leon Schoenrock NRHEG varsity football head coach Dan Stork instructs his 6th grade: Kim Schlaak players during a timeout on Sept. 26 against Waterville7th grade: Coy Hupfeld Elysian-Morristown. micAH bAder/Albert leA tribune 8th grade: Coy Hupfeld “They buy us uniforms. Utpadel and Jack Harpel. They buy us balls. They The aspect Utpadel enjoys varsity girls’ basketball take us to any tournament the most is watching the girls execute in games team to back-to-back Class we want to go to.” The Panthers also host what they’ve been taught AA state titles the previous two seasons, took over as tournaments, which are in practice. “To watch that light bulb the fourth-grade girls’ bas- overseen by boys’ varsity coach Pat Churchill and go off, you see that they’re ketball coach. The school’s official bas- girls’ varsity coach Onika actually getting it,” he said. ketball program starts at Peterson, the same duo who “Every once in a while, seventh grade, so the youth set up the youth program, you’ll see that nice pass and you can tell that what program works to prepare Stork said. After going to six tour- they’re learning is coming players before they get to that level. Stork said play- naments last year, Stork’s through.” Last year and the year ers pay a fee to sign in team is scheduled for six before, Schultz arranged through community educa- more this year. “There’s no extra cost to for some of the varsity tion, and other expenses are covered by the Panthers’ the kids at all,” he said. “It’s girls’ basketball players to really nice.” talk to the youth programs. booster club. As of Jan. 13, the fifth- Stork said his team hung on “Any tournament we go to is paid for 100 percent by grade Panthers partici- their every word. After graduating and the booster club,” he said. pated in two tournaments. They won a tournament at earning Associated Press Medford and took third at Player of the Year honors Janesville. last season, Carlie Wagner “We’re not so much con- continued her career on the cerned with winning the hardcourt at the University tournaments as much as of Minnesota. Her number we are about developing changed to 33 with the Gothe kids,” he said. “We’ve phers, but to those around got 11 girls, and all 11 play New Richland, Hartland, Elas close to equal as we can lendale and Geneva, she’ll make it. We just put them always be No. 3. all out there and rotate them “She’s a great kid and a in and out.” great example for these Stork said teaching the girls,” Stork said. “You kids at practice is his fa- should see what it’s like Cora Harpel of NRHEG’s fifth-grade girls’ basketball team vorite part of the job. He when we start passing out looks for an open teammate as Sophie Stork moves without has two assistant coaches the jerseys. They all want the ball during a practice on Jan. 12 at Ellendale. to help with that task: Troy No. 3.”
MUSEUM Continued from
slides shown at the former theater in town and an estimated more than 600 pictures. There are historical items from area businesses, an old jail cell, a gate from a pioneer cemetery, a baby stroller from the 1900s and sound effects from the Faust Theater that were used to make sounds during silent movies, to name a few. The society also owns a three-seat bench and banner from the former Strangers Refuge Lodge in the Odd Fellows Hall. They have had people from as far away as California who somehow had a connection to New Richland and are asking to donate something. Wildgrube said the society in the past has not been focused on recruiting more members, but now that it is working toward a
This historical photo shows the Hotel Washburn, where the New Richland Area Historical Society is hoping to house a permanent museum. ProVided permanent location, it will informal, she said. They to the Historical Society start to do so. meet the fourth Monday can send donations to New Presently, there are at 2 p.m. at the library in Richland Area Historical about 10 members, and the downtown New Richland. Society, P.O. Box 98, New meetings are usually very People wishing to donate Richland MN 56072.
The New Richland Area Historical Society plans to preserve a series of murals painted in the former Hotel Washburn when it renovates the building for its use. sArAH stultz/
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The New Richland Area Historical Society plans to renovate part of the former Hotel Washburn in New Richland. sArAH stultz/Albert leA tribune
This machine, from the State Bank of New Richland, is one of hundreds of pieces of the collection of the New Richland Area Historical Society. sArAH stultz/Albert leA tribune
Sunday, February 22, 2015 | neighbors | ProgreSS 2015 | albertleatribune.com | Page 3
The overhead view
neighbors by the nuMbers Manchester
2010 census: 57 Median age: 36.8 Households: 26 Housing units: 30 Square miles: 0.1 City hall address: 70830 255th St. City hall phone: 826-3483 Railroads: Union Pacific Highways: Minnesota Highway 13 Schools: none; is in Albert Lea School District
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2010 census: 706 Median age: 38.1 Households: 295 Housing units: 312 Square miles: 0.4 City Hall address: 101 N.
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Independence Ave. City Hall phone: 256-4106 Railroads: Union Pacific Highways: Interstate 35, Minnesota Highway 251 Schools: none; is in Albert Lea School District
geneva
2010 census: 555 Median age: 38.3 Households: 220 Housing units: 228 Square miles: 0.4 City Hall address: 403 Fourth St. City Hall phone: 256-4192 Railroads: none Highways: Interstate 35 Schools: none; is in NRHEG School District
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Scouts develops character, practical skills trooP 219 haS a buSy year by hannah Dillon
hannah.dillon@albertleatribune.com
CLARKS GROVE — For six years, Mike Rudau has been the head of Boy Scout Troop 219 in Clarks Grove. Rudau, who works as a central office technician for Frontier by day, lead a Cub Scouts pack for seven years before becoming scoutmaster of Troop 219. Now he leads the Boy Scouts in Clarks Grove and along with it an active Facebook page. Troop 219 was started in 1979 by Alton Kvenvold, Rudau said. Kvenvold was the original scoutmaster, and Frank Mueller took over for over 20 years close to the troops inception. Kvenvold and Mueller both had sons who were in Scouts, Rudau said, so that’s how they got involved. That’s also how Rudau got involved. When his sons got into Boy Scouts he took up the job of scoutmaster. One of his sons is now in college and the other is finishing his Eagle Scout project, but Rudau, the troop’s fourth scoutmaster, is still at the helm. After this year, however, Rudau said he’s going to step down. He said he will still help out from time to time. Rudau described his time with the Scouts as fun. He said he sees boys come in at 11, and he watches them grow into young men. When the Scouts leave the program, they leave as friends, Rudau said. Throughout the year, the
Scouts work on obtaining merit badges. There are 120 badges in all and vary widely; there are badges in camping to public speaking to environmental science, among others. As the Scouts earn badges they advance in the ranks. A boy starts out as a Scout and can move to tenderfoot, alternative, star, life and eagle. Once a Scout reaches Eagle rank, he can become an Eagle Scout. A Scout must finish a service project to become an Eagle Scout. Troop 219 has had 50 Eagle Scouts go through the ranks, but Rudau noted it’s not an easy title to obtain. To obtain merit badges, the Scouts also go on camping trips. There are four camping trips per year — one per season. The fall, winter and spring trips are weekend trips while the summer trip is a week long. During the summer trip Rudau said the Scouts do all kinds of things, such as fishing and swimming, and Scouts can work on badges such as the canoeing merit badge. The farthest out the troop goes is the Black Hills in South Dakota. Every four to five years the troop has saved enough money to go on a bigger trip like that, as the biggest expenses for those trips are transportation and sight-seeing. Coming up for Troop 219 is a food drive in March and a pancake fundraiser on April 20. The pancake fundraiser usually earns around $1,000, Rudau said, and
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Page 4 | AlbertleAtribune.com | Progress 2015 | neighbors | sundAy, FebruAry 22, 2015
Larson Contracting of Lake Mills is the general contractor for the expansion of the Lou-Rich location in Hayward. Many Hormel Foods workers also work at the location. tim engstrom/Albert leA tribune
Lou-Rich in Hayward seeing expansion by tim engstrom
tim.engstrom@albertleatribune.com
HAYWARD — The number of cars and pickups parked outside the Lou-Rich facility here keeps increasing over the years. Now, it’s to the point where parking overflows neighboring businesses. That’s good for the local economy, Hayward residents say when they call up the Tribune asking for a story to be written.
The Lou-Rich location in Hayward, 100 Commercial St., has a Hormel Foods sign on it. The two companies have been business partners since 1977. The Hayward location designs, builds and installs automation equipment for customers such as Hormel Foods, providing metal fabrication, welding, machining, assembly and wiring services, said see haYWarD, Page 5
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A Poet sign stands in front of a portion of the former Glenville Grain elevator in Glenville. sArAh stultz/Albert leA tribune
ethanol Plant is a corP.
trAnsition included PurchAse oF Former glenville grAin by sarah stultz
sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com
GLENVILLE — With Poet Biorefining’s purchase of Glenville Grain in September, the dynamic of ethanol production in this community south of Albert Lea is evolving. The purchase followed a major transition in July with Poet changing from a cooperative — with farmer-owners committing to bringing in grain for the organization’s operations — into a limited liability corporation. As a corporation, the farmer-owners no longer have grain commitments and have transitioned to having stock ownership in the company. Farmers previously invested in the company can still sell their grain to Poet, but the company does not solely rely on the member grain. “As the need for that went away, we had a need to expand our vendor base,” said Steve McNinch,
general manager for Poet Biorefining-Glenville. That’s where Glenville Grain came into play. Without the firm commitments from a cooperative, Poet needed additional storage to keep operations running smoothly in case a winter storm or anything else unforeseen would prevent farmers from delivering. McNinch said instead of building additional storage at the Poet site to hold grain, Poet decided to purchase Glenville Grain, which has 1.2 million bushels of upright storage. He declined to give the sale price, but noted the elevator had been for sale for quite some time before it was purchased. McNinch said Poet has had a longstanding relationship with Glenville Grain, especially when the plant expanded to 40 million gallons of ethanol a year and the member commitment was not quite enough to fulfill its needs.
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by the numbers 1.2 million: Bushels of upright storage for corn and soybeans at the former Glenville Grain facility, which is now part of Poet Biorefining in Glenville. 42 million: Gallons of ethanol produced annually at Poet Biorefining in Glenville. 15 million: Bushels of corn from the region consumed through ethanol production at the Poet facility in Glenville.
by Micah bader
micah.bader@albertleatribune.com
TWIN LAKES — A picnic table mishap plunged Dan Tuttle into the world of woodworking in 1985. Tuttle sat at a table that flipped because of uneven weight distribution, and a light bulb lit above his head. “I got to thinking, ‘I’m going to see if I can build a picnic table that won’t tip,’” Tuttle said. “That’s what got me started right there.” Armed with knowledge passed on from Tuttle’s father, Barney Tuttle, an iron worker, and his stepfather, Al Larsen, a master carpenter, Tuttle designed and built his first picnic table. “I had four guys sit on one side of it, and it wouldn’t tip,” he said. “We figured they weighed about 800 pounds.” To make the table sturdy, Tuttle said he adjusted the angle of the legs five degrees. Some of Tuttle’s designs include multiple pieces that require precise cuts. He does the work in the shop outside his residence at 113
Dan Tuttle sits in his backyard in Twin Lakes with his dog, Augie, a miniature schnauzer on a cedar picnic table he built for his wife, Patricia, on her birthday in 1989. micAh bAder/ Albert leA tribune
W. Main St. in Twin Lakes. On a table with a hexagonal-shaped top that sits in Tuttle’s backyard, he used 12 pieces of various sized wood to comprise the top. “Boy, that took some figuring,” he said. “Those angles need to be perfect. I
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All of the corn brought to the former Glenville Grain site will eventually be brought to the main Poet site to be turned into ethanol. The main plant and the former Glenville Grain site are both under the same name — Poet Biorefining of Glenville. There are six people who work at the former Glenville Grain site and 39 at the main plant.
Twin Lakes man creates a legacy in woodworking
Celebrating 104 Years of Business! out of 542 entries
Paul Bisek, grain operations manager at the former Glenville Grain site, said Glenville Grain was formed in 2005 by 28 owners. The owners bought the elevator to originate their grain commitments to the ethanol plant. That same year, new bins were built, which added about 625,000 bushels of storage. The relationship between the two companies increased in 2008 when Glenville Grain began overseeing all of the corn not delivered by the members of Poet through a corn pool — which equated to about a third of Poet’s corn needs, he said. With the acquisition of the Glenville Grain site, Bisek said Poet is one of the only ethanol plants he’s aware of that also handles soybeans. McNinch said the acquisition of the elevator will not impact production and should help lower expenses.
did a lot of cutting on scrap wood to get it just right.” Sitting next to the hexagonal table in Tuttle’s backyard that overlooks Goose Creek is a table he built in 1989 as a birthday present for his wife, Patricia. “This table’s never seen
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the inside of a building, and it’s still solid,” he said. Tuttle said he takes pride in his craft and avoids rushing his work to minimize mistakes. “I take my time because
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Sunday, February 22, 2015 | neighbors | ProgreSS 2015 | albertleatribune.com | Page 5
Improving lives one smile at a time by hannah Dillon hannah.dillon@albertleatribune.com
WELLS — For three years, Paul Carlson has been fixing smiles in Wells. Three years ago was also when Carlson graduated from dental school. Midwest Dental bought its present location in Wells from Gary Hagen in December 2011. It seemed to be a good fit for Carlson, who had recently graduated from dental school at the University of Iowa. Carlson’s wife, Linda, works as a dentist in New Ulm and is from Des Moines, Iowa, and Carlson is from Glenburn, North Dakota. The job in Wells is in between where he and his wife are from, making it convenient for them. Before he graduated from dental school, Carlson completed his undergraduate studies at North Dakota State University. He graduated in 2007. Carlson said he wanted to get into the medical field and he liked working with his hands. He said dentistry is a very hands-on job in the medical field so it was a good fit. He first thought about becoming a dentist in high school, and pursued the career when he went to college. Since 2011, Carlson said the practice has been “very busy.” He said the office was busy before Midwest Dental purchased it and has remained busy after the switch. There has also been no staff turnover, though from time to time the practice tried hiring a second dentist. However, Carlson said while the practice was busy, it hasn’t been busy enough
Paul Carlson is the only dentist at Midwest Dental in Wells. Since Carlson was hired, there has been no staff turnover. HannaH dillon/albert lea tribune to need a second dentist. The office does all dental procedures, Carlson said, with some referring out to other dentists. Carlson said everyone is welcome at the office as they do all types of procedures. According to the Midwest Dental in Wells website, the office can perform procedures including fillings, crowns, bridges, whitening and veneers, among other things. They also perform preventative care such as oral
cancer screenings and periodontal care such as gum disease treatment. Looking to the future, Carlson said he wants to maintain the successful office he has now as well as his current patient base. Carlson said he doesn’t want the office to change and wants to continue providing care in the area. Carlson and his wife live in Mankato with their dog, Gus. The couple is expecting their first child in May.
Midwest Dental address: 150 3rd St. NW, Wells, MN 56097 Phone: 507-553-5085 hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.Tues.; 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.Thurs.; closed Friday Dentist: Paul Carlson Midwest Dental has locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. It has 130 locations, 22 of which are in Minnesota.
TABLES
Paul Carlson graduated from dental school in 2011 and was hired at Midwest Dental in Wells that same year.
Continued from Page 4
of these darn things,” he said as he spun the blade of the radial arm saw in his shop. “You do not get in a hurry when you’re working with equipment like this.” The picnic tables that come out of Tuttle’s shop must meet his specifications. Cedar is his wood of choice because of its light-weight durability, and he said constructiongrade lumber warps much easier. Instead of nails, he connects the cedar with GRK torx-head screws from Freeborn Lumber in Albert Lea. As a precaution, Tuttle rounds off the corners. “I don’t want a little kid to trip and fall and hit a sharp corner,” he said. “I could make it cheaper, but I refuse to do it because I believe in safety.” Two years ago, Tuttle donated two tables to The Children’s Center in Albert Lea. “We love them,” said Brenda Reed, the family services coordinator at The Children’s Center. “He asked if we’d be
HAYWARD Continued from Page 4
Mike Larson, CEO of LouRich. Presently, the company is expanding the plant. “From the beginning, the Hayward community has been very supportive of LouRich,” he said. “Community leaders have been cooperative and have provided much support on this project.” Lou-Rich is known for its base location in Albert Lea at 505 W. Front St., but it was founded in 1972 in
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A cedar picnic table with the spider design sits in Dan Tuttle’s backyard in Twin Lakes. micaH bader/albert lea tribune
interested, and it was great added seating.” Although Tuttle has been building picnic tables for 30 years, he is a recent retiree. From 1967 to 2009 with a few layoffs, he worked as part of the concrete gang that traveled the country for Chicago and North Western Transportation. A Craftsman drill is one tool in Dan Tuttle’s shop.
Hayward by partners Lou Larson and Richard Ackland. The original building was 3,000 square feet, providing tool-and-die work for equipment manufacturers and farm equipment repair. As the founders added more production work, job growth has been steady, Larson said. Today, there ware about 60 people working at the Hayward plant. About two-third are Lou-Rich employees and one-third work for Hormel Foods. In total, Lou-Rich employees 300 people, which
includes the other plant at 2611 Y.H. Hanson Ave. in Albert Lea. Larson Contracting of Lake Mills is building the expansion of the Hayward location. Its workers no doubt contribute to the parking situation, so that should resolve itself once the work is finished. Lou-Rich’s Larson said the expansion will allow for improved shipping and receiving and more space for metal fabrication and welding work. There will be an office addition for a
modern conference room and reception area. “The existing office will be completely remodeled, and the layout will allow for better communication and efficiency,” Larson said. Hormel Foods commented on the expansion, too. “Hormel Foods has had a solid partnership with Lou-Rich since 1977,” said James R. Schroeder, vice president of engineering at Hormel Foods. “This expansion will provide additional space and capabilities for the facility.”
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PAgE 6 | albertleatribune.com | ProgreSS 2015 | nEighbors | Sunday, February 22, 2015
Editor of AldEn AdvAncE lovEs thE job Shelly Zeller doeS almoSt all the work, too by tim Engstrom
tim.engstrom@albertleatribune.com
ALDEN — There she goes, zipping here and there and all around the communities of Alden, Conger and Freeborn. She is Shelly Zeller, the do-it-all editor, reporter, photographer, page designer and advertising director of the weekly Alden Advance. She can be spotted covering events one moment and selling ads the next. For the family farm, she even drives a semi. She is a jill of all trades. “I love my job,” she said. “I can’t see myself doing anything else.” Zeller, 32, grew up in Alden. She graduated from Alden-Conger High School in 2001. She went to Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, with the intent to become a physical education teacher because she loves sports. However, the first day at orientation she was paired with the professor who advises the student newspaper, The Simpsonian. The man, Brian Steffen, discovered Zeller had newspaper experience from working at the Alden Advance, which had been owned by her parents, Beth and Jeff Zeller, since 1999. Steffen steered the young Zeller toward a career in journalism. “He was a huge asset to me in college,” she said. “I went into journalism and never looked back.” She rose to become the editor of The Simpsonian by her junior year. During her senior year, she took night classes and worked part time for the Des Moines Register and for an auto dealership. Like so many newly minted journalism
Shelly Zeller, editor in chief of the Alden Advance, sits on a counter that holds a copy of the weekly newspaper from 1895. Founded in 1891, the Alden Advance is the oldest newspaper in Freeborn County. tim engStrom/albert lea tribune graduates, she applied for newspaper jobs all over the country. She ended up a reporter at Today’s News Herald, a daily in Lake Havasu City, Ariz. After a couple of years she was offered a job managing a dental office in the city and tripled her paycheck. She returned to Minnesota in 2009 after a four-year marriage without children ended. In December 2008, her mother had sold the Alden Advance to Paul Jensen, owner of tractor manual publisher JensPrint in Manchester. Beth Zeller still operated the paper. Shelly Zeller came back to work at the Alden
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Advance, which she had helped out with from time to time, even while living in other states. “I never really stopped working here,” Zeller said. She worked at a Rochester dental office. She gave birth to her daughter, Bethany, in January 2011, and she soon became the editor of the Alden Advance, taking over for her mother. Zeller said she likes her boss. Jensen doesn’t micromanage her and just trusts her to know what the 700-circulation newspaper needs. He doesn’t set hours, and she works however many hours are necessary to make the paper happen each week. “I really enjoy that,” she said. Jensen said Zeller draws motivation from her love of journalism and from serving the people of the community. He said he quickly learned that any managing he was going to do only would get in the way of work. Don’t fix what’s not broken. “It has been very rewarding to work with her, the enthusiasm she has for her work, her paper, is
infectious,” he said. “She handles all the journalistic duties, sells and creates most of the advertising and manages the input from the school and community. All we need to do is make sure we keep up the business side of the paper, and it goes very smoothly.” She also spoke fondly of Alden residents. “They really do support me a lot,” Zeller said. “I really like my job, because it is my way of giving back to the community.” Much of the coverage focuses on the activities of the Alden-Conger School District. She said selling ads is no sweat, despite also covering news, because she knows the businesses in Alden, Conger and Freeborn so well. “I’ve done it long enough,” she said. Zeller sends the paper to the press in Madelia on Tuesday mornings. The subscribers in Alden get it delivered from the two carriers on Wednesday, while the rural subscribers get it in the mail on Thursday. JensPrint handles the billing, payroll and circulation. Jensen said it is satisfying to be a part of the Alden
Tips on how to enjoy your job • Be proud of your work. • The more you strive, the better you feel. • Know that you can and are making a difference. • Take ownership in your mistakes and learn from them. • Never make everyone happy. When you learn to get over it, you will be happier. • Work when you are at your best. I am an early morning person, and I always keep a notebook and a pen by my bed for writing down ideas. • Stay organized. Prioritizing makes life so much easier. • Be flexible. Deadlines are important but can be altered depending on the situation. • Make your workspace pleasant. • Give back to the community. • Build a strong rapport with your boss. A relationship is a two-way street. • Whether you love it or hate it, don’t take a job for granted. • Treat others how you would want to be treated. • Try to look at matters from multiple perspectives.
— By Shelly Zeller, Alden Advance
Advance. The paper has get the stories and photos. a website that shares its “We mean it when we say, headlines, but only the sub- ‘All the news you can’t find scribers to the print edition on Google!’”
richard bonlender, Sue loch, Heather Janzig
albert lea 217 S. Newton 507-377-7000
alDeN 195 N. broadway 507-379-6060
www.americanbankmn.com Member FDIC
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Downtown Manchester • 507-826-3666 Home of Jensprint Contact us for all your printing needs Custom Drying, Grinding, Mixing Feed • Seed • Grain Farm Supplies
www.ncountrycoop.com Alden, MN • 874-3421
nEighbors by thE numbErs Alden
2010 census: 661 Median age: 39.9 Households: 268 Housing units: 292 Square miles: 1.0 City Hall address: 174 N. Broadway St. City Hall phone: 874-3620 Railroads: Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (Canadian Pacific) Highways: Interstate 90, Minnesota Highway 109 Schools: Alden-Conger Elementary and Secondary Schools
Square miles: 0.1 City hall address: 51 School St. City hall phone: 265-3435. Railroads: none Highways: none Schools: none; is in Alden-Conger School District
Ellendale
freeborn
2010 census: 297 Median age: 38.9 Households: 120 Housing units: 130 Square miles: 0.2 City hall address: 402 Park St. City hall phone: 863-2204 Railroads: none Highways: none Schools: none; is in United South Central School District
2010 census: 691 Median age: 39.6 Households: 296 Housing units: 317 glenville Square miles: 0.9 2010 census: 643 City Hall address: 505 Median age: 44.2 Second St. bricelyn Households: 278 City Hall phone: 684-2681 2010 census: 365 Housing units: 290 Railroads: Union Pacific Median age: 47.9 Square miles: 2.2 Highways: Interstate 35, Households: 168 City Hall address: 221 W. Minnesota Highway 30 Housing units: 197 Main St. Schools: NRHEG ElemenSquare miles: 0.3 City Hall phone: 448-3916 tary School City Hall address: 309 N. Railroads: Union Pacific Main St. and Cedar River City Hall phone: 653-4369 Emmons Highways: U.S. Highway 2010 census: 391 Railroads: both are Union 65 Median age: 43.4 Pacific Schools: Glenville-EmHouseholds: 174 mons High School, GlenHighways: Minnesota Housing units: 190 ville-Emmons Elementary Highway 253 Square miles: 0.8 School Schools: none; is in City hall address: 219 United South Central Main St. hayward School District City hall phone: 297-5707 2010 census: 250 Railroads: none conger Median age: 44.5 Highways: U.S. Highway 2010 census: 146 Households: 114 69 Median age: 32.7 Housing units: 123 Schools: none; is in Households: 62 Square miles: 0.6 Glenville-Emmons School Housing units: 69 City hall address: 107
County Road 26 City hall phone: 373-1222 Railroads: Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern (Canadian Pacific) Highways: Interstate 90 Schools: none; is in Albert Lea School District
hollandale
2010 census: 303 Median age: 38.3 Households: 128 Housing units: 146 Square miles: 0.4 City hall address: 110 Park Ave. W. City hall phone: 889-4001 Railroads: none Highways: Minnesota Highway 251 Schools: Hollandale Christian School; is in Albert Lea School District
Kiester
2010 census: 501 Median age: 47.8 Households: 246 Housing units: 281 Square miles: 0.4 City hall address: 116 N. Main St. City hall phone: 294-3161 Railroads: Union Pacific Highways: Minnesota Highway 22 Schools: none; is in United South Central School District
World's Best Tractor Manuals
Downtown Manchester • 507-826-3666 Home of Jensprint Contact us for all your printing needs
Sunday, February 22, 2015 | neighbors | ProgreSS 2015 | albertleatribune.com | Page 7
History lives on in the former Kiester school
by Colleen harrison
colleen.harrison@albertleatribune.com
KIESTER — So much history lives in the former Kiester school buildings that the community refused to let them go to waste. The two buildings, one originally constructed in 1932 and the other in 1957, were bought by Key Town and Country Center, an area nonprofit group consisting of a number of local community members. The 1932 school buildBy Lageson housed all ingKelli originally kelli.lageson@albertleatribune.com grades, until the 1957 building was built — then While West Freethe ’32 building was used born Lutheran Church as the elementary school. wasn’t hitthe or damaged In 1987 older school at all during thedown Junewhen 17 building shut tornadoes, much of the the Kiester and Bricelyn surrounding area was. school districts merged. Congregants from For a few years thethe older church, likewas the Chrisbuilding used for tophersons and Millers, early childhood educawanted to help their tion programs and as a neighbors but were unyouth center, but eventusure to dothe so. After ally how became storage one tornado menspace that victim it’s still used tioned needing bathroom for presently. facilities, Daleschool said he’d The 1957 builduse keyoriginally to open upused the ing his was church. Just after that for middle and high school church grades.members When thethought districts they’d serve a meal on merged in ’87 the building June 18. The who was used as afew high school, started the meals no until United Southhad Central idea thatin more than opened 1991, at 50 which people would eventu-buildtime the 1957 Kiester ally helpused by volunteering ing was for grades five and donating money and through eight. The school food. closed completely in June The church ended up 2008. hosting each day Rick meals Goemann, a Key for 10 days after the said Town board member, tornadoes. Key Town had the ’57 buildJane said ing open toshe theliked public by being able2008. to see tornado August Goemann victims, neighbors, moved their his business, Gotalking each other emann with Insurance, to so the they knewschool they weren’t former building the ones struggling.the andonly now maintains Dale said the people whose homes were destroyed didn’t have any
building — repairing windows, patching the roof and making sure the heat is high enough to avoid frozen pipes in the winter, among other tasks. Goemann said over the years the building has had multiple uses, including Zumba classes and school reunions. He said the building rents space to the Kiester Historical Society for a community museum, art classes take place in one room twice a week, nonprofit group Farming of Yesteryear rents a room monthly for meetings, cancer research fundraiser Kiesoperater Base for aofCure hosts its tions: event Hartland yearly there, KiesListenter Strengths: High School graduate ing, inquiring find- a Leroy Larson and donated ing people replica of Kiester that’s Weaknesses: currently housed in one Dennis said it was group room and a coffee often hard toevery find his gets together weekcongregants because day morning in the buildthey’d stay withalso fam- said ing. Goemann ily members it Key Town hasand a monthly was to hard to funds ask them meal raise for the questions because building, and the building about isthey’d used talked as a part of KiestheDays destruction so events ter for alumni much. and an alumni breakfast. The building is open to the public, and Goemann power to keep food cold, saidno that people frequently had electricity and walk the halls in the cooler no running water. The monthswas forkept exercise. The church open so building’s hours they could use thevary bath-depending room, washonup Goemann’s and grab availability, butsaid he said some food. He as the building is atgot least genersoon as word around ally open a.m. to about the from meals7:30 neighnoonstarting on weekdays. bors pitching in. Goemann, a 1971 Kies“Then the food starting ter High School coming in,” Dale graduate, said. said the community — esShirley said they had pecially those to who attended to ask people stop Kiester schools have a lot bringing food at—one of pride for thesoschool point, because muchand didn’t want been to see it torn had already delivdown.Dennis said he was ered. amazed the church wasn’t harmed, and glad that people could have a place to come that was clean and had resources they needed. “We’re so glad the avoid frozen pipes. church wasis still here,” Funding also obtained Shirley throughsaid. an annual ChristTheconcert Sundayfundraiser, after the a mas tornadoes hit the church tour of homes every other had planned acomyearalready and a combined concert meal, which munity and Bricelyn charity they still held. Dennis drive. said he invited everyoneare Ziemer and Peterson to take a break from their both natives of the area, and hard work cleaning up, to have spent much of their come informal clothes adult in lives in Bricelyn. Peand havehusband some fellowship terson’s is a vetafter the concert erinarian in the over area,aand meal. Ziemer taught at Bricelyn PeopleSchool. eventually Public Theystartboth ed donating money said they remembertoa the buschurch, which they tling Bricelyn fromdidn’t years need because people were past and have witnessed the also donating the food. steady declineall in population in the years since. They both agreed that the loss of farmsteads has directly contributed to the decline in population. “That’s just been the way of the times,” Ziemer said. “It’s no one’s fault.” “With rural towns, that’s just the way it is,” Peterson said. The church is no longer used for worship services but is rented out for weddings and concerts. Ziemer said the church has, “fabulous acoustics.” The museum doesn’t have set hours but is open to the public by appointment. Those interested in visiting the museum or renting the church space can contact Ziemer at eziemer@bevcomm.net or 507-653-4442, or Peterson at 507-653-4644. The same contact information can be used for people interested in donating items to the community museum. Ziemer said she
PROGRESS NEIGHBORS Sunday, February 27, 2011 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 7
The Almighty Good
W. Freeborn Lutheran Church provided meals for tornado victims for 10 days Hero: The Rev. Dennis Frank
The former school buildings in Kiester were originally constructed in 1932 and 1957. The 1932 building was shut down in 1987 and is now used for storage. The 1957 building closed in 2008 and is now open to the public for various uses including meeting rooms, school reunions and the Kiester Historical Society museum, among others. The pictured hallway leads to the old band and music rooms. colleen HarriSon/albert lea tribune
Kelli Lageson/Albert Lea Tribune
Dale Christopherson, Jane Christopherson, Dennis Frank, Shirley Miller and Curtis Miller pose for a photo in West Freeborn Lutheran Church’s kitchen where they served meals for days after the June 17 tornadoes.
Heroes: Dale and Jane Christopherson Art classes are taught twice a week in one of the rooms in
theBase formerofKiester opera-school building. tions: Freeborn Thosenear interested in rent- 507-294-3458 or at goeSuperpowers: Dale ing a space in the building manninsurance@frontierneglected cleanup at net.net. can contactthe Goemann needed at his farm to help neighbors who had been hit worse. Jane helped organize the meals held at West Freeborn Lutheran Church after the tornadoes hit. Kryptonite: Dale said seeing so much destruction made it overwhelming when trying to help others. Jane said she often didn’t know where to start when trying to help a victim.
Various pieces of memorabilia from the Kiester community now reside in a classroom in the former Kiester school.
Oakview Golf Club
Heroes: Bricelyn church houses wealth of history Curtis and Shirley Miller
by Colleen harrison
colleen.harrison@albertleatribune.com
(507) 863-2288 oakviewgc.com Taxidermy sTu s ’ d aig
i tornaFish • Birds Gameheads People visit and eat at West Freeborn Lutheran Church near•the end of June after r What they didn’t use for does devastated much of the country surrounding the church. supplies they donated Lifesize • Small & Big Game equally to the Freeborn tornado victims to look the randomness of the would collect any found more details call: 507-863-2202 County Red Cross and the tornadoes, and they know photos,For through the photos they which they are Salvation Army. have. They’ve reconstill doing. They encour- rofessional it could happen again nowledgeable serviCe Volunteers said they The former Bricelyn Baptist Church was bought by the Brice- age anyone to drop off nected many people with someday. Freeborn, MN 56032 wanted help others lyn Areato Historical Society after the society formed photos and would like to The church also in 1996. photos they’ve found, because they understood The church was originally constructed in 1897, and is the doeso. advertised that they and theyChristenson encourage Craig , oall wner continue over 30 Ytoears xperienCe second oldest church in Faribault County. colleen HarriSon/
C
Submitted photo
o
K
p
albert lea tribune
The Handy Helper Man Whether teaching shop or helping tornado victims, he is there By Kelli Lageson
kelli.lageson@albertleatribune.com
Hero: Sam Hintz
Esther Ziemer and Janet Peterson, who largely orchestrated the creation of the Bricelyn Area Historical Society and the purchasing of thevolunteer former Bricelyn Baptist Church, said the Superpower: firefighter in Conger; indusmosttechnology valuable items peopleatcontribute to the museum trial teacher Alden-Conger School in the church’s basement are old, black and white photographs from theof community. Base operations: Conger believes the most valuimportant to Superpowers: Hintz said the“It’s fire very department’s preserve history,” said able items donated are old operating procedures helped everything go smoothly Ziemer, “toeach know photographs that illustrate after the tornadoes hit in June. He said fire-where Bricelyn through the years. fighter was assigned certainwe’ve roads,been.” and they went to every house in their coverage area within 15 minutes.
Kryptonite: Trees and power lines in the roads made it difficult for the firefighters to get around after the storms on June 17. Hintz also said the power was out in Conger, which meant their radios didn’t work only the bottom sash moves for a period of time. vertically, while the upper Origin: Hintz is just one of the group of Conger sash remains stationary. A popular feature of the firefighters who were out checking on people in their double-hung windows is coverage area immediately after tornadoes touched that the window panels tilt down. He said he can’t remember what time he went to bed that night, but the next day they were again in. “It makes for easy clean- working to help people. Hintz installed a generator ing,” Honstad said. “Now- for a few homes on his block, and firefighters had adays, that’s what they many odd jobs like rounding up loose cattle. “We had a crisis center in the fire hall,” Hintz said. want.” Various suppers and lunches were served and Having windows tilt in can also allow for better air the fire hall served as a place people could come to flow and ventilation, since clean up, use the bathroom and get a meal. Hintz the panel can be angled ac- said the community members pulled together to crecording to the weather out- ate a place where anyone could get help. “It’s pretty amazing the way the community came side. A full screen is also all together,” Hintz said. included. He said even as soon as a few hours after the torThe window frames come hit people were bringing food and supplies in various interior and ex- nadoes Rich Honstad, owner of Rich Honstad Siding, Windows & the fire hallstands to havenext available for those might terior colors and styles, in- to Construction to a display of awho double-hung them. cluding one that looks like a need window in his showroom at 398 Fifth Ave. in Freeborn. Honstad said double-hung windows are the most popular see Freeborn, Page 9 window he sells. SaraH Stultz/albert lea tribune
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Base of operaBRICELYN — A whole tions: near Freeborn lot Superpowers: of history resides in the basement of the former Shirley put together Bricelyn Baptist Church. meals, recruited The museum varivolunteers andhouses helped ous of victims community feedpieces tornado memorabilia: high school at West Freeborn marching band uniforms, Church last June. senior class graduating Kryptonite: Shirley photos, sports trophies, described not knowantique military uniing whotools, all needed forms and a other items. help was struggle. Esther Ziemer and Janet Curtis said it was hard Peterson, co-chairwomen to know where to start with thehelping Bricelyn Area Hiswhen people. torical Society, said the society bought the church for $1 after the society formed in the mid-1990s. The church was constructed in 1897 and is the second-oldest church in Faribault County. They said the upstairs part of the church where the sanctuary is has been left untouched, other than wood paneling on a back wall. The society receives help from grants as well as community members, such as local Boy Scout troops who helped paint the church recently. The society recently was awarded a $500 grant to help redo the front doors. They also receive money from memorials and surrounding townships. Ziemer said the society has tried to obtain grants to make the building handicapped accessible and to put in bathrooms, but have been denied so far. To cut down expenses, the building is not heated and any plumbing is turned off to
Freeborn, MN
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Oakview Golf Club
Freeborn company offers variety of windows by sarah stultz
sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com
FREEBORN — For more than 30 years, Rich Honstad of Freeborn has known the ins and outs of windows and siding. The owner of Rich Honstad Siding, Windows & Construction, he has seen the advancements in the industry and the benefits and drawbacks of different items. Presently, he said, his most popular style of window is a double-hung window, on which people can move both the top and bottom window panels — known as sashes — instead of just the bottom panel. In a single-hung window,
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Page 8 | AlbertleAtribune.com | Progress 2015 | neighbors | sundAy, FebruAry 22, 2015
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Larson Manufacturing in Lake Mills makes storm doors. by hannah Dillon | hannah.dillon@albertleatribune.com
LAKE MILLS — Larson Manufacturing, based in Brookings, South Dakota, makes storm doors as well as storm windows. To learn more about what goes into creating a storm door, we talked to Dan Hemmen, manufacturing operations manager at Larson Manufacturing facility in Lake Mills. Hemmen has been with Larson for about 12 years and oversees production, maintenance, inventory, scheduling and safety at the Lake Mills facility. With a Larson door, customers can make their own choices to create a door that will compliment their house. There are four door styles to choose from. Each door can come in one of seven colors; the only exception is the ventilating door comes in two colors. Customers can also pick a window style and the color of the hardware — or handle — of their door. Customers can buy a box that has everything in it for their door, or they can purchase a door and handle separately. Hemmen said the doors are available at Menards and Lowe’s. Customers can also go to larsondoors.com to look at door options and find contact information for custom doors.
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hardware: In addition to door color, hardware color can accent or compliment both the color of the door and the home. There are four finishes available: brushed nickel, brass, aged bronze and antique brass. The door pictured has a brushed nickel handle.
Color: Most Larson doors come in a choice of seven colors: white, almond, sandstone, green, cranberry, brown and black. Hemmen said the color of the door can match or compliment a home.
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Windows: There are a handful of window choices with a Larson door. There are fullview, midview and highview designs — a fullview door is all glass whereas a highview door has half the amount of window. There’s plain glass and beveled glass to choose from. There is also a low-e glass available that helps keep heat on the warmest side of the door, according to June Eng, director of marketing at Larson Manufacturing. In the summer it will keep heat out and in the winter it will keep heat in.
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Sunday, February 22, 2015 | neighbors | ProgreSS 2015 | albertleatribune.com | Page 9
FREEBORN Continued from Page 7
Fifth-grader Aaron Davis uses a laptop in class Jan. 9 at Northwood-Kensett Elementary School. All of the students in fourth through sixth grades have the option of having a laptop to take home with them each day and to use during classes. Sarah Stultz/albert lea tribune
school takes advantage of rising technology StudentS have acceSS to laPtoPS to take home
This display shows the interior of a window frame and window.
Honstad said it is best to call ahead to make an appointment at 507-863-2100. “I’m kind of a one-horse operation,” he said “I do the selling, the ordering, everything down to sweeping the floors.” He noted the business relies mostly on referrals.
By the numbers 100: radius in miles that Rich Honstad Siding, Windows & Construction serves 5: employees at the siding and windows business 1981: year the siding and windows business began in Freeborn
Northwood Lumber Certainteed & Royal Siding • Countryside Cabinets • Anderson Windows • 512 W. Central Ave. Northwood, IA
by sarah stultz
sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com
NORTHWOOD — When kindergarten teacher Diane Hanson of Northwood-Kensett Elementary School first started teaching 36 years ago there was no such thing as computers in the classroom, let alone the Internet. Now, she and the other teachers at the elementary school use technology and computers everyday in their curriculum as another tool in the learning process. Whether it’s laptops, iPads, iPods or GoogleDocs, to name a few, the district is taking advantage of the advances in the world of technology. “Our intent is to infuse technology,” said elementary Principal Brian Costello. Five years ago, the district jumped on what has been known as the “one-toone” movement in Iowa, Costello said. Simply put, that means one computer for one student. Districtwide, all students in fourth through 12th grades get to take home 11-inch Macbook Pro Air laptops, while students in grades kindergarten through third grade share 21 computers among each grade during the school day. “It’s one of the things we’re pretty proud of,” Costello said. The district started the program with several goals in mind, including leveling
wood grain. The windows can include double and even triple panes for better efficiency. Honstad said people can also choose if they would like a grid for their windows and if so what they want it to look like. In addition to singlehung and double-hung windows, the company offers bay and bow windows. The business started in 1981 with siding, windows and general construction and became Rich Honstad Siding, Windows & Construction in 1985. There are presently five employees, most of which do the installation work. Honstad said the company operates within a 100mile radius but does most of its business in Albert Lea, Owatonna, Waseca and Wells. Its supplier is Richlin Window of Hayfield. Honstad pointed out all windows have the Energy Star rating and are certified through the National Fenestration Rating Council. The business, at 398 Fifth Ave. in Freeborn, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
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Lillian Beresford, back, and Marli Gunderson take part in a learning activity in January at Northwood-Kensett Elementary School. the playing field and giving students another way to show their learning on a way other than paper. When parents sign their child up for a laptop they go through an orientation about the do’s and don’ts of computers, along with computer etiquette and safety. The district has even brought in speakers such as a state trooper to talk to the students about Internet safety. Costello said there are several restrictions placed on the laptops, and the district has had very few issues come up with inappropriate usage. The district has a fiveyear agreement with Mac and each year, the $105,000 cost to lease the computers is paid for with money from the state’s 1 cent sales tax, he said. Though it has been
difficult to gauge the impact on test scores — because many in the district move in and out — he does consider it to be a success, he said. Students are able to email their teachers if they have questions about an assignment after school, and often the teachers respond that same evening. Students can no longer say that they have lost their homework and are able to access extra practice on a skill if needed. And the children, he said, have jumped on board. “Kids are prepared for it. They know it. They use it,” Costello said. They are able to take the skills they learn at school to college or other endeavors after graduation. The principal said after the five years of each lease agreement, the district has the option of selling the
By the numbers 21: Computers shared among each grade in grades kindergarten through third grade at Northwood-Kensett Elementary School. 116: Computers going home with students in fourth through sixth grades. $105,000: Cost of the annual lease districtwide with Mac for the use of all of the student and teacher computers in the Northwood-Kensett School District. computers back to Apple, selling them in an open market or keeping some internally for teachers or other staff. Costello credited the school board, which has been committed to advancing technology.
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Page 10 | albertleatribune.com | Progress 2015 | NeigHBoRs | sunday, February 22, 2015
Mike Ravenhorst, left, has owned North American Mat Co. since 2012, when he took the business over from his mother, Pauline Ravenhorst. The business itself has been around since 1968. Cory Slegh, right, has worked at the company since Nov. 2011. In 2013 Ravenhorst bought the Grumpy’s Custom Boat Cover business and joined it with the mat company. colleen harrison/albert lea tribune
HiddeN away iN HoLLaNdaLe north american mat co. sees recent resurgance in business since 1968, but it has seen a resurgence in its most recent years in business. HOLLANDALE — North Mike Ravenhorst took American Mat Co. in Hol- over the business from his landale has been around mother, Pauline Ravenhorst, By Colleen Harrison
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when she retired in 2012. Cory Slegh has been working at the business since 2011, largely in sales. Ravenhorst worked at Cabela's for 14 years right after graduating college, and said that when he went into the business for himself he wanted a business that would rapidly grow, even if it meant adding on a second business to do so. That second business is Grumpy’s Custom Boat Covers, which Ravenhorst bought from Steve Hanson in 2013. Ravenhorst largely runs the boat cover business while Slegh runs numerous aspects of the mat company. The mat company’s biggest sellers are business logo mats and anti-fatigue mats — which are used in places like factories or retail businesses for workers who stand for long periods of time. The business also sells mats for desks and office spaces, rubber mats for outdoor use and carpeted mats for entryways, among others. North American Mat Co. is a distributor and works with about six manufacturers regularly, along with others for speciality items. Ravenhorst said some of the business' more notable orders
have been a drag mat for the baseball field at University of Notre Dame and logo mats for the cell phone provider chain Cricket Wireless. While the company is based in Hollandale, at 304 Central Ave. N., they sell nationwide through their website, northamericanmat.com. Ravenhorst said that the boat cover business, which is housed at the same location as the mat company, is more local, as he either has to have the boats in his shop or has to go out to measure them in person for the cover patterns. He said he’ll travel within a 60-mile radius of the company at no extra charge. While Ravenhorst said the business’ success is largely in line with how the economy is doing — when the economy is moving slowly his business is moving slowly — the last few years have seen steady growth in the company’s numbers, with 2014 being its strongest year. Ravenhorst said his general goal for the companies is to maintain steady growth so that the businesses can remain full-time entities. He and Slegh are the only fulltime employees, with Ravenhorst's mother coming in to do the books once a week as
One of North American Mat Co.’s biggest sellers is antifatigue mats, which are largely used for factory or retail workers to stand on during their work days. the only other employee at either business. The business’ hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. While the mat company does a lot of its business online, it does have more local customers such as Lou-Rich in Albert Lea,
Bosch Automotive Service Solutions in Owatonna and the Albert Lea YMCA, among others. Ravenhorst said while the company typically deals with larger business orders, they do keep products stocked in Hollandale for the occasional walk-in customer.
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2010 census: 1,989 Median age: 44.2 Households: 885 Housing units: 1,004 Square miles: 3.8 City Hall address: 627 Central Ave. City Hall phone: 641-324-1075 Railroads: Union Pacific Highways: U.S. Highway 65, County Highway 105 Schools: NorthwoodKensett Elementary School, Northwood-Kensett Junior/ Senior High School
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