EDITORS’ NOTES
W
ith thoughts and emotions circling my head like they’re on Penrose stairs recently, I sat down, opened a blank screen and opened the floodgates, letting the words pour onto a blank page. I was following the advice and steps of the several artists and writers I’ve written about over the years for Austin Living and the Austin Daily Herald. They’re the ones who write for themselves and their friends as a form of communication. They’re the ones that leave the lasting impression. Even if they aren’t world-renowned poets, authors or artists, they’re the most honest and heartfelt — they’re the ones that Co-Editors Jason Schoonover and Eric Johnson mean it. And it often strikes me most that they create with small audiences in mind: They create and share for themselves, their families and their friends. So I followed their lead and wrote a poem for a few friends. Sorry, dear readers, these poems won’t appear here in Austin Expression. My pieces were written for a small audience only. However, these experiences remind me of the importance of the arts as a means for expression, which is why we’re proud to feature many local artists in our annual arts issue. Naysayers are far too quick to point out that artistic endeavors are often not financially lucrative. Ignore those people. They’re missing the point entirely. The importance of the arts can’t — and shouldn’t — be quantified monetarily. It’s a matter of expressing that which we can’t in other ways. That’s why we’re excited to again bring Austin and Mower County residents, along with people with ties to the area, a chance to share the ways they express themselves. The July-August edition has morphed into our arts issue, highlighting your friends’ and neighbors’ creativity. We’ll feature three stories on local artists, like Ryan Heath’s works as a tattoo artist, Shurabe Vargas’ work making piñatas, and Tony Schmidt’s work crafting neon signs [Pages 42-47]. Then, the staff at the Style Lounge worked with Austin Living to show the art of makeup and hair stylings [Pages 48-50]. And finally, Austin Expression returns. That’s the second annual edition of a literary and arts magazine here in Austin Living, which features submissions from community members selected by a panel of community judges and the Austin Living staff. We don’t strive to be a stringent, strict literary journal like national publications; we strive to be an open venue for residents with Austin connections to express their work — as much as our limited space allows. As the co-editors of Austin Living and Austin Expression, it’s good to point out that Eric Johnson and I both have backgrounds in the arts. Along with his photography, Eric has long worked on many illustrative pieces and in recent years added astrophotography. I’ve written poetry and fiction on and off for several years. So turn inside and enjoy checking out the creativity of your friends and neighbors.
– Jason Schoonover Austin Living co-editor 2 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
PUBLISHER Jana Gray EDITORIAL Co-Editors Jason Schoonover Eric Johnson Contributing Writers Jason Schoonover Jenae Hackensmith Jordan Gerard Eric Johnson Rocky Hulne Alex Smith Photographer Eric Johnson ART Art Director Colby Hansen Graphic Designers Susan Downey Colby Hansen Eric Johnson Kathy Johnson Kim Ehrich SALES & PROMOTION Advertising Manager Heather Ryks Sales Representatives LeAnn Fischer Brenda Landherr Merry Petersen JULY – AUGUST 2016 Volume 4, Number 4 EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE: Editors, Austin Living 310 2nd Street NE Austin, MN 55912 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission. For comments, suggestions or story ideas call 507-434-2235. To purchase advertising, call 507-434-2220 © A Minnesota Publishers Inc. publication
CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK! VISIT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ AUSTINLIVINGMAGAZINE
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 3
WHAT’S INSIDE JULY – AUGUST 2016
features ON THE HUNT
Austin man hikes southeastern Minnesota hunting for wild mushrooms
AUSTIN EXPRESSION
Austin Expression shows off some of the area’s artistic talents
OUTSIDE THE NORM
These artists show off their talents in different forums
26 34 42
ART OF STYLE
The Style Lounge and Austin Living team up to show the art of style
48
SEEN 6 AUSTI-CON GAME CONVENTION
Convention raises money for a cause.
8 THE TASTE OF NATIONS
People flock to the new Spam Museum.
12 PROM 2016
14 A SPAMTASTIC STORE
New shop blends classic, new products for Spam-lovers.
An annual taste of cultures in Austin.
10 SPAM MUSEUM OPENING
WHAT’S IN STORE
Area prom-goers share their pictures from a magical night.
4 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
OUT & ABOUT 16 SCULPTING AN EXPANSION
Rays spread hope with donations to support Live Learning Center, sculpture
20 AUSTIN EATS: THE SPAM EDITION
Got ideas?
We at Austin Living magazine want to hear what you think, and we need your brightest ideas for coming issues. Favorite musicians? Finest artists? Goofiest pranksters? Best storytellers? Local nightlife? We are open-minded. Call Jason Schoonover at 507-434-2235 or Eric Johnson at 507-434-2237.
After visit to new museum, several restaurants offer a chance to feast on Austin’s famed canned meat.
22 OLYMPIC FORM
CrossFit InnerDrive offering big time weightlifting class.
12
22
14 26
TRAVEL 52 ON THE ROAD WITH HISTORY
Grand Meadow teacher leads tours for students to get up close to American’s historical past.
LOOKING BACK 56 LYLE SETTLED BY
WEST-HEADING FAMILIES Village namesake settled in the area in 1856.
52 extras
56 58 AUSTIN LIVING MARKETPLACE 60 AREA HAPPENINGS
The biggest upcoming events in Austin.
62 BOOK REVIEW
“The Round House” by Louise Erdrich.
64 WHY I LOVE AUSTIN
Mark Coffey is proud to call Austin home. July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 5
SEEN | Austi-Con Game Convention The gaming world took center table in May with the first-ever Austi-Con, held at the Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center. The threeday event brought in nearly 200 tabletop gaming enthusiasts from as far away as the Twin Cities to play some out-of-this-world and dungeon favorites. It was all for a good cause as money raised went to the Autism programming at the Hormel Historic Home. Organizer Michael Jordal is hoping for round two next year.
1
2
3
4
(1) Players take part in the first-ever Austi-Con in May at the Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center. (2) Chris Charlebois gets set up for “Mysterium.” (3) Adam Ness, right, checks his tablet during a game of “Dungeon Crawl Classic.” (4) Michael Jordal, left, greets visitors to Austi-Con. (5) Alex Powel plays the game “Fire & Axe: A Viking Saga.” (6) Connie Schubert, right, and Kari Li. (7) Jim Cole, left, and Bill Beschnett, right, play “Tiny Epic Galaxies.” (8) Henry Jacobs, helped by his dad, Peter Jacobs, works to figure out a game during Austi-Con. (9) Erika Fritz checks her cards while playing “A Study in Emerald.” (10) Players compete in “Fire & Axe: A Viking Saga.” 6 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
8
9 5 10 6
7
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 7
SEEN | The Taste of Nations The annual Taste of Nations gave the people of Austin another chance to experience the cultures and community around them. This year, the event was again held in the old El Parral Ballroom where food, singing and displays were plentiful. From 10-year-old Natalie Felix’s brave singing performance to a flamboyant dance number by Cuba’s Ernesto Rodriguez and Colombia’s Nicole Donoso, the event proved to be another great opportunity for the people of Austin to come together and enjoy each other’s company.
1
2
4
8 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
5
3
6
7
(1) Hormel employee Nancy Garcia serves up chips and salsa during the Taste of Nations in May at the old El Parral. (2) Hormel employee Kim Saenz helps serve chips and salsa. (3) 10-year-old Natalie Felix sings. (4) Mary Holtorf works the Re-Fresh Austin booth. (5) Food took center stage at the Taste of Nations. (6) People gather for music in front of the old El Parral stage. (7) Ernesto Rodriguez, from Cuba, and Nicole Donoso, from Colombia, perform a dance. (8) Jack Koppa walks around, playing the accordion. (9) Gareth Hataye and Jim Dunlap cook up some Spam.
8
9
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 9
SEEN | Spam Museum Opening With the Spam Museum’s opening at its new spot downtown at 101 Third Ave. NE came hundreds of visitors, eager to see what the new location had to offer. From a soft opening for employees to the official opening, the new Spam Museum offered a tasty combination of those things familiar to the last museum next to Hormel Corporate North and those new to this incarnation of the museum, including the World Market and the new Kids Play Area. The museum is now able to once again show off its canned goodness.
1
2
3
4
5
Photos provided. (1) Richard and Gloria Nordin visit the new Spam Museum that opened in late April. (2) A visitor to the new museum tries her hand at packing her own can of Spam, one of the carry-over exhibits from the original museum. (3) A visitor gets some background on the history of Hormel during a visit. 10 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
6
7
8
9
(4) Kids go to work in a play kitchen, a new addition to the museum. (5) Visitors are greeted and shown the way to start their tour. (6) A group of youngsters visit the museum. (7) A family takes turns checking their height in Spam cans. (8) Younger visitors get to check out the museum. (9) Visitors tour through the World Market, new to the Spam Museum. July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 11
SEEN | Prom 2016 It’s one of the most anticipated times of the school year for high schoolers and a chance to step out, dressed to the nines to enjoy a truly magical night. Prom-goers throughout the area were treated to some magnificent evenings, and Austin Living wanted to show off all those good-looking couples. From grand marches to pre-prom pictures, these stunners truly made their prom nights something to remember.
2
1
3
4
5
6
(1) Pacelli prom, from left: Braden Kocer, Kendal Truckenmiller, Jordan Cotter, Brooke Walter, Daniel Bollingberg, Courtney Walter, Cade Brede, Sarah Holtz, Peter Torkelson and Hannah Nelson. (2) Austin High School students Tanner Steene and Caylee Meier. (3) Pacelli students Sarah Holtz and Cade Brede with Sarah’s sister, Anne, before Pacelli prom. (4) Peter Wang and Robin Woodhouse, Pacelli prom. (5) Emilio Pitchford, from left, Matt Nelson, Baylee Phillips and Ashlyn Brandt before Austin’s prom. (6) Matt Nelson and Baylee Phillips, Austin Prom grand march in Knowlton Auditorium. 12 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
7
8
9
10
12
13
11
14
(7) Reigning Miss Austin Kaylee Kalbow at Austin prom. (8) Ryan Leichtnam, left, and Michael Oelke take a unique approach to Grand Meadow’s prom. (9) Jacob Paul and Jasmine Anderson, Pacelli prom. (10) Austin students Kayla Jacobson and Isaac Arnold (back row) photographed with Jake Reinhartz, front row, from left, Kaylie Bellrichard, Hannah Senne and Dylan Kilpatrick. (11) Kendal Truckenmiller and Braden Kocer during Pacelli prom grand march. (12) Maddie Brown and Eric Thompson, Austin prom. (13) Tanner Steene and Caylee Meier, Austin prom. (14) Tyler Olson and Jessica Bednar, Austin prom. July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 13
WHAT’S IN STORE
By Jason Schoonover • Photos by Eric Johnson
A SPAMTASTIC STORE
NEW SHOP BLENDS CLASSIC, NEW PRODUCTS FOR SPAM-LOVERS
As a customer finished paying for her Spam-themed finds this spring, a teller smiled and told her to “Have a Spamtastic day” as she left the new shop. The Spam Museum has settled into its new digs at 101 Third Ave. NE, and the new Spam Shop has also adapted to its new space and braced for a busy first summer. While museum trips are designed to end with people
visiting the gift shop, the shop also features a downtown storefront. “We have so many more windows, access to downtown,” shop manager Ariana Finholdt said. “It just feels like we’re a part of the community.” But of course, the shop is all about the plethora of Spamthemed merchandise. While many items are comparable to the shop at the old museum, the museum features several new items to help fans celebrate their favorite canned meat. Spam shop hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
CLOTHING T-shirts and sweatshirts with the Spam logo and classic lettering remain a staple of the new Spam Shop, but the store features a full gamut of new and traditional Spamthemed clothing. The shop added several urban-themed designs to its expanded selections, which also feature new varieties of clothing materials like heathered fabrics and some comfy shirts that utilize a soft, silicone ink. Some new tie-dyed T-shirts have also proved popular in the shop’s early run, while some shirts feature a throwback logo or highlight Austin, Minnesota. “A lot of new clothing all around,” Finholdt said. T-shirts typically cost about $12 for kids and $15 to $25 for adults, hats cost $15 to $20, and sweatshirts cost $25$55; however, some specialized tees and shirts cost more. Pairs of Spam jammie shorts sell for $25 and pants for $40 with a custom fabric and print.
KIDS ITEMS
14 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
There’s no shortage of Spam-themed items from onesies and toddler tees to stuffed animals to make the youngest Spam fans go hog wild. The museum features a wide variety of plush items for children to cuddle with, including many pig-themed stuffed animals — like several pig teddy bears — along with the mascots Spammy and Sir Can-A-Lot, which typically range from $7.50 to $20. The very youngest can make due with a $5 pacifier or a sippy cup until they have enough teeth to munch on Spam, while others can start saving up money for their next trip to the museum’s shop with $10 Spam piggybank or a Spam-can bank for $1.50. A pig-themed draw-string backpack sells for $7.
GIFT/KNICKKNACKS The shop boasts no short supply of knickknacks and fun items for gifts. Fans can play a variety of tunes on the $60 Canjo, a one-stringed banjo made from a Spam can. It can be tuned to different notes to follow a variety of songs. It’s easy to play, as it features numbers along the neck and directions to play common tunes. Winecharm sets sell for four for $12 and mix-and-match earrings sell for $9 each, along with pairs of earrings for $12 to $17. A Spam selfie stick would help take a variety of pictures around the museum, and a $15 Spam Musubi kit comes with molds to make musibi, a popular food in Hawaii composed of grilled Spam atop a block of rice wrapped in dried seaweed.
OUTDOORS AND ATHLETICS The shop features several items for people with active lifestyles like a cycling shirt for $65, a bowling shirt for $50, a long-sleeve performance shirt for $22, kids and adult hockey jerseys for $48, and a few Under Armour brand items for $55 to $65. The museum has people covered for their beach vacations too. Three colors of Spam-themed sunglasses sell for $6. Spam-lovers can hit the beach with a $35 beach towel; or, for $15, people can leave footprints showing their love of Austin’s canned meat with sandals that spell “Spam” in the sand — or the snow. And people can carry all their Spam-goods in a tote bag for $7 or insulated cooler for $10. A dog and pet water bottle sells for $5, while can huggers sell or $3. People can look for blue and yellow-themed golf balls for $8 to $12.
KITCHEN ITEMS Several shop items can spice up the kitchen or dining experience whether Spam is part of the meal or not, though it probably is after a museum visit. Of course, the museum has a full supply of Spam cans for $5. A Spam slicer can cut an entire can of Spam for $10, while Spam recipe cookbooks range from $7.95 to $19.99, and a deck of cards sells for $7.50 with a recipe on each card. A pig-shaped trivet, which can be used as a hot pad or as a small cutting board, sells for $20, while towels and washcloths sell for about $6. And the shop boasts no short supply of items for your beverages. Several types of shot glasses are available for $5 for glass varieties and $6 for stainless steel. The shop has added a few taller and wider coffee mug varieties, which typically sell for $6-10; several travel mugs starting at $12; and Tervis water bottles for $22.99. The shop also has several other spatulas, aprons, chip-clips, Solo cups and much more. July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 15
OUT & ABOUT
sculpting an expansion
Gary and Pat Ray are leaders that organizations and people hope for — involved, committed, visionary, and yes, generous. The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota recognized the couple by naming the new global communications center the Ray Live Learning Center in honor of the couple’s dedicated support. Gary, as chair of The Hormel Foundation, helped guide the $40 million cancer research center expansion that was celebrated June 1. Former Sen. Norm Coleman was impressed after viewing the added labs and new Ray Live Learning Center featuring a beautiful multipurpose room and stunning, state-of-the-art 250-seat auditorium. “This is a remarkable achievement if you were in any city or state,” he said. “This is remarkable for New York or
By The Hormel Institute • Photos Provided
Minneapolis. The fact that this is in Austin, Minnesota, is truly amazing.” Coleman, who recently underwent cancer treatment, delivered the keynote address at the first cancer conference meeting — the seventh China-U.S. Forum on Frontiers of Cancer Research and the fourth Hormel Institute International Cancer Research Conference. The Hormel Institute hosted the conference as part of its grand opening events June 1-4. About 130 scientists from a dozen different countries traveled to Austin for the symposium. About 350 people including U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, state Sens. Dan Sparks and Dave Senjem, state Rep. Jeanne Poppe, Austin Mayor Tom Stiehm and Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede among hundreds of guests coming from as far as China and South Korea attended the official program.
A sculpture, standing out front of The Hormel Institute, is a model of a sylibin in protein. Photo by Eric Johnson 16 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
Rays spread hope with donations to support Ray Live Learning Center, sculpture Gary was a key leader in the 2008 expansion of The Hormel Institute that tripled the size of The Hormel Institute and virtually transformed the former 10-lab, onestory building into a state-of-the-art cancer research center. The Hormel Foundation board, under Gary’s leadership as chair, led The Hormel Institute to doubling in size again in less than eight years. The 2016 expansion will bring another 130 new jobs to The Hormel Institute over the next few years, a key factor to Gary and The Hormel Foundation to help grow the economy of Austin as well as to improve human health. Continues on Page 18
Gary Ray with former Republican Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman at the expansion celebration for The Hormel Institute.
To visit The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, and see the expansion, two summer open houses are scheduled: July 29 from 12-3 p.m. and July 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 17
A reception was held for donors to the Ray Live Learning Center that gave nearly $200,000 over the local goal. The goal was $1.5 million but nearly $1.7 million was raised.
Continued from Page 17 Personally, Pat and Gary Ray had a vision for a unique and unusual sculpture that would reflect the groundbreaking cancer research of The Hormel Institute. Pat, a former art teacher, and Gary selected a model of sylibin in a protein featured on the cover of the May 2013 edition of Cancer Prevention Research, a top impact cancer journal. The anticancer agent silybin has an inhibitory effect on melanoma and is a representation of combining supercomputer technology and laboratory methods for identifying natural compounds to prevent and control cancer. A plaque greets people to the Ray Live Learning Center, featuring Gary and Pat Ray for whom it is named.
18 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
Steve Carpenter from Archetype Design of Minneapolis sculpted the piece The Hormel Institute named “Ray of Hope” in honor of the couple’s leadership and generous support. The Rays, a private couple who prefer their philanthropic gifts to be recognized quietly, stepped out of their comfort zone in the effort to showcase the Institute’s cutting edge cancer research. “The sculpture is our way of highlighting the unique work of The Hormel Institute, in looking for natural compounds to prevent and treat cancer,” Pat said. “This indeed is a gift of hope that answers to cancer will be found through the dedicated research of Institute scientists.”
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 19
OUT & ABOUT
The SPAM Edition ®
Austin Eats By Alex Smith • Photo
by
Eric Johnson
After a visit to new museum, several restaurants offer a chance to feast on the famed canned meat In the second edition of Austin Eats, we explore the Spamtastic dishes served at restaurants around Austin that feature the famous meat. As Hormel Foods Corp. celebrates the first summer of its new museum at 101 Third Ave. NE, Austin residents and visitors have no shortage of places to sample Spam. While many restaurants offer the classic Spam Burger, some businesses have put a unique twist on Spam that showcase the wide variety of meals that can be made with it. Spam Quesadillas from B&J Bar and Grill, Piggy Blue’s Spam Town Po’ Boy and the Western Spam Melt from Johnny’s Skillet all prove that Spam can be more than just meat in a can.
Johnny’s Skillet 107 11th Ave. NE, Austin
The Old Mill Restaurant 3504 11th Place NE, Austin
For Johnny’s Skillet owner John Clark, Spam royalty runs in his family. His mom, Inez Oscarson, was Hormel’s first Spam Queen in 1939. His father also worked for Hormel and helped make Spam there. “They were a part of the Spam family,” Clark said. His restaurant, right across from the former Spam Museum building, has been serving the meat in Austin for several decades. However, his business has moved to different locations and changed names several times. Because of Clark’s family history with Hormel and his business’ location, he decided Spam would be a great addition to the menu. “I thought that putting the two together would be a big draw,” he said. With their own menu specifically for Spam, Johnny’s Skillet has a plethora of options for people trying to get their Spam fix. o Western Spam Melt: Grilled Spam with onions, peppers, barbecue sauce and bacon on grilled bread. o Superman Spam Burger: Choice hamburger topped with smoked Spam strips and melted cheese. Served with fries and garnish or potato salad. o Spam & Cheese Salad: Tomato, egg, olives, garnish and grilled French bread. o Eggs Benedict: Thick slices of Spam, eggs and hollandaise sauce on an English muffin, served with hash browns.
Even a fine dining establishment like the Old Mill boasts hometown pride on its menu. Patrons can find Spam Dunkers on the appetizer list, which have been served at the restaurant for over twenty years. o Spam Dunkers: Regular or jalapeño Spam hand-breaded and lightly fried, served with a side of chipotle mayo.
20 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
B&J Bar and Grill 114 Fourth Ave. NE, Austin Fresh with a new menu and right around the corner from the new museum, B&J Bar and Grill has a wide variety of Spam meal options. o Spam Sliders: Grilled Spam and pineapple served on a potato bun. o Spam Quesadilla: Grilled Spam, shredded cheddar, pepper jack, onions and green peppers served in a flat tortilla. o Spam Philly: Spam served on a hoagie bun with onions, peppers, and provolone cheese.
Steve’s Pizza 421 N. Main St., Austin Right across from the Spam Museum is Steve’s Pizza, which offers the meat as a topping for their pizza. Spam burgers will also soon be on the menu. o Hawaiian Spam Pizza: Classic Hawaiian pizza served with Spam instead of Canadian bacon and topped with pineapple. o Spam Burger: Grilled Spam served on a hoagie bun with different toppings.
Johnny’s Skillet has a Spam heavy menu including the Western Spam Melt.
Piggy Blue’s BBQ 323 N. Main St., Austin
Kenny’s Oak Grill 307 W. Oakland Ave., Austin
After the opening of the new museum, Piggy Blue’s decided to reinvent its menu and add more Spam options. Along with the items on their regular menu, they plan to have Spam specials as well. o Spam Town Po’ Boy: Grilled Spam, American cheese, coleslaw, beer-battered French fries, Thousand Island dressing and veggies served on a bun. o Three Piggies Sandwich: Grilled Spam with American cheese topped with shredded pork, barbecue sauce, applewoodsmoked bacon, topped with veggies and served on a bun. o Spam Fries: French fry sized strips of Spam, beer-battered and deep fried. Served with ketchup and ranch.
This classic Austin breakfast joint serves both traditional breakfast items with Spam, as well as several lunch dishes. They also plan to create a new Spam appetizer. o Eggs George A: Two poached eggs on an English muffin with Spam, topped with Hollandaise sauce. o Spam & Cheese Omelet: Made with three eggs, three kinds of cheese and diced Spam. o Spam De’melt: Grilled cheese on whole wheat bread filled with sliced Spam, melted cheese, bacon strips and sour cream.
Culver’s 1800 Eighth St. NW, Austin At the Austin Culver’s, they serve up a unique twist on the classic fast-food menu. o Spam and Swiss: Grilled Spam served on a hoagie bun with mayo, lettuce and swiss cheese. o Spam BLT: Grilled Spam served on a hamburger bun with mayo, bacon, ketchup and lettuce. o Spam Burger: Spam sandwich topped with mayo, onion, lettuce, tomato and cheese.
Perkins 701 17th Ave. NW, Austin Although Perkins does not have any Spam specialty items, the restaurant does have the meat as a side option.
Godfather’s Pizza 600 Oakland Ave. W, Austin This chain restaurant has a classic twist just for Austin. Godfather’s Pizza offers Spam as a topping for its pizza.
Barley’s Family Restaurant 1207 N. Main St., Austin Barley’s Family Restaurant takes a traditional look at serving Spam on their menu. According to owner Alija Lika, Spam is a popular menu item on a daily basis. “We serve Spam here everyday,” he said. o Spam and Eggs: Three slices of Spam with eggs, potatoes and toast or pancake. o Spam Omelet: Classic omelet made with Spam and cheese. Other toppings available by request. o Spam Burger: Grilled Spam served on a bun with lettuce, tomato and pickles. July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 21
OUT & ABOUT
Of all of the ways to get a good workout, few require the combination of explosiveness, skill and steadiness as Olympic weightlifting. That’s why Bryce Becker, owner of CrossFit InnerDrive in Austin, decided to make his class public. He wants as many people as possible to have a chance to test their abilities and improve on their technique every single day. Olympic lifting targets muscles as a whole instead of certain groups. The back, shoulders, legs and arms all get a lot of work with the core getting a big workload as well. The 22 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
biggest gains from Olympic lifting are the explosiveness and coordination that it produces. “The Olympic lift is the fastest lift there is. It’s pulling a weight from the floor and catching it from the bottom of a squat,” Becker said. “Your precision has to be dead on. Too far back, it’s going to fall behind you and too far forward, it’s going to fall forward. The timing, precision and coordination has to be spot on, and that’s what keeps it fun and [motivational]. It’s not easy just to jump in and do it.” A typical Olympic lifting workout begins with a warm-up.
Katie Lowe works on her Olympic lifting at CrossFit InnerDrive.
By Rocky Hulne Photos by Eric Johnson
Eventually the lifters work to develop muscle memory and joint prep. They work a lot with a PVC pipe to drive in movement patterns and focus on practicing perfect attempts. Eventually, the group works with the barbell, and weight is added as the athlete begins to keep up with the movement. “The moves are very technical and finesse. It all comes down to mobility, technique, flexibility and positions,” Becker said. “There’s a lot of position work with barbell. It takes a long time to develop.” Continues on Page 24 July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 23
Dylan Svoboda works on his technique with a bare bar during the Olympic lifting class at CrossFit Innerdrive.
Continued from Page 23 Cory Squier has got his workouts at InnerDrive for the last year and a half. He enjoys the different movements that Olympic lifting requires. He’s always trying to achieve the perfect form, so he can maximize the amount of weight he’s lifting. “I like it just because it’s not a fast-paced workout. It’s not really cardio and you can just go over the movements,” Squier said. “You get to work on your form and you’re working on getting a PR [Personal Record]. You want to beat your previous max weight.” Since different members can lift their desired weight at their own pace, Olympic lifting works well in a group setting. Tristan Harrison watches as Svoboda works on his technique.
24 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
Squier said that the staff at InnerDrive makes things much easier for them. “The coaches are very supportive and very technical,” Squier said. “They make sure the members are doing everything correctly and that’s what makes Bryce good at what he does. That’s why he’s having the success that he is.” It took Becker awhile before he mastered the cleans, jerks and snatches that are required in Olympic lifting. He took the time to teach himself as he went through a lot of videos and books. As he gained experience, Becker attended seminars and was certified as a USA Weightlifting sports performance coach. After playing college football and track and field, Becker was able to fill his competitive void with CrossFit. Olympic lifting helped him become a more well-rounded athlete in the sport. “CrossFit is a combination of gymnastics, metabolic conditioning and Olympic weightlifting, and I was good at the first two, but very inexperienced in the other,” Becker said. “So I sought out different opportunities to better my abilities through certifications, seminars, and experimentation because there was not anything of that kind within Austin when I started.” CrossFit InnerDrive began offering the class in the summer of 2015 as members focused on the barbell position, technique and time under tension and how it helped the lifters improve. While the Olympic lifting can be part of the regular CrossFit workout, Becker thought it would help to have a special class dedicated strictly to lifting so people can get more practice and quality repetitions in. Becker said once lifters gain comfort, they start to increase weights pretty fast. “Right away, it’s totally different. If you’ve never held a bar bell before, it can take a little bit just to get a feel for the movement,” Becker said. “They soon realize they’re intrigued by the challenge and the success they can have with it is motivation. They find out it’s empowering when they can take a movement that’s so fast and explosive and they can feel what it’s like to stick a lift, it’s very exciting.” Anyone interested in joining CrossFit Innerdrive can visit crossfitinnerdrive.com, go the CrossFit InnerDrive Facebook page or email Becker at bryce@crossfitinnerdrive.com.
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 25
On The
HUNT
Austin man takes love of the woods with him while he forages for wild mushrooms Story
26 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
and
Photos
by
Eric Johnson
Chad Tidemann gets ready for a morning of mushroom hunting near Whitewater State Park.
It’s
early in the morning in a small, secluded parking area outside of Whitewater State Park near St. Charles. Chad Tidemann and his wife, Leah, have pulled in and begun gearing up, Chad hoisting a large basket to his back. Taking a walking stick, the couple head into the woods on the hunt for the elusive morel mushroom. The walk is not an easy one, through fields, brush filled with poison oak and climbs over rough terrain through thick forest made slick from rains the day before. All this work on a pleasantly cool and sunny day for something no bigger than a fist. But Tidemann wouldn’t have it any other way. “I really enjoy my time with Leah in here,” he said, poking his walking stick into the brush, parting it to see what may lie underneath. Nothing at that stop, but the search continued, zig-zagging back and fourth in no real hurry. The four hours spent walking around the woods felt more like an all-day outing. It was a perfect day. “I kind of grew up raised that way,” he said, referring to his childhood. “The woods are a place to explore. You can live there. There’s so much life there that most people forget about.” On this day, Tidemann starts off leading his small troop down a fairly well-used trail, before cutting off into the woods and an overland route that marched through fields on the edge of Whitewater and through the park itself. Up and down steep washouts, Tidemann was on the hunt for a particular patch he had spied earlier in the week, all the while hoping somebody else hadn’t gotten to it first. It was evident through somebody else had been there as Tidemann pointed out the difference between deer trails and those left by human feet. “They really tramped it down in here,” he said, looking around a dead tree. The hunt was on. Continues through Page 31 July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 27
The Whitewater River is seen through trees near Whitewater State Park. The land offers several hiking challenges and opportunities to hunt for mushrooms. BELOW: Chad Tidemann searches for wild mushrooms.
Finding mushrooms Tidemann has always known about mushrooms from time spent with his dad hunting and fishing when he was young. It was also how he came to know the woods in Whitewater, but mushrooming didn’t become a real passion until a few years ago. “A friend got me into it years ago,” Tidemann said. Thinking back he said, “My dad wasn’t really big into them. Dad owned a store and there wasn’t anything we really needed.” It took very little for Tidemann to jump all in. It was an activity that required him to walk around the woods, largely kept to himself and family. It didn’t need much selling after that. “It caught right away,” Tidemann said. “Once you find that first one … it kind of becomes about the search.” 28 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
He got even more into searching for mushrooms when Leah started coming with him. “Three years ago,” he said. “I always carry my trout fishing pole, but it wasn’t until Leah, who fell in love with flowers, that got me propelled more and more [into mushrooms]” On this day, Tidemann is looking for specific areas, explaining that main part of mushroom — in this case morel mushrooms — grows below ground, sending shoots up around dead trees. Often times it will appear as if one side of the tree lives while the other has died. Tidemann explains that this is because the mushrooms are sucking the water and nutrients away from the tree itself. Ideally it’s a certain tree he’s looking for. “That right, old elm tree,” he explains. Tidemann searches around the
base of several dead or dying trees, but at each one finds that someone else has beaten him to the spots as tracks are evident from someone walking. “I just hope they didn’t go too far in,” he said, hoping his new patch hasn’t been discovered. But soon, he begins finding small numbers of the mushrooms around smaller trees. The morels themselves are smaller with a lace-like appearance at the head. The tan, brown color makes them tricky to spot against the forest floor and even more so with the now growing vegetation. But it’s a start. There are more mushrooms in these woods including pheasant back, chicken of the woods and chanterelles, but mostly the hunt is for morels. Both he and Leah talk about how good the morels are dried, used in recipes or simply sautéed in butter. But it still comes back to the hunt and what they can find, which varies. “You can sometimes find one tree with 20 to 30 [mushrooms] around it,” Tidemann said.
and picking the first one you see, popping into your mouth. Knowing what to pick and eat and what to leave alone is important as the difference could be extremely dangerous. But Tidemann did his research. “Morels are pretty obvious mushrooms,” he said. “Once you’ve seen a couple of them, you can identify them. I only eat the ones I can identify. I don’t like to question what it is.” There are plenty of edible mushrooms in southeast Minnesota, Tidemann said, but it’s important to know what they are as much as it is to know which ones are poisonous. “Just because it’s edible doesn’t mean it tastes good,” he Chad Tidemann said. Tidemann showed off some mushrooms on a fallen piece of wood that are a bright orange. Pretty too look at, but Tidemann knows it’s not edible and so the search continues. Later in the search — success. “There it is,” he said, as he and Leah begin to pick the nearly 50 mushrooms popping up in a roughly 50 by 20 foot piece of land. It’s a goldmine of morels that results in a nice haul. However, they pull up short of taking every one, wanting to leave some for later.
I only eat the ones I can identify. I don’t like to question what it is.”
What to eat Mushrooming isn’t simply about wandering into the woods Collected morel mushrooms are kept in a backpack basket.
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 29
Chad Tidemann looks out over the bluffs from a point on public land near Whitewater State Park while hunting mushrooms.
Being outside About midway through the search, the trees thinned out to reveal the south fork of the Whitewater River far below where Tidemann was standing. The river, colored light blue in the morning sun, winds through thick trees. It’s really a breathtaking site, but the couple know of an even better spot. As they make their lazy way back to the parking lot, they detour. Trees begin thinning again and soon a very small bluff opens up to show a crescent-shaped valley with steep walls and again the river cutting through it all. As Tidemann looks out, the love of the woods is evident. “I enjoy being out in nature,” Tidemann said. “It’s just another reason to explore. You get to see nature come alive. You don’t know how clean it is. More people need to experience it.” 30 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
As much as Tidemann likes to be out in the woods with Leah and their three children, Evelynn, 7, Jeus, 6, and Oden, 3, he said likes being out their just as much when it’s by himself. “It clears your head,” he said. “I love going over there with my wife, but I like it on my own too.” Searching for mushrooms is a chance to further develop a relationship with his children and it’s something he wants them to be enriched by. “I was raised that way and I want my kids to have those same experiences and that same knowledge,” Tidemann said. “I still want those same traditions with my kids that I had.” July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 31
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 33 59
Celebrating the talents of Austin’s homegrown artists
Photo by Matt Freechack
34 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
P
oetry written for friends, And this year, we got the community photographs of Austin landmarks even more involved as we enlisted the help and expressionistic paintings. of community members to help judge and These are just a handful of the selections prioritize the pieces to print. running in the second annual Austin We are grateful to all who submitted Expression, a literary arts magazine inside their works for this issue. We wish Austin Living dedicated to publishing the could print all the pieces we received, work of Austin and Mower but here is a collection of Beth Hamilton County residents and those some of the best art and writings we received. with ties to the community. Continues through Page 41
Wend
y Lar son
ietz Tim R
“She waves from the driveway , Cups held by the handle in her other hand.� Betty Benner
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 35
V
isions
Matt Freechack
Tim Rietz
36 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
Wendy Larson
Beth Hamilton
Jason Felten
Sarah Lysne July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 37
W
ords Eberhart Poetry finalists
Loneliness
My Grandpa is a Hero
By Brooke Pazurek
By Izaak Belden
It’s the nagging, pitted feeling that’s lasted for years, That biting that eventually brings all to shed tears It claws its way through, outside to in, Breaks the weak walls of your heart, paper thin.
My grandpa is my hero Yes my friend, it’s true I don’t think there is anything That he can not do
All have felt it’s sinking presence; all have or soon will. It’s ache cannot be cured through any will, thrill, or pill. The more that we search, the more we will find… If we dwell on our past, we’ll never leave it behind.
My grandpa is by far the best He is loving, good, and kind Anything that I lose He can always find
But once you’ve been loved, you know what you’re missing. Having no one to hold untold reminiscing; Your heart becomes confused when your conscience pleads, remain alone; It’s worse with the wrong person than it is on your own.
Whenever I need someone My grandpa is always there Plus he has some good advice And he is always willing to share
It clouds up your logic, consumes your every decision; It penetrates your happiness and shatters your vision Of what you once wanted before becoming so distracted By wanting a something that was never meant to happen. We want that radiant warmth instead of coldness inside. We want someone to smooth every tear that we’ve cried. We want the “happily ever after” that everyone dreams of, For all we really want is to love and be loved.
At work, After lunch By Grace Heimsness I am up in an office that is, supposedly, mine. Watching an old yellow Porsche take a right 38 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
Someday I will be all grown up And when I’m old and gray I hope that I am just like my grandpa In every single way
The Minivan Fam
By Ava Jovaag When my dad rolls up in his “kwik trip” shades Sunscreen on, with a pack of Band-aids. His the “Beep-Beep” and the crowd goes wild Jealous of the minivan “Oh my child?!?” Cup-holders filled with old French fries The baby in the backseat cry, cry, CRIES! Rubber floor mats coated with mud Flooded with old, dry cereal crud. Driving our 12 kids on a road trip, Oklahoma, Texas, don’t we look hip? Some say we’re from the town of “Spam” But we know ourselves as the minivan fam.
and a youngish maybe unconcerned man clutch a slack leash—the dog beside him by all appearances adding no concern of his own—and cross the street in green flip-flops.
to a dead friend’s mother and compliment her on her American flag t-shirt. She seemed okay with the fact that I am still alive.
It’s been an hour since lunch, since I stopped, full off a burger, fries, and yes, just one beer, to say hello
I wanted to ask her why I’m in love with the wrong man, but said Bye instead. She knows nothing about you.
The Best Dressed Church Lady By Lillian Fetterly In the 1930’s and the early 1940’s, it was a real chore for her to get ready for church. First, of course, she had to take a bath, wash her hair, then put her hair up in curlers. Then she had to put on a long cotton corset, complete with a bra and laces to tighten up the waist to show off her figure. She had to wear underpants too of course. Or, instead of the corset, she could wear a bra and an elasticized girdle that started at the waist, complete with clamps on the garter belt. Originally, stockings were made of lightweight cotton knit and usually in a tan color. If she was rich, she could buy silk stockings. Around the start of WW2, nylon stockings were invented. Stockings in those days, had a seam in the back, And she had to be sure that the seam ran straight up the back of her leg. No zigzags for her! Next would be a slip to cover up her underwear to keep anything from showing through. Finally, she is ready for her dress. It is demure and reaches below her knees. Her shoes are pumps and have two inch high chunky heels. She wears black shoes in winter and white shoes in summer. Now she is ready to style her hair and put on her rouge face powder and lipstick. And she couldn’t forget her pearl beads and her perfume. If it was a cool day, she had a light sweater to wear. Next, came her small purse. She had to be sure that she had the money for the collection box, her white handkerchief in case she had to wipe her nose or her eyes, Her glasses in case she wanted to read the hymnal, and finally, some cough drops because she didn’t want to cough in church. Before she left the home, she checked that she had her hat on and her white dress gloves. She looked in the mirror for a final inspection, was pleased with her appearance and headed off for church!
This is just to say By Betty Benner
I found the bag of rhubarb, glazed with rain, which you left on my front steps. I washed and chopped, added sugar and a little water. Cooked up a bowl of rosy sauce for the refrigerator. I have eaten half the sauce in two days. This is just to say I then chopped and froze what was left of the stalks. You say there will be more later. I am glad of that. So much depends upon it. Red rhubarb sauce, tartly sweet, ladled over warm baking powder biscuit, topped with a dollop, no
more than a dollop, of yogurt. This is just to say that my well-being right now depends on the bag of fresh red rhubarb you left on my front doorstep. The sauce bowl will be empty in another day. So much depends on your generosity in leaving later, perhaps, a second bag. This is just to say, also, I appreciate the greeny cucumbers you left in the white plastic bag in almost the same spot on my doorstep. With my eyes closed in appreciation I eat them joyfully, sliced and dipped in ranch dressing.
How Was I to Know
Days Gone By
By Erin Hays The sky meets the horizon below How was I to know Two cottonwoods blowing My feelings showing Where to begin I look within I wonder why A lone dove flies by With a smile upon my face My tears fill the canyon’s space A calm comes over me I see It’s then I know I let go.
By Erin Hays Past pages Yellow with age Corners bent Hours spent Rereading Rewriting Reminiscing I smile I cry Why looking back Days gone by...
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 39
The Mayor Comes for Dinner By Linda Watson Suzanne looked out the open kitchen window, which faced her well-landscaped backyard. It was early May and trees were budding, tulips and daffodils were in bloom, and the yard was pristine. Her efforts of clearing up the yard last night had paid off. She had picked up dozens of twigs and some larger branches, and raked leaves that had lain under a few feet of snow all winter. The grass was green now and had been mown for the first time this year. There was a fresh scent in the spring air. “The yard will look perfect as my dinner guests are looking out at it tonight,” Suzanne mused. Tonight! Suzanne could feel her shoulders tense. She had seven guests that would be arriving in six hours. Suzanne worked in the City Offices of Bern, Minnesota. She had invited the Mayor, City Administrator, City Engineer, Clerk, Finance Director, and two secretaries to dine at 5 p.m. Suzanne had served as Assistant City Administrator for two years and enjoyed working in the community of 27,000 people. At age 28, she had purchased her first home last fall. The house had belonged to her grandmother, who had lived to be 82 years old. After her grandma’s death, Suzanne had updated the kitchen and bath of the lovely Victorian home. The rest of the house was in beautiful condition; and her sparse furniture looked great in the large, airy rooms. The garden was grandma’s pride and joy. She would love to see her peach, white, and pink peonies that were in bloom now. Grandma used to cut a few large peonies and put them in Mason jars on her dining room table. She would point at a large blossom and say, “Isn’t that a pretty?” This gave Suzanne an idea. She raced downstairs and dug around on the pantry shelves until she found a green Mason jar. She took it upstairs and washed it until it shone. She filled it with water and set it in the center of the dining room table. She got her pruning shears and went outside to cut a few lovely peonies. When she placed them in the Mason jar, she stood back and studied her table scape. It was perfection! Her plain white china dinner plates were topped with salad plates that had a tropical palm pattern in peach and green. The lovely peach and white peonies were the perfect addition to the table. Suzanne had taken the day off work to prepare for her dinner party this evening. She had planned her menu weeks in advance and had been cooking and cleaning for the last two days. She hoped to impress her guests with her efforts. She was not a gourmet cook, but she was a better than average cook, she thought. As Suzanne was mentally taking inventory of what needed to be done next, her phone rang. It was her best friend, Nancy. “How’s the hostess with the mostest?” Nancy asked. Suzanne sighed deeply, “The food should be great; but I don’t know how I’ll get all the clutter around here cleared off before everyone arrives! I’ve scrubbed and cleaned, but I just own too much stuff.” Nancy suggested, “Here’s what I do — just scoop everything up that you want out of the way and put it in the basement. You can deal with it after the party is over.” “Great idea,” said Suzanne. “I’m going to do that right now.” 40 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
She hung up the phone and raced around the house with a laundry basket. She scooped up dirty clothes from the bedroom and towels and toiletries from the bathroom. Glancing in the living room, she noted she would need a larger basket to hold all the clutter. She took the filled laundry basket downstairs and just tossed everything in a heap on the floor. She ran back upstairs with two laundry baskets and filled them with books, magazines, newspapers, and her knitting basket. She then cleared small appliances off her kitchen counters. She was getting breathless as she struggled to get those two heavy baskets downstairs. She emptied that load onto the basement floor. Suzanne went back upstairs and decided the house looked neat and tidy now! For the rest of the afternoon, she concentrated on cooking and then tidying up the kitchen. She smiled to herself, envisioning the city offices abuzz tomorrow with rave reviews of her culinary expertise! She pictured herself saying, “Oh, it was my pleasure to serve a few humble offerings.” Shortly before 5 p.m. the doorbell rang. Suzanne opened the front door and greeted her guests. Soon, all seven had arrived and were complimenting Suzanne on her lovely home, pretty garden view, and the delicious aroma in her home. As they were seated in the dining room, Suzanne served fresh fruit salad in hollowed-out pineapple shells. She had a lemon dressing to top the fruit. A glowing Suzanne was basking in compliments from her co-workers. Before anyone had taken a bite, a loud siren began wailing. The Finance Director said, “Is that the tornado siren?” Suzanne panicked, thinking of the mess downstairs. “No, it’s probably just a drill,” she replied. “No,” the City Engineer stated, “drills are always at 1 p.m. This is NO drill!” One of the secretaries said, “I think it’s getting dark outside and the wind is picking up.” Suzanne chimed in, “It always looks this dark at 5 p.m. around here.” The siren wailed on. “Look here,” the mayor huffed in his most authoritative voice, “I think we should head downstairs until the siren stops.” The guests trooped downstairs, with a mortified Suzanne lagging behind. All of her guests were too stunned to comment on the mess arrayed around their feet. Suzanne noticed the Mayor was standing next to her bra and panties strewn on the floor. The City Clerk was making crinkling noises, as he stood on a stack of newspapers. Suzanne meekly said, “I think I should go up and check on the Chicken Parmesan in the oven.” She could hear snickering as she climbed the stairs and went to the kitchen. She turned down the oven temperature and went to check the dining table. She was horrified to discover little ants climbing on the fresh fruit. Where in the world did ants come from? She glanced at the peonies and saw ants climbing all over them. Now she recalled how ants often covered the peony blooms in grandma’s garden. She had a vision of the Mayor poking around his fruit salad, trying to avoid the scrambling ants. She peered into the crystal bowl that held the lemon salad dressing and saw ants crawling down the ladle and “swimming” in a pool of hollandaise. “How can I serve this?” Suzanne lamented. What is the proper etiquette to warn guests they may be eating live insects? Perhaps offer a spritz of Raid instead of the lemon dressing on the fruit? With a trembling hand, Suzanne picked up the jar of peonies and opened up the sliding glass doors off the dining room. She set
the flowers down on the patio. A burst of wind rushed into the dining room, blowing the curtains in every direction. This gave Suzanne a brilliant idea. At the city offices, they did call her the “idea person.” She tipped over water glasses, spilling water all over the dining room table. She tossed plates around. Soon the dining room table was a disaster. Rain had now begun streaming into the dining room from the open patio door. The wind howled and the sky had a greenish black eerie cast to it. Suzanne didn’t know if she should wish for a tornado to hit and blow her far away from this catastrophe or wish that this was all just a dream and her perfect dinner party was yet to happen. She mumbled, “Grandma never seemed to have a problem hosting a simple dinner party.” Suzanne went back downstairs to her guests. “It’s very windy now,” she said. “I hope there’s no tornado.” “We’ll just wait here until the sirens stop,” said the City Clerk, shifting on his stack of newspapers. “What are you knitting?” a secretary who was standing near a colorful heap of yarn asked. “An afghan,” replied Suzanne, who wanted to hide under it right now!
After a long awkward pause, the Mayor said, “Well, I believe the siren has stopped.” The guests quickly went upstairs. The Finance Director gasped, “Oh, my gosh, your patio door is open and there’s rain all over your carpet!” A secretary remarked, “It must have been VERY windy. Look at the table!” Everyone looked at the soggy table settings and scattered plates. The City Administrator said, “Suzanne, I am so sorry. But, I think I should go home and check to see if everything is all right there.” Everyone agreed that they were worried they might have storm damage and the group was gone all at once. Suzanne put all the perishable food in the refrigerator, including the Chicken Parm, and anything that didn’t have ants crawling on it. The rain had stopped. Suzanne retrieved the Mason jar with the peonies from the patio and put them in her car. She drove to the cemetery and placed the peonies on her grandma’s grave. As she was walking back to her car, she swore she could hear her grandma’s voice say, “Isn’t that a pretty?” Suzanne got in her car. It would be several minutes before she could quit laughing — and then crying — and drive home.
The 1963 Chrysler Turbine, a Dream Car By Pat Garbisch The icy wind whipped around and through us that cold December afternoon as we huddled at our father’s graveside. Our small group of mourners, consisting of his children, grandchildren and a few elderly friends, stood solemnly staring down at the freshly dug hole that would swallow up the cremated remains of the frail 88-year old man. The minister recited the familiar words, “ashes to ashes, dust to dust,” and uttered a thankfully short blessing. Those who wished to, pulled red roses from the spray and dropped them one-by-one on top of the urn shining below the surface. Only we, his children, knew that the tears that flowed that day were not so much of sorrow for the loss of our father, but for the loss of what might have been. The day after the funeral, my siblings and I met at our father’s recently acquired rental apartment to go through his meager possessions. His small, shabby living room was filled with secondhand furniture, worn carpet, unread newspapers and car and truck magazines. Dirty dishes were piled in the sink and the refrigerator was filled with untouched Meals-on-Wheels Styrofoam cartons and sour milk. Laundry was piled in the corner of his bedroom and his bathroom reeked of urine. The breakup of his third marriage this past year had left him with only the bare necessities. His extensive prized collection of model cars and trucks that had once filled the walls of his basement, were recently auctioned off as part of the divorce settlement. Only about a dozen remained and this small group of his most loved were prominently displayed on a small bookcase next to an end table with a Bible and a few old family photos. Dad lived and breathed cars and trucks. A normal conversation with him would entail a few polite inquiries about our lives and kids, but the conversation would always turn into a discussion about his most recent trip with his car club, or his acquisition of a new Chevy pickup. He always wanted to know what make of vehicle we were driving and what kind of company car my husband drove. If we talked of going on a trip somewhere, he would relay stories of his long-distance truck driving days when he had driven through that
part of the country and the bad snow storm he encountered there, or how long it took the union workers to unload his truck. In his own way I’m sure he loved us, but it seemed his passion was fueled by gasoline and bore rubber tires and chrome. After the cleaning up and clearing out was complete, most of the contents of that small town house would end up going to the Goodwill collection box or back to the second-hand store from where they had come, but his few remaining hand-crafted model cars and trucks were divided up between his children and grandchildren. For myself, I chose a beautiful, caramel-colored 1963 Chrysler Turbine two-door, black hard-top coupe with chrome hubcaps and white walled tires. The detail on this model car is stunning. The doors on the car open wide to reveal the meticulous interior, complete with chrome dashboard speedometers, odometers, radio dials and glove box. The gas and brake pedals mount under the driver’s side with faux mats on the floor. The chrome drive-shaft for the turbine engine, straddles between the front and back caramelcolored bucket seats. Brand insignia is displayed on the front and rear license plates, and on the small barely-visible cursive decals mounted on both rear fenders. The Chrysler ornament is mounted on the hood which lifts to reveal the turbine engine. The chrome door handles, side and rear-view mirrors and windshield wipers are all intact. The trunk opens in the back to reveal a spare whitewalled tire and the horizontal tail lights jut out the fin-shaped back. To own a full-scale version of this car would be a dream for many, and perhaps, this is why my father spent countless hours crafting these model cars, going to car and truck shows and almost yearly, and trading vehicles after only a few months of ownership. For a simple man, this dream was somewhat achievable by buying and trading an almost endless line of cars and trucks, and what he couldn’t afford to buy, he could create in miniature. Perhaps I’m off the mark, but I like to think that in some small way, he did achieve his dreams. On a cold December day in 2014, my 88-year-old father had just finished signing the papers on a new Chrysler sedan when the car salesman noticed that the car was still on the lot at closing time. By the time the ambulance got there, he was already gone. July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 41
Outside the Norm Local artists work in highly visual forums Austin is filled with countless artists of various skill sets from painters to writers and sculptors. But for this edition of our annual arts issue, we opted to feature three artists who work in mediums a bit outside the norm. Shurabe Vargas brings to life paper mache piĂąatas, Ryan Heath creates pieces that tell life-long stories in tattoos and Tony Schmidt lights up his art through neon signs. Continues through Page 47
42 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 43
Tattoo artist Ryan Heath works on a tattoo for Melissa Davis who came down from the Twin Cities just to get it done.
Stories on the skin By Jenae Hackensmith
and J ason
Schoonover • Photos
by
Eric Johnson
“If I can reach it, I’ll tattoo it on me,” Heath said. Signs of Ryan Heath’s many artistic endeavors can be seen Heath likes that tattoos tells stories. Each of his three children’s all over his northeast Austin studio: Paintings pepper the walls faces are etched on his arm, and a tattoo in memory of a friend and camera equipment sets on shelves. But his latest artistic who died young of cancer is on his right arm. passion, the one taking up the bulk of his work recently, was “I like that they have a story behind everything,” he said. “I right in front of him. have a lot of tattoos and I don’t regret a one of them. They all Heath peered at Melissa Davis’ forearm as his tattoo gun have a story, there’s a reason why it’s hummed and music played in the there. It’s super personal, and I like background as he etched around that. It’s a very personal piece of art.” a tattoo of bird-like stork scissors. Heath wants to share that with Davis, 43, has seven tattoos, two of Davis and all his customers. Heath them by Heath, and traveled from strives to give his customers a Minneapolis to Heath Studios & personal piece of art that’s original Tattoo at 399 11th St. NE this spring and means something to them. for a touchup on a stork scissors “I love that it’s personal,” he said tattoo, which was inspired by her “Everything that I do, I feel like it’s work as an esthetician. personal — the wedding photography, “I’ve known Ryan for years and the family pictures, the murals and the he’s really good at what he does,” she Like so many tattoo artists, Ryan Heath has paintings. If you’re going to pay for said. plenty of his own tattoos, each one meaning something then I hope that it means For Heath, a 38-year-old, self- something different. something to you. And tattoos are employed artist, tattoos are just the permanent. It’s kind of a big deal. I like that I’m part of that.” latest addition to his artistic palette. While he still does studio He enjoys tattoos with detailed line work like mandalas, photographs of children, weddings and senior photos, tattoos a geometric, often circular tattoo of many detailed symbols, have quickly grown into the bulk of his business. but he also enjoys larger tattoos with bold colors and more “Tattooing is definitely full-time and taking over,” he said. traditional tattoos. Heath’s artistic endeavors started with painting about 15 Heath custom-designs many of his tattoos, and several find years ago and expanded to photography, graffiti and murals. people coming in with several ideas and he helps meld them But tattoos were a natural progression, as he jokes he stopped into one tattoo, though that’s usually a process. counting after he hit about 30 to 35 of his own tattoos. He’s “The first design’s never the one,” Heath said. “There’s even tattooed himself, and says he doesn’t register the pain as definitely tweaking to make sure they’re getting what they want.” much when he’s focused on his work. 44 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
As a self-employed artist, Heath is almost always busy, and with so much going on, he has to put everything on his calendar to be sure it gets done. “If I’m not working I’m not making money,” Heath said. “I have a list of things I have to get done today and if it doesn’t get done, it gets put on tomorrow’s list.”
Work is typically a balancing act, as Heath had to learn to set aside time for editing photos, designing tattoos and more as he makes sure he still makes time for his family and days off. “There’s a lot of prep time even for photo shoots and tattoo work,” he said. “It’s definitely something that you have to schedule for.”
The art of the neon world He attributes his further success in the art field to a good high school art teacher. “I like the freedom of art and not having a boss looking Tony Schmidt hooked up an ‘M’-shaped glass tube to a over my shoulder,” Schmidt said. bombarding system and pushed a button on the machine. Bill also has his own part to the sign business. His specialA loud buzzing noise filled the room and 12,000 volts of ty is translucent face clocks, so if electricity surged through the a customer wanted a photo as the glass, cleaning it of impurities and face of a clock, they bring him a pumping it with neon gas. picture, he works his magic and Schmidt is a neon artist who then the picture is lighted as the was demonstrating the process of clock face. making neon signs. He was makThe two often collaborate on ing a sign for Mercury cars. ideas where Schmidt will work on He has been working with neon the neon and Bill does the translusigns from a young age, after he cent work. learned the process from his father. Their shop is a small one, Tony’s father went to a comcrowded in by machines and pany in South Dakota after he got examples of neon signs, such as out of World War II and learned Budweiser. They also have a cushow to make neon signs. He then A Minnesota Twins sign that Tony Schmidt created tom-made clock from old computcame back to Austin and started a hangs in his studio. er parts and a 1940s sized radio neon sign business. retrofitted with a modern radio, speakers and neon. Schmidt’s uncles Rudy and Don Thissen started Thissen’s Schmidt also sells a few signs and repairs them, but says Signs in 1932 and have made signs for Flatherty’s Paints and B they can last a long time if they don’t get broken. There are & J Bar and other businesses.. neon tubes on the ceiling from 1948. He and his five brothers have all dabbled in making neon “If it doesn’t break, it lasts a long time,” he said. signs with their father, but Schmidt and his brother, Bill, are Custom signs usually cost about $350 to make and used the only ones still actively making signs. ones can be bought for about $150. It can take a few days to “I was always interested in art from a young age,” Schmidt make custom signs, depending on the complexity. said. “I like drawing and painting.” By Jordan Gerard • Photos
by
Eric Johnson
Tony Schmidt works on bending glass tubing while surrounded by hanging pieces already complete in his shop. July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 45
Shurabe Vargas with one of her piñatas in the form of Spammy.
Paper mache funland which include large Spam Cans — one with a lab coat for friends — a ballerina, Olaf from “Frozen,” Spongebob Square Pants, a Minion, Lego Batman, a unicorn and many more. Shurabe Vargas folded a napkin several times, cut it into “It’s staggering just to see this get creative out of a bunch long strips and cut several small, decorative frills before using of old school papers, and newspapers and cereal boxes and a glue of flour and water to paste it onto the leg of her latest glue,” friend and Austin Public Library creation: a paper mache piñata of Big Director Ann Hokanson said. Bird. Shurabe first learned to make “Notice she doesn’t use no molds piñatas as a 7-year-old in school in or anything like that,” Shurabe’s Mexico, but she admits she didn’t take husband, Joel, said as she worked. “It’s it seriously at the time, but she got back all just out of her head; she just kind of into the hobby about three years ago. puts it together.” As a stay-at-home mom, Shurabe She applied another strip, covering was looking for something to do during only a small portion of the work-inthe winter. progress. As her husband, Joel, looked “She started doing these piñatas and on, he shook his head and smiled. it all started out right there,” Joel said. “She says, ‘You need a lot of Shurabe Vargas affixes some streamer to a “Before we know it, here’s one there and patience for this,’” he said, translating piñata. another one and another one.” for Shurabe. To color and coat the piñatas, Shurabe simply uses the Despite speaking limited English, Shurabe’s become wellcolored napkins or paper and she uses toilet paper rolls for the known across Austin for her custom piñata creations. And legs of many of her creations. she’s quick and excited to share examples of the more than 30 “She recycles, alright,” Joel said with a laugh. piñatas she’s made over the course of about three years using After all, Shurabe’s piñatas require quite a bit of work and largely recycled papers and cardboards and store-bought items quite a bit of materials. A well-known, large piece of Austin like napkins. Bruins mascot Bruiser took more than 100 hours to make Shurabe keeps many cell phone pictures of the pieces, By Jason Schoonover • Photos
46 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
by
Eric Johnson
before it was donated to the team. Hokanson is always impressed to see the finished products and the time and dedication required. “It was unbelievable to see them all in her tiny little living room,” she said. The first piñata Shurabe sold was made for a luau party for Joel’s office at Viracon in Owatonna. Shurabe works most on her creations on the days Joel works, as he jokes that he’ll often tell her to put the work aside so they can go do something, especially if it’s during the spring or summer. Being from California and growing up near the beach, Joel admits he wants to get out and do things after the “lockdown” of winter. Shurabe will take orders through her Facebook page, but she needs plenty of notice because it takes three weeks to a month for the glue to dry. Traditionally, customers order a piñata to break it, but many decide they can’t after receiving the finished product and seeing all the work it took required. “At first they buy them to break them, because that’s what they’re for, right,” Joel said. “They don’t break them after all.” Many families end up keeping them, and the couple will see them at friends’ homes years later. “She doesn’t really do it for business, like to make money out of it,” Joel said. “It all started like just a hobby. She likes the way people appreciate her art.” “She donates a lot of it, so it’s like, ‘You did all that work and you’re going to donate it?” Joel said raising his voice in joking exasperation before he laughed. Joel joked he and Shurabe put more money into the piñatas than she makes when you total gas money to deliver them and supplies. She saves most newspaper or cardboard for her creations. Without using recycled materials, the piñatas could turn spendy. July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 47
Artof Style Photos
by
Eric Johnson
Hair and makeup can be more than style — it can be art
Y
ou will find most young, future hairstylists in high school art class. I can remember thinking, “Really? We are making another color wheel?” It wasn’t until Lindsey Haney, owner of The Style Lounge found herself in the Riverland Community College cosmetology program, learning hair color theory, that it came full circle. High school art class prepared her for the future. You would’ve found Sarah Wolfe and Kirsten Albino down in the art rooms back in high school as well. For some, hair styles and makeup are just a way to stay trendy and to look good, but for many, hair and what can be done with it is deeper than that. In past years, The Style Lounge participated in the Austin Artworks Festival by painting the salon windows. This year, the passion for hair, makeup, art, and fashion to create avant garde looks on models that will also be displayed outside The Style Lounge. With this year’s incarnation of Austin Expression, this was a natural fit, showing off a different kind of art. — Eric Johnson and Lindsey Haney 48 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
Day of the Dead I am a huge fan of folk art — art that is made by “the people.” It is usually nothing too fancy, expensive or highly defined; it’s just art rich in culture. I chose to capture Haley Laack, dressed for the Day of the Dead Festival because I love the bright colors and attention to detail that is particular to a sugar skull. They are truly beautiful works of art. Haley was perfect for this theme. Her light colored eyes pop through the dark colors that surround them and are very captivating. Her makeup in itself took some time but turned out beautifully. I did, however, like the way her hair was styled best. Very big with roses, a small top hat with a black veil and some dark toile throughout. I could not have done her hair without the Sam Villa texture iron and powder grip product by Redken which allowed me to raise her fine textured hair to great heights. All in all this was an amazing opportunity, and I enjoyed being able to harness my creative side to pull it off.
—Sarah Wolfe
Pop art Being able to collaborate with my brother was one of my main inspirations on this project. I loved being able to bounce creative ideas off of each other to come up with the final look. I was going for comic book pop art meets urban street fashion. I feel I was able to convey that with the comic book make up with a dash of popular highlighting and contouring techniques and also with the hair color we did before hand.
—Kirsten Albino
Warhol Samantha Laack, who is also a stylist at The Style Lounge, was my first model. Andy Warhol’s bright colored pop art, mixed with Pablo Picasso’s abstract lines and composition was my inspiration for her makeup. Samantha’s clothing and hair was definitely inspired by the ’60s. From my closet, I pulled the perfect long sleeved baby doll dress, purchased from South Central Athlete a few years ago. Using contrasting textures, I set her hair with soft curls, then alternated with micro crimped sections using the Sam Villa texture iron. Redken Iron Shape was used on her hair for heat protection and shine. Redken Quick Tease was use to create lasting high volume. Samantha’s ’60s inspired French twist was finished using Redken Control Addict hairspray.
—Lindsey Haney
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 49
Mother Earth My second model was Claire Heichel. Her look is my interpretation of the fierce Mother Earth. Inspired by impressionist artists like Monet and van Gogh, I used soft, yet choppy strokes of color for Claire’s make up. To accent the natural texture in Claire’s long hair, I used Redken Color Rebel to temporarily add, red, coral and purple. I dressed her in a black, hour-glass shaped dress, that I found at Twice is Nice last fall. I also found some really great textured fabrics at JoAnn to drape around her neck and shoulders.
—Lindsey Haney
The Peacock This was my interpretation of a peacock. What I love most about peacocks are their feathers, however, I also love how majestic they seem with their beautiful colors and lovely manner. My model, Rochelle Perleberg, was perfect for this project because of her slender stature, long neck and defined facial features. I was able to manipulate her dreadlocks to mimic the crest of a peacock. I used feathers to accentuate her makeup on her face, and I painted her neck and shoulders to make them appear elongated, like a bird. This was a great experience, and I was very pleased with the outcome. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.
—Sarah Wolfe 50 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
‘Mad Max’ I‘ve always been drawn to the post-apocalyptic fashion and makeup, so I chose to go that route with Amanda McKnight. I pulled inspiration from multiple mediums such as the “Mad Max” films, Fever Ray music videos and a few ideas floating in my head. The mix of all of these things are what we see here with Amanda.
—Kirsten Albino
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 51
TRAVEL
ON THE ROAD WITH HISTORY By Jordan Gerard • Photo
by
Eric Johnson
Grand Meadow teacher leads tours for students to get up close to American’s historical past
When students think of history lessons, it can often be met with groans, but Grand Meadow students don’t moan if they take, or have taken, a bus trip to Philadelphia, New York City, Gettysburg or Washington, D.C., with Grand Meadow second-grade teacher Darcy Hanken. Hanken works for Legacy Tours out of Decorah, Iowa, during the summer. The tour company has about 13 schools in Minnesota and Iowa utilizing their tour bus services, including Grand Meadow. The trips are all planned from departure to arrival, including hotel accommodations, tickets and food choices. “If you have a guide with you, it’s really neat,” Hanken said. “You learn about the country or wherever you’re going. You have background knowledge, maybe some interesting tidbits you wouldn’t know if you just traveled on your own.” Hanken took her own three children on trips when they were young and chaperoned high school trips for a few years. A guide told her she should be a tour guide. “I said, ‘I’m not going to stand up in front of people, this is so out of my comfort level,’” Hanken recalled. “He said, ‘Oh, give it a try.’ So he kind of worked with me and groomed me and I absolutely love it.” A tour guide from Legacy Tours recommended her to the company and she was hired. After shadowing a few tours and a little bit of teaching, she got her own bus and tours. “I’m still teaching, but I absolutely love my summers,” Hanken said. “I think about it a lot so I know it’s kind of in my blood now.” Hanken said she’s traveled to the east coast, explored the Yellowstone area near Cody, Wyoming, and followed the Oregon Trail. She said the guides at Legacy Tours are great to work with and she’s become friends with many of them.
Grand Meadow second-grade teacher Darcy Hanken continues her teaching through the summer by guiding trips to historical landmarks.
52 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
Opposite page: Grand Meadow students have their picture taken with the Gettysburg monument to the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Photo submitted.
STUDENT TRAVEL For high school students, traveling 16 hours in a bus with 40 to 50 other students and several chaperones may not seem like an appealing idea, but Hanken does her best to make the road trips fun and interactive. “I break it up with lots of music, videos, stretch time, [they] can have [their] phones for 15 minutes,” Hanken explained. “I want them engaged. We have handouts and we play games. … You can earn candy and we try to keep it as fast-paced as we can. They also get some naps too.” Eighth-graders, freshmen and sophomores usually go to Gettysburg and Washington, D.C., while juniors and seniors usually visit Philadelphia and New York City. From the time they arrive in Washington, D.C., New York City or Philadelphia, the students are on the go from dawn to dusk with tours, presentations and a fancy river cruise night on the Potomac River. “They get to have a fine dining
experience. For some of these kids, that’s a big thing,” Hanken said. “I get asked by a lot of the boys, ‘What am I supposed to do with this napkin?’” she joked. She said they talk about it laying on their lap, not in their neck collar.
“It’s not the lunchroom, because that’s what they’re used to … we talked a lot just about etiquette,” Hanken said. She also talks about time management with the students and chaperones. “We have to get off the bus as quick as we can, [but] not so fast that we cause an accident, but we can’t be really slow because we’re in a metro,” Hanken said. “We’re going to get places. … We always say too if we’re going to meet at two, I have to have you there at two, even five minutes cuts into something else by five minutes.” Once the students have had some practice after making two stops in Chicago at Millennium Park and the Willis Tower, they “get it,” Hanken adds. They also attend a theatre performance at the Kennedy Center or Ford Theatre and tour the monuments in D.C. Four students are also chosen by an essay to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Continues on Page 54
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 53
Continued from Page 53
Darcy Hanken, pictured with the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Matt Lauer, host of “The Today Show,” is photographed by Darcy Hanken during a trip to New York City.
The students receive a reference book from Legacy Tours when they go to the nation’s Capitol. Hanken said they can follow along with the information in the book if they are talking about historical events like the assassination of John F. Kennedy. They also take along iPads to use on the trip. “We do keynotes and we have video clips, but this is just nice for them at the end of their trip to go, ‘What was that thing they told us?’ And they can refer back,” Hanken said. Safety is another key component to making the trips fun. Hanken talks to the chaperones throughout the trip and checks in with them. The students travel in groups of four and at least one person needs a cell phone with Hanken’s number. They can also use the Remind app, which allows Hanken or chaperones to send out important meeting places and other events. “We have safety in place of what we would do if we had to evacuate the Capitol, but I also need their help, because there’s one of me and say 35 students,” Hanken said. “I empower them to feel like they’re part of it.” Hanken said she’s always in the vicinity of the groups and can help them if they get lost in the National Mall. “I’m always within the same area
ADULT TRAVEL
Darcy Hanken is pictured with her daughter, Brynn, on a trip to New York City. Photos submitted. 54 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
Hanken said bus travel is becoming more popular among adults because there are no strict regulations or long security lines to go through. The bus drivers and tour guides also unload it and take it up to the traveler’s rooms and make sure it gets back on the bus when they leave the area. “They can get up at a decent time in the morning, and have a nice leisurely breakfast before we take off,” Hanken said. Adults have more free time and
as they are and that’s the one thing too that’s nice about doing this travel, is you have a guided time, you have your own exploration time, but yet your guide is in the area of something where if you wanted to tag along with me or if you needed something, they are right there,” Hanken said. Parents are encouraged to ask questions and help out, which Hanken said makes them feel like a family. Getting to know 40 to 55 people on one bus happens fairly quickly, she adds. “The part I enjoy is really getting to meet the students, because what’s really fun is we kind of have a family atmosphere at the end of the trip,” Hanken said. “It’s really neat because at the beginning, nobody knows each other and by the end, it’s like you’ve known these kids forever and they’re really happy.” Hanken said the trip gets really fun and interesting when the students start to understand the importance of the history. “On the way home and out we ask them what they think their favorites are going to be and on the way home, we have them stand up and tell what they’re favorite thing was and what touched their heart the most,” Hanken said. “For some people, it’s laying the wreath at Arlington. It was very emotional, it gets me every time. For some of them, it was just watching their children interact with
free reign on their trips than the students do, but without the 14-hour days. “We get in early afternoon to late afternoon to where we’re going to be for the evening,” Hanken said. “We do some things that are a whole group venue type things, and then they have their own time.” They also get some background information about their destination, but not as much as students do. “They want to know the area where we’re going to and what they’re going to see and why,” Hanken said.
their classmates, like dancing on the riverboat as a group.” Hanken’s favorite part of the D.C. trip is visiting Arlington National Cemetery. “Arlington is so moving. When you’re walking into Arlington National Cemetery and you see all of those grave stones, you just look and go, ‘Wow, men and women have given their lives for us,’” Hanken said. “There’s nothing like it. It’s so powerful and when I watch the students lay the wreath and the parents and the students, it gets me every time.” When they first board the bus, everyone’s brimming with energy, but by the time they get done visiting Arlington National Cemetery, Hanken says she sees the mindset change. “They get what America’s about, or at least they’re starting to [and] it’s just really fun and I saw the switch where all of a sudden it wasn’t middle school squirrelyness, it was like, ‘Wow this is really cool, what we’re seeing and doing.’ And that’s kind of what we hope happens, you just have a new respect for your country,” Hanken said. The students can be high energy sometimes, but that’s okay because Hanken admits she is too. “I like to think I’m high energy too, so it keeps me going because I look at them and go, ‘This is fun, they’re getting it,’” Hanken said. “They’re always offering to help hand out stuff and after a couple of days, they get it.” The family feeling doesn’t stop after the students return home. Oftentimes, Hanken sees them around school wearing their D.C. apparel and reminiscing about the trip. “That part is cool to me because I taught them as first or second graders … and then I get to see them in high school,” Hanken said. “To see them again as eighth graders is fun. It’s fun to travel with them again and watch how they’ve evolved.” July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 55
LOOKING BACK
LYLE SETTLED BY WEST-HEADING FAMILIES By Jaimie Timm, Mower County Historical Society Photos courtesy of the Mower County Historical Society
Village namesake settled in the area in 1856 Although still unnamed, the first permanent settlers in Lyle arrived on May 6, 1854, Orlando Wilder came from Vermont with his brother, Jackson, his father-in-law, William Bean and another man named Lewis West. They brought ten oxen and a small number of household goods with them and they immediately built a small cabin in section 33. Orlando Wilder’s wife arrived the next fall and the family remained on the original claim. Wilder would go on to serve as the chairman of the first Board of Supervisors for Lyle and was one of the first county commissioners. Mower County commissioners officially organized Lyle Township in April 1858. Selah Chamberlain, D.C. Sheppard and Charles Mellrath created the first plat for the village of Lyle on June 18, 1870. The village was comprised of 40 acres in section 36 of the township. Lyle itself was named for Robert Lyle, a native of Ohio. He 56 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
settled in the area in November 1856 and served as a probate judge and as a member of the Minnesota Legislature. He moved to Missouri in 1868. Thomas Irgens built the first house in Lyle in 1870. He operated a general store out of the first floor and served as the first postmaster. The population and number of businesses in Lyle quickly grew over the next few years. By 1873, three railroads met in Lyle — the Mason City branch of the Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad, the Illinois Central Railroad, and the Burlington and Cedar Rapids Railroad. There were also five merchants listed in Lyle along with a grain buyer, a boarding house and a blacksmith. Just 12 years later, there were four general stores, a hardware store, a lumber and coal merchant, a leather boots and shoes store, an elevator and grain buyer, a farm implement store, a drayman, a furniture store and undertaker, a harness maker, a boarding house, a blacksmith, a physician and a brass band.
The photo on the opposite page is captioned, “An early market day in Lyle. ‘Twas a cold day in April.” A busy day, below, at the Canning Factory. A Waverly, Iowa, company started a canning factory in Lyle in 1913 with James Corrigan as manager. The factory was in the south part of town. About one hundred men and women worked at the factory during the canning season plus an extra 100 to help with corn-husking. The farmers would sometimes wait all day and all night for their wagons to be unloaded. The factory was sold to Amos Stripple of Vinton, Iowa, in 1918. The buildings were dismantled and moved to Clarksville, Iowa, where it was re-opened.
Chris Olson, above, won first prize for the largest load of oats with 190 bushels at Market Day, 1908. John Carter, below, was one of the first rural mail carriers in Lyle. He delivered on Route 1 and Chris Johnson delivered Route 2. Carter retired in 1927. The Lyle School can be seen in the background.
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 57
AUTOMOTIVE HOLIDAY CARS OF AUSTIN: 2701 West Oakland Ave., Austin, MN www.holidaycarsaustin.net www.holidayford.net (888) 267-1356 Holiday Cars of Austin is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in the area. From the moment you walk into our showroom, you’ll know our commitment to Customer Service is second to none. We strive to make your experience with Holiday Cars a good one – for the life of your vehicle. Whether you need to purchase, finance, or service a new or pre-owned vehicle, you’ve come to the right place. DENTAL DRS. ELROD, GREEN & HYLAND, DDS: 800 1st Ave. SW, Austin, MN (507) 437-8208 www.yoursmileperfected.com Drs. Elrod, Green & Hyland is a modern, state-of-the-art practice offering patients a full-range of general and cosmetic dental services, from routine check-ups to complete smile makeovers. The doctors practice conservative, proactive dentistry utilizing the latest in dental technology. The first step towards a beautiful smile and a lifetime of good oral health is to schedule an appointment. Our office works with numerous Insurance Carriers. For your convenience, we offer a variety of payment options. Call today to schedule your appointment. We look forward to serving you for years to come! FINANCIAL BREMER BANK: www.bremer.com Full-service banking, wealth management, investment, trust and insurance for personal or business banking. Online banking anywhere, anytime. Two locations to serve you better. 805 North Main, Austin, MN (507) 433-8822 and 900 18th Ave NW, Austin, MN (507) 434-4613 FIRST FARMERS & MERCHANTS: 128 N. Main St., Austin, MN (507) 433-3473 www.ffmbank.com First Farmers & Merchants Bank is a financial institution serving a number of southern Minnesota communities. We provide premium banking services, including agricultural and consumer loans, mortgage lending, mobile and online banking, small business banking, and deposit products. RBC WEALTH MANAGEMENT – TOM WUERTZ: 329 N. Main St., Suite 104, Austin, MN (507) 433-4690 www.rbcwmfa.com/tom.wuertz Small town service with global resources. Achieve your financial goals with our intelligent solutions. RBC Wealth Management is your partner to help navigate the complex choices and challenges planning for the future brings. We’re here to elevate your success into something more. HEALTH THE HORMEL INSTITUTE: 801 16th Ave. NE, Austin, MN www.hi.umn.edu (507) 433-8804 The Hormel Institute is a world-recognized leader in the scientific field showing that dietary factors prevent and control cancer development. We are accelerating cancer research discoveries to achieve our mission: Improve your health and well-being. Today’s Research, Tomorrow’s Cures. HOME IMPROVEMENT AREN’S HEATING: 103 3rd St. SE, Austin, MN www.arensheatingandcooling. com (507) 433-5652 Steve and Penny Arens working hard to make “Our Furnace Company Your Furnace Company” for 32 years since 1983. Selling “Top Rated” Bryant Equipment. We will service any make or model. 24 HR Emergency Service. Free Estimates. Call Today (507) 433-5652.
HOME IMPROVEMENT (CONTINUED) FREEBORN LUMBER COMPANY & DESIGN CENTER: 971 Plaza Street West, Albert Lea, MN www.freebornlumber.com (507) 377-4284 A family owned business that began in 1946. Stop in and visit their new facility and design showroom. Freeborn Lumber features quality building materials, new home design, kitchen remodels, cabinet design, agricultural buildings and outdoor living spaces. GREENMAN HEATING & REFRIGERATION: 1001 4th St. SE, Austin, MN (507) 437-6500 www.lennoxdealer.com/greenmanhvac Your local Lennox Premier Dealer staffed with Austin’s finest NATE Certified installers and technicians, ready to assist you with your heating, cooling, fireplace, and ventilation needs. Family owned for over 50 years, our family cares about your family. Voted Best of Mower County. Go Green, Save Green, call Greenman HVAC. NEW DIMENSION ELECTRONICS: (507) 433-2122 Having been in business for over 35 years, providing your home entertainments needs with Dish Network, Directv, Antenna Service, and Home Theater. Visit our website at www. Newdimensionelectronics.net or Come See our showroom located next to Jim’s SuperValu at 209 11th St NE, Austin, MN. SERVICES AUSTIN AEROFLIGHT: 710 21st St NE, Austin, MN (507) 433-1813 www.austinaeroflight.com Austin Aeroflight, Inc. is a full service FBO located at the Austin Municipal Airport. We offer both Jet A and 100LL fuel services. We provide flight training and ground instruction. Along with training, we also offer a complete line of CATS computerized testing. All FAA or FCC written tests can be taken here. Your major or minor aircraft repairs may be completed by our professional maintenance personnel. Austin Aeroflight also has the heated hangar space you need to protect your aircraft in all weather conditions. We’re here to meet all your aviation needs in Southern Minnesota. CRIME VICTIMS RESOURCE CENTER: 101 14th St NW, Austin, MN (507) 437-6680 www.facebook.com/CVResourcecenter The CVRC provides advocacy and support to crime victims in Mower County, Minnesota. The CVRC is here to serve you and those close to you with support and options and works for changes which will enable all citizens to live in a community free of fear and violence through advocacy, actions and education. The CVRC will help individuals who have been victims of many different types of crime. FEATHERLITE GRAPHICS & PAINT: 74947 State Hwy 16 East, Grand Meadow, MN (507) 754-5876 www.featherlitegraphics.com We are one of the few companies anywhere that can provide custom vehicle paint, graphic services and large format printing solutions at one convenient location. Our 40,000 sq. ft. facility contains four 85’ long x 24’ wide x 18’ tall paint booths. We use DuPont & Sikkens paint, which are mixed in-house with state-of-the-art mixing systems. Our facility can hold any size vehicle, while keeping them out of the elements. For all vinyl work, we use high quality 3M Media products. GERARD ACADEMY: 1111 28th St. NE, Austin, MN (507) 433-1843 www.nexustreatment.org At Gerard Academy, we believe in strengthening the inherent goodness and potential of every child and family, no matter what challenges they face. Since 1969, we have offered therapeutic care for children, adolescents and their families, providing the foundation for them to re-imagine and rebuild their lives. HY-VEE: 1001 18th Avenue NW, Austin, MN (507) 437-7625 www.hy-vee.com “Where there’s a helpful smile in every aisle.” Austin’s Hy-Vee is a full-service supermarket featuring a bakery, floral department, dine-in and carryout food service, wine and spirits, pharmacy, HealthMarket, Caribou Coffee, and fuel station.
BRICK FURNITURE: 504 North Main St., Austin, MN (507) 433-8833 www. brickfurnitureaustin.com Locally owned. Specializing in great quality. Low sale prices every day. Top service after the sale. Name brands such as La-Z-Boy, Smith Brothers of Berne, Sealy, and Daniel’s Amish. Lots of wall decor. Many other varieties of decor to choose from!
MCFARLAND TRUCK LINES, INC: (507) 437-6651 www.mcfgtl.com McFarland Truck Lines is a regional truckload carrier operating throughout the upper Midwest. Specializing in refrigerated and time sensitive food related products, using drop and hook on many of our loads getting you back on the road faster.
BUDGET BLINDS: 310 1st Ave. S., Albert Lea, MN (877) 373-8535 www. budgetblinds.com/AlbertLea We proudly serve the local community by offering high quality and stylish window coverings for any occasion. Our lavish selection of window treatments includes shutters, blinds, draperies, shades and even window film. Call us today to schedule your free in-home consultation. Looking forward to helping you beautify your home!
SMYTH COMPANIES: 1201 27th Ave. NW, Austin, MN (507) 434-5918 Smyth offers full-service design and prepress services to our commercial clients. From simple two-color flyers to complex layouts for annual reports or product brochures, we can do it all. Eight station presses enable the application of a world of colors along with gloss or matte coatings. Digital printing is also available for short run and prototype work.
58 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
Austin is bustling with activity this summer as many fun-filled events and celebrations are set to take place. Along with annual events like Freedom Fest, the ArtWorks Festival and Summerset Theatre performances, Austin is sure to welcome crowds of people for Hormel Foods Corp.’s 125th Anniversary and Spam Museum grand opening in July. —All dates, times, and locations subject to change
Austin Country Club tournaments
Where: Austin County Club Club Championships, July 16-17; Packer Classic Golf Outing, July 18; Karl Potach Memorial Golf Outing, Aug. 15; Gerrard Academy Golf Outing, Aug. 22; and Austin Chamber AMIGO Days, Sept. 12.
Meadow Greens Golf Club tournaments
Where: Meadow Greens Golf Club Wagner Open, July 9; Bakery Lounge tournament, Aug. 6.
July 11
Water Festival Kickoff Program
When: 7 p.m. Where: Ruby Rupner Auditorium, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Join the Austin Ikes for a clean water project update to kick off Water Festival Week. Cody Fox, project manager for the Cedar River Watershed District, will present on the CRWD’s nearly $8 million, five year Capital Improvement Project (CIP) focused on improving water quality and reducing flooding. For more information or to RSVP, call 507-437-7519 or email info@hormelnaturecenter.org.
July 11-15
3rd Annual Clean Water Festival
When: All day Where: Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Celebrate the importance of clean water with this family-fun event filled with a variety of hands-on, entertaining, and educational events and activities. For more information, call 507-437-7519 or go to www.hormelnaturecenter.org.
June 23-26
July 13-14
When: All day Where: Marcusen Park and Riverland Complex This tournament features premier semi-pro baseball teams from Minnesota and surrounding states. Sixteen teams will battle for the challenge title. Games will be played at Marcusen Park and Riverland Complex. For more information, email john.frein@donaldson.com.
When: 7 p.m. on July 13, 9:30-10:30 a.m., 1-2 p.m. on July 14 Where: Ruby Rupner Auditorium, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Back by popular demand, Peter Mayer will perform for the Water Festival. With 10 CD’s to his credit, Mayer writes songs about interconnectedness, the human journey, and about the beauty and mystery of the world. Whimsical, humorous and profound, Peter’s music breaks the boundaries of “folk” and transcends to a place of wonder at life itself. For more information, call 507-437-7519 or go to www.hormelnaturecenter.org.
SPAMTown Challenge Baseball Tournament
June 25
Haitian Hustle 5K Run/Walk
When: 9 a.m. Where: Faith Church Help raise money to cover the educational costs of the children living at the Lighthouse Children’s Home, which is run by Jesus in Haiti Ministries. Registration and check-in is 7:30 to 8:30 a.m at Faith Church East Campus. The race includes a 5K Run/Walk for ages 11 and above for $25 and a kids race for children ten-years-old and younger for $5.
July 1-4
Freedom Fest
When: All day Where: Austin This annual festival celebrates Independence Day with a parade, dances, music, games, vendors, food, fireworks and a lot of fun. Festivities will include: Dan Ulwelling Bike Race, Hog Jog, Mini Piggy Fun Run, and activities in the park. For more information, call 507-437-4561.
July 2
SPAMTown Disc Golf Tournament
When: 9 a.m. Where: Todd Park Singles will play two rounds at Todd Park with a 9 a.m. sign up at the Izaak Walton Cabin. For more information, call Deb or Greg Huckaby at 507-433-1611 60 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
Singer-Songwriter Peter Mayer
July 13-17
‘The Murder Room’ by the Summerset Theatre
When: 7:30 p.m. July 13-16, 2 p.m. on July 17 Where: Riverland Community College’s Frank W. Bridges Theatre A zany spoof of British mysteries featuring a cast in “a plethora of hilarious situations.” Secret chambers, secret panels and trap lids galore operated by the most ridiculous contrivances. For tickets or information, contact the box office at 507-433-0595 or go to www.summersettheatre.org.
July 19
Ag Appreciation Cookout
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: Mower County Fairgrounds, Plager Building This annual event is hosted by the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce in appreciation of the importance of agriculture to the area. Grilled windsor chops will be served. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
July 20
World Music Series: Krar Collective
When: 7-8 p.m. Where: Historic Paramount Theatre Krar Collective serve up a colorful feast of mind-blowing Ethiopian grooves. Led by Temesgen Zeleke, Krar Collective perform a rootsy yet contemporary take on traditional music from Ethiopia based on other worldly modes and driven by hypnotic rhythms. The concert is part of the World Music Series and is a free event.
July 23
Aug. 9-14
When: 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Where: Hormel Foods World Headquarters Games and activities for the whole family following the race, with live music, coupons from Hormel and more. Register at www.active.com, key word “5K Your Way.” For more information, call 507-433-1881.
When: All day Where: Mower County Fairgrounds This wonderful adventure includes fair food, midway rides, grandstand events, entertainment, animals of all kinds, equestrian competitions, horticultural exhibits, arts and crafts displays, and more. The fair is free and open to the public. The Mower County Historical Society buildings will also be open and free to visit. For more information, call 507-433-1868.
Pep It Up 5K Your Way
July 23-24
Mower County Relay for Life
When: 5 p.m.-7 a.m. Where: Mower County Fairgrounds This annual fundraiser will raise awareness and money for cancer research. The luminaria ceremony will take place at dusk.
July 24
Peace Garden Concert
When: 4:30-8 p.m. Where: Hormel Historic Home Enjoy tours, refreshments and music in the Hormel Historic Home garden. Going To The Sun, an acoustic folk group, will perform.
July 26
Gene Roden Memorial Track Meet
When: 6:15-8 p.m. Where: Larry Gilbertson Track and Field Sponsored by the Austin Noon Kiwanis, for ages 3 and up. Field events begin promptly at 6:15 p.m. and running events at 6:30 p.m. Both meets are free of charge, and all participants will receive ribbons. For more information, call 507-433-1881.
July 27-30
Hormel Food Corporation’s 125th Anniversary Celebration When: All day Where: Austin Hormel Food Corp. will celebrate its 125th anniversary with several days of festivities and the Spam Museum’s grand opening.
Mower County Free Fair
Aug. 17
World Music Series: Calan
When: 7-8 p.m. Where: Historic Paramount Theatre Calan bring together the talents of five young musicians giving a fresh and vibrant sound to traditional Welsh music. They blast their way through some of the old favorite reels, jigs and hornpipes with fast paced and uplifting arrangements before melting into some of the most beautiful and haunting songs. The concert is part of the World Music Series and is a free event.
Aug. 19
Eighth Annual Doggy Dip
When: 6-7:30 p.m. Where: Austin Municipal Pool Treat the family dog to a refreshing romp in the pool. Cost is $2 for one dog and two human companions. Any additional human companions are $1. Memberships are not accepted. For more information, call 507-433-1881.
Aug. 27
Dick Schindler Celebration Concert
When: 7 p.m. Where: Historic Paramount Theatre This concert is part of the Austin ArtWorks Festival and will feature Sonny Knight and The Lakers, Malamanya, and the Peter Jacobs Jazz Combo.
July 29
Aug. 27-28
When: 3-10 p.m. Where: Green space between Mower County Jail and Justice Center and Paramount Theatre Celebrate the community with The Band Perry, celebrity chef Sunny Anderson and national and local talent, along with food and activities for the whole family.
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Historic Downtown Power Plant Located in an historic power plant in the heart of the city, the festival was launched in 2012 as a celebration of local artists and those with a tie to our area; it has since expanded to showcasing regionally and nationally known artists as well. The ArtWorks Festival offers a broad selection of experiences in the arts — visual, performing, literary, culinary, and more — in one celebratory weekend, much of it interactive, including family activities and demonstrations (e.g. glassblowing, wheel throwing, & metalwork). For more information, call 507-434-0934.
Hormel 125th Anniversary Concert
Aug. 3
‘Harvey’ by the Summerset Theatre
When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3-6, 2 p.m. on Aug. 7 Where: Riverland Community College’s Frank Bridges Theatre Elwood P. Dowd is an affable man whose best friend is a 6-foot-3-inch and a half inch tall invisible rabbit named Harvey. His family’s efforts to have him committed to a sanitarium to spare them social embarrassment leads to some unforeseen results. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 507-433-0595 or go to www.summersettheatre.org.
Austin ArtWorks Festival
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 61
BOOK REVIEW
U P H E AVA L I N N O RT H DA KO TA
‘THE ROUND HOUSE’ EXAMINES TRAGEDY ON THE RESERVATION By Peggy Benzkofer, Austin Page Turners
“The Round House” by Louise Erdrich follows Joe Coutts, a 13-year-old boy living a somewhat idyllic life on a reservation in North Dakota in 1988. His whole life changes one summer Sunday afternoon when his mother is viciously attacked in the Round House of the title. Joe’s parents are a tribal judge and the person responsible for determining who is a member of the tribe. It soon becomes apparent that the attack is connected to their jobs. Joe is confused and terrified at what has happened and soon it is known who committed this terrible crime. It becomes even more complicated and confusing for Joe when he finds a large amount of money and then realizes it really belongs to another victim of that day. A large supporting cast of Joe’s many relatives and friends are intricate to the story, and Erdrich is a master at telling the reader how they are interconnected in an amusing and interesting way. The parish priest, Joe’s uncle and “aunt,” his foul-mouthed grandparents, the lady who works in the post office as well as many other people are all important to the story. Joe has three good friends and the boys bike around the area, swim, drink beer and talk about girls. A strong subplot involves Joe’s best friend, Cappy, and his first girlfriend. This ends tragically when the boys decide to travel to Montana to visit her. Erdrich is known for telling stories of Native Americans and is adept at showing us that way of life. A major theme of this book is the confusing jurisdiction of crimes committed on the reservation. Because the Round House was located in an area that included parts of the reservation and part of the adjourning “The Round House” by Louise Erdrich county as well as federal areas, it Author photo by Paul Emmel became very complicated. It was 62 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
very rare for a white man to be accused of rape committed on the reservation. In the afterword, the author credits the Tribal Law and Order Act, which was signed into law in 2010, with correcting this injustice. She is a registered member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. This is an interesting, entertaining read by one of Minnesota’s most recognized authors.
July–August 2016 | Austin Living | 63
WHY I LOVE AUSTIN Mark and Tammy Coffey with son Zach. Photo provided
proud to call austin home By Mark Coffey
In the summer of 1985, I was offered a job with George A. Hormel and Company as a production supervisor. At the time, I knew very little about the Fortune 500 company that would become my life’s work or its hometown of Austin, Minnesota. As a young college graduate, the move to Austin was an easy transition for me. It felt a lot like home with its strong ties to agriculture and Midwest values. I met lifelong friends, played in sports leagues, volunteered as a youth coach and began to learn the history of our community. My Hormel Foods career has taken our family all over the U.S., to cities big and small. We moved 10 times in the first 20 years, and we were in and out of Austin on three different occasions. Every move was a chance to see another part of the country, but coming back to Austin was coming home for us. It is where Tammy and I began life as a married couple and raised our children. We believe in getting involved in the community and have volunteered or served in numerous clubs and organizations over the years. In business, we know you are either moving forward or backwards but never standing still. As I drive around Austin and see all of the projects that have recently been completed or are in progress, it is easy to see that our community is indeed moving forward. (I.J. Holton Intermediate School, the Spam Museum, the dome at Westcott Athletic Complex, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, 64 | Austin Living | July–August 2016
The Hormel Institute expansion and several others). We can all be very thankful for the collaboration and vision of our business and community leaders who have made these projects a reality. Austin is and always will be a community of “can do” people. We’ve lived and worked in large metropolitan cities, and I have to tell you they are great places to visit, but I don’t miss the traffic, congestion and nonstop activity. I like it that I can go home for lunch and be anywhere around town in five minutes. I like it that if our kids had a sporting event or school activity, I could slip away from work to watch them perform. I like it that we know our neighbors and they look out for us when we aren’t around. I like it that we have an outstanding educational system and access to world-class health care. The Austin community is full of wonderful people. As plant manager of our Austin plant, I had the privilege of getting to know many of our employees from all parts of our community. Their work ethic, commitment and generosity always impressed me. When it was time to raise money for the United Way or any other community need, they stepped up in the name of a good cause. For 125 years Hormel Foods has been proud to call Austin “home” and so am I. Mark Coffey is the vice president of Affiliated Business Units for Hormel Foods. He and his wife Tammy live in Austin. They have three adult sons: Max, Sean and Zach.