EDITORS’ NOTES January and February are an incredibly busy time for the staff of the Austin Daily Herald and Austin Living. Not only are we preparing to get the March-April edition of Austin Living to the presses and to you, but we also have our biggest special section of the year, Progress, primed to head to press. With that in mind, this upcoming edition of Austin Living is jammed packed full of things that we hope will get you prepared for spring when people can start getting outside and making use of the lengthening days. There are stories about planting trees, the new Red Bike program and an area runner who participates in marathons. All of this on top of some great features on people who collect a variety of things, dresses being donated by Belles and Beaus for the Gerard Academy’s prom and Grand Meadow’s very own model railroad club going on strong for more than 10 years. The fact of the matter is, that no matter how busy we’ve been, we have come together and produced a fantastic issue that we hope our readers can thoroughly enjoy.
– Eric Johnson I bought one record, then another and then another until I eventually had two shelves of more than a thousand records on my hands. It just happened. When we’re passionate about something, it takes very little for us to express that love and interest and watch it grow. My collection came in vinyl form. A love for music led me to collect records, and it’s taken me on a journey from older records like Pink Floyd’s bootleg “Brain Damage” and Charles Mingus’ “Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus Mingus” to modern gems like Radiohead’s “newspaper album” “The King of Limbs.” When you learn about someone’s collection, you get a unique view about their passions and what makes them tick. In this edition of Austin Living, we highlight three of Austin’s many, many collectors and the items that make them tick: Bradley Mariska’s Berenstain Bear collection (Page 38), Didacus Guzman’s comic book collection (Page 40) and Kristine Barbie Hage’s Barbie collection (Page 42).
– Jason Schoonover
PUBLISHER Jana Gray EDITORIAL Co-Editors Jason Schoonover Eric Johnson Contributing Writers Jason Schoonover Jenae Hackensmith Jordan Gerard Eric Johnson Rocky Hulne 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 MARCH–APRIL 2014 Volume 4, Number 2
Co-Editors Eric Johnson and Jason Schoonover
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
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WHAT’S INSIDE
MARCH–APRIL 2016
features RUNNING WITH PERSEVERENCE Dave Needham took his love of running to the challenge of marathons
PASSION TO COLLECT Three Austin people share their unique collections
A LOVING TRIBUTE
Daughter, family honor Dan Ulwelling on a special day
ONE IN A MILLION
Georgia Williams turns to God in her fight with cancer
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A CINDERELLA EVENING Donated dresses make Gerard Academy’s prom a special night
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SEEN 6 HORMEL HISTORIC HOME CRAFT
Craft show a perfect touch to the holiday season.
8 LYLE AREA CANCER
Area auction continues raking in the big bucks in fight against cancer.
10 WINTER
Readers share their visions of winter.
12 PAINT THE TOWN PINK
Plunging for Pink is good, cold fun.
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OUT & ABOUT 14 GET ON A BIKE AND RIDE
Austin gets ready to welcome the Red Bike program to the city.
26 DRINKING IN SPRING
Hy-Vee will have you thinking spring with these alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
16 COMING TOGETHER TO FIGHT CANCER
The Hormel Institute’s Live Learning Center will bring in scientists from around the world.
20 PUSHING ON DOWN THE LINE
Grand Meadow railroad club shows off its love of model railroading.
WHAT’S IN STORE 28 TAKING OFF WITH IMAGINATION
Shop showcases those items that not only are fun, but will make you think as well.
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HOME & HEARTH 30 START OUT ON THE RIGHT ROOT
Dolan’s Landscaping Center offers tips on planting trees.
TRAVEL 54 TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME
Paul Spyhalski’s love of baseball takes him to stadiums throughout the country.
50 extras
36 56 LOOKING BACK
Celebrating Austin’s water.
58 AUSTIN LIVING MARKETPLACE 60 AREA HAPPENINGS
The biggest upcoming events in Austin.
62 BOOK REVIEW
Lin Enger’s “The High Divide”
64 WHY I LOVE AUSTIN
The Ruzek family.
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SEEN | Indie Craft Market The Indie Craft Market was a perfect way to get people excited for Christmas. People showed up in force to peruse all the wares offered by vendors and enjoy some wine. Everything was available to make homes festive, find that perfect accessory or just to find that perfect touch for the home. As Austin prepared for the year’s big day, it was a great way for friends and family to get out and enjoy each other’s company.
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(1) Crystal Conner, left, Julie Schmick, Shellie Wuertz and Tracy Lunt. (2) Julie Clinefelter, left, Jennifer Lawhead and Gretchen Erickson. (3) Michelle Morehouse, left, Ann Kasel (4) Kim Wernz, left, and Carolyn Williams. (5) Michael and Katy Clayton. (6) Wendy Anderson. (7) Christa Wadekamper, left, and Amy Wadekamper. (8) Sarah Brinza from 3B Eatery and Catering, left, and Julie Shoars. (9) Breanna Kemmerick. (10) Lyndsey Raffelson, left, and Sarah Schmit. (11) Allyson Buttshaw. (12) Chris Kasak, left, and Cassie Leathers, Ashley Denisen and Julie Loveland. (13) Heather Meyer. (14) Theresa Turner. (15) Julie Brunner, left, and Jen Reinartz. (16) Olivia Duffy, left, and Katie Bissen.
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SEEN | Lyle Area Cancer Auction For 37 years, volunteers have gathered at the Lyle Area Cancer Auction to cap a year of fundraising efforts to fight cancer. Lyle Area Cancer, which features several events, raised $227,185 this year and has raised about $2.4 million to date with no signs of slowing down. The event is a magical two-day marathon of bidding that brings out the best in everybody involved. Each year is as special as the last for the LAC and all the good it brings.
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8 (1) Lyle Area Cancer kicked off its 2016 auction, which along with other LAC events raised $227,185 — its second-best year. (2) Miranda Arkells, a Lyle High School National Honor Society student, and Angela Davey run the table for the 50-50 raffle. (3) Gary Harrison points out a bidder during the auction. (4) Food is always a big part of the Lyle Area Cancer Auction. (5) Auctioneer Mick Brooks calls the first item up for bid. (6) Nikky Sampson and her sons, Brody, left, and Ty, right, sit in the crowd. (7) Darwin Small holds up the first item for bid on the first night. (8) Erik Haugland looks for bidders. (9) Judy Enright and Jackie Jensen, both of Austin, sit in the audience. (10) Roe Naylor and his son, Zach Naylor, both of Brownsdale. Roe helps run the annual Harley raffle.
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SEEN | Winter Wonderland Winter can be a bleak time of year. With snow packing people into their homes, it can leave the most hardy of people feeling stir crazy. But that doesn’t mean it can’t paint a lovely picture. Austin Living asked readers to submit their favorite pictures featuring winter, and they didn’t let us down. From serene winterscapes to children outside in the snow, our readers encompassed everything about the season.
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(1 & 2) Photos by Claire Simon taken on Dec. 27, 2015, on her farm in Adams. (3 & 4) Kinley Deters, 1, checks out the snow. Camryn Deters posing for a picture out in the snow. Parents are Nick and Melissa Deters of Austin. (5) Photo taken by Tim Ruzek of the Cedar River Watershed District on Jan. 8 at Ramsey Dam on the Cedar River. (6) Frost and snow accent the trees along East Side Lake. Photo by Dorothy Lukes. (7) Stacy Clingman took this photo on Feb. 4 last winter while driving down Fourth Street Northwest near Jim’s Super Fresh. With her were Jennifer Branchaud and Suzanne Schmidt. This was the view from all over Austin that morning. She got to view it from several different angles, but this shot captures the full rainbow. (8) Photo by Dorothy Lukes. (9) Photo of a tree taken by Don Wolfe in Austin in January 2016. (10) Photo taken by Tim Ruzek of the Cedar River Watershed District on Jan. 8 at Austin’s Todd Park on a footbridge over Wolf Creek. (11) Kylie Schmidt enjoys winter break at Skinner’s Hill on Dec. 30, 2015. Photo by Stacy Clingman. 10 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
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SEEN | Paint the Town Pink Like the Lyle Area Cancer Auction, Paint the Town Pink has expanded into an all-encompassing effort to raise money for The Hormel Institute to find cures and treatments for breast cancer. One event that showcases the commitment of the area is Plunging for Pink, which features many brave souls taking the leap into the frigid waters of East Side Lake. This year’s event earned $73,000, topping last year’s total of $59,000.
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(1) A panorama shows off the busy scene at East Side Lake during Paint the Town Pink’s Plunging for Pink. (2) Tim Ruzek makes the leap. (3) Judy Enright heads to her jump. (4) Gail Dennison and Kathy Finley hit the water during their jump. The Hormel Foundation’s Gary Ray challenged both women to jump. (5) Jumpers hit the water during their turn in the plunge. (6) Addison Haugland, from left, Elizabeth Hutchinson and Ava Haugland watch the plungers. (7) Paint the Town Pink’s Plunging for Pink brought a big crowd to the banks of East Side Lake. (8) Six-year-old Lucas Klitzman is helped out of East Side Lake by family members Emily McAlister, right, and Barb McAlister after their jump. Hope McAlister also took part in the jump. (9) Toby Hovelsrud makes an early entrance into the lake as the crew from Davis, Thoen, Kramer & Associates gets ready to jump. March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 13
OUT & ABOUT
GET ON A BIKE AND RIDE
By Jason Schoonover
Photos by Eric Johnson
Jens Raffelson, followed by John Wright and Nancy Schnable, rolls one of the red bikes for the Red Bike program out of Rydjor Bike.
Raffelson puts one of the red bikes in a storefront window on Main Street.
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Finished red bikes hang in the work area of Rydjor Bike.
Respect, ridership will key Red Bike success Ride, respect, return. At its core, Austin’s new Red Bike program is that simple: People pick up one of 60 bikes from 11 racks around town, they use the bike and then they return the bike. “The bikes will be free for anyone to use,” Vision 2020 Bike/Walk Committee Chairman Steve Kime said. “We want that to be clear: free to use. Ride them as much as you want. Take care of them.” After Austin shakes off winter’s grip, the community typically sees a barrage of bicyclists hit the streets. Community leaders are hoping to see many more pedaling around Austin on Red Bikes. Vision 2020 and the city of Austin are partnering to kick off the Red Bike sharing program this year to offer free bikes for people to use around town, whether they live in Austin or are just visiting. But us Midwestern folks can be hesitant to try new things, especially when it involves taking something. So here is everything you should know about taking advantage of Red Bike before the program debuts in mid-April:
How can you ride? Red Bikes will be easily identifiable. The one-speed bikes will be painted red and will be stationed at various red racks at 11 spots around town. “It’s for everyone to use. They’re free,” Kime said. “Take advantage of it and just make it a positive experience in terms of riding them as much as you want. Take care of them and when you’re done, put them back in a red rack.” All the bikes are on adult frames with a mix of men’s and women’s bikes. At least some of the red bikes should have baskets to help people who want to use them to go shopping. The racks will also be identified with a Red Bike sign along with rules for ridership. Steve Kime attaches a flier to one of the red bikes displayed in a storefront window.
So how do you use Red Bike? Step 1. Arrive at a Red Bike rack. Step 2. Adjust the seat to your preferred height. Step 3. Check the bike’s essentials: tire pressure, brakes, etc. Step 4. Wear a helmet. Though this isn’t required, it’s highly recommend. Step 5. Depart to your destination and follow the rules of the road. Step 6. Return to a red rack when you’re done.
When can you ride? Red Bike will debut in mid-April each spring, weather permitting, and run through mid-October. The bikes won’t be out in the winter, and organizers ask riders not use the bikes at night.
How can you help? The “respect” part of Red Bike’s motto is broad, but most of it is based on common sense. Kime urged riders to only take a bike from a red rack and not from other places should someone borrow a bike and leave it outside a store. However, if a bike looks out of place or is left in the same place for several days, people can call Austin Parks & Recreation at 507-433-1881. While police have been involved in Red Bike’s development, Kime expects the community to be the eyes and the ears, as they’ll help keep an eye out to see if anything is out of place. When Willmar started a similar program, it lost about 20 percent of its bikes; however, Austin’s goal is to lose no bikes. Kime hopes Austin riders will be respectful of the bikes after the positive response from the community. “We’ll see them out and about and that will be the best indicator, I think, is we see people riding them,” Kime said. Kime and other volunteers will work to ensure bikes are evenly dispersed at the racks, and will help ensure the bikes are maintained. If a tire is low or if a bike has some other issue, there is a fixit station by Morning Lions Park, 198 Eighth St. NE, which is one of the rack locations.
Where are the red bikes? The initial 11 Red Bike racks, which are subject to change and may be adjusted as the program gets under way, include: 1. East Side Lake near the pavilion 2. I.J. Holton / Ellis Middle School area 3. Wescott Athletic Complex 4. The Spam Museum 5. Austin Municipal Pool 6. Hormel Foods Corp. north corporate offices 7. Hormel Foods Corp. south corporate offices 8. Morning Lions Park 9. Casey’s area 10. 18th Avenue area, possibly near the hotels or Hy-Vee 11. One of the Ankeny’s stores. March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 15
OUT & ABOUT
By The Hormel Institute • Photos Provided
Coming together to fight cancer
Live Learning Center to bring scientists from around the world to Austin Hundreds of international scientists will travel to Austin this year to strengthen worldwide collaborations and share discoveries in cancer research using The Hormel Institute’s still-under-construction Live Learning Center conference center and auditorium. Executive Director Dr. Zigang Dong is co-chair of two annual and major international research symposiums, and he is bringing both to Austin and The Hormel Institute this year. “It will be a historic time to use the Live Learning Center space and the expanded facilities of The Hormel Institute,” Dong said. “The vision we have for accelerating cancer research discoveries and its benefit to our community and state are just beginning. It continues to be a very historic time, and we are very thankful to our leaders and our community for their great support.” The conferences include the seventh China-U.S. Forum on Frontiers of Cancer Research symposium on June 1-3, which will coincide with the grand opening of the current building expansion, and the International Skin Carcinogenesis Conference is scheduled for Sept. 21-24. Each conference will include a couple hundred cancer researchers from around the world. Continues on Page 18
Dr. Zigang Dong, executive director of The Hormel Institute, is co-chair for both of the international cancer conferences he is bringing to Austin and The Hormel Institute this year. 16 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
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Continued from Page 16 to come back with family and friends in the future.” “There are great benefits to the community that come from In October, The Hormel Institute’s new Scientific Advisory bringing events such as these to Austin and Minnesota,” said Board met for the first time in Zhengzhou, China, during the Gail Dennison, director of development and public relations sixth China-U.S. Forum on Frontiers of Cancer Research for The Hormel Institute. “The most important objective is it conference. Dong developed The Hormel Institute Scientific furthers our mission — that cancer Advisory Board over the past year research is moved forward and that to assist with current and future ABOUT THE LIVE LEARNING CENTER benefits everyone. The other benefits research decisions for the Institute. are the economic benefits to our The board, which consists of worldThe $4.5 million Live Learning Center will local businesses and the excitement class scientists, will consult Institute feature innovative, global-communications technology in a 250-seat lecture hall events such as these bring to our leadership regularly, providing with an adjacent hall for various uses, community. It’s very unusual for helpful advice and information including scientific poster sessions during an international cancer research based on their own leadership the international cancer conferences. conference to be held in a small city experience, including best practices Fundraising for the campaign is still underway such as Austin.” for numerous areas related to and donations may be mailed to The Hormel The boost to the local economy operating a medical research center Institute, 801 16th Avenue NE, Austin, MN is something the Austin Convention and recruiting top talent. 55912 or online at www.hi.umn.edu. and Visitors Bureau is enthused All Scientific Advisory Board about. Conference attendees will members will attend and some will spend three to four days and nights in the area and while here, speak at the seventh China-U.S. Forum on Frontiers of Cancer visit area businesses, restaurants and attractions. Research in June. “The economic impact of hosting an overnight event in In addition to cancer research conferences and regular Austin can be incredibly positive,” Austin CVB Director Nancy internal seminars, the Live Learning Center will be used for Schnable said. “The benefits can be both long and short term. other community meetings in the future, such as the Hormel Visitors will spend money in our local restaurants, hotels, retail Foods Management Council Meeting. Specifics as to how shops and attractions during their trip for the conference. the space will be used/leased by outside groups is still under Then the cherished memories they make will encourage them development. Hormel Institute Associate Director Dr. Ann Bode presents at the sixth China-U.S. Forum on Frontiers of Cancer Research conference in Zhengzhou, China, in October 2015. The seventh China-U.S. Forum on Frontiers of Cancer Research symposium will take place June 1-3 at The Institute. 18 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
Members of The Hormel Institute Scientific Advisory Board include: Dr. Zigang Dong, The Hormel Institute. He is a McKnight Presidential Professor in Cancer Prevention.
Dr. Christina Hoven, Columbia University in New York. She is Director of the International Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health in the National Center for Disaster Preparedness and received the David E. Rogers Medal in Health Policy from Cornell University. Dr. Webster Cavenee, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in San Diego, California. He is a National Academy of Sciences member.
Dr. Scott Lippman, Director of the University of California – San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center. He is a member of the prestigious Association of American Physicians, which is a nonprofit, professional organization that elects distinguished physicians for membership.
Dr. Carlo Croce, The Ohio State University. He also is part of the National Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Robert Huber, The Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Germany. Along with being a Nobel Prize Laureate, Huber also is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Peter Vogt, The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. He is a National Academy of Sciences member.
Dr. Waun Ki Hong, Former head of the Division of Cancer Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He is a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. He also was appointed by President George W. Bush to serve on the National Cancer Advisory Board from 2008 to 2014. March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 19
OUT & ABOUT
Pushing on down the line
Grand Meadow group builds its big interest in trains on little tracks Story and Photos by E ric J ohnson
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im Halling watched carefully as a train pushing a tanker slowly went by. Eyes pinched, he focused on the tracks after the train had passed before turning, smiling and proclaiming, “It’s working.” The train he was watching wasn’t a Canadian Pacific diesel thundering by, but a 1/87th-scale HO gauge model train that was washing track that was part of the Railrunners Model Railroad Club’s display in the Grand Meadow Business Center. For more than a decade, the club has occupied the room, building the tracks, upgrading technology and just enjoying the world of trains. Started in 2004, the setup has been an ever-changing reflection of trains in America right down to the scenery that surrounds the 1,000 feet of track that winds and curves back on itself.
Jim Halling watches a cleaning car go past. The car actually cleans the tracks of the Railrunners’ model train setup.
A common interest Trains have captured people’s imaginations from their very beginning, and the members that make up the 11-person Railrunners club are no different. All of them have a history of loving trains from their earliest days, thinking back to times when the trains were still powered by steam and appeared to be living entities. “Steam locomotives seemed like they were something alive,” said Glenn Damerell with a smile stretching at the corner of his lips as he spoke and thought back. “It’s the romance of the railroads.” That romance is reflected in the loving detail of the setup that was initially finished in 2008, even though little changes here and there are a constant thing in a room that is cozy if nothing else. Tracks and trains fill nearly every nook and cranny of the room as members of the club squeeze past each other to get to their own trains. But it’s never a hassle, even when a train jumps the tracks. “We all have a common interest in trains and railroading,” Damerell said. The love of trains though goes deeper than simply watching them pass, either in real life or on the 1/87th scale. It speaks to the past as much as the present. “It’s getting back to the historical roots, remembering the really great days of the railroad [around World War II,]” Damerell said. “There wasn’t a great network of roads and people traveled by train in the great days of the railroad.” The Railrunners’ setup began as a single-level design, but eventually grew to encompass a second level. An early member
A train nears bend in the tracks in this panoramic taken at the Railrunners Model Train Club display in Grand Meadow.
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of the group was a carpenter, so he designed and built the original construction. There are still signs of an early attempt to go even higher, but there just wasn’t room to grow any further. Despite abandoning those plans, the group has put in about 5,000 personal hours building and maintaining the tracks. The current setup is jointly owned by members while the trains are privately owned.
About that common interest Retired Baptist pastor Dale Rood has had an interest for as long as he can remember. A self-described “dabbler” in modeling, Rood remembers checking out trains at every opportunity. “I’ve always been interested,” Rood said. “When I was a little tyke I would always run to the window to watch the trains go by. I always loved to watch trains. The modeling came after.” It was the locomotives that Rood remembers most vividly. “There was always something about locomotives,” he said. “I would take a detour [to school] to see the trains go through.” Rood also remembered how the trains, specifically the model trains, remained a distraction into his pastoring years. At one point Rood, who has a setup of his own at home, put all of his trains away. “I thought God was telling me it was too much of a distraction,” he said. Once he retired though, the tracks were laid down
once again, starting with making videos for something called Model Railroad TV. Rood wanted to make a video about the Railrunners Model Railroad Club and from there, he was back on the rails. “I became connected and just stayed connected,” he said. Dennis Vang’s own journey of the rails started practically on a whim. A business in Rochester’s Miracle Mile Shopping Center was going out of business. With no real prompting other than an enjoyment of trains, Vang visited the store. “I thought, ‘What the heck, I’ll check it out,’” he said. “I was introduced to model railroading.” Vang admits he didn’t know exactly what he was getting into, but he hasn’t looked back. “I bought some things, not knowing what I was really buying,” Vang said. “It was a learning curve.” Vang’s own involvement with the club was through Rood. Both men live in Dodge County and Rood invited Vang on a trip to Grand Meadow to see the layout. From there, Vang became a member of the club. “It’s all been really good,” he said. “You have to do something when you retire.”
An evolution of trains and tracks The club’s layout of independently operated tracks features trains of all eras including the steams of the early days and diesels of today. Continues on Page 24
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Dennis Vang works on one of his trains during one of the group’s meetings.
Continued from Page 23 It makes for a cross-time encompassing layout that reflects the interest of the members themselves. “Some focus on the ‘50s and ‘60s, some steam and some of the newer guys like the new trains, the diesels,” Damerell explained. “It makes for more diversity.” The beauty of the system is how these trains interact with each other. They operate on a direct digital (DDC) control, which allows for the independent system. Each member can operate their own train at the same time as others. What this means is a number of trains can run at the same time, which requires a lot of communication by members if there are problems. Damerell can’t help but laugh at the similarities to real life. “The digital control system allows trains to be operated independently,” he said. “It’s similar to an actual conductor.” It’s not uncommon for members to call out that a train has derailed. When asked if there have been any major derailments, Halling laughs, “Oh, yes.” Another similarity to real life is maintenance of the tracks themselves. One does not simply lay down tracks and set the train moving. “The electronic control system, that’s the No. 1 maintenance priority,” Damerell said. “The system has been going on 10-plus years.” Another aspect of the system has nothing to do with the tracks. It’s the rich scenery surrounding each train as it passes the 6 to 7 minute transition of the setup. There are stores, granaries, farms, towns and a whole host of pieces that transport the train enthusiast back to the time when the rails were king. “That makes the whole display,” Damerell said. “It transforms the configuration of the track to a model railroad. It would just be a curiosity without scenery.” 24 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
Opening the public’s eyes to trains The Railrunners love showing their layout to the public. Even though it’s not always open to public, the group tries to have around three open houses a year for visitors They want the public to be able to see the evolution of the tracks and experience the same thrill with trains they have. “We want to share it with as many people as we can,” Damerell said. “We usually have about two to three open houses each year.” The open houses are just one way the club has been a nice addition for the Grand Meadow Business Center, which almost acts like a mini-mall. The center is made up of the Railrunners, a chiropractor, a fitness business and a whole host of the other business. The Railrunners help make the small business atmosphere of Grand Meadow go. “Currently they are our longest tenants,” center owner Dan Hoffman said. “They open their doors through open houses, they cooperate with other businesses and it’s especially neat to see their interaction with kids, older people and those with special needs. “And who doesn’t like a railroad?” he added. The club has made a special connection with Hoffman and the center and has it worked into their lease that should they wish to expand the Railrunners get first choice. “They are a good positive influence and a good clean hobby,” Hoffman said. The Railrunners seem to thrive on that positive vibe when interacting with the public, and children perhaps get the most enjoyment out of seeing the trains. “Kids eyes light up like a Christmas tree,” Damerell said. And if the kids are extra good, there may be an even bigger treat. “If they are well-behaved and around 10 to 12 years old, I will show them how to operate it and give them control,” Damerell said. “They just love it.”
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OUT & ABOUT
Hy-Vee dietitian Courtney Kremer puts some ice in a nonalcoholic peach cooler. Hy-Vee provided examples of both nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks that are perfect for spring.
With spring on our doorstep, here are drinks to welcome the warmer days By Jordan Gerard • Photos
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Eric Johnson
Spring is right around the corner and temperatures will snap out of the Arctic cold to warm the days and bring us refreshing drinks. Hy-Vee dietitian Courtney Kremer said fruity drinks such as lemonade and pink lemonade, including fruits like watermelon,
strawberries and more are a very popular choice for a lot of people. Mint, cucumber and herb-tasting drinks are also popular, adding some freshness and bite to your alcoholic drinks. These drinks could be featured at weddings, bridal showers and spring cookouts when the weather gets nicer and people take their cooking outdoors. The nonalcoholic drinks are perfect for graduations, preprom gatherings and of course a backyard get-together. “People like something cold to drink on a hot day,” Kremer said. The following recipes are presented by Brian Wahlstrom, Wine & Spirits Manager, and Courtney Kremer, Registered Dietitian, from Austin Hy-Vee.
Nonalcoholic Cherry-Mint Spritzer
Nonalcoholic Sangria
All you need: • 1 cup pitted fresh or thawed frozen cherries, divided • ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, divided, plus 4 sprigs for garnish
All you need: • 1 (750 mL) bottle sparkling white grape juice or sparkling cider • ½ cup pomegranate juice • Ice
Serves 4
• 8 tsp sugar, divided • ¼ cup lime juice, divided • Ice • 3 cups cherry-flavored seltzer, divided
Serves 6 (about 1 cup each)
• 1 firm ripe nectarine, sliced or chopped • 1 cup fresh blueberries • 1½ cups plain seltzer, chilled
All you do: 1. Divide cherries, mint leaves and sugar among four glasses. 2. Mash everything together with the back of a wooden spoon. 3. Stir in lime juice. Fill glasses with ice and top with seltzer. Garnish with mint sprigs.
All you do: 1. Combine sparkling juice, pomegranate juice, nectarine and blueberries in a large pitcher. 2. Refrigerate until cold, about four hours. 3. Just before serving, stir in seltzer. Serve over ice.
Source: EatingWell.com
Source: EatingWell.com
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Strawberry-Basil Margarita Serves 6
All you need: • 6 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved • 9 ounces gold tequila • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 3 ounces Cointreau • ¼ cup agave nectar • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest • 6 to 12 fresh basil leaves • 4 cups ice
All you do: 1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately. Source: Hy-Vee Seasons Magazine, Spring 2013
Cherry Mojito Serves 8
All you need: • 15 pitted cherries • 1 ½ cups cherry run • ¼ cup fresh mint leaves • 4 ½ cups chilled club soda • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice • Ice cubes • 1 (12-ounce) can frozen • Fresh mint sprigs, optional lemonade concentrate, thawed All you do: 1. Place cherries, ¼ cup mint leaves and lime juice in a cocktail shaker or muddling glass. 2. Use a muddler to gently “bruise” the mint and release the cherry juice. 3. Pour muddled contents into a pitcher; add lemonade concentrate and cherry rum, and stir to combine. 4. Just before serving, slowly add club soda and stir together. 5. Serve in ice-filled glasses. If desired, garnish with mint sprigs. Source: Hy-Vee Seasons Magazine, Summer 2014
Watermelon-Cucumber Margarita Serves 6
All you need: • 5 cups fresh watermelon cubes • 1 medium cucumber, peeled and chopped • 9 oz. silver or gold tequila • 3 oz. Cointreau or orange liqueur • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice • Ice cubes, for serving • Fresh cucumber slices, for garnish All you do: 1. Place watermelon cubes, cucumber pieces, tequila, Cointreau and lime juice in a blender and blend until smooth. 2. Pour over ice, garnish with cucumber slices and serve immediately. Source: Hy-Vee Seasons Magazine, Spring 2013
Nonalcoholic Peach Cooler Serves 4
All you need: • 3 cups seltzer • 1 cup peach juice or nectar • 1 cup sparkling white grape juice • Ice • 4 slices fresh peach, for garnish All you do: 1. Combine seltzer, peach juice and sparkling white grape juice in a pitcher. 2. Divide among four ice-filled glasses. 3. Garnish with peach slices, if desired. Source: EatingWell.com March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 27
h t i w f f o g n i tak
WHAT’S IN STORE
n o i t a n i g a m i
• Photos By Rocky Hulne
by
Eric Johnson
everything hobby in austin offers not just items to let you have fun, but to also kick the mind in gear Everything Hobby in Austin has a little something for just about everyone, from RC vehicles to model rockets, but some of the products that owner Kevin Guy is most proud of are the ones that make you think. They also make you put in a little work. Guy is passionate about kids buying items that require construction and a bit of hard work. “As we get back into the hobby world, we need to get back to working with our hands,” Guy said. “Especially with young kids, I want them to get back to putting things together.” Guy’s store contains a variety of items that require assembly and some that stretch the imagination with how they’re used.
Champ rtf plane Anyone who has been to an Austin Bruins hockey game has probably seen Guy fly his own Horizon Champ Ready to Fly plane during intermission. The plane is made to teach the user to fly and can fly up to a half a mile away from the remote. While crashes are inevitable, the plane, which comes in the color orange, has replaceable parts. The plane is radio controlled. Price: $100
ROBOTIC ARM EDGE
28 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
The OWI Kit Robotic Arm Edge gives its users a chance to assemble a robot arm and use it to move objects around. Guy said the product rewards those who put the time in as it operates better when the product is put together better. Assembly time takes about a day. Price: $61.95
Saltwater Monster Truck If you ever wanted to see a truck run on saltwater, the OWI Kit saltwater monster truck is what you’re looking for. After assembling the 50- to 60-piece kit, owners can paint and detail the trucks to make them their own. Then, with six drops of salt water, they can have a working battery for 15 minutes. The truck’s height can be changed to resemble a monster truck or a race car. “It’s like a moon rover almost,” Guy said. Guy would like to see the Saltwater Monster trucks be built and used in competitions like the Pinewood Derby. Price: $29.95
quest water rocket
air power racer The OWI Kit Air Power racer gives its users a chance to learn about alternative energy as it relies on an air pump to propel its motor. The device has gears and pulleys, and it provides a good introduction to robotics. Price: $25.99
With safety issues coming up in electric rockets, water rockets have started to grow in popularity. The Quest Water Rocket requires a little set up with the fins and with the addition of a two-liter soda bottle, its users can launch a rocket up to 200 feet in the air. The rocket is not dangerous and kids should be able to use it on their own. “I like things that the kids can go out and experiment with without adult supervision,” Guy said. Price: $28
Desert Truck The Dromida Desert truck is the remote control truck that takes it to a new level. The waterproof truck can go up to 25 miles per hour and is operated digitally, which means no antennas. The batteries are rechargeable and replaceable. The truck comes in yellow, but it can be pained and the pieces can be replaced. “We learn to problem solve. When our truck isn’t working correctly we come in and learn how to fix them,” Guy said. “The bugs have been worked out from the original release a couple of years ago.” Price: $119.99
March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 29
HOME & HEARTH
This picture of landscaping, provided by Dolan’s Landscape Center, shows how you can work a tree into any design. See a list of trees and shrubs native to Minnesota on the University of Minnesota Extension website at www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/landscaping/native-plants-for-sustainable-landscapes/doc/7447z.pdf
Start out on the right
root By Jordan Gerard • Photo
by
Eric Johnson
Simple steps can start trees and shrubs off right 30 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
Spring is a good time to get roots in the ground for all types of plants, especially for trees and shrubs. Though many people like to grab a shovel and get a plant in the ground right away, several easy steps can help ensure these trees and shrubs bring a variety of color to a yard for many years to come. Dolan’s Landscape Center owner Brian Dolan and his staff offered several tips for successful plantings:
A variety of color
The onset of emerald ash borer across Minnesota has led many planting experts to promote the benefits of diverse tree plantings — too many of the same tree can lead to problems. But diversity can also bring a full slate of colors to a home and yard. Maples seem to be the most popular to plant in springtime because of their autumn colors, according to Dolan. Maples come in many varieties that will have different colored leaves. For instance, an emerald queen Norway maple will emerge green and turn to yellow versus a fall fiesta sugar maple that will have golden to red-orange leaves. “We try to push more variety than just the maples, so it’s not a monoculture across the city, across the area or in your yard,” Dolan said. “It’s very important that you get a variety.” Shrubs are popular for their bloom color rather than the actual foliage color. They come in a range of colors from red to yellow to purple and everything in between. Hydrangea and spirea are popular for their low maintenance, which is another key characteristic people look for when planning their yard for full bloom. “Everybody wants color and low maintenance,” Dolan said.
When to plant
Once spring officially arrives, it’s important to make sure the frost is gone and the ground is warming up before you plant. One of the best possible times to put trees and shrubs in the ground is bare root season. That’s considered the time after the ground is unfrozen and before other plants start to bud out. “It used to be if you didn’t get your trees and shrubs planted during bare root season, then you couldn’t do anything until fall or next spring,” Dolan said. However, in today’s garden world, many trees and shrubs start in a field or containers, so they’re available all the year and there’s no real time restriction. Still, the sooner you get it done, the longer the growing season you’re going to get, Dolan added.
How to plant
Do’s and Don’ts
Watering your plants is key, said Jennifer Mudra, who works in the garden center. The amount of water your tree or shrub will need varies based on the type. Some plants enjoy a wet soil, while others like it more dry. In this case, it’s important to keep an eye on the temperature. If it’s a 90-degree day, the soil will dry up much faster than a 70-degree day. Trees and shrubs usually establish themselves two to three weeks after planting, but some might take a whole month for the plants to start regulating themselves. Plants can also be fertilized through spring and summer up until the middle of August, Mudra added. “You don’t want to fertilize it after about the middle of August because you want the plant to go into dormant state so it will survive the winter,” Mudra said. Another important factor for successfully growing a healthy tree is sunlight. A plant that needs a lot of sunlight won’t do well on the north side of a building, Mudra said. If you’re not sure where to plant a particular shrub or tree, your local garden center can help.
Planting involves a bit more than just digging a hole in the ground. Make sure you don’t dig into underground cables. The size of the hole also needs to be one and a half times as wide and deep as the plant that’s in the pot or the root ball, even if you have to fill the hole back in. Don’t make the hole a perfect circle, make the edges irregular so when new roots come out, they How to save a tree or shrub will spread out more and won’t get If it seems like you have taken tangled in a root bound pattern. It’s care of the plant according to the also important to loosen the root above instructions and it’s still not ball a little bit. doing well, it could be an insect, Place the tree in the hole, disease or site problem. And if that’s making sure the tree is straight. the case, it’s best to photograph Fill in the hole halfway up the root the plant and take it into a garden Brian Dolan, owner of Dolan’s Landscape Center, ball and cut and remove the visible shows off products people can use to protect center to see what can be done. portions of the burlap carefully, their trees after planting. Newer plants can be moved around without disturbing the root ball. because their root system isn’t fully Finish filling the hole to the top of the first woody root. established into the ground yet. Water the entire area and layer about two to four inches of mulch over the area, but don’t push the mulch right up to the Emerald Ash Borer, a threat to Mower County? trunk’s root flare, the area at the base of the tree where the Emerald ash borer is a nonnative invasive species that roots enter the soil, or else you will smother the tree’s airway. is dangerous to ash trees. It’s commonly identified by heavy Shrubs are planted relatively the same way, though you woodpecker activity, dead branches at the top, sprouts have to be mindful of different plants, because each plant around the base of the tree, vertical cracks in the bark, wants or needs different soils, amount of sunlight and water, S-shaped tunnels under the bark and 1/8 inch D-shaped exit added Eric Farrand, who works in the tree orchard and holes in the bark, according to the Minnesota Department of garden center at the nursery. Natural Resources website. “There’s different things they want, different soil types Gary Johnson from the University of Minnesota Extension too, depending on what you’re planning,” Farrand said. office said the disease is not yet in Mower County, but it’s “Something that likes it dry, you don’t want to put it in a closing in on many nearby counties. Southeastern Minnesota wet area of your yard.” counties, the Twin Cities and Duluth have confirmed the It’s also important to make sure the soil is good for borer’s is presence and are under quarantine, meaning growing. Potting soil can be mixed into the existing native firewood should not be transported and you should burn soil just to give it a little boost come growing time, according it where you buy it. It’s also present just over the border in to Josh Kern, a designer and estimator. Iowa. March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 31
Running with perseverance Dave Needham’s 6 marathons taught him a few training tricks for running 26.2 miles By Rocky Hulne • Photos
by
Eric Johnson
As Dave Needham ran the final three miles of his first marathon, he could feel the cramps creeping in and the pain begin to grow. But instead of stopping, he trudged on. Needham knew he was near the finish line as he thought about one of his favorite Bible verses from Hebrews 12: 1-2, which says to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” “I kept telling myself I had almost completed it, just had to go a little longer,” he said. “As you get near the end, the crowd gets louder and you get the energy. Knowing you’re almost done gives you incentive.” Needham felt a sense of elation when he crossed the finish line and was met by his wife cheering him on. But he also felt a lot of pain. “I knew it would be hard and it was,” he said. “I remember crossing the finish line and telling my wife that it was the most exhausted I’ve ever been in my life.” Continues on Page 34
Dave Needham works out at the dome over Art Hass Stadium.
32 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 33
Continued from Page 33 It takes a certain mind set and a lot of training to be able to gather with a large group to run 26.2 straight miles. Though Needham’s first marathon pushed him to the brink of his physical limitations, he was hooked. He ran his first marathon at age 50 and has run six marathons in a six-year span. But along with a great feeling of accomplishment from finishing his first marathon, he also learned some lessons on how to properly train. For his first marathon, Needham simply added more miles every week as the big run drew near. “It’s critical that you find an actual marathon training program to follow. They’re very easy to find on the Internet and in the library,” Needham said. “On my first one I figured I knew enough about running, and I’d just run a little more each week. I finished the marathon, but it could’ve gone better. I think [my training] caused some joint pain.” Needham has been a runner for most of his life, but he used to keep it to spurts of about three or four miles just a few times a week. As his 50th birthday drew near, one of Needham’s co-workers convinced him to run in a marathon. “I thought about it and I never wanted to do one before,” Needham said. “I like to joke about the fact that some men have a midlife crisis get a red sports car or they get a divorce and a trophy wife. I’ve already got a great wife and I had no desire for a sports car, so I decided that for my mid-life crisis I’d run a marathon.” Needham, who has also run a few half marathons over the past six years, said training varies based on the age and shape of the runner, but a typical estimate is to run 500 to 600 miles in the 16 weeks leading up to the marathon. The last two weeks should be scaled down so the runner can rest up. Needham takes a lot of his training runs throughout Austin and he’s covered up much of the town. He doesn’t like to take the same route too often, and his
Needham runs laps at the dome over Art Hass Stadium.
34 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
Dave Needham gives a thumbs up just before the finish line at the Boston Marathon in April 2015. Photo provided
GPS wristwatch helps him get the distance he needs without planning a concrete route. “When I leave for my run I may not even know where I’m going to go,” Needham said. “I like to do runs in town, at the bike trails and sometimes I like to go out on the country roads.” Needham is currently training to run in Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth this June with his daughter. It will be her first marathon. While he enjoys running on a regular basis, Needham admits it’s not for everyone, but there are plenty of other ways to get a good workout in. “Don’t apologize for not running,” he said. “Walking is excellent exercise and that’s a great fitness effort.”
March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 35
Passion To Collect From the Berenstain Bears to superheros to Barbie, 3 Austin residents reveal their heartfelt collections By Jason Schoonover, Jenae Hackensmith and J ordan G erard Photos by Eric Johnson
36 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
C
ollections can tell a lot about a person.
Most of us have collected something in our lives, whether it was a leaf collection for school or a book collection. But the most interesting collections show people with something they truly love, things that truly make them happy. Collecting, at its core, is a way of exploring
and expressing something you’re passionate about, no matter the subject. “A collector’s a collector,” Austin’s Didacus Guzum said. “If you collect rocks, you’re going to be passionate about rocks.” In this issue, we highlight three of Austin’s many collectors and show you a bit of their passions and loves: Bradley Mariska’s Berenstain Bears collection, Guzman’s comic book collection and Kristine Barbie Hage’s Barbie collection. Continues through Page 43
Berenstain Bears figurines grace a mantel top in Bradley Mariska’s home.
March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 37
Brad Mariska sits among his vast collection of Berenstain Bears collection which is on its way to being confirmed by The Guinness Book of World Records as being the largest in the world.
The Berenstain Bears find a home
Local man has the largest collection in the world By Jenae Hackensmith
E
ver since he was a young boy, Bradley Mariska has loved the Berenstain Bears and that love has persisted into adulthood. It’s what’s driven him to own the largest Berenstain Bears books and memorabilia collection in the world, which he hopes is soon verified. “I’m currently in the process of getting it certified by the Guinness Book of World Records,” Mariska said. “I started that process about six months ago. It’s a kind of a long process, especially in this case as there is no existing record.” The collection has about 2,500 items, including books — in English, other languages and even brail — coloring books, posters, lunch boxes, disposable cameras, figurines, video games, stuffed animals, rugs, happy meal cases and more.
Getting started Mariska started his collection young, taking very seriously a phrase on the back of the books. 38 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
“It started when I was a kid, with the First Time Book [Series], the Berenstain Bears books that kind of a lot of people had as a kid,” Mariska said. “On the back it always said, ‘Collect them all.’ So of course I was like, ‘Ok, I want to collect them all.’” After collecting that series and growing up some, he started to realize there were more books. For his 16th birthday, his mom bought him a bunch of books that weren’t in his collection. As the year was 1996, there was no easy way for Mariska to know what else there was or find items to add to his collection besides stumbling upon them at garage sales or used book stores. But in 1998, Mariska discovered eBay and a whole new world opened up to him. “All of a sudden I discovered there was a way of acquiring all of these books that had been out of print for awhile,” he said. “Then I discovered there was all this memorabilia that I didn’t know about.” “I started collecting the board games, the puzzles, the
I think even though I’ve figurines, and it’s gotten to spent a lot of money on the point where I’m trying this collection, I could be to have everything they spending my money on far ever licensed,” he added. worse things.” At this point, Mariska Mariska has lent some said he has about 99 of his collection to libraries percent of everything that over the years for display, was officially licensed for and sent about 30 items sale and made, yet a few to Florida in 2000 for a rare items still evade him. children’s book festival. Several very rare Mike Berenstain, son of books are still out of reach, creators Stan and Jan including a coloring book, Berenstain, sent back a which Mariska said are the drawing of Brother Bear as hardest books to come by. a thank-you. He explained many people Mariska isn’t the only will find half-colored Brad Mariska holds one of the oldest books in his Berenstain Bears serious Berenstain Bear books in their children’s collection. collector, though, and in old books and think it’s not the early 2000s he met Jeremy Gloff online. Gloff has helped worth anything, and simply toss it out, admitting he might even Mariska try to complete his collection, and Mariska said a do that if he were in their position. friend, who lives in Florida, has been a great asset as he is very “The hardest books to find are the coloring books because good at research. most of them were made in the early ‘80s so they’re now 30 “It’s really fun when you meet people that are out there that years old, but most of them just get thrown away,” he said. are kind of in it for the right reasons,” he said. Another obstacle is simply not knowing about some of the products that were made. Mariska recently acquired a disposable camera with the Berenstain Bears on the cover from ‘I love these old books’ 1992 that he wasn’t on the Mariska enjoys the hobby, which has nothing to do with his lookout for. day job as Austin High School’s band director and gives him an “I had never seen one of escape from reality. these before, had no idea this Although he hesitated to choose a favorite of the collection, existed,” he said. one of his favorite books was “The Big Honey Hunt,” which is Because of unknowns like the very first Berenstain Bears book the Berenstains published. this, Mariska hopes to one day “The one that started it all,” he said. visit the Berenstain family in He enjoys the earlier books as they were written with Pennsylvania and with their more of a rhyming aspect, similar to Dr. Seuss, who was permission go through some the first editor back in 1962. The original books would of their records and try to focus on Papa Bear getting into trouble and either Mama compile a catalogue that is Bear or Small Bear — which was the first form of Brother complete. Although the books Bear, as Sister Bear wasn’t created yet — would have to save have better records through him. The books would always end with Papa Bear claiming publishers, the memorabilia he taught them a lesson, even though he was the one who has no public record of what Mariska has a vast collection of needed saving. was made over the years, Berenstain Bears books. “I love these old books,” Mariska said. leaving collectors like Mariska To make it in the Guinness Book of World Records, the to figure it out through their own research. new category must be approved, and there are 10 to 12 things “There has to be records somewhere of all the items they that Mariska needs to submit, including information about licensed and produced,” Mariska said. the collection, a website, video and some media attention. The collection also needs to have at least 1,000 items. Mariska said it will take another six months or so, and he’s hoping by Investment of love summer the collection will be recognized in the records. Though the overall investment of time and money is Although Mariska admits the collection sounds odd, his grand, most of the items are only worth between $5 to $30, passion for the items makes up for the unique subject. and Mariska admitted it is easy to forget about the cost when “Most people think it’s really strange when they first hear each item is fairly cheap. about it, but then when they actually see it they realize its “At this point, it’s just kind of a fun project,” he said. actually kind of cool,” he said. “Everyone kind of has to have their own personal pursuits, and March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 39
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r o t s c e o e r l e l H o f OO
Didacus Guzman’s collection of comics reflects a joy of reading
By Jason Schoonover
n a wall in the basement of Didacus Guzman’s Austin home, comic books from some of his favorite old TV shows hang on the wall. “For me, a lot of it’s nostalgia, as you can see,” he said pointing to the wall of comics and a case of robot figurines. Those comics hanging on the wall offer just a glimpse of a collection that spans thousands of comics collected over about 40 years. Guzman even owned Warp 9 comic book stores in the late 1980s and early ‘90s in Palmdale, California, before eventually moving to Austin, where he’s the safety director at Quality Pork Processors Inc. Guzman and his brother, Eric, started collecting comics at 40 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
Didacus Guzman sits in his home office surrounded by some of his extensive comic collection.
an early age. “I enjoy reading them,” he said. “Most of the time I collect a series of comic books because I want to read them.” But as he got older, Guzman started using comics as a way to reminisce on old TV shows he used to enjoy, such as “Bewitched,” “F Troop,” “McHale’s Navy,” “Get Smart,” “Space: 1999” and “My Favorite Martian.” “What brings joy to me is like ‘Bewitched,’ because I still watch the show,” he said. “I watch the reruns all the time.” “That’s the stuff that I really enjoyed,” he added. He helped his stepson Josh Horvat start Legacy Comics and Games in Austin because he didn’t have anywhere close to get his new comics. Now many of his older comics are at Legacy. Though Guzman admits it’s hard to part with his comics, he’s often able to replace whatever sells at the shop.
And he’s an avid Legacy supporter for two main reasons: It’s easily accessible, and he doesn’t like taking his business outside the community. Guzman’s comic collection fluctuates, especially since he is helping the shop with some of his older stuff. His collection peaked at around 6,000 comics, but he now has about 2,000 to 3,000 comic books. Along with nostalgic pieces, he also has many of the classic superhero comics and he also enjoys horror comics. Guzman has an “X-Men” No. 1 in storage, which is one he says he’d never sell. “Not that I couldn’t get another one, but that’s the one that I’ve always had,” he said.
Holding their value
One of Didacus Guzman’s passions is collecting vintage collec-
Guzman collects several first issues, and he likes to pick out tions including “Bewitched,” “Get Smart” and “Beetle Bailey.” what he thinks are going to be specialty issues. He tracks them through a master book, the “Comic Book Buyer’s Guide,” that appearance in “New Mutants” is a hot commodity. shows what comics are coming out down the road, and Yahoo Other characters like Black Panther and The Punisher also has a new release list. Guzman was waiting for a series about are seeing increased value as they’re set to appear on screen Blade’s daughter, which he expected to be a collectible issue. soon too. The first appearance of Thanos is a hot comic. The But Guzman doesn’t recommend people collect strictly as character has appeared briefly as a villain in “The Avengers” an investment. films and is set to appear more prominently in the next “If you’re going to collect comic books, collect them movie. because you like to read,” Guzman said. “You like to read “Anything that has to do with movies has done really well,” them. Secondary, the money thing. Just like stocks, you’re Guzman said. never going to pick every single book that’s going to go up in When it comes to the movies, Guzman admits he’s a bit of value.” a purist and doesn’t like comics that make too many changes. Still, Guzman says he’d rather invest his money in comics “I am the most traditional kind of guy there is,” he admits. than sports cards. Comics are resilient and often keep their “I don’t like you taking my stuff and going off in a different value. Unlike sports cards, they’re not at the mercy of athletes direction.” doing something bad and reducing the value. One of his favorite movies based on a comic is “Blade,” and Some big-dollar comics have passed through Guzman’s he’s looking forward to the upcoming “Dr. Strange” movie. hands. At one point, he had No. 1-5 of “Captain America,” but A part of his life he doesn’t anymore. Guzman follows his own advice and reads his comics all the “Wish I still had them,” he laughs. time. He especially enjoys reading on vacation when he’ll grab a Comic books have grabbed an even more prominent place large stack of comics. in pop culture in recent years. A string of successful comic “I take a stack of book movies, especially comic books with me, the Marvel films, has and that’s all I do is driven popularity, as has kickback on a chair and shows like “The Big Bang read,” he said, adding Theory” and “Comic with a laugh, “Actually to Book Men.” the point of annoying the Those movies and TV wife because all I’m doing shows have boosted the is reading comic books.” value of key characters. Guzman’s reason “X-Men” comics have for collecting is simple: gone up in value since Comic books bring him the movies came out, joy. and now Luke Cage, “I really enjoy comic who appears on the books. It’s a part of my Netflix show “Jessica life. It has been a part of Jones,” is becoming my life, and I’ll probably more popular. With Didacus Guzman looks through a price guide that tells him what comic books die with comic books in the recent “Deadpool” my hand,” Guzman said. movie, the character’s first are worth. March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 41
Kristine Barbie Hage has had a love of Barbie dolls since she was a little girl resulting with an extensive collection.
A Barbie girl in a Barbie World Kristine Barbie Hage’s Barbie collection expands through the house in a grand scale By Jordan Gerard 42 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
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ome people have a Barbie room in their house filled with hundreds of different Barbies; others have a Barbie house. Kristine Barbie Hage’s living room has Barbies in every corner. There’s 1920s flappers, 1950s “Grease” era Barbies in a diner diorama along with Sandy and Danny in a Greased Lightning-esque toy car, Rose and Jack from “Titanic,” “Pirates of the Caribbean’s” Captain Jack Sparrow, Dorothy and friends from the “Wizard of Oz” and a host of vampires from “Twilight.” Upstairs, Dolls of the World line one hallway wall, vintage dolls and their outfits fill a house in another corner. “Barbie can do anything, be anyone,” Hage said. “She was my inspiration when I was a kid.” Some people have all of their dolls in one room, but Hage asks, “Why?” “You have to go in that room to go ‘Oh look, here’s all my Barbies,’ now go back out,” Hage said. “I have them all over my house, wherever, so sometimes here I can enjoy these ones and sometimes over there I can enjoy those ones. It’s just everywhere.” Even though there are negative connotations surrounding Barbie and the bad self-image she might
must renew their portray to young girls, membership. Hage said Hage said she never saw they sell out of the fan club Barbie that way at all. doll of the year every year. “I saw her as doing Members can also get club anything she wanted to and exclusive dolls, such as the buying, having and going 1950s era Homecoming anywhere,” Hage said. “I Queen Barbie that sits in liked Barbie because she Hage’s ‘50s diner diorama. makes me feel good and After Hage married it gives me pleasure to do her husband, Ken, her dioramas and play with her collection changed and I just think it’s fun.” because she realized she Hage said as a little girl had to start collecting more she would take shoeboxes and make them into a Kristine Barbie Hage spends a lot of time putting detail in her Barbie dolls. Ken dolls, but the lack of Kens and fashionable camper and use fabric as a This doll though, while not a Barbie, is a recreation meant to reflect her husband Ken who is also a pilot. clothes for him was a tent for her dolls. problem for Hage, so she The first Barbie she modified other dolls. owned was a Swirl Ponytail Barbie from her mother. Her aunt “I buy action figure clothes and put them on Ken dolls or was going to make clothes for the doll at her apartment, but actually buy action figures because a lot of the action figures unfortunately it burned down and Hage lost that doll. Later in are 12 inches which works just fine, because Barbie is 11 and life, she bought a No. 3 Ponytail Barbie to replace the one she a half inches and it works out fine,” Hage said. lost. Hage said her collection is changing again because of Hage said she doesn’t have a favorite doll, instead she has friends and designers she’s met at the Kenvention (a convention favorite categories. Her favorite vintage doll is Stacey. specifically for the doll himself). She is now learning how to “Her outfit and the doll are from my childhood and I played paint dolls, how to mix and match doll heads and bodies, and with her a lot,” Hage said. how to make doll parts such as fingers, via Facebook groups. Another favorite category is the bridal collection. Barbie is portrayed as a 1964 Swirl Ponytail wearing the Bride’s Dream dress, circa 1963-1965. It is also the first vintage doll and outfit Hage purchased at a Twin Cities doll show. Childhood Ken When Kristine married her husband, Ken, she also changed is circa 1962 and wearing an outfit from 1961-1965. Other her middle name to Barbie because that’s what he always called notable dolls include Midge as the maid of honor, Skipper as her ever since they started dating. the flower girl, best man Allan and ring bearer Todd. “He came to see my collection and he said, ‘I’m going to have to call you Barbie,’ and I said ‘Why? Just because I collect them?’ And he said, ‘No, I’m Ken, so you’re Barbie,’” Hage recalled. “He always calls me Barbie, if he Hage’s fascination with Barbie started This Barbie features a dress Hage knitted calls me Kris, he broke his leg or the house when she was young and hasn’t stopped. herself. is on fire.” “The last Barbie my mom gave me for Hage said her stepdaughter suggested my birthday, I was 19,” Hage said. “I’ve changing her middle name because “that’s always loved Barbie.” all Dad ever calls you.” There are also Hage started collecting in the early ‘90s, people Hage and Ken have met who don’t when collecting was at its best. Collecting know her real name, they just call them has also improved with the advent of the Barbie and Ken, Hage said. Internet. When they attended the Kenvention, “I found out I’m not that crazy and the lady at registration looked at Ken’s there are hundreds of thousands of license and said, “Oh cool! You’re Ken at collectors all across the globe,” Hage said. the Kenvention.” To which he said, “Well Collecting Barbies can be more difficult you have to look at my wife’s driver’s than one might think, but it depends on license.” The lady was really surprised then, what you want to collect. For example, Hage said. vintage is a more difficult category to start Also at the convention, the designers in because it’s a very close-knit community. signed their doll boxes to Barbie and Ken. The Barbie Fan Club sells 8,000 “We just go by Barbie and Ken, and it’s memberships worldwide for $24.95, kind of fun,” Hage said. according to their website, and members
Barbie and Ken in real life
A growing and changing collection
March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 43
44 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
Dylane Ulwelling and Nico Wallat hold a locket with a picture of her father, Dan Ulwelling, and a memory urn with some of his ashes before their Jan. 9 wedding.
A loving tribute Daughter, family honors late father on her special day
By Jason Schoonover • Photos
provided by
Zak Ulwelling opened his arms to embrace his sister Dylane for what would normally be the father-daughter dance and revealed a surprise: an image of a young Dylane with their father, Dan Ulwelling. Ten years and a day after Dan died from complications to cancer, Dylane Ulwelling married Nico Wallat. Though her father couldn’t walk his youngest daughter down the aisle to her groom, Dylane and her family kept Dan close to their hearts all day. Though Dylane and Nico’s wedding day was chiefly a celebration of their love, Dylane and the Ulwellings did many things to honor their father’s memory, with Zak’s revelation of his T-shirt with
Whitnei Abel Photography
the picture of Dylane and Dan serving as a final, touching gesture. When she embraced Zak and danced to a rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Dylane recalls feeling a comfort as if her dad was close. “I just felt like my dad’s arms were wrapped around me,” she said.
C lose at heart
Since the day Dan died, Dylane wondered who would walk her down the aisle when she got married, and that didn’t change when she started planning her wedding. Continues on Page 46
March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 45
Dylane and Nico Wallat, center, pose with Dylane’s family at the couple’s Jan. 9 wedding. From left are: Dylane’s mom, Katie; her brother, Zak, and her sister, Janelle.
Continued from Page 45 “From the beginning of the wedding planning, he was
always in the back of my mind,” she said. “Always.” Dan died Jan. 8, 2006, after battling cancer for almost two years. He was 53. When he passed, Dylane was on her way home from Camp Shelby in Mississippi during a 12-year stint in the Army National Guard. But Dan has never been far from his family’s hearts or from the mind’s of Austin residents. Dan and his wife, Katie, were co-founders of Rydjor Bike Shop and the annual Freedom Fest Dan Ulwelling Bike Race is named for Dan. Dylane met Nico when the two were working as jailers in Ramsey County. They now live in Brooklyn Park, where she’s a deputy sheriff with Ramsey County and he’s a police officer. The first way the couple tied the wedding to Dan was through time. Dylane and Nico planned their wedding on Jan. 9 since it’s the month Dan passed away and he was a big cross county skier. Dylane also has many memories of playing with her dad outside in the snow. “Every time it snows, it just reminds me of him,” she said. When Dylane told her family she wanted a winter wedding within days of the the 10th anniversary of Dan’s passing, the family rallied behind her, even though snow and cold presented potential challenges. Her mom, Katie, said everyone had the same response: “We know how much you loved your dad and we’re all in.” “I knew it was important always to remember him, and make it a point,” Dylane said. Though Dan was certainly in their hearts on Dylane and Nico’s wedding day, Zak noted no one in the family wanted 46 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
it to be a sad or somber occasion. The day was about Nico and Dylane, and Dan would not have wanted the day to be somber. But since the family all loved Dan so much, they didn’t want to ignore his memory during the ceremony. “Its been 10 years but everyone still has him in our hearts,” Zak said. Though the family shared a few tears at times on the wedding day, Janelle Voigt, Dylane and Zak’s older sister, says the memorials to Dan created a warm presence throughout the festivities. “He definitely was with us the whole day,” she said.
‘Like a fairytale’
Even the location for the ceremony and reception proved meaningful. Nico and Dylane married in Austin in the shed Old Mill owners Dave and Ann Forland use to store Dave’s vintage cars. Though they’ve never let anyone use the shed — and likely never will again — they made an exception for Dylane and Nico because Dave and Dan were friends. Dylane also worked at The Old Mill when she was home from the military. Katie warns the word “shed” is a bit misleading, as it’s a heated building and a beautiful facility. But many people contributed in converting it into what Katie called “a winter wonderland.” Dylane turned to Julie Thomsen, her husband Dave, and Julie’s crew to decorate the site for the wedding, and the Ulwelling family gave rave reviews for the work they put into it. Dylane praised Julie for taking her ideas and creating something that far exceeded her expectations.
“I was blown away,” she said. “It was like a fairytale,” she added. She didn’t want people sitting in pews with a traditional feel. The wedding and reception were both in the shed, and Zak recalls it making for a great, laid-back venue. People could have a beer and visit leading up to the ceremony, and Zak even saw one person sneak into the wedding late, which no one noticed when it could have raised eyebrows at other ceremonies. “It was really just kind of a good feeling,” he said. But the Thomsen’s weren’t the only ones to help. The Ulwellings were thankful that some of Dan’s best friends — Bill Stratton, Steve Greenman and Terry Fox — helped Julie prep the site for the wedding. Katie remembers Dan’s friends joking that if Dan had been there, the handyman wouldn’t have need them to do all the work. Katie joked that Dan would have wanted their help, but he would have been in charge of overseeing the work. Janelle saw Dan’s friends helping as a fitting tribute, since she remembers her dad being someone who brought people together and that happened again through the wedding. “I think it was just really cool,” she said. Zak agreed, adding that his father would be thrilled to know his friends are still around helping the family and Katie. “They still help her around the house, and they provide support for the family, which is super cool,” Zak said. Dylane was thankful that so many people helped make the wedding possible. Dylane admits it’s overwhelming to think of all the people who helped with her and Nico’s wedding — many of whom she doesn’t even know. To her, it’s a sign of how many lives her dad touched and how so many people still love him and her mom. “It’s almost like it’s just an outpouring of love, and it’s just like I don’t know what the hell I did to deserve any of this,” Dylane said. Katie also praised the Forlands for letting the wedding party use an area called the “chicken coop” where they have a wood stove, a TV and a small bar. “They could not have been more gracious,” Katie said. “We couldn’t have pulled it off with them or without Julie.”
dress walking down the aisle with her handsome brother. “She looked absolutely stunning,” Katie said of her daughter. But the Ulwellings were able to mostly keep the final moment of the night a surprise, though Dylane says she had hints they were planning something. After Nico and Dylane shared their first dance, it was time for what would normally be the father-daughter dance. Zak again took the stage with his sister, but there was a brief pause before Dylane and Zak danced to Israel Ka’ano’i Kamakawiwo’ole’s version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Zak took off his jacket and shirt — a moment that Katie admits with a laugh confused some onlookers at first — to reveal that under his tux he was wearing a white T-shirt with the picture along with greetings from Dan’s many letters to Dylane during her time in the military, including “Beautiful Dyl” and “All my love, Dad.” Katie described it as a wonderful, touching moment. “Dylane just started crying of course,” she said. At one point on their wedding day, Nico turned to his bride and said the he hopes one day their children talk about him like the Ulwellings reminisce about Dan. “We loved my dad,” Dylane said, summarizing a host of emotions for the family.
The wedding day
Each of the Ulwelling children has a memory urn with some of their father’s ashes, and Dylane and Nico spread a few of Dan’s ashes outside the venue before the ceremony, which Dylane described as a very important moment. Later at the ceremony, a candle was lit next to a picture of Dan with a young Dylane beside words dad and daughter used to share: “I love you to the moon and back.” “It was the cutest picture,” Katie said. The answer to the question of who would walk Dylane down the aisle was Zak, her older brother and the middle Ulwelling sibling. Zak described it as an honor and blessing to be asked. To Katie, one of her favorite moments from the ceremony was seeing her beautiful daughter in a princess-like wedding
Dylane Ulwelling and Nico Wallat hold a locket with a picture of her father, Dan Ulwelling, and a memory urn with some of his ashes before their Jan. 9 wedding.
March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 47
One in a million By Jenae Hackensmith • Photo
by
Eric Johnson
When Georgia Williams was born, she was given one chance out of one million to live. At 76, Williams was given one more year at most. Both times, God pulled her through. Williams was born Feb. 11, 1939, in a world that didn’t have the knowledge to fix the pyloric valve in her stomach that was closed up, causing the newborn to vomit everything she was taking in. “Back then nobody knew about how really to treat it other than surgery,” Williams’ sister Becky GreinerPepper said. “And they’d never done it here. So the doctor was pretty worried about doing it, they said, and didn’t give her a lot of chance. But it worked.” The surgery had to be done twice, as the first time she cried too much and the stitches broke open. The second time, the doctors tied her up inside using catguts, which is still used today as a dissolvable suture that lasts about 21 days. By the time it dissolves, the area is usually healed. “I lived through it,” Williams said. “My aunt said that she opened the door at St. Olaf Hospital here in Austin, she could hear me screaming and crying. I made it!” Seventy-six years later, in September 2015, Williams was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer that had metastasized into the bones in her pelvis area and up in her shoulder, and it was growing fast. Williams explained she wasn’t feeling well and knew something wasn’t quite right, but she wasn’t sure what it was. Fighting sinus issues that were making her cough all day and night, her family convinced her to go to the doctor, where she had several cat scans before finding out what was wrong. With her husband Hilmore and family at her side, the doctor came in to discuss the scan results. “He was looking over the scan on the screen and I thought, ‘Isn’t he ever going to get done looking at that?’ It was like he kept going back and forth and back and forth, and finally all of a sudden I realized there was seriousness,” Williams said. “And he pulled his chair back and he said, ‘Georgia,’ I said ‘Yes,’ he said ‘I’m sorry I have to tell you this, but you have stage 4 cancer of the lung.’” “And I said ‘What?’” she continued. “I said ‘I’ve never drank, I’ve never smoked, how could I have lung cancer?’” Although she didn’t know how to respond, she asked the doctor about the next steps. 48 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
Georgia Williams was diagnosed last year with cancer. Through her faith and prayer, Williams has battled through and just before Christmas she found out she was 95 percent cleared. Above: Georgia Williams, 1-year-old
“It was Christmas, and I knew the girls and everybody were nervous for me and they didn’t want to lose me, so I decided, ‘Well, I’ll ask the doctor what we can do about it to add a few more years,’” she said. He said, if she didn’t do anything, she may live another six months. If she tried chemotherapy, she might get a year. Williams knew no matter what happened, she wanted to be a witness for Jesus Christ. She agreed to try chemotherapy, but it wasn’t her only weapon. She called her pastor at Faith Church, Pastor Mike Sager who
Georgia Williams has battled 2 life-threatening medical crises, but she’s pulled through both times with the help of God
came and anointed her with oil and prayed for healing. “I said, ‘Pastor, I just want this to be a glory thing for God,’” Williams said. “Because I have the hope and I have the fight and I think I can do this with the Lord’s help and a good support group.” Williams’ had people praying all over the country through churches and prayer chains, family members and others. Some of her biggest support came through a cousin from Mason City, Iowa, who had cancer for a long time but has been cancer free for about five years.
“She gave me a pep talk, and she said, ‘Georgia, you can do this, but you must wake up every morning and when you get out of bed you must say, ‘I’m going to fight this today to the best of my abilities,’ and don’t give up because of the hope that’s in you in Christ Jesus.’” “And that’s really the person that has been an instrument in my life through this journey,” she continued. “Because it’s not a fun journey, there’s times when you want to give up, there’s times when you want to throw in the towel and say, ‘I think I’ve had enough.’” After her third round of chemotherapy, Williams went back in for another scan and received a Christmas miracle. Everyone was nervous about what the scan would show and wondered if the therapy was working. “The doctor came in the room, he sat down at his desk, he was quite quiet, and he put two X-rays on the laptop to look at,” Williams said. “The one was the first one which looked like a Christmas tree all lit up, and that was because the cancer, it was just everywhere. And then he had another X-ray of the last scan. Two tiny little spots left.” With everyone in shock and crying, the doctor told Williams this was a remarkable occurrence. “I said, ‘It’s because of prayer,’” Williams said. “God pulled me through,” she added. “I’m a fighter I guess.” Greiner-Pepper asked the doctor how many people see results like this within the first three treatments, and told them not even 10 percent of people. “That cinched it with me, I said, ‘This is just a God thing,’” Greiner-Pepper said. “God answers prayer, and when you have enough people praying for you God is going to hear it and do something about it,” she continued. “And when you get a result like that your faith is so great. It is just something else.” Now 95 percent cured, Williams went through several more treatments and would be placed on a medication to ensure the cancer didn’t return. “It’s just amazing how with prayer and the hope built in you because of your trust in the Lord that he saw fit to heal me,” she said. She hopes her story will inspire others to continue fighting and turn to God for hope. Williams’ favorite Bible verse during this time was 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” “I just want other people to find that hope and peace that Jesus has, that Jesus gives us,” she said. March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 49
A
a l l e r e d n Ci g n i n Eve
Local business woman donates dresses for Gerard Academy’s prom By Jenae Hackensmith • Photos
50 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
by
Eric Johnson
G
Editor’s note: Because of Gerard Academy’s privacy requirements, the girls mentioned in this story could not be named.
irls at the Gerard Academy felt like Cinderella this year, and one local business woman became their fairy godmother.
Many girls look forward to prom each year, but for the girls at the Gerard Academy the horses were turning back into mice and the carriage was turning back into a pumpkin long before the big night. Since many of the girls don’t have brand new prom dresses available to them, Gerard has dresses in storage that have been donated in past years for such events. But the problem was the dresses. Gerard therapist Marcy Tatro was there when some the girls tried on the dresses and recalled the girls being saddened when the dress didn’t quite fit. With some of the gowns dating as far back as the ‘80s and ‘90s, they didn’t make them feel like a girl should on prom night: special, beautiful and confident. “My heart broke because I really wanted them to feel beau-
tiful, but not in the way that’s superficially contrived in our society, that beauty that [comes from] confidence inside,” Tatro said. “When they believe in themselves and they know they’re special, that’s what’s beautiful.” Some of the girls decided they didn’t even want to attend the dance, which doubles as a fun night and a good time to gain social skills. So Tatro and other staff decided to go looking for outside help, but they didn’t expect to find the generosity they did. “I went to Belles and Beaus … and I asked for the clearance section because I was going to buy them myself,” Tatro said. Continues on Page 52
The dresses donated by Belles and Beaus were an eloquent touch to a special night. March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 51
Continued from Page 51 After explaining her situation to owner Marie Fryer, the two went searching through the racks. And one blue halter-top dress turned into 24 dresses that Fryer donated to the academy’s prom. “One led to two, led to three, led to four, and pretty soon we had 24 dresses,” Tatro said. “And I think around dress number 12 I was so touched by her generosity and her desire to want to help these girls feel special for prom.” For Fryer, the dresses were a way to communicate a very important message to the girls: The girls were to know that they are loved, remembered and cared about in the community. She wanted every girl to feel special and beautiful. “I thought, you know what, we’re just going to donate these dresses so they can have a nice prom,” Fryer said. “And we just tried to find things in a variety of sizes, and hopefully festive and fun and stylish so they could have a good time.” Fryer has donated dresses in the past but hasn’t donated this many since donating to people going on a trip to Haiti. She 52 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
was happy to find the dresses a good home, where they will be reused for years to come. “I hope they were thrilled,” she said. “And I hope they felt pretty and excited about dressing up.” Fryer’s hope came true as Tatro described the girls’ reactions. “When I told them Marie’s message, some of them started crying,” she said. “They were speechless, they “I hope they put their hands to their mouths and were thrilled. gasped, they were really excited.” Every girl was fitted into a dress And I hope they with no alterations necessary, and Tafelt pretty and tro said the message came through excited about loud and clear with the girls: They are dressing up.” not forgotten in the community, and people do care for those who have — Marie Fryer gone through tough times.
“During the night I felt really excited and happy,” one of the girls said. “And when I put on this dress I felt more beautiful and I felt like I was more alive than I used to be.” Other girls agreed it was an amazing evening, and they said they received the message. “When I saw the dresses I felt really loved and remembered,” another girl said. “And the night went really good. It was fun, it was upbeat.” Tatro was excited for the girls and said they were excited for each other. “All the girls were cheering for each other and complementing each other on how beautiful they were,” she said. “Wearing the dress, and the confidence that comes with the dress, it’s not just external beauty, it’s something they actually feel and something that is different.” For the girls at Gerard Academy, the ball didn’t end at the stroke of midnight as these memories will stay with them. Tatro and the girls thanked Fryer and Belles and Beaus for the generous donation and helping to make their prom a very special night. “I felt like they didn’t have to donate the dresses but they did,” another girl said. “And I felt like they went out of the way to take time to get those dresses, and I felt special because of it. And the night went OK, the food was great.” Gerard Academy offers programs for boys and girls ages 6 to 19 who are struggling with emotional and behavioral issues such as family relationships, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, aggression, depression, self-harm, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, chemical health, patterns of abusive behavior, and trauma-based mental health issues. March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 53
TRAVEL
Paul Spyhalski has been a lifelong baseball lover and has made it a point to visit baseball stadiums as he travels during the summer.
AUSTIN’S PAUL SPYHALSKI HAS MADE IT A SUMMER PASTIME TO VISIT THE HOMES OF THE BOYS OF SUMMER By Rocky Hulne • Photo
by
Eric Johnson / Submitted
When Paul Spyhalski visits old baseball stadiums like Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida, for spring training, he can’t help but picture the great Dodger teams of years past and what it was like when legends like Jackie Robinson took the field. “I can’t help but think of all of the great players who used to play there and it’s amazing,” Spyhalski said. To Spyhalski, visiting a ballpark on a warm day with a cold drink and a hot dog is a way to look back at history and to enjoy America’s pastime in a new way. Whenever Spyhalski, an Austin attorney, plans a trip for business or a vacation, he usually makes sure that he can fit in a ballgame. Though it often involves a little more research and planning, but Spyhalski thinks the extra effort is worth it. After all, watching a baseball game is one of his favorite things to do. Spyhalksi remembers watching baseball as a kid when his dad would watch Milwaukee Brewer games. While he has trouble coming up with the exact reason he watches baseball, Spyhalski does embrace the simplicity of the game. “It’s a simple game, and it’s played the same everywhere,” he said. Spyhalski found his love of baseball again with the Northern League’s St. Paul Saints around 1993. It picked up in the summer 54 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
by
Paul Spyhalski
of 1998 with the Austin Minnie Stars, a now defunct Prairie League team, played in Austin. Spyhalski would watch the Stars play in Austin and would follow them for some of the road games. Soon, he began to wonder what it was like to watch baseball in stadiums around the country. What Spyhalski has discovered is that baseball may be the same in different places, but the game experience can be vastly different. “It’s interesting to see how places do their nine innings differently, whether it’s the food they serve, the songs they play, the inning break or what happens on a home run,” Spyhalski said. “If you go to a game in Texas you hear ‘Deep in the Heart of Texas’ in the seventh inning stretch and if you go to Milwaukee it’s ‘Roll out the Barrel.’” Spyhalski has now seen baseball games in an out-of-thepark 97 stadiums with his sights set on hitting No. 100 this summer. He’s been to 21 of the active Major League Baseball stadiums, nine MLB stadiums that are now closed and he’s been to plenty of minor league and spring training stadiums. Spyhalski’s wife, Vickie, attends many of the games too, and they have seen baseball games on the east coast and in the south. He’s looking to catch games at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles and PNC Park in Pittsburgh soon. He said Boston and New York have the most passionate fan bases he’s ever seen. “On a lot of work trips, I’ll try and hit a ball park,” he said.
Retired numbers at Yankee Stadium.
Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, 2011. Home of the Texas Rangers.
Gate A at Fenway Park in 2012.
“Last fall I wanted to get to Atlanta because it closes in 2017, and I went to Savannah in the last year of their ball park. It’s gotten out of hand. It’s nice to see the different places they play and the different talent levels.” Like many in Minnesota, Spyhalski is a Twins fans, but he doesn’t necessarily plan his baseball road trips around their schedule, or a specific players’ schedule. He used to follow former Minnesota star Josh Willingham — whom Spyhalski met when Willingham played briefly for the Austin Minnie Stars — through the minor leagues and MLB. But usually, Spyhalski is just looking for different baseball experiences in different stadiums. “We don’t necessarily follow a specific player, but occasionally you see a player multiple times,” Spyhalski said. “If you go down to see them in Cedar Rapids you see one player and the next year you might see them at the next level. Usually with fantasy baseball, I get a few phone calls asking what I think of a guy.” March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 55
LOOKING BACK
The winners of the 1929 Austin Water Carnival. Back row (left to right): John Laffraty and Art Christenson. Middle Row: Ed Otterstrom, Vernon Gullickson, George Mattson, Leonard Hickman, M. Lane, Dick Flavin, Harold Otterstrom and D. Hermica. Front Row: Art Moehlman, E. Thompson, Rosabel Earl, Pete Bates, Grace Earl, Joe Bates, Beulah Coon and Charles Otterstrom.
A celebration of water By Jaimie Timm, Mower County Historical Society Photos courtesy of the Mower County Historical Society
Austin held Water Carnival in 1929 In mid-August 1929, Austin held a Water Carnival at the Horace Austin State Park. The annual event, directed by Albert Hayes, marked the end of the season and the closing of the swimming hole. Boys and girls were invited to participate in the events and local business men donated prizes. The list of events was fairly extensive and the city engineer even had to extend the height of the diving pier for some of the contests. “Swimming, diving, demonstrating how to rescue life, and other forms of aquatic stunts will be on the program here Sunday at the Horace Austin State Park swimming pool in a water carnival climaxing the activity of the summer. Boys and girls 56 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
who have participated in the water and playground sports of the city during the summer will stage the program at 3:00 o’clock Sunday afternoon under the direction of Albert Hayes.” – Austin Daily Herald, Aug. 14, 1929. Aug. 18, 1929, was deemed to have “ideal weather” and the newspaper reported that more than 1,000 people gathered along the shore line in the park to watch the competition. Elmer Requa, William Pribble and Jay Daane shared the judging duties. Prizes such as a fountain pen, portable phonograph, clothes and money were handed out to the winners after what appears to be an afternoon full of fun and “aquatic students.”
Right: The events, winners and prizes awarded for the events as listed in the Austin Daily Herald on Aug. 19, 1929. Above: A view of the bathing beach at Horace Austin State Park with the diving pier.
Above: The entrance to the bathing beach area of Horace Austin State Park. Below: A pathway in the park in 1939.
March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 57
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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.
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.
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.
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! KING ORTHODONTICS: Orthodontics is an art and a science. Dr. Darrin L. King takes great pride in achieving excellence in both areas for his patients. King Orthodontics has over 15 years experience for the most efficient, comfortable and precise results. Find out more at www.kingbraces.com (507) 446-9000 125 28th St. NW, Suite #1, Owatonna, MN (507) 332-0002 1575 20th St. NW, Suite 202, Faribault, MN (507) 424-3632 3000 43rd St. NW, Rochester, MN FINANCIAL FIRST FARMERS & MERCHANTS: 128 N. Main St., Austin, MN (507) 4333473 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. HEALTH THE HORMEL INSTITUTE: 801 16th Ave. NE, Austin, MN (507) 433-8804 www.hi.umn.edu 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 (507) 433-5652 www.arensheatingandcooling.com 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. 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! 58 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
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 Super Valu 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. 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. 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. UNITED WAY: 201 South Main St., Austin, MN (507) 437-2313 www.uwmower.org The United Way of Mower County works to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. We fund programs in four critical areas: Education, Income, Health and Basic Needs. Giving to the United Way is the best way to help the most people in need in our community. SHOPPING 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. NORTHBRIDGE MALL: 2510 Bridge Ave., Albert Lea, MN (507) 377-3185 www.northbridgemall.com Conveniently located just off the intersection of I-35 and I-90, Northbridge Mall features an arcade, movie theatre, toy stores, and many dining and shopping opportunities. Open Monday-Friday 10am-9pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm. Some business hours may vary.
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Feb. 24-28
Much Ado About Nothing
When: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24-27; 2 p.m. Feb. 28 Where: Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College, Austin campus One of the most popular and charming of Shakespeare’s comedies, “Much Ado About Nothing” features the original “battle of the sexes” couple: Benedick, an arrogant and confirmed bachelor, and Beatrice, his favorite sparring partner. While Beatrice and Benedick hide their infatuation beneath witty barbs, young love blossoms as Hero and Claudio race to the altar. When the wicked Don John conspires to break up the wedding, will false accusations and misunderstandings prevent the young couple’s happy ending? Witty wordplay, passionate poetry and clever plot twists make this the perfect romantic evening. The play is suggested for ages 10 and up.
Feb. 27
Pheasants Forever Banquet
When: 5-9:30 p.m. Where: Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center The 16th annual Pheasants Forever Banquet returns this year. Last year’s event raised about $20,000. The money helps preserve nature-friendly land. For more information, call 507-433-8000.
Feb. 27
Fourth Annual Foodie Throwdown
When: 6-9 p.m. Where: Hormel Historic Home Come to the fourth annual Foodie Throwdown and see your favorite local chefs compete for the most satisfied patrons. Be sure to save some room for each delectable treat. Each chef will build their menu based on a selected theme. Social Hour begins at 6 p.m. and a cash bar is available. Sampling of the food will be at 7 p.m. and there will be entertainment. For more information or to purchase tickets call 507-433-4243 or visit www.hormelhistorichome.org.
Feb. 28
A Russian Spectacular
When: 2-4 p.m. Where: Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School This event will feature Konstantin Soukhovestski on the piano, with music by Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, and Borodin. Tickets can be bought online at www.austinmnsymphony.org. For more information, or tickets, contact Sonia Larson at 507-433-8719, sonial@charter.net, or Sue Radloff at 507-396-2613, fiddlesue@yahoo.com.
March 1
Making dreamcatchers
When: 6-8 p.m. Where: Austin ArtWorks Center Create a handmade dreamcatcher using a willow branch as a base. Learn to weave a web, then take the project home and hang to catch bad dreams at night. The event costs $40 for ages 16 and over. For more information, call 507-434-0934.
March 3
Homemade Postcards
When: 6-7 p.m. Where: Austin ArtWorks Center Inspired by the popular book series and blog “Post Secret,” this class will walk participants through creating their own little piece of “post art.” The class will use a variety of materials, and participants will take home their postcard at the end of the night. The event costs $30 for ages 13 and over. For more information, call 507-434-0934. 60 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
The cold weather is starting to thaw, so get out and enjoy the sun this spring. Take time to smell the roses with friends and family as the flowers start springing up and the grass turns green. —All dates, times, and locations subject to change
March 4
ArtRocks Jam Session
When: 7-10 p.m. Where: Austin ArtWorks Center ArtRocks is a monthly jam session for musicians to meet and play with other musicians. Players bring their instruments and singers and songwriters bring themselves and their words. The house band backs individual jammers and allows groups to get up and play as well. Jams are open to the public. There is no cover for these events. Beer and wine is for sale. For more information, call 507-434-0934.
March 5-6
Northwestern Singers Winter Concert: ‘Back to the Future’
When: 7 p.m. March 5; 2 p.m. March 6 Where: Historic Paramount Theatre The Northwestern Singers are proud to present “Back to the Future,” a show that pays tribute to memorable hits from past NWS shows as well as contemporary songs. Audiences will enjoy song selections including a Jersey Boys medley, songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein, and many more. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students. For more information, email info@northwesternsingers.org.
March 11
Zenon Dance Company
When: 7-8:30 p.m. Where: Historic Paramount Theatre Come enjoy this artistic expression. For more information, call 507-434-0934.
March 12
SPAM Kids Fest
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Hormel Historic Home This event is presented by the Hormel Historic Home and sponsored by Hormel Foods. Activities are geared for ages 2 through 12 and there will be crafts, taste-testing, interactive presentations, SPAM kabob creations, kid-friendly tours of the HHH, music, giveaways and more. There will be a special appearance by Sir Can-a-lot and SPAMMY. For more information, call 507-433-4243.
March 12
Second Annual Brew, Beard and B.S.
When: 4 to 6 p.m. craft beer and bacon sampling, 6 to 8 p.m. awards, 9 p.m. 4onthefloor performance. Where: Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center Celebrate beer, beard and bacon with beer tastings from various breweries, along with fun awards. For more information, call 507-433-8000.
March 12
April 13
When: 5:30-6:15 p.m. Where: First United Methodist Church, 204 1st Ave N.W. Contemporary music and worship will be the second Saturday of each month. Everyone is welcome. Each month non-perishable food will be collected for the local food shelf. For more info, call Sarah at 507-219-8200.
When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: Austin ArtWorks Center Love art but don’t know where to start? Follow guided instruction, socialize with fellow art lovers, and sip on a glass of wine while recreating a model painting to take home at the end of class. Cost is $40 for aged 16 and over. For more information, call 507-434-0934.
Community Praise Service
March 18-20
Austin Home and Vacation Show
When: 3-8 p.m., 9-4 p.m., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Packer Arena Come see what Austin has to offer. Go to www.power96rocker.com or www.classiccountrylegends.com for more details, or call 507-373-9600.
March 19
Transit Authority
When: 7:30-9 p.m. Where: Historic Paramount Theatre Based out of St. Paul, the eight member ensemble Transit Authority creates an accurate musical salute to the greatest horn driven rock band to ever hit the stage. For more information, call 507-434-0934.
March 24
Read Any Good Books Lately?
When: 7-8 p.m. Where: Austin Public Library Come join group members for an informal monthly discussion about books based on the question, “Have you read any good books lately?” For more information, call 507-433-2391.
April 1
Picasso Portraits with Beth Hamilton
When: 2-3 p.m. Where: Austin ArtWorks Center Learn about Picasso and show the world artistic colors by drawing a cubist self-portrait using oil pastels. Kids ages 8-12 are welcome, and cost is $20. For more information, call 507-434-0934.
April 8-10
Matchbox presents: ‘Story Stew: A Fairy Tale Revue’ When: 7 p.m. April 9-10; 2 p.m. April 10 Where: Historic Paramount Theatre Audiences of all ages will be delighted by this script about the famous Old Woman fairytale character who ends up finding a very unusual home. Of course, she needs lots of space because she had so many children but did you know that her children are Jack and Jill, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks and that lamb loving Mary? There are surprising twists to familiar fables at every turn as this wild romp winds its way through the enchanted forest. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for youth.
Uncork and Create
April 14
Large Hole Suede Bracelets
When: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Where: Austin ArtWorks Center Make jewelry with instructor Kim Kahn-Waletzke. Cost is $25, and for more information, call 507-434-0934.
April 17
Opera Festival
When: 2-4 p.m. Where: Historic Paramount Theatre This is the final concert of the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s 2015-16 season, with soloists Elizabeth Hunter Ashley, soprano, and Rick Penning, tenor. Music will be by Bernstein, Wagner, Verdi, Rossini, Puccini, Lehar and more. Tickets are on sale online at www.austinmnsymphony.org. For more information, or tickets, contact Sonia Larson at 507-433-8719, sonial@charter.net, or Sue Radloff at 507-396-2613, fiddlesue@yahoo.com.
April 17
Fundraiser Evening at the Austin Country Club
When: 5-7:30 p.m. Where: Austin Country Club This event will follow a concert. Tickets for this fundraiser are $50 per person, which includes a meal and musical performance. For more information, or tickets, contact Sonia Larson at 507-433-8719, sonial@charter.net, or Sue Radloff at 507396-2613, fiddlesue@yahoo.com.
April 21
Douglas Wood Earth Day Celebration
When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Jay C Hormel Nature Center Celebrate the planet and all it has to offer with this fun celebration. For more information, call 507-437-7519.
April 21-May 1
‘Young Frankenstein’
When: 7:30 p.m., April 21-23, 28-30; 2 p.m. May 1 Where: Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick and a leggy lab assistant, Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather’s. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds. Susan V. Hansen directs, and the musical is recommended for ages 13 and up. Tickets are $16 or $50 for a season pass and may be purchased by going to www.riverland.edu/ theatre/tickets or at the box office in person or by phone. For more information or to order tickets, call 507-433-0595. March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 61
BOOK REVIEW
Journey
through the west By Bruce Richardson, Austin Page Turners Why would a devoted father of two young boys and an immigrant wife suddenly abandon them, leaving their frontier town home in northern Minnesota with no word of goal and direction? Wounded in the Civil War, Ulysses Pope had recently mortgaged their house, lost his employment and turned inexplicably religious. The wife and children grow desperate for an answer. We then have three stories in Lin Enger’s “High Divide.” Ulysses, the wandering father, turns up on the Montana frontier in a personal quest to find an evasive enemy from his secret past. The boys, in spite of the younger one’s poor health, head west by train to North Dakota to find their father. The wife, not knowing what has happened to her sons and husband, turns east to connect to his past home for clues and then west to recover her sons. The past that he has not shared with the family drives Ulysses to risks that abound in the unsettled west that includes hunger, hostile natives and unscrupulous renegades. But it is also a west in transition. The Indian Wars are basically over expect for hostile, roaming bands, the buffalo are slaughtered to near extinction, and the railroad has pushed farming into the vast plains. The Ulysses story has historical context with its connection to Custer and the Indian Wars and the efforts of the Smithsonian Institutions’s expedition to preserve samples of the buffalo herds that were all but gone. But his story is personal as he seeks redemption from a past tragic mistake. His quest also risks his relationship with his son who finds him in the Dakota Badlands and with his wife who fears he has betrayed her with another woman. Lin Enger’s writing style is described by Star Tribune writer Jim Carmin as “precise, restrained and enlivened by the characters interacting with strong secondary characters.” Enger is the brother of Leif Enger, a previous Page Turner’s author choice. “High Divide,” was a strong competitor to this year’s book. Lin teaches writing at Minnesota State University at Moorhead. His first novel, “Undiscovered Country,” also has the same regional setting.
62 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
“The High Divide” written by Lin Enger. Author photo by Hope Larson
March–April 2016 | Austin Living | 63
WHY I LOVE AUSTIN
a great town to raise a family Austin boasts rich history, promising future By Tim Ruzek
Tim and Heather Ruzek with daughters Aubrey, 6, and Estelle, 2. Nate Howard Photography
A
s a teenager driving Austin’s one-ways, playing disc golf and hanging out in parking lots with friends, I never thought I would work and raise a family in my hometown. After graduating in 2003 from college, however, I returned to Austin to live rent free with my parents while searching for my first full-time gig as a newspaper reporter. I landed that job here, convinced my future wife (a Twin Cities native) to move to Austin and spent seven years covering the Austin community. In the process, I became very rooted to the town. Much has changed in Austin since I graduated in 1999 from Austin High. The same could be said for even the past five years — thanks in large part to the Austin Main Street Project and Vision 2020. I have a strong interest in Austin’s rich history, especially old photos of downtown, the Cedar River and the old Hormel Foods Corp. plant. I’m a big fan of the city’s historic landmarks, such as Paramount Theatre, Old Mill, Hormel Home, Bandshell Park, Austin High School and Roosevelt Bridge. I’ve enjoyed seeing downtown’s historic look revived. Yet, I’m also excited that Austin is working aggressively to create a better future and that I’m involved with many other residents in that process. I serve on the Vision 2020 Waterways Committee working to enhance the historic, beautiful Cedar River State Water Trail of which the Ramsey Mill Pond is my favorite spot. For my wife, Heather, and our daughters Aubrey, 6, and Estelle, 2, we love going to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and Austin Public Library. We enjoy the city’s parks and riding bikes or going for a run on its trail system. My favorite stretch 64 | Austin Living | March–April 2016
goes through the woods along the Cedar River — typically past deer — from Wildwood Park to Todd Park. We also love the beauty and peacefulness of Austin’s lesser-known public sledding hill (you’ll have to research that one). We love the older homes and mature oak trees covering our northwest Austin neighborhood. We’re grateful for Austin Public Schools’ incredible team working hard to help children achieve their potential at all learning levels and backgrounds. We love seeing the vast diversity of today’s students in Austin — so many children of different races and ethnicities together. We have appreciated the proximity of everything in Austin, whether that be for our work commutes, running errands or leaving work to catch a school event. As the son and grandson of long-time Hormel Foods employees, I also have a deep appreciation for the Fortune 500 company started here. I also love that Austin serves as a global leader in cancer research with The Hormel Institute, and I’m grateful for The Hormel Foundation’s significant support of the Institute’s work as well as for many community groups and projects. Part of what I like about Austin is similar to what I liked about my college: It’s not too small and it’s not too big. There are plenty of opportunities here to get involved and make a difference. Ruzek is the water plan and outreach coordinator for Mower Soil & Water Conservation District/Cedar River Watershed District and is a co-chair of the Vision 2020 Waterways Committee. His wife, Heather, is an Early Childhood Special Education teacher for Austin Public Schools.