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EDITOR’S NOTE
Realizing our passions for life A good number of years ago, when I was younger than my 46th birthday this past January, myself and my family spent much of our summers racing horses. The circuit took us from Park Jefferson in southeast South Dakota to Atokad Park in South Sioux City, Nebraska, on to Lincoln Race Course in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Columbus Thoroughbred Racing in Columbus, Nebraska. They were some of the best years of my life and became something we looked forward to every year; wandering the shed rows, watching the races from the back stretch fence and even placing a few bucks on the ponies at the windows. The entire experience became a passion for our family, especially considering the time, money and effort it took for such a small operation. Were we ever going to win the Kentucky Derby? No, but all the same race day was something our family thoroughly enjoyed. Eric Johnson, It was a passion. Austin Living Editor Our passions in life are those things that keep us going and something we care about deeply. Should we miss a day, then in some ways we feel incomplete. For this second issue of 2020, Austin Living is featuring three stories that demonstrate the passions people care about. Morgan Dickman, an elementary teacher in Austin, has continued to fuel her love of music with her group Morgan & Friends. Former KAUS DJ Scott Soderberg may not be in radio anymore, but he still continues to serve in the industry. He started Soderberg Productions and supports such artists on stage as country singer Tom Wurth. And gamer Michael Jordal has taken his gaming passion past the gaming board into creation as he paints and fashions his own creations in the world of miniatures. Each one of these people demonstrate that if you do what you love, then you are living life in the best way possible.
Along the way Spring may be a ways off still, but there is no reason you can’t start thinking about what you are going to put in your garden and backyard. While you’re thinking of these things, maybe also cast a thought on how you can help our bee population. This issue, in The List, we provide seven flowering plants you can plant that will make your yard bee friendly. Also be sure to check out Rob Offringa and his travels. No matter where he goes, he’s always representing Spam. If you’re in the mood for a show, then check out our travel section and plan a night at the Ordway Theatre in St. Paul. 2 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
PUBLISHER Crystal Miller EDITORIAL Editor Eric Johnson Contributing Writers Rocky Hulne Tyler Jensen Eric Johnson Deb Nicklay Michael Stoll Photographer Eric Johnson ART Art Director Colby Hansen Graphic Designers Colby Hansen Eric Johnson SALES & PROMOTION Sales & Marketing Manager Heather Ryks Sales Representatives Heather Biwer Mike Delhanty Brenda Landherr Heather Ryks MARCH-APRIL 2020 Volume 8, Number 2 EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE: Editor, 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 507-434-2237. To purchase advertising, call 507-434-2220 © A Minnesota Publishers Inc. publication
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WHAT’S INSIDE MARCH – APRIL 2020
SEEN
OUT & ABOUT
6
24 FACILITATING DISCOVERY
WINTER THROUGH THE LENSES OF OUR READERS Austin Living readers share their images from our coldest time of the year.
WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS 10 SNOW BEACON With a backdrop of wintery whites and blues, a yellow road sign stands out like a beacon.
AREA EATS 12 THE REAL THING Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero gives diners a true taste of Mexico.
THE LIST 16 HOW TO BEE FRIENDLY TO OUR POLLINATORS 7 flowers you can plant to attract bees.
HOME & HEARTH 18 AROUND THE TABLE Get your boost of protein.
20 A TASTE OF WOW Ellie Huffman brings her own special eye for design to projects.
23 AUSTIN ARTWORKS CENTER Featured Artist: Jenna Grabau. 4 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
The Hormel Institute catalyzes research conducted by early-career investigators through investing in cuttingedge technologies like the Cryo-electron microscope.
26 TRAVELING ADVERTISEMENT Spam t-shirts go from Austin to San Diego to all over the world.
TRAVEL 52 STANDING OUT AMONG THE REST St. Paul’s Ordway Center for the Performing Arts a touch of the future in the historic downtown.
LOOKING BACK 56 ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATIONS IN AUSTIN
AREA HAPPENINGS 58 THE BIGGEST UPCOMING EVENTS
BOOK REVIEW 60 MURDER, MAYHEM AND LOVE Allen Eskens’ “A Life We Bury” is a story with plenty of twists and turns.
WHY I LOVE AUSTIN 64 A CITY AS UNIQUE AS ITS PEOPLE Dan Mueller explains why he loves Austin.
PURSUING A PASSION
In the pursuit of happiness, these three Austinites are following those things they love the most.
32 SETTING THE STAGE From radio to inside the production business, Soderberg works with musicians.
39 GETTING BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HER FRIENDS Morgan Dickman and company making music to local delight.
44 GAMING IN MINIATURE Michael Jordal takes his love of gaming to the crafting of gaming minis. March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 5
Winter through the lenses of our readers
SEEN
Even though winter can often seem like a burden to many people, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some redeeming qualities to the season, and that includes the opportunity to take breath-taking photos. For another year, we asked our readers to submit their favorite pictures of our coldest time of the year and they responded with amazing images of our frozen world. 1 2
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4
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2. 3.
See more photos on pages 8-9.
5
Every January the ladies at Potach & Mitchell Dental Office turn the courtyard Christmas tree, seen from the waiting room, into a Paint The Town Pink tree. Patients love it and so does the staff. Back row from left: Jeanne Tomlinson, Dr. Richard Mitchell, Shelley Tebay. Front row: Dr. Kurt Potach, Kim Heilman, Colleen Hueman, Amanda Laack, Karen Thorsheim, Tonya Hansen, Camille Rasmussen, Katie Carney, Lisa Johnson. Photo provided by Jeanne Tomlinson A blue jay grabs a snack. Photo provided by Marilyn Sucha Rascal is an inside cat now and just looks out the window this year. Photo provided by Marilyn Sucha
6 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
6 7
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4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Sundogs taken by Colin Walsh on Jan. 18 outside his home in northwest Austin. Photo provided by Colin Walsh Frozen berries at the Sucha household. Photo provided by Marilyn Sucha Easton Granholm, from left, Berkley and Isaac Granholm get in some outdoor hockey in early January Snow wasn’t stopping these boys from skating. Photo provided by Tiffany Ankeny A twig with frozen water was taken at Mill Pond. Photo by Mark Lingl A leaf in snow taken at Whitewater State Park. Photo by Mark Lingl Sundogs promise a chilly morning. Photo provided by Dan Marmsoler
March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 7
13 10
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11
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10. Heather Wagner with her daughter Paisley stand by the snowman Paisley and grandpa Mike Selmecki made early in January in southwest Austin. Photo provided by Pam Selmecki 11. Mike Selmecki and his granddaughter Paisley Wagner build a snowman early in January in southwest Austin. Photo provided by Pam Selmecki 12. A serene winter landscape taken on the Decker farm northwest of Austin in January. Photo provided by Paula Decker 8 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
15 16
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13. A spider web is frozen onto the surface of a side mirror at Austin Windshield Plus, taken in September. Photo provided by Terry Schmidt. 14. Photo of Bentley Farrell, Vincent Astorino and Parker Farrell next to the Canadian Pacific Holiday Train in December Photo provided by Amy Mullenbach 15. Charlie and Murphy playing in the snow. Photo provided by Dan Marmsoler 16. Rachel Paulson and her daughter Jaely Solberg, out for a winter walk with mother and grandmother Mary McNiff down Wildwood walking/bike trail Nov. 20. Photo provided by Mary McNiff 17. Having some fun with some October snow. Photo provided by Mary McNiff March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 9
WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
Snow beacon PHOTO BY ERIC JOHNSON With a backdrop of wintery whites and blues, this yellow road sign near Rose Creek stands out like a beacon. If you have a photo you think would be worth sharing, send it to Eric Johnson at photodesk@austindailyherald.com. Resolution must be 300 DPI and at least 14 inches wide.
10 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 11
AUSTIN EATS
Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero has a variety of dishes, from chicken to beef, to satisfiy your cravings.
12 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
THE REAL THING
Custodio Serrano and his wife Jeorgina Maldonado Serrano are owners of the downtown gem Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero.
Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero gives diners a true taste of Mexico BY MICHAEL STOLL • PHOTOS With the large Hispanic population in Austin, it is no surprise to find a plethora of authentic Mexican restaurants in the city. And when a Mexican grocery store is attached, you can take it as a sign that you are in for the real thing. One such example is Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero, located on Fourth Avenue Northeast near the Austin Public Library, VFW and the Tendermaid. Inside, customers will find the ingredients necessary to make their favorite Mexican dishes, something that co-owner Custodio Serrano takes pride in. “The people are happy because they can come get their meat, their produce and fresh baked goods,” Custodio said, as translated by his son, Hector Serrano. “A lot of people come from out of town and they leave happy because they find a little bit of everything they need.” Originally from the state of Guerrero, Mexico, located southwest of Mexico City on the Pacific Ocean, Custodio earned his U.S. citizenship in 1998 while he was in the State of Washington. In May 1999, he and his wife, Jeorgina Maldonado Serrano, came to Austin. “I started working at QPP, then for Hormel,” Custodio recalled. “My wife and I had an idea we brought with us from Washington for a taco stand. We were looking for one and finally
BY
ERIC JOHNSON
found one and she ran the taco stand while I worked at Hormel.” Neither Custodio nor Jeorgina had any prior restaurant experience; Jeorgina simply used recipes she grew up with. She first took the taco stand to parks, then decided to sell in downtown by the bars. “It was excellent; there were a bunch of people,” Custodio said. “I remember when we parked there when I was younger,” Hector added. “This was before the new police station was built. There used to be an apartment complex and we would park in the parking lot.” The taco stand was a big hit, prompting people to ask a question the Serranos took to heart. “People told us, ‘Why don’t you open a Mexican restaurant?’” Custodio said. To learn the trade, Custodio would spend weekends in Chicago learning the business end of running a restaurant. Then came the challenge of finding a suitable location. In the mid-2000s, the Serranos found the business’s current location, owned at the time by Mark Stevens. “When we first talked, Mark wanted to lease it out for one year,” Custodio said. “We said no, we want six months to try it.” March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 13
Aside from their meals, Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero also has goodies at the counter.
The business then began as a grocery store with a taco stand out front. But while the store could run year-round, Minnesota winters were not conducive to running an outdoor taco stand. “We put the taco stand away, but people were still looking for the food,” Custodio said. “So, we opened the restaurant part.” It was the right decision. “The community received us very well; we had a good response from the people,” Custodio said. “People then started asking for a meat department, so we added that on too. Then we added the produce and the fresh baked goods.” The name is reflective of both the Mexican State of Guerrero and one of the restaurants staples: tacos. “In Mexico, when you go to a taco place, it is a taqueria, not a restaurant,” Custodio said. And tacos are just one of many dishes they sell, all from recipes developed by Jeorgina. “She’s the number one for the recipes; she’s the one that does everything,” Custodio said. “People tell me this is real Mexican food. For example, we use authentic Mexican cheese, not just any cheese off the shelf, and we shred it down to use. Everything we make is an authentic Mexican style.” “Thank God everything has gone good so far,” he added. “People should come and try the delicious food. The flavor of the taqueria is one of the best in Austin.” Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero is located at 301 Fourth Ave. NE in Austin. They can be reached at 507-437-4106. Their hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday, though holidays may vary. “People ask if we’re open on Thanksgiving and Christmas,” Custodio said. “We are, but not 8-8. Sometimes people call, sometimes to see if we’re open or because they’ve run out of meat, so we come and open.” 14 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero has a fully fleshed out meat counter.
Baked goods can be found in a cooler from where people order their meals at Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero.
First time? Not sure what to try for your first time at Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero? Here are a few suggestions from Serrano. H TACOS Can you really go wrong with tacos? The answer is no, and shame on you if you said otherwise. Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero serves them Mexican street-style on a corn tortilla with your choice of meat topped with radishes, onions and cilantro. Try them with their spicy green hot sauce or their sinus-clearing orange hot sauce. Author’s note: As someone who has consumed many a taco from Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero, I would personally recommend chorizo for your meat. H BURRITOS Your choice of meat, rice, beans, cheese and pico de gallo wrapped in a flour tortilla in a way that allows for a little bit of everything in each bite. It’s everything that a growing boy (in my case, horizontally) needs.
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H HUARACHE Not to be confused with the sweet rice milk drink horchata (which they do serve), huarache is a generous helping of beans and your choice of meat topped with lettuce, tomatoes, crème and queso fresco served on a long corn tortilla. It’s like a large, overloaded taco, but I wouldn’t recommend trying to eat it with your hands (and I know someone, somewhere will attempt this). H CARNE ASADA This Mexican classic is a thin cut of marinated steak seasoned to perfection and topped with grilled jalapenos. Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero typically serves theirs with rice, beans, and a small salad topped with avocado and pico de gallo. Stop drooling; you’re getting the pages wet. March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 15
THE LIST
How to
bee
friendly to our polinators BY ERIC JOHNSON • STOCK
Now more than ever, society has turned a concerned eye to the fates of our pollinators. A fearful trend of bee die-offs over the last few years has prodded society into an effort to ensure that pollinators have a place in our future. On top of that, the effort is now growing into the residential backyards of many as ordinary citizens do more to make sure that pollinators, including bees, have a place to do their work. It’s not even that hard. Simply planting those things that pollinators are looking for is a step in the right direction. “We want plants that are going to provide nectar throughout the spring, the summer and into early fall,” said Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Director/Naturalist Luke Reese. “There are a variety of plants that bridge the gap.” As this effort grows to become more pollinator-friendly, Reese said that simply casting an eye to those plants that thrive in Minnesota can be the first step in providing a welcoming backyard for bees. 16 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
PHOTOS
“Wild flowers that are native to Minnesota are good because that’s what bees are feeding on,” Reese said. What’s better is these plants are great for either residential property in the city or for open lands on acreages and farms. In fact it’s the urban areas that in some ways are leading the charge. The rusty patch bumblebee was added to the endangered species list last year. However, Reese said that he recently had it confirmed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that a bee he found in his backyard was in fact a rusty patch bumble bee, which are not native to this part of Minnesota. With this discovery, the Austin area will be included on the range map by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “The rusty patch bumblebee is doing best in the urban areas,” Reese said. The University of Minnesota’s Bee Lab (www.beelab.umn. edu/bees/flowers/plants-mn-bees) offers a large database of information on becoming a bee-friendly hot spot for our beeutiful friends.
Pussy Willow (April-May) A shrub, the pussy willow has an early bloom and will attract honey bees and other kinds of bees. It will grow in full sun and partly shaded areas.
Wild Geranium
(May) The wild geranium is a native plant to Minnesota with an early bloom. While it won’t attract honey bees, it will attract other variety of bees to its small purple flowers. The plants prefer shaded areas.
Golden Alexander
(May to early June) This colorful yellow flower has an early- to mid-bloom time and, like the pussy willow, enjoys full sun or partly shaded areas. Again, while this won’t bring the honey bees a calling, it will bring in other varieties of bees.
Sunflowers
(June-July) Sunflowers are the iconic flowers of summer. Bright and yellow, they capture the attentive eye and the attentive bee. This flower will bloom mid- to late year and will grow in a variety of areas including full sun, part shade and shaded. Expect to see almost all varieties of bees coming to this beauty.
7 flowers you can plant to attract bees Purple Coneflower (June-July) The purple coneflower is a beautiful purple flower that adds a stark and bright contrast to any backyard. With a mid-year bloom, the coneflower thrives in full sun and will bring most all kinds of bees in Minnesota a callin.’ Its yellow sibling, the yellow coneflower, can add a nice accent.
Bee Balm
(July-early August) An herbaceous plant, the bee balm enjoys full sun and blooms mid- to late season. It’s an ideal plant to include as it is considered a super food for bees, according to Reese.
Stiff Goldenrod
(August-Early September) A yellow and vibrantly blooming plant, the stiff goldenrod will be a late-season bloom with a love for full sun and partly shaded areas. Will attract honey and other kinds of bees.
March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 17
HOME & HEARTH
Around the Table BY JEN HAUGEN, RDN, LD
Monster Muffins using Enrichables
Get your boost of protein Imagine sitting down to a plateful of kale. How does that sound? Or what if you could curb that midmorning hunger pang? More than ever, we are focused on our health, but things get in the way! Whether it’s time, busy schedules, picky eaters or something else. And we may have the best intentions and buy that kale, only to throw it away after it spoils. While we are in the month of all things green, I wanted to share a solution with you that you can continue all year long. It’s perfect for those of us that run out of time to eat healthy, have picky eaters or simply don’t know how to make it happen. I’m sure you know that vegetables are filled with fiber and other good nutrients we need. And what about protein? It helps with that feeling of fullness (as does fiber) and takes longer to break down making us feel fuller longer. Enough with the science, right? What you need to know is that there is a solution. You can boost your vegetables and get protein in all the right parts of your day with something brand new Enrichables from Pampered Chef. • There are two options: Enrichables Kale and Fiber and Enrichables 100% Pea 18 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
Protein. • There is no flavoring added to either option and that makes it easy to add to your favorite recipe. • Kale and Fiber makes a great addition to smoothies and drinks, sauces, spreads, dressings and soups, pasta and rice, batters and doughs, and even ground meat dishes. Each packet has two cups of freeze-dried kale and eight grams of fiber from chicory root (a prebiotic that feeds the good bacteria in the gut). • Pea Protein makes a great addition to drinks and smoothies, sauces and spreads, dressings and soups, pasta, rice and oatmeal, and batters and doughs. Each packet has 10 grams protein from nothing but yellow peas. • Enrichables are meant to make your favorite dishes more nutritious. Here’s what one recent user said, “It can go in everything, you control the amount and it doesn’t change the taste.” Another said, “The more you use it, the more you love it — embrace the green!” If you would like to find out more, check out my website, which includes more than 80 recipes to give you all sorts of ideas. www.pamperedchef.com/pws/jenhaugen/ enrichables
About Jen Jen Haugen, RDN, LD, is a mom on a mission to making everyday cooking easier so you can live your dreams. She’s a local small business owner, author and registered dietitian nutritionist. She owns her own business as a Pampered Chef consultant where she loves teaching how to make cooking fast and easy and healthy. If you would love to gather your friends for a fun evening of cooking together with tools that get the job done quicker, and learn simple cooking tips to make everyday cooking easier, then call Jen to set up your date: 507-438-7109. Want daily tips? Find Jen on Instagram: www.instagram. com/JenHaugenRD and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ JenHaugenRD And grab her Real Meals, Real Moms Recipe Package by subscribing to her blog: www.jenhaugen.com
Monster Muffins Ingredients
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • ½ teaspoon baking soda • ½ teaspoon salt • 2 packets Enrichables Kale and Fiber • ⅓ cup applesauce • ⅓ cup maple syrup •2 extra-ripe large bananas • 2 eggs • ¼ cup canola oil • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Topping • 2 tablespoons brown sugar • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Add oats to Deluxe Cooking Blender. Replace and lock the lid. Press the wheel to select “Pulse” setting and blend on setting 6 until oats have the texture of flour, about 10 seconds. 2. Add remaining ingredients to blender in order listed. Replace and lock lid. Press wheel to start “Custom Blend” setting and blend on speed 3 for 30-45 seconds, pausing and scraping down the sides of the blender with a spatula half way through blending. 3. Spray wells of a muffin pan with oil, pour batter evenly into wells of pan. For topping, combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over each muffin. 4. Bake 20-22 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean when inserted into center. Let muffins stand 5 minutes before removing from pan. Makes 12 servings.
Nutrients per serving
U.S. nutrients per serving: Calories 160, Total Fat 7 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Sodium 250 mg, Carbohydrate 25 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugars 11 g, Added Sugars 8 g, Protein 3 g
Recipe source: www.pamperechef.com
March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 19
A taste of
WOW
20 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
Ellie Huffman stands among the many tile examples she has at her disposal when redecorating homes.
Ellie Huffman brings her own special eye for design to projects BY DEB NICKLAY • PHOTOS
BY
ERIC JOHNSON
That’s where the Huffman’s come in, taking the Ellie Huffman will be the first to admit that she enjoys headache out of home projects. Joe, in addition to his work watching home remodeling television shows, popular on in other parts of the business, provides input on plans, too. channels such as DIY and HGTV. “We are a great team and he is definitely a big part of Still, Huffman — a partner in the Huffman Flooring the projects,” she said. Design Center in Austin, with husband Joe — is also quick It’s a fairly new venture; to date, “I’ve done mostly to note the shows often give a skewed idea of how a home bathroom remodels,” although she has worked on other remodel works. rooms, and kitchens, she said. “So often, it’s not reality,” she said, referring to both the Huffman helps her customers choose colors and time it takes for a project, as well as the fact that most homeproducts, from flooring owners have to live and wall tile, to fixtures, within a home during paint and mirrors. a project. Even the “We cover items used in staging everything” in the that you see during TV project, she said. “reveals” rarely make it “I have my own into the homes after the little team of contractors unveilings are complete I like to use” in the (customers have to pay projects, which also for the items if they alleviates the stress for want to keep them). customers who may “Actual remodels not know how to go aren’t so easy; my goal about working with is to make it easy on my carpenters, plumbers, client,” she said. electricians, or flooring And, Huffman installers. knows what she’s The profession talking about: she and requires more than just Joe have begun a new design and execution interior decorating sideskills. The Huffmans line within Huffman need to keep current Flooring Design Center on costs and products, that provides design, like new paints, tile planning and oversight and flooring, as well as of home remodeling or Before and after photos of an interior Huffman has redecorated. trends. new design projects. For instance, she Huffman meets said, there are all shapes and sizes of wall tile these days, with customers, discusses their needs and then helps them from ceramic to glass. More fixtures are being made in choose just the right products for the project. After plans are multiple finishes — for instance, champagne bronze made, she helps to coordinate contractors for the work. and black matte are popular right now. A new trend in “I make sure they have real expectations,” Huffman said. cabinetry comes with multi-colored finishes; with many “I like to get to know the customers, talk with them awhile, choices for countertops, quartz is gaining lots of interest, and get a sense of what they like. So many will come in and she said. say, ‘I don’t know where to start.’” March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 21
Ellie Huffman says that while often people don’t know where to begin, sometimes looking at some samples is a good place to start.
Huffman came to a career change when she opted, Subway tile remains popular in both kitchens and baths. about a year ago, “to go all in” with Joe at the business — a Flooring also has multiple choices, especially in luxury vinyl, far cry from Huffman’s first prowhich is particularly desired in fession of being a nurse. rooms where water is present. Still, it was not a tough tranBolder colors and designs are besition, she said. coming more and more popular. “I always loved art in school; However, Huffman said I always had an eye for design,” ascertaining her customers prefshe said. erences is also a key to success. When she was taking an art While there is a current trend course during a college year at toward farmhouse and industrial the University of Minnesotalooks, other customers may want Duluth, her art instructor was a more traditional design. impressed with her talents. She also works to keep stress “He told me, ‘you need to levels down during a project. major in art.’” Projects take time, she said — Since she came to work in typically, from four to six weeks the family business full-time, for a bathroom; sometimes helping design and execute longer for a kitchen — and she home projects came naturally. works hard to keep chaos at After using her skills in her own bay. She believes she has been Before and after photos of a bathroom home and homes of friends and successful in keeping projects Ellie Huffman has redecorated. family, she gained confidence moving along. Most customers, to branch out. She is obtaining she added, understand the chalher interior design degree from the New York School of Art lenges as long as it’s clear that progress is being made. and Design, after which she will become licensed in inte“I think remodels should be fun,” she said, referring to her rior design. mission of keeping customers involved, but not burdened. “I “I’m excited about it,” she said. “It’s going well and we don’t want my customers going through the 12 stages of grief,” really love working with our customers.” she added with a laugh.
For more information on Huffman’s work, go to the business’ website, at austinmn.floorstogo.com, where there are photographs of recent projects. The business is located at 101 11th St. SE in Austin. You can also see her latest designs on Facebook by liking the Huffman Flooring Design Center page or follow her on Instagram at huffman.flooring.designbyellie 22 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
Austin ArtWorks Center Featured Artist
Jenna Grabau, mixed medium Artwork currently priced at $3-$149 Find her on Facebook - Jennartsy
A
crylic, clay, ink, paper, collage, pen, a little bit of this and a little bit of that. I like to think of myself as a Jenna of all trades. I am able to express myself in different ways with different mediums. No matter the medium, my art reflects nature and is driven by emotion. My work focuses around organic figures and bright colors. I want others to feel something when they look at my art- whether that is solitude, excitement, or confusion. Jenna was born and raised in Austin, Minnesota. She graduated from Austin High School in 2017, then attended Riverland Community College to earn her Associate in Fine Arts in 2019. March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 23
OUT & ABOUT
Facilitating discovery
The Hormel Institute catalyzes research conducted by early-career investigators through investing in cuttingedge technologies like the Cryo-electron microscope BY THE HORMEL INSTITUTE The colorful Ray of Hope sculpture at the entrance of The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota - donated by Gary and Pat Ray - stands as a symbol of the Institute’s long list of historical achievements, as well as its unwavering commitment to scientific progress. The 30-foot-tall sculpture, which was installed in 2016, depicts the structure of silybin, a protein that researchers at the institute discovered functions as a natural anticancer agent in 2013. Their discovery of the protein and its structure was a game changer in fighting melanoma skin cancer, and a $4.3 million investment supported by The Hormel Foundation that same year in a cryogenic electron microscope (Cryo-EM) could pave the road for further advancement in the field of cancer research drug design. Cryo-EM is one of the most powerful electron microscopes in the world and allows researchers to rapidly uncover the structure of proteins and other molecules at near-atomic resolution. The Cryo-EM facility was part of a wider $27-million expansion. Attracted to The Hormel Institute and what this technology can offer, Dr. Amer Alam, an assistant professor, explains that Cryo-EM is crucial for his research. “Understanding structure helps scientists develop drugs, understand more about disease progression, or develop treatments for people who have cancer,” says Dr. Alam. His lab studies the structural biology of membrane transport processes and used Cryo-EM to elucidate the first structure of p-glycoprotein, a plasma membrane protein. He explains that the protein detoxifies the cells, but can also be exploited by cancer cells to gain resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs. Dr. Alam, moving here with his family from Zurich, Switzerland, joined The Hormel Institute in part because Cryo-EM is essential for advancing his research program. The Hormel Institute is the only facility in the Midwest with Cryo-EM capabilities used for cancer research. “It is a unique combination of a place that is fully dedicated to 24 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
research, and that has a tremendous setup for facilities with any equipment I would need for my research,” he explains. Cryo-EM also drew Dr. Bin Liu to join The Hormel Institute coming from Yale University. Dr. Liu’s research focuses on designing effective antibiotics. Before joining The Hormel Institute, he spent almost ten years solving structures using X-ray crystallography, a difficult approach that requires large quantities of crystals. In contrast, Cryo-EM can be done with small amounts of samples and without crystals. “It makes everything so easy,” says Dr. Liu. The Cryo-EM facility features a Titan Krios G2 Cryo-electron microscope, a fiber network for fast data processing, GPU (Graphic Processing Units) workstations, and a 500-terabyte mass storage system. Dr. Anna SunborgerLunna, previously in Washington DC at National Institutes of Health, is an assistant professor at The Hormel Institute and studies the mechanisms of cell death. She helped design the Cryo-EM program and facility. Through participating in discussions about which equipment to buy and how to construct a space based on the needs of the Institute, Dr. Sunborger-Lunna gained insight into parts of research she had never experienced before. These resources provide early-career investigators with opportunities uncommon at smaller institutes, where they would typically have to travel to national centers to access such technology. “It’s a pretty big deal for junior faculty to have access to such amazing equipment,” says Dr. Sunborger-Lunna. “Having this facility here, having this microscope here, has made my research possible.” On a broader scale, “the cryogenic facility is a hallmark of how dedicated they are here at The Hormel Institute,” says Dr. Sundborger-Lunna. “The Hormel Institute will continue its investment in structural biology through the recruitment of new investigators and acquisition of additional technologies for the Cryo-EM facility.”
The Cryo-Em Team at The Hormel Institute, from left: Dr. Bin Liu, Dr. Amer Alam and Dr. Anna Sundborger-Lunna. Photo provided March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 25
As part of his travels with his Spam t-shirts, Bob Offringa traveled via elephant through India’s Kaziranga National Park. There he observed rhinos, monkeys and other animals. 26 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
TRAVELING ADVERTISEMENT Bob Offringa in Inle Lake, Myanmar.
Bob Offringa and his Spam shirt caught between a rock and a hard place.
SPAM t-shirts go from Austin to San Diego to all over the world BY TYLER JENSEN • PHOTOS What started as a gift from a couple to their brother-inlaw has now become a traveling showcase of Spam attire seen around the world. In the 1990s, Sue and David Ruzek of Austin were looking for a Christmas gift for Sue’s brother-in-law, Bob Offringa. Knowing he had a love for t-shirts, the couple decided to get a Spam shirt for Offringa, who began wearing them on the road. He has always enjoyed traveling, and 26 years serving in the United States Navy gave Offringa plenty of opportunities to see the world. Over the years, Offringa has gone on a number of trips with a friend he had met in Okinawa, Japan, in the 1980s. “We’ve kind of teamed up and gone on a bunch of different boys’ trips,” Offringa said. Still, having been stationed in Europe during his career, Offringa decided not to go to the usual tourist destinations. Instead, Offringa has gone to places like Ethiopia, Cambodia and Pakistan. “These are off the beaten path,” he said.
PROVIDED BY
BOB OFFRINGA
In all, Offringa has visited 65 countries and counting. The first time he brought a spam shirt was during a 1999 trip to Mali. There, Offringa spent time with the Dogon, a people living in the center of the West African nation. and had his photo taken with him in his Spam shirt next to traditional stilt dancers. Other trips with the Spam attire have included Dunhuang, China, where he visited a network of caves known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas, Brazil for scuba diving and dolphin watching; and India’s Kaziranga National Park, where he rode around on an elephant and observed other species of animals like panthers, tigers and rhinoceros. “The elephants don’t bother the rhinos so they just graze around. It’s really great for taking pictures,” Offringa said. Over the years, the reactions to his shirts have ranged from people having no clue as to what he is wearing, some folks thinking it is about the kind of Spam a person gets in their email, and the few who are in on the reference. March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 27
Bob Offringa shows off his Spam wear in front of Peah Khan Temple in Cambodia.
Among these well informed locals was a woman who came up to Offringa while he was visiting the Mursi Tribe of Ethiopia, whose home is located in one of the most isolated parts of the East African country. “This lady was yelling at me, ‘You know Spam, you know where Spam is?’ ‘Yeah it’s in Austin, Minnesota,’ and she kept screaming at me,” Offringa said. There is not always a lot of communication between him and local individuals other than tour guides due to language differences, he said. Another time, Offringa was in a marketplace when a merchant wanted to trade with him for a Spam t-shirt. Offringa decided he was unable to part with one of his prized Spam shirts. Another thing Offringa is unable to do is pick a favorite place out of the locations he has visited over the years. “They’re all unique. Each country has their own telltale feature; each of the countries has been different. I don’t really think one was the best, I’ve enjoyed them all,” Offringa said. Naga Festival in Myanmar.
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Bob Offringa with his wife Jan in Hanoi, Vietnam.
One of the craziest experiences he has had while traveling was in Pakistan at night. “We were out late and this guy is driving like 100 miles per hour on a dirt road and it’s like, ‘Oh man,’ because you never know what’s going to happen,” Offringa said. For the most part, Offringa travels in a group and his experiences have been very friendly. “All of the countries I’ve been to I’ve really been treated well,” Offringa said. Some places he still wants to travel to are parts of Eastern Europe and South America. Offringa said if people are able to, they should go to places off the beaten path or ones they haven’t been to before. Going to some of these countries makes him very grateful for home when he returns to the United States. “We got all the amenities here and you go to these places and they’re living in huts and they build a fire for heat. To me, you appreciate what you’ve got back home,” Offringa said. Sporting Spam in Madeira, Portugal.
Nature Notes News from the Minnesota Department of Natural Reources
Outlining strategies to enhance habitats, recreation Strategic conservation efforts designed to foster stewardship of pheasants, ducks and their habitats Strategies outlined are outlined in in the plans include: new Minnesota • Maintaining land acquisiDepartment of tions for wildlife management areas, primarily in western Natural Resources and southern Minnesota, and action plans for these increasing the proportion of popular birds. those acquisitions in priority areas identified for pheasants “The DNR strives and ducks. to be a forward• Increasing the quality and quantity of habitat improvethinking leader for ments and enhancements on pheasant and duck state lands for pheasants and management in ducks. • Supporting the work of conMinnesota,” said servation partners to protect DNR Commissioner and enhance habitat on private and federal lands. Sarah Strommen. • Increasing coordination of “The issues facing actions under the plans with ducks and pheasants related activities of conservation partners in Minnesota. are serious. They • Supporting priority maninclude the amount agement actions within the Mississippi Flyway for ducks. and quality of habitat • Improving access to land for and the impacts of outdoor recreation and habia changing climate. tat appreciation. • Defining research and monThese plans help itoring priorities and working clarify and focus our with partners to address those priorities. work to better address these issues.” The action plans were developed during the last 10 months with the help of conservation and tribal partners as well as the public and technical experts. Each plan is designed to better define what the DNR will do and how it will work with partners. Each outlines short-term actions that can help fulfill longterm conservation goals. While species and habitat management plans often cover time periods of 10 or more years, the new action plans focus efforts over four years. That allows the DNR and its conservation partners to more immediately assess and adjust activities to meet longterm goals that are affected by changing conditions. More information about DNR habitat work, activities and accomplishments related to the action plans, as well as the plans themselves, are available on the DNR website.
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Pursing a Passion In the pursuit of happiness, these three Austinites are following those things they love the most
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Setting the Stage From radio to inside the production business, Soderberg works with musicians BY TYLER JENSEN • PHOTOS
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lthough he has only been in the music production business for nine years, Austin resident Scott Soderberg’s time with musicians goes back a lot longer. Both his parents, Kenneth and Evelyn Soderberg, were some of the first graduates of Brown Institute for Broadcasting in Mendota Heights. The e ventually settled in Austin, where Kenneth worked for KAUS. Eventually, Soderberg decided to follow the family tradition and go into broadcasting. “I’d grown up around broadcasting all my life. It seemed like a natural fit,” Soderberg said. 32 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
Scott Soderberg has created a shrine to music in the basement of his home, but he also takes his love of music on the road with his production company Soderberg Productions.
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At KAUS, Soderberg worked as an overnight announcer before becoming the morning announcer on FM 100, which he held for 30 years. In 2006, KAUS became a charting station affiliated with Music Row out of Nashville and Soderberg began the show, “The Make’em and Break’em Hour,” where he released new charting songs and reviewed them. Showing off the latest songs was something that rejuvenated Soderberg. “I’m doing something for artists and for my listeners; Bringing them the newest stuff first, while at the same time giving artists an opportunity to be heard,” he said. As part of this, Soderberg began forging relationships with the artists, who would travel around on performance and radio tours. The artists would stop by and have their music featured before going to a local bar to meet people.
Technology has advanced to a point where sound controls can come in a program operated on tablets like an iPad.
This would get Soderberg more involved in the industry, with him taking trips to country music seminars in Nashville and meeting more artists. Then, as larger companies began purchasing more and more local stations, Soderberg was eventually let go. When Soderberg left, he sent out a mass email letting the artists and industry members know that he was getting out of the business. A number of people asked what he planned to do, and at first Soderberg just wanted to take some time off after 30 years in the radio business. “After working in radio for 30 years, six days a week, I said, ‘I’m going to take my unemployment and enjoy myself a little bit,’” he said. One of the people who spoke with him was a country music artist named Tom Wurth, who had been on Soderberg’s show several times over the years. When he was ready, Wurth asked if Soderberg would like to work with him. Eventually, Soderberg decided to move forward and formed Soderberg Productions, purchasing the audio equipment for acoustic guitar performances. While the equipment is expensive, one improvement 34 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
Former KAUS DJ Soderberg continues his work in music after creating his own production company Soderberg Productions, continuing to work with artists he worked with while in radio.
Soderberg has enjoyed over the years is that technology is getting smaller, making things easier to carry and requiring less space for hauling it in a vehicle. “It made for a little less physical work,” he said. Other advancements Soderberg has taken advantage of include new wireless systems. Now, Instead of sitting in front of a board to run the sound, everything can be done via tablet. “That part of it has been really nice,” he said. The less time things take, the more money is made, Soderberg said. The only bad part of him having upgraded to wireless is that he now has a bunch of expensive wiring he no longer uses.
Once he upgraded to wireless, Soderberg was able to sell his trailer he used and just transport his equipment by van. Soderberg began working with Wurth, doing stage, sound and lighting setup for his shows across America. He still continues that work nine years later. The reason he decided to go with Wurth is that while some people are an entertainer first and an artist second or vice-versa, Wurth is amazing at both. Being with Wurth over the last few years has been a big journey. “It’s been quite the journey just being around him,” Soderberg said. Because he owns his own company and works with artists
like Wurth, rather than for them, Soderberg is free to work other events, like Rose Creek Fun Days. Still, he has mostly been working with Wurth. When he is not setting stuff up himself, usually when there is a full band show, Soderbeg specializes as Wurth’s road manager. In those cases, a production company will set the stage with equipment and Soderberg ensures that everything is set up to meet the band’s needs and that the equipment is placed in the correct places. The work can vary depending on the venue, Soderberg said. However, he can plug stuff into the company’s equipment so the sound is set up to be just like the band had it in their studios. March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 35
This means there is no need for lengthy soundchecks. “I don’t have to have someone in there and do a soundcheck for 30-45 minutes. I can plug it in, they can stand on stage and within a couple minutes everybody is good to go. The only instrument that throws a wrench into the setup are the drums; however, any string instruments can use the system. “Technology has really made things slick,” he said. If the band is playing a casino, they could be doing matinee shows or even multiple shows in a day or a couple days. In addition to making sure the equipment is in place, Soderberg lines up transportation and accomodation for the band, makes sure they’re on schedule and that any other logistical issues are resolved. He’ll also run things like meet-and-greets with the artists and the merchandise booth. “It’s more of a cerebral job than the normal, physical job when I do acoustic shows,” Soderberg said. Soderberg has been worked with In those shows, country artists including Tom Wurth. For more information he is the crew that sets on Wurth, visit: up and takes down • https://soderbergproductions.com equipment, in addition • www.tomwurth.com/ to running sound and lights during the performance. One of the most difficult parts of the job can be the travel that goes into doing the shows. “You’re on the road a lot,” Soderberg said. “It can kind of wear on you.” Still, it is a love/hate relationship. If the weather and traffic is nice, the experience is a good one, but when the weather is bad, so is the trip. For Soderberg, the best part of what he does is the shows and witnessing the reactions of the audience and the people he meets. “It can be really enjoyable that way,” he said. Although he works with artists based out of places like Nashville, Tennessee, Soderberg has no need to move down 36 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
south for work. “The shows are all over the country and it is cheaper to live here than to live there,” he said. Another thing that does not affect where the company is based is that there are major production companies in every state to partner with for full band shows, Soderberg said.
Soderberg shows off the lighting equipment he uses in his stage setups. Technology has made it such that everything he needs can be brought to shows in just a few cases.
“The shows don’t come to me, I go to them,” he said. For Soderberg, the best part of what he does is getting to know the artists he works with. In many cases, the artists are nothing like what he expects. He encourages people to go and see smaller shows because sometimes, without all the pomp and circumstance
of full bands and sophisticated sound systems, you can tell if someone can really perform or not. In addition, supporting local venues allows them to bring in more and more talent, Soderberg said. More information about Soderberg Productions can be found at www.soderbergproductions.com. March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 37
Morgan and Friends featuring Morgan Dickman, Rod Wiese and Audrey Kristeufek. Not pictured: Alex Knoll. 38 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
Getting by Her Friends with a little help from
Morgan Dickman and company making music to local delight BY DEB NICKLAY • PHOTOS
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ERIC JOHNSON
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he truth is Morgan Dickman of Austin never thought she would be in this place in her life. And that means, in addition to teaching fourth graders at Southgate Elementary School, Dickman is singing up a storm with her Morgan & Friends group of artists. “It’s been such a treat,” she said, reflecting on a year’s-worth of new experiences on stage. “I just never thought I’d be doing anything like this.”
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“This” is a musical collaboration with guitarist Rod Wiese of Northwood, Iowa, pianist Audrey Kristufek of Austin and vocalist/pianist Alex Knoll of Rochester. The group over the past year has been refining and expanding their cache of pop, blues and oldies favorites at venues such as the Historic Paramount Theatre in Austin – where they opened for Billy McLaughlin – as well as appearing at Gravity Storm Brewery, B&J Bar and Grill and the Mower County Fair. It’s not a surprise, really, that Dickman, 28, has expanded 40 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
upon her talent for performance. She has been a theater performer most of her young life, even as a kid back in her hometown of Blue Earth, Minnesota. Her first appearance was in “Cinderella.” “I was just in the chorus,” she said. “And honestly, I think I just loved to be involved in things,” rather than having an earnest wish to be onstage. “My mom and sister and I would do shows together; it’s what we would do.”
Morgan Dickman
Rod Wiese Morgan Dickman, Audrey Kristufek and Rod Wiese agree on a song to rehearse.
After getting her degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa — where she sang in the choir — she settled into her teaching career in Austin and got involved in Summerset Theatre at Riverland Community College. Her talents were quickly recognized, and she has played parts in several productions, ranging from the Minstrel in “Once Upon a Mattress” and the Narrator in “Fly By Night,” to the roles of the Witch in “Into the Woods” and Donna Sheridan in the ABBA-inspired “Mamma Mia!”
Audrey Kristufek March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 41
Her move to Austin marked the first time she took a more measured look at acting and performing. “Before I came here, it was just performing — but here, (once she was involved in the theater work) it was more than just performing; it was trying to get better,” she said. As she became more heavily involved in theater, “I found I liked that energy exchange, the acting, too.” She also became involved in the Austin Symphony Orchestra and her church’s worship team. Perhaps all those experiences broadened her view of what was possible. The seed for Morgan & Friends was planted when Dickman attended an ArtRocks Open Jam at the Austin ArtWorks Center last year. “I just thought it was very unique — you never knew who’d be there and what you might hear,” she said. She worked up her courage to perform a few numbers with Knoll and friend Scott Anderson, singing Rachel Platten’s “Better Place” and Jason Robert Brown’s “Stars and the Moon.” “It was nuts,” she said of the reception they received. “I thought, ‘I should do this more often.’” Their first real gig came at B&J Bar and Grill in May 2019, a performance seen by a full house of family, friends and community, she said. “All the people I loved were there; it was so much fun to have them there — it went really, really well,” she said. She laughed when she recalled being asked what the group’s rate was for payment — a sign of how new performing in that kind of venue was. “I had no idea,” she said. “We’d never been paid before.” As more have come to know their name and sound, more songs have been added and more performances scheduled. The group is performing an ever-widening list of blues and pop standards, such as “Titanium,” “Landslide,” and “A Million Dreams” from the film “The Greatest Showman.” Dickman said she has also been looking to add some older favorites — such as Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” and Jo Stafford’s “You Belong to Me.” Practice usually comes at church. All members are involved in worship music at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin; after their Wednesday night worship meeting, they will try out new songs or have a run-through for an upcoming appearance. The next will be a performance at the Austin Area Foundation’s “For the Love of Austin” fundraiser on Valentine’s Day. Although she loves singing with the group, “we all have full-time jobs … this isn’t something that we’re going to be able to do several times a month; it just gets too busy.” She also loves being a teacher and she maintains a slower music and show schedule during the school year. But as long as the group can make it work, she said, Morgan & Friends will continue to perform. “It’s been so much fun; we have a steady flow going,” she said. Morgan Dickman, Audrey Kristufek and Rod Wiese rehearse at Our Saviors Lutheran Church. 42 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
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Gaming in Miniature Michael Jordal takes his love of gaming to the crafting of gaming minis STORY
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ERIC JOHNSON
y now, most everybody knows of Michael Jordal’s dedication to tabletop gaming in all of its forms. Whether it be the games of board game legends or come from the quests of role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons and Legends of Katan, Jordal has played them. This love for everything gaming has even led to an annual gaming convention, Austi-Con, which raises money for autismbased programing at the Hormel Historic Home. But this passion has also branched off into different areas of gaming — the hundreds of hand-crafted miniatures used in role playing games.
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On a Saturday night in January, Jordal broke out several examples of the miniatures he’s detailed over the years, both for himself, friends and even for a little side-money for gaming-based companies. “The painting part is a fun, creative outlet,” Jordal said, lifting some of the miniatures up to show off the intricate detail. “It’s relaxing. It’s good way to wind down. I’ve been into art my whole life and it’s a way to do something with my hands and make things.” Jordal has been playing games his entire life. Growing up, that play involved more traditional games as well as card games stemming from his parents playing in a card club. When Jordal got to high school, he started finding and playing less traditional games. Eventually, he was introduced to Warhammer and after school at Austin High School, he would retire to the art room where his love for painting minis really began to take off. Jordal said that love of all things gaming coincided well with gaming coming out of the dark so to speak. Comic books, fantasy-adventure and video games began taking a more popular and central role. “Pop culture is nerd culture now,” Jordal said “Every tinfoil movie is a Marvel movie, ‘Lord of the Rings.’ Playing D&D in the 90s wasn’t cool.” The painting of the minis and playing the games was a logical step for Jordal as many of the games he plays requires the use of minis. Since starting to paint and fashion his own miniatures in the 90s, Jordal has been a progressively working and painting, save for a time in college when studies took a central role. But after school, Jordal started right back up again. The painting and modeling allow Jordal to fully dive into his creative side, allowing him to either paint to match the color scheme of the game or to go off on his own and develop his own look. Michael Jordal’s gaming experience is about immersion. 46 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
Jordal lays down an immense amount of detail on each minature he paints. He also uses the opportunity to unwind each night.
“It depends what I’m painting at the time,” Jordal said. “Sometimes it’s completely original, sometimes I look at a color and I want to paint like that. It just kind of depends on the project.” However, there is more to just painting these days. Many of the miniatures Jordal works on are craftable in some fashion or another, whether that be exchanging limbs depending on the dictations of the gaming situation or adding his own unique touches. Sometimes, it’s something so simple as adding an accent to a costuming piece or taking a detail from one figure from a certain game and applying it to a figure from an entirely different game. Jordal has even used hobby materials for
diorama displays like model railroads to further accentuate his piece. Some of what makes all of this possible is the further advancement of how the pieces look. The details are exquisitely rendered on each piece, bringing them alive in many ways. The pieces have advanced from metal figures in the early years that struggled to find a real precise look in their detail, to plastic pieces today that are more costefficient and remarkably rendered. “The tech has change the game a lot,” Jordal said. “Everything was metal miniatures and then they were soft metals, now the plastic tech is so good. The things they can do now, you can build any models now.” March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 47
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Jordal’s miniatures feature a ton of variety in both their colors and customization.
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As time moved on, Jordal started applying his skills to painting things that could be used for a cause, including the Jack Vasel Memorial Fund, which was created in memory of the son of Tom Vasel, who is a major figure in the board gaming hobby. Each person taking part would paint 12 minis to be auctioned off with funds going to the non-profit to be distributed to help gamers in hours of Austi-Con 2020 need. “I wanted to do Date: May 15-17. something, but then Register: $20 dollars for a weekyou add the charity end badge in advance or $25 aspect on there, it’s at the door. Family Fun Day on such a positive thing Sunday, May 17, where a family that’s happening,” of four can get in for just $10. Jordal said. “It takes https://tabletop.events/ away the negative conventions/austi-con-2020 stereotype. You’re Facebook: www.facebook.com/ doing something you events/447927489436325/ or like, but at the same www.facebook.com/AustiCon time you’re helping people.” On top of that, Jordal has painted things for companies like production proofs and he’s painted and sold to friends; however, don’t ask for an estimate as to how many things he’s painted over the years. “Oh god. Tons,” Jordal said. “I usually I try to paint almost every day. I don’t always get it, but I like to get an hour in every night after my kids go to sleep.” That’s not likely to get any easier as Jordal and his wife Kate welcomed their third child to the world in January. Still, being able to jump full fledged into his hobby only plays into the continuing love he has for gaming in general and the minis themselves only add to the immersion of the experience. “I really enjoy the competition and the social aspect of it,” Jordal said. “It’s a way to get out there, do something a little different, and meet new people.”
Time to Play An example of the games Jordal plays and has painted miniatures for: • Warhammer: Age of Sigmar • Warhammer 40,000 • Relicblade • Runewars • Marvel Crisis Protocol 50 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
• Star Wars: Imperial Assault • Tail Feathers • Specter Ops • Bioshock Infinite: Battle for Columbia
Jordal works from his art station in his home, painting miniatures for gaming. March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 51
Ordway Music Theater.
TRAVEL
Photo by Laura Alpizar
Standing out among the rest BY ROCKY HULNE • PHOTOS
PROVIDED BY THE
ORDWAY
Ordway exterior. Photo by Paul Crosby
St. Paul’s Ordway is a touch of the future in the historic downtown 52 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
While many modern concert venues and stadiums often feature glass on the exterior of the building, it wasn’t always that way in Minnesota. That all changed when the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts opened 35 years ago with its signature glass walls hovering above the entrance. The look, although popular in Europe, was the first of its kind in the United States. Ordway President and CEO Jamie Grant said that look made the theater stand out amongst its peers from day one.
“The Ordway is one of those iconic performing art centers that really changed the way we built theaters in the country,” Grant said. “The whole idea of seeing people in the lobby before and after is really cool. It existed in Europe, but it never existed in the U.S. After (the Ordway was built), virtually every performing art center had that look.” The Ordway opened in 1985 after St. Paul resident Sally Ordway contributed $7.5 million of the $46 million dollar facilities.
The Ordway has been recognized as one of America’s leading not-for-profit art centers. The Ordway overlooks Rice Park in downtown St. Paul and the guests who have seen that view are as diverse as the shows that fill the performance chambers. The venue is home to the Minnesota Opera, the Schubert Club, which brings classical artists to the Twin Cities, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Club. The Ordway is also known to host comedy, rock and roll and musical shows. March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 53
Sting and the cast of “The Last Ship,” Toronto production 2019. Photo by Cylla von Tiedemann
“It’s everything from the opera and musical theater to Marty Stuart and Alice Cooper,” Grant said. “It’s everything in between. I think that’s one of the things that’s coolest about it.” During this current season, the Ordway will feature a mix of shows, which will include hosting Sting, who stars in “The Last Ship” from April 8-19. The performance of the musical, for which String wrote both the music and lyrics, will be held in just five United States cities and St. Paul was lucky enough to be one of them. The performance of Sting will be held in the 2,000 seat music theater. The Ordway also has a 1,000 seat concert hall. “The wonderful thing about the Ordway is that you get close enough to see (the artists) sweat,” Grant said. “If you think about an artist like Sting, there’s virtually no scenario, unless you saw the Police in a bar in the early 70s, that you’ll get to see an artist like him up close like that.” The Ordway also has a few other big events coming up as it will host the Howard Jones Trio on March 4, the musical “The Color Purple” will be held March 31-April 5, “Nookie Jones: Soul of the Twin Cities” on April 10 and the Don Giovanni opera May 2-16 The Ordway will also hold its international family festival this year beginning May 26. 54 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
Gabriella Rodriguez, Shelby A. Sykes, and Elizabeth Adabale in “The Color Purple.” Photo by Jeremy Daniel
“It features programming for the family and the kids,” Grant said. The Ordway has a very unique feel to it that often makes guests feel welcomed and a part of the experience. Grant said sometimes it’s as simple as having a door person greet you before the show and bid you farewell after the show. “I think there is something to the way the Ordway makes you feel. It is a spectacular piece of architecture,” Grant said. “We have many visitors from around the state and I hope that people put the Ordway on their plan for entertainment.” The Ordway is located at 345 Washington St. in St. Paul. To order tickets for an event, call 651-224-4222.
Five places to visit near The Ordway Theatre Rice Park (109 Fourth St. W. Saint Paul, MN): Located right next to the Ordway Theatre, the park features a fountain and it is home to several festivals and concerts.
George Latimer Central Library
(90 W Fourth St. St. Paul): Find a good book or do some research.
Pazzaluna Urban Italian Restaurant (360 St. Peter St. St. Paul): Sit back and relax with some authentic Italian food along with a full bar.
Minnesota State Capitol
(75 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, St. Paul): Get a look at both the history and the present in the building where the Minnesota’s state government does its job. Landmark Center (75 W Fifth St., St. Paul): The historic building, which was completed in 1902 was once a United States Post Office now serves as cultural center for music and the arts. March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 55
LOOKING BACK
People gathered for the parade near St. Augustine’s in 1912.
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Austin BY JAIMIE TIMM, MOWER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY • ALL
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE
MOWER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
mined upon a good time and to enjoy For many decades, St. Patrick’s the spending of their ‘greenbacks.’” Day in Austin meant a great celebraThe festival continued until midnight. tion and parade. The day recognizes The event raised $717.60 cents (almost the death of the patron saint of $15,000 today when you account for inIreland and his work bringing the flation), presumably for St. Augustine’s. Catholic faith to Ireland after being Much of the money came from special enslaved there at the age of 16. voting contests (who was the best female In the United States, St. Patrick’s singer and which farmer should receive a Day has become more of a celebration saddle and bridle) along with a raffle for of Ireland and its culture rather than a two-year-old colt. a religious festival. Many believe this In the early 1900s, the celebration is in part due to the large number changed as the Catholic Temperance of Irish immigrants that came to the Society took over the arrangements of U.S. in the 19th and early 20th centhe day. The Mass (usually with an anturies. In Austin, we see a shift in the ti-alcohol sermon delivered by a visiting St. Patrick’s Day festivities; but not in priest), parade and meal continued but the way one might expect. the community festival was replaced by In the late 1800s, the festivities a presentation from the Dramatic Club in Austin started in the morning from Columbus School. with the celebration of Mass at St. In contrast to the 1871 celebration, this is Several photographs in the Mower Augustine’s Catholic Church. A pathe report of the same event on March 24, County Historical Society’s Photograph rade always followed the church 1915, in the Mower County Transcript. Collection show this slightly “toned service and then the ladies of the down” festival. The parade marchers no longer wore their church served a meal. Sometimes a kind of festival with regalia and the raucous community celebration that raised singing, raffles and other activities followed the meal and hundreds of dollars was sacrificed when CTA began prolasted well into the night. moting its abstinence teachings as a part of the St. Patrick’s The 1871 celebration, as reported in the Mower County Day celebration. Register, was a “gala day” where “everyone seemed deter56 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
The 1908 St. Patrick’s Day parade as it passed in front of the courthouse.
In 1912, J.J. Furlong, John Mears, Michael Feeney, and Richard Coughlin served as parade marshals.
xxxx The 1915 St. Patrick’s Day parade makes it way up Water Street towards St. Augustine’s (the Fox Hotel is on the right).
A recap of the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, March 23, 1871. March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 57
As winter transitions to spring, get out and enjoy these upcoming events in Austin and beyond. All dates, times, and locations subject to change.
Feb. 26-March 1
March 14 and 28
When: 7 p.m. (Feb. 26-29) and 2 p.m. (March 1) Where: Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College “The Importance of Being Earnest” has proven to be Oscar Wilde’s most enduring—and endearing—play. Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. The pair struggle to keep up with their own stories and become tangled in a tale of deception, disguise and misadventure. Filled with witty Victorian aphorisms and Wilde’s own brand of wisdom, “The Importance of Being Earnest” remains one of theatre’s most popular comedies. Some material may not be suitable for young children. For more information, call 507-433-0595.
When: 1-3 p.m. Where: Jay C. Hormel Nature Center How much work goes into making one bottle of fresh maple syrup? Join nature center staff for this family friendly program to find out. Venture out into the sugar bush to collect sap from maple trees and learn the tips and tricks to maple syruping, then take a peek inside the Sugar Shack to see our evaporator at work. $15 per family. Online signup will be available in February.
“The Importance of Being Earnest”
March 2
Alash - Throat Singers from the Republic of Tuva When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Austin Public Library Experience Tuvan throat music, a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time. The musicians subtly infuse their songs with western elements, creating a unique style that is fresh and new, yet true to their musical heritage. Free to the public. For more information, call 507-433-2391.
Family Maple Syruping
April 4-5
Rodgers and Hammerstein A Northwestern Singers Concert When: 7 p.m. (4) and 2 p.m. (5) Where: Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College The Northwestern Singers present a selection of the amazing work of Rodgers and Hammerstein. For more information, go to www.northwesternsingers.com.
April 19
Austin Symphony Orchestra Chang and Brahms When: Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School The Austin Symphony Orchestra joyfully welcomes back violinist Sarah Chang for this concert, featuring the “Violin Concerto in D Major” by Johannes Brahms. Tickets $15. For tickets or more information, go to www.austinmnsymphony.org.
Hormel Historic Home
Austin ArtWorks Center
• March 2 . . . ASD Parent/Caregiver Event, 6-7 p.m. • March 9 . . . History Happy Hour, 5:30-7:30 p.m. • March 12 . . Historic Treasures Series by Jaimie Timm, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. • April 2 . . . . ASD Parent/Caregiver Event, 6-7 p.m. • April 9 . . . . Healthy Living and the HHH, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. • April 13 . . . History Happy Hour, 5:30-7:30 p.m. • April 19 . . . Stepping Out for Autism Walk
• March 3 . . . Evening Open Studio, 5:30-7:30 p.m. • March 7 . . . Kids Studio - Salt Watercolor, 10:30 a.m. to noon • March 7 . . . Fused Glass Butterfly Garden Stake Class, 1-2:30 p.m. • March 14 . . Kids Studio - Piñatas, 10:30 a.m. to noon • March 14 . . Free Family Art Studio, 1-3 p.m. • March 21 . . Junk Journal Workshop, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. • March 21 . . Kids Studio - Lotus Lily Pad, 10:30 a.m. to noon • March 27 . . ArtRocks Open Jam Session, 7-9:30 p.m. • March 28 . . Kids Studio - Picasso Portrait Collage on Canvas, 10:30 a.m. to noon • April 3 . . . . Second Floor Gallery Opening - Youth Show, 5 p.m. • April 4 . . . . Kids Studio, 10:30 to noon • April 4 . . . . Watercolor Landscape Painting Class, 1-4 p.m. • April 7 . . . . Evening Open Studio, 5:30-7:30 p.m. • April 11 . . . Kids Studio - Bunny Signs, 10:30 a.m. to noon • April 11 . . . Free Family Art Studio, 1-3 p.m. • April 17 . . . ArtRocks Open Jam Session, 7-9:30 p.m. • April 18 . . . Kids Studio - Planter with Face, 10:30 a.m. to noon • April 18 . . . Design Your Own Enamel Pendant Class, 1-4 p.m. • April 25 . . . Kids Studio - Collage on Canvas, 10:30 to noon
For more information, call 507-433-4243.
Events at the Paramount Theatre For more information, call 507-434-0934.
• March 7 . . . Harris Music Contest Public Performance, 4 p.m. • March 20 . . James Sewell Ballet 30th Anniversary Tour, 7:30 p.m. • March 28 . . Spring Break Flick - “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. • April 3-5 . . . Matchbox Children’s Theatre presents “The Magician’s Nephew,” 7 p.m. (3-4) and 2 p.m. (5) • April 20 . . . Dweebs Comedy Showcase, 7:30 p.m.
58 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
For more information, call 507-434-0934.
April 23
Lunchbox History Series When: Noon Where: Mower County Historical Society Bring your lunch and enjoy a bit of history. For more information, call 507-437-6082.
April 23-25; April 30-May 2 Riverland Theatre presents “As You Like It”
When: 7 p.m. (April 23-25), 7 p.m. (April 30 and May 1), 2 p.m. (May 2) Where: Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College Named one of The New York Times‘ best shows of 2017, “As You Like It” is an immersive, dream-like tale of faithful friends, feuding families, and lovers in disguise. Forced from their homes, Orlando, Duke Senior, his daughter, Rosalind, and niece, Celia, escape to the Forest of Arden, a fantastical place of transformation where the refugees find community and acceptance under the stars. Featuring an original folkpop score by Taub and adapted from William Shakespeare’s original text, “As You Like It” celebrates the power of community and love. Some material may not be suitable for young children. For more information, call 507-433-0595.
April 25
2020 Taste of Nations When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Where: Packer Arena Celebrating our cultural heritage with information, food samples, dance performances, music and art from all over the world. This is a free community event. For more information, email herve@austinwelcomecenter.org or call 507-434-2863.
Austin Bruins Schedule
Go Bruins! Tickets can be purchased at Hy-Vee, Jim’s MarketPlace Foods, Games People Play, Holiday Inn or at the door at Riverside Arena. All games start at 7:05 p.m. at Riverside Arena unless noted otherwise. • March 6-7 . . . . . vs. Chippewa Steel • March 13-14 . . . vs. Minot Minotauros • March 25 . . . . . vs. St. Cloud Blizzard • April 3-4 . . . . . . vs. Bismarck Bobcats
Austin Artist Series • March 4. . . . . . The Hall Sisters 7 p.m. at Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School. Enjoy some pop, folk and gospel music from the Hall Sisters. For more information or tickets, email AustinArtistSeries@gmail.com, at AustinArtistSeries.org or on Facebook. New this year - tickets can be bought for each individual concert for $20, purchased on line or at the door. • April 27 . . . . . . Alliance Brass 7 p.m. at Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School. The last concert of the season in Austin brings Alliance Brass for a dynamic musical experience. For more information or tickets, email AustinArtistSeries@gmail.com, visit AustinArtistSeries.org or on Facebook. New this year - tickets can be bought for each individual concert for $20, purchased on line or at the door.
April 25
Common Chords Concert When: 7 p.m. Where: Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School Enjoy the culmination of the visit of the Minnesota Orchestra’s visit to Austin with this full performance. Tickets $10 for adults and $5 for students; tickets go on sale March 30 and are available at Hy-Vee, Coffee House on Main, Austin High School and the Austin ArtWorks Center.
April 26
10th Annual Taste of Mower County When: 5-8 p.m. Where: Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center Enjoy unlimited tastings of signature items from the finest home and restaurant chefs in Mower County and the surrounding area. Evening includes food and wine tasting, live and silent auction, door prizes, entertainment, and cash bar. For more information, call 507-433-8994 or go to www. thearcmc.org.
April 28-30
Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums Where: Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center Meeting of representatives from around the state for the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums. For more information, call 507-433-1000.
Fun for those on the Autism Scale • March 6 and April 3 . . . . . . .Autism Spectrum Disorder Teen Night 6-8 p.m. at LIFE Mower County. Recreation for teens with autism; grades 7-12 for youth with functional communication. Cost is $10 payable in advance at the Hormel Historic Home. • March 6 and April 3 . . . . . . .Autism Spectrum Disorder Respite Night 6-8:30 p.m. at Austin YMCA. For youth on the autism spectrum in grades 5+. Limited space. Cost is $5 per child payable to the Hormel Historic Home. • March 20 and April 17 . . . . .Autism Spectrum Disorder Respite Night 6-8:30 p.m. at Austin YMCA. Fun night of recreation for youth on the Autism Spectrum in grades K-6. Kids will swim, have a snack and play games under the supervision of professional staff. Space is limited and pre-registration is required at the Hormel Historic Home. No money will be accepted at the YMCA. Go to www.hormelhistorichome.org/asd-respite-events.html to register or stop by the HHH. Call 507-433-4243 for more information.
March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 59
BOOK REVIEW
MURDER, MAYHEM AND LOVE A story with plenty of twists and turns BY JEANNIE DIGGS, AUSTIN PAGE TURNERS
If you like books with romance, family issues, mystery, and action then “The Life We Bury,” by Allen Eskens is one for you. This story takes many twists and turns and includes a little of it all. Joe Talbert is a student at the University of Minnesota, who is working to complete an English assignment by writing a biography. He has no living grandparents, does not know his dad and his mom is an alcoholic, so he decides to see if he can interview someone in a nursing home. Here he meets Carl, a Vietnam veteran and convicted murderer who is dying of cancer. The interview begins with the plan of writing an intriguing biography of a man who raped and murdered a teenager before burning the body in a shed but quickly turns into an attempt to exonerate Carl of the charges. Throughout the story Joe is called to Austin to take care of his autistic brother, Jeremy, while his mother disappears at times for reasons that include alcohol and men. Joe is also trying to hold down a job as a bouncer in order to pay for his education. Throw in a pretty neighbor, Lila, who wants nothing to do with him and the fun begins. 60 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
Lila becomes friends bewith Jeremy and then be comes interested in Carl’s story. At first, she wants to givmake sure Joe is not giv ing him fame by telling his story but gradually becomes convinced, along with Joe, that Carl is innocent. This leads to a race against time to not only prove Carl did not commit the crimes, but perto also find the guilty per son. Carl’s health is rapidly declining, and the hope is exonto give him the gift of exon eration before his death. Joe and Lila find themselves pouring over piles of court transcripts and testimonies in a bid to untangle all the information and facts. Before long they are doing the legwork of investigating and meeting other potential suspects, which in turn leads to some life-or-death situations. Just to make this all more interesting, the story takes place in winter where snow and storms are bound to happen. I am sure your mind has already deduced probable endings for each situation. I admit, I thought I had it all figured out as well. However, I did find myself surprised with a few of the ending twists. I hope your interest has been piqued enough to pick up a copy and read. You will be glad you did.
TURN THE PAGE If you liked reading “The Life We Bury,” by Allen Eskens, Diggs suggests these reads:
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“Iron Lake” is the first book in the Cork O’Connor Series by William Kent Krueger.
“A Hard Ticket Home” is the first book in the Mac McKenzie Series by David Housewright. March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 61
EDUCATION | BY RIVERLAND FOUNDATION
Janelle Koepke is the dean of institutional advancement at Riverland Community College.
ADVERTISEMENT CONTENT
Numerous scholarships available through Riverland
Riverland Community College provides important career training and educational opportunities for our region. Cost is one of the most common challenges for students considering additional education. The Riverland Foundation is committed to helping students be successful by providing scholarships and make getting an education more attainable. Riverland Foundation scholarships The Riverland Foundation provided over 500 scholarships to students last year. Some scholarships are for specific program areas and others have preferences for the community where the student lives. Scholarships range from $250 to $2,500 and are available to recent high school graduates and students returning to school.
Workforce development scholarships Workforce development scholarships are offered to students studying in programs identified as high demand in the state of Minnesota. Program areas include: • Health care • Technology • Advanced manufacturing • Agriculture • Transportation • Early childhood Next year, Riverland will offer more than 75 of these $2,500 scholarships. Workforce development scholarships are funded through the Minnesota state Legislature with matching scholarships provided by local businesses. Applications for fall 2020 open on February 1. Apply online at www. riverland.edu/scholarships.
Riverland Community College Foundation raises, manages, and distributes resources to support, enhance, and promote the educational opportunities Riverland Community College offers the people of our region. www.riverland.edu/foundation
Thank you for supporting Riverland students! 62 | Austin Living | March–April 2020
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HEALTHY PETS | BY MICHELLE NELSON
ADVERTISEMENT CONTENT
The dreaded “C” word worm and all low-dose toxins, when used repeatedly month Did you know that 1 in 2 dogs and 1 in 3 cats will be after month, year after year, can have an adverse effect on your diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime? Dogs have the highest pet. There are many great natural products on the market that rate of cancer of any animal on the planet. They are four times are very effective which can be used solely or even intermittently more likely to get breast cancer, eight times more likely to with other products to reduce the toxic load. get bone cancer, 35 times more likely to get skin cancer than Over-vaccination, yes there is such a thing. I am a firm humans. Cancer is no longer just a disease, it has become an believer in vaccinating, but I don’t epidemic. Studies now show vaccinate my children every year that only 10 percent of cancer for the same thing, so why would is genetic, the other 90 percent I my pets? Yearly vaccinations are results from lifestyle. So the real against the national policy of the question is, “What do I have American Animal Hospital Assn. and control over to minimize the the American Veterinary Medical adverse things my pet is exposed to Assn., so why are some vets still every single day?” recommending them yearly? I opt First we need to understand for a Titer test (blood test to measure that cancer is not the tumor, anti-bodies) to see if revaccination is the tumor is just a response necessary. to the cancer within the body. What fuels cancer? The answer Conventional treatments, like Janelle Koepke the dean of target Michelle Nelson is the Owner of Pet Authority is sugar. Did you know that the surgery, chemoisand radiation institutional advancement at Riverland in Austin and Albert Lea. average dry kibble is 50 percent the tumor and not the cancer itself Community College. carbohydrates, and any unused and then we just sit and wait. We carbs turn into sugar. Unfortunately, the food we feed every day wait for it to come back, whether it’s six weeks or six months. As ends up being the enemy when cancer rears it’s ugly head. Dogs a pet parent ICommunity don’t want to wait, provides I want toimportant be proactive andtraining do Riverland College career Workforce development scholarships and educational for our region. Cost is one of the most and cats alike have a biological requirement fortohigh protein, everything I can opportunities to minimize that 90 percent by making important Workforce development scholarships are offered students studying commonchanges challenges considering additional moderate fat and low carbohydrate (<10 percent) diet which can lifestyle for for my students pets. I refuse to let my pet be aeducation. statistic. in programs identified as high demand in the state of Minnesota. TheItRiverland is committed to helping students be Program include: easily beareas obtained by adding raw and gently cooked meat, veggies all startsFoundation with our homes. What are you using to clean successful by providing scholarships and make getting an education • Health care • Technology and fruits or even some canned foods. The goal is to “build a your floors, fertilize your lawn, or how about weed prevention more attainable. • Advanced manufacturing • Agriculture better bowl” by adding as much fresh ingredients to their diet as (there is a 90 percent increase in the risk of cancer when using • Transportation • Early childhood possible. yard herbicides)? Did you know that bleach is considered the Riverland Foundation scholarships Next year, Riverland will offer more than 75 ofcancer these $2,500 Are any of these things going to cause after one most toxic household cleaner? Did you know that plug in air The Riverland Foundation provided over 500 scholarships to students scholarships. Workforce development scholarships are funded through the use? Absolutely not, but it is the chronic, low-dose exposure fresheners use toxic chemicals that our indoor pets are exposed to last year. Some scholarships are for specific program areas and others Minnesota state Legislature with matching scholarships provided by local to these carcinogenic, cancer-promoting things that over time day after day? What your pet walks through or lays on eventually have preferences for the community where the student lives. businesses. slowly compromise our pets immune system and then ends up being ingested when they sit down to groom themselves. Scholarships range from $250 to $2,500 and are available to recent high Applications for fall 2020 open on February 1. Apply online BANG, at www. one day you have cancer. The choice is yours, do you want to be Wegraduates live in an area wherereturning ticks, fleas and heart worm are a riverland.edu/scholarships. school and students to school. proactive or reactive? threat 2/3 of the year. Topical treatments for flea, tick and heart
Numerous scholarships available through Riverland
Riverland Community College Foundation raises, manages, and distributes resources to support, enhance, and promote the educational opportunities Riverland Community College offers the people of our region. www.riverland.edu/foundation
Thank you for supporting Riverland students! March–April 2020 | Austin Living | 63
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WHY I LOVE AUSTIN
Dan Mueller is proud to be part of a growing community that welcomes all people from all walks of life.
A city as unique as its people BY DAN MUELLER â&#x20AC;˘ PHOTO Austin, Minnesota, is a unique city; a place that has transformed itself from a local center to attracting people from around the country and world. Austin was the first city I lived in after moving here over 20 years ago to attend Riverland Community College. It was while in Austin that God spoke to me and my journey began. That journey has taken me across the world, to other larger cities and in the end brought me back to Austin again. Austin is home, the place where all of my passions come together: community, opportunity, and unity. Austin is an exceptional community of individuals and families from countries across every continent except Antarctica, many states and those who have lived their whole life here. The talents, experiences and values these communities bring have added beautiful color and vibrancy to the collage of what makes up our community. How amazing to be able to work, share a meal, play a game of volleyball, soccer or basketball or worship together as our stories and life journeys unite. I am proud to see that Austin is greater because we are many cultures making up one community. Austin has truly unique opportunities because of the many 64 | Austin Living | Marchâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;April 2020
BY
ERIC JOHNSON
cultures and the collaboration of city, business and organizations. There are businesses willing to invest back into the community, leaders willing to try new things, organizations and churches collaborating, and refugee and immigrant leaders creating initiatives that help people across the world. Students have opportunities to experiment and grow, learning new skills. Research, creativity and new opportunities are supported and thriving as the downtown is full of vibrancy again. Austin is growing. Austin is changing. Austin is improving. But this change and growth has not come by one person and has not benefited just one group. What makes Austin great is that it has needed the hard work, ideas and dedication of many people who started their journeys in different places coming together in this place and sharing a part of themselves and their passions to make this city better. It will only continue to grow and improve by people who are willing to share parts of themselves, their experiences and their skills to showcase the unique collaboration of cultures and journeys that bring us all together in this our home of Austin. May Austin continue to be blessed and to be a blessing to this region and the rest of the world.
HAVE HAVEAABETTER BETTER PORK-LIFE PORK-LIFE BALANCE. BALANCE.
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ORTHOPEDIC CARE THAT MOVES YOU.
Get back to your active life with personalized solutions from our orthopedic team. Services include: • Elbow and shoulder care • Foot and ankle care • Fracture and trauma care
• Hand and wrist care • Joint replacement • Minimally invasive procedures
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Austin Living Feb 2020
• Sports medicine