May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 1
EDITORS’ NOTES
Y
ou could see the first glimpses of it in early March from the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center’s new interpretive center: the green of spring. Though the wind still had bite and Director Luke Reese noted the center’s trails were still a bit muddy in spots, you could feel everyone readying to embrace the warmth that arrives in Minnesota when the calendar turns to May and then to June. We had that in mind when working on this issue, and many of the stories reflect that. Simply put, Minnesotans know how to embrace warm weather since it can feel like a rare commodity. For starters, local health experts share tips and We at Austin Living suggestions for how to eat healthy and avoid fast magazine want to hear food while out and about or traveling in the spring what you think, and and summer (Page 12). we need your brightest Then nature center staff offer a sneak peek of the ideas for coming issues. new interpretive center and its exhibits, which aim Favorite musicians? to enhance visitors’ experiences out in the center’s Finest artists? habitat (Page 14). Goofiest pranksters? We stick with the outdoor theme in our Home Best storytellers? & Hearth section, where master gardener Therese Local nightlife? Manggaard shares her passion for growing her own We are open-minded. vegetables (Page 20), and photographer Bruce Lees Call Jason Schoonover offers snapshots of nature in flight through birding at 507-434-2235 or (Page 24). Eric Johnson at Still, it’s always the season to enjoy a popular 507-434-2237. indoor getaway: quilting, so read about how Calico Feel free to pen a letter, Hutch keeps thriving after 15 years in business, too. Our address is on offering three retreats a year. (Page 28). the right. Then we turn to a spring staple in our travel feature: baseball. We highlight two Austin High School baseball players who traveled the country in a winter baseball league (Page 54). We hope you find a little inspiration in these pages as you get out to enjoy southern Minnesota as spring transitions into summer.
Got ideas?
– Jason Schoonover and Eric Johnson Austin Living co-editors
Co-Editors Eric Johnson and Jason Schoonover
PUBLISHER Jana Gray EDITORIAL Co-Editors Jason Schoonover Eric Johnson Contributing Writers Jason Schoonover Deb Nicklay Eric Johnson Rocky Hulne Mike Stoll 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 Heather Ryks LeAnn Fischer Brenda Landherr Mike Delhanty MAY-JUNE 2017 Volume 5, Number 3 EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE: Editors, Austin Living 310 2nd Street NE Austin, MN 55912 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission. For comments, suggestions or story ideas call 507-434-2235. To purchase advertising, call 507-434-2220 © A Minnesota Publishers Inc. publication
CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK! 2 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
VISIT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ AUSTINLIVINGMAGAZINE
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 3
WHAT’S INSIDE MAY – JUNE 2017
DINNER WITH FRANK Friends remember instructor, theater director Frank W. Bridges
38
GRATES & GATES
Mike Goetz is the go-to-guy for just about everything
JUMPING IN FEET FIRST Austin graduate Abigayle Snater gives modeling a spin before settling on her path
48 4 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
42
14
SEEN 6 6TH ANNUAL FOODIE THROWDOWN
HHH celebrates food and the Hormels.
Light show gives new look at cell science.
8 Z PUPPETS ROSENSCHNOZ
10 AUSTIN PACKERS STATE BASKETBALL
Packer pride followed the boys to state.
AUSTIN EATS 12 FAST DOESN’T NEED TO BE FURIOUS
10
Austin experts give tips for eating healthy on the go.
THE LIST
24
14 EXHIBITS OF THE LAND
Visitors to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center will get a fresh look at the world around them with the exhibits in the new interpretive center.
HOME & HEARTH 20 GETTING A JUMP ON YOUR GARDEN
Therese Manggaard shares her love of gardening.
24 CAPTURING NATURE IN FLIGHT
20
Bruce Lees follows his love of birding through the lens of a camera.
OUT & ABOUT 28 PATTERNS OF FUN
Calico Hutch’s retreats provide a place for quilters to catch up on projects, friends.
34 A FUTURE FOR INNOVATION
Innate intelligence, together with inspired interest equals future scientists.
TRAVEL 54 FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME
28
54
A pair of Austin baseball players take their game on the road with traveling team.
LOOKING BACK 58 A PLACE FOR EVERYBODY
The Depot Hotel was a centerpiece to come together and enjoy a good meal.
BOOK REVIEW 62 RETURN OF MONKEEWRENCH
P.J. Tracy’s ‘The Sixth Idea” dives into a string of murders and a team of misfits
WHY I LOVE AUSTIN
58
64
64 A GREAT PLACE TO COACH
Austin head coach Kris Fadness enjoys a community of success. May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 5
SEEN | 6th Annual Foodie Throwdown This year’s annual Foodie Throwdown at the Hormel Historic Home featured a special flair. Along with the traditional food, music and auctions, this year’s event celebrated George and Lillian Hormel’s 125th anniversary. The historic Austin couple was on hand, in a sense, as veteran actors John and Lisa Deyo portrayed the Hormels in full costume. Diners got to sample a main dish and dessert from teams led by Kristine Wolner, Wade Kolander, Leah Erickson, Terri Bergstrom and Darin Grimm, the Austin Country Club and Amy Riley.
1
2
3
4
(1) John and Lisa Deyo portray George and Lillian Hormel and welcome guests through the front doors during the Foodie Throwdown in February at the Hormel Historic Home. The day would also have been the 125th wedding anniversary for the couple. (2) Teams work through finishing up their meals. (3) Kim Schulte of the Just Neighbors team dishes up a salad. (4) Kristine Wolner of the Hy-Vee Culinary Crafters pours out a sauce during preparation. (5) Amy Riley from the Bacon, Booze and Butter team works the grill. (6) John Deyo as George A. Hormel greets guests. (7) Darin Grimm carries a hot pan through the kitchen. (8) Abbey Reese arranges mini cupcakes at the table of chef Wade Kolander during the Foodie Throwdown in February at the Hormel Historic Home. 6 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
5 6
7 8
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 7
SEEN | Z Puppets Rosenschnoz Puppets, a light show and science — that’s what area students and adults alike got when Minneapolisbased Z Puppets Rosenschnoz visited Austin’s Historic Paramount Theatre. It’s show, “Cellula,” is described as “a bedtime story as told by biologists” and aims to teach cell science using glow-in-the-dark blacklight puppetry accompanied by narration and a capella music.
1 2
3
5
(1) Z Puppets Rosenschnoz performs “Cellula” at the Historic Paramount Theatre on March 25. (2) Cheryl Drenth poses with Dominique Dowdell, 9, left, and Dion Dowdell, 11, right. (3) Jen Davis and her son, Noah, 10. (4) Danyel Germain and her daughter, Lexi, 8. (5) Z Puppets Rosenschnoz performs “Cellula.” (6) Cathy, from right, Ellie, 4, left, and Colleen, 3 and Blake Clermont. (7) Vic Wylde anounces Z Puppets Rosenschnoz just before the group’s show. (8) A performer displays the outline of her hand during the show. 8 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
6
7
8
4
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 9
SEEN | Austin Packers at State Packer pride hit a new high in March as the Austin High School boys basketball team took second at the Minnesota Class AAA Boys State Basketball Tournament. Austin fans made for a sea of red during state games at Target Center and Williams Arena to support the boys. Austin beat St. Thomas Academy 55-49 and Marchall 73-53 before falling to DeLaSalle 72-44 in the title game.
1
2
3
4
(1) The Austin Packers with their runner-up trophy after the Minnesota Class AAA Boys State Basketball Tournament championship game against DeLaSalle. (2) The Austin band plays before the championship game between the Packers and DeLaSalle. (3) Austin head coach Kris Fadness is interviewed following Austin’s win in the semifinals at Target Center in Minneapolis. (4) The Packer student fans section cheer during the pregame of the championship game against DeLaSalle. 10 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
5 6
7
8
9
(5) The Austin Packers and DeLaSalle Islanders face off in the first half during the championship game. (6) Both Gach celebrates after the Packers gained an early lead against Marshall in the semifinals. (7) The Austin Packers and their fans wait for opening lineups before the championship against DeLaSalle. (8) Moses Issa celebrates a three-pointer in the second half against Marshall in the semifinals. (9) The Austin Packers and St. Thomas Academy Cadets in the second half of their quarterfinal game. May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 11
AUSTIN EATS
Fast
Furious DOESN’T NEED TO BE
By Jason Schoonover • Photo
by
Eric Johnson
With close to half of each year engulfed in winter, Minnesotans know how to make the most of the warm months. As spring turns toward summer, Austin and Mower County residents are getting out and about on vacations and day trips of all sorts. But that doesn’t mean healthy, thoughtful eating needs to be jettisoned. We turned to the Austin experts — dietitian Courtney Kremer, Mower County Public Health nurse Jane Knutson, Mayo Clinic Health System dietitian Emily Schmidt and Grace Heimsness, who traveled with Trek Travel last summer — for tips on how to make easy, healthy choices when on the go.
SUGGESTED FOODS n If you have a cooler: • Yogurt • Hard boiled eggs • String Cheese • Cottage Cheese • Pre-made salad • Milk • Fruits and vegetables • Dips: hummus, salsa, Bolthouse dressings • Lean lunch meat such as ham or turkey n If you don’t have a cooler: • Whole grain crackers (Triscuits, Wheat Thins); peanut butter and crackers is a good option • Dried fruit and trail mix — (make your own/change up the variety of foods mixed together) • Nuts • Dry roasted edamame • Protein bars (aim for at least 10 grams of protein and less than 10 grams of sugar) • Rice cakes, pretzels, hot air popcorn, plain popcorn • Granola bars • Whole grain cereals • Shelf-stable milk (Horizon Organic, Silk) • Fruits and vegetables that don’t require refrigeration (bananas, apples, bell peppers) • Infuser water bottle (flavor naturally) • Beef jerky • Canned tuna or tuna in a pouch • Dry cereals, bagels 12 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
AUSTIN EXPERTS GIVE TIPS FOR EATING HEALTHY ON THE GO o Not all calories are equal: All foods contain calories, which provide energy, but not all foods are equal when it comes to how long that energy lasts. Foods high in added sugar and low in dietary fiber, protein and fat will give you a quick boost of energy, but it won’t last long. o Fuel your body regularly: For sustained energy, try to eat meals that contain foods with a combination of dietary fiber, lean protein and healthy fat. Fuel your body regularly — about every three to four hours — with either a healthy snack or meal to keep energy levels stable throughout the day. o Go for balance to stay satisfied all day: Include a source of protein, healthy carbohydrate and fiber with each meal. A cheese stick (protein), popcorn (healthy carbohydrate) and an apple (fiber) would be a satisfying mini meal or snack. o Plan ahead: Plan meals and/or snacks ahead of time to avoid impulse-buying food. Try to shop at home for healthy staples and bring them with you so you don’t have to rely on convenience stores, fast food or concession stands. Prepare and package your own “convenience” foods. For example, wash and chop fruits and vegetables and package in individual baggies or boil and peel hard-boiled eggs. o Pack meals: Pack a small cooler with easy-to-eat healthy nourishments, such as: turkey or peanut butter sandwiches, raw vegetables with hummus for dipping, fruit like berries or grapes, and string cheese. Keep a stash of high-protein granola bars and individual snack bags of a handful of nuts and dried fruit for a quick, non-perishable snack. o Timing is important: Plan specific times to eat to avoid grazing or snacking out of boredom. This will boost your energy level, keep you satisfied and help you enjoy your food while avoiding mindless eating. o Keep portions in check: Serve yourself a single portion rather than eating directly out of a large, multiserving bag or box.
Make snacks ahead of time that you may stop and buy at a convenience store (homemade potato chips, toasted tortilla chips) — salsa or hummus instead of processed cheese spread. o Stay hydrated, but don’t drink your calories: Water is best, but there are a lot of low- or no-calorie beverages like sparkling water, Crystal Light or infusers. Pack plenty of bottled water so you’re less tempted to grab sugary beverages on the go. Remember that if you’re feeling thirsty, water is the way to go — soda or other sugar-packed beverages aren’t going to hydrate you properly, especially if you’re more physically active. o Don’t fear supplements: On her summer with Trek Travel, Heimsness said Nuun electrolyte tablets were onhand most of the time. They come in little tubes and can be dropped in a water bottle on a hot day. They’re good for active days at the beach, yard work or running errands, especially in the heat. The sun can sneak up on you, and the electrolytes in Nuun give you just a little more of a leg up on dehydration. o Eat smart at meal time: Bring your own leftovers instead of buying a frozen microwavable meal. Grill if possible. If you’re going home, use a Crockpot for meals to be ready when getting home from work or a day out. Use an air fryer for preparing fast foods like corn dogs, fries, etc. or a fast snack. When eating out, take time to look over the menu and make careful selections. Some menus have a “lighter side” selection. Select menu items with less fat and calories — foods that are baked, braised, broiled, grilled, poached, roasted or steamed. o If fast food is “the only option,” be smart: Request butter, sauce, gravy or salad dressing be served on the side. Choose a plain burger instead of a deep fat fried chicken sandwich or a burger with a lot of add-ons such as bacon and cheese. Ask for a box to take home part of your meal or order a kid’s meal. Ask if a vegetable or salad can be substituted instead of fries. Slow the rate of eating to 20 minutes to complete the meal. Choose water, milk, or unsweetened iced tea as a beverage. o Embrace the GORP: Good old raisins and peanuts, commonly called GORP, was another mainstay for Heimsness and Trek Travel. Essentially, it’s trail mix that starts at raisins and peanuts and goes from there, depending on whatever ingredients are added. “A handful of nuts and dried fruit can be a life-saver in the middle of a busy day if you don’t have time to sit down for a meal,” Heimsness said. May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 13
THE LIST
EXHIBITS OF THE LAND Visitors to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center will get a fresh look at the world around them with the exhibits in the new interpretive center Story
and
Photos
by J ason
Schoonover
Jay C. Hormel Nature Center staff have a challenge for you while touring the center’s new interpretive center: Try to spot all the critters in the exhibits, especially in the murals and inside and outside of a large cottonwood tree at the center of the exhibits. Some will be easy to spot; others will be much more difficult, like a sculpted bat somewhere on the cottonwood tree. “There’s a bat in a place where you can see it if you look very carefully,” Director Luke Reese said. “Any of the sculpted animals are a little bit hard to spot,” naturalist Maria Anderson added. The exhibits are at the heart of the nature center’s beautiful new interpretive center, which opened April 22, 2017. Staff say the exhibits aim to be interactive and challenge visitors to be attentive and observant. Reese says the exhibits are designed to tie in and reinforce all the things visitors may see during walks through the center’s habitats. “We really want it to be a connection to what they’re going to see out on the land,” Reese said. The interpretive center aims to educate visitors about the forest, wetland and prairie of the center. Read about what you can expect inside through Page 18 14 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
THE LOBBY Immediately inside the new interpretive center is a small theater where a 10-minute video on the nature center will play when visitors hit a button. It will tell of Jay Hormel and his interest in nature and trees and how it led to him forming an arboretum that would eventually become the nature center. Beside that is a statue of Hormel planting a tree, along with information about “the man and his plan” in front of a painted mural. In front of Hormel, a globe — which will turn 15 degrees once each hour to rotate completely once a day — will hang
with a light representing the sun. Material around the earth model will provide educational details about the earth and the importance of the sun. “We wanted to put the history of the earth in some perspective,” Reese said, noting that humanity on Earth is just a blip in a long history. That ties in with a panel on climate change and how humans have affected the earth in a short period of time since the industrial revolution. A wall on the east side across from a large fireplace thanks the donors who contributed a total of more than $1 million for the exhibits.
PRAIRIE Reese estimates about 70 percent of the nature center’s land is prairie, so the prairie exhibit helps bring people up close and personal to the prairie. A centerpiece is a painting that Split Rock Studios, the project’s general contractor, took from the old interpretive center and expanded into a larger, curved mural. “That mural is probably one of my favorite features of the whole exhibit,” Reese said. “It’s just a beautiful work of art.” Below the mural, is a sculpted prairie scene that people can crawl under, where roots are visible, and come up in the middle of the exhibit in two domes, like a prairie gopher or other critter might. “I think that’ll be a favorite area,” Anderson said. The exhibit will feature a taxidermied bison calf and other sculpted animals, along with information on prairie plants, their roots and more.
THE GIANT COTTONWOOD One of the centerpieces of the exhibits is a giant, sculpted cottonwood that visitors can go inside and hunt for that hardto-find sculpted bat and other critters on the outside. The tree stretches into other exhibits, like the forest exhibit, and features a turkey and woodpeckers on its bark and branches. The tree also has a pull-out drawer that features tree rings and tells how to gauge a tree’s age.
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 15
RAPTORS
FOREST The forest scene is made to look like a branch has fallen off the large cottonwood. That branch features spots where the bark opens to show what’s under the bark of a tree. The forest exhibit also features a mural and several sculpted or taxidermied critters to spot. In that display, two terrariums will house the nature center’s snakes and salamander. The exhibit also features other animal sounds and a scatmatching station, along with a taxidermied fawn and ruffed grouse.
Two windows on the southwest side of the center will display Guka, the nature center’s barred owl, in one pen and two new red-tailed hawks, Sha and Wiyaka, in another area. The birds, all flightless after accidents or injuries, will be visible from the inside and outside, though blinds will occasionally be closed to give them privacy. The exhibit will also feature a large, sculpted eagle talon and a machine that casts the silhouettes of birds on the wall or carpet, along with several educational panels.
EDUCATION BLIPS
16 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
Along the east and north walls of the exhibits, a geologic timeline depicting earth’s 4.5 billion years of history will be on display for visitors. “That was pretty neat to work on,” Reese said. Then around the center, other displays will discuss the nature center’s solar energy arrays, its energy-efficient light bulbs, its geothermal system, its low-water toilets and faucets, its bird glass — which features dots for birds to better see the glass — and more.
CREATURES OF THE NIGHT A creatures of the night exhibit gives visitors a taste of what it’s like to be in the center at night, which people can do each week since the center is open until 10 p.m. Reese hopes it will help people past any fear or apprehension around nature at night. “A lot of people are nervous to go out for a hike in the woods at night,” Reese said. “So this maybe gives them an opportunity to experience what they might experience out there, what they may be afraid to experience out there. Hopefully, it will demystify some of the fear of being out at night.” Anderson calls this one of the featured exhibits, which was an idea of retired Director/Naturalist Larry Dolphin after he saw a similar exhibit at another center. The exhibit features low lighting, night sounds of the nature center and sculpted critters. It also includes a lit moon and the Big Dipper constellation. Dolphin tells the story of the Big Dipper on a recording that can be played at the push of a button. “His voice is literally in the building,” Reese said.
DRAGONFLIES This exhibit will feature a large dragonfly head that people can put their own head inside to see how a dragonfly’s eyes see, along with informational panels on dragonflies.
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 17
WETLAND The wetland exhibit will highlight the macroinvertebrates children may encounter when scooping the pond, along with a terrarium with painted turtles, a mural of a pond scene and taxidermied ducks. The exhibit also features a large turtle shell people can sit on and crawl through, which staff say could be a favorite spot for photos.
EARLY CHILDHOOD ROOM
18 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
The new early childhood room is a gateway to fun for youngsters, and they can even enter through a hole in the door, which is designed to look like the bark of tree. The room offers plenty of fun and educational exhibits, and a mural offers youngsters a chance to spot many painted critters, some from a treehouse built out from the north wall. “Lots of critters and plants to look for,” Anderson said. At a puzzle table, kids can put together and take apart a picture of a great blue heron and a deer. With the pieces on, it’s a picture of the two animals. With them off, it shows the skeleton of the animals. A puppet theater stage will offer kids the chance to stage puppet shows, and there will be a spot where children can do Crayon rubs. A bird watching station features binoculars and information about commonly spotted birds by west-facing windows. Dolphin’s presence is felt just outside the early childhood room with a picture and a quote he commonly used in his three decades at the center: “For the wild ones and the little ones.” “This project wouldn’t have happened without Larry’s passion for this place,” said Reese, Dolphin’s successor.
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 19
HOME & HEARTH
Getting a jump on your garden
Master gardener Therese Manggaard shares her love of gardening and what you can do at home to create and maintain your own garden Story
and
Photos
by
Eric Johnson
This deep into April, tried and true gardeners are well ahead of the grade both thinking about and planning for their gardens. And it’s easy to see why. As the sun climbs higher in the skies and the mercury steadily creeps upward, the garden is a perfect way to step full-stride into the warmest months of the year. Therese Manggaard, a master gardener who lives just outside of Sargeant, Minnesota, is one of those people. Manggaard has cultivated a love of gardening for years, going back to her childhood and those memories of her family growing fresh produce. “Parents, grandparents — both sides,” Manggaard said. “Every one were gardeners.” For Manggaard, there is no other way of life. The lifestyle is rooted in Manggaard, and it’s the taste of something picked fresh from the vine or stem that over the years has spoiled Manggaard — in a good way, of course. “You get very, very spoiled when you are raised on 20 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
fresh vegetables,” she said. “One thing I remember: Going to grade school and tasting canned peas for the first time. I thought, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me. This is what people are eating?’ I just had no idea the difference between freshpicked and shelled and frozen. That was an eye-opener.” At one time, Manggaard had on her family farm southeast of Sargeant an impressive garden that almost rivaled the organic farm fields her family now operates. The garden measured in at an impressive 50 by 200 feet. “You live out there,” she joked. She has since scaled it down to 15 by 30 feet, but she continues to utilize the land of her farm where she has vegetables, flowers and fruit trees planted at various spots surrounding the home. It’s that kind of effort that opens up a meal for Manggaard and her family. “The best part: You walk out to the garden and say, ‘OK, what’s ready today?’” she said.
Therese Manggaard separates parsley plants she started growing in small containers inside.
a It’s a process The list of foods and plants that Manggaard grows or has grown could fill up the page of a school notebook and possibly more, giving her an impressive variety of foods she can serve at the dinner table. The list includes garlic, radishes, lettuce, cabbage, kholrabi, broccoli, corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, pears, cherries, plums, and the list goes on and on. With that kind of inventory comes required planning, prep and getting a jump on the season as fast as you can. Manggaard took out a notebook that had a detailed history of what she would plant and what she has planted over the years. She said it’s important for anybody who is starting a garden to remember that vegetables should not be consistently planted in the same spot. “You definitely always want to do a three-year rotation,” Manggaard explains. This way you can eliminate any diseases that may develop. Every three years, the gardener should simply move
that crop to a different plot in the garden. Manggaard maps out her garden each year so she easily keeps track of where her plants have been planted and in what years. Another step to get a jump on your gardening is to simply start growth inside. On a fairly mild day, just after a late winter storm that hinted of spring, Manggaard had assembled at her table seeds, potting soil and an assortment of containers that hold mushrooms you buy from the store. In each container, Manggaard poked an number of holes in the bottom to prevent flooding the seeds when they are watered after planting. To each she drops in a number of seeds — about nine — spaced far enough apart to allow the roots to spread. Part of that growth includes putting her vegetables under fluorescent lighting, though if people have windows that get plenty of sun, the plants can be left on the window sill. Continues on Page 22 May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 21
Manggaard looks over one of the many plants she grows inside, situated in the windows of her kitchen. Good sunlight makes growing plants or starting vegetables inside easier.
Continued from Page 21
a It's not too late to get a jump
Manggaard’s plants get about 15 hours straight of the Some gardeners, especially those just getting a start, may fluorescent lighting, but she cautions that it’s important to want to skip a few steps to get their garden going, and that not leave them under the light for longer than that because includes buying pre-started plants from greenhouses or box the plants need to rest. stores like Wal-mart. Ideally, if you are starting a garden inside. it should be But getting the right plants requires the shopper to do six weeks before the frost is out. A lot of times that comes in their best when it comes to determining the health of a plant. the early part of May, which “If you could, one of is when the plants can be the biggest tests is to take it The key to a healthy plant is the root transplanted from indoors out of the pot and look at system. If the roots are nice and white, then it is a healthy plant. to outdoors, provided the roots because 50 percent the soil is ready. The soil of the health is because of shouldn’t be too muddy, what’s in the soil and what’s which can be determined underneath.” Manggaard by taking a handful of dirt explains. “A happy root will and closing it into a fist. If be white.” the soil clumps, it’s too wet. Manggaard further If it releases and crumbles, explained that the roots it’s ready, though people shouldn’t be balled tight, should still be prepared for but no matter where the early spring frosts. plants get their start, using Plant accordingly: tiny containers could force Vegetables like potatoes, the issue. kohlrabi and cabbage can take light frosts while tomatoes, When it comes time to transplant, Manggaard said you peppers and corn are sensitive to the cold. should take the time to properly prepare the roots. It’s still no guarantee, of course, that your plants will “I always recommend [to] work and tease the roots,” she survive. There’s always something. said. “Don’t just leave them in that solid ball. Open it up a “Murphy’s Law,” Manggaard said. “I’ve seen it all.” little bit before you plant it in the ground.” 22 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
When planting seeds in the containers, keep a good distance between seeds to allow the roots to spread.
a Soil and water
a The good of the garden
Nothing is more important than soil and water when For Manggaard and every gardener, few things beat raising a garden, both when getting a start indoors and being out in the garden and enjoying the fruits — and when they are in the garden, though inside it might be vegetables — of their labors. even more important. Manggaard points to the seed packages themselves as “Water is so critical when they are in those little a place to get information — such as planting instructions, containers,” Manggaard said. “Anybody working a care and environmental conditions — but she also greenhouse will tell encourages people to you that’s probably the research at the local library, most critical thing, and where books and magazines sometimes they have to galore await the avid water three times a day. It gardener. just depends on the wind, “The library is full of the sun, the temperature. books of all kinds or subjects They just can not dry and get you excited,” out.” Manggaard said. The other important And of course the aspect of the garden, the biggest requirement — Manggaard said the seed packets themselves have a soil, should be as happy as enjoy what you reap. wealth of information for people planning you can make it. “I can’t imagine people their gardens, including how much sun and “Soil is so critical,” not wanting this to be a part water are required. Manggaard said. “I highly of their summer,” Manggaard recommend compost to said. “Enjoying the good amend your soil. Add a couple inches every year. You cannot things out in the garden and just spending time out there. go wrong with that. Leaves, work them into the ground. It’s It’s so therapeutic.” free and good for the soil.”
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 23
HOME & HEARTH
Capturing nature in flight Bruce Lees follows his love of birding through the lens of a camera By Michael Stoll Photos By Bruce Lees and By Eric Johnson
Bruce Lees shows a picture of two wood ducks he photographed. The ducks had become used to Bruce after he started to feed them acorns over an extended period of time. Above, a whooping crane photographed by Bruce Lees. 24 | Austin Living | May-June 2017
Bruce Lees sat at his dining room table, which was covered in photographs of bird species of all shapes, sizes and colors. Each image was shot with a skill equal to that of a professional photographer. “I’m a hard-nosed birder,” he said with a laugh and a smile. A native of Austin, Lees has spent many years and countless hours photographing wildlife. “Wildlife has always been my interest,” he said as he observed photographs of a fox he took near the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. “I photograph foxes, skunks, whatever I can find.”
But Lees’ favorite photographic subjects are birds. “Birds are my main thing because there are a lot of them around and I can do it year round. It’s not affected by the change in the seasons. I go out and I spend hours in one spot and just pass the time.” Lees’ love of photography began when he had to use cameras in his jobs. “I’ve always had a camera,” he said. “When I was part owner of the [Van Grant, now Morehouse] print shop, we had an 8-by-8 camera that we would roll back and forth to reduce or enlarge images. That piqued my interest.” Opportunities to photograph wildlife became more abundant when he owned Lees Lock and Security Services. “I would go out and investigate houses, so I always had a camera with me. I never drove the main roads. I would always go the back roads because I saw more.” A patient photographer, Lees has been able to capture several images of unique moments. One such moment was that of a blue bird in flight. “You wouldn’t believe how hard it is to get a shot like this because they are so unbelievably fast,” he said, showing the image stored on an old iPod. “These are blue herons fighting,” he said, showing an image of two long-necked, long-beaked birds locked in combat. “They’re fiercely territorial and will fight to the death.” The fondest memories Lees has of his hobby involve photographing his favorite birds: whooping cranes. “I have been lucky enough to photograph them in Texas and in Minnesota,” he said of the endangered species. “It’s a wonder to watch them. They’re just beautiful.” One of the images Lees took of whooping cranes in Minnesota was published in the May-June 2014 issue of “Minnesota Conservation Volunteer” magazine. Continues on Page 26 May-June 2017 | Austin Living | 25
Scarlet tanager. Bird photos taken by Bruce Lees.
Whooping cranes. There are only 427 left in the world.
Continued from Page 25
I had 17 of them,” he said. “I emailed them the 17 birds and they said they would send me a book. After waiting, I thought it was a farce, but two and a half years later, I got the book.” The book, “The Analysis of Long-Term Forest Bird Monitoring Data from National Forests of the Western Great Lakes Region,” took the University of Minnesota 25 years to compile and is used by colleges in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. “I’m just honored they would ask me to help them out with it,” Lees said. Despite having his images published, Lees has never accepted money for them. “I take them for preservation purposes only,” he said. “I want my grandkids to see what was here at one time. I have no intentions of ever selling anything, only to help people that want to help the environment.”
Lees recalled one particular trip to Texas that stood out in his mind. “I was in this town with about 50 people from 45 states looking for whooping cranes,” he said. “Because of the crowd, I was unable to get any pictures of them that first day. My wife and I went the next morning and got fabulous pictures because it was too early for the other people. I was all by myself.” Lees’ photographs have received plenty of accolades, including first prize at the Mower County Fair for a photograph of a green heron. He has also donated images to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center for use in calendars and post cards to help raise money. In 2014, he received a call from the University of Minnesota seeking permission to use some of his images. “They sent me a list of 19 birds that they needed, and
Lees pages through books and photo albums containing hundreds of pictures he’s taken of various birds and other wildlife. 26 | Austin Living | May-June 2017
Oriole.
An American bittern in breeding plummage.
Lees is familiar with the effect man can have on wildlife and the environment. He recalled a story of a pair of male and female wood ducks that were near his home one winter. “I would quack, and they would come running because they knew I had acorns to feed them,” he laughed. He showed a picture of the male, which is distinguished from the female by its colorful plumage. “You can see how fat he is from my feeding him,” he said. “One day, another male came along, attracted to the female. He was smaller than the male I had been feeding, but he still won the ensuing fight. The one I had been feeding was too big and that slowed him down.” But, Lees also knows that human actions can have far more dire consequences. His favorite bird, the whooping crane, was hunted extensively in the 1930s and ’40s for its feathers, which were fashionable for women at the time.
Indigo bunting.
“There’s only 472 whooping cranes left in the world,” he said. Lees also cited expansion of farms and towns as one of the causes for endangerment. “There’s less of them every year,” he said about birds. “Everything counts, and many people don’t understand that.” For those interested in bird watching or bird photography, Lees has some simple advice. “Don’t go tromping all over the place. Find a place and sit right there and just bide your time and things will come walking right up to you. Don’t make a lot of noise, just sit real still.” Lees says that staying in the car may be one of your best options. “It’s amazing how the car is the best blind you can get. I’ve had things come close enough where I could reach right out and touch them while in my car.”
Lees shows of a picture of a cedar waxwing he took that was run in the “The Analysis of Long-Term Forest Bird Monitoring Data from National Forests of the Western Great Lakes Region.”
May-June 2017 | Austin Living | 27
OUT & ABOUT
28 | Austin Living | May-June 2017
atterns of fun P Carolyn Matson, owner of Calico Hutch in Hayward, Minnesota, has one of the most extensive collections of quilting materials in the area and hosts three retreats a year in nearby Austin.
Calico Hutch’s retreats provide a place for quilters to catch up on projects, friends Story
and
Photos
Some of the best things in life are those things with the longest-lasting traditions. In part, that might explain why Calico Hutch’s quilting retreats have become so popular. For 15 years, owner Carolyn Matson has hosted the immensely popular retreats, drawing quilters from all over the state for weekends of quilting and catching up with old friends while in the process creating an environment that has a lasting impression on those attending. “It’s a chance to have a whole weekend with your friends, doing something you love with people,” said Karen Morland of Austin, who has attended retreats for 10 years.
by
Eric Johnson
Fast start Matson bought Calico Hutch in 2002 from LaVonne Williams, who opened the store in 1982. Prior to that, Matson worked at the store for 10 years when she first got into quilting at Williams’ urging. “I thought, ‘Why would I want to quilt?’” Matson remembered. “But then I started and just putting the fabric together and making some blocks and laying the blocks out — it was like I was hooked.” Continues on Page 30
May-June 2017 | Austin Living | 29
Teri VanErkel cuts and lays out wool kits at the Calico Hutch.
Continued from Page 29
A warm environment
Matson estimates she made 30 quilts that first year when she started in 1992. When that passion carried over into buying the Calico Hutch from Williams, the next step was to offer a retreat. Matson partnered with an Owatonna shop for the first retreat in 2002. From there, the retreats blasted off, drawing more and more quilters. “We started with just one in February and then that would fill up and then people would say, ‘Well, why don’t you do one in November? We could do November,’” Matson said. “Okay, we’ll do November, and then that would fill up, and we could do one in April, and that filled up.” In a short amount of time, Calico Hutch was hosting three retreats a year, some with “caboose” weekends — three more days with smaller attendances tacked onto Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday following the initial retreat. Over the years, Calico Hutch teamed with shops both in the Twin Cities and Mankato, but now Matson and her team run the retreats on their own. While the sudden and rapid success of the retreats was somewhat surprising, what stood out more to Matson was where the quilters were coming from. “I guess I was surprised, but more surprised where people were willing to drive from to come to them,” she said. Attendees would drive down from the Twin Cities and from Wisconsin to attend the events. But it wasn’t just people from out of town. “You don’t have to go far to find something great,” Morland said.
Linda McCormack of Chicago City, Minnesota, and Peggy Lang of Maplewood, Minnesota, represent just a few of the people that drive from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. They say the environment continues to draw them back. “It’s a very warm welcome.” McCormack said. “Everybody is willing to help each other. You couldn’t ask for the staff to be nicer.” One advantage retreats offer is a chance to get work done without interruptions. Quilters can plan ahead, prep projects and then, once in Austin at the Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center, they are free to go to work, but it’s not the only thing. Tables covered with patterns, cloth, quilts and sewing machines fill nearly every corner of the main conference room, leaving pathways crisscrossing like a maze for people to walk. To some it might seem daunting to navigate the area, but it also affords the opportunity for quilters to get to know their neighbors. It’s a defining trait of the retreats. “Get some projects done, see your friends you haven’t seen,” Lang explains. “It’s a warm welcome every time you come. It’s a home away from home.” Sometimes, the quilters spend much of their time catching up with friends they’ve met at previous retreats. “It’s a girl’s weekend,” said JoAnn Malepsy of Albert Lea, Minnesota. “You go around and see what everybody else is doing and pick up ideas and tips.” Morland shares a similar sentiment. “We sometimes sit visiting and not getting any sewing done,” she said, laughing. Continues on Page 32
30 | Austin Living | May-June 2017
What’s at the Hutch?
P
eople into quilting have plenty of options for supplies, patterns and quilts, but for people in southeastern Minnesota, you could hardly do better than Carolyn Matson’s shop, Calico Hutch, in Hayward along Interstate 90 between Austin and Albert Lea. The shop has all the supplies quilters could want, including sewing machines, with ideas for casual and longtime quilters alike. The shop also offers a service of sewing the backing and batting to quilts for people utilizing their long-armed sewing machine. “We’re a nice shop,” Matson said. “People stop in and go, ‘Wow, I just can’t believe this. It’s one of the nicest shops I’ve been in.’ We try to have something for everyone here. We don’t try and specialize anything because we’re kind of in the middle of nowhere.” Along with the shop’s customers from the area, Matson said many come from as far away as Wisconsin and the Twin Cities. If people are going to travel, she wants to be able to give them a reason for coming back. “If people are coming here, we’ll try to have what they are looking for, so that’s our goal,” Matson said. “When they get here, whatever it is they want, we’re going to have it.” Calico Hutch has made a name for itself and was recently featured as one of 11 quilting shops in the United States to visit in the spring/summer 2016 Quilt Sampler magazine. A nice accolade, Matson wants people to see for themselves what Calico Hutch has to offer. “You should just come and see what we have here,” she said. “Just come in the door and look around. It’s like a free quilt show. We’ve got probably 100 wall samples and probably 75 quilt samples up all the time.”
May-June 2017 | Austin Living | 31
Linda McCormack of Chisago City, Minnesota, right, and Peggy Lang of Maplewood, Minnesota, are part of a group that comes down from the Twin Cities area for each retreat.
four men, dressed in tuxedo’s, wandered in and looked around. Before long, they commanded the room’s attention. After all, the retreats are set up in a way to not be The quilters stopped their sewing machines, put patterns restrictive. down and watched as the foursome began singing. After a couple tunes, the men — Bob Hill, Pete Rush, Of course, Matson and Calico Hutch’s employees set up Roger Pestorious activities. They and Larry Lund — pick a theme for Upcoming retreats at the Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center having announced each retreat where Nov. 3, 4 and 5 ($139). Caboose retreat: Nov. 6, 7 and 8 ($129). Theme: Sturgis. themselves as being people dress up and Feb. 10, 11 and 12 ($139). Theme: Roaring Twenties. from Albert Lea’s are judged based singing group on their costumes. Harmony Junction, Games are set up wandered down and there is plenty the aisle until they of food, but there found Malepsy and are other avenues sang “Irish Rose,” for quilters. It’s which was set up not just a warm by her husband for environment but a Valentine’s Day. flexible one. It’s just one of “People can The quaint storefront of the things that can come and do Calico Hutch in Hayward, Minnesota, serves as happen during the whatever they a draw to all the things the store has inside for quilters. retreats. want,” Matson said. “It’s just really “We don’t really easy going, free-flowing fun,” Matson said. “Everybody gets plan. We plan our meals — they’re specific: start time, end along well and has a good time.” time. We have kind of a loose schedule for demonstrations, Matson said she has toyed with adding another retreat but we don’t always know what we’re demo-ing.” during the summer but for now is aiming at keeping the “The fun part of it is,” she continued, “I can tell somebody three-a-year format. It’s enough to keep her and her staff who says, ‘I’ve never been to a quilting retreat, what do I busy. And as long as people have a good time and reconnect do?’ Well, you just come. You don’t bring a sewing machine, with friends, then Matson is content to watch and be part of nobody is even going to notice.” the fun. “It’s fun to see everybody again and it’s fun for them You never know to see each other again,” Matson said. “It’s kind of like a At a retreat in February, the unexpected showed up. quilting reunion.” As women were busy sewing and working on their quilts, Continued from Page 30
32 | Austin Living | May-June 2017
May-June 2017 | Austin Living | 33
OUT & ABOUT
A future for innovation By The Hormel Institute • Photos Provided
Left, Emma Stanley from Banfield Elementary School, pictured with Principal Jeff Roland. Emma was the fourth-grade winner for her project, “Colorful Candy.” Right, Kaylee Butts from Southgate Elementary School, pictured with Hormel Insitute communications associate Michelle Phillips, created a project on “The Effects of Rock Tumbling.”
Innate intelligence, together with inspired interest, equals future scientists The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota is a strong advocate in the mission to inspire interest in science education leading to careers in research, medicine and life sciences. In support of Austin schools’ STEAM mission — to promote learning in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Fine Arts and Mathematics — The Hormel Institute has for years had an education outreach program in place. Beginning with inspiring young students at science fairs through opportunities for post doc (after a PhD is earned) research, The Hormel Institute is dedicated to inspiring students of all ages to consider careers in science. “This is how I came to be a scientist,” said Dr. Rebecca Morris, professor of the Stem Cells and Cancer lab. “My fascination with the living world and science was inspired by my family and teachers who opened my eyes to the wonders of learning more about how nature works.” Continues on Page 36 Awards given by The Hormel Institute for Austin Science Fair award winners. 34 | Austin Living | May-June 2017
May-June 2017 | Austin Living | 35
Continued from Page 34
questions about the project idea, how they conducted the research, how data was collected and most importantly — The first experience students have with conducting what did they learn? experiments using the scientific method usually begins in Award recipients — which is always difficult to choose elementary school with a school science fair. Morris is a among so many hard-working and anivolunteer mentor in a program mated students — were selected based developed by Catherine Haslag, a on the quality of the work, students’ chemistry professor at Riverland understanding of the data, scientific Community College, to provide Fourth grade: Kaylee Butts, Southgate breakthroughs, discovering knowledge not mentoring opportunities to increase – Effects of Rock Tumbling readily available and ability to correctly participation in the science fair by interpret the data. It also was important students who may not have such Fourth grade: Emma Stanley, Banfield that the student could clearly portray and support at home. – Ph Levels of Colorful Candy explain the project and its results. The Hormel Institute provides Fifth grade: Kaden Case “Helping encourage young people to judges at the citywide science fair, – Blood Glucose Levels with Exercise get involved with science and research an exciting interaction for students is fun for us though difficult because the to meet with cancer research scienSixth grade: Cassidy Shute students are so energetic and passiontists who perform groundbreaking – Effect of Coffee on Plant Growth ate while talking about their projects,” scientific research each day. Judges said institute scientist Kristen Thelen. have the difficult task of select“It is promising to know someday these ing students/projects from grades students may be impacting the world four to six to receive The Hormel while working in the science field. We Institute Outstanding Research are thankful to be a part of inspiring and Award. This year institute scientists shaping that next generation of scientists.” Eunmiri Roh and Hana Yang judged the third/fourth-grade division and The Hormel Institute, University of Kristen Thelen and Suji Jin judged Sixth-grader Cassidy Shute, The Minnesota is celebrating its 75th year of the fifth/sixth-grade division. Hormel Institute’s Suji Jin and fifthfurthering science research and education The process begins with ingrader Kaden Casepose for a photo. in Austin, Minnesota. terviewing the students, asking
2017 Awards
36 | Austin Living | May-June 2017
The Hormel Institute’s Hana Yang, left, and Enmiri Roh, center pose with Southgate Elemetary School student Renato Sebastian Aguilar Jr. at a past science fair. The two scientists judged the Austin Science Fair.
May-June 2017 | Austin Living | 37
Friends of Frank W. Bridges toast his memory during a dinner together at Barley’s Family Restaurant.
Dinner k n a r F By Deb Nicklay • Photos
T
by
h t i w
Eric Johnson
ter a e h t r, o t c u tr s s e n g i d i r be Br . m e W m nk re a s r d F n r Frie directo
he late Frank W. Bridges couldn’t be at his beloved dinner with friends on March 26, but, in more significant ways, he was front and center. For the past few years, Bridges, a former instructor and theater director at Riverland Community College, would meet with friends at Barley’s Family Restaurant once a month to have a meal, swap stories and generally catch up. It was respite for Bridges, who had lost his wife, Carol. He called a few friends in 2014 to meet for the very first dinner. “Frank wanted it to be about the theater; he loved talking about the theater,” said Alice Holst. “He never wanted the discussion to be about him.” 38 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
At subsequent dinners, the number of those attending would ebb and flow, depending on who was in what show that was in rehearsal, or whose children or grandchildren were being visited. But there were, said Summerset Theatre co-Executive Director Randy Forster, “always about eight to 10” who would meet, have a drink and chat about those things going on in their lives.
Forster joined other friends — Steve and Penny Kinney, John and Lisa Deyo, Janet and Scott Anderson, Gordy Handeland, Lia Culbert, Erleen Nelson, Jim Wegner and Linda Dudley — for their first dinner without Bridges, who died in February. It was as bittersweet gathering, as friends sat around the long table at the back of the restaurant. It was time to toast their friend and mentor. Some came early, some came late — but all came for Bridges. “I thought, we just had to do something,” said Penny, a former student of Bridges’ and part of the Summerset Theatre corps of actors and crew. Bridges founded Summerset 50 years ago as a way to attract both student and community talent to the summer theatre. It was — and has continued to be — a resounding success. Talk about Bridges, Summerset and seasons of the summer productions were at the center of the gathering, a lightning rod that sparked memories. After raising glasses with the simple toast, “To Frank,” diners looked at photos of past productions, or clippings, kept in a file brought to the dinner by Penny. Faithfully kept, the file began with the first season of Summerset, in 1967, all the way to last year’s 49th. It wasn’t the first time “visual aids” were brought the dinner, several said with laughs. Bridges was known for bringing various items to talk about. He was known for his statistics, keeping careful track of audience numbers and where they were being drawn from. A sample of one stat sheet was in the folder, and drew laughs. When the dinners began, Bridges might “talk about Aristotle,” said Holst, with a laugh. “Or rhetoric. Frank liked to talk about everything.” Talk circled back to Summerset. You learned that the Deyos met each other during Summerset productions; Steve and Penny Kinney was another couple active in the theater. The same was true for Dudley and her late husband, Bob, who was the longtime set designer for the shows. Bridges was at the center of
the new venture, providing seasoned vision for the theatre that followed a repertory format for the first several seasons and incorporated children’s shows in the mix. Sets were put up and dismantled at a dizzying pace, as different shows were performed on different nights, one after the other. Memories surfaced from different shows, such as “Damn Yankees,” “Taming of the Shrew,” “Godspell,” “Sound of Music,” “Guys and Dolls” and “Grease.” Nelson recalled, no matter what the show, that “Frank always wanted to impart knowledge and support learning,” she said. “He was my teacher; he was my mentor.” She was particularly impressed with his ability to impart positive criticism that was important, but never demeaning. John recalled when Frank told him that his direction of “Shrek” “had raised the bar” of theatre at Summerset. That comment, you felt, was treasured by John. Forster has been directing productions for the past several years. “The first time I met Frank, I didn’t know who he was, but he came to my first show and made sure to find me and compliment me on the show. It was such a wonderful thing for him to do. I really feel honored to carry on the legacy” of Summerset. Janet echoed how Bridges was “always so supportive.” Active in the Matchbox Theatre — in its early years, located at Summerset, too — Anderson said that Bridges would come to all the shows. Dudley served as “shop foreman,” supporting the work of her husband, Bob. In a rare departure, she was part of the cast for “Taming of the Shrew” — the production, she said with a laugh, “where I learned that being on stage was not for me.” She described one bit of stage business she created during “Shrew,” following Bridges’ advice to be natural and follow the character. Continues on Page 40
“Frank wanted it to
be about the theater; he loved talking
about the theater. He never wanted
the discussion to be about him.”
—Alice Holst
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 39
Above, John Deyo looks through pictures of Frank W. Bridges-led productions. Right, Janet Anderson, left, and Penny Kinney go through memorabilia relating to Bridges. Far right, Erleen Nelson tells a story of working with Bridges. 40 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
Shows to celebrate 50 years on the stage This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Summerset Theatre. Three productions are planned for its season: “Peter and the Starcatcher,” 7 p.m., on June 14-17; and at 2 p.m. on June 18; “On Golden Pond,” 7 p.m., July 5-8; and at 2 p.m. on July 8-9 “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” at 7 p.m. on July 28, 29 and Aug. 2-5; and at 2 p.m. on July 30. Auditions for all shows will be: 9 a.m. to noon, on April 29; and 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday, May 1, at Frank W. Bridges Theatre. For more information, go to: summersettheatre.org.
Continued from Page 39 Bridges stopped rehearsal for a moment. “He said, ‘Why did you do that?’” she recalled. “I told him why I thought it was appropriate, and he said, ‘Good! Leave it in!’ He was willing to listen to his actors.” After Bridges retired, he remained a supportive member of the audience, making rounds to all the shows. Penny shared an email sent from Lia Culbert while Frank was in the hospital before he died Culbert began acting in productions at the age of 9 and has continued to be a part of Summerset over the years.
She wanted to make sure that Frank knew of her appreciation for all he taught. It said: “Please give Mr. B my best. I’m praying for him. You know when you think about it, I don’t know him very well personally and have spent very little time with him in the grand scheme of things. But the impact he’s had on my life with what he set in motion 50 years ago is palpable. So many wonderful experiences and life lessons! “Many of my best memories from ages 9 - 24 revolve around that theater, as do my longest personal relationships. When at my wits end with my teenage kids I have literally thrown my hands in the air and said just ‘Be at the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing!’” which was one of Bridges’ oft-quoted rejoinders to his corps. As the evening lengthened, conversation gave way to the meal. Penny wondered whether the group would continue to meet; in the end, it seemed to be decided that they would continue to hold the gatherings “until we don’t anymore, I guess,” she said. But “theater people” are a dedicated bunch, and loyal to those whose direction gave their characters life, or whose friendship brought them to his table. By all accounts, it’s Barley’s next month again. May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 41
42 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
Grates
& gates By Deb Nicklay • Photos
by
Eric Johnson
Mike Goetz is the go-to-guy for just about everything
Mike Goetz looks over a piece of wood he used to make a shelf in the interpretive center of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Goetz did very little as the nature center wanted to keep it as natural as possible to use it as a learning tool.
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 43
Mike Goetz remembers “making a bunch of little things” as an eight-year-old. “My dad was a truck driver, and he had a bunch of tools. I can remember finding these patterns and I could cut them out in wood,” he said. From that point on, “being a carpenter was my dream job.” It’s a job that he’s been honing for a long time: first, at Joseph Co., on its construction crews; and then for the past 27 years, as the go-to-guy for anything you want built, for Austin City Parks and Recreation. If you don’t believe us, all you have to do is pretty much stand at any park in town and just look around. The sign welcoming people to You’ll see baseball bats Center was crafted by Goetz. — real ones — incorporated into the gates at the Riverland Community College ball fields; waves can be found on gates that face the Mill Pond at the local swimming pool. Need flower baskets in the local parking lots? Go to Mike. How about a gate with a park theme — trees, and deer — for the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center? Mike is your man. If you need to gut a church that suffered flood damage to eventually become the Veteran’s Pavilion, turn to Mike. When someone
suggested bars be installed within old window casements of the church, Mike had the idea of placing curved aluminum fantails in the windows. “Well, otherwise it was just going to look like a jail with bars on the windows,” he said with a shrug. Today, it is one of the most arresting features of the renovated building, used for gatherings and concerts. When someone suggested a pioneer log cabin be built at the nature center so that children could see and imagine what it was like to live on the prairie over 100 years ago, they turned to Mike to build it. In fact, the nature center has relied upon Mike a lot. He the Jay C. Hormel Nature installed a new ash log shelf — a very large, new ash log shelf — that graces the fireplace at the interpretive center, pulled from a spot at the nature center grounds. Then there is the story of the bench needed for the north side of the new center. The long bench with a gentle curve made of tiger wood, an architect estimated, would cost $14,000.
Goetz looks over a bench on the patio of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center’s new interpretive center, which he crafted out of a length of tiger wood. 44 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
Continues on Page 46
Goetz has put in a rebuilt engine into the 1967 Corvette he’s rebuilding.
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 45
Goetz took the burls from an oak tree and created two bowls. 46 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
Continued from Page 45 “Well, that was a lot of money,” he explained. “We got it done for oh, about $1,000.” Those who know Mike would say there isn’t a way he couldn’t try to help solve a problem, or find the right thing when need arises. “There are times when you just stall when you’re trying to think of how to do something,” he said. “But usually, if you let it sit awhile, something comes up to solve it.” And Mike’s wife, Mary, added, “I would say, he’s not afraid to try new things.” The sheer wealth of his creations are a testament to that thought. While most of his designs are fashioned in aluminum, wood remains his favorite material. If you walk through his home, you are going to see its true flower: Walnut that he used to frame a huge — and we mean four feet across — crocheted doily, fashioned by one of Mary’s ancestors. Then there is a chest of drawers made from cherry. Oh, there are kitchen cupboards and pantry made of oak, all inlaid with special accents and scenes. On the kitchen table are two bowls fashioned from the burl of a maple tree. The unique wood, when cut and polished, brings an arresting look to the bowls. It’s hard to believe that Mike could find anything new to restore. Well, except that 1967 Corvette he is restoring out in the garage, of course. “I haven’t been working on wood much lately — no room,” he said with a chuckle. He completely tore the car down to it its knuckles and now is starting to restore the vehicle. And, there is the stained glass he wants to work on, using the ancient art of cutting and leading. “And we signed up for the Bent Willow Chair Class at a farm near Red Wing,” Mary said with a smile. “It’s something new,” said Goetz with a smile. May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 47
umpi n g J in
F
in
eet first Austin graduate Abigayle Snater gives modeling a spin before settling on her path
Story
and photos by
Eric Johnson
Abigayle Snater jumped headfirst into the world of modeling, something she wanted to try since she was a freshman at Austin High School. 48 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 49
Though she would have liked to continue modeling, Snater has moved forward with her career. “I loved the experience,” she said.
S
ometimes the best things in life come from just jumping in.
Abigayle Snater, an Austin High School graduate, did just that when she dove into the world of modeling, something she had wanted to try since her freshman year in high school. The 22-year-old began digging into the profession, seeing what was out there and trying her hand in front of the camera. But along the way, Snater found a little bit of herself. Modeling requires a sublime grace, a control over one’s body that exudes confidence and glamour. In that way, Snater had a leg up. A long-time gymnast in high school, Snater was used to those aspects and about performing, so as she went through high school, she started drifting more toward the idea of getting in front of the lens. “It was kind of something I liked to look at and kind of think about,” Snater said.
Photo from Snater’s portfolio. Photo by Jae Feinberg 50 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
Taking pictures with high school friends Katie JorgensonJuenger and Annie Heickley-Smith got Snater more antsy to try the runway, but it was a family member that told her to slow things down a little. “I had initially wanted to go straight into modeling after high school,” Snater said. “But my brother [Noah Snater] was like, ‘Try a year of college first.’” Snater attended the University of Minnesota-Mankato for a year before finding a job. Years of taking college courses in high school put her ahead of the curve and also gave her the opportunity to begin looking for modeling work. The first break came with the company Fun.com — a site specializing in Halloween costumes, T-shirts, socks and other various items. “I was just kind of researching online for different companies and agencies,” Snater said. “Fun.com popped up that they had openings for models they needed, so I sent in pictures and a resume about me.” From there Snater found sporadic work in the cities both for still photography and runway modeling. While admitting that some models like both the idea of still work and runway, it was on the runway that Snater was hoping to make her mark. “That’s what I wanted to get more into — runway [modeling],” she said. She got the chance to walk the runway and loved every minute of it. “It was really fun,” Snater said. “All the girls get together, do the fitting a few weeks beforehand and everything is set and ready to go.” “It’s more hyped up because you’re in front of an audience,” she continued. “It’s not just looking at a camera and trying to create that yourself. All the hype is there.” Continues on Page 52 May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 51
Photos by Jae Feinberg
Continued from Page 51
A changing outlook Snater loved every aspect of modeling including watching other models and being intrigued by the amount of emotion they could convey within a single look. “The look you see on the model’s faces,” Snater said. “The really good models can get that intensity — you wonder what they are thinking about. It looks like they are so into whatever photo they are in.” And it’s something Snater herself had to embrace: That idea of becoming whatever it was that she was modeling. “You had to get into it,” she said. “You became that thing, whatever you were modeling. That was now your personality.” As much fun as Snater was having, though, she started to rethink where she was going. As she was thinking more seriously of making this a career, she began to see everything she would have to give to make it reality in a profession that is no sure thing. “I found an agency, worked with them on and off for different projects, but my reality set in,” she said. “I wanted something more than modeling.” Snater had the opportunity to pursue something bigger in the industry when Privilege Models, a company she worked with a little, offered a chance to go out west to California. The hiccup was that she would have to pay for her own way out there; however, by this point she was already questioning whether this was her path. “I was offered an opportunity,” Snater said. “Obviously, you have to pay for your room and board and all of those 52 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
things and I was kind of at a crossroads where I really could go out and do this or I could stay where I am and be content with what I have.” The downside was, should she find work, she would have had to make Los Angeles a permanent setting. It was the opportunity she had been waiting for, but the idea just required more sacrifice than she was willing to make. “I kind of realized, although that would be amazing to do — and who knows, in the future, it’s always a possibility — I wanted to a little bit more of a different life than that.” “I love helping people and helping them find their purpose in life,” she continued. “There were other things I wanted to do that were more important to me.” Snater currently works for Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating at the company’s corporate office in New Hope, Minnesota, and she recently moved to Winthrop, Minnesota, with her boyfriend Justin Parrot and their dog Fred. It’s a move she’s happy with, even though a part of her still loves modeling. “I loved the experience,” she said. “I wouldn’t take it back. The different people, the different experiences, different things you get to see, places you get to go — I wouldn’t take it back. I loved that I kind of jumped into it.” Still, Snater isn’t ruling out the idea of returning to modeling; it’s just now, she knows where it fits into her life as a whole. “It’s still something I love to do,” she said. “It’s just not something I would move across the country for.”
“The different people, the different experiences, different things you get to see, places you get to go — I wouldn’t take it back.” — Abigayle Snater
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 53
TRAVEL
54 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
The Blizzard, including Austin players Young and Guyette, pose for a team picture in Utah.
Pair of Austin baseball players take their game on the road with traveling baseball team By Rocky Hulne • Photos Submitted
Ross Young, left, and Hunter Guyette will play their games at the Riverland Baseball Complex and Dick Seltz Field this spring, but in fall and winter, they played their ball on the road with the Twin Cities-based Minnesota Blizzard. Photo by Eric Johnson
It is the middle of the winter and Austin High School students Ross Young and Hunter Guyette are in a vehicle traveling south. They are not headed for Disney World, a sunny beach or anywhere else exotic. They’re headed for baseball. Young and Guyette have spent a chunk of this past winter playing with the Minnesota Blizzard, a baseball academy based out of the Twin Cities. The Blizzard plays a schedule of fall ball games in the Twin Cities and competes in about four national tournaments over the winter, making trips to Las Vegas, Phoenix and Utah. “Baseball has always been my dream ever since I started playing back in the pitching machine days,” Young said. “I want to keep pursuing it.” Young made the decision to play with the Blizzard when he realized he wasn’t going to play football and basketball for the Packers anymore. Now he’s made playing baseball his main athletic focus and between playing for AHS, summer VFW and the Blizzard, Young has played in over 100 baseball games in the past year. Young and Guyette were two of 100 Minnesota players who tried out for the Blizzard and both landed on the same squad. Unlike Young, Guyette is not just focused on baseball — he also plays hockey and football for the Packers. There are times when he has to sacrifice one sport for another, but Guyette is willing to do that for the game he loves. Continues on Page 56
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 55
Continued from Page 55 “Baseball is America’s pastime and it’s one of the greatest games I’ve ever played. When I step on that field, it’s the greatest feeling in the world,” Guyette said. “You’ve got to deal with your punishments and everything that comes along from missing days. You see your teachers before you leave and you work on your stuff down there.” When Young and Guyette head south to play baseball, they don’t stop becoming high school students. They still have to keep up with homework as academics are a big focus of the Blizzard program. “I believe this program has not only helped us become better baseball players, but it’s helped us become better young men and
“Baseball is America's pastime and it's one of the greatest games I've ever played. When I step on that field, it's the greatest feeling in the world.” - Hunter Guyette Hunter Guyette, above, looks to gun down to second. Ross Young, right, jumps to avoid a pitch in a game in Arizona.
56 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
helped us learn things about life,” Guyette said. Young said that he’s been able to learn to keep up with his studies while playing a lot of baseball and spending a lot of time on the road. “Parents are always on your back when you’re down there and you’ve got to have your homework done. It’s something that you have to keep up with,” Young said. “From hitting to throwing to fielding, to just life. [The Blizzard] teaches you more than just the game of baseball.” Young’s mom, Peggy Young, said the trips give parents a good chance to bond with their children, and although it isn’t exactly a vacation, it is a break from the cold winters of Minnesota. “It’s truly not much of a vacation; you have a schedule. The boys have a schedule. I wouldn’t say it’s hectic,” Peggy said. “You have to be able to plan and I’m lucky enough to have a job that allows me to do it and a kid that allows me to come along. It’s fun and you get to spend a lot of quality time together.” Guyette admitted that making 20-plus hour trips with his dad can be a little tiring, but he thinks it’s worth it to play against some of the top baseball players in his age group. He also embraces the camaraderie that comes with being on a team of Minnesotans competing against players from all over the country. “We’ll be friends with some of our teammates forever and we’ll be standing up in weddings. They’re some of the greatest friends I’ve ever met in my life,” Guyette said. “You’re going against DI recruits and you’re going against guys throwing 90 mph. We’re just some average Austin kids going down there and playing for the love of the game. It’s good to see kids going out and playing to develop their skills. That definitely helps our team out here in Austin. All of us want to make it to a state championship and hopefully win it.” May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 57
LOOKING BACK
A place for everybody
The Depot Hotel was a centerpiece to come together and enjoy a good meal By Jaimie Timm, Mower County Historical Society • All
photos courtesy of the
Mower County Historical Society
Several men managed the hotel for the railroad, but the Built in 1871 and owned by the Milwaukee Railroad, the most well-known was Mr. George Sutton. He and his wife Depot Hotel — sometimes called the Railway Hotel or Railway arrived in Austin in 1890 to take charge of the hotel. In Eating House — served as a place for weary travelers to eat a 1893, when the railroad wonderful meal and get decided to end its ownersome needed rest. Above, a group of people (possibly a mixture of travelers and railroad ship of the facility, Sutton A reporter described employees) gather in front of the Depot Hotel, ca. 1910. Below, later bought the business and the hotel in the April picture of the Depot Hotel, possibly not long before it was torn down. continued to operate 29, 1875, edition of the the successful hotel and Mower County Transcript restaurant. Mr. Sutton as “a nearly new brick was very involved in the building, containing becommunity and served as tween 40 and 50 guest mayor of Austin. rooms, newly and well Over the years, the furnished. The house is hotel underwent several well kept and is a favorite renovations as a result of for commercial travelers.” fires, the need for more The hotel was also space and redecoration popular with Austin to keep the building “up-to-date.” A large fire in 1895 caused locals and was a great place to eat Sunday dinner, host a wedtwo chimneys to collapse and the hotel was closed for several ding or hold a meeting. 58 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
The Milwaukee Railroad Yard in Austin with the Depot Hotel in the background in 1869.
ic h E x p re ss D ie tz D ie tr d h o rs e w it h a cr a te e th in fr o n t o f l. te o H t Depo
weeks so it could be completely repainted and re-wallpapered. At the same time, the south rooms of the hotel were turned into passenger waiting rooms and the ticket office and the “old shack” that had been the station became the dispatcher’s office and baggage room. Like many buildings tied to the railroad, the Depot Hotel eventually came to the end of its usefulness and was knocked down in 1941. The rise of the automobile meant that fewer people traveled by rail and did not need a convenient place to stop near the railroad. A colored postcard depicting the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad Yards in Austin.
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 59
May 6 The snow is gone and the sun is out; there’s no excuse to stay indoors anymore. With so much going on around Austin, whether indoors, out at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center or at the Mower County Fairgrounds, the vitamin D will be sure to get soaked up under the warm sunlight. —All dates, times, and locations subject to change
Bob Ross Floral Oil Painting
May 5
Wheel Throwing Date Night
5th Annual Power of the Palate
When: 5-8 p.m. Where: Austin Country Club Enjoy gourmet food prepared by three local area chefs, cocktails and conversations along with a silent auction featuring wonderfully unique items. All proceeds support the Backpack Food Program or go toward meeting children’s basic needs in Mower County. Tickets are $25 per person. For more information, call 507-437-2313 or email womensleadershipinitiativemc@gmail.com.
May 5
C. Willi Myles Comedy Show
When: 7:30-10 p.m. Where: Historic Param oount Theatre Comedian C. Willi Myles, “America’s Everyday Comedian,” has been combining his quick wit and a great sense of humor to deliver one of this country’s most high energy, sidesplitting show for all ages. Visit the Austin ArtWorks Center or go to www.austinareaarts. org to purchase tickets. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show.
May 5-7
Austi-Con
Where: Austin Armory This is the second annual gathering for gamers of all types and is a chance to play, trade, build your collection and learn more about this fun hobby. Admission $10 for the weekend. There will be tables for open gaming as well as scheduled events. Attendees can also take part in play-to-win events, check out games from the board game library and win door prizes.
May 6
When: 1-4 p.m. Where: Austin ArtWorks Center Darylyne Paulson, a certified Bob Ross instructor, will be teaching a floral oil painting class for ages 16 and over. Cost is $80 per person. For more information, call 507-434-0934.
May 6
When: 6-8 p.m. Where: Austin ArtWorks Center Couples can spend some quality creative time together. Cost is $80 per pair. For more information, call 507-434-0934.
May 6-7
Cedar River Archery Club 3D Shoot
When: 8 a.m-2 p.m. each day Where: Cedar River Archery Club Safe, fun and family oriented opportunity for people to come and shoot with others who share their passion. For more information, call 507-438-7619.
May 6-7
Brownsdale Citywide Garage Sale When: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day Where: Brownsdale Bargains and treasures throughout Brownsdale. For more information, call 507-567-2167.
May 7
Austin Symphony Orchestra: Homecoming
When: 2– 4 p.m. Where: Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School Enjoy this orchestra reunion, welcoming back pianists Roberto Plano and Paola del Negra in this performance of Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9. Season tickets are available; contact Sonia Larson at 507-433-8719 or email sonial@charter.net, or Sue Radloff at 507-396-2613 or email fiddlesue@yahoo.com, or go to www.austinmnsymphony. org.
Austin Citywide Rummage Sale
When: 9:30-4 p.m. Where: Austin Annual city-wide event with bargains everywhere! Check the special section of the Austin Daily Herald with listings or just drive around town exploring. For more information, call 507-433-8851.
May 6
Mower County Historical Society Open House
When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Where: Mower County Historical Society Mower County Historical Society staff and volunteers will be on hand to lead tours. Last tour leaves Administration Building at 1 p.m. 60 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
May 7
Austin Symphony Orchestra Fundraiser
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Where: Austin Country Club Tickets $50 per person, includes meal and musical performances. For more information, contact Sonia at sonial@charter.net or 507-433-8719, or Sue at fiddlesue@yahoo.com or 507-396-2613.
May 9
June 19
When: 2 - 4 p.m. Where: Village Cooperative of Austin Open to the public - refreshments provided. For more information, call 507-4331310.
When: 2 p.m. Where: Hormel Historic Home For more information, call 507-433-4243.
Village Coop Open House
May 12
Autism Family Respite Night
When: 6-8:30 p.m. Where: YMCA of Austin For K through sixth grade kids - an evening of ASD-appropriate fun staffed by ASD professionals. Activities may include snack-making, swimming, crafts, and games. For children with restricted diets, please send their own snacks. Cost $5. Register at the Hormel Historic Home - no payment will be taken at the YMCA. For more information, call 507-433-4243.
May 27
Driller MMA Fights
When: 6-10 p.m. Where: Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center For more information, call 507-433-1000.
Koncert for Kids by Tricia and the Toonies
June 22
Let ‘Em In - A Tribute to McCartney
When: 7 p.m. Where: Historic Paramount Theatre Tickets on sale May 11. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 on the day of the show. For more information, call 507-434-0934.
June 22-26
SpamTown Challenge
Where: Marcusen Park and Riverland Baseball Complex This annual event brings in teams from multiple states for some outstanding baseball over five days. For more information, contact John Frein at John.Frein@Donaldson.com.
June 24-25
Meadowfest in Grand Meadow
When: Varying times. Where: Grand Army of the Republic Hall This annual town celebration will also feature the opening of the newly-organized Grand Army of the Republic Hall exhibit building.
June 24
Shooting Star Bike Ride
When: 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Where: Starts in Rose Creek This bike road will give riders a chance to travel past the local farm fields on a trail that is growing in popularity.
June 9-10
Adams Dairy Days
Where: Adams Join Adams for this annual celebration featuring plenty of community spirit and pride. For more information, call 507-582-3601.
June 12
Songwriting Workshop with Charlie Maguire
When: 2-3 p.m. Where: Hormel Historic Home Participants will create an original song that Charlie will perform at the evening’s History Happy Hour Event. Free program. For more information, call 507-433-4243.
June 14-18
“Peter and the Starcatcher”
When: 7 p.m. on July 14-17, 2 p.m. on June 18 Where: Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College A Summerset Theatre production-this year celebrates 50 years of Summerset! For more information, go to www.summersettheatre.org.
June 30
Peace Garden Concert by Austin Community Jazz Band When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Historic Hormel Home For more information, call 507-433-4243.
June 30-July 4 Freedom Fest
When: Varying times. Where: Austin Annual celebration of our nation’s Independence Day, with parades, sports, games, vendors, food, music and entertainment, dances, contests, fireworks and more. For more information, call 507-437-4561. May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 61
BOOK REVIEW
RETURN OF MONKEEWRENCH
P.J. TRACY’S ‘THE SIXTH IDEA’ DIVES INTO A STRING OF MURDERS AND A TEAM OF MISFITS By Jeannie Kearney, Austin Page Turners In “The Sixth Idea” by P.J. Tracy, Minneapolis homicide detectives Leo Magozzi and Gino Rolseth have teamed up with Monkeewrench once again to solve a string of murders that the FBI doesn’t want to talk about. Someone is killing descendants of American Iron Foundry employees from 60 years ago, someone is killing those killers and AIF retired employees are being kidnapped. It seems that the government of at least one country is involved … but why? Is it tied to the Cold War? Does it have anything to do with “The Sixth Idea” or is that only a myth? Lydia Ascher, granddaughter of a long-dead (murdered?) AIF employee, might hold more clues than she realizes … if only her box of keepsakes had not been stolen. Can Minneapolis detectives Magozzi and Rolseth, the Jefferson County police department including Detective Harmon, and Monkeewrench keep her alive long enough to get the information needed to solve the crimes? And since this all takes place in Minnesota around Christmastime it, of course, occurs during a snowstorm! 62 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
P.J. Tracy is a pseudonym for the mother, daughter writing duo P.J. and Traci Lambrecht. Photo by Pamela Stege
Who is Monkeewrench, you ask? Monkeewrench is a team of four misfits who have come together as a family. Each is a master in technology and has amazing electronic skills. Together they have created advanced technology, including facial recognition and methods of recovering evidence believed to have been completely deleted. Each of P. J. Tracy’s books has Monkeewrench teaming up with the Minneapolis homicide detectives to solve cases in need of such skills. This is one of the best “who dunnit” plots yet. There are lots of twists and turns with a little humor thrown in the mix. The mother-daughter team of P. J. Tracy has outdone itself with this new book in the Monkeewrench series.
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery!
YES!
Please sign me up for a one-year subscription to receive 6 issues of Austin Living at the special rate of only $17.99. Discover all the ways to love Austin!
Name_________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________ City__________________________ State___________________ Zip_______________ Phone______________________________ E-mail_________________________________________________ Payment Enclosed
Bill Me Later
Charge my Visa or Mastercard Card No.______________________________________________ Expiration Date________________________________________ Signature_____________________________________________
May–June 2017 | Austin Living | 63
WHY I LOVE AUSTIN
A GREAT PLACE TO COACH Austin head coach Kris Fadness enjoys a community of success By Kris Fadness • Photo I love Austin for what you have given me, my family and the students I have been fortunate to coach and teach over the last 20 years. At 4:10 p.m. on Saturday, March 25, I walked out to the arena floor at the Target Center and looked up in the stands to see a sea of red assembling 50 minutes before tip. The following of the Packers boys basketball team brings an overwhelming flood of emotion to a head coach. I feel grateful to be in this position and don’t want to let this community down. It was incredible to see the Austin community support for the third time in five years of playing in the state championship game. The Austin Public School District hired me 20 years ago to teach physical education and coach boys basketball. My wife, Sandy, and I have raised our three children here and Austin is home. I have a great gig. I get to work with kids and share my passion for sport and fitness. I have worked with thousands of kids here in Austin through my teaching and coaching experiences, and I cherish the relationships I have been able to build with students, parents and the people I work with and for. Basketball has a great tradition here, going to 30 state tournaments, which is the most of any other school in the state. Our program took a major leap forward around nine years ago when a set of parents came to me with the idea of forming the Fastbreak Club to help us with some of our basketball needs. The club, run by parents, has done 64 | Austin Living | May–June 2017
by
Eric Johnson
outstanding work for all our basketball kids. It has not been lost on me that the forming of this group has coincided with us having eight consecutive winning seasons. Parents and basketball-loving people have taken on roles within our youth basketball program over the years as well, and the volunteer commitment and guidance of these people is commended. I hear of parent problems in other schools and communities, and I can tell you that I love our parents and the support they have given over the last 20 years. We don’t have a program without them, and they are a big reason for our successes. The leadership in our school district understands the importance that extra-curricular activities play in the development of our students and that those activities can also bring great community pride. We have teachers that go beyond, working with and for our kids. We have buildings and grounds people that take pride in the care of our facilities and allow our students access to them. There are many support people in the district that are a part of our success and you are thanked. At a Packer basketball game, you will see a hyped-up student body, parents, family members, district personnel, basketball-loving community members, young families, local business people, alumni and retirees. All of you have been a huge part of our successes. Multiple Big Nine coaches have commented on the positively-charged atmosphere in the Austin gym. Teams like playing here in the environment provided. I am grateful to be in Austin and to be your coach.