Austin Living Magazine • November-December 2018

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November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 1

EDITOR’S NOTE

In your home for the holidays

PUBLISHER Jana Gray

With the coming of November and December comes our final issue of the year.

But it also means that two of the most anticipated holidays of the year are upon us. While many can boast of their love of holidays like Halloween, many instead look forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas as it means family above all else.

Parents, grandparents, children, aunts and uncles will all be coming together for the holidays to take part and enjoy each other’s company.

This kind of atmosphere also marks the November-December edition of Austin Living as one of our favorite issues of the year. It’s a chance to be a part of that whimsy and holiday magic like everybody else and tell their stories, summing up the warmth of these holidays.

The boy in me always has looked back to the innocent fun of Christmas — the toys.

We saw a story idea in a magazine from another newspaper within our company and after some very quick thought decided that it was something we wanted to adapt in our own magazine.

Flip forward to the center of this edition and you will read about some of your neighbors that have kept gifts Eric Johnson, from their past. We thought this story could be an amazing Austin Living centerpiece of this holiday edition.

Editor We will also be visiting the stage of TubaChristmas, a national event that the people of Austin and the surrounding area have really welcomed into their holiday plans.

Our feature section will fill out with an ode to wine and Cody and Mitzi Anderson’s very own wine cellar. The perfect spot their family can entertain from during the holidays.

This year will be even more special as the late Dennis Conroy will be honored.

The popular music instructor at Hayfield High School, tragically and unexpectedly passed away last year.

Of course there is so much more, from baking to getting out and enjoying Christmas throughout Austin. We hope you enjoy this last issue of 2018 and wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

EDITORIAL Editor Eric Johnson Contributing Writers Rocky Hulne Eric Johnson Deb Nicklay Michael Stoll Hannah Yang Photographer Eric Johnson ART Art Director Colby Hansen Graphic Designers Susan Downey Kim Ehrich Colby Hansen Eric Johnson Kathy Johnson SALES & PROMOTION Sales & Marketing Manager Heather Ryks Sales Representatives Mike Delhanty Brenda Landherr Brodie Long Heather Ryks NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018 Volume 6, Number 6 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 507-434-2235.

To purchase advertising, call 507-434-2220 © A Minnesota Publishers Inc. publication

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November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 3

WHAT’S INSIDE

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2018

SEEN

OUT & ABOUT

6 BACK TO SCHOOL

26 THE DIVERSITY OF UNITY

Kids turn out for the first day of school throughout Austin.

Institute scientists from around the world combine their talents to fight cancer.

10 HOMECOMING IN AUSTIN

28 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Austin and Pacelli schools show off their homecoming spirit.

Hormel Historic Home shares winter wonder through decor.

WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

TRAVEL

12 EXPANSIVE VIEW

56 DOWNHILL ADVENTURE

A spanning view over Icy Straight Point, Alaska submitted by Karen Baier.

Get your skiing thrills just a short jog up I-35 at Buck Hill.

AREA EATS

LOOKING BACK

14 AN OSTRANDER ICON

58 STORE INTERIORS FROM DAYS GONE BY

Susie’s Roadhouse serves diners a homemade meal.

A look into the business heart of Austin.

HOME & HEARTH

AREA HAPPENINGS

20 AROUND THE TABLE

60 THE BIGGEST UPCOMING EVENTS

Tips for a stress-free holiday.

THE LIST 22 EYES TOWARD CHRISTMAS

Woodson critters offer up what they want to see under the tree.

BOOK REVIEW 62 APPRECIATING WOOL

Memoir opens up the world of a versatile fiber.

WHY I LOVE AUSTIN 64 BRINGING AUSTIN SOME ELVEN MAGIC

4 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

Merry Elf Elfson an ambassador for Christmas.

FEATURED 34 TOY STORY

Austin residents hold onto memories of Christmas.

44 MERRY TUBACHRISTMAS

Big horns set to entertain Austin once again.

50 STUDENTS OF THE VINE

Andersons grow a passion for winemaking.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 5

Back to school

SEEN

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The kids are back in school, the teachers back in front of their students.

An annual tradition of so many families is taking pictures of their students on the first day.

We at Austin Living have also started a tradition and that’s opening up our pages to those families who want to show off that special first day.

Find more back to school photos on page 8.

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1. Aden Pierce, in doorway, and Cadie Pierce, fifth grade, I.J. Holton Intermediate School. Mason Weems, second grade Southgate Elementary. Parents are Tony Pierce and Michelle Hoy. 2. Ashton Lamaack, second grade at Sumner Elementary School. Parents are Misty and Anthony Lamaack.

3. Alexandra Goetz, sixth grade at I.J. Holton Intermediate School; Keaton Goetz, junior at Austin High School; and Jackson Goetz, sophomore at Austin High School. Parents are Corey and Angie Goetz.

4. Jaime Miller, freshman, Austin High School and Justin Miller, junior, Austin High School. Parents are Dan and Kelli Miller.

5. Adalind Erickson, preschool at the YMCA. Parents are Dillan Erickson and Teri Anderson.

6. Izaac Erickson, seventh grade, Ellis Middle School. Parents are Dillan Erickson and Teri Anderson.

6 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

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7. Kinsley Tieskoetter, first grade Southgate Elementary School and Brekyn Tieskoetter, third grade Southgate Elementary School. Parents are Shane and Evan Tieskoetter.

8. Beckett Keist, second grade Banfield Elementary. Parents are Linnea Williamson and Ben Keist.

9. Beau Sathre, fourth grade and Addy Sathre, second grade, Sacred Heart Elementary, Adams. Parents are Jill and Kevin Sathre.

10. Mason Landherr, first grade, and little sister Emma Landherr. Parents are Adam and Crystal Landherr.

11. Finley Kern, Woodson Kindergarten Center. Parents are Josh and Kayla Kern.

12. Beckett McLaren, first grade Southgate Elementary School. Parents are Patrick and Ashley McLaren.

13. Mason Stepp, fourth grade and Kayla Stepp, first grade, Southgate Elementary School. Parents are Chris and Kari Stepp.

14. Justice Nelson, first grade Neveln Elementary School. Parents are Amber Barclay and Brandon Nelson.

15. Kirin Opstad, seventh grade at Ellis Middle School and Jack Opstad, fifth grade at I.J. Holton Intermdiate School.

Parents are Dan and Trinity Opstad.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 7

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16. Madisyn Busker, sophomore Austin High School. Parents are Jeremy Busker and Crissy Busker.

17. Brody Majerus, eighth grade Ellis Middle School and Brett Majerus, sixth grade I.J. Holton Intermediate School. Parents are Stacy Erkeneff and Andy Majerus.

18. Peyton Ryks, third grade at Neveln Elementary School. Parents are Heather Ryks and Joel Ryks.

19. Hudson Schaefer, kindergarten at Woodson Kindergarten Center. Parents are Bryan and Kylene Schaefer.

20. Camryn Deters, fourth grade Southland Elementary School and Kinley Deters, preschool, Southland. Parents are Nick and Melissa Deters.

21. Kaydence Schaefer third grade at Southgate Elementary School. Parents are Bryan and Kylene Schaefer.

22. Evelyn Stundahl, kindergarten Woodson Kindergarten Center. Parents are Jaime Srsen and Chris Stundahl.

23. Ryler Battin, second year of preschool at the YMCA. Parents are Cassie Battin and Kody Gates.

24. Logan Underdahl, kindergarten at Woodson Kindergarten Center. Parents are Anna Rauen and Joe Underdahl.

8 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

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November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 9

Homecoming in Austin Homecoming is a special time of the year for schools.

Both Austin and Pacelli celebrate their homecomings with a sort of pride only students can bring.

It’s also a chance to further connect school to community as those from the community can celebrate the pride of the hometown team.

The following pictures show off that pride inherent in most all schools.

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10 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

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1. The sophomore class parties down during the homecoming parade.

2. The Austin High School senior class rolls past.

3. The class of 1958 celebrates homecoming along the parade route.

4. Sarah Bachmeier is crowned Austin homecoming queen. The queen candidates were: Sarah Bachmeier, Eleanor Hinchcliffe, Signe Fadness, Jenna Braaten, Chloe Guttormson.

5. Emmanuel Younis is crowned Austin homecoming king.

King candidates included: Nate Murphy, Emmanuel Younis, Wyatt Wallis, Brock Lawhead and Connor Byram.

6. The Austin High School band leads the 2018 parade.

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7. The 2018 Pacelli Homecoming Court Getsemani Ramirez and Mason Holtorf, from left, Pal Koak and Lucy Nelson, Marissa McConnell and Ed Dreyer, Myra Kraemer and Daniel Nelson, Kayla Christopherson and Trace Fishbaugher and Abigail Bollingberg and Fernanda De La Cruz. At center is 2017’s royalty Tayha Rogne and Isai Lopez.

8. Mason Holtorf, far left, is crowned Pacelli homecoming king.

9. Lucy Nelson is crowned Pacelli homecoming queen 10. The Austin boys soccer team looks out over the parade from their float in the homecoming parade.

11. Students, teachers and family from Woodson Kindergarten Center march in the parade.

12. The members of the Ellis Middle School band add to the homecoming fanfare.

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November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 11

WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

12 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

Expansive view Photo by Karen Baier Icy Straight Point, Alaska, taken in July of 2018.

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.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 13

AREA EATS

14 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

Some of the great eats you’ll find at Susie’s Roadhouse include, from front, the Kevie’s Garbage Burger, ribs, and Chicken Bacon Cheese Sandwich.

An Ostrander icon Susie’s Roadhouse is an Ostrander icon recognized throughout the area.

Susie’s Roadhouse serves diners a homemade meal Story

and

Photos

Ostrander is a tiny town; blink and you’ll miss it. But if you mention Ostrander to someone who’s been there, chances are they’ll mention Susie’s Roadhouse.

Sitting along Main Street in the heart of Ostrander, Susie’s Roadhouse has been an iconic restaurant in the small town for many years. The interior has no frills; the lighting is subdued, the bar boasts a massive ice bucket packed with beer, and the floors around the tables are littered with peanut shells because, as their eyebrow-raising slogan boasts, it is the place “Where you can throw your nuts on the floor!”

Named after the previous owner’s wife, Susie’s Roadhouse was purchased by current owner Pat Nesler in 2008.

“I had (restaurant ownership) in the back of my mind

by

Michael Stoll

almost all of my life,” he said. “When I was about 10, my aunt and uncle owned a bar in my hometown (Dover, Minnesota). Otherwise, I wanted to be a truck driver in my early days because that’s what most of my family did. That’s what I actually did until I acquired this place.”

So why purchase a restaurant in Ostrander? For Nesler, it was a simple answer.

“Because it was for sale,” he said with a laugh. “That’s pretty much it. It was on a whim. It had just so happened the previous owner had dropped the price and I got a call and made an offer. It just kind of fell into place and everything went from there.”

It was a bold decision, considering that Nesler had no prior restaurant experience before making the purchase.

Editor’s note: This is the second in an Area Eats series showcasing the tasty food variety in and around Ostrander.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 15

Dariel Bustad, from left, Kim Nesler, Pat Nesler and Bailie Nesler are some of the familiar faces that make Susie’s Restaurant a true local icon.

“Pretty much all of it (was a challenge),” he said. “It’s been a learning experience, just like different things I did in my previous job. You learn on the go. I had a lot of help from regular customers that worked here from years before, so they knew the way it was done before. I’ve been trying to keep that going … I pretty much learned it that way.”

Nesler commuted from Dover for roughly a year before finding a place to live in Ostrander.

Not wanting to mess with the restaurant’s success, Nesler decided to make as few changes as possible, including keeping the name.

“Everybody knows it from all around,” he said. “People from Northern Minnesota, Iowa, or wherever know Ostrander from Susie’s Roadhouse. I’ve been trying to keep everything the same, including throwing the peanut shells on the floor.”

That also applied to the menu. While Nesler said he added more options to the salad bar and a few menu items, the menu still offers a wide array of steaks, burgers, sandwiches and side items.

Nesler said that running a restaurant in a small town can be challenging, citing the summer roadwork on Main Street as 16 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

a bit of a deterrent for diners. But the restaurant’s popularity, evidenced by the countless signed dollar bills from regulars and well-wishers on the walls, has kept it going.

“It’s close to a homemade meal and we have a great group here that really have a feel for the place and enjoy coming to work here and enjoy the people,” Nesler said. “I think it’s the service and the quality of the food. I always get options thrown at me from vendors and salesmen to try something different, and that’s a big thing in most restaurants. They change up the menu and sometimes the looks of the place inside. We’ve redone some parts of the place and relocated some of the things, but other than that, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”

And despite the bar atmosphere, Susie’s is a family business, with Nesler’s wife, Kim, and son, Bailie, working to keep the place running. As such, it attracts families as well.

“The kids love it when they can litter,” Nesler said, referring to the peanut shells on the floor. “It puts a big smile on their face.”

“It’s all around a good experience,” he added. “If people want to come here, we’ll take care of them.”

Tasty recommendations

Signed dollar bills from Susie’s Roadhouse’s many fans line the walls of the restaurant.

So you’ve never been to Susie’s Roadhouse and you don’t know what to try. Nesler says everything’s good, but if you don’t have time (or stomach capacity) to take a taste of everything, here are a few suggestions from this humble food writer.

Kevie’s Garbage Burger You read that name correctly, but don’t judge this burger by that. Named after the previous owner’s first partner, Kevie’s Garbage Burger features a beef patty topped with a layer of pepperoni, blanketed by a mixture of cheese, mushrooms and black olives that is then topped with jalapenos. Sure, you can get the burger without the jalapenos, but why deprive yourself of the sweet heat that pulls this burger’s flavor profile together?

Chicken Bacon Cheese Sandwich You may be asking yourself, “Is it a chicken sandwich with bacon and cheese or a cheese sandwich with chicken and bacon?” The answer is yes. While one would suspect the bacon to be what really makes this sandwich pop, one bite will have you realize that the juicy chicken holds its own. Granted, bacon does make everything better.

BBQ Pork Baby Back Ribs Slathered in house-made barbecue sauce, the meat on these tender ribs is practically begging to fall off the bone. A half rack will fill you up, but go for a full rack if you really have an insatiable appetite.

Ribs can also be added to an accompaniment to any order.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 17

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HOME & HEARTH

Around the Table

Mini Pumpkin Spice Cakes

By Jen Haugen, RDN, LD

Tips for a stress-free holiday

O

ne of my favorite things about the holiday season is the opportunity to cook for other people.

From brunches, to delicious dinners, the smells of the food cooking in the kitchen and the warmth that cooking brings into the air sets the perfect stage for entertaining. And the memories that come with these meals can often last a lifetime.

A few years ago, I tried something new for Thanksgiving. As each person arrived, they received a small slip of white paper and wrote what they were thankful for on it. I took those papers and rolled them inside crescent rolls and baked them. As we enjoyed the meal, we discovered each other’s gratitudes and my kids still think there is a paper rolled up inside every crescent roll since then. Powerful memories!

So rather than stress about these meals, here are some tips to making them more enjoyable this season: • Do as much as you can the night before. This can really make or break you!

If you can begin the prepping process the night before, you will sleep better and not worry about all the little things for the next day. Things that I do are set the table the night before, prep and chop all the veggies going into the recipes the next day (as able), and bake any desserts that need to be cooked as the oven is often tied up with other dishes.

• Give your guests something to go home

20 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

with, like something you’ve baked. This is what I like to call “baking to gift” or “baking to bless.” Everyone likes a little gift every now and again, simple things like a mini loaf of pumpkin bread or cinnamon coffee cake can really sweeten the day. Homemade treats are a great way to show your guests that you were glad they came and when you pack it in a small box with their name, it can even double as a place card.

• Remember why you are hosting.

Remember you wanted to spend time with your guests and not be in the kitchen stressed out by yourself. Think of all the things you love that happen while everyone is together. It may also be a great time to pull out family photos from the past year (or even long ago) to share stories. I also love using conversation cards during the meal because it sparks stories that might not otherwise be told.

• Don’t forget the drinks. I often forget to put drinks on my menu because I am so concerned with the food. To prevent a last minute scramble, provide two or three drink options for guests to enjoy, or even set up a hot cocoa bar with toppings and homemade whipped cream.

• Enlist help from others. Sometimes I like to “do it all” and provide everything that goes with the meal. But there is more fun to be had when others help with side dishes, or bring an arrangement of flowers, or help with the dishes after the meal.

About Jen Jen Haugen, RDN, LD, is a mom, 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. She offers private inhome cooking experiences for hosts and their friends to gather in the kitchen and learn kitchen tips and recipes and use tools to make cooking fun. She specializes in culinary demonstrations, as well as private appointments. Like her Facebook Page, Jen Haugen RD, where she has a weekly cooking show. Follow her on Instagram at Jen Haugen RD. And subscribe to her blog at jenhaugen.com.

Mini Pumpkin Spice Cakes A recipe you can bake to give to your guests!

Recipe Source: Pampered Chef

Ingredients

•Oil for spritzing •¾ cup (175 mL) all-purpose flour •½ tsp (2 mL) baking powder •⅛ tsp (0.5 mL) salt •1½ tsp (7 mL) pumpkin pie spice •¼ cup (50 mL) butter, softened (½ stick) •¼ cup (50 mL) sugar •¼ cup (50 mL) solid pack pumpkin puree •1 egg yolk •½ cup (125 mL) milk

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray the fall harvest cake pan with oil using the kitchen spritzer.

2. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a small mixing bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar until the mixture is light. Add the pumpkin and yolk and beat until combined. Add the milk and mix until combined.

4. Add the flour mixture to the milk mixture and beat until just smooth.

5. Divide the batter into the wells of the pan using the medium scoop.

6. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until a Cake Tester & Releaser inserted in the centers comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing.

To purchase the Fall Harvest Cake Pan or any items from Pampered Chef, go to www.pamperedchef.com/ pws/jenhaugen November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 21

EYES TOWARD

THE LIST

Woodson critters offer up what they want to see under the tree Story

and

Photos

by

Eric Johnson

Christmas for families and friends is a special time of love, joy and coming together.

For children, however, it represents a particularly serious time of year. One full of plenty of thought and maybe a little anxiety.

What do they want for Christmas?

For years, children have put plenty of thought into what they want for Christmas, creating lists and peppering parents with those ideas.

And if you had any doubts as to any of this, we visited Woodson Kindergarten Center to get to the heart of the matter.

We polled six youngsters, who to no one’s surprise, already had ideas of what they want to find under the Christmas tree on Christmas Day. From glitter glue to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, here are the hopes of these youngsters for a happy Christmas morning.

Achuoth Achuoth Deng

Nate Goins

Leslie Fonseca Esparza

Green Otter Son of Jacob and Rebecca Achuoth “A remote control helicopter. I like flying it around and making the sound effects.”

Red Bear Son of Albert and Jennifer Goins “A (Teenage Mutant) Ninja Turtle Lego set. Raph is my favorite and I like Legos.”

Green Gopher Daughter of Jorge Fonseca and Jessica Rodriguez Fonseca “I want a toy I can play with with my brother and sister.”

22 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

Reese Meyer Blue Chipmunk Daughter of David and Desiree Meyer “Glitter glue for my skateboard.”

Anthony Sanchez Blue Raccoon Son of Angel Sanchez “A Nintendo Switch.

I play ‘Sonic the Hedgehog.’”

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Constance Wadley Barrett Red Owl Daughter of Dion and Amanda Wadley “A JoJo Siwa CD.”

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November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 23

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OUT & ABOUT

The diversity of unity

Dr. Bin Liu, section leader of the Transcription and Gene Regulation lab.

Photo courtesy of the Hormel Institute 26 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

Institute scientists from around the world combine their talents to fight cancer Story

and

Photos By The Hormel Institute

transcription, it can lead to a variety of diseases, including At The Hormel Institute, diversity is a strength that cancer. helps make the cancer research center successful.

Excited about collaboration, Liu is currently sharing The Hormel Institute’s organizational culture includes research projects with Executive Director Dr. Zigang Dong scientists from many different countries coming together to determine the structure of important proteins in cancer, to work and live. The consequential mixing of ideas as well as Dr. Yibin Deng. contributes to The Hormel Institute’s achievements and “I enjoy the new opportunities to further my research strength. Researchers from the United States, China, that The Hormel Institute has given me,” Liu said. “I look Korea, India, Argentina, Sweden, the United Kingdom, forward to many more collaborations with others here in Israel, Pakistan, Russia and more are united as they work to the future.” accelerate answers to cancer.

Dr. Liu and his family enjoy living in Austin, which he The Hormel Institute is in the process of hiring top describes as small, quiet and researchers from around very pretty. The community the country and world. of Austin wasted no time in Recruiting is done showing him and his family internationally every day what “Minnesota Nice” really as the search for top talent means. When he started continues.

Currently, there are about 130 faculty and staff and the process of enrolling his Dr. Bin Liu is one such 15 research sections, with the goal to reach 250 children in school, people new hire and came to The faculty and staff over the next few years. were quick to point him Hormel Institute from Yale to the right people and University. He moved his principals were happy to answer questions and provide family (wife and three children) to Austin in July. Prior to support. that he was at the Scripps Research Institute in San Diego, “Everyone has been very friendly,” Dr. Liu said.

California and earned his Ph.D. in Singapore.

Minnesota also has something else Dr. Liu is excited Now section leader of the Transcription and Gene about — lots of great fishing.

Regulation lab at The Hormel Institute, Dr. Liu’s research “Minnesota is the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’ and this is focus is on transcription, the first and most important part good because I fish for a hobby,” said Liu. of gene expression. Gene expression is the process of taking “This is also good because I like to eat fish!” he added, information stored in genes and turning it into a functional laughing. product, like a protein. When something goes wrong during

WHAT IS A MENTOR? This is an Austin area community member who would like to share their time to develop a friendship with a Hormel Institute scientist.

ACTIVITIES THAT MENTORS & SCIENTISTS MIGHT DO • Meet for coffee • Have dinner together • Attend local exhibits, sports events or plays • Attend an Art Center lesson • Play board games together • Visit and learn about each other’s culture For information on becoming a mentor, contact Pam Hollrah-Asleson, RN, DTM, 507-481-4469, phollrah-asleson@ RNCandC.com or The Hormel Institute, 507-437-9619.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 27

28 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

Kim Guzman has been heading up the Christmas decorating of the Hormel Historic Home for a few years now and takes great pride in getting the old home prepared for the holiday season.

Home for the Holidays

Kim Guzman stands in the basement of the Hormel Historic Home, surrounded by all the Christmas decorations that will find their way to the upstairs rooms of the mansion.

Hormel Historic Home shares winter wonder through decor

By Hannah Yang • Photos Below the Hormel Historic Home, a large storage room filled to the brim with Christmas decorations will soon see the light of day and welcome the holiday spirit.

Boxes upon boxes of Christmas tree ornaments, trees and garlands are organized by color and size. There’s little trinkets scattered here and there, but each part plays a role in the annual decorating. For Kim Guzman, this is her absolute favorite time of year: preparing the Hormel Historic Home for Christmas.

by

Eric Johnson

“It’s just a grand home,” Guzman said. “When we started, not even a fraction of the house was decorated. This place is like a grand old lady that needs her jewelry for Christmas.”

For six years, Guzman has been decorating the Hormel Historic Home with strong roots in tradition. She first became hooked after decorating the home’s main staircase for her daughter’s wedding and has since been the ring leader in rallying her three “elves” to bring some cheer to the employees and the Austin community.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 29

Nancy Arneson plays the piano in the main living room, beneath the largest tree the Hormel Historic Home displays.

This photo was taken at an open house in 2016.

“We get together,” she said. “We start from the top and work our way down. My goal is to have a tree in every room of the Hormel Historic Home. I’m a Christmas decorating enthusiast and I’ve always been that way. I lead two others to help me decorate. We craft something every year.”

Each Christmas, Guzman rallies her “elves” and spends several weekends decorating the home with festive flourishes and Christmas trees that reach the ceilings, and are adorned with ornaments that indicate a theme. There are centerpieces and tablescapes.

The decorations that the Hormel Home curated over the years were mostly from donations or handmade by the volunteers who come together. Guzman revealed that many of those decorations that guests can see inside the Hormel Historic Home are from Pat and Gary Ray. Despite having thrown out eight Christmas trees from old age, there’s still quite a number left for decorating the halls, according to Guzman. No stone is left unturned, and there’s a guarantee that there’s a festive touch somewhere 30 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

inside the Hormel Historic Home. Decorating starts on Halloween, and that’s when the magic begins.

“When I walk into any house, there’s family and friends and the house is decorated for Christmas,” Guzman said.

“Christmas is definitely my thing. I love the memories.”

Before Guzman took the reins in decorating, the Hormel Historic Home used to be decorated by vendors from around town who’d showcase their wares. There wasn’t anything too extravagant, according to Holly Johnson, executive director of the Hormel Historic Home.

By the time the vendors packed up, there’d be a scramble to get decorations up for the holidays, she said.

“It was a typical open house,” Johnson shared. “It took a lot of commitment, and it would have to last throughout the season.”

Guzman said that before the house was decorated, visitors to the home had decreased. With her joining the crew, Guzman said there was a “dramatic difference” along with several holiday events planned through the home such as “Soup and Santa” which draws “hundreds of people.”

And of course there is Santa Clause, who in this picture holds four-month-old Edward Coyle at the 2017 Hormel Historic Home’s Soup and Santa event.

Below, children and their families laugh at the antics of Mixed Nuts at the Hormel Historic Home’s Soup & Santa in 2017. This is just one aspect that brings families to the festive interior of the historic mansion.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 31

Above, fake Christmas trees fill up a majority of the Hormel Historic Home basement and soon they will fill up the home itself.

Decorated trees will be found throughout the Hormel Historic Home.

32 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

“The walk-ins increased even more so,” she said. “It’s been a huge success, and we usually sell out ... We need to keep up with the times. Rochester has Mayowood, but we have the Hormel Home. I think our home should reflect that at Christmas. I think we’ve succeeded.”

However, what remains a mystery to this day, was exactly how the Hormel family decorated for the holidays, Johnson said.

Other than a few mentions from visiting family during Christmas, there weren’t any specific details on decor or anything that gave hint to the festive flair that the Hormels might have had.

“I have tried time and time again to find records of how the Hormels decorated their home,” she said. “Nothing was of interest.

They may have done something that was of trend at the time.”

Guzman suggested that with the Hormels’ strong German heritage, it may have been possible that the family may have decorated based on cultural tradition such as nutcrackers, or possibly the traditional glass ornaments with history tracing back to the German town of Lauscha in the mid 1800’s, that were made with mercury or lead for luster finish.

Aside from creating festive displays of holiday spirit, what Guzman hopes guests will take away from those spaces are places to gather and to create warm memories that last a lifetime, and those memories continue to stay with them past the Christmas season.

“It’s always a wonderful time to be with the staff,” Guzman said. “When I was here for my daughter’s wedding, we spent the whole weekend there and the Hormel Home was so beautiful.

It’s so beautiful. I love it. I really wanted decorating to be a Christmas tradition. For families to stop in to visit on Christmas.”

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 33

Toy Story

By Deb Nicklay • Photos

by

Eric Johnson

They kept their favorites to honor the giver, the tradition and the memories

34 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

The best toys are like

unicorns. They include enough horse to be real, but enough horn to become magical.

— Amber and Andy Ankowski, “The Anatomy of the Perfect Toy,” PBS.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 35

F

or these Austin residents, holding onto childhood Christmas gifts isn’t about value — at least not in the monetary sense.

The memories measured by a doll’s broken arm, a Lionel train set or the faded pages of a favorite book, are worth much, much more than any price tag, they say.

“I think with the changing days, when our kids move away … it’s like every tradition you can keep is sacred,” said Lisa Deyo, who owns Sweet Reads bookstore in Austin.

And, those items you keep from childhood are the touchstones of family traditions, she said.

“And you hope at least one of your kids will carry them on,” she said.

Lisa For Deyo, who grew up in rural Austin, a recent discovery of her family’s 1958 children’s book, “The Night Before Christmas,” triggered warm memories of past Christmases. The colorful book has a “felted” cover, which refers to the soft fabric-like accents that when touched, feel like felt.

Deyo, who grew up to become teacher as well as bookseller, said she clearly recalled reading and re-reading the book which illustrated the beloved poem written by Clement Clarke Moore.

“My 87-year-old mom happened to be in the (book) store late last fall when a woman asked about getting a special Christmas book from her childhood,” Deyo recalled.

“As she described the book to me, my mom and I both perked up — it was also a special book for us.”

Deyo researched the title and although she could not find the one sought by her customer, it ignited a desire to see if the long-ago book from her childhood was still in the family home.

Neither Deyo nor her mom, Betty Lou Lyle, had seen the book in recent years, so “Mom went home to dig it up,” she said. “And sure enough, she had not one, but two copies of it.”

Deyo said the book brought back Christmas memories — many of them surrounding books. Her mother always had this book, and other Christmas books, on hand for reading before the holiday. Deyo could almost smell her mother’s preparations of the traditional Norwegian treats of lefse, krumkake and Deyo’s favorite, rommegrot, a rich, Norwegian dessert, which she continues to make today during the holidays.

This past Christmas saw new memories being made, she said, when she and her siblings received Christmas gifts from their mom — each containing old books Deyo that had been in the family for years.

Her siblings looked pained when they heard what they were getting.

“I, on the other hand, opened my box of books and jumped up, dancing, singing, thanking her greatly,” when she found her box contained one of the copies of the book she loved so much.

“It will always be my treasure and one my mom and I will share with secret delight,” she said.

Last Christmas, Deyo took photos of her mom reading the same book to a younger generation of family.

And so the traditions continue.

It will always be my treasure and one my mom and I will share with secret delight.

—

36 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

Lisa Deyo remembers the special connection with her mother through this telling of “The Night Before Christmas.” Deyo recalls reading the famed story over and over again throughout her childhood.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 37

38 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

S

teve Kime was the oldest of three children in his parent’s Austin household — which worked in his gift-receiving favor, since his next sibling behind him was six years younger than he.

Keeping the Santa myth alive for his younger siblings, he said with a chuckle, allowed him to receive gifts from Santa far longer than most.

Those gifts from Santa have remained special — and he has kept several of them.

One is a microscope and lab set he received when he was 10 years old.

“It was just one of those things I couldn’t part with,” he said. “I keep it downstairs on a shelf, pull it out every once in a while. I’ve even used it myself as an adult when I was curious about something.”

The gift came on the Christmas following a trip to California earlier that year to visit relatives. His uncle, a science teacher, showed Kime how to use a microscope.

“I remember Steve we went to scoop up some water from a pond and then looked at the water under a microscope — and oh my gosh, the things you could see in pond water,” Kime said.

His interest sparked, a microscope was at the top of his Christmas list later that year.

His love of science remained throughout his school years, he said.

But the biggest impact of the gift — who knows? — may have been on his daughters,

both of whom sought careers in science. Kime himself had a career in information technology — a different type of science — and worked at Hormel Foods.

“I’m sure they both used it for something or other,” he said, referring to the microscope and lab set. His oldest daughter, Gina Razidlo, is today a cancer researcher with Mayo Clinic in Rochester; his other daughter, Janelle Olson, of Roseville, holds a doctorate in immunology and is an immunogenetic senior specialist at Be the Match, an organization that matches bone marrow donors with recipients.

Not bad, for a gift that in 1956 cost $9.95.

His science set isn’t the only gift he kept.

He has both a Lionel train set he got when he was 8 years old and a western Fort Apache set he received in grade school that also help recall childhood holidays.

He was never one to sneak about, wanting to covertly open gifts before Christmas Eve. That would have spoiled the fun, he said.

“I can remember, so impatiently, waiting to open gifts,” he said.

“It was always a big gathering; we would have both grandparents from both sides there — those are just great Kime memories.”

Like Deyo, he isn’t sure where his treasures will end up. He has grandchildren who have already enjoyed playing with the Fort Apache set.

And if truth be known, he’s not really done playing with the toys.

His Lionel train set needs some work, don’t you know.

“I would like to see it running again,” he said with a smile. “I have it laid out …”

I remember we

went to scoop up some water from a pond and then looked at the water under a microscope — and oh my gosh, the things you could see in pond water.

—

Steve Kime was introduced to science early on with his science kit and accompanying book. That love of science has continued today.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 39

A

vintage collection of dolls and stuffed animals have remained in Sue Grove’s home her entire life.

“I can’t get rid of the dolls because they remind me so much of my mother,” Grove said. She has scores of dolls and stuffed animals given to her at Christmas throughout her younger years.

“Christmas meant so much to my mother,” she said of her childhood in St. Paul. “We did it up big.”

The gift of dolls seemed to carry particular importance in her family — perhaps because her mother, who had a twin sister, always had to share a doll given as a gift at Christmas between the two of them.

Grove’s collection reflects the popular dolls of the time: a Revlon doll, Tiny Tears, Ginny doll, Madam Alexander dolls Sue and, of course, Barbie, are just a few of the many she has saved.

But one in particular — named Margaret Ann — was special.

“My mother made an entire wardrobe for her,” which she has kept, Grove said.

The Christmas of her childhood was festive and reflected the family’s French heritage — perhaps it comes as no surprise that Grove eventually became a professor in instruction of the French language.

Grove, professor emeritus at Riverland Community College, said Christmas meant the serving of a favorite FrenchCanadian dish called pork pie.

Grove carried on the tradition of making the meat pie, which is a mixture of pork, onion and potatoes, but only after she carefully studied her mother, who created the

dish over several holidays. Like most of her generation, her mother wrote down very little and what was written had wide interpretation.

Grove’s childhood household was busier than most at Christmas. Her aunt and uncle lived next door — and by “next door,” we mean on the other side of the house.

“We lived in a double house,” Grove explained, referring to a house with an entrance hall, but with rooms on each side that accommodated two families.

Christmas Eves — when presents were opened — found her family, her aunt and uncle’s families, and grandparents, all gathered together in the home.

There were many holiday decorations — Grove even had her own tree in her bedroom, she said.

Her dolls and stuffed animals are not her only connection to family. She has ornaments that belonged to her parents and grandparents — some are well over 100 years old. The stories about their original owners have Grove been handed down, Grove said.

She isn’t sure what will happen with her dolls, her stuffed animals or ornaments, but she has hopes that her granddaughter will keep the faith, so to speak.

“She knows the stories of the collections, and family lore,” Grove said.

“I hope she’ll be the one to keep those stories alive.”

I can’t get rid of the dolls because they remind me so much of my mother.

—

40 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

Sue Grove’s dolls came from her earliest memories of Christmas.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 41

For another year, tuba enthusiasts gathered at the Paramount Theatre for a Merry TubaChristmas in 2017.

The popular show will return again this year

44 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

Merry

TubaChristmas!

Entering its ninth year, the big horns continue to entertain

By Deb Nicklay • Photos

by

Eric Johnson

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 45

I

f you know nothing about Austin’s annual Merry TubaChristmas concerts held in Austin each December, you have to understand this: TubaChristmas is definitely more than the sum of its tubas (and euphoniums, baritones and sousaphones).

TubaChristmas has a special flavor, sound and look, created and nurtured by musicians who not only love tubas, but also enjoy the event’s camaraderie, the season — and then there is that visual display, too.

You won’t find many venues in which musicians dress in Santa hats and reindeer ears — or outfit their instruments with everything from tinsel and garland, to strings of lights and Christmas bows.

“It’s magical; it’s something special; a different way, with a different sound, to celebrate the holidays,” said Nancy Schnable, the executive director of Discover Austin, the community’s convention and visitor’s bureau. Discover Austin organizes and sponsors the concert each year at The Historic Paramount Theatre. This year’s event, which is free, will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 1.

“TubaChristmas is unique, to say the least,” agreed Eric Heukeshoven, a music professor at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona, and one of the directors in Austin’s event this year. “Fun for the players and audience alike.”

TubaChristmas concerts have been held all over the country since Harvey Phillips created the event in New York City in 1974. Since that time, TubaChristmases have been established in cities all over the United States; in fact, some of the musicians in Austin’s version got their first taste of the event in other locales.

It was the late Val Pitzen who brought the idea of a TubaChristmas to Austin. Pitzen, of Stacyville, Iowa, was the recreation director for Austin Park and Recreation for 29 years and well-known for her establishment and involvement in many community and area programs — and TubaChristmas.

Her mother, Carol Koch, said her daughter played in Mason City, Iowa’s TubaChristmas, and said afterward, ‘We can do that,’ in Austin.

“When Val wanted to do something, she went at it whole hog,” said Koch with a chuckle.

The first TubaChristmas in Austin was held in 2010 at Oak Park Mall “and I think there were about 15 musicians,” Koch added. Jane Orvick, band director at Southland schools — Pitzen’s alma mater — led the first concert.

Since then, the numbers have grown — a lot.

“We’ve had as many as 50 players,” said Schnable. “A lot depends on whatever the weather is like that day.”

Musicians practice in the morning, enjoy a breakfast and then perform. It is a “y’all come” type of concert. All skill levels are welcomed; those participating have been as young as 8 years old and as old as 93, said Schnable. While audience members listen for free, musicians pay $10 to participate and 46 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

proceeds go to the Tuba Foundation.

The popular concert is recorded on DVDs and sent to nursing homes in the area, so those who cannot attend can still enjoy the show.

The event moved to The Historic Paramount Theatre in 2015 — a venue many applauded. Having a stage and the proper acoustics is an added plus in Austin.

The number of directors varies. Beginning with one, the event has since welcomed as many as four, who hand off the baton during the performance. Audience members may also hear a bit of history and are urged to sing along with some of the offerings. Traditional holiday music makes up the program that lasts about an hour.

This year, in addition to Heukeshoven, directors will include Rebecca Combs-Cawley from Stewartville, Ross Reishus from Blooming Prairie, and Christoph Dundas from Austin. Combs-Cawley, Reishus and Dundas are all directors of high school bands.

Both players and directors alike agree Austin’s event is special.

“The baritone, euphonium, tuba and sousaphone instruments typically don’t get many fun parts in band music,” said Reishus, “ so this event was designed to showcase those low voice instruments” by giving them a chance to play the melody — usually reserved for high-pitched instruments such as the trumpet, flute and clarinet.

“That’s why TubaChristmas is so special,” he said.

Photo provided

“When Val wanted to do something, she went at it whole hog” -Carol Koch,

Val Pitzen’s mother.

It was Val who first brought TubaChristmas to Austin. She was honored at the TubaChristmas following her passing.

Christoph Dundas, Austin Director of Bands, participates in last year’s Merry TubaChristmas, held at The Historic Paramount Theatre.

Musicians come from near and far, according to Schnable.

“One year we had musicians come from six states,” she said, adding some musicians travel to different TubaChristmases each year — sometimes over hundreds of miles.

James Lynn, who lives in Ohio, is one of those players.

He has participated in 13 TubaChristmases in five different states. He is professor emeritus in audiology at the University at Akron and is a lifelong euphonium player.

He travels with his brother, Robert, who lives in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. The pair came to Austin in 2014 since it was so close to their sister’s home in Dodge Center. They have also played in Minnesota concerts at Northfield and St. Paul.

“TubaChristmas events in some cities seem to place more importance on musical quality, while others have more what I’d call a party atmosphere where musicians are there mainly to have a good time,” Lynn said. “The event in Austin is one that had a great blending of these two attitudes. The director expected and encouraged quality music. But, the participants certainly had a very good time playing in the concert.”

“Turns out, there are cities we would never think of returning to and other cities we would gladly revisit. Austin is in the latter of these two categories. We have not yet made plans for this year, but we’ll likely return to Austin within the next few years,” he added Other players are closer to home. Larry Nerison of

Adams, a retired Southland schools band director, has played the euphonium at eight out of the nine events. Val Pitzen was a student of his during his teaching years.

“I still enjoy playing,” he said. “It’s such a wonderful sound. People seem to like it — and it’s a great atmosphere to play in.”

Mark Woeste has played in many of the Austin TubaChristmases. He is well-versed in the instrument. He is the principal tuba player for the Austin Symphony Orchestra, a distinction he has held for the past 18 years. He is an adjunct professor at Crossroads College in Rochester and some of his students enjoy coming to see the concert as well.

He participates “to keep the respect and this tradition for the tuba going” and to connect with other players.

Although his wife “can’t play a note, she thinks it looks like so much fun that she has gone just to dress up ‘Christmassy’ and decorate one of my spare tubas,” he said.

Dundas also earned his TubaChristmas “stripes” before coming to Austin. The Austin High School Director of Bands participated in Northfield’s TubaChristmas while an undergraduate student at St. Olaf College. He was more than happy to participate in the Austin event.

Heukeshoven’s first TubaChristmas event came as an undergraduate music major at the University of Minnesota.

“A bunch of us low brass players decided it would be fun — and it was,” he said.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 47

Hayfield band instructor Dennis Conroy plays during the Merry TubaChristmas show in 2015 at the Paramount Theatre.

An excited fan and participant of TubaChristmas, Conroy passed away suddenly in 2017.

After moving to Boston in the early 1980s, “I was fortunate enough to once again find TubaChristmas alive and well in New England. I played my euphonium at two events while living in Boston.”

When Heukeshoven returned to the Midwest in 1984, he found another event in LaCrosse. Last year, he played and shared director duties in Austin.

“And all the players had a fantastic morning together,” but later was saddened to hear of fellow director Dennis Conroy’s untimely death a few days after the performance. Several other musicians spoke of Conroy’s easy nature and dedication to the event.

Reishus called Conroy “the unofficial historian” in the group who would pause between a few of the songs in the concert to tell the audience stories about how TubaChristmas began.

“His loss was very tough on me personally … I looked to Dennis as a mentor in all things related to band teaching,” Reishus said.

Those attending Austin’s TubaChristmas were wellacquainted with Conroy, who was band director in Hayfield for 23 years. He had played in TubaChristmas in Austin from the beginning, and often urged his fellow Hayfield friends and students to attend.

Conroy’s wife, Sally, said her husband was a fan of the concerts even before they moved to Austin. Dennis established the tradition in Garden City, Kansas, where the couple had teaching jobs — a tradition that continues today.

“I think Dennis first became aware of the nationallyrecognized concerts when he was studying tuba at the 48 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He had a tuba instructor, Jerry Young, who led a TubaChristmas concert on the campus,” she said.

After the couple moved to Hayfield in 1994, Conroy played and took students for several years to the TubaChristmas concerts in the Twin Cities.

“He was really glad when one formed in Austin,” she said.

And, Austin was glad for Conroy. Fellow musicians and audience members alike enjoyed the upbeat musician who loved the tuba, who loved to share stories about the tuba, and who unfailingly encouraged younger tuba players.

His attraction to TubaChristmases, said Sally, came from his love of the instrument that was too often overlooked in the make-up of a band.

“He loved its rich, mellow sound,” she said. “He felt that instead of always being in the background, this was a way it could be featured.”

He also loved spreading the love of tuba to his students.

He did that with a positive attitude, always, said Sally.

“Even during judgings (of student musicians in high school), he would start critiques with a positive, encouraging statement,” she added.

“He really did have a love of the tuba, both as a player and director,” said Schnable. “He would bring family; he would bring students. He was a magnificent man.”

She added his fellow musicians will pay tribute to him during this year’s performance.

And Sally will be there.

“It will be hard — but I am just so honored that they want to honor him, and recognize how he impacted other musicians,” she said.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 49

S

50 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

Mitzi and Cody Anderson with their son Henrik, in their secluded wine haven, a storage room they coverted into a wine cellar and production area.

Stu Au

stin

e n i dents of theV

coup le

Story

and

Photos

by

Eric Johnson

jumps in t o winemaki

Often times the best decisions come on the spur of the moment.

A thought comes and the natural evolution of that thought is to take the next step.

Quite simply, that’s what Cody and Mitzi Anderson did when they took their first steps into the world of winemaking, a decision that has led to an enthusiastic study of the grape in all its facets.

Once you get to know both Cody and Mitzi, none of this comes as much of a surprise. The two are affable and easy-

o b h t ng wi

et e f th

going by nature, welcoming in spirit and always ready to find the next bit of fun.

Winemaking was just the next evolution of that.

“We’ve been doing this now for about five years,” Cody said on a pleasant afternoon in the couple’s wine cellar.

“I don’t know if we were looking for a hobby … it was something we both had in common.”

“You decided that we needed a new hobby,” Mitzi interjects. “Winemaking it was.”

“That sounds about right,” Cody admitted.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 51

The Anderson’s wine collection, consisting of stock from their own homebrew wines, numbers in the hundreds.

The couple’s cellar isn’t large by any means. It’s a small, converted storage room, held over from when they bought the house. It has since been refurbished and today holds hundreds of bottles of wine as well as three oak barrels — it is the core of their hobby.

And the room is cozy, featuring a high-top table at its center and an electric fireplace in the corner.

It’s where the couple entertains while sampling the wine they make.

“In the winter time, I think it’s even more homey,” Cody said. “I think there’s just something about it being freezing outside and down here in the cellar, we’re warmed by wine and love and cheese.”

That escalated quickly Winemaking came quickly for the pair, but it had to develop into a love of wine in the first place.

Mitzi admitted to always loving red wine, which eventually came from her time studying abroad in Chile.

“Until then, I hated it,” Mitzi said. “Terribly, but we would drink it every day for lunch. A really, cheap, small glass of red wine and that’s when I started to love red wine.”

52 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

Mitzi continued, “On on our second date, Cody and I went to the B & J and I ordered red wine and he thought that was kind of weird. I kind of got him into wine and he’s the sort of person that has to know everything.”

“That’s fair,” Cody said. “It’s my desire to make things, to stay busy. It’s something we could do together and I think that’s pretty neat. She got me started on red A picture of wine and I’ve never Cody and really looked back.”

Mitzi making About a week’s their first batch of wine. worth of research and a Photo provided stop at a homebrewing store in Rochester and Cody and Mitzi were on their way.

While homebrewing is far from uncommon, it’s something based on time — time to learn the recipe, time to let it ferment and process, time to let it age and yet both Cody and Mitzi were complete absorbed by everything about winemaking.

“Before we even finished the first kit we were making the next kit,” Cody said. “It became kind of an addiction thing, where I couldn’t just wait for three months for the one batch to be done.”

The target quickly became to have 50-75 bottles in production — complete with some of the wine aging in

bottles and even more wine aging in the three, five-gallon barrels, filled in total with about 25-30 bottles of wine.

All encompassing While winemaking hasn’t taken over their lives, it’s become a significant part. So much so they label their wine, of which to date they have made 17 types, ranging in flavor and shades from rosé to cabernet wines. And yes, even to white wines — not a particular favorite of the couple.

“We usually like for people to get what they like,” Cody said. “Unfortunately there are some people who like white wine. We do make white wine for our guests, but you almost never see us drinking it.”

They’ve also looked for ways to include winemaking in other aspects of their lives. In February 2015 the couple were engaged and not long after, married.

“Three or four weeks later, we were ready to bottle and there was 3-4 inches of the worst smelling mold,” Cody related. “I knew it was trash, but I still made (Mitzi) try it. ‘So, what do you think?’ ‘Something doesn’t seem right here.’”

Then there was the time of the champagne.

“Then you had that champagne batch you made and it exploded everywhere,” Mitzi said laughing.

“I over-carbonated it for sure,” Cody agreed. “We came home one day and several bottles had erupted all over the floor.”

The future While the winemaking hobby is small-time now, the couple has cast an eye to the future and to where this might take them.

They have some ideas, especially for retirement, but it

“About eight months after we met, we spent a week in Italy and we spent some time in Tuscany.

It would be the perfect retirement for Cody.”

— Mitzi Anderson

For their wedding the decision of what to serve guests came easily.

“It seemed like a crime to buy somebody else’s (wine) for our own event,” Cody said.

As per the couple’s panache for fun, they created two bottles of wine: A red wine called The Ball and a white a called The Chain. They made 125 bottles of each and made sure each guest left with a bottle.

It was a way to spread the love, warmth and fun they received from their making their wine.

Cody has tried other things, but both have a rougher history than the wine.

There was an episode while making beer. In a hurry, Cody knocked off the lid of a batch before leaving for the weekend, exposing the batch to the elements. He found putting the lid back on wasn’t the answer.

remains on a level that keeps it close to the heart. A smaller and quainter notion.

“It’s kind of a retirement thing,” Cody said. “We talk about moving to Italy one day and having our own vines and making our own wine. It’s kind of a dream. It helps us get from one day to the next.”

It’s a bold idea to move to Italy, but the couple quickly fell in love with the country not long ago.

“About eight months after we met, we spent a week in Italy and we spent some time in Tuscany,” Mitzi said. “It would be the perfect retirement for Cody.”

If nothing else hints at the passion the couple holds for winemaking, maybe the cellar itself is the final indicator. A process that initially appeared to be a simple project became something else entirely and seems to have taken on a life of its own.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 53

But for Mitzi, it was the perfect example of how much Cody likes making wine.

“I was not kidding, the whole making stuff is Cody’s passion,” Mitzi said. “Like when he’s done with his career and his retirement, I just think it would be a natural process to do a small winery.”

The idea, of course, is clear on Cody’s mind and yes, he loves wine, but like all things in life, it’s what pushes them and their passion: the pursuit of good times.

“Really, if you can’t have fun with it, it’s really not worth doing,” Cody said. “There’s times where I get that feeling that I just have to get this to a bottle and have to be done with it and at that point, I’m really not enjoying it anymore. I’m pushing it until it’s more and more work and that’s not where I want to be with it. I try to slow down and do it when I get the time to do it. “The whole thing about wine is you have pretty good time on it.”

“Really, if you can’t have fun with it, it’s really not worth doing ... The whole thing about wine is you have pretty good time on it.”

— Cody Anderson

The Anderson’s always have wine in production or aging and utilize three, five-gallon barrels to get the true aged taste they want.

54 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

TRAVEL

l il nh e w ur t Do en v ad Get your skiing thrills just a short jog up I-35 at Buck Hill

By Rocky Hulne • Photos The thrill of downhill skiing or snowboarding is just a quick jaunt up Interstate 35 for any local adventure seekers who want to experience the high-speed rush of cutting through the cold, winter air on a blanket of soft, white snow.

Buck Hill, which is located in Burnsville, along I-35 and just off Exit 86, clings to steep hills about 90 miles north of Austin.

The hill features one black diamond trail and a halfpipe, among the 16 different snowboarding and ski trails.

There is also a hill on the side for snow tubing.

Want an idea of just how much of a destination Buck Hill is? It boasts ties to one of the best American ski racers 56 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

courtesy of

Buck Hill

in history as Minnesota native Lindsey Vonn, an Olympic gold medalist and eight-time World Cup champion, learned to ski on the 300-foot hill. Vonn trained under Erich Sailer, an Austrian racing coach, in her early years.

Buck Hill had always been a big attraction to skiers, even when it was undeveloped. It began to grow even more in 1961 after Charles and Nancy Stone added a snow maker and a T-Bar to the hill, which they had purchased in 1954.

Eventually, lifts and trails were added and in 2006 Buck Hill installed a new Quad chairlift.

An All-Day pass at Buck Hill costs $45 for an adult and $32 for a child, senior or military service person.

For more information visit www.buckhill.com

5 THINGS TO DO AROUND BURNSVILLE Fort Snelling State Park 101 Snelling Lake Road, St Paul, MN 55111. Located near the Mississippi River, historic Fort Snelling dates back to 1820.

The Father’s House 600 Highway 13 East, Burnsville, MN 55337. A place of praise and worship for all who wish to stop by for spiritual guidance.

Shooters Billiard Club & Pub 1934 State Hwy 13, Burnsville, MN 55337. With over 60 pool tables, an arcade, TVs and a bar, there’s plenty to do.

Looking for a day on the slopes? Well, you don’t have to go that far. Buck Hill, just up Interstate 35, offers all the skiing fun you will need. Skiis and snowboards aren’t the only way down the slopes at Buck Hills. Tubes are also available for a fun day.

A snowboarder takes to the air during a trip down the slopes.

Ames Center 12600 Nicollet Ave, Burnsville, MN 55337. The 250-seat amphitheater is a great place to see performances.

Grand Slam 12425 River Ridge Blvd, Burnsville, MN 55337-4871. The indoor venue offers batting cages, laser tag, mini golf, a trampoline park and arcade games.

Right, Buck Hill provides a place to learn for younger skiiers.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 57

LOOKING BACK

Economy Grocery Store on Main Street (it moved to Mill Street in 1930). The Economy Grocery Store first appears in the newspapers in 1916.

It changed owners quite frequently and the name changed to Economy Cash Grocery (when the business accepted only cash) sometime around 1918 or 1919. At some point, it became a “self-serve” store (and the name may have changed to “Self Serve Grocery” as well). Ellis Shutt is pictured on the far right.

The interior of an unidentified millinery shop in Austin.

58 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

Store interiors from days gone by

By Jaimie Timm, Mower County Historical Society • All

photos courtesy of the

Mower County Historical Society

A look into the business heart of Austin Some of the rarer pictures in the photograph collection at the Mower County Historical Society feature building interiors.

These are some of my favorite photographs that depict store interiors from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. The vast inventory in some of these stores is very striking. You can also see the pride that each business owner took in their business — the buildings look well-kept, clean and organized, and the store clerks attentive and ready to serve.

Shopping in your local store kept residents connected

to their neighbors. Each neighborhood had several local markets that people visited several times a week. A grocery directory printed by the Austin Daily Herald in 1945 lists two wholesale grocery companies and 60 different stores in the downtown area, the east side, the Crane Addition, the southwest, the west side, the fourth ward, Decker Acres and the southeast.

We have very little information on most of the photographs. Please contact MCHS is you recognize any of the businesses.

The Schleuder Jewelry Store, 1908. Gustave Schleuder, a Prussian native, came to Austin in 1863. Soon after, he opened a watch repair and jewelry store. His son, Herbert, took over the family business in 1913. In 1911, Gustave began investing in real estate and the rest of his family followed suit and the family became known for their real estate holdings in the city throughout the 20th century.

Interior of the F. O. Hall Building (Judd Collection photograph).

The interior of an Austin store.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 59

The season is upon us with many opportunities to celebrate in Mower County.

All dates, times, and locations subject to change.

Nov. 1

First Thursday Events - Making a Meal When: 5 p.m.

Where: The Spam Museum Come out for a Spamtastic evening to take action against hunger.

For more information, call 507-434-6401.

Nov. 3

Austin Masonic Lodge All You Can Eat Pancake Feed

When: 9 a.m.

Where: Austin Masonic Lodge Enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat pancake feed complete with bacon, sausage, juice, milk and coffee, while helping raise funds for local organizations. Proceeds for November benefit the Austin High School Girls Swimming and Diving Teams.

Nov. 3

Scott Jasmin - “Small Town Songs”

When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Sweet Reads Join Scott Jasmin and friends who will entertain with original songs that will bring to mind life in Austin and other small towns.

For more information, call 507-396-8660.

Nov. 6

Election Day Salad Luncheon

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Austin Masonic Lodge Salads, salads, and more salads! Along with scalloped potatoes and ham, dessert and beverage - for an $8 donation! Stop by to eat or get some to take with you.

Sponsored by the Unity Chapter No. 29 Order of the Eastern Star.

For more information, call 507-437-7292.

Nov. 13

Poet’s Open Mic

Nov. 29

Christmas in the Southwest When: 4-7 p.m.

Where: Sterling Shopping Center and surrounding area

Dec. 1

Austin Masonic Lodge All You Can Eat Pancake Feed

When: 9 a.m.

Where: Austin Masonic Lodge Enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat pancake feed complete with bacon, sausage, juice, milk and coffee, while helping raise funds for local organizations.

Proceeds for December benefit Austin Figure Skating.

Dec. 4

Christmas in the East

When: 4-7 p.m.

Where: 11th Street Northeast and surrounding area

Dec. 5-9

“Miracle on 34th Street”

When: 7 p.m. (5-8) and 2 p.m. (9) Where: Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College Based upon the classic movie, “Miracle on 34th Street,” the play tells the story of Kris Kringle as he gets a job working as Santa for Macy’s. Kris unleashes waves of good will with Macy’s customers and the commercial world of New York City. Seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy’s vocational counselor, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing. At stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa and the possibilities of imagination. “Miracle on 34th Street” is a heartwarming holiday story that we want to believe in, where love and generosity of spirit are their own rewards.

Season tickets $50, or show ticket for $13. For more information, go to www.riverland.edu/theatre or call 507-433-0595.

When: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Sweet Reads All ages and styles welcome - inspire or be inspired! For more information, call 507-396-8660.

Dec. 6

Nov. 23

When: 4 p.m.

Where: Spam Museum Get ready to celebrate the holidays in a unique way by decorating your own Spam can.

For more information, call 507-434-6401.

Christmas in the City

When: 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: Main Street, Downtown Austin For more information, call 507-437-4561.

Nov. 27

Christmas in the Northwest

When: 4-7 p.m.

Where: 18th Avenue Northwest and surrounding area

60 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

First Thursday Events - Spam Can Decoration

Dec. 7

Christmas in the County Pre-Sale Bake Sale

When: 3-6 p.m.

Where: Mower County Historical Society Get a jump start on your holiday baking. This annual fundraiser will feature homemade cookies, lefse, candies and goodies galore!

Austin ArtWorks Center For more information, call 507-434-0934.

Dec. 7-9

Austin Youth Hockey Girls U10/U12 Tournament

Where: Riverside Arena and Packer Arena Games may be played at Riverside or Packer Arena.

For more information, contact the tournament director at 507-438-2256 or tournamentdirectorayh@gmail.com.

Dec. 8

Christmas Wonderland Craft and Vendors Show When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Holiday In Austin Conference Center Enjoy a day of browsing through a wide selection of home-based crafters and vendors. Free admission and free parking. For more information, or if interested in being a vendor, email lumbreras74@yahoo.com or text 507-273-4963.

Dec. 8

Christmas in the County

When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Mower County Historical Society Join the Mower County Historical Society for an old-fashioned Christmas! Silent auction, horse drawn wagon rides, kids activities, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, food stand and much more. Raffle drawing at 3 p.m.

Dec. 9

Austin Symphony Orchestra - “The Andy and Bing Show”

When: 2 p.m.

Where: Knowlton Auditorium, Austin High School Enjoy a perfect family holiday concert with this nostalgic re-creation of the cheer-filled Christmas specials with Andy Williams and Bing Crosby with all our favorite Christmas songs. For more information, go to www.austinmnsymphony.org.

Dec. 14-16

Austin Youth Hockey Squirt A, B, C Tournament

Where: Riverside Arena and Packer Arena Games may be played at Riverside or Packer Arena.

For more information, contact the tournament director at 507-438-2256 or tournamentdirectorayh@gmail.com.

Dec. 15

Driller MMA Fights

When: 6 p.m.

Where: Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center For more information, call 507-433-8000.

• Nov. 1. . . . . Basic Wheel Throwing, 5:30-8 p.m.

• Nov. 3. . . . . Music at the Bank: Part Time Ex’s, 7:30 p.m.

• Nov. 10. . . . Silver Rings in a Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Nov. 10. . . . Free Family Art Studio, 1-3 p.m.

• Nov. 16. . . . ArtRocks Open Jam Session, 7-9:30 p.m.

• Nov. 23. . . . Member’s Gallery Opening, 5-7 p.m.

• Nov. 30. . . . Creative Journaling, 6-8 p.m.

• Dec. 6. . . . . Handled Mugs (two sessions), 5:30-7:30 p.m.

• $5 Kid’s Studios . . . held every Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon (except Oct. 27 and Dec. 29)

Austin Public Library For more information, call 507-433-2391.

• Nov. 5, 19 and 26. . . . Tween Programs, 5-6:30 p.m.

• Nov. 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . Tween Planning Team, 5-6 p.m.

• Nov. 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . Teen Planning Team, 6-7 p.m.

• Dec. 3, 10 and 17 . . . . Tween Programs, 5-6:30 p.m.

• Dec. 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . Tween Planning Team, 5-6 p.m.

• Dec. 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . Teen Planning Team, 6-7 p.m.

• Dec. 25. . . . . . . . . . . . . Lego Club, 3-5 p.m.

Hormel Historic Home

For more information, call 507-433-4243.

• Nov. 2. . . . . Hormel Vets Supporting Local Vets, 6 p.m.

• Nov. 12. . . . History Happy Hour: “National Register of Historic Places

in Your Neighborhood,” 5:30-7:30 p.m.

• Nov. 15. . . . Holiday Card/Game Party, noon to 3 p.m.

• Nov. 16. . . . Holiday Tea Luncheon, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Nov. 17. . . . Soup and Santa, 10:30 a.m. (first session)

and 12:30 p.m. (second session) • Nov. 17. . . . Holiday Open House, 2-5 p.m.

• Dec. 7-8. . . Sixth Annual A Handmade Christmas Indie Maker Market,

4-8 p.m. (7) and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (8) • Dec. 10. . . . History Happy Hour: “Christmas Past,” 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Events at the Paramount For more information, call 507-434-0934.

• Nov. 23. . . . Jane Taylor Dance Studio Presents “The Nutcracker” Ballet, 6:30 p.m.

• Dec. 1. . . . . Tuba Christmas, 11 a.m.

• Dec. 2. . . . . Rhythmic Circus: Holiday Shuffle, 2 p.m.

• Dec. 7-9. . . Matchbox Children’s Theatre Presents “Charlie Brown Christmas,”

7 p.m. (7-8) and 2 p.m. (9) • Dec. 10. . . . Lorie Line - Lord of Lords, 7:30 p.m.

• Dec. 16. . . . Billy McLaughlin & Simple Gifts, 3:30 p.m.

Movie Matinee and Movie Night at the Paramount Held every Wednesday at 3 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m., unless noted otherwise.

Tickets are $5; no advance ticket sales. For more information call 507-434-0934.

• Nov. 7. . . . . “Blade Runner” • Nov. 14. . . . “The Bridge Over the River Kwai” • Nov. 21. . . . “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” • Nov. 28. . . . “Rebel Without a Cause” • Dec. 5. . . . . “Muppet Christmas Carol” (9:30 p.m. show only) • Dec. 12. . . . “Elf” • Dec. 19. . . . “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” • Dec. 26. . . . “The Music Man”

Jay C. Hormel Nature Center RSVP for the following programs by phone at 507-437-7519, by email at info@hormelnaturecenter.org, or in person at the Interpretive Center.

• Nov. 20. . . . “Falconry - Hunting the Ancient Way” with Kirk Payne, 7-8 p.m.

• Nov. 29. . . . Christmas Crafts, 6-9 p.m.

• Dec. 1. . . . . Christmas Crafts, 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m.

• Dec. 19. . . . The Association Jazz Combo Concert, 7-8:30 p.m.

November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 61

BOOK REVIEW

appreciating wool Memoir opens up the world of a versatile fiber

By Sue Grove, Austin Page Turners Wool is amazing!

Did you know that wool is a natural insulator, it repels water and body odors, is durable, and fire retardant? I didn’t have a full appreciation for this versatile fiber until I read the memoir: “Sheepish: Two Women, Fifty Sheep & Enough Wool to Save the Planet.”

Catherine Friend, author of “Hit by a Farm and The Compassionate Carnivore,” is a city girl who moved to a small farm near Zumbrota, Minnesota, because her partner is a farmer at heart. Catherine, however, is not. She delights the reader with her love/hate relationship with farm life and tales of the good, bad, and ugly aspects of living out in the country with a collection of sheep, llamas, chickens, and cows.

We vicariously experience the cycles of farm life, especially of the sheep. There is the birth process, feeding, chasing, mating, shearing, selling, and of course, the inevitable deaths.

Friend uses short chapters and anecdotes to convey her message in a humorous fashion as if she were just chatting with companions. The book is an easy read and gives the reader a great view of what it would be like to live like this.

Because Friend struggled with being a “farmer,” she had to come up with justifications for herself to be there. Yes, she wrote books: memoirs and children’s books about farm life, but it wasn’t quite enough. Slowly she discovered how much she loved the sheep and their by-product: wool. She ultimately learned how to knit and weave the wool from their sheep. She also met with people who told her how 62 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

wonderful their wool was and took it to be hand-dyed. She fell in love with the colors that came back and could hardly part with it when the time came to sell it.

What I personally loved about her book was the history and trivia facts about sheep and wool. Friend describes how sheep “have been a good idea for 10,000 years.” She points out that a sheep is “one of the most efficient machines for converting sun and water and nutrients into protein and energy, which we use in the form of meat, milk, leather, and wool.”

Sheep control exotic invasive weeds by eating them instead of using chemicals. They love kudzu!

The story of wool is fascinating to me. It is so much better for the planet than cotton because processing cotton involves chemicals and uses so much energy. As Friend learns more and more about the processing of cotton and polyester material, she vows to find ways to replace her cotton and polyester garments with wool ones and even starts a search for wool underwear — which she finally discovers and loves it!

By the time I finished reading “Sheepish,” I had become a convert to switching to all things wool. Now I need to research wool bedding. According to Friend, it eliminates dust mites in our beds.

The mites love polyester because it traps perspiration and the mites love that. They don’t like wool because it wicks away moisture and dries out more quickly. As she described the millions of them that we all sleep with, I immediately began itching — yuck.

I recommend this book highly, but now I need to go dig out my knitting — wool is waiting to be made into socks.

GERARD

COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

FEELING OVERWHELMED? We offer mental health services for children, teens, adults, and families.

w Individual Therapy w Family Therapy w Marriage Counseling If you or someone you know is struggling, please call Gerard Community Mental Health Services at 507-434-4366.

changing one life CHANGES EVERYTHING November – December 2018 | Austin Living | 63

WHY I LOVE AUSTIN

Bringing Austin some elven magic Merry Elf Elfson an ambassador for Christmas

By Merry Elf Elfson • Photo

by

Eric Johnson

T

he No. 1 most important message from Santa and Merry Elf Elfson is no matter where you are, Santa will find you.

If you’re at grandma and grandpa’s or take a vacation or maybe you are sick in the hospital, Santa can find you no matter where you are. Always remember that.

Santa loves to send me to this part of the world because he knows how many friends I have here that I love to see. I like spreading Christmas cheer and a little elf magic as well.

It’s especially fun to go to the Ronald McDonald House next door in Rochester, Minnesota. I will get to have my favorite elf party and play elf games. I like to see the children’s smiling faces as I show off a little of my elf magic.

Some people have never seen a skiing elf before. When Santa comes down to Austin’s Christmas in the City, I love to ski alongside him, but if there’s not enough snow I put on my elf skies on wheels so I can ski just about anywhere I want. Snow or no snow, I’m ready to go.

Up at the North Pole Santa lets me help test some of my favorite toys, like skiis, snowboards and the new fun one — new snowboard splitboards are especially fun.

He never lets any of the elves test or play with fun toys without their helmet. Santa is always promoting helmet safety and overall safety. Santa counts on all his elves for help spreading the word for him.

When I go to Austin’s schools I like to remind them to help around the house with the busy times and always say please and thank you.

Everyone has a little elf magic in them if they just take the time to find it. Santa and Mrs. Clause and I have been gearing up for our adventures this year and all the fun activities surrounding Austin’s Christmas in the City on Nov. 23.

I hope to see you all there.

Don’t forget to get the winter coat out along with your hat, scarf, mittens and your winter boots. I can’t wait to see everybody in Austin. I can’t wait, I am so excited to come down with Santa. I missed you all.

We have been busy making all the toys and the reindeer have been working out very hard, pulling the sleigh and practicing for the big night on Christmas Eve.

64 | Austin Living | November – December 2018

This is a very, very busy time of year for everyone at the North Pole. So exciting.

I, Merry Elf Elfson, the elves, Santa and Mrs. Clause, Rudolph and all the reindeer wants to wish you a very Merry Christmas. We’re looking forward to seeing you soon. Love from the North Pole.

Remember to be good so you can be on the good list and always remember there’s a little elf magic in all of us if you just take the time to find it.

Irish

EXCURSION Dublin | Belfast | Cork | Limerick | Londonderry

A unique, 10-day travel-study opportunity for the community focused on music, art, theatre, and history through Riverland’s World Cultural Studies course. Trip dates: March 8-18, 2019. Full details:

riverland.edu/ireland 507-434-0547 | scott.blankenbaker@riverland.edu

Trip Opportunities Abbey Theatre Blackrock Castle Blarney Castle Cliffs of Moher Giant’s Causeway Irish Rock-n-Roll Museum National Botanic Gardens National Gallery of Ireland Northern Ireland War Memorial St. Patrick’s Cathedral The Guinness Storehouse The Jameson Distillery The River Lee Titanic Belfast Ulster Museum