September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 1
EDITOR’S NOTE
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t pains me to write this, but soon there’s going to be a nip in the air when Austinites step outside. I know, I know — no one really wants a reminder of winter, especially after the doozy of a season we had earlier this year. I still remember ducking into stores every two or three blocks during a particularly cold day just to warm up. But we’re here to remind you of all the wonderful things to see and do in Austin. Fall is an exciting season with a lot to witness as the leaves turn, the harvests come in and the parties get into full swing. One of the best things about a Minnesota fall is our gorgeous outdoor scenery and there’s few places that can match the vantage from a boat on the Cedar River. We took a trip down the Cedar with Tim Ruzek and Justin Hanson of the Cedar River Watershed District to see some of the highlights of the Cedar River north of Austin to the downtown area. You can read all about Ruzek’s reaction to the trip on Pg. 30. It’s a good time for fashion as well, which local designer Hattie Stadheim knows all too well. Stadheim has moved from the pages of Austin Living to start her own brand, House of Hattie, and launch her first fall line of clothing, which residents can find online. You can see some of the House of Hattie fall line on Pg. 42. Of course, there’s work to be done even in the fall, but Austin has some of the best workers in the region and, dare we say, in the Midwest. We’re excited to feature some of the top professionals blazing trails for Austinites, all of whom are under 40. You can see these wonders of the workplace on Pg. 34. All work and no play doesn’t help anybody, however, so feel free to kick back with a drink suggested by Gonzalo Cibils, which you can find on Pg. 26. No matter the season, there’s something for everyone in Austin, and we’re happy to celebrate that with a little Austin Living.
Got ideas?
We at Austin Living magazine want to hear what you think, and we need your brightest ideas for coming issues. Favorite musicians? Finest artists? Goofiest pranksters? Best storytellers? Local nightlife? We are open-minded. We are heading into our warm months, which should bring out how visually appealing Austin is. Call Trey Mewes at 507434-2214. Feel free to pen a letter, too. Our address is on the right.
EDITORIAL Editor Trey Mewes Contributing Writers Trey Mewes Jason Schoonover Jenae Peterson Alex Smith Eric Johnson Photographer Eric Johnson ART Art Director Colby Hansen Graphic Designers Susan Downey Colby Hansen Eric Johnson Kathy Johnson Kristin Overland SALES & PROMOTION Advertising Manager Jana Gray Sales Representatives Heather Ryks Ben Ankeny Brenda Landherr Merry Petersen SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2014 Volume 2, Number 5 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 507-434-2214. To purchase advertising, call 507-434-2220 © A Minnesota Publishers Inc. publication
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September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 3
what’s inside SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2014
on the cover RIVER RUN, RIVER FUN
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Tim Ruzek of the Cedar River Watershed District gushes on the fun to be had on the Cedar River
features A HOUSE BRAND Fashion designer Hattie Stadheim launches her new fall clothing line
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5 UNDER 40
Austin Living showcases five top young professionals
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departments
SEEN 6 FREEDOM FEST PARADE
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Area residents celebrate the Fourth of July in style during the annual parade
8 FREEDOM FEST CELEBRATIONS
This weekend party starts hot and ends great
10 MOWER COUNTY FAIR
Everyone’s favorite annual fair comes back with perfect weather
12 RELAY FOR LIFE
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This year’s event was a smash success
HOME & HEARTH 14 WHAT’S IN STORE
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Spice up the season with these decorations for fall
16 EFFORTLESS STYLE
This Austin woman’s hobby is her home
OUT & ABOUT 22 HEALTHY LIVING:
A GROWING ISSUE
The Hormel Institute’s head on protecting your skin
26 FOUR DRINKS FOR A FALL MOOD
The 1910’s Gonzalo Cibilis dishes on fall drinks
TRAVEL 50 LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE
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Brett William’s faith led him to South America
extras 54 LOOKING BACK
The harvest times
56 BEHIND THE SCENES
Another look at Austin Living
58 AUSTIN LIVING MARKETPLACE
60 AREA HAPPENINGS
The biggest upcoming events in Austin
62 BOOK REVIEW
54
An Austin mystery: Delivering Death
64 WHY I LOVE AUSTIN
Janet Anderson on the art of our area
September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 5
SEEN | Freedom Fest Parade Freedom Fest came and went with a huge crowd and a big party as area residents celebrated our nation’s Independence Day in Austin. The annual parade drew hundreds to downtown Austin as a multitude of floats along with Grand Marshal Molly Kate Kestner rolled through town. The parade was part of a two-day event along with several weekend activites. 2
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(1) Michael Dube, Marshall Bunnell and Bailey Kestner enjoy the Freedom Fest parade on Main Street (2) Levi Werner reaches for a piece of candy (3) Peyton Kaplan of Cottage Grove smiles as she receives a piece of string cheese (4) Tyler Amick plays with the Austin High School band (5) Grand Marshal Molly Kate Kestner (6) Kaylee Clennon (7) Austin Area Commission for the Arts Executive Director Jennie Knoebel (8) Emily Folson (9) Erin Anderson as Belle and Kylee Ward as Mary Poppins (10) Haily Birch of Albert Lea (11) Children run up to high-five Austin Bruins Mascot Bruiser (12) Zoee Sorenson jumps up and down beside her brother Ayden after seeing Curious George (13) Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Executive Director Larry Dolphin high fives a man 6 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
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SEEN | Freedom Fest Celebrations Thousands of Austinities came out to enjoy the 2014 Freedom Fest activities. There were plenty of things for people to do, from shows and attractoins at Bandshell Community Park to the annual Hog Jog, as well as the Dan Ulwelling 25-mile bike ride. Though Freedom Fest is put on to commemmorate the Fourth of July, there were plenty of activities that stretched though the weekend. Wesley Ochoro took first in the annual Hog Jog this year over 88 other competitors. Joe Hamlin rode ahead of the pack as he placed first among 77 riders at the bike race.
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(1) Cloey Thorpe, Mary Willrodt, McKenna Hotek, Abby Deyo and Sammy Cummings (2) Pat and Danna Guineg (3) Harmony King and Madeline Shipler (4) Wesley Ochoro, of Austin, raises his hand to celebrate as he nears the finish line of the five-mile Hog Jog with a first place time of 24:32 at East Side Lake Park (5) Tim Norrie, right, of Minneapolis, calls for the crowd the cheer as he and another racer near the finish of the 25-mile Dan Ulwelling Bike Race outside the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center (6) Ben and Tisha Pischke and their children, Simon and Leah (7) Isaac and Arianna Pettitt with Jessica and Cecilia Wroblewski (8) Participants in the Miss Sparkler and Mr. Firecracker Pageant get ready (9) Matt Swanson and son Mason (10) Erin Schumacher with her daughter, Katherine, and Katherine’s friend Payton Kempen (11) Jer and Heather Osgood and their children, Isaac and Quinn (12) Shelley LeTendre raises her arms as she and Scott Fox cross the finish of the five-mile Hog Jog (13) Jean McDermott with granddaugher, Jaelyn McDermott
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SEEN | Mower County Fair The 2014 Mower County Fair drew thousands from across the region. The midway was run by GoldStar Amusements this year with plenty of fun rides in tow. Many classic events, from Motokazie to the annual talent show, the 4-H competitions, truck pull, bull riding and more. This year marked the fair’s 130th anniversary and almost 91,000 people attended the six-day event. What’s more, the event was arguably the best ever weather-wise — it didn’t rain during the week.
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(1) The Anderson family: Erin, left, Evan, Heidi and Jeff (2) Kade Lubensky and sister Kyra Lubensky (3) Tyler Nash with son Teagen Nash (4) Brian and Andrea Wahlstrom (5) Mark and Mikayla Austin and their daughter, Alexcia Austin, and nephew, Blaine Neiman (6) Salvation Army camp counselor Janna Akkerman and campers Ivah Mountainstrong, from right, Leigha Kroneman and Lexy Day (7) Chloe Canterbury, Jo Canterbury and Cassidy Canterbury (8) Candy Lahann, left, and her niece Ashley Conradt (9) Joe and Susanna Bennett and their daughter, Olivia Bennett, and son, Levi Bennett
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SEEN | Relay for Life Hundreds of people gathered for a cause at Bandshell Community Park when the 2014 Relay for Life took place July 26. It was former event chair Linda Baier’s last year as the head of the Mower County Relay for Life, as she stepped down after 14 years. The event raised more than $84,000 for cancer research and four balloons have been found from the event thus far — one in Wisconsin, two in Ohio and one a whopping 900 miles away in Pennsylvania.
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(1) People sign up for the silent auction during the Mower County Relay for Life in July (2) Balloons rise after survivors release them following the Survivors Walk (3) Austin Mayor Tom Stiehm is dunked (4) Zac Hoffman, left, and Colt Landers (5) People gathered for the opening ceremonies (6) Julie Sayles Lange accepts the Barb Langan Volunteer of the Year Award from Linda Baier (7) Survivors take part in the Survivor’s Walk (8) Members of the 4-H Super Savers pose for a photo during (9) Teams line up for pictures during this year’s Mower County Relay for Life
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WHAT’S IN STORE
Awesome autumn By Jenae Peterson • Photos
by
Eric Johnson
Celebrate the season with a few new decorations. This fall, spruce up your home with pumpkins, leaves and spiced scents. Don’t forget to use all your favorite fall flavors in all your favorite drinks. Invite some friends to join you as you look for the best deals in town on all of this season’s spangles. You can buy these fun autumn additions at Twice is Nice in downtown Austin.
These stuffed pumpkins are made of jute and burlap. They work well on your porch or accenting your jack-o-lanterns. Spread some colorful leaves around and place them in your garden to liven up what summer left behind. $14.99 These cute stuffed pumpkins are made of a calico material and tied with a yellow string. Put these in your windows or on your tables to give a cute, fall feel to your home. $12.99
A little bit of Aspen Cider Spices is sure to remind your taste buds why you love fall. Use them in tea, cider, spiced toddy, juice, wine and brandy. These spices can also be used in baked goods and toppings. $4.25
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Bring the smells of fall into your home along with the warm, cozy feel of a flickering flame. These Cross-Roads Original Designs come in many different scents. Featured here is Pumpkin Spice, Farmhouse, Buttered Maple Syrup and Cinnamon Sticks. Larger candles, $22.99. Smaller candles, $19.99
This “Boo” pillow, made of burlap, is great to get your space ready for Halloween. Put it on your couch or decorate a chair. The accent pumpkin is made of calico material. Pillow:$14.99 Pumpkin: $12.99
This candle ring goes great around any size candle and really brings the new season into your home. Grab a pumpkinscented candle, and you’re sure to experience all the best parts of fall. Ring: $9.99 Candle: $22.99
This large metal artwork is shaped like a pumpkin and will go great in any yard. Grab some colorful leaves to accent, and you’re on your way toward the fall season. $46
Place this wooden sign in your garden or on your porch to dress up your home for the fall season. This works great if you have pumpkins to sell or give away, but can also go with other fall decorations. $22
September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 15
HOME & HEARTH
By Trey Mewes Photos by Eric Johnson
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Sonia Larson in her living room.
Sonia and Jeff Larson turn home improvement into a lifelong passion Inside a quaint home in northwest Austin, Sonia Larson sits playing piano with the same sort of dedication to her music that she and her husband gave to their home. Sonia, a retired music instructor who spent more than 25 years at Riverland Community College, effortlessly chains together beautiful notes in a short piece she plays on the spot. Her home feels effortlessly stylish, despite the years of effort Sonia and Jeff Larson put into their home. “This was our hobby,” Sonia said. Sonia and Jeff first came to Austin more than 40 years ago for Jeff’s job at Hormel Foods Corp. They decided to move to Fifth Avenue Northwest in Austin, near Turtle Creek, because they wanted a change of pace (and a fireplace) and the house offered opportunities to create their own living space. The basement offered a larger teaching studio for Sonia, which was another big draw. They would vastly improve the home in a few short years. Originally a five-bedroom, 2,600-square-foot home, Sonia and Jeff added a gorgeous sunroom on the east part of their home in the mid-’90s. Sonia originally wanted a gazebo, but Jeff won out in the end, she said with a smile. The white sunroom is sparsely decorated, with a table and chairs for Sonia and guests to enjoy the outdoors and a view of Sonia’s gorgeous landscape. The room is clean, almost completely white and gives a peaceful contrast to the vivid outdoor views Sonia has. Those outdoor views are arguably the highlight of Sonia’s home. She and her husband knew they wanted to redo their landscape, especially as they got older and Jeff grew less interested in mowing the lawn. They went to Randy Berg of Berg’s nursery more than 10 years ago to add a beautiful terrace to the home’s front lawn, to the south. Continues on 19
A layered blanket of flowers greets visitors walking up to Sonia Larson’s front door.
A guest bedroom in the home of Sonia Larson
September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 17
Sonia and Jeff Larson had wineholders built in between cupboards in their kitchen.
Sonia Larson’s kitchen is spacious and open with a simple presentation.
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Sonia Larson sits on the patio of her back yard, talking about what inspired her to decorate her home.
Continued from 17 “I wasn’t sure about it at first,” Sonia said. “I thought it looked like a bunch of boulders, but Randy said ‘Just wait,’ and he was right.” The terrace, which incorporates a stone-lined sidewalk, is filled with gorgeous shrubbery that makes an otherwise normal-looking sidewalk path stand out. It was Berg’s work on the Larsons’ backyard that really made the home. In 2007, Berg finished installing a gorgeous three-waterfall fixture in the yard, surrounded by dozens of gorgeous plants and a small deck on the north side of the house, where Sonia can sit in surprisingly comfortable iron-wrought spring-locked chairs to watch the yard. It may attract unwanted visitors such as deer from the nearby creek bed, but the various flowers and shrubs make a sort of topiary paradise for Sonia in the summer. “It is just an incredible sight,” she said. Sonia’s quaint home is just as beautifully decorated in a sparse, quaint manner. On the main level is the kitchen, which occupies the north part of the home near a small dining room and the lovely sunroom. Sonia and Jeff have redone the kitchen, where they even had a mediumsized wine rack put in between shelves. Jeff was a wine enthusiast before he died a few years ago, according to Sonia, and the wine rack has worked well over the years. Continues on 20 September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 19
Flowers are never far from sight at Sonia Larson’s home. Here it’s just a glance out the window to see some of the more spectacular flowers she has.
Shelves filled with items related to music hang above a chest belonging to Sonia Larson’s family, brought over with them from Europe.
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Sonia Larson dedicates her time to helping others learn to play music out of her basement.
Continued from 19 Just south of the kitchen and dining room is a spacious living room decorated in part with mementos from Sonia’s and Jeff’s trips across the U.S. and around the world. Sonia is particularly proud of several things she picked up from China, where she traveled to with her brother after Jeff’s death. From there, a sitting room sits just west of the living room and main foyer, where various paintings and other mementos sit. Sonia used to be part of the London Dash at Riverland, where she supervised several trips overseas to the United Kingdom. She has a chess set based on the famous Lewis chessmen from the Isle of Man, though she confesses chess was more of a wish than a passion. “I never learned how to play,” she said with a laugh. Sonia is an arts aficionado and especially loves collecting pieces by local artists. She has several pieces by former Riverland instructor Jim Wagner, though she also displays a few of her own pieces — at least, the pieces she deems worthy to display. “I’ve got many pieces up in the attic that will never see the light of day,” she joked. Two bedrooms, including the master bedroom, as well as a bathroom, round out the western side of Sonia’s first floor. Upstairs, Sonia has two large guest bedrooms as well as a long closet that spans the southern edge of the second floor, a unique feature for a home. Another bathroom sits between the two bedrooms. The basement is where Sonia’s real calling takes place. She retrofitted the basement to be a music studio for piano and choir students, which were her specialties as a Riverland teacher. Sonia still keeps busy with students throughout the week even in retirement. “I can open the door to the garage and have students come right into the basement, which helps when the house is a bit messy,” she said. Sonia’s stunning home only gets better, in part because of her own efforts. She decided to take on a large part of the yardwork this summer rather than contract it out. It keeps her busy, but you wouldn’t know it judging by how beautiful and immaculate her home is kept. “I love living here,” she said.
A portrait painted by Sonia Larson hangs on the wall above a chess set in a sitting room at her home.
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OUT & ABOUT
A growing issue The Hormel Institute’s executive director shares his knowledge on skin cancer By Tim Ruzek, The Hormel Institute Dr. Zigang Dong knows a lot about skin. He carefully studies the simple cellular structure that guards our other organs. He knows the skin is an important field of study when it comes to cancer research — after all, it’s a common type of cancer and it’s becoming more prevalent among humans. “Research is very important, because although the rates of many common cancers are declining, the incidence of melanoma continues to rise annually,” said Dong, The Hormel Institute’s executive director who leads its Cellular &
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Molecular Biology section. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. and throughout the world. Cases of skin cancer — both nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancers — also are continuing to increase. The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that 1 in every 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common types of skin cancer, and, thankfully, they usually can be cured.
Dr. Zigang Dong
How common is melanoma? New cases of melanoma skin cancer also have increased for at least 30 years. That’s particularly alarming because melanoma is a highly dangerous form of skin cancer. Melanoma is more likely to spread to nearby tissues and others parts of the body if it’s not detected early, making it more difficult to cure. This year, melanoma is expected to be found in 76,100 new cases in the U.S. and cause 9,710 deaths, according to the National Institutes of Health. About 76 percent of new melanoma cases involve individuals in the 45 to 84 age range but it’s also the most common cancer among people ages 25-29. It also can be diagnosed in people under age 25. Yet, melanoma makes up about 5 percent of all skin cancers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Melanoma can occur anywhere on the body but is most commonly found on skin that often is exposed to sunlight, such as the face, neck, hands and arms. Melanoma is more common in men than women, among people with a fair complexion and those who have been exposed to natural or artificial sunlight, such as tanning beds, over long periods of time. There are more new cases among white people than any other racial/ethnic group. Too much sunlight is the major cause of melanoma, especially when sunburn and blistering occurs. “More people suffer from sun-induced cancer than any other type,” Dong said. According to the NIH, humans get as much as 80 percent of our sun exposure before age 18, showing the importance of avoiding burning and tanning when we are young. Although protecting the skin and eyes from the sun has not been proven to lower the chance of getting skin cancer, skin experts suggest the following: • Use sunscreen that protects against UV radiation. • Do not stay in the sun for long periods, especially when the sun is at its strongest. • When outdoors, wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants, sun hats and sunglasses. • Avoid sun exposure to skin covered with pain-relief topical creams that contain capsaicin The Hormel Institute is one of the world leaders in skin cancer research at the basic science level, and, in 2008, it hosted the eigth International Skin Carcinogenesis Conference. That same year, The Hormel Institute had a team of researchers led by Dong whose skin cancer discovery
was published in “Cancer Research,” the top U.S. cancer research journal. The team identified what it believed to be the earliest event in the development of sun-induced skin cancer: receptor molecules serving as an entry point for skin cancer in response to sun exposure. “The question at the core of this research was: ‘Why does ultraviolet light induce skin cancer?’” Dong said. With that discovery, Institute researchers began working to find an agent or compound that could be used to prevent skin cancers after sun exposure. The Hormel Institute’s skin cancer research has been featured several times on the covers of top scientific journals, including in 2009 and 2010 in “Cancer Research.” In 2009, research led by Dong showed kaempferol, a natural compound found in edible plants, might be a good agent for cancer prevention and treatment, especially for skin cancer. In 2010, “Cancer Research” featured work by The Hormel Institute’s Associate Director Dr. Ann M. Bode, who led a team showing that capsaicin — widely consumed globally in foods that contain chili peppers and also used in topical creams for pain relief — can act as a carcinogen, especially at the tumor promotion stage. The study suggested capsaicin might increase skin cancer risk. Bode also has led research studying the anti-skin cancer effects of compounds found in ginger. A year ago, The Hormel Institute’s skin cancer research led by Dong was featured on the cover of “Cancer Prevention Research.” The project, assisted by the Institute’s supercomputers, showed silybin, a compound from milk thistle, significantly inhibits the growth of melanoma. Among other discoveries, Dong’s team in recent years also has shown that the natural compound taxifolin suppresses UV-induced skin cancer. Dong’s team also shared its skin cancer research with the world’s top cancer investigators this spring at the American Association for Cancer Research’s annual conference in San Diego. That project highlighted their work showing kaempferol as a safe, new agent for preventing solar UV-induced skin cancer. Dr. Rebecca Morris, leader of the Stem Cells & Cancer research section, also is researching under a five-year, $1.7 million grant for skin cancer research focused on adult, non-human stem cells. She has been working to identify stem cell-regulating genes for 10 years, and has found one appearing to be linked to stem cell numbers and helping to protect against skin tumor development. With all that research, there’s still much to be done as Dong and many other Hormel Institute scientists work to find a cure for skin cancer, to guard the organ that guards us.
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OUT & ABOUT
Four drinks for a fall mood By Jenae Peterson • Photos by Eric Johnson Recipes provided by Gonzalo Cibils
Fall into the season with some delicious drinks. There’s no need to go out — with these recipes you can make them in the comfort of your own home. These drinks are sure to get you ready for fall, with flavors of cinnamon and apple you’re sure to enjoy the changing colors and falling leaves. Double the recipes and enjoy them with friends as you take out sweaters to keep the chill in check. Gonzalo Cibils at the 1910 was reminded of the fall 26 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
season when he shared these recipes, especially when he considered the cinnamon and apple flavors. The restaurant tries to use fresh ingredients in the drinks, which is one of the things that make these drinks stand out. With his background and experience in craft bartending, Cibils started the 1910 with co-owner Israel Gonzalez in February of 2014. He has served craft-drinks, as well as food, to Austin locals ever since.
Mosquito Fizz
— 2 muddled thin apple slices, red or green — 1 1/2 oz. of a bourbon of your choice — 3/4 oz. agave nectar — A pinch of cinnamon Shake with ice and pour into a glass. Garnish with a slice of apple and a little cinnamon.
Ambrosia
— 2 oz. of gin — 1 oz. unfiltered apple juice — 1/2 oz. lime juice — 1/2 oz. 100% pure honey Shake with ice and pour into an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with an apple slice.
1910 Old-Fashioned — 1/4 oz. maple agave nectar — 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters — 2 oz. of a good añejo tequila Add ice and stir for 15 seconds. Garnish with an orange peel.
Pancho Sour
Gonzalo Cibils, owner of the 1910, mixes an Ambrosia featuring a hard apple cider. Cibils said drinks created for fall should be crisp and refreshing.
— 1/2 oz. almond liqueur, suggested: Disaronno or Amaretto — 3/4 oz. bourbon — 1 oz. fresh lemon juice — 1 oz. fresh or pasteurized egg white — 1 oz. simple syrup* Shake and strain into a glass with no ice. Garnish with a lemon peel and cherries. *Simple syrup is made from equal parts of sugar and water simmered or boiled for two minutes. Let cool and strain into a bottle or container. If kept chilled, it will last about two weeks.
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What makes paddling a river particularly fun is the scenery always changes as you flow along. Even if you’ve done the same route before, you don’t always know what’s coming up ahead. Continues on 32
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Water levels were low, but we definitely still had a great trip on a beautiful, sunny day .... In July, I was part of a canoeing group that found this to be quite true. Justin Hanson of the Cedar River Watershed District and I joined Eric Johnson and Ben Ankeny of Austin Living Magazine to canoe the Cedar River’s Ramsey Mill Pond area (above the Ramsey Dam) and then the 3-mile route from Ramsey Dam to Austin’s Downtown Mill Pond. We canoed under a railroad bridge as a train passed by overhead, downstream from Old Mill Restaurant. We saw deer run away from the riverbank as we paddled by. Of course, we spotted large chunks of wood jammed under bridges — obviously the work of this past decade’s powerful, major TOP: a train crosses the Cedar floods. River just south of Ramsey Mill Water Pond. levels were MIDDLE: A trip down on the river low, but we can easily give the canoer the feeldefinitely still ing of being in northern Minnesota. had a great trip on a beautiful, BOTTOM: Justin Hanson of the CRWD guides a canoe down the sunny day, river. where we 32 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
enjoyed the natural surroundings and wooded corridor offered by the Cedar River, even within the city of Austin. We encountered several log jams, likely due to this past June’s flooding in the Wildwood Park area — a low-lying, heavily wooded stretch where the Cedar River splits several times into different finger streams. The river’s path narrows in those spots and it can be tough to determine which path to take. The Ramsey-downtown route had been clear of portaging issues this spring after numerous efforts in recent years, including by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, to remove blockages on the river but the high water filled those spots in once again with logs and debris. At the watershed district’s request, Conservation Corps of Minnesota volunteers tackled those log jams along the Wildwood stretch the week after our canoe trip. CRWD and Vision 2020 Waterways have been and will continue to work together with other agencies to clear up portaging issues along the Cedar River as quickly as possible to make it more easily and safely navigable for canoeists and kayakers.
That’s not the only work we’ve done for the river, however. Our watershed district is proud of its leadership that helped the Cedar River become designated in 2012 as an official DNR State Water Trail from Lansing to the Minnesota-Iowa border. Vision 2020 Waterways also is continuing to work on, among other projects, enhancing the Ramsey Dam area and promoting the Ramsey-downtown route on the Cedar River along with other canoe/kayak trip possibilities. If you have a canoe or kayak — or can borrow one — get out on the Cedar River this fall and try the Ramsey-Downtown stretch or paddle around the Ramsey Mill Pond area to take in nature and history. You can share your trip’s pics or water-recreation ideas with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cedarriverwd.
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5 U nd e r 4 0
By Trey Mewes • Photos
by
Eric Johnson
5 of Austin’s brightest young workers share their stories
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t takes a lot of skill to make a place like Austin so great. There are 25,000 Austinites who work hard to make products, save lives, teach others and keep people safe. What’s more, younger workers are continuously taking the lead to better our community. That’s why Austin Living is showcasing some of the best and brightest young talent in the area. These five professionals, all under 40, are excelling at their jobs, which makes the rest of Austin a success and a great place to live.
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Nakayla
Majewski
Age 24 Physician recruiter, Mayo Clinic Health System Nakayla Majewski loves helping people. It’s part of the reason why she got into human resources, after all. Her passion for people has helped propel the 24-year-old Austinite into a top slot as a physician recruiter at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin. “This is my dream job,” she said. “This was what I dreamed of, being a recruiter of some sort, and I’m very fortunate to be able to recruit physicians and nurse practicioners and physician’s assistants.” A 2011 Winona State University graduate, Majewski spent a short time at Fastenal before she decided to apply for a recruiter role with Mayo. Since she moved here in 2012, Majewski has spoken with plenty of candidates from all parts of the U.S. and many other countries to see where they fit best with Mayo and with Austin. Of course, it helps that she’s so interested in people. “Being a people-person is something that came natural and easy for me,” Majewski said. Majewski credits her success to the work ethic her parents taught as well as her dedication to making her goals happen. She also advises people to get involved in their community, as she has with the Austin Area Commission for the Arts and Leadership Austin. “You definitely have to know the community you’re speaking of when you’re talking to these candidates,” she said. Continues on 36
Nakayla Majeski, a self-proclaimed people person, is something she said lends well to her position as physician recruiter for Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin. September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 35
Alex
Bumgardner
Age 30 Power production director, Austin Utilities
Alex Bumgardner is a lifelong Austinite, but he didn’t necessarily know he would one day work for Austin Utilities. He definitely didn’t know he would one day run one of the power plants where he used to cut grass. “I like to joke that I started at Austin Utilities right after high school,” he said. “I was just working as a summer help.” After graduating from Iowa State University, Bumgardner traveled the country as a mechanical engineer for a Kansas City, Mo., company. Though he was happy with the work, he jumped at the chance to come back to Austin once a leadership position opened. “I wasn’t out necessarily looking for something else,” he said. “But that was the type of job that I knew I would be traveling my whole life, and that’s not what I wanted for my entire life. I wanted to settle down at some point and have a family.” Nowadays, Bumgardner oversees energy production for Austin Utilities and negotiates electrical rates with other energy companies, among other tasks. When the northeast power plant produces energy, he helps supervise the process. Bumgardner believes the work ethic he developed as a child has helped him achieves his goals. “I was probably 8 years old and mowing lawns and splitting woods at my grandpa’s,” he said. He also believes being at a job you love, one you want to do, is key to being successful. “It’s hard to be motivated when you’re not necessarily interested in what you’re doing,” he said. 36 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
Alex Bumgardner, power production director for Austin Utilities, wasn’t looking for a long-term job but found it working the old-fashioned way, from the ground up
Katie
Baskin
Age 35 Principal, Austin Public Schools
Austin High School Principal Katie Baskin works on the 2014 school year
It didn’t take long for Katie Baskin to realize how much she missed Austin. The longtime Austin educator became principal of Austin High School in early 2014 after almost two years at White Bear Lake Public Schools, but Baskin had been a part of Austin Public Schools since she graduated from Concordia University in 2002. Baskin had teaching in her blood — both her parents were teachers. “When I was younger in high school, I taught swimming in the summer and I just always loved working with kids,” she said. “It was just an easy choice.” Though Baskin thought she may become an athletic director one day, she didn’t expect to step into an administrative role so early in her career. She taught math at Ellis Middle School for three years before she became the dean of students at Austin High School, then she became assistant principal for seven years. Nowadays, Baskin’s days are busy. A principal works more with staff than with students, but Baskin still interacts with teenagers every day. “As principal, you really get to impact what they are experiencing on a daily level and on a daily basis,” she said. She is pleased to have come back to Austin and is grateful to have had so much guidance in her career. She also recommends prioritizing tasks and goals as much as possible, as there’s often more work to do than the day before. “I once had a mentor tell me, ‘If you can look at yourself in the mirror and say I did the best I could today,’ then you’re successful,’” she said. Continues on 38 September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 37
Brigitte
Campbell
Age 33 Executive Director, Freeborn Mower Habitat for Humanity The nonprofit world wasn’t Brigitte Campbell’s first career, but she can’t imagine doing anything else. Campbell was a lifelong Austinite who graduated from Riverland Community College and Mankato State University before she became a Pacelli Catholic Schools teacher. Her literature degree came in handy as she became a drama director, as well as a reading and English teacher, at Pacelli for her first four years out of school. Yet Campbell was intrigued by a job opening at the American Red Cross. “I think I was ready for a change and wanted to give back to the Red Cross,” she said. She spent four years at the Red Cross as the executive assistant and found she really enjoyed nonprofit work. “I really admired the director there and was given an opportunity to act in a leadership role,” she said. “It was during my time there that I knew that I wanted to someday be an executive director for a nonprofit.” Campbell joined the local Habitat for Humanity in December 2012 and has expanded the organization’s efforts since then. She now leads a staff of three and Habitat for Humanity works closely with Vision 2020 and the city of Austin on exterior home repairs for needy families. Campbell helps tackle all of this on top of a growing list of homes to build in the area — Habitat volunteers have helped build five homes in Freeborn and Mower County this year. For Campbell, all that work is worth it. “I felt in my heart of hearts that this was where I needed to be,” she said. Continues on 40 38 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
Brigitte Campbell has clearly found a home with the Habitat for Humanity
September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 39
Lindsey
Haney
Age 35 Co-owner, Style Lounge At first, Lindsey Haney took a cosmetology course at Riverland Community College as an interest rather than a passion. She had always loved the arts, but she hadn’t considered cosmetology as a career. “I signed up last minute,” she said. “I don’t even remember why. I kind of felt like it was the most creative thing I could go to school for in Austin at the time.” Haney was hooked on hair styling immediately, however. Everything came naturally to her, as she puts it, and the art courses she previously took helped her excel in school. “It all made sense,” she said. After college, Haney worked at several area salons for a few years before she and a co-worker decided to strike out on their own. “We had the same mindset when it came to our vision,” she said. “We wanted a place that was very professional, but not stuffy, gender neutral — Men or women could come in here.” That vision became the Style Lounge, a successful salon in downtown Austin. As coowner, Haney works harder than most as she sees clients and helps run the business. She can see up to 10 clients a day, depending on how many hours she has, and works hard to meet her client’s needs. “A day in the life of a successful hairstylist is busy,” she said. “A lot of days, you go non-stop.” Being a successful entrepreneur wasn’t easy, as she had to find balance between her work and her family. Yet Haney credits her time management skills as a key to her success. “You just develop time management,” she said. Her passion is another key motivator for work. “[Your work] has to be your true passion,” she said. 40 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
LIndsay Haney, along with co-owner, Jill DeMeyer have created a hip place here in Austin to have hair styled.
• Scenic, wooded location along the Cedar River • 24 hour safety, temperature & alarm protection • Tender, loving care from an experienced staff • Very clean, spacious, modern facilities • 5,000 square foot doggy playground • Many activities for your K9 kids • Heated & air conditioned • Pet gift shop • Multi-pet discount • Residence on-site “Our large, individual, indoor/outdoor runs allow your pet unlimited freedom to exercise outside!”
September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 41
Eloquently
Hattie Stadheim’s fall collection shows autumn isn’t just sweaters and scarves Story
and
Photos
by
Eric Johnson
42 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
The Piper Peplum, shown off by model Nikki Genmer, is one of Hattie Stadheim’s more versatile fall outfits that can easily be paired with a variety of clothes.
Continues on 44
September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 43
A
s fall begins to overtake summer, clothing trends tend to drift to heavy clothes: sweaters, jackets and
scarves. But there are avenues leading to a more eloquent look for fall. Clothes that can bridge the gap from the warmth of summer to the early days of autumn, a gap designer Hattie Stadheim is aiming to cross with her early fall line. Her clothes are meant to be fitted and relaxed, able to both dress up as well as drew down and be edgy and feminine. Stadheim, who has launched her own line under her company, House of Hattie, dresses her customers in colors of cream, mint and black that is right at home in the time of year that can be blessedly warm during the day, but still be chilly at night. -Hattie Stadheim, “It’s not Designer of for super cold weather,” House of Hattie Stadheim clothing line explained. “Just to transition. You can layer this clothing line. It’s meant to be layered.” The layers of Stadheim’s first fall line are versatile, a bridge to her later, second fall line. “I wanted to show versatility, but yet if a customer bought a piece, they don’t have to worry about what to wear with it,” Stadheim said. One might think at first that Stadheim used the three prime colors of tan (cream), mint and black because of a link to the season itself — green transitioning to browner colors. But that’s looking too much into the meaning behind the clothes. For Stadheim, it’s more about class and a further effort to mix and match. “I chose black and tan because to me it’s very classy,” she said. “It allows me to mix and match with a variety of colors. That’s where the mint color comes in kind of wanted to add a pop-out color.” What’s more, Stadheim’s designs allow the customer to mix and match not only her clothes, but clothes they already have. Continued on 48
“You can layer this clothing line. It’s meant to be layered.”
44 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
The Piper Peplum —Perfect peplum for layering or wearing alone —Fitted, knit top with delicate brocade bottom and intricate venetian lace trim —Polyester Colors: Black, cream, mint. Sizes: Small, medium, large.
Price: $35
September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 45
Models Madeline Anderson and Nikki Genmer, inset, model different combinations of The Sonja Scuba Dress
46 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
“[The second line] will have its own entity, but still be worn with the first fall collection.”
The Sonja Scuba Dress —Applique suede cloth House of Hattie design —Fitted A-line style with princess seamlines —Scoop neckline, back and front. —Poly/spandex blend Colors: Black. Sizes: Small, medium, large.
Price: $45 September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 47
Continued from 44 “I think it’s true how they perceive the clothes and adapt it to their own particular clothes,” Stadheim said. “I hope the customer sees that as well.” As this early fall line is meant to bridge summer and fall, it also will serve to give customers a jumping-off point into colder days later this year. At the same time, this first line is able to work both lines into one. “I’ll be taking a few design elements and incorporating them into the second fall collection,” she said. “[The second line] will have it’s own entity, but still be able
The Tatiana Tote
— Perfect multi-use tote for all of your needs — Burlap, printed House of Hattie Logo
Price: $15 to be worn with the first fall collection.” There’s the larger picture to consider as well. How this line works into all the other seasonal lines Stadheim is working on. “My hope is to have someone purchase a summer piece of clothing and fall and winter so they can see it as the House of Hattie,” she said. “I want them all to be able to coordinate and yet be able to stand alone in some way.”
The Willow Boyfriend Blazer —Fitted and relaxed —Dress up or dress down —Edgy and feminine —Taupe knit blazer with delicate brocade bottom —Poly/spandex blend Colors: Black and cream. Sizes: Small, medium, large.
Price: $65
48 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 49
TRAVEL
LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE Pastor Brett Williams found a new perspective preaching in Brazil By Alex Smith • Photos
Driving down a road in Northeastern Brazil, Brett Williams felt like he was stuck between two worlds. To his right, he could see a fancy and seemingly new Mercedes Benz. On the other side,there wasn’t even a motorized vehicle. Instead, a donkey and its owner traveled alongside him. “You’d even see people pulling their own carts,” Williams said. “The world is vast, and it’s wonderful to spend time in a different culture.” Williams, a pastor for almost eight years at Grace Baptist Church, came to Brazil to preach and minister alongside missionaries that Grace Baptist sent 25 years before. These missionaries are members of Grace Baptist, and come back every four years on furlough. “I met many, many different people,” Williams said. Williams went on his trip solo, though that wasn’t his initial plan. Williams and his wife had worked to set up the trip for about a year before an unexpected problem arose.
Juaziero, Brazil 50 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
submitted by
Brett Williams
“Our 6-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes a few months before [the trip], so my wife decided to stay back,” Williams said. Though there were hardships at home, Williams knew he still had a duty to fulfill in Brazil. By the time mid-February rolled around, a hop off the plane in Brasilia, Brazil, felt heavenly to Williams compared to the sub-zero temperatures in Minnesota. “I got on the plane in Minneapolis and it was negative 17 degrees,” Williams said. “But when I got off the plane in Brasilia, it was 85, with no humidity and sunny.” The flights were a tiring experience, according to Williams. “[The flights] took many hours in many locations,” he said. The two-week journey began in Crato, with many different church services whereWilliams spoke with the missionaries. “There were just some wonderful churches down there in Brazil,” Williams said.
Juan Pesseo , Brazil
A class at the Seminario Baptiste de Carari (Baptist Seminary of the Carari)
“The church is growing, and the gospel is going forth.” The second part of the trip was spent in João Pessoa. There, Williams spoke at a missionary conference and was able to visit beautiful coastal beaches. “The world is vast, and it’s wonderful to spend time in a different culture,” Williams said. Another surprise to Williams was the poverty in Brazil. Williams describes the area he stayed in as urban and crowded, with an immense amount of poverty, more so than he had ever seen before. “There was a church that I ministered in with a brand new school, though it was more of a covered patio, Williams said. “It’s not what you and I would think of a school. They didn’t have anything except their saints.” This trip isn’t the first place Williams has gone to preach. He once worked on a Navajo Indian Reservation in New Mexico, along with his first mission trip as a teen, where he
went to northern Wyoming. This mission, however, is just the beginning of Grace Baptist’s involvement in Brazil. Another goal of Williams’ was to lay the groundwork for a group of 15-20 people who will come from Grace Baptist Church next June. The members will range from youth of the church, as well as elders in their 70s. “I hope they see the work what the Lord is doing in Brazil, how the gospel is spreading, and how we can help that,” Williams said. “We have helped many churches [in Brazil], but we haven’t sent a group of people to see what God and our fellow churches are doing.” The journey back home for Williams was bittersweet. Though he was excited to see his wife and children, there was one thing Williams dreaded as he returned home. “It was hard knowing that the temperatures back in Minnesota were in their teens,” he said.
Crato, Brazil
Pastor Brett Williams, missionary Jim Leonard, and a deacon of a church in Crato Brazil
September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 51
52 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 53
LOOKING BACK
The harvest times By Jaimie Timm, Mower County Historical Society Photos provided by the Mower County Historical Society
Several undated Mower County Historical Society photos show life on the farm in decades past.
As summer fades and the air becomes crisp, many in Austin and Mower County turn their thoughts to harvesting. This collection of photographs shows several people from around Mower County in the midst of threshing in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Some of these individuals may even be “pioneers” of Mower County since many of the earliest settlers came to the area in search of farm land. Upon arrival in Mower County in the mid-19th century, they found unbroken sod with rich soil and prairies that stretch for miles. At first, most farmers planted one main crop — wheat. However, the fields began producing less and less in the 1860s and 1870s. Gradually, as they learned more about the nutrients in the soil and heard about the idea of crop rotation Mower County farmers began producing larger, healthier and more varied crops in the 1880s. While it may look primitive, these farmers in the photographs had it much easier than the early Mower County
54 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
farmers of the mid-19th century. The first farmers used hand tools and wagons pulled by horses or oxen to harvest. Around the turn of the century, farmers used threshing machines (some even steam powered) to help harvest their fields much more quickly. Because the area was more settled, large groups of neighbors could join together to help one another finish the hard work of threshing. These pictures also inspire many questions. What made these farmers stop their work and pose for a photograph? Did the photographers have a special project in mind? Were they specifically trying to document agriculture around Austin? Were they part of the threshing crew? Where are they working in the county? Unfortunately, many of our questions may never be answered. However, if you are able to identify anyone in the photographs or where they were taken, please contact the Mower County Historical Society at 507-437-6082 or info@mowercountyhistory.org.
September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 55
INSIDE AUSTIN LIVING
Summertime is often the best time to schedule shoots and take photos for our magazine. The area scenery becomes especially beautiful and conditions are often perfect for a great shoot. That was the case when photographer Eric Johnson and marketing representative Ben Ankeny joined Tim Ruzek and Justin Hanson of the Cedar River Watershed District out on the river north of Austin in July. It was a beautiful day on the river that offered many opportunities for great photos. Speaking of great photos, Johnson and the Austin Living crew continued a great streak of wonderful fashion photoshoots. This issue, fashion designer Haddie Stadheim and a model showcased Haddie’s latest clothing line. In this photo, Haddie helps adjust the model’s outfit for the shoot. 56 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
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January-February 2014 | Austin Living | 63
AUSTIN LIVING AUTOMOTIVE
FINANCIAL
DAVE SYVERSON AUTO CENTER: 2310 East Main Street, Albert Lea, MN www.davesyverson.com (507) 373-1438 Experience the difference with Dave Syverson’s non-commissioned sales team. Visit your local Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, LINCOLN, Nissan, Volkswagen, Ram dealership serving Albert Lea and surrounding areas. Access the most upto-date internet car buying tools on their website.
ACCENTRA CREDIT UNION: 400 4th Ave. NE, Austin, MN (507) 433-1829 www.accentracu.org Open to anyone who lives, worships, works or attends school in Mower, Olmsted, Freeborn or Winona County. Check us out for home, auto, business or personal loans. Credit unions have better rates and fewer fees. Mobile banking available 24/7. Become a member today. Locations in Austin and Albert Lea.
HOLIDAY CARS OF AUSTIN: 2701 West Oakland Ave., Austin, MN www.holidaycarsaustin.net www.holidayford.net (888) 267-1356 Holiday Cars of Austin is proud to be one of the premier dealerships in the area. From the moment you walk into our showroom, you’ll know our commitment to Customer Service is second to none. We strive to make your experience with Holiday Cars a good one – for the life of your vehicle. Whether you need to purchase, finance, or service a new or pre-owned vehicle, you’ve come to the right place.
DENTAL DRS. ELROD, GREEN & HYLAND, DDS: 800 1st Ave. SW, Austin, MN (507) 437-8208 www.yoursmileperfected.com Drs. Elrod, Green & Hyland is a modern, state-of-the-art practice offering patients a full-range of general and cosmetic dental services, from routine check-ups to complete smile makeovers. The doctors practice conservative, proactive dentistry utilizing the latest in dental technology. The first step towards a beautiful smile and a lifetime of good oral health is to schedule an appointment. Our office works with numerous Insurance Carriers. For your convenience, we offer a variety of payment options. Call today to schedule your appointment. We look forward to serving you for years to come!
DINING TORGE’S LIVE: 1701 4th St. NW, Austin, MN (507) 433-1000 www.torgeslive.com Torge’s has the best regional entertainment and the coldest beer in Austin! Enjoy 22 flat screen HDTV’s, a large outdoor patio with fire pit, live music, and daily food and drink specials. Torge’s Live Sports Bar and Grill is Austin Minnesota’s best nightclub!
EDUCATION NIACC: 641-422-4245 1888-GO-NIACC www.niacc.net NIACC has a history of providing quality post-secondary opportunities. Ranked #14 in the nation for student success, NIACC offers a long list of opportunities: Adult/Developmental education, Career/Technical education, the first step to your bachelor’s degree, & Workforce development. PACELLI CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: 311 4th St. NW, Austin, MN (507) 437-3278 www.pacellischools.org A tradition of excellence that spans over 100 years in the city of Austin. Our core values have always been Faith, Service & Scholarship. Small class sizes and flexible grouping allow for individualized education. Affordable tuition for all. Please give us a call for more information.
58 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
HOME IMPROVEMENT AREN’S HEATING: 101 3rd St. SE, Austin, MN (507) 433-5652 www.arensheatingandcooling.com Steve and Penny Arens working hard to make “Our Furnace Company Your Furnace Company” for 30 years since 1983. Selling “Top Rated” Bryant Equipment. We will service any make or model. 24 HR Emergency Service. Free Estimates. Call Today (507) 433-5652. BUDGET BLINDS: 310 1st Ave. S., Albert Lea, MN (877) 373-8535 www.budgetblinds.com/AlbertLea We proudly serve the local community by offering high quality and stylish window coverings for any occasion. Our lavish selection of window treatments includes shutters, blinds, draperies, shades and even window film. Call us today to schedule your free in-home consultation. Looking forward to helping you beautify your home! CUSTOM DRAPERY & BLINDS BY MICHAEL ESCH: 1120 Aspen Drive, Burnsville, MN 55337 Voice: (952) 895-0618 www.cdabbyme.com Custom Drapery and Blinds by Michael Esch is one of the leading window coverings businesses in the area. Our mission is to provide a top quality product at value oriented pricing with the strongest customer warranty in the business. FREEBORN LUMBER COMPANY & DESIGN CENTER: 971 Plaza Street West, Albert Lea, MN www.freebornlumber.com (507) 377-4284 A family owned business that began in 1946. Stop in and visit their new facility and design showroom. Freeborn Lumber features quality building materials, new home design, kitchen remodels, cabinet design, agricultural buildings and outdoor living spaces. HOME SOLUTIONS: 603-1st Ave. S., Albert Lea, MN (507) 373-3435 www.homesolutionsmidwest.com Update your home with windows, siding, sunroom, gutters, Gutter Helmets, sunshades, or metal roofing. We make homes new again.
INSURANCE LISA HINES AGENCY — AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE: 701 W Oakland Ave. Austin, MN 55912 (507)433-2160 As your American Family Insurance agent, I believe there’s more to insurance than the policy itself. It’s about providing dependable protection and service. That’s why earning your trust is my policy. Stop in for a free insurance quote. THOMPSON INSURANCE INC.: 507 1st St. NW Suite A., Austin, MN (507) 437-9025 Thompson Insurance, Offering Better Solutions through Atlas Insurance Brokers. We compare rates from over 50 insurance companies including AAA, Progressive, Travelers, The Hartford, Met, Safeco, Integrity, West Bend, Selective and many more. This allows us to provide you a customized, comprehensive and cost effective insurance plan for your Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Business Insurance, Life Insurance and Health Insurance needs.
MARKETPLACE PHARMACY MEDICAP PHARMACY: 1109 W. Oakland Ave., Austin, MN (507) 4331729 At The Medicap pharmacy, we’re committed to providing a higher level of customer care. We continuously strive to find ways to better serve the people of our communities, and we’re devoted to providing the kind of personal attention you just can’t find anywhere else. At your Medicap Pharmacy® store, we’ll always make time for you. To us, that means that we’re here for you when you have questions about your health. It also means that you can depend on us to provide you with the most up-todate information regarding medications, conditions and treatment options
SERVICES THE AUSTIN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 329 North Main St., Austin, MN (507) 437-4561 www.austincoc.com The Chamber represents about 400 business members who collectively employ nearly 10,000 people in the Austin and Mower County area. We organize major events that showcase the community, including Freedom Fest and Christmas in the City. We promote our members through programs such as Buy Mower/Grow Mower. And we serve as a voice for a strong business environment.
AUSTIN UTILITIES: 400 Fourth St. NE, Austin, MN (507) 4338886 www.austinutilities.com Austin Utilities is offering great rebates to residential customers who purchase energy efficient appliances and heating and cooling equipment. Look for products with the ENERGY STAR label that meet our Minimum Efficiency Requirements (MER)*. When you purchase your energy saving equipment, ask for a rebate application, fill it out, attach your receipt, and send it to your utility! CONSERVE energy for the environment and SAVE money for yourself.
SHOPPING MEDFORD OUTLET CENTER: 6750 W. Frontage Rd., Medford, MN (507) 455-4111 www.medfordoutletcenter.com Our shopping destination continues its 20 year commitment of offering an exciting shopping experience of your favorite famous brands to southern MN and traveling tourists. We are located on Interstate 35 at exit 48 with close by dining and lodging. GYPSY K CONSIGNMENT: Oak Park Mall, Austin – Next to Younkers. (507) 433-5555 Open Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm, Thursday 11am-7pm, Saturday 11am-5pm and Sunday Noon-4pm. High-end consignments. Clothing, shoes, jewelry, special occasion dresses, purses and home decor. We buy and sell name brand items.
September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 59
Fall is here, leaves are changing color and Halloween is coming up. See what Austin has to offer in its most colorful season. All dates, times, and locations subject to change.
August 28
n Lunchbox History Series – “Railroads in Populating the American West” When: 12-1 p.m. Where: Mower County Historical Society, Pioneer Building Historian Dr. Don Hofsommer joins us to discuss how the railroads aided in moving people into the western frontier. With more accessibility to goods, what motivated people into this vast area of the unknown? For more information, call 507-437-6082.
Sept. 7-10
n 68th Annual National Barrow Show When: All day Where: Mower County Fairgrounds Visitors come from around the world for this show. It starts out with a delicious Windsor Porkchop dinner on Sunday. For more information, call the fair grounds office at 507-433-1868.
Sept. 10
n Steak Cookout Fundraiser When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: Izaak Walton Cabin, Todd Park Austin Chapter 10 of the Izaak Walton League hosts charcoal fire, self-grilled steaks served with the trimmings in a casual atmosphere to sponsor fellowship opportunity for members of the public. For more information, call 507-433-2735.
Sept. 12
n Open Mic by the Fireplace When: 7-10 p.m. Where: The Brickhouse Coffee House Readers, writers, musicians, poets, storytellers and listeners, come early for a light supper. Opens at 6 p.m. For information, call Michael Cotter at 507-440-0667 or the Brickhouse Coffee House at 507-433-1939.
Sept. 13
n 2014 Movie Series — “Casablanca” When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Where: Historic Paramount Theatre This is a special movie series sponsored by Knutson Construction. Tickets are $5 for all showings. For more information call 507-434-0934. 60 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
Sept. 20
n North Central Scottish Highland Cattle Regional Show When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Where: Mower County Fairgrounds See the most unique and majestic breed of beef cattle around. This is a family event for both exhibitors and the public. The junior show starts at 9 a.m., and the open show starts at noon. Please check www.mowercountyfair.com for updates. For more information, call Mark Schulz, organizer, at 507-582-1073 or got to mark@flatlandfarms.com.
Sept. 20
n RE-Fest Green Living & Clean Energy Festival When: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Mower County Fairgrounds RE-fest is an annual celebration of green living and clean energy, featuring a bike ride, demonstrations and displays, workshops, vendors, food, music by Bella Ruse, free well water testing, electronics recycling and secure document shredding, Farmers Market, and lots of fun activities. Hosted by the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, Austin Utilities, Riverland Community College and others. For more information, visit www.refest.org or call 507-437-7519.
Sept. 20
n Tim Patrick and his Blue Eyes Band When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Where: Historic Paramount Theatre Tim Patrick is a dynamic Sinatra-style singer who performs regularly in the Twin Cities area with his swingin’ Blue Eyes Band. Come see him light up the Paramount Stage. Cost is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. For more information, visit www.timpatrickmusic.com, or www.facebook.com/timpatrickmusic.
Sept. 2-Oct. 31
n Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch When: All day Where: Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch Celebrate more than 25 years of family fun. Pick your own pumpkins, discover fall decorating items, take advantage of fall photo opportunities, take horse and wagon rides. Groups are welcome. Call 507-437-9180 for reservations or information.
Sept. 25
n Lunchbox History Series — Incident at Otterville Station When: 12-1 p.m. Where: Pioneer Building, Mower County Historical Society There will be a book presentation and signing by John Christgau. The book tells the story of how the Ninth Minnesota Regiment saved 13 slaves who were sent illegally from Missouri to Kentucky to be sold during the Civil War. For more information, call 507-437-6082.
Sept. 27
n Tim Patrick and His Blue Eyes Band When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Where: Historic Paramount Theatre Tim Patrick is a dynamic Sinatra-style singer who performs regularly in the Twin Cities area with his swingin’ Blue Eyes Band. Come see him light up the Paramount Stage. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, or as part of a season ticket packet for $50. For more information, call 507-434-0934 or go to www.paramounttheatre.org.
Oct. 3
n Halloween Warm-Up When: 6-8 p.m. Where: Jay C. Hormel Nature Center The event is co-sponsored with the Matchbox Children’s Theatre, held along the nature center trails. For more information, call 507-437-7519 or go to www.matchboxchildrenstheatre.org.
Oct. 5
n Dad’s Belgian Waffle Breakfast Fundraiser When: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Where: Austin Eagles Club Dad’s Belgian Waffle Breakfast Fundraiser for The Arc Mower County tickets are available from any member of the Board of Directors or at The Arc Mower County office. Advance tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6 to 12. At the door tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for kids ages 6 to 12. Kids up to 5 are free. Take out orders will be available. For more information, call 507-433-8994.
Oct. 9 - 11
n Friends of the Austin Public Library Annual Fall Book Sale When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Where: Austin Public Library The fundraiser will have used books/DVDs for sale. Donations are welcome. Call 507-433-2391 for more information.
Oct. 24
n Tonic Sol-fa When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Where: The Historic Paramount Theatre Although simply four voices and a tambourine, Tonic Sol-fa has spent considerable time on the road carving their niche as the nation’s top vocal group. In the midst of touring, this quartet has been named one of the top five “must see” groups in America. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, or as part of the Season Ticket Package for $50. For more information, call 507-434-0934 or go to www.paramounttheatre.org.
Oct. 31
n 2014 Movie Series - Night of the Living Dead When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Where: The Historic Paramount Theatre This special movie series is brought by the Knutson Construction. Tickets are $5 for all showings. For more information, call 507-434-0934. September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 61
BOOK REVIEW
AN AUSTIN
MYSTERY By Bonnie Rietz
As the Austin Page Turners committee plans for the 2015 Page Turners author, committee members are taking time to share some of their favorite Minnesota books with Austin Living. Bonnie Rietz is a Page Turners committee member and is reviewing “Delivering Death” by Julie Kramer. 62 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
“Hormel Hint” could have been the name of Julie Kramer’s sixth novel since she has used double alliteration from the start with her novels — “Stalking Susan,” “Missing Mark,” “Silencing Sam,” “Killing Kate,” “Shunning Sarah,” and now “Delivering Death.” “Well, like most of the town, my father worked at the Hormel plant,” stated one of the characters in her book. Julie continues writing, “Those words should have bonded us like high school sweethearts meeting decades after graduation. I should have imagined taking him home to introduce him to my parents. But the minute he uttered the name Hormel, I knew something was off.” You will discover the false identity of one of the characters in Julie Kramer’s latest novel by his using the Hormel pronunciation instead of Hormel. This is just one of the clues that Julie keeps revealing in this page-turner book. Our Austin Page Turners’ committee is considering this book for our 14th annual citywide book read in 2015. Julie talked about her latest book at the Austin ArtWorks Festival at noon on Saturday, Aug. 23. Julie grew up near Austin on a fourth-generation farm, where they raise cattle and grow corn. I visited with her after she wrote her first novel and she talked about the excitement of being able to check out books from the Austin Public Library when she was a little girl. She later went on to become a producer at both NBC and CBS, and she also ran the investigative unit at WCCO TV in Minneapolis. She has received numerous awards for her investigative reporting. Julie now lives in White Bear Lake. The action takes place not only in southeastern Minnesota but also in the Twin Cities. From her descriptions of the action, we can picture the Mall of America, the Mary Tyler Moore statue on Nicollet Mall and the neighborhoods of Minneapolis and St. Paul as she sets about to solve yet another mystery. Immediately we are drawn into the action when the hero of all six of her novels, Riley Spartz, a TV investigative journalist for Channel 3 news in Minneapolis, receives a package with a set of 27 smelly human teeth! Thus begins her quest to find out who the teeth belong to and why they were sent to her. She uses her regular characters to help solve the mystery — Nick Garrett, her on again/off again ex-fiance in charge of security at the MegaMall; Malik, her loyal photographer; Xiong, computer sleuth, and Bryce, her irritating news director. In addition to these characters, we are introduced to Leon Akume, a low-life crook who is an ex-con turned government informant in an identity-fraud case, Jack Clemens, a wealthy white-collar opportunist who is behind bars, Lisa Melby, who works in a funeral home and whose life Akume ruined, and David Johnson, a handsome man unusually interested in a fish painting once owned by Clemens. The action starts with Spartz receiving those 27 teeth in her mail, which sets off a series of exciting adventures across the Twin Cities and southeastern Minnesota. Spartz even goes to a class reunion in Austin and visits the Spam Museum. What better setting for another exciting mystery from this crime writer? Help the Austin Page Turners decide if this would be a good book to feature for our 2015 project! Read this intriguing novel, listen to the author speak at the Austin ArtWorks Festival and let a Page Turner know what you think.
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 3532 Hwy 63 South • Rochester, MN 55904
September–October 2014 | Austin Living | 63
WHY I LOVE AUSTIN
Scott and Janet Anderson
The arts opportunities and the work to help establish them By Janet Anderson
Right after family and friends, the answer to why we love Austin for my husband, Scott, and I is arts. Scott is an Austin native and I’ve been here since 1974. We both have made significant contributions to local arts for more than 40 years here. We believe that a vibrant, diverse arts scene enhances the quality of life so when you want something positive to happen, jump in and get involved by sharing talent, energy and passion. Dreams do become reality when you work together to make it happen, and we are an effective team. One of Scott’s strengths is music. He is a talented bass player and skilled “sound man” and coordinator of band gigs to major music events. Scott has received many accolades for his skills from both local and national music acts.
64 | Austin Living | September–October 2014
My talents are rooted in theatre. Soon after moving to Austin, I got involved with Summerset Theatre and saw a niche for more children’s theatre. I met Bill Libby when we both worked for Austin Parks and Recreation and established Matchbox Children’s Theatre in 1975. Bill moved away and the Parks and Recreation job ended, but my dedication to MCT continued. So far, MCT has presented 123 plays. This fall, we will launch our 40th season and 31st annual Halloween Warm-Up at the Hormel Nature Center. Scott and I support one another on music and theatre projects but our most significant joint contribution to Austin is the preservation and restoration of the Historic Paramount Theatre. We both got actively involved at the beginning of the project in 1989, and we kept going strong until it became what we worked hard to achieve, a distinctive landmark and destination as a performing arts venue. I also served as a charter board member, grant writer and avid leader. Scott was a dedicated volunteer for 12 years and was Paramount Manager from 2001 to 2012. This was the primary restoration timeframe, so it was vital to balance historic accuracy with developing stage, sound and lighting systems to serve performing arts well. We credit many amazing volunteers and skilled workers who shared a vision to restore and revive the Paramount Theatre. We gave many volunteer hours to help establish the flourishing Austin ArtWorks Festival and got involved with Austin’s first TEDx event. I continue to work with MCT and Scott is playing music with the Cosmic band. Who knows what’s next for us. Stay tuned.