Austin Living • September-October 2016

EDITOR’S NOTE

Reaching a milestone Austin, Albert Lea magazines celebrate 10-year anniversaries What started out as a joint effort between the Austin Daily Herald and Albert Lea Tribune is celebrating its 10th anniversary in this issue.

The two publications now known as Austin Living and Albert Lea magazine began as one magazine named Southern Minnesota.

The premiere edition published in fall 2006 with a goal of creating something new and exciting while strengthening business relationships.

Southern Minnesota magazine published quarterly, with 10,000 copies printed and mailed to homes in Freeborn and Mower counties with home values of $125,000 or higher.

The magazine covered people, places and things across all of southern Minnesota.

In spring 2009, Southern Minnesota created a special issue focused primarily on women called Southern Minnesota Venus.

The Venus edition produced the highest grossing sales with a huge reader reception.

The Venus edition continued each spring through spring 2012 when the magazine publishers and editors revamped the magazine to focus more on women for every issue — though 2 | Austin Living | September–October 2016

men could still enjoy many of the articles.

This attracted more reader appreciation and more business partners so that in winter 2012, Southern Minnesota magazine published its last issue before transitioning into two magazines: Austin Living and Albert Lea magazine.

The magazine circulation was split to 5,000 each. Publication of each magazine expanded from four times per year to six times.

“The craziest thing happened when we changed the name,” said Albert Lea magazine Publisher Crystal Miller.

“Acquaintances in the community started bragging and congratulating us on starting a magazine. They didn’t even think about that Southern Minnesota magazine had been around for seven years. Advertisers loved it, the community loved it, sales increased.”

Since 2013, circulations have remained at 5,000 for each publication, and the magazines continue to be published six times per year.

Photographer and Austin Living co-Editor Eric Johnson, who started with Southern Minnesota and now photographs for Austin Living, said the magazine has come much further than he thought it would at the beginning.

“We had such a large target area, that I honestly didn’t know if we could effectively keep it going,” Johnson said. “However, it’s turned into a labor of love. Both of our magazines are far more than what the original idea was. It’s been fun being part of the evolution.”

Both Austin and Albert Lea have embraced their community’s magazine.

With past features like a Roaring ’20s-themed photo shoot, the annual Austin Expression literary magazine and the recent Austin Eats series highlighting Austin-based restaurants, Austin Living has thrived to continually produce exciting and creative content.

The last few issues of Austin Living have sold out quickly The magazines’ mission is to present a positive image of the interesting and intriguing aspects of the characters, locations and quirks that make living and working in the Austin and Albert Lea communities so remarkable.

The magazines feature local content about friends, family, neighbors and people in the community.

As the magazines move into the future, the staff is excited continue with the success the magazine has seen in its first 10 years.

– Sarah Stultz Albert Lea magazine editor September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 3

WHAT’S INSIDE

SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2016

features FROM GARAGE TO WATER

Jay Morehouse builds canoes and kayaks from his garage as he hopes to grow business

HONEYED LABORS

Local beekeeper shares the buzz and benefits of honey

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A WALK WITH LARRY

Dolphin is leaving the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center better than he found it

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OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS

Mountain biking team popularity climbs as numbers rise

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SEEN 6 CLASS TRIP TO D.C.

Austin High School sophomores take trip to historical sites out east.

WHAT’S IN STORE 14 CANDYLAND

Sweet Reads offers a range of choices to satisfy your sweet and savory sides.

AUSTIN EATS 18 A SLICE OF PIZZA HEAVEN

8 FREEDOM FEST

Austin and the area celebrate the Fourth of July at annual celebration.

10 HORMEL FOODS 125TH ANNIVERSARY

Austin’s own Hormel Foods Corp. celebrated a milestone with big acts and plenty of fireworks.

HOME & HEARTH 16 SAVING FOR THE LONG HAUL

A Rose Creek woman and her family are enjoying the fruits — and vegetables — of their labors through canning.

OUT & ABOUT 22 LOONACY

Four Daughters adds new tastes to its hard apple cider line.

24 THE HORMEL INSTITUTE

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Historic Austin pizza joints — George’s PIzza and Steve’s Pizza — share their pizza and non-pizza favorites.

Expansion attracts scientists to take root in Austin.

10 PUBLISHER Jana Gray

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EDITORIAL Co-Editors Jason Schoonover Eric Johnson Contributing Writers Jason Schoonover Eric Johnson Rocky Hulne Alex Smith Sarah Lynse Abby Jewett Photographer Eric Johnson ART Art Director Colby Hansen

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Graphic Designers Susan Downey Colby Hansen Eric Johnson Kathy Johnson Kim Ehrich SALES & PROMOTION Advertising Manager Jana Gray Sales Representatives Heather Ryks LeAnn Fischer Brenda Landherr Merry Petersen SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 2016 Volume 4, Number 5

TRAVEL 62 TOUR OF A LIFETIME

Grace Heimsness is getting a rolling look at the world around her as a bicycle guide with Trek Travel.

LOOKING BACK

extras

EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE: Editors, Austin Living 310 2nd Street NE Austin, MN 55912

66 AUSTIN LIVING

MARKETPLACE

68 AREA HAPPENINGS

70 ROOTS OF AN AUSTIN AUTHOR

64 AUSTIN’S BRIGHTEST STAGE

The Terp was Austin’s place to see the biggest musical names of its day.

The biggest upcoming events in Austin.

Austin native blends love and studies in debut memoir.

72 WHY WE LOVE AUSTIN

Because Austin is just right.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission.

For comments, suggestions or story ideas call 507-434-2235.

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

CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK! VISIT WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ AUSTINLIVINGMAGAZINE September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 5

SEEN | Class Trip to D.C. There’s no better way to learn about history than to actually live it. For the last 15 years, Austin High School students in the 10th-grade history class have been making a trip east to visit historical and famous sites such as Mount Vernon, Monticello, Gettysburg and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, among other sites. This year, the trip consisted of 46 students and five adults behind the organization of Andrea Malo. It was the perfect way for the students to learn about the past.

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11 10 (1) The changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. (2) Students visit the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. (3) The National Mall and reflecting pool in Washington, D.C. (4) Students visit Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. (5) Dave Brown with his daughter Maddie Brown at the Capitol with a statue of early Minnesota educator Maria L. Stanford. (6) Kelly Baier, from left, Madison Hasley and Bergon Hall at The Newseum. (7) Students pose for a group picture at the monument to the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry at Gettysburg. (8) Jack Dankert, from left, Jens Ourada, Logan Braaten, Bryar Flanders in front of the White House.

(9) From left Madison Hasley, Bergyn Hall, Emily Sayles, Kelly Baier, Kristina Thorson, Nikki Heimsness at Mount Vernon. (10) Students learn to march in formation at The Gettysburg Battlefield. (11) An actor portraying Thomas Jefferson gives a presentation at Monticello.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 7

SEEN | Freedom Fest Few events in the area can compare to the Fourth of July celebration in Austin known as Freedom Fest.

The Freedom Fest parade is one of the grandest parades in southeastern Minnesota, and the fun and games in Bandshell Park always lure the family to good times. There’s also not one, but two nights of fireworks lighting up the Austin sky and spirits, keeping people coming back again and again.

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(1) Little Miss Sparkler Daniela Camarena, 8, and Mr. Firecracker Lucas Schneider, 5, pose after winning their titles at Bandshell Park. (2) Elizabeth and Liana Belden. (3) Pacelli Catholic School’s Rachel Kahle, 5, throws candy during the Freedom Fest parade. (4) Danika Jensen, 8, smiles as she walks during the parade. (5) Daphanie Wagner, Slava Kritzer, Paul Koak, Jeff Anderson, Mike Ankeny, Jeff Kritzer and Gretchen Ramlo. (6) Infant Sam Vokoun of Austin snoozes through his first Freedom Fest parade.

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(7) Edwin Guy, 5, waves two clappers as he watches the Freedom Fest parade. (8) Gracie Greenman. (9) Parade grand marshal Larry Dolphin, the director/naturalist at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, smiles as the Freedom Fest parade moves down Fourth Avenue Northeast. (10) The Ripdoozers perform at Bandshell Park. (11) Tim Duren and Troy Watkins. (12) Marry Anna Sprengeler, 4, of Denver, Colorado, holds a flag as she watches the parade. (13) Misty Chastain. (14) Jeff and Kris Baldus.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 9

SEEN | Hormel Foods 125th Anniversary It was a celebration 125 years in the making as Hormel Foods Corp. celebrated it’s 125th anniversary in late July. For one day, downtown Austin became the site of one big party.

In the morning the Spam Museum celebrated its new home on Main Street with a grand opening celebration. Then throughout the afternoon into the evening visitors were treated to good food, games and a packed downtown. Food Network personality Sunny Anderson made some great Spam-related recipes and at night The Band Perry kicked it up to 11. All of this was capped with fireworks.

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(1) Liam Engelman, from left, Amelia Perez, Jonathon Salinas and Alayna Perez enjoying food from Jennie-O. (2) People sit down for a bite. (3) Olivia Holtan, left, and Zachary Hine play mini golf. (4) Patrick Sheehan, left, and Matias Parada pose with the Skippy mascott. (5) Stilt-walkers Caitlin Reilly and Ben Schawe from A Touch of Magic Entertainment, walk among the crowd in downtown Austin. (6) A dance troupe performs on Main Street.

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(7) Darcy Nicolai and Danika Schwartz dance. (8) Clara Morua, from left, Raven Hoppe and Ava Morua pose with Spammy. (9) Hormel CEO Jeffrey Ettinger introduces The Band Perry. (10) Kat Perkins performs. (11) Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry in the Spotlight. (12) Fireworks explode over the crowd, the crowning event of Hormel’s 125th anniversary celebration. (13) Food Network personality Sunny Anderson presents under a 125th banner.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 11

WHAT’S IN STORE

d n a l y d n ca ho to s

By Alex Smith • P

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Eric Johnson

Sweet Reads offers a range of choices to satisfy your sweet and savory sides

Adorned in a candy print dress covered with chocolates, ice cream and treats galore, it’s clear Diane Sherman has a passion for candy. She sells equally as unique and colorful candy behind the counter of Sweet Reads, located at 407 N. Main St, Austin.

“She’s the candy czar,” owner Lisa Deyo said about Sherman.

She also refers to her as “candy queen”

as Sherman chooses which candies to sell by determining which are colorful, nostalgic and approachable.

“We want it to be fun,” Sherman said.

With a full shelf of old-fashioned sweets like Gibralatars and Building Blox and seasonal treats like Maple Sugar Leaves and Gummy Pumpkins, you’ll have no trouble getting a fix for that sweet tooth.

candy buttons

Although they cannot be worn, the candy buttons are a favorite among children and adults feeling nostalgic.

The candy dots come on sheets of paper in three different flavors: cherry, lime and lemon. Because of the colorful and unique nature of the sweet, they have become a favorite for Sherman as well. “They are unusual to find,” she said. Two sheets of the candy are $1.49.

Seasoned Crickets

Many customers are hopping to Sweet Reads to get a taste of seasoned crickets, a popular item sold at the store. The seasoned snack comes in sour cream and onion, bacon and cheese, and salt ’n vinegar. Each package is $2.50.

building blox

Not only can customers eat these candies, but they can play with them as well. This sweet-tart flavored candy can be stacked and used to create miniature candy lands. “You can actually build with them,” Sherman said. A quarter pound of the candy is $1.99.

14 | Austin Living | September–October 2016

maple sugar leaves

Just in time for fall, Sweet Reads is offering a taste of the new season.

These maple sugar leaves are made of pure maple syrup. $4.99

gummy pumpkins

Sweet gummy shaped pumpkins will help fans of Halloween get into the holidays with this seasonal treat. $1.99 per quarter pound.

decades bag

These gift bags are perfect for adults looking to get a taste of their childhood. Each bag features a variety of candy that were popular in the ’70s, ’80s or ’90s. The price is $9.99 per bag.

sweet or sour gummy pigs With the Spam Museum right across the street, it made sense for the store to include a link to hometown flavors. While they do not taste like Spam, the sweet gummies are shaped like pigs and made in Minnesota. They are are available in a sour flavor as well. The sweets are $1.99 per quarter pound.

Lemon Gibraltar

This old fashioned candy offers a bit of history for customers looking to get some smarts with their sweets. The Gibraltar was the first candy sold Commercially in the United States and includes a brief background of the product on the back. The candy is available in both peppermint and lemon for $1.

old time mix

This goody bag of candy features treats from similar time periods. It includes Bit-O-Honey, Mary Jane, Root Beer Barrels and Lemonheads. “There’s an element of nostalgia,” Sherman said. The bag is $1.99 per quarter pound.

Curly Girlz Truffles

Using local products, Curly Girlz Candy, located out of Medford, Minnesota, sells a wide range of treats. At Sweet Reads, customers can get a variety of truffles, including: milk or dark sea salt caramels, milk or dark chocolate truffles, white chocolate limoncello truffles or key lime truffles. “You cannot eat just one,” Deyo said. Individual truffles are $1.50 or can be purchased five for $4.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 15

HOME & HEARTH

A Rose Creek woman and her family are enjoying the fruits — and vegetables — of their labors through canning

By Sarah Lynse • Photos

Years ago, canning was a way of life, but today’s health conscious consumer is taking another look at a skill that is too good to be forgotten.

When Patty and Mark Conradt’s children were small, they decided that by gardening and canning, they could provide the healthiest food possible for their family.

The family lives in the heart of Rose Creek next to The Rose Creek Locker, which has been a family business for 60 years. The Conradt’s found a way to combine their love of gardening with the family business when they bought the lot next to the locker and turned it into a gardener’s heaven. The lot is filled with three vegetable gardens, Honey Crisp apple trees and rows of beautifully landscaped flowers of every color and variety.

Patty has experience as a Master Gardener through the University of Minnesota Extension Program and she has served Mower County in this capacity by being involved with 4-H and the Mower County Fair.

“Gardening is not a burden, it is something that we do because we love it,” Patty said.

Patty’s husband Mark, son Carter, 17 and daughter Ashley, 16, are all involved with the process.

“Carter is currently building new strawberry beds in the garden, and Ashley enjoys canning food for fair projects,” Patty said.

Patty said her mother-in-law taught her about canning, but 16 | Austin Living | September–October 2016

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Eric Johnson

Any number of food items can be canned ranging from vegetables to fruits, juices and preserves.

Canning is time consuming, but rewarding. Essential to the process are large pots for boiling water, required to achieve a seal.

Patty’s instructions for how to can your own strawberry jam: q Start with freshly picked washed strawberries. q Cut stems off the berries. q Mash the berries or blend in a food processor q Follow your favorite jam recipe and measure appropriate amounts of strawberries and sugar. q Cook together according to recipe instructions.

Always use an approved USDA recipe for canning. q When the mixture comes to a boil, fill the canning jars. q Put lid on the jars and screw band on. q Boil water in a hot water canner/ large pot. The water should be 1-2 inches above the tallest jar. q Put jars in boiling water bath for 5-10 minutes. q Take jars out of bath using tongs and let them cool. q Listen for the seal to make a popping noise as it cools.

When you hear the noise, you will know the can is sealed. Press in center of jar after it has cooled. A jar that is sealed properly will not have any movement.

If the lid moves at all, this means it did not seal. q If it does not seal, put jam in refrigerator and use right away. q Store the jars you have canned in a cool, dark place. q Mark a date on the lid of the jar with a permanent marker.

Patty Conradt and her family have made canning a part of their diet, allowing them to live a health-conscious life.

added that you can also find lots of information on the University of Minnesota Extension website.

“One of the biggest advantages of canning is that everything tastes better. After you get used to fresh potatoes from the garden and applesauce made from the apples from your apple tree, it is difficult to go back to the store bought food,” Patty said.

The family does not use any chemicals in their gardens, but instead opt for a more natural approach to protecting their produce. This year they are wrapping the apples on their Honey Crisp trees with a nylon covering.

Patty pointed out that another reason that canning is gaining in popularity is that you are not eating food with preservatives.

Patty and her family also help with other family gardens at Patty’s childhood farm in rural Lyle. Last year she and her family canned 300 jars of food. Some of the family favorites include applesauce, meat, tomato juice, peaches, salsa, carrots, and apple butter, ground cherries and sauerkraut.

“I have learned a lot along the way, but nobody should be afraid to try it. To get started you will need some glass canning jars some heavy duty tongs, a special pot, called a hot water canner/ large pot for jams, fruit or pickles or a weighted pressure canner for vegetables and meat. You can get most of this equipment at your local hardware store, Runnings or Fleet Farm. The easiest item to start with is jam or jelly because there are only two ingredients — berries and sugar,” Patty said.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 17

AUSTIN EATS

A slice of pizza heaven Historic Austin pizza joints share their pizza and non-pizza favorites

By Alex Smith • Photos

by

Eric Johnson

Steve’s Pizza and George’s Pizza have been icons in downtown Austin for decades. Yet through various location changes, menu tweaks and changes over the years, they have continued to be powerhouses of cheesy goodness and favorites for visitors trying to get their pizza fix.

However, there is more to their menus than what people typically stop in for. Both restaurants feature numerous sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes and more.

In this edition of Austin Eats, we take a look at these popular pizza joints and how their menu and signature dishes have evolved over the years.

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September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 19

Below, the shrimp Alfredo pasta dish is a popular alternative to having pizza at Steve’s Pizza.

Right, Steve’s has plenty of pizza options but its Mama Mia is a long standing favorite for many.

Bottom right, the Hawaiian pizza and the Greek chicken pizza are also very popular.

Steve’s Pizza H Signature pizza: Mama Mia — pepperoni, sausage and extra cheese H Popular non-pizza items: Shrimp Alfredo and red pepper garlic chicken pasta H Founded in: 1978 Even just walking down the street, owner Steve Davis gets recognized for his signature pizza.

“I’ve walked down the street and someone will yell ‘Mama Mia’ at me,” Davis said.

The Mama Mia pizza has been served at Steve’s Pizza for 38 years and is featured on the original menu. The dish is made on homemade crust and sauce and comes with pepperoni, sausage and extra cheese piled on top.

“That’s people’s favorite,” Davis said.

Some people enjoy it so much they pay to have it sent across the country — and even across the world. Davis recalls one customer wanted a Mama Mia pizza for his or her birthday, but didn’t want to wait three to four days for ground shipping.

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Instead, he payed $400 to have it half-baked and air delivered for his special occasion. Davis has also sent his pizza to a local student who was studying in China and craved Steve’s pizza. Although Davis was concerned about the travel time, it held up and was enjoyed thousands of miles away from it’s Austin hometown.

“So, we deliver more than the usual pizza place,” Davis said.

While the pizza may be the most popular dish among customers, the restaurant has worked to develop the rest of its menu as well. Davis has noticed that sandwiches, salads, and especially pasta, have steadily increased in sales in the past few years. The shrimp Alfredo and red pepper garlic chicken pasta are both popular pasta dishes served at the restaurant.

Davis encourages customers to take a chance on trying new items, like he has done with creating them.

“We’re always looking for new ideas,” he said.

With new inspiration right across the street, Davis wanted to add more hometown flavor to the menu. Steve’s Pizza recently started offering Spam Burgers, and Spam and Pineapple pizza.

He had doubts about how the canned meat would taste on his pizza at first, but is happily surprised with the result.

“After you make it and pull it out of the oven, the aroma is delicious,” Davis said.

Below, George’s Pizza’s signature pizza — the George’s Special. The Greek salad, left, and Gondola sandwich, middle left, are two of George’s Pizza’s biggest non-pizza items on the menu.

George’s Pizza H Signature pizza: George’s Special — sausage, green peppers and onion H Popular non-pizza items: Gondola sandwich and Greek salad H Founded in: 1958 Jeremy Peck, his parents and brother only bought George’s Pizza last fall, but he’s very familiar with the expansive history of the business and what items people like from his 22 years as an employee at the restaurant.

For example, the George’s Special, topped with sausage, green peppers and onion, has been a fan favorite since it’s inception.

“It’s a simpler [pizza], but it’s one of our best sellers,” Peck said.

It’s hard for Peck to distinguish a single reason for this, but he believes it’s just the mixture of ingredients.

“The combination of the flavors together,” Peck said, explaining the popularity of the George’s Special.

Choosing just one pizza to be their speciality, however, is a hard task for Peck. They have several speciality pizzas on their menu, like Pesto Chicken, topped with homemade pesto sauce, chicken, red onions, tomatoes and green peppers, and the house special, with pepperoni, beef, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, kosher salami and five sausages.

“It’s hard to pick just one,” he said.

Along with pizzas, George’s also has popular sandwiches and salads. The Gondola sandwich, which includes various oils, mustard, ham, Kosher salami, onions, pickles, cheese and lettuce, was featured on the original menu along with the greek salad. The salad is made on spring mix lettuce with a blend of oils, cucumbers, red onions, Kalamati olives, pepperchini peppers, feta cheese, and basil and oregano.

“They’ve always been popular and people enjoy them,” Peck said.

George’s Pizza has kept its original 1958 menu, which helped make the business a staple of Austin, but the restaurant has also made additions over time and will continue to do so.

“We’ve kept everything from the original menu, and added to it,” Peck said.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 21

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OUT & ABOUT

hot and p Story

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Since 2014, Four Daughters Winery and Vineyard has been selling its own brand of hard apple cider, Loon Juice, to southeastern Minnesota and the Minneapolis area.

In that short time the winery has grown its line, expanding to include a recently completed, 14,000-squarefoot facility dedicated solely to hard cider production — the largest of its kind in the Midwest.

Now, Four Daughters has reflected that expansion in the form of three new Loon Juice flavors: Strawberry Shandy, Ginger Mojito and Tea Time along with a fourth — Grow a Pear — available as an inhouse variety only.

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Four Daughters adds new tastes to its cider line

The new flavors were introduced just a short time ago, according to Daron Ford, who himself only recently joined Four Daughters as the new head cider and wine maker.

“We released the three new flavors about a month ago, getting them canned just in time for the Fourth of July,” Ford said.

Each flavor stands on its own and is built off the original, unique take on hard apple cider. While other places might be combining different varieties of apples, Four Daughters is the only one using the Honeycrisp apple exclusively, which has a very little bitterness.

“It’s made from 100 percent Honeycrisp apples and is a direct connection to Minnesota,” Ford said.

“Nobody in the U.S. is doing that. We wanted to create our own little niche.

It’s lighter, cleaner, crisper. It’s almost like a light champaign.”

The beauty of the hard ciders is the bent toward versatility.

“It’s a very cold drink — the colder the better,” Ford said. “Ciders can be paired with anything.”

An important part of the process of coming up with the new flavors was not to obscure the original, crisp taste of Loon Juice. That still had to play a major part.

“We didn’t want to make any of these overpowering,” Ford said. “The background is still the cider. You still get that apple cider background.”

Strawberry Shandy

Of the four new flavors, Ford said the Strawberry Shandy is becoming the most popular. A traditional shandy is a mix of beer and a soft drink.

In the Strawberry Shandy’s case, it’s the original Loon Juice with a mix of fresh strawberries and lemonade.

“That seems to be the most popular,” Ford said.

Ginger Mojito

The key to this version of Loon Juice is the freshness of it, embodying those things that make a mojito so memorable.

“The key is the lime juice and the hint of mint,” Ford said. “You can’t get any fresher.”

Tea Time

Tea Time takes its concept from another famous drink — the Arnold Palmer. The Arnold Palmer is a non-alcoholic drink made from a mix of iced tea and lemonade.

For the Loon Juice recipe, the original flavor is half lemonade and half Chinese black tea.

Not surprisingly, Ford said, “It makes you think you’re on a golf course.”

Growing a Pear

(In house only) This drink has a simple origin: The original Loon Juice flavored with pear juice.

Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery recently released four new flavors of its popular Loon Juice hard apple cider, including Strawberry Shandy, Tea Time, Ginger Mojito along with an in-house only Grow a Pear flavor.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 23

OUT & ABOUT

expansion attracts scientists to take root in austin

Dr. Luke Hoeppner with his wife, Linda, and their children: Hannah, 5, Elizabeth, 2, and Peter, 9 months.

By The Hormel Institute • Photos Provided In planning for the 2008 and 2016 expansions of The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, a critical part of The Hormel Foundation’s vision aimed to attract talented scientists to bring their research and families to Austin.

The Hormel Institute is doing just that. The Institute doubled its number of faculty and staff with the 2008 expansion and plans to add another 120 jobs over the next few years. A large majority of Institute scientists — nearly 90 percent — live in or near Austin.

Dr. Luke Hoeppner is proud to be one of those scientists. Hoeppner joined the Institute last September as an assistant professor and leads the Molecular Biology and Translational Cancer Research section. Hoeppner’s cuttingedge research aims to develop new therapies to block the progression of lung cancer and prevent tumor cells from acquiring resistance to current treatments.

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Prior to joining The Hormel Institute, Hoeppner conducted research for more than five years at Mayo Clinic in Rochester in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He attained a Ph.D. in cancer biology from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

The opportunity to be a lab leader at The Hormel Institute allowed Hoeppner to make strides in his career. Now in charge of his own section, he has more independence in his research as he leads his own team of scientists for the first time.

Hoeppner was drawn to The Hormel Institute because of its thriving research community and well-known research on natural compounds.

“The Institute boasts an outstanding environment for performing cancer studies,” he said. “It feels incredible to work somewhere that exclusively focuses on cancer research, in particularly an institute that places emphasis on the importance of natural cancer prevention strategies.”

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Dr. Luke Hoeppner.

The Molecular Biology and Translational Cancer Research section currently consists of four scientists.

As principal investigator, Hoeppner leads the research and is responsible for grant funding and execution of the projects. Under his direction are a postdoctoral scientist, a technician, and a SURE (Summer Undergraduate Research Experience) intern.

Hoeppner as well as his postdoc and technician all moved to Austin upon their starting work at the Institute.

Hoeppner and his wife, Linda, decided to move with their young family from Rochester rather than commute. They were outgrowing their house and felt strongly about living close to work and becoming part of the community. The timing felt right and the location was perfect so they moved to southwest Austin last August.

The Hoeppners have three children: Hannah, 5, Elizabeth, 2, and Peter, 9 months. They are enjoying their first year in the community.

“We have been amazed at the friendliness of those in the Austin community,” Linda said. “The welcoming atmosphere here has made us feel right at home.”

The family has made many friends and connections through St. Augustine’s Catholic Church. They have been involved within the congregation, participating in events and a young adult group. Linda also has met many Austin residents through mom’s programs like Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS).

“Living in Austin has been a great experience thus far for my family,” Hoeppner said. “I feel blessed to be a part of The Hormel Institute and Austin community.”

Erin Dankert spent the summer working in Hoeppner’s lab as a SURE intern. Dankert, an Austin native and current student at Winona State University, was able to receive hands on research experience through the internship. In the fall, Dankert will be researching in the lab of Dr. Jacob Hines in the Neural Development Laboratory at Winona State University.

Hoeppner and Hines were colleagues at Mayo Clinic in years past and currently utilize similar lab techniques and studies. Dankert will be able to take the skills she gained over the summer and directly apply them to her work in Dr. Hines’ lab this fall. The Hormel Institute offers 10-12 summer college internships to students majoring in the sciences as part of its education initiative to encourage science education and careers.

26 | Austin Living | September–October 2016

Erin Dankert has spent the summer working in Dr. Luke Hoeppner’s lab as a SURE Intern.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 27

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Jay Morehouse examines the bottom of a kayak he made.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 29

I

nside the Brownsdale garage of Jay Morehouse sits an artistic ode to outdoors — homemade, wood kayak.

Etched across the deck of the vessel is a geometric design of diamonds and stripes made with seven different types of wood. It is a sleek and powerful looking boat that has traveled the waters of the Zumbro and Cedar Rivers.

As Morehouse rolled on a coat of polyurethane — a protectant — on the kayak to shield the fiberglass resin from the sun, he said, “Doing this will get rid of about 90 percent of them scratches.”

Morehouse applies the protectant to keep the kayak fresh for the next spring.

Morehouse is the woodworker behind the business Wooden Treasures. He builds kayaks, chests, bookshelves and more upon request.

He made his first boat, a canoe, in 2012.

Weighing 75 pounds, the canoe spans 17 feet and is made with cedar, basswood, walnut, and maple. To build it Morehouse used a wooden form as a guide and stapled wooden strips on the form to build the vessel piece by piece. He finished it off by putting fiberglass resin on the surface and applying several coats of polyurethane.

After making his canoe in 2012, Morehouse began to think.

An oar is held together “I thought, well, so glue can dry. you know, I’ve always wanted to kayak,” he said with a shrug. “Never built a kayak. Never been in one. If I can build a canoe, why can’t I build a kayak?”

That led to his first kayak.

Built in 2013, his first kayak is simpler than his latest one.

Right after he built it, he lent it to his wife, Lisa, and “never got it back the rest of the day.”

He then built another kayak — the diamond patterned one — in 2014 while he was employed full time at Con-Tech

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Manufacturing in Dodge Center. It took him 215 hours over the span of six months to build the kayak. Now, with two finished, Morehouse lovingly designates the two kayaks as “His” and “Hers.” He still works his full-time job while managing Wooden Treasures on the side.

Judging from his projects, you would think that Morehouse is a master craftsmen with an extensive background in woodworking. Surprisingly, he started with nothing but a high school class in woodworking. When his daughter asked him to make toy boxes for his grandchildren seven years ago, he thought, Why not?

Even though he didn’t have his current garage seven years ago, he made do with the eight by eight-foot shed out in his backyard.

He started his projects in the shed’s cramped space and finished them on the kitchen floor. He spent about three years in his makeshift workshop until the garage was built.

His garage is spacious compared to the shed. It is the ideal man cave for a woodworker.

An assortment of tools cover the worktable in one room, while his current projects, a paddle and a kayak, rest on sawhorses in another room. In the winter, his main workroom can be closed off to insulate it against the cold.

His recent project sits to the side, looking menacing and endearing at the same time. It’s an Adirondack chair in the shape of a skull with a name printed across the planks.

Another of Morehouse’s projects is a highchair that doubles as a rocking horse when tipped on its back. Morehouse’s brother-in-law purchased an identical chair at a rummage sale. “He bought it for a dollar to give to me for a pattern,” Morehouse said. He priced the chair at $75. It is well worth it for its durability and dual purpose.

Jay Morehouse applies a layer of polyurethane to a kayak he was refurbishing in his garage in Brownsdale.

can grab one of the “Our youngest grandkids or one of our granddaughter absolutely nieces.” loves hers,” Lisa said.

Lisa said that the “She gets it just to rock impressive, handmade in it.” kayaks turn a lot of He also builds the heads when people see paddles for his kayaks them on the river. and canoe. One of his Along with canoes paddles, built with sevand kayaks, Morehouse eral different types of also makes custom wood to create a striated cribbage boards, endesign, has the Cedar tertainment centers, River carved into the wooden play food, and wood. Another paddle more. has the image of an eagle He has made evthat Morehouse burned erything from a cedar into the wood.

Morehouse carries his home-built canoe into the backyard. sewing table for his wife He can often be seen to a picnic table that collapses into a bench. He takes “just along the Cedar River kayaking with his family. about anything” for requests.

“On a Friday if I’m not going kayaking,” Lisa said, “he September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 31

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Left, bee larvae are visible in one of Ben Klankowski’s bee hives.

Honeyed Labors

By Rocky Hulne • Photos

by

Eric Johnson

Local beekeeper shares the buzz and benefits of honey

O

ver a decade ago an accident led Austin resident Ben Klankowski to the world of beekeeping.

All these years later Klankowski has grown his hobby to several hives spread out over numerous sites located in and around Austin including his backyard.

Now Klankowski has access to fresh honey directly off the hive as well as wax for items like lip balm, both of which he sells locally.

A bee parks it on the shoulder of Klankowski as he checks the hive in his own back yard.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 37

Klankowski checks his hives early spring on a farm just outside of Austin.

O

n one of the hottest days of the year, Ben Klankowski was busy collecting one of nature’s sweetest bounties.

As temperatures skyrocketed, Klankowski was busy harvesting honey from one of his many hives.

With a special heated scrape, he peeled away the cap the bees had built, revealing the bright yellow honey underneath, made brighter by the simple timing of the season and the lighter flowers. Now that the darker colored flowers have bloomed the second harvest will result in darker honey and the potential for big honey harvests is always possible.

“I can get at least 80 to 95 pounds [from a single hive] in a good wet year,” Klankowski said.

And this year the honey has really been flowing.

Klankowski get started

Klankowski began beekeeping in 2004 by accident and he hasn’t looked back.

It all started when Klankowski found a swarm of bees in his barn.

“I remember my neighbors doing it when I was young and as I got older, it just kind of came back,” Klankowski said. “We

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had a swarm in our barn and I had an older beekeeper come out and cut it out of the barn for me. They died the first year, but it gave me invigoration to keep going.”

Klankowski has a much better grasp on beekeeping now as he maintains 12 to 20 hives in six separate locations — one being his back yard.

Keeping one or two hives is a managing task, but Klankowski said once a beekeeper starts to keep six or more hives, it begins to become a job.

Producing the product, benefit for others

Klankowski is able to produce and sell honey and lip balm with his hives, which he maintains year round. He extracts honey twice a year and he uses a centrifugal spinner to draw the honey into a tank.

He then drains the honey from the centrifuge and filters it where it’s ready to bottle.

Klankowski uses the wax he gets from extraction to make the lip balm and hand cream. He bottles his own projects and sells them through word of mouth in Adams and Stacyville.

“Honey markets have improved as of late because people want to know where their food comes from,” he said. “A natural source that’s not tainted with chemicals is a good thing.”

Klankowski has never had trouble finding someone to allow him to keep hives on their land.

“They’re excited to have bees and they want to help out in the process,” he said. “I’ve never had anybody say I can’t bring bees to their property. They’re usually excited about it.”

Larry Wilson has two of Klankowski’s hives on his land and he’s allowed Klankowski to post hives there for three years. The set-up works out well as Wilson grows vegetables in a hoop building and the bees help pollinate Wilson’s vegetables. Wilson said that Klankowski has been great to work with.

“He’s a very good teacher on beekeeping. He knows what he’s doing and he’s very good at it,” Wilson said.

Getting started, keeping up

For those who want to get started in beekeeping, they can meet with the Southeast Minnesota

Beekeepers, who come together Rochester on the second Thursday of every month. Klankowski said there are about 300 members who come to the meetings.

There are also mentors available for people who are looking to get started in beekeeping.

Klankowski said it makes sense to start with more than one hive so the two can be compared with each other. He also prefers using a bigger box of about 9 and 1/8 inches as the survival rate is higher when there is more space for the bees to move around in.

During the winter months, Klankowski said survival can become more difficult to keep a hive alive and he usually has to check on the bees at least once a month to make sure they’re keeping up. During the spring, he checks on the bees once a — Ben Klankowski week.

“If you want to get into bees, get the gear on.

People’s general perception of beekeeping has become more aware.”

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Klankowski transplants bees with their queen into a hive.

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Klankowski said the biggest threats to bees are poor habitat, mites, disease, starvation and weakened immunity. It’s important for bees to have flowers that grow year round like purple cone flowers, sun flowers and dutch white clovers.

Klankowski said the mite problem can be a tough one as the varroa mite sucks nutrients from bees and leaves them with a virus that weakens their immune system.

“You’re trying kill a bug off the back of another bug and that can be difficult,” Klankowski said.

Klankowski said he’s more than happy to show people the process of beekeeping and it’s always an interesting sight when people get swarmed for the first time. Especially in the fall, when the bees are more aggressive. A hive can contain up to 2,000 bees, which can be a little overwhelming for people the first time they see that many bees.

“If you want to get into bees, get the gear on,” Klankowski said.

“People’s general perception of bee keeping has become more aware.

I’m more than happy to bring people along.

When they first see a hive open up it’s a little intimidating, but when they notice that they’re not coming at them, it’s pretty neat and intriguing.”

While beekeeping can be busy work, it can also be a positive experience for people to raise a hive and gain some natural honey out of it. Klankowski certainly enjoys it.

Honey flows onto a table as Ben Klankowski takes the cap over the hive off. Above, Klankowski searches a rack for a queen on a farm southeast of Austin and some of the product he sells includes the pure honey and lip balm.

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“A lot of it’s rewarding, especially for the places I set hives,” he said. “I have one spot that I’ve cultivated over the years with flowers. It’s quite a nest egg to have season round bloomage.”

Klankowski would like educate local elementary students on beekeeping and he’s even working with Neveln Elementary School on a possible education program that may have students coming out to look at his hives.

For more information about the Southeast Minnesota Beekeepers Association, visit SEMBA.org.

42 | Austin Living | September–October 2016

Klankowski removes the cap to reach the honey on a rack from one of his back yard hives. Below left, fresh honey is revealed after Klankowski peels back the cap. Below, fresh honey flows from a centrifuge.

Getting started The best startup kit for beginning beekeepers recommended by Klankowski is the Langstroth Hives kit.

On the site beethinking. com, a deep hive starter kit comes with: • 2 Western Red Cedar deep boxes with finger joints • 20 frames

• Outer cover • Inner cover

• Cedar bottom board

• Screws for assembly of boxes

• Starter kit with hat/veil, gloves, stainless steel smoker, brush and hive tool • “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Beekeeping” book • Tung oil

Beekeepers would be able to get started once they pick up a bee suit and some brew boxes.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 43

Larry Dolphin, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center director/ naturalist, looks out over the nature center from the center’s tower.

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A Walk With Larry Dolphin is leaving the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center better than he found it

By Jason Schoonover, Photos

by

Eric Johnson

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 45

On

a sunny day in late July, Larry Dolphin crouches down and walks in the center of a canoe on the shore of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center pond as he gives instructions to eight students in the Summer Adventure Program on the proper way to stay balanced when entering a canoe — and on the way not to enter and exit a canoe.

As he finishes his instructions, Dolphin shares a story about he and a past canoeing partner’s misadventures.

“I was showing them how to do this and I ended up jumping into the water head first,” Dolphin said with a laugh.

Dolphin, 64, was preparing the eight youngsters in fifth and sixth grades to depart on a two-day camping trip the next day — a trip he’d later describe as a wonderful experience with a great group — to canoe on the Root River, visit Mystery Cave, and camping at the state park with a long bowling night hike to go owling.

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Though the trip would be one of Dolphin’s final big events in his 28-year tenure at the nature center before retiring Aug. 31, Dolphin went about his work as if it was just about any other day.

Dolphin steps back and lets the children get their canoes in the green-colored pond water.

“Can you guys can handle it the rest of the way? I want to see you use the proper technique,” he said to two youngsters.

They say yes, and Dolphin watches them cast off.

As Dolphin approached his last month on the job he’s held since 1988, Austin Living met up with Dolphin for an hour-plus hike to the nature center’s tower to reminisce with Dolphin about his career as director/naturalist.

“It’s a job that I loved to do,” he said, after thinking a few moments, he adds: “I don’t know what else I would have wanted to do, so I’m very fortunate.”

‘Better than we found it’ As Dolphin walks some of the nature center’s 10 miles of trail, he’s quick to point out birds singing across the many acres of meadow and forest. At one point, he hears a familiar call singing out over the prairie.

“That bird right there, that common yellowthroat,” Dolphin said. “A lot of people don’t realize it, but it’s probably the most

Jay C. Hormel Nature Center director/naturalist Larry Dolphin helps kids prepare to launch a canoe at the center.

common bird in the nature center, and it’s got a black robin’s mask, yellow throat and it sings, wichity, wichity, wichity.”

He pauses, listening a moment.

“Right there: wichity, wichity, wichity,” he said.

That lesson was just one example of how Dolphin has lived his passion at the nature center for 28 years: He’s worked to connect countless students, adults and families to nature and help them learn about it. And as he tells students, it’s far better to witness animals and the natural world in person than on television or a computer.

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the natural world. In fact, Dolphin still recalls knowing early on “There’s this passion to leave this place better than we found he’d spend much of his career at the nature center because he it, the Earth or the nature center for that matter,” Dolphin said. loved the nature center and the directions of the programming Caring for the world, Dolphin says, benefits people as well along with its connections with area schools. as all life.

“My comment to one of my fellow employees was, ‘I think “As human beings, we are part of, not separate from the I’m going to want to be here for a while.’ I was impressed,” natural world,” he said.

Dolphin said.

By connecting to the natural world and through positive At the nature center, Dolphin gets to teach children, adults experiences at the nature center, Dolphin hopes people realize and help manage the land. He’s also enjoyed directing the centhe value of protecting the nature center’s land and all the planter and helping lead its programing. et’s resources.

“I look at it as a place that people can get connected to the “We are connected to everything else, and this planet pronatural world through many different ways, through activities vides all that we need, so we need to make sure we take care of like canoeing or cross country skiing or walking or running or the wildlife, the air, the soil,” Dolphin said. just nature photography, bird watching, astronomy — we do But it’s not just summer programming, as thousands of all of that through the area students have nature center protraveled to the nagramming,” Dolphin ture center for field said, noting many of trips over many those activities are years, largely for kinalso his own hobbies. dergarteners through seventh-graders.

Dolphin sees it ‘If you build as a paramount duty it they of the nature center will come’ to give families and But when talking children the opporabout the nature centunities to witness ter’s work, Dolphin the natural world. is quick to point at “There’s a pasothers’ contributions, sion that I have and like office manager that is to help peoJulie Champlin, ple get connected to teacher/naturalist our natural world,” Maria Anderson, inDolphin said.

There’s a passion that I have and that tern/naturalist Ben G r o w i n g Sherman and sumup in Livinston, is to help people get connected to mer intern Jacob Wisconsin, Dolphin Berkhart. recalls a love of naour natural world.

“A real consciture, sparked in the — Larry Dolphin entious, positive staff hill country, that that believes in this led to him to seek a place, and by doing bachelor’s in natuthat, it makes my job easier,” he said.

“They want to do the best ral resources/resources management, a minor in biology and for the nature center.” a master’s in environmental/conservation education from the Dolphin has also worked with numerous interns over the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. After working various years, which he calls one of his favorite parts of the job along environmentalist and naturalist jobs, he went back to school with teaching youth and adults. to work toward his teaching degree but wound up working as “They help keep me young and plus that enthusiasm that a naturalist in Clinton County, Iowa, and as a park manager comes with that youth is always just wonderful to grab onto,” in Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area in Wisconsin. That’s when he said.

Dolphin interviewed in Austin and was hired, as he often says, That work is paying off, as one of his former interns is rebecause he emphasized his love of teaching. turning to fill his shoes. The nature center hired Austin native At the nature center, Dolphin has relished the chance to and former 2005-06 intern Luke Reese as the new director/ connect some of his passions: a love of teaching, the chance to naturalist. connect people to the natural world and a chance to promote Jay C. Hormel Nature Center director/naturalist Larry Dolphin talks about his time at the center as he walks past some of the pine trees that populate the land.

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Reese was slated to spend a few days working Dolphin to learn more about the nature center, but as Dolphin walked through the land he’ll soon pass over, he has succinct advice for Reese: The important thing is to keep the programming going strong with the funding available.

“That will bring people out here so that they can use the nature center, appreciate it, be willing to take care of it, understand it,” he said.

Dolphin also commended the Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, the Austin Parks & Recreation board and the Austin City Council for support over the years.

One way those boards have been supportive is through help with acquisitions. The nature center now has 518 acres, up from about 287 when Dolphin started in 1988. And the center was able to get local board support and apply for grants.

“They understand the value of this place, and it’s unique in that for the size of community of 25,000, not many places have a wonderful natural area like this to enjoy,” he said.

By having more habitat, the center has expanded it’s mouse and vole potential, which means more opportunity for owls, hawks and fox to eat.

“I feel really good about the fact that we’re providing more habitat for wildlife, for birds,” he said. “There are birds here that weren’t here before: dickcissels, clay-colored sparrows, Savannah sparrows.”

Dolphin points to an example of that on the north end of the center, where a 60-acre parcel of a former corn and soybean field was restored to natural prairie around 2004.

As he looks over the meadow, Dolphin points out an example of the benefits of that habitat.

“I just heard a dickcissel out there,” Dolphin said. “If you build it they will come.”

Dozens of species call the nature center home. Dolphin and others do bird surveys each year, and the common yellowthroat is at most every spot. He estimates the nature center sees 45 to 50 nesting bird varieties, while more than 100 varieties pass through during the May migration.

While the center doesn’t have as thorough surveys on mammals, he knows there are mice and voles, mink, white tailed deer, red fox, grey fox, coyote, muskrat, and he saw a river otter last year during a bird survey.

A few moments later, Dolphin spots a monarch butterfly hover across the trail before commenting on how he hasn’t seen many this year, but the population will likely increase in August when there can be multiple generations living at once.

Dolphin has several favorite places across the nature center, one being the remnant prairie on the northeast end of the nature center because it’s quiet since not as many people go out there — it’s about a mile and a half out.

“It’s a quiet place too, it’s farther away from the interstate,” Dolphin said.

But later, Dolphin describes an acreage just northeast of the visitor center behind the pond as another of his favorite pieces of restored prairie. He jokes he voiced concerns after three or four years when the prairie wasn’t coming up, but the land thrived its fifth year as prairies establish roots first before 50 | Austin Living | September–October 2016

popping up with vegetation over three to five years.

Dolphin shares stories of his many years, from seeing a grey fox running toward him on a trail to enjoying a quiet, peaceful night listening for owls on the north end of the center to cross country skiing on a sloped portion of trail where he could pick up speed.

“This time of year, it’s all the beautiful wild flowers,” he said.

When pointed out, Dolphin identifies a towering plant with a club-shaped spike with ease — it’s common mullein, also called Indian tobacco because the leaves could be dried and used for tobacco.

“That one’s a big one,” he said.

New adventures In retirement, Dolphin hopes to continue learning about the natural world. He wants to become more skilled at identifying species of dragon flies, noting it’s “such a cool species” with many neat names — and they even eat mosquitos.

Dolphin and his wife, Nancy — or Nance, as he calls her — plan to travel around the Midwest more in a camper — but probably a small one because Dolphin admits he’ll likely spend far more time outside than in the camper.

He also hopes to spend more time fishing, cross country skiing, bird-watching and more up north, as the Dolphins have

no shortage of outdoor activities planned.

While Nancy, also 64, is still teaching English as a second language at Austin Public Schools, Dolphin plans to spend more time babysitting his three grandchildren. He recently took his oldest, 3-year-old granddaughter for a walk at the nature center and to the early childhood room, which he was happy she enjoyed. But he’s looking forward to being able to take them to the nature center without work getting in the way.

“She just really enjoyed it and it made me feel good that she enjoyed it,” Dolphin said.

Dolphin takes a moment to reflect on some of the highlights he’s experienced while on the job at the center.

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Despite 28-plus years of memories and lessons, it’s clear Dolphin is ready to pass the reins to a new generation.

As the hike nears an end, Dolphin looks at the shell of the nature center’s new interpretive center taking shape. Though the roughly $7 million project he helped facilitate is nearing an April 2017 completion, Dolphin says it doesn’t make it any tougher to step aside.

Dolphin looks out at the site and jokes that if a recliner is placed near the entrance, he may stop by to act as a greeter.

“I can just come in, plop down, look out the window and enjoy,” he said.

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Larry Dolphin takes a walk through the center.

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Jac ob Ven eng a rid es thr oug h the bik e tra il by Tod d Par k in Aus tin .

By Rocky Hulne • Photos

by

The Austin cycling team has grown by leaps and bounds since it began three years ago, and the team’s lone senior is pretty excited about the progress it has made.

Ryan Beard, who was one of the original nine team members when it began will be one of at least 22 riders on this year’s team.

“I’ve seen this team grow from when it first started,” Beard said. “I’ve seen a lot of the kids get faster and improve.

All of the new kids will get the hang of it after their first race.

They’ll know what they’re doing.”

Austin cycling team director Gareth Hataye is impressed with how quickly the sport has spread in the community, 56 | Austin Living | September–October 2016

e Eric Johnson & Rocky Huln

and he said it provides a great chance for bikers to get out and ride as a team.

“We’ve had great growth and there’s been a lot of support,” he said.

Beard is looking forward to competing on a full team that has some experience this fall.

“I’m excited to see how everyone does, because we have some fast kids on the team,” Beard said. “I’m really happy that our numbers have been increasing. We come out here to get faster and beat ourselves. We’re not trying to win races, we’re just trying to beat ourselves.”

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meet and it also gives students a chance to use their bikes in a sport, instead of just bikJacob Venenga and Slava ing by themselves. Venenga said that Kritzer are also in their third the team has a lot more credibility year on the team and have now than it did when it first been more than happy to began.

Ever since the Minnesota High School direct other riders to the “We can talk about it in Cycling League began with 150 athletes five years team. Kritzer said ridschool and it seems like ago, the sport has blown up. ing on the off-road everyone knows we have This year, about a thousand riders are expected in the trail is unique and a team,” Venenga said. state — so many competitors that a bye week was added to the more exciting than “You work yourself a schedule. Josh Kleve, the league director of Minnesota High School riding on the paved lot more when you’re Cycling League, said that the league has grown in the range of 39 to trails in Austin. going off road. You 42 percent every year since it began.

“We take kids can go the same dis“I spend a lot of time doing business analysis, and I think those out here and say numbers are a statical miracle,” Kleve said. tance off road as you ‘let’s try this.’ You Kleve said the sport has also been a success in results as do on pavement and get crazier jumps competitors are getting healthier, improving at school and they are get a better workout. in the woods,” able to compete every week in meets. There are no riders who sit It’s great exercise.”

Kritzer said. on the bench and every team member has a chance to score Austin will comCycling has points to help the team. pete in five races this grown in popular“We want to promote kids to get on the bike as season. The team will host ity because every rider a lifelong activity for a healthy lifestyle,” Kleve a meet Sept. 11 and it will gets to compete in every said. “It’s a positive team experience and also compete in St. Cloud, it’s about building a strong mind and character.”

Continued from Page 56

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Teams from around the state were in Austin last September for Austin’s first hosted mountain bike race.

From last year to this the sport has grown so much that another race has been added along with a bye week for teams.

Rochester, River Falls, Wisconsin and the state meet in Mankato in October.

Hataye said cycling is becoming a bigger activity in Austin thanks to the Red Bike Program and bike helmet promotions.

“Word of mouth from riders has increased awareness,” Hataye said. “The coaching staff has reached out to the schools and the community to promote high school cycling, and having the privilege to host the first race of the MHSCL’s season. Last year played a large part in heightening awareness of cycling.”

Last year was a big moment for the Austin cycling team when it was finally able to host a home meet.

That meet drew 600 riders representing 50 high school teams and there were a total of about 1,350 people counting spectators, coaches and support staff.

A lot of time and work went into building the off-road trail that circles around the paved trail near Todd Park, but it was worth it for all of the riders involved.

Continues on Page 60 Top, pictured left to right: Austin cycling team director Gareth Hataye speaks to Ryan Beard, Jacob Venenga and Slava Kritzer of the Austin cycling team near the trails at Todd Park. Ryan Beard of the Austin cycling team rides through the bike trail. Members of the Austin cycling team meet at the bike trail in Todd Park.

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Austin’s Dillon Kelly rides in a group during the freshmen and sophomore races last September during Austin’s Minnesota High School Cycling League’s race at the new course next to Todd Park.

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Continued from Page 59 “It was really fun to host last year, especially after seeing some other really nice courses around the state,” said Jacob Venenga, who has been on the cycling team since it started three years ago.

This summer, there has been work to improve and lengthen the trail before its upcoming home meet on Sept. 11. Gareth Hataye, who is the Austin cycling team director, said that the offroad trail, which was 3.25 miles, is now up to 3.75 miles long. The Austin cycling team received a grant from the International Mountain Bicycling Association. IMBA Upper Midwest Region Director Michelle Barker; her husband, Ken Barker, a master trail builder with over 20 years of trail building experience; and, Matt Andrews, the Associate Midwest Region Director were all part of the process.

“Their visit was multifaceted, with presentations geared to educate local municipalities and land owners the benefit that mountain biking can provide,” Hataye said.

“A classroom portion teaches trail building techniques and sustainability training, attended from participants local, Rochester, and as far as the Twin Cities. Work’s been steadily progressing.”

The trail is also maintained by trimming surrounding vegetation and removing fallen trees.

Venega said that a lot of bike riders in Austin are going out of their way to check out the trail since it was built last year.

“A lot of people know where the course is too,” he said. “Even though it’s back hidden, they find it and ride it a lot.”

TRAVEL

Grace Heimsness is getting a rolling look

at the world around her as a bicycle guide

By Rocky Hulne • Photos When Grace Heimsness packed her bags and headed out west to work as a bicycle guide with Trek Travel, she wasn’t exactly sure what she would find.

What Heimsness discovered was a great appreciation for nature and she also was able to find a camaraderie with her co-workers. She was able to get an up close and lengthy look at places like Zion National Park in Utah, Crater Lake in Oregon and Santa Barbara.

Besides getting up close to the scenery while giving bike tours, Heimsness is fortunate to have the time to see much more of the places she visits. She said it’s much more difficult to gain full appreciation for a place when you’re driving in a car and only visiting for a day or two.

“It’s super raw. The wind is hitting your face, you smell everything and you’re in the elements,” Heimsness said. “You get a lot more up close and personal with these places and in doing so, you kind of fall in love with them. The more you know, the more you love a place.”

Heimsness has learned to balance a busy schedule. There will be times where she’ll be giving tours for 18 hours a day and working seven days in a row. Other times, she can have about a week of down-time between tours.

“It’s been kind of a whirlwind. You’re moving real fast from day to day. Sometimes you’re doing three or four trips in a day,” Heimsness said. “It’s definitely a different lifestyle. You’ll have 18-hour days and then you’ll end up getting a week off and you have a lot of time on your hands to explore this amazing place.

62 | Austin Living | September–October 2016

submitted by

Grace Heimsness

The challenge is keeping up with people back home.”

Heimsness is able to touch base with family and friends by writing letters or sending texts. Sometimes she’ll use the first five minutes of the day or the last five minutes of the day to get a quick message out to stay in touch with people in Austin.

Heismness has been able to meet some interesting people while giving the tours and has also become close friends with her co-guides.

“The co-guides become your stand-in family. You get really close, really quickly. You get really close to these people,” she said. “You’re doing everything with you’re co-guide. You’re eating with them, sharing a hotel room with them and spending all your off time with them. The guides are all amazing people from all over the world.”

Heimsness will be out west until at least October but she may not come back to Austin until November. She plans on being in California until she comes back, but that could change depending on if any guides get injured or have to come home early.

“It’s kind of the nature of the gig,” Heimsness said. “You never know what’s around the corner and that’s cool as long as you let go of the need to know everything ahead of time.”

Until she comes back to Austin, Heimsness will enjoy her time out west, but she does look forward to reuniting with family and friends.

“I’m having a great time and I miss everyone. I can’t wait to come back and see what’s changed in town,” she said.

Grace Heimsness has traded in the flat streets of Austin for the open road as a tour guide with Trek Travels.

Opposite page: Trek Travel guests splashing the camera.

Left, In order from top to bottom: The moon rises above a rock formation at Zion National Park; Crater Lake National Park, Oregon; A sign signifies McKenzie Pass in the Cascade Mountain range in Oregon; Trek Travel guest taking a moment to look up in the Virgin River Narrows, Zion National Park.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 63

AUSTIN’S BRIGHTEST STAGE

LOOKING BACK

The Terp was Austin’s place to see the biggest musical names of its day.

By Jaimie Timm, Mower County Historical Society Photos courtesy of the Mower County Historical Society Local bands Don Erickson, Ray Stolzenberg, and Chuck Hall On Wednesday evening, May 25, 1938, the Terp Ballroom were also quite popular. held its grand opening. Both Doc Lawson and Earl Moorhead As the big band era of the 1940s and 1950s gave way to performed and became the first of many big bands to grace the the rock and roll of the 1960s, there were fewer performances.

Terp’s stage. Described as the “finest in the Northwest and the Still, groups like the Everly Brothers, the Diamonds, Johnny largest in the state outside of the Twin Cities,” the Terp featured a Cash and June Carter, dance floor made of the and Pat Boone came “finest wood,” a check to town. Old Time room, refreshment cenThe Henry Charles Band of Austin, Minnesota. They were nights on Friday eveter, and enough booths scheduled to play at the Terp on Thanksgiving Day, 1945. The band later performed for the Terp’s grand reopening in 1946. nings with the polka, to fit 2,000 people. waltz, schottische, Tragically, a fire destroyed the building and laendler with enon Thanksgiving Day tertainment from the 1945. Owner Carl Fox 6 Fat Dutchmen, the vowed to rebuild and Scandinavians, and the Terp reopened on Mamie Gerlach filled Dec. 6, 1946. Henry the ballroom again as Charles and his band dancers remembered played — they were the golden era of balloriginally scheduled room dancing. to perform the night of The Terp closed in the fire. Famous artists the late 1970s, but it is and local talent continued to play and drew large crowds to fondly remembered by local residents. It was a place where high the Terp. Lawrence Welk appeared more than any other “top school sweethearts spent prom night, soldiers home on leave name” band, as well as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Jimmy came to meet a girl, and autograph seekers came to hear music Dorsey, and Louis Armstrong. Vaughn Monroe played for and collect signatures. Nothing can least forever and the big band the largest crowd ever with 2,652 people in September 1948. era is over, but the memories made at the Terp live on.

64 | Austin Living | September–October 2016

People gather in the Terp for a seminar or class.

Below, an ad in the Austin Daily Herald on Nov. 20, 1945, announcing the Henry Charles Band at the Terp on Thanksgiving.

rp . at ur in g th e Te A po st ca rd fe

Below, the annual Spring Frolic hosted by Hormel in May 1948.

Photograph from the Squeal, Hormel-News Magazine, May 1948.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 65

AUTOMOTIVE 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 up-to-date internet car buying tools on their website.

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!

EDUCATION RIVERLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Riverland Community College is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Riverland is a regional comprehensive community college inspiring learning for living through a personalized educational environment. Visit us online at www.riverland.edu 2200 Riverland Dr., Albert Lea, MN 56007 (507) 379-3300 1900 8th Avenue NW, Austin, MN 55912 (507) 433-0600 965 Alexander Drive SW, Owatonna, MN 55060 (507) 455-5880 FINANCIAL BREMER BANK: 805 North Main, Austin, MN (507) 433-8822 www.bremer.com Full-service banking, wealth management, investment, trust and insurance for personal or business banking. Online banking anywhere, anytime.

FIRST FARMERS & MERCHANTS: 128 N. Main St., Austin, MN (507) 433-3473 www.ffmbank.com First Farmers & Merchants Bank is a financial institution serving a number of southern Minnesota communities. We provide premium banking services, including agricultural and consumer loans, mortgage lending, mobile and online banking, small business banking, and deposit products.

RBC WEALTH MANAGEMENT – TOM WUERTZ: 329 N. Main St., Suite 104, Austin, MN (507) 433-4690 www.rbcwmfa.com/tom.wuertz Small town service with global resources. Achieve your financial goals with our intelligent solutions. RBC Wealth Management is your partner to help navigate the complex choices and challenges planning for the future brings. We’re here to elevate your success into something more.

HOME IMPROVEMENT AREN’S HEATING: 103 3rd St. SE, Austin, MN (507) 433-5652 www.arensheatingandcooling.com Steve and Penny Arens working hard to make “Our Furnace Company Your Furnace Company” for 32 years since 1983.

Selling “Top Rated” Bryant Equipment. We will service any make or model. 24 HR Emergency Service. Free Estimates.

66 | Austin Living | September–October 2016

HOME IMPROVEMENT (CONT.) BRICK FURNITURE: 504 North Main St., Austin, MN (507) 433-8833 www.brickfurnitureaustin.com Locally owned. Specializing in great quality.

Low sale prices every day. Top service after the sale. Name brands such as LaZ-Boy, Smith Brothers of Berne, Sealy, and Daniel’s Amish. Lots of wall decor.

Many other varieties of decor to choose from!

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!

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.

GREENMAN HEATING & REFRIGERATION: 1001 4th St. SE, Austin, MN (507) 437-6500 www.lennoxdealer.com/greenmanhvac Your local Lennox Premier Dealer staffed with Austin’s finest NATE Certified installers and technicians, ready to assist you with your heating, cooling, fireplace, and ventilation needs. Family owned for over 50 years, our family cares about your family. Voted Best of Mower County. Go Green, Save Green, call Greenman HVAC. NEW DIMENSION ELECTRONICS: (507) 433-2122 Having been in business for over 35 years, providing your home entertainments needs with Dish Network, Directv, Antenna Service, and Home Theater. Visit our website at www.newdimensionelectronics.net or come see our showroom located next to Jim’s Super Valu at 209 11th St NE, Austin Mn. POLITICS REPRESENTATIVE JEANNE POPPE (DFL) DISTRICT: 27B: 291 State Office Building, 100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55155.

(507) 438-7857 or (800) 682-3180 rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn SERVICES AUSTIN DAILY HERALD: 310 2nd St. NE, Austin, MN (507) 433-8851 www.austindailyherald.com The Austin Daily Herald is an award-winning daily newspaper that prides itself on its accurate and timely hyper-local news coverage.

Herald readers are the most informed members of the Austin and Mower County communities, and have access to the best deals, promotions and coupons for local businesses.

CRIME VICTIMS RESOURCE CENTER: 101 14th St NW, Austin (507) 437-6680 www.facebook.com/CVResourcecenter The CVRC provides advocacy and support to crime victims in Mower County, Minnesota. The CVRC is here to serve you and those close to you with support and options and works for changes which will enable all citizens to live in a community free of fear and violence through advocacy, actions and education. The CVRC will help individuals who have been victims of many different types of crime.

GERARD ACADEMY: 1111 28th St. NE, Austin, MN (507) 433-1843 www.nexustreatment.org At Gerard Academy, we believe in strengthening the inherent goodness and potential of every child and family, no matter what challenges they face. Since 1969, we have offered therapeutic care for children, adolescents and their families, providing the foundation for them to re-imagine and rebuild their lives.

SERVICES (CONT.) MC RECYCLING: 1111 8th Avenue NE, Austin, MN (507) 437-9551 www.co.mower.mn.us/public-works-recycling-hhw.html Curbside Services for recycling pickup (twice per month) are available for the residents in the cities of Austin, Mapleview, Adams, Brownsdale, Grand Meadow, and LeRoy (within city limits) Office Hours are limited to Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoons from 1 - 5 pm only. HHW Drop-off & Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - noon & 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Wednesdays. Please note that recycling bins will only be available during office hours.

SMYTH COMPANIES: 1201 27th Ave. NW, Austin, MN (507) 434-5918 Smyth offers full-service design and prepress services to our commercial clients.

From simple two-color flyers to complex layouts for annual reports or product brochures, we can do it all. Eight station presses enable the application of a world of colors along with gloss or matte coatings. Digital printing is also available for short run and prototype work.

UNITED WAY: 201 South Main St., Austin, MN (507) 437-2313 www.uwmower.org The United Way of Mower County works to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. We fund programs in four critical areas: Education, Income, Health and Basic Needs. Giving to the United Way is the best way to help the most people in need in our community.

SHOPPING HY-VEE: 1001 18th Avenue NW, Austin, MN (507) 437-7625 www.hy-vee.com “Where there’s a helpful smile in every aisle.” Austin’s Hy-Vee is a full-service supermarket featuring a bakery, floral department, dine-in and carryout food service, wine and spirits, pharmacy, HealthMarket, Caribou Coffee, and fuel station.

TRAVEL AUSTIN AEROFLIGHT: 710 21st St NE, Austin, MN (507) 433-1813 www. austinaeroflight.com Austin Aeroflight, Inc. is a full service FBO located at the Austin Municipal Airport. We offer both Jet A and 100LL fuel services. We provide flight training and ground instruction. Along with training, we also offer a complete line of CATS computerized testing. All FAA or FCC written tests can be taken here. Your major or minor aircraft repairs may be completed by our professional maintenance personnel. Austin Aeroflight also has the heated hangar space you need to protect your aircraft in all weather conditions. We’re here to meet all your aviation needs in Southern Minnesota.

LAKEVILLE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU: (952) 469-2020 info@ visitlakeville.org www.visitlakeville.org Lakeville is located just minutes from the Mall of America, Nickelodeon Universe, MN Zoo, Canterbury Park, Mystic Lake Casino, Treasure Island Casino and Valleyfair Amusement Park. Within the city limits are hotels with friendly, accommodating and courteous staffs.

Lakeville’s many recreational opportunities include: 5 beautiful lakes with 3 public swimming beaches, 2 public boat launches perfect for boating, fishing, swimming or simply relaxing; 47 expansive parks, 70 ball fields, 30 soccer fields, and 26 playgrounds, 25 miles of pedestrian and bicycle trails, access to crosscountry ski, equestrian (horseback), and snowmobile trails. Includes 340 acre Ritter Farm Park nature preserve and 2700 acre Murphy Hanrehan Park reserve; 4 champion golf courses and 6 more with-in a 20 minute drive.

ROCHESTER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: 7600 Helgerson Dr. SW, Rochester, MN (507) 282-2328 www.flyrst.com The Rochester International Airport (RST) is served by two air carriers who collectively offer 8 flights each day to Atlanta, Chicago, and Minneapolis. Rochester International Airport typically accommodates about 240,000 passengers each year, providing air service to Southeast MN and border regions of Iowa and Wisconsin.

NORTHBRIDGE MALL: 2510 Bridge Ave., Albert Lea, MN (507) 377-3185 www.northbridgemall.com Conveniently located just off the intersection of I-35 and I-90, Northbridge Mall features an arcade, movie theatre, toy stores, and many dining and shopping opportunities. Open Monday-Friday 10am-9pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm. Some business hours may vary.

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 67

Sept. 1

Lyle Fall Fest

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Where: Lyle For more information, contact cityoflyle@frontiernet.net.

Sept. 10-14

70th Annual National Barrow Show

When: All day Where: Mower County Fairgrounds This annual show will bring in farmers and students from across the country to show top breeding boars and foundation females as well as gain industry experience.

Sept. 11

Minnesota State High School Cycling League bike race

Where: Austin Mountain Bike Trail west of Todd Park The Minnesota State High School Cycling League returns for its second race in Austin. This time it will be the opening race of the season.

Sept. 12

History Happy Hour

When: 5:30 p.m. social hour, 6 p.m. presentation.

Where: Hormel Historic Home, 208 Fourth Ave. NW Journalist Al Zdon will talk about the stories of some of Minnesota’s veterans of wars past. Free for members of Mower County Historical Society, Hormel Historic Home and Friends of the Library. $5 for non-members. Light Snacks included. Cash bar available.

There’s plenty to do this fall as students go back to school, the leaves start to change color and there’s a slight chill in the air. With tons of fun in fundraisers, watching the stars, a national barrow show, and a Halloween Warm-Up, be sure to get out and enjoy the fall.

—All dates, times, and locations subject to change

Sept. 20

Sparky Stensaas

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Sparky Stensaas will give his “What’s so Great about the Great Gray Owl?” presentation at an Austin Audubon Meeting, which will be open to the public. Minnesota is stronghold for one of North America’s most sought after birds: the great gray owl. The “Phantom of the North” is a bird of mystery, desire and intrigue. Learn what led up to the massive irruption around 2004-05 when over 5,000 huge owls invaded Minnesota. Through photos and high-definition video, this program will provide a glimpse of some rare behavior and even experience the home life of a pair of magnificent owls.

Sept. 22

Lunchbox History Series

When: 12-1 p.m.

Where: Mower County Historical Society Rep. Dean Urdahl will present on the Lincoln assassination conspiracy.

Sept. 24

Nature Center 8K Trail Run

Sept. 17

When: 9 a.m.

Where: Jay C. Hormel Nature Center The annual nature center 8K returns with 8 a.m. in-person registration before the 9 a.m. 8K and kids race begins. For more details, visit www.hormelnaturecenter8k.org.

When: 8-10 a.m.

Where: Starts downtown Austin This annual 5K focuses on helping fill county food shelves to offer nutritious food as well as engaging participants in active living before holiday feasting. Sponsored by Mower ReFreshed and the YMCA of Austin. For more information, call 507-433-1804.

Sept. 24

3rd Annual Harvest 5K

Austin Rotary Club Trivia Night

When: 6-9 p.m.

Where: Mower County Senior Center Fun night with chili supper and trivia contest to raise money for Reach Out and Read. $20 per person; teams can have up to 8 members. Contact Tedd Maxfield at teddmaxfield@gmail.com for more information or registration forms.

Sept. 24 Sept. 17

Healthy Families Event

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Downtown Austin This family event will be sponsored by the Austin Downtown Association, Destination Downtown, Mower ReFreshed and SHIP. It will feature the third annual Harvest 5K walk/run at 9 a.m. starting in the Austin Municipal Pool lot. For more information, call Marie at 507-437-6955.

68 | Austin Living | September–October 2016

Fall Harvest Celebration When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Mower County Historical Society The annual celebration featuring arts and crafts, wagon rides, demonstrations, kid’s activities, a thresher’s dinner, a bake sale and more will take place Sept. 26. Outdoor exhibits will be open, including a railroad car, a log cabin and a blacksmith’s shop.

The event is free and open to all ages. Call 507-437-6082 for more information.

Oct. 1

Charlie Parr

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Historic Paramount Theatre The Austin native and popular folk and bluegrass performer returns for another performance at Austin’s Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of.

Oct. 1

Regional Northern Highland Cattle Show

When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Mower County Fairgrounds An annual cattle show returns featuring a unique breed known for rugged characteristics, longevity and beef that is lean, well-marbled and flavorful. For more information, call 507-433-1868.

Oct. 3

Stan Tekiela

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Stan Tekiela will give a talk titled “Deer, Elk and Moose: Grand and Majestic Creatures,” which will be open to the public and co-sponsored by the Izaak Walton League. Tekiela has spent 30 years in pursuit of deer, elk and moose in order study and photographic them. In this talk, he will speak about his fascination with these grand and majestic creatures with his humorous style.

Oct. 5-9

‘Cabaret’

When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. on Oct. 5-8, 2 p.m. on Oct. 9 Where: Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College For more information or tickets, call 507-433-0595 or go to boxoffice@riverland.edu

Oct. 7-8

Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Oct. 7, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Oct. 8 Where: Austin Public Library The annual Friends of the Library sale offers gently used books, CDs, and DVDs to raise funds for activities. A pre-sale will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, for Friends of the Library members only. For more information, call 507-433-2391.

Oct. 10

History Happy Hour

Oct. 14

Davina and the Vagabonds When: 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Where: Hormel Historic Home and the Historic Paramount Theatre Davina and the Vagabonds return to Austin first for a Drinks with Davina event at the Hormel Historic Home at 4:30 p.m. with drinks and a pre-show for $40 before the Paramount show, which will be for $20 in advance and $25 the day of. Reservations are required by Oct. 13 for the Hormel Historic Home pre-show event.

Oct. 14-15

33rd annual Halloween Warm-Up When: 6:50-10 p.m.

Where: Jay C. Hormel Nature Center For two nights, the nature Center with the help of cosponsors The Matchbox Children’s Theatre will lead groups of 25 on a 45-minute hike to enjoy “spook”tacular Halloween and nature skits performed by creatures, critters and spirits of the night. Then relax inside Ruby Rupner Auditorium with cider and treats! Event is designed to appeal to children ages 4-11 (accompanied by an adult), but all ages are welcome.

Cost is $6 per person. Tickets are available at Super Fresh Produce, Bakery & Garden Center — 2104 Fourth St. NW. Those interested in playing a part in Halloween Warm-Up can call Matchbox Theatre at 507-437-9078.

Oct. 22

Caravan du Nord Tour featuring the Bad Bad Hats

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Hormel Historic Home and the Historic Paramount Theatre The Bad Bad Hats will perform the Caravan du Nord’s annual trip to Austin as a way to bring Twin Cities bands to Greater Minnesota communities. More bands will be announced for the $10 concert.

Oct. 26

Best Bartender Contest

When: 5:30 p.m. social hour, 6 p.m. presentation.

Where: Hormel Historic Home, 208 Fourth Ave. NW, Austin Presentation about the Orphan Train in Owatonna. Free for members of Mower County Historical Society, Hormel Historic Home and Friends of the Library. $5 for non-members. Light Snacks included. Cash bar available.

When: Doors open at 5 p.m., judging opens at 6 p.m.

Where: Hormel Historic Home, 208 Fourth Ave. NW, Austin.

Bartenders in the area will show skills by mixing up drinks at the Hormel Historic Home. Judges will rate the drinks, and the public will get a chance to taste the drinks as well. Cover charge is $5. Food will be available for purchase and there will be live music.

Oct. 13

Oct. 27

When: 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center This annual social fundraiser for women in business with a portion of proceeds dedicated to a scholarship at Riverland for non-traditional female students. For more information, call 507-437-4561.

When: noon to 1 p.m.

Where: Mower County Historical Society Gov. Floyd Olson and history of labor in Minnesota.

Ladies Night Out

Lunchbox History Series

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 69

BOOK REVIEW

ROOTS OF AN AUSTIN AUTHOR AUSTIN NATIVE BLENDS LOVE AND STUDIES IN DEBUT MEMOIR

By Bonnie Rietz, Austin Page Turners Members of Austin Page Turners, a group of volunteers who organize a citywide book read each year, have the fun task of reading books by Minnesota authors over the summer. This summer I heard over and over, “Have you read the new book by Hope Jahren yet?” I was so excited to learn that this book had been written by not only a Minnesotan but someone from Austin!

Her roots go even deeper with her having grown up on South Main Street “four blocks west of where my father had grown up in the 1920s and eight blocks east of where my mother had grown up in the 1930s.” Several years ago I had the privilege of teaching with her mother and father at Riverland Community College and so I sat down with great interest to read this book written by one of Austin’s own.

Just as I was turning the first page to start “Lab Girl,” an email pinged on my computer and I opened it to find that Hope Jahren had been listed in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People for 2016! The email stated, “It is a rare breed of scientist who is both a leader in her field and a great writer, but Hope Jahren is both.

Her work has resulted in at least 70 studies in dozens of journals.”

Wow! I felt that I wanted to ‘Google’ her to find out more before returning to that first page in her book. I read, “Hope Jahren is an award-winning scientist who has received three Fulbright Awards and is the only woman to have been awarded both of the Young Investigator Medals given in the Earth Sciences.” This woman from Austin has some resume!

In this debut memoir, Hope has an amazing talent of blending her love of Bill, Clint and her son with her study of trees, seeds and leaves.

Bill is her lab partner and best friend whom she met at 70 | Austin Living | September–October 2016

Berkeley. He is brilliant and very, very colorful. Throughout the book, he lived in a trailer, the lab, a basement, his car and at times was hard to get ahold of without a fixed address and before cell phones.

He is invaluable to her research and much of her book tells of how important he is to her and to her work. The pair spent one summer 700 miles north of the northern coast of Alaska exhuming single specimens of buried fossil trees. At the end of their work, Bill, who had never, ever danced did just that: “There at the end of the world … danced in the broad and endless daylight and I accepted him for what he was, instead of for what he wished he could be. Today was for watching a great man dance in the snow,” the books describes.

Trees “It is easy to become besotted with a willow. The Rapunzel of the plant world, this tree appears as a graceful princess bowed down by her lush tresses, waiting on the riverbank for someone just like you to come along and keep her company.”

I have always loved the willow tree and this description is so poetically written. To take the time and keep company with the beautiful willows growing on the campus of Riverland Community College — it’s on my bucket list!

“At age 32, I learned that life can change in one day. Within certain social circles of the married, a single woman over the age of thirty inspires compassion similar to that bestowed up a big, friendly stray dog.” But at age 32, Hope met Clint whom she

Hope Jahren Photo by Matt Ching

instantly loved and less than six months later, they were married at the City Hall in Oslo, Norway. He continues to be an important part of her life.

Seeds “After scientists broke open the coat of a lotus seed … they discovered that their seedling had been waiting for them within a peat bog in China for no less than two thousand years. This tiny seed had stubbornly kept up the hope of its own future while entire human civilizations rose and fell.” Hope’s unique look at science, brings it to life for us.

She keeps us turning the pages because of her unique way of blending her love of science with her love of life.

Her son “Perhaps this beautiful little baby at whom I stare anchors me to yet another thing that is greater than myself. I had worked so hard for so many years trying to make my life into something that it was a surprise to see all the truly valuable pieces simply fall from the sky undeserved. I used to pray to be made stronger; now I pray to be made grateful.”

Leaves “The leaves of the world comprise countless billion elaborations of a single, simple machine designed for one job only — a job upon which hinges humankind. Leaves make sugar.”

She goes on to describe the work of the leaf and how unique it is. Sometimes a new leaf will form and “One new idea allowed the plant to see a new world and draw sweetness out of a whole new sky.”

Be sure and take the time this summer to find a comfortable spot in the shade of a tree and read “Lab Girl” by Hope Jahren before the leaves start falling from that tree!

September–October 2016 | Austin Living | 71

WHY WE LOVE AUSTIN

Because Austin is just right

By Greg

and

Mandie Siems

It’s funny how life takes you on all sorts of twists and turns, but ultimately you end up right where you are supposed to be. For us, moving to Austin after stints in Hopkins, Minnesota, and South Bend, Indiana, was like a breath of fresh air, in many ways.

A smaller community and slower pace of living seem to be negatives in the eyes of most of our generation, but it fits our personalities and interests perfectly.

It’s much easier to get to know people here, and to get involved in the activities that matter to us. In particular, we’d be hard-pressed to find Austin’s unique blend of support for the arts and overall community development anywhere else.

It’s been a circuitous journey for Mandie, who grew up in Austin and has participated in musical and theatrical activities her whole life. From the excellent choir and orchestra at Austin High School to the exciting plays at Summerset Theatre, she has always taken advantage of the quantity and quality of opportunities available here.

Even in the short time since moving back to Austin last year, she’s been in three plays, stage managed another, and sang in community choirs. Not many places make it so easy to be a part of the artistic scene, and that will most certainly continue thanks to the efforts of the Austin Area Commission for the Arts and countless other organizations in town.

Greg, on the other hand, is a relative newcomer. A Hawkeye by birth, he has grown to love the Land of 10,000 Lakes as his adopted home. As someone who has studied politics for a long time, it’s incredible for him to see all of the big things happening in 72 | Austin Living | September–October 2016

Greg and Mandie Siems.

Photo provided

Austin right now: The Hormel Institute expansion, new buildings at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, a new Hy-Vee, and too many other projects to name.

It’s rare for a community of our size to experience this level of investment and activity. It takes the combined effort of citizens, businesses, city officials and philanthropic institutions, all working in concert toward a common goal to make it all happen. You don’t find that just anywhere, either.

So, why do we love Austin? Because

it is a Goldilocks town: not too big, not to small, but just right. In fact, it’s better than a Goldilocks town, constantly growing not in size, but quality. It’s a place that values diversity and hard work. It’s a place where if you want to make a difference, you can. We couldn’t ask for much more.

– Greg serves as the director of Vision 2020, and Mandie is a public affairs associate for Mayo Clinic Health System. They live in southwest Austin with their lovable cat, Sagwa.