A CITY WITH SO MUCH TO DO

By Sue Radloff • Photo By eRic JohnSon

Having grown up in Austin and graduated from Pacelli High School, I moved away for a few years to attend college and work. My husband Bob, an Austin High School graduate, purchased a business in 197l, which brought us here again. After living in a few other cities, I have learned to truly appreciate Austin.

First of all, Austin is a wonderful place to raise a family. Our two daughters had a terrific education here, attending Banfield, Ellis, Austin High School and Riverland Community College. They were nurtured by many outstanding teachers and programs in the district. Their music experiences were very plentiful, aiding them in their life work.

I was fortunate to have a long teaching career with Austin Public Schools, as well as part-time with Pacelli Catholic Schools, and now MacPhail Music Center. This has enabled me to work with so many young students and their families, a core joy for me. The Austin schools are wonderful places to work, and they employ many competent and friendly faculty and administrators.

Austin is blessed to have many active churches, representing diverse denominations, as well as fine service clubs. I have been fortunate enough to become acquainted with many members of these groups. and know that they do great things for the community. Being a member and choir director at Westminster Presbyterian Church has certainly been a joy for me. I also participate in the Noon Lions Club, which sponsors a pancake feed, provides concessions at football games, provides eyeglasses for the needy, and gives donations to many organizations.

My favorite organization in town is the Austin Symphony Orchestra. The group is made up of musicians from the Austin area. It gives four or five concerts per year, sometimes including one at the band shell for the Fourth of July Celebration. One concert yearly usually includes the symphony chorus, and one or more features well known artists and outstanding musicians from our area as soloists. It encourages young students to participate and experience the symphonic literature.

Other things that I love to participate in here are: Austin Area Arts Center, Paramount Theater, Hormel Historic Home, Mower County Historical Society, Riverland Theatre, Summerset Theatre, Matchbox Theatre, and the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

I must mention the great restaurants that Austin has. I try to get take out from different ones at least once per week. I look forward to going to them again in person. The food is superb, wait staff very helpful, and prices reasonable.

Probably the greatest reason I love Austin is for the people who live here. This has been driven home to me by the restrictions of the past two months due to the coronavirus Many of the activities I enjoy have been canceled or postponed, leaving me with abundant free time to walk, bike, and work in the garden. People are still friendly, but I greatly miss that closer contact that comes through all the wonderful activities of Austin’s organizations and having friends come to my home. But if one must choose a place to be confined, Austin is definitely the best!

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