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What’s Inside COMMUNITY 6
MUSICALLY CHARGED MacPhail: Making a one-of-akind mark on community music
12 REALIZING A VISION Construction moves ahead on Community Rec Center
16 ADDRESSING A SHORTAGE Tax abatement program jumpstarts new housing construction
20 ICE AND STONES Curling league drawing more interest
24 IMPACT OF RESEARCH Hormel, Mayo are helping break new ground in clinical trials
EDUCATION 30 PATHS TO WELLBEING Gerard Academy is a family helping families
36 A GIFT LIKE NO OTHER Austin Assurance Scholarship Program opens future for students with debt-free college
40 GROWING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION 2+2 program builds foundation for new teachers
DIVERSITY 46 A DIFFERENT KIND OF COACH Success coaches are key to providing help to immigrant students 2 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
50 THE NEXT STEP
Friday, February 22, 2019
88
Austin athletes finding success on the college playing fields
52 STYLE ALL HER OWN Ronissia Gondao-Bengba finds her home at Sterling Beauty Salon
56 A HELPING HAND CLUES providing resource for Latinos new to Austin
60 SETTING THE EXAMPLE RCC’s George Bass serves as first honorary council member
BUSINESS 66 HARD WORKER Sellers unlocks the key to business success
72 NEW LEADERSHIP FOR AUSTIN’S MAIN BUSINESS ADVOCATE Austin Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes Elaine Hansen
76 EXPANDING THE BRAND 1910 owners open Munch Ice Cream and Snack Lab
80 REVITALIZING A LANSING LANDMARK Lansing Corners Supper Club making a comeback
82 STAYIN’ ALIVE Small towns bank on their unique qualities
86 ESTABLISHING RESPONSE Future of Gold Cross Ambulance in Austin sees further reach into region
EASING FEARS Dentists office working toward making trips to dentists office easier
SMALL TOWNS 92
FROM HARVARD TO HOME Vogt Sween a country lawyer and that’s fine with her
100 THE HEARTBEAT OF ADAMS How a community and Mayo Clinic came together to keep health care accessible
104 WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSED, ANOTHER OPENED Legacy of Brownsdale gives new life to elementary school
106 CARS FOR A CAUSE Rose Creek Car Show has raised over $60k for suicide prevention
108 PRESERVING HISTORY Mitch Helle works to tell his hometown’s story
110 REPUTATION OF SERVICE LeRoy Lumber has been a mainstay on LeRoy’s Main Street
114 AT HOME IN THE AISLES Hayfield grocery store going strong under its newest co-owner
116 PROGRAMMING IN 3D BP student at the forefront of school’s technology
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Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 3
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Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 5
Community
A drum group led by Cheryl Berglund, site manager for MacPhail-Austin, rehearses at MacPhail Center for Music on the campus of Riverland Community College. Photos by Eric Johnson
Musically Charged MacPhail: Making a one-of-a-kind mark on community music BY DEB NICKLAY 6 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
While Cheryl Berglund knew full well of the groundbreaking work being done by MacPhail Center for Music in Austin, she was surprised to find others from across the country knew it as well. While at a National Guild for Community Arts Education conference in San Francisco two years ago, she was startled at the response she got when she introduced herself as being from MacPhail in Austin. “They knew who we were,” said Berglund, the site manager for the MacPhail-Austin. “Every community music school … was interested in what we were doing.” Its success springs from partnerships with schools and the community, said Berglund. That relationship took a bold step last year, when it was announced the Hormel Foundation, Austin Public Schools and MacPhail would join hands to create an $11.5 million music center in the Austin High School Annex. The foundation will provide over $8.7 million to the project.
“They knew who we were. Every community music school ... was interested in what we were doing.” Cheryl Berglund, site manager for the MacPhail-Austin
When completed in the summer of 2020, the site will house all the high school’s music programs, as well as all MacPhail program instruction, which includes private lessons for individuals. Some programming already in local schools will continue. MacPhail — a national leader in community music education and headquartered in Minneapolis — has been making music in Austin since 2014 from its leased quarters at Riverland Community College. In addition to lessons offered at its Riverland location, it partnered with Austin Public Schools, Pacelli Catholic Schools, the Community Learning Center and Woodson Kindergarten Center to provide supplemental music programming within the schools. Some of those programs include Sing, Play, Learn, a program for preschool students; a community youth choir of third and fourth graders, band camp, and other projects. All those will continue in the school setting after the center opens. Pacelli Catholic Schools has also welcomed MacPhail instructor Holly
Cheryl Berglund directs rehearsal of a drum group for an upcoming performance at MacPhail School of Music at Riverland Community College. Dalager to revive the school’s band program, which had been missing from the school for some years. MacPhail’s initial interest in Austin was spurred when Hormel Foundation board member Mahlon Schneider, also a former board member for MacPhail and retired
general counsel for Hormel Foods, was having lunch with another MacPhail board member who indicated the center was looking for its’ first “outstate” location. He mentioned another city being considered when Schneider suggested Austin, recalled
foundation board member Bonnie Rietz. MacPhail CEO Paul Babcock said his conversations with thenfoundation director Gary Ray, Schneider, Rietz and Austin Public Schools Superintendent Dave Krenz, and other members of the community, led to the final decision to bring MacPhail to Austin. He said the names of (now former) school music instructors such as Brad Mariska, Phil Burkhart and Brian Johnson, to name just a few, were well known to MacPhail staff, he said, and knew the programming was already excellent. And, he added, past practice with other MacPhail centers “showed us that we’re most successful when music programs are already strong.” Rietz recalled walking with Babcock through the community on a summer day and “he was just amazed to find the high school music teachers in their rooms, giving lessons, helping students” when most high school instructors were usually taking time for vacations. “He was just so impressed with that,” Rietz said.
Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 7
The final design of what the new MacPhail Center For Music will look like once construction is completed in 2020. The Austin High School’s music annex began its renovations in January. Rendering provided It wasn’t hard for the foundation to commit to its support. Rietz said that Krenz’s support with his suggestion of locating a center at the Annex would provide a win-win situation for the district, MacPhail and the community. The district was already looking at how to improve the site that housed their band, choral and orchestral programs. “With such a strong music program in the schools,” and a strong music heritage that included the Austin Symphony Orchestra, “It was a nice fit,” for all parties, Rietz added. “The foundation has always wanted to support projects that benefitted education — and this not only supported music in the schools, but it would also support students academically, a great lifestyle, and lifelong learning,” she said. 8 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
“With such a strong music program in the schools ... It was a nice fit ...” Bonnie Rietz, Hormel Foundation Board member There were questions to be answered at the beginning, Babcock said. “When the foundation first approached us, the question was, ‘Can you do the same in Austin as you’ve done in Chanhassen?’” which referred to one of MacPhail’s suburban sites. “At first, to be honest, we weren’t sure,” he said. If there was any initial concern, he added, it was whether there would be a sufficient number of teachers in Austin who could provide the large range of lessons and programs needed.
“That did not turn out to be a problem, which was a pleasant surprise,” he said. Babcock added it was clear Austin not only valued music, but all the fine arts — another mark in the plus column. “At the end of a year, our answer to their original question was, ‘Absolutely.’” Today, about 125 students take lessons on 15 different instruments and in voice. Among the most popular are piano, voice and guitar, said Babcock. Austin’s center follows a model first set in the Twin Cities, said Babcock.
Austin joins centers in Apple Valley (2005), White Bear Lake (2006) and Chanhassen (2014) that provide lessons outside of the Minneapolis center. While MacPhail operated for almost 100 years out of one location, a publication entitled “The New Angle” by the McKnight Foundation, helped shape a new vision for the community music education center, he said. The publication opened a conversation about arts development in the suburbs, said Babcock, whose study suggested partnering with both rural and urban communities on the expansion of the arts strengthens art appreciation overall. Berglund said Austin’s mission matches closely with that of MacPhail, which says the love of music is life long and can be enjoyed by all ages.
“We have had excellence in the community for a very long time,” she said, adding that members of the Austin Symphony Orchestra — one of the oldest symphonies in the state — are among MacPhail instructors. Virtually all MacPhail instructors have been involved with the ASO, she said. Berglund is a percussionist with the ASO and is also a percussion instructor for MacPhail. While patterned after its suburban counterparts, Babcock said Austin remains a center unlike the rest. The partnership with the local schools in the new center “is definitely unique” and the center remains one-of-a-kind in the country, he said, due to that close association. When the center opens, “having school music staff just a few feet away” from MacPhail instructors provides for the ultimate collaborative environment, he said. “No one else has that,” he said. “No other community education school in the country has that.” John Lukes follows along as the drum group with MacPhail School of Music rehearses for a performance.
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Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 9
The Annex project will include a 13,750-square-foot second floor addition and 17,850 square feet of alterations to the annex. The second story will not encompass the entire building footprint, but will be located toward the east half of the building, facing Fourth Street Northwest. The choir will be housed on that new level, with band and orchestra being in new spaces on the main level. MacPhail will be housed in renovated existing space, in 11 rooms and instruction studios of various sizes to support individual lessons and ensemble training, early childhood music classes and staff offices. A percussion instruction studio, recording studio, and a large performance classroom will be shared by both programs. ATS&R architects from Golden Valley will oversee the design. And, the students will be the ones better for it. Some already know the benefits. John Lukes is one. The Albert Lea High School sophomore takes MacPhail lessons for percussion performance — but he is also proficient on piano and cello. “At school, you’ll get a 10-minute lesson; here, you get a 45-minute lesson
10 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
Erin Grush, a music teacher from MacPhail, let’s kids at Apple Lane strum the ukulele she brought with her. Right, Apple Lane students gather around Grush. once a week.” “She can really provide insight,” he said of Berglund, especially in performance on the marimba, a special interest of his. Mikayla Berg, 15, was glad for programming that matches her own family’s love of music. Her ancestry is filled with musicians. “Music is just in me,” she said with a chuckle. She is also one of Berglund’s percussion students. She
agreed with Lukes that MacPhail provides in-depth instruction that cannot easily be found in high school instruction, although both Lukes and Berg praised their high school directors. But high school instruction is more group-oriented and band and orchestra directors can only be spread so thin. Students come in all ages, Berglund said. Some are as young as 6 weeks of age, in a program in which infants
listen to music. The youngest student receiving private lessons is 4 years old, she said. One of Berglund’s most exciting ventures is having MacPhail partnering in a different school program — one of English Language Learners. Austin is home to a large refugee population whose success in speaking English is varied. A new ELL music instruction is one way to broaden those skills, she said. “We are absolutely most excited about this,” she said. Bringing that instruction into the new center will provide two critical assets. One, students will feel more comfortable in the familiar school setting; and two, transportation will not be a problem since they are already taking school busing. The next several years will be even more exciting for the Austin center as the new center opens and new programs and initiatives emerge. Yanan Ren, whose son, George, 6, receives percussion instruction, said at a recent lesson that MacPhail provides just one more fine arts opportunity for her son. “He is loving music; he is growing in every direction,” she said with a smile. P
Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 11
The rec center, on track for a possible completion late this year or possibly 2020. Photos by Eric Johnson
Construction moves ahead on Community Rec Center as Austin gets closer to ...
Realizing a Vision BY MICHAEL STOLL
In July 2018, a groundbreaking ceremony was held to officially begin construction on a new Community Rec Center. But the ceremony was more than the beginning of construction; it was a sign the community’s vision was becoming a reality. For Tedd Maxfield, who has been the director of the Austin YMCA for seven years, the building of a new center was a long time coming. “When I was hired, it was clear from our board members during the interview that a new facility or a significant change to our current facility was something they had been seeking to do for 10 years or more at that point,” he said. “It’s been quite awhile that we’ve needed to grow our physical plant to meet the needs of our programs and the community. This Y has been around for a long time and has served people well for over 50 years. It’s gotten to the point that program needs have changed so much and the structure does not accommodate modern programming as well as a new facility will.” It was around the time Maxfield took on the YMCA’s directorship that Vision 2020 came about, with a new community recreation center as one of the organization’s top priorities. “The day after my interview, Vision 2020 announced the priorities,” Maxfield said. “There was enough community discussion that it was pretty clear Vision 2020 would have a new recreation center on their wish list, and they knew in order for that to be successful, the Y would have to be involved.” 12 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
A construction worker welds on the outside of the rec center late in 2018.
But the YMCA and Vision 2020’s Community Rec Center Committee were not the only entities involved in planning the design. Planners reached out to the city, the school district, Riverland Community College and interested community members for their input. “In order to decide what should be in it, we conducted a lot of research into community needs and market needs just to determine what the top recreation needs were,” Maxfield said. “We designed the building in a way to meet as many of those needs as we could.” After a design was created, the next task was to choose a location. In January 2015, the site of the old downtown Austin Utilities Plant was chosen to be the location for the new center. The selected location was approved by the city in October 2016. In June 2017, Vision 2020 announced that McGough Construction and BWBR Architects, both of whom had done prior work in Austin, had been selected for design and construction work. But with plans in place, Vision
Construction workers put up walls in the locker room area of the rec center. 2020 then had to raise funds for the construction. From January 2017 through May 2018, the Vision 2020 Community Rec Center Committee conducted a public giving campaign to raise the necessary $35 million. The campaign was successful, with the Hormel Foundation alone donating $25 million.
Hormel Foods donated an additional $5 million, while community members and other local businesses raised the remaining $5 million. By July 2018, the old plant had been demolished, allowing construction work to begin. “Things have gone pretty quickly since construction started,” Maxfield
said. “It started with underground work that needed to happen. Most of the building is built on grade with no basement underneath it; the small exception to that is the pump and filtration room for the swimming pool. That was the first thing that got built. As soon as that was done, they started working in the footing and foundation walls for the entire perimeter of the building. Part of the structure is a steel structure, and a lot of that has gone up now.” “Bit by bit, it’s all coming together,” he added. Although the projected opening date is for later this year, Maxfield said rain in the early days of construction could possibly delay the opening date to early 2020. Once open, the new facility is expected to have the community impact of employing 175 full-time and part-time workers (up from roughly 125 at the current YMCA facility), serving 650 low-income families, 3,500 kids participating in activities, 7,300 people of all ages, races and incomes served each year and an annual financial impact of $3,225,000.
Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 13
“We’ll have something for everybody, regardless of who you are or what your interests are,” Maxfield said. Cost to use the new facility has not yet been decided, but Maxfield said the YMCA’s current board of directors is hoping to keep prices as close as possible to current YMCA prices. “The indoor playground and the youth Tedd Maxfield center will be available free for any community member to use,” he said. “The rest of the facility will be available by membership or by day pass. It wouldn’t shock me if we don’t change (the prices from current YMCA membership) at all. If we do, it won’t
“We’re really looking forward to being able to grow into a space that’s better suited for the program needs of the community.”
There will be three gyms when the rec center is done, all of them regulation lengthed. be by much.” Maxfield estimates it will cost about $1 million more per year to run the new facility than the current YMCA facility. “Some people think that a community recreation center should be free, and there isn’t anywhere that a community
recreation center is free,” he said. “You have to pay to use it because it costs to operate it. Unless the taxpayer base wants to pay the operating costs, then the people who use it have to pay something, so our goal is to keep those costs as low as we can and have as many people use it as we can.”
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Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 15
A pair of homes are under construction in northeast Austin. Thanks to the abatement program, many have found it advantageous to build homes in Austin. Photo by Eric Johnson When there weren’t enough houses, several people came together to find a way to help more people call Mower County home. As a way to address the housing shortage in Austin, the housing tax abatement was created to help spark new home construction in the area and to open up more affordable housing stock. Any person who constructs a new single family home, duplex or multifamily complex and who files application material and seeks formal approval from local jurisdiction between Aug. 1, 2016, and Dec. 31, 2019 may be eligible to receive 100 percent tax abatement of the county’s share of increased real estate taxes as a result of building newly constructed housing or a home, for a period of five years if certain criteria are met. The Housing Tax Abatement Program has seen more than 56 housing projects approved since the pilot program’s start in 2016. Other cities in Mower County such as Adams, Brownsdale, Elkton, Grand Meadow and LeRoy also take part in the program. From the time the tax abatement program started, former county coordinator Craig Oscarson felt that it contributed positively to the growth of housing stock. At the end of 2019, Mower County will need to decide whether to continue the pilot program or to end it. “I think its made progress in what it was designed to do,” Oscarson said. “I think the program is meeting its goal, and the board may want to extend it out a few more years.”
Building a home and why it matters
One of the biggest challenges that accompanies a housing shortage is its potential for stunting population growth 16 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
Addressing a Shortage Tax abatement program jumpstarts new housing construction in Austin BY HANNAH YANG
“It’s important to keep in mind that a healthy housing market has a direct impact on employers as they look to add jobs and grow their businesses.” Craig Clark, city administrator
and the effect it could have on jobs and the local economy. Austin City Administrator Craig Clark said without new housing starts, the amount of housing stock remains stagnant and would become a significant barrier to a growing city like Austin. Clark said this also limits the potential for upward mobility of people as they rise up the housing continuum and opens up more affordable units as a result. “It’s important to keep in mind that a healthy housing market has a direct impact on employers as they look to add jobs and grow their business,” he said. “If employees don’t find suitable housing, it really does hamper economic growth.” With the creation of the housing tax abatement program, there is still more work to be done, according to Clark. Austin’s aging housing stock continues to need more construction of new single-family and multi-family starts, he added. The Southeast Minnesota Realtors Association’s most recent market focus report indicated Austin’s median sale price of homes is at $103,500 for 2018. “The lower this number, the more difficult new unit construction becomes,” Clark said. “It’s clear we have more work to do.” Despite this challenge, Clark said encouraging new home construction by offering five years of tax abatement helps in counteracting the realities of the current housing market by aiming to create new housing starts in Austin. “We know first-hand units were constructed in Austin that would have otherwise been built in other communities because of the tax abatement,” he said. “We also saw a good handful of spec homes built because of
the abatement program that clearly would not have moved forward without the Austin Homes Initiative.” Alongside the housing tax abatement program, the Austin City Council also approved the Grow Austin program that encourages job growth and higher paying jobs. The program was considered to be complementary to the efforts made by the Austin Homes initiative by rewarding job creation and capital investment, while being focused on solid wage and benefit packages by limiting incentives for jobs above 140 percent of the poverty level. “We know the best housing program is a good paying job and any financial support has to be accompanied by higher wages that allow people to afford a better standard of living,” Clark said. “Promoting economic growth helps build tax base and diversify the tax burden we all pay.”
Working together
Several major projects have moved forward because of the tax abatement program.
Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 17
Jon Erichson, executive director of Austin’s Housing Redevelopment Authority, noted Fox Pointe, a townhome project, and Legacy of Brownsdale, an assisted living facility, as two of the projects that were brought online because of the abatement program. Combined, the two projects total 70 units. However, Erichson acknowledged the biggest issue regarding affordable housing is that median income has an impact on what people can afford, and in turn affects the creation of new housing projects, creating a gap in what people can afford versus the construction cost. “The tax abatement program has been a real positive for the Austin/Mower County area,” Erichson said.“We have generated more interest in Austin and the surrounding area from not only local residents, but people looking to move back. Plus, we are experiencing new contractors that are working in the area.” “Projects like Fox Pointe that use tax credits are really beneficial but tax credit projects are very competitive with limited tax credits available,” Erichson added. Clark said the partnership of the county and school district for the abatement program was “critical” to ensure its success and to fulfill the goals of improving the housing shortage in the area. “We appreciate their recognition of the challenges housing presents in Austin and look forward in the coming months to discussions about continuing the program past the current deadline of Dec. 31, 2019,” he said. “For those who have been contemplating taking advantage of the program and enjoying five years of tax abatement on any new taxable value, there’s still time to get your building plans together and come forward for approval.” As for the outlook for housing redevelopment, the goal is to generate interest in all types of housing. The Housing Study indicated a need for all types of housing, and any type of housing construction was considered a positive for the community, Erichson added. “Affordable housing is going to continue to be a challenge as the funding
56
18 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
Since its inception in 2016, more than 56 projects have been confirmed through the tax abatement program. The deadline for anybody wanting to build is Dec. 31, 2019. The Austin HRA continues to help facilitate applications for these projects within the city and can be contacted at 507-433-1866.
sources and options are very limited and highly competitive,” he said. “Affordable housing is a challenge for all communities and will require partnerships between private and public sectors to make it happen.” The Austin HRA continues to help facilitate applications for these projects within the city, and can be contacted at 507-433-1866. P
Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 19
Ice and Stones
Curling league drawing more interest BY ROCKY HULNE When life hands you ice, go curling. Austin residents have found a way to both beat the cold and be competitive throughout the winter months in a weekly curling league that meets Wednesday nights at Packer Arena. Austin natives Tyler White and Jordan Williamson have stepped up as instructors for the league and they’ve made things as fun and accessible as possible for anyone looking to try the sport — which has drawn approximately 20 competitors on a weekly basis this winter. White and Williamson were both into snowboarding in the past, but with less free time available, they turned to the stone and the broom. “We needed something to do in the winter,” White said. “We have families now, so it’s kind of hard
to get away for a whole day or a weekend. It breaks up the week and it’s nice to be able to get out and do something and be active.“ White and Williamson have taken classes on curling so they can educate Austin residents on the basics of a sport that allows room for athletes of all ages. Curling is played on a surface of ice and there is no running or jumping involved, which means just about anyone can handle it. “Basically anybody can do it,” White said. “A grandson and a grandpa could come down and do it. If you’re in a wheelchair or have a bad hip, we have delivery sticks that can help you. Everybody from a laborer to a business owner comes in here. We come from every walk of life
Stones wait for use on league night at Packer Arena. Above, Tyler White and Jordan Williamson currently head the organization of the curling league in Austin. Photos by Eric Johnson 20 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
and the camaraderie is great. It’s a gentleman’s sport and if somebody touches a stone, it’s your job to say it. There’s no ref and I love that aspect.” The sport uses a granite stone, also called “the rock,” and brooms. Each player slides the stone down the ice sheet, and teammates use the brooms to sweep the ice in front of it in order to guide its path. The sweeping motion changes the surface of the ice and therefore, its speed and direction. The goal is to guide the stone to a target; proximity to the target is scored and the high point-getters win. Four players make up a team and two teams compete against each other. Steven Rizzi picked up curling three years ago and he’s been hooked on the sport ever since. He sees it as a great way to get out and compete and get some solid social interaction at the same time. “This game is really, really warm and welcoming to beginners,” Rizzi said. “It’s not too cold in here as compared to being outside and the camaraderie is terrific. It’s a very genteel game, much like golf. You assist the other team if they’ve got an issue and you call the score the way it should be.”
“This game is really, really warm and welcoming to beginners.” Steven Rizzi
Steven Rizzi, left, watches a stone during curling league at Packer Arena.
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With the ice assisting in the throwing motion and sweeping being a function that most everyone can handle, curling allows players of all ages and abilities to participate and that makes it a fun event for anyone to try out for a night. “If I’m really, really good and you’re not that good, you can be competitive in curling,” Rizzi said. “It isn’t about speed, strength and quickness. It’s about the talent and ability to throw the rocks and after you do it a few times, you’re there. There’s some strategy that I’m still learning, but it’s a terrific game as far as access.“ White emphasized that curling is a relatively safe sport and curlers don’t wear skates — they wear shoes. Falls are rare and normally don’t cause any harm. He wants anyone coming out to curl to have the best time they can. “We want to make sure everyone has a good understanding of the basics of the game so we can get out here and have fun,” he said. The league is all about getting new players to try curling as a ‘“Learn to Curl” night was offered this past year, allowing anyone to come out and give curling a shot. Teams feature
Packer Arena comes a live with amateur curling participants. Below, Jacob Hunerdosse guides a stone four curlers each, but no records or standings were kept in 2018-2019. White is hoping the league can eventually have enough players where they can keep track of standings. Most of the equipment used for the curling league was purchased through a 2015 Hormel Foundation grant in 2015. “We’re very thankful for that grant
and we thank (Austin Parks and Recreation director) Kim Underwood for her help in setting this up,” White said. The league competes at 6 p.m. on Wednesday nights throughout the winter and it began under the late Guy Minnich, who assisted in purchasing equipment and training others to curl. P
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This service is not for emergency transportation. www.SmartBusMn.org | 1-855-762-7821 Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 23
Impact of Research Hormel, Mayo are helping break new ground in clinical trials BY DEB NICKLAY
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For the first time, The Hormel “This really is an opportunity for Institute will be able to witness the folks who live in Greater Minnesota impact of its research in its hometown to have access to clinical research,” — and residents from Austin and said Marie Rahne, senior manager for its rural area will experience better MCCTN. “And it gives residents an healthcare as a result. opportunity to make more decisions A new study looking at the impact about their healthcare.” of ginger extract on the gut bacteria The program also provides valuable in people who have had a colonoscopy insights into those illnesses affecting and had polyps removed is underway. rural populations in ways they had not The cancer prevention clinical trial been able to do before, she added. will be conducted at Mayo Clinic The Hormel Institute has always Health System in Austin through the been on the leading edge of cancer Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials research, but trials that test the Network (MNCCTN) of which The research have almost always been Hormel Institute and Mayo are conducted in metropolitan areas. Hormel Institute Associate Director Dr. Ann Bode and Executive Director Dr. Zigang Dong Those in the past testing Hormel partners. The trial will be open locally to Institute research have included the see the Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network as an important next step in the fight eligible participants later this spring, University of Minnesota in the Twin against cancer. Left, Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin is partnering with the MCCTN according to officials. The trial is also Cities, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, as well, bringing it’s technology to bear on the fight. Jodi Wyse, radiology supervisor, being conducted at other sites within and the University of Arizona. UA shows off an MRI used in the trials. the network. has been a longtime testing site for Based on research from The Hormel The Hormel Institute’s skin cancer Institute and the Masonic Cancer research. Center, University of Minnesota, the To have trials conducted in Austin Dr. Zigang Dong study examines the role of ginger gives rural participants the ability Executive director, The Hormel Institute on the gut microbiome, a group of to be “first in line” for lifesaving microorganisms — such as bacteria treatment. — that lives in the human body. Researchers predict the anti-inflammatory “We always want discovery to translate to the human locally,” said Dr. properties of ginger may impact the microbiome in a way that reduces a Zigang Dong, executive director of The Hormel Institute. Now, with the help of patient’s risk of colorectal cancer. MCCTN, that can happen, he said.
“We always want discovery to translate to the human locally.”
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Clinical trials are used as the most critical step in realizing actual treatment following the research process, said Dr. Ann Bode, associate director of The Hormel Institute. Trials can take many forms and for different reasons. One might be conducted for preventative measures while Participating in a Trial another might be The study to determine the impact of ginger on microinterventional. organisms in the intestine, to help determine preventative Interventional properties on colorectal cancer, will begin in Austin later treatments this spring. allow Those interested in participating should know participants the following: who are •Some might be contacted after a certain polyp was found in their intestine and ill with a removed during a colonoscopy. disease to be •If a participant meets eligibility requirepart of a new ments, they will be asked to attend an orientatreatment. tion study session. “Every trial is •If the participant agrees, they will be given either a pill different,” Bode containing the ginger extract, or a placebo. These will be said. And so, she taken over the course of the trial. •Participants will answer an over-the-phone survey about added, eligibility dietary, health and medication changes 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks requirements following orientation. are also different •Participants will be required at their homes to collect for each trial, saliva, urine and stool samples as part of the process. depending on the •Participants will receive a $60 gift card in compensagoal. tion. Trials utilize two Those with questions can call 800-825-2227. control groups in a “double blind” process. A double blind means the participant and the research team does not know what treatment is being administered (although an official will always
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know) to avoid any bias in results. Rahne said the trials in Austin will most likely begin in the spring. The trials, being conducted at other MNCCTN participating sites, will require a total of 100 participants. The process will be easy for participants, she added, noting the length of time committed will only last a few months. Some trials can last years. Participants are identified in a number of ways, Rahne said. A doctor might suggest that a patient join the trial — but there will also be a call for participants in releases (see accompanying box). There are more trials being planned, said Dr. Charles Loprinzi, a well-known oncology specialist and researcher at Mayo Clinic, who is the medical director for MNCCTN. He has led over 100 cancer trials at Mayo. The value of MNCCTN “is in having that early access” to treatment for residents living in Greater Minnesota. Before the advent of MNCCTN, participants in Austin most likely had to travel to Rochester or Minneapolis to be a part, he said. Over half of all Minnesotans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetimes, according to MNCCTN. Studies coming through MNCCTN aim to keep people from getting cancer, improve therapies for people with cancer, and improve life for cancer survivors. Funding for the network comes from the State of Minnesota, in its goal of bringing better treatment to its small town and rural populations. MNCCTN’s partner healthcare organizations include Essentia Health, Sanford Health, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Metro-Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium, and Fairview Health System. With the help of these partners, the network has established 18 locations throughout Minnesota, with several more sites expected to open in subsequent years. To find available trials in your area, call the Nurse Navigator line at 612-6242620. Eligibility criteria can be found at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/ NCT03268655. To learn more about MNCCTN, visit mncancertrials.umn.edu. P
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Education
Paths to Wellbeing Through education and treatment Gerard Academy is a family helping families
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But on general principal, staff is dedicated to helping as many people as they can, whether that be the kids or their parents. Tucked away in the pines, just off the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, Gerard For parents, it may be providing them with a sympathetic shoulder. Academy and its New Dominion School can seem quaintly unassuming at first “We try to comfort them and let them know their kid is in good hands,” glance. Nerison said. “We will take care of them. The parent is still part of the A collection of buildings around the main building, the former home of process. We get better results if that is the case.” George Hormel, sits on 12 acres of land, filled with people doing good things. However, that still leaves a lot of unknowns for the child who is already At its base, Gerard is a place for the troubled — those who have faced dealing with heavier things in life. traumas and who are now coping with its effects. Children have questions and concerns. Among the first to address those For years, the facility dealt primarily with troubled youth, but in recent worries are unit coordinators. years it has spent more time growing and developing family and adult services. Chad Maier has been unit coordinator for only a short time and it wasn’t There is a story at Gerard that, to the public in general, doesn’t get fully something he thought would develop into a career. Having graduated told. It tells a tale of kids trying to cope with mental and emotional hardships, from Riverland Community College with a degree in law enforcement and something in their lives that leaves them struggling. corrections, Maier saw working at Gerard as a valuable next step toward a But Gerard is more than that. Its story is about positivity. It tells a story career of being a police officer. about not giving up and ensuring that all who need its services get the help “But then I started here,” Maier said. “They built relationships with us they need. right away. I don’t even want to leave When Executive Director Karen here now because I built so many Wolf began her career at Gerard as relationships with all the staff.” a therapist in 1999, the facility was Relationship-building is important at much different than it is today. all levels of Gerard, whether with staff It had just 30 beds, spread out or kids they are treating. Relationships among three units. The mindset was are built on trust and supported by different as well, focusing only on the safety and security that, up until treatment. In time, however, those now, may not have been experienced by working at Gerard realized more some kids. could be done. There are routines to learn and “Back then it was, ‘let’s get this kid Maier is at the forefront of those really good at treatment’ and now we’ve routines. really changed that to ‘let’s prepare “My job is to make sure of the the kid so that they can be good in the structure and safety of the dorm; that’s community,’” Wolf said. “We don’t my main goal,” Maier said. “If it’s not want them lingering here for years. safe, they don’t feel safe to express We want them back with their family, themselves appropriately, to open up having normal life experiences.” about things with their therapist.” To do that sometimes requires Unit coordinators often ask students a family of a different sort. Staff who have been at Gerard for a time to working at Gerard meets that help show newer students the ropes, in definition. a program called Peacekeepers. A teen does some writing during some downtown at Gerard in the girls unit. “The staff are everything,” Wolf “We try to make it more welcoming, said without hesitation. “We couldn’t open arms where it’s not you sitting do what we do with a staff that wasn’t committed. They are passionate; they in the corner and waiting for somebody to talk to you,” Maier said. “I get it, truly want to see the kids get better. They are in the thick of it, with the worst hearing from us. We’re adults, this is our job, but it just kind of makes it seem of the worst times the kids have, to the best experiences.” we’re trying to make you feel at home, where having somebody their age that can relate to them about it and explain it to them from their perspective. It’s Coming to Gerard different than staff just saying ‘this is where this is located.’” When it comes down to it, none of the kids really want to be at Gerard. It marks a point in a troubled life where a child feels abandoned, lost, angry, Helping themselves, helping others perhaps even hopeless. On the surface, N.A. is nothing but an ordinary teenager, whose identity is Along the way they’ve had trust in others damaged, and for families who being withheld per Gerard requirements. have tried everything, it represents a fractured next step where the family is At 17, she is a bright and focused teen with a friendly personality. The oldest no longer a unit. in her dorm, N.A. is a Peacekeeper who helps other kids when they come to Loren Nerison, admissions coordinator for Gerard, is one of the first people Gerard. to meet with the families and the kids. “When you go to the dorms, you participate in activities in the dorm or if “It’s a tough decision for parents to make,” Nerison said. “In most cases somebody is struggling, just talk to them,” she said. they’ve already put a lot of thought into it prior to giving us a phone call and Being able to help students who struggle makes N.A. feel like a part of the wrestled with some tough decisions already” process of healing. She knows how that feels. As she nears the one-year mark To be clear, not everybody is admitted to Gerard. Aggressiveness, chemical of her own arrival at Gerard, she recalled those first days. issues or kids who need treatment for sexual issues may prevent some being “When I first got here, I struggled a lot, accepting why I was here,” she admitted to the facility. remembered. “But I’ve made a lot of progress. Right now I’m doing real good.”
BY ERIC JOHNSON
Left, Pam Calvert gets a hug from a child in the girls unit. Photos by Eric Johnson Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 31
Thirteen-year-old M.S. is another student spending time at Gerard. He smiles, but answers easily when asked how he’s doing. “Really good,” he beams. “I’m making a lot of progress.” And progress is the Danielle Thies, name of the game — New Dominion School principal getting to the point where the students want to help themselves as much as the staff wants to help them. “I want to accomplish not being controlled by my anger, but respond in a calm way,” M.S. said. N.A. said she recognizes what’s best about herself and found direction during her time with Gerard. “I feel like I would make a pretty good therapist,” she said. “I like helping others.” It’s about kids taking control of their lives. “I’ve learned more skills that help me become an adult,” N.A. said. “I’ve developed a family. I have more of an idea of what I want to do in the future.”
“We also have high expectations of learning. Nothing about being traumatized says you can’t learn well.”
New Dominion, new day
New Dominion doesn’t look much different from any other school: School work fills the student’s time as teachers go through their lessons. But while the classrooms fall under the guidelines of Austin Public Schools, the challenges are very different.
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A student takes notes during an art lecture at New Dominion School.
These are students struggling with more than assignments. New Dominion and its staff recognize this and take steps each day to make sure the education needs of the students are met. For that to happen, the school needs to almost be in a constant state of change as it adapts to the students. “I think we continue to evolve as we continue to understand more about the kids we serve,” said school principal Danielle Thies. “What they experience, what their life experiences have been thus far and how that impacts their ability to participate in school and engage in the classroom.” Staff learns valuable lessons right along with students, Thies said, “ … about being better teachers and better leaders and better people. I think any time you work with a vulnerable population it teaches a lot about yourself and what you are capable of.” New Dominion has many of the same education requirements as public schools. But there is also the challenge of meeting the individual demands of each child. Thies said 85 percent of the students have an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a document that outlines a child’s special needs and a plan to provide support and services. IEP meetings are held between staff, parents and special needs professionals who collaborate on how to deliver the best services to the child. Meeting mental, emotional and behavioral needs, combined with providing
A resident of Gerard thinks on his next move as he partakes in a game of chess.
support for learning disabilities, often presents multiple challenges. “Every child is unique and I’m really proud of the work the team does at school to reach every one of them and try to bring them forward,” Thies said. “You can’t ask kids to stand where you are. You have to stand where they are and go forward at their pace. We also have high expectations of learning. Nothing about being traumatized says you can’t learn well.” There are both good and bad days still, she said. There are setbacks. “Children struggle and they show that in different ways,” Thies said. “Sometimes it’s loud and big and sometimes things fall over, but I think it’s important that it’s just a moment. It’s a moment in time and it’s not a reflection of anybody; it’s just a reflection of the experience of something in that moment.” But when students turn corners, it can be exhilarating for students and staff alike. “It’s awesome to see them have these moments of achievement,” Thies said. “All of a sudden, the possibilities and the potential opens up within the mind of that child and I think that’s what we’re really trying to do.”
Finding the sun through the clouds
Vada Dahl didn’t hesitate much when asked if Gerard was a happy place. Despite many of the things she and the other therapists face in working with these kids, her answer was resolute.
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“I firmly believe so,” she said. “When I talk to my kids, and of course they have their moments where they say, ‘this place sucks, I hate you guys,’ … but when you really get down to the nuts and bolts of it. Do they feel safe and do they feel (like they are being) heard and do they feel secure? Yeah. The kids are happy here, most of the time. That’s what I believe.” But it can be a long road from here to there and it’s something staff has to recognize right away. It’s often deep and life-altering, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t hope. “A lot of them have complex trauma, meaning they have endured the same trauma for a very long period of time and often have multiple traumas,” Dahl said. “My hope is always when they leave here they have a better sense of self. They know themselves better.” From the very beginning, staff works to make kids feel safe when they are at Gerard and helps them understand their feelings of anger and loneliness. Creating trust is essential in creating a therapy to help fix what is broken. Sometimes that can be tough, explained Jenni Linnett, clinical director at Gerard. She said it was human nature to enter a new place, and “try and create where you came from, even it it’s chaotic. It’s normal.” Depending on the child, that urge to create what to them is a familiar environment can last for a time. However, there comes a time when “Some kids go, ‘finally, I know what I’m doing. This feels good,’” she said. Helping to gain trust often starts in the dorms and with the help of people like clinical supervisor Lindsey Kachmarzinek. “You’re number one goal is safety,” she said. “We have to kind of plan things out and structure things in a way that lends to a safe environment, a comforting environment. A supportive environment.” That structure is important in taming the chaos some kids bring with them as part of their individual traumas and it becomes important in keeping things on track. “One of the major things for all kids is to build skills and communication,” Kachmarzinek said. “In those fun times where they are interacting or playing,
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Students at New Dominion School get some time in the school’s gym, playing a little football.
they are working on that. In that way we can kind of target those age groups a little bit, but we also instill a lot of our older peers on the unit to be role models and leaders and teach the younger kids, play with them, interact with them, communicate with them.” And that circles back to the work Dahl does and the trust she’s hoping to gain from the first moments she starts working with a kid. It can be a particularly tough road for some children, who trusted predators who ended up coaxing them into difficult situations, Dahl said.
“That’s something that’s always on my mind so when I’m trying to build that serve kids in the community as well as adults and families.” rapport with kiddos and with families because, let’s be honest, a majority of As mental health concerns become more known nationwide, Gerard is busy predators are known within the family. They trusted them,” she said. getting the word out about what it can do for people in need of those services. Dahl will often take different approaches to reaching that child. Each child Peters has been busy preaching the services to as many people as will listen. has an individual plan of treatment and Dahl said that it’s important to work “It wasn’t really known,” she said. “I’ve been doing more community outreach. I with the child to reach the goals that will make that treatment successful. think the word is getting out there now. People think Gerard, they think residential “When they can get to the point of better understanding what has happened and that’s something we’ve been working on too. Let people know we’re under the to them and kind of why, even if they don’t know exactly why, and being able umbrella of Gerard, (but) we’re also a separate entity of Nexus and Gerard.” to say, ‘that’s not going to be me, though.’ That’s the What makes this so valuable is the ability to go point where you’re like ‘wow’ that was really cool,” where the need is greatest. Dahl said. “We are getting a lot of positive feedback, It’s about putting the child in control of his or her especially in the schools that have been and Vada Dahl, therapist own life. continues to be our primary (work),” Peters said. “When they get that moment of clarity … ‘I’m “We are going to send people directly to the facilities responsible, I’m driving my car here, driving my own life.’ That’s exciting,” and that’s really going to help with the kids and the assisted living facilities. Linnett said. “Them asking for help, that’s a strength. We love that.” We’re kind of at the forefront of that.”
“These are not bad kids. These are kids that need extra help.”
Reaching out
Gerard is today expanding its reach to all ages, on-campus and off, with the establishment of Gerard Community Mental Health Services, an outpatient program. Julie Peters is the director of the unit, who said the program was begun initially “because the school district had asked for help with addressing mental health issues in schools. From there we noticed a lot of the parents of the students were asking for help as well.” The Department of Human Services identified Mower County in the bottom three of Minnesota counties needing mental health services. Lack of clinicians was a big reason, she said. In 2017, Peters and Gerard stepped in to offer more services. More staff was added and services began being offered to schools and even retirement homes. “Our clients range in age from 2 up to 88 at this point,” Peters said. “We
Good work
Gerard is committed to its work of bettering lives and bettering the community and Wolf is excited to let Austin know about all the good its doing. “We were always a hidden entity in Austin and I really like the fact that people know what we do and they are interested,” Wolf said. “When they come and tour the facility they are mind-blown by what we do here.” It all can be placed under one canopy of change. “It’s about healing and making progress, whatever that looks like,” Dahl said. “While that is a painful process, a hurtful process as you go through, sometimes you have to get through the yuck to get to the yum.” As for the children in residential treatment at Gerard, there is even a simpler message Dahl and every member of the staff firmly believes in, something they believe the community needs to know. “These are not bad kids,” Dahl said. “These are kids that need extra help.” P
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Austin seniors Pierre Lilly, Leila Lopez and Harmony King all plan on making use of the new Austin Assurance Program.
A gift like no other
Austin Assurance Scholarship Program opens future for students with debt-free college BY HANNAH YANG It was a gift like no other. When The Hormel Foundation announced last summer that the Austin Assurance Scholarship Program would provide two years of free college to students who attend Riverland Community College, it was a story that resonated deeply within Austin. The Hormel Foundation, Austin Public Schools, Pacelli Catholic Schools and Riverland Community College worked together as well as multiple other community organizations to help bring higher education to students who are looking to start their next phase in life upon graduating from high school. Whether it’d be moving on to a four-year school after taking some general education courses at Riverland, obtaining a certificate for trade work, or pursuing an associate’s degree, the Austin Assurance Scholarship created a bridge for those struggling to find a way to pay for education and to give them hope. 36 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
Jeffrey Ettinger, The Hormel Foundation chairman, shared that education was one of the most important tenets to the foundation, and that this scholarship program was something that involved the work of many partners within the Austin community. Ettinger stated that education was an important aspect to financial well-being and societal contribution. “The scholarship program fulfills the foundation’s mission well,” Ettinger said, noting the scholarship’s intent to reinvest and strengthen the Austin community, as well as planting the seed of postsecondary education and training at an early age. Those seeds grew in the central focus of Austin High School students. What turned from uncertainty about plans after graduation, turned into hope for those who never dreamt of going to college because of financial worries. The scholarship meant being able to aim for their highest potential of obtaining a degree or certification in trades.
It meant changing the playing field completely. “I was shocked when I heard the announcement,” said Pierre Lilly, an AHS junior who dreamed about using his talents in mathematics to work in accountancy or business. “I thought I couldn’t go to college because of money problems.” Since the program’s official launch earlier this school year, Austin High School and Pacelli High School administrators were working hard to get student’s to begin their applications for the Austin Assurance Scholarship Program. Watching their students demeanors change into one of excitement and aspiration, sparked pride within educators. “It’s been a long process,” said Austin High School Principal Andrea Malo. “The Hormel Foundation for quite a while, saw an important opportunity to invest in our students and in turn, give back to our community and they value education. It’s such an amazing opportunity for our students.”
This sentiment was shared by many stuThe power of using education as an equalizBridging a gap dents who had previously faced the immense er has even shifted conversations and the way Superintendent David Krenz and John Alberts, pressure of mounting student debt in order to people think about their futures. Alberts noted executive director of educational services, never obtain a college degree or trade certificate. The that when some students considered college, that imagined that in their educational careers that Hormel Foundation’s gift was one that changed thought was almost always cast in doubt wheththey would play a part in bringing into fruition, everything for Harmony King, an AHS senior er to apply for school and then become immersed a scholarship program that would allow students who had worried about her future plans of possiin student debt. from Austin Public Schools and Pacelli Catholic bly going into radiology. “When we say to a student ‘there’s a scholarSchools to attend Riverland Community College “I was relieved,” King expressed. “I’ve been ship waiting for you,’ you don’t know how much debt-free. worrying about how to pay to go to college. Now that changes their outlook,” he said. “It changes “I can never state enough what it means to be I don’t have to worry about it anymore. When their focus. It changes the conversation dramatworking on a project like this,” Alberts said. “To I was getting closer to thinking about school, I ically. They’re almost saying ‘is this really hapsit in a position where we can impact in positive wasn’t sure that I wanted to go out and get a loan pening?’ or ‘there isn’t a catch?’ That speaks to ways the district and the families who live here. and be in debt. This scholarship finally made me the size of this gift.” ...this really is a game changer and gives these realize that I can go to college.” By opening up postsecondary options to stustudents a start on their lives.” Scholarship amounts vary dents, it also means confor each student, covering tributing to a larger pool 100 percent of the student’s of skilled and qualified tuition and fees that aren’t workers to help with the funded by federal or state local economy and busigrants or other scholarship ness in Austin amid a funds. It also pays for up to workforce shortage across 65 college credits toward an the region and nationDavid Krenz, Austin Public Schools Superintendent approved program of study at wide. It meant a slew of Riverland. different possibilities of There are some exceptions attracting more people for programs or majors to consider Austin as a requiring more than 65 credplace to live and to raise its. Additionally, students families. will also receive a one-time “It’s really speaking to stipend of up to $1,000 for that word ‘assurance,’” required materials needed for Alberts said. “It’s assurtheir courses. Qualifying stuance for the student, and dents must be residents in the it also means assurance Austin district. for the community.” About four in 10 adults Education is under age 30 have student an equalizer loan debt. According to the Hearing student testiPew Research Center, among monies on how the Austin adults ages 18 to 29, 37 perAssurance Scholarship cent said they have outstandProgram changed their ing student loans for their outlook on life was someeducation. Focusing only on thing that resonated proyoung adults with a bachelor’s Pacelli seniors Daniel Nelson, Abbey Neve, Olivia Gulbert and Getsemani Ramirez have indicated they foundly in Dr. Adenuga degree or more, the share will make use of Austin Assurance. Photo by Eric Johnson Atewologun. The with outstanding student debt Riverland Community rose to 53 percent. College president had worked tirelessly alongResearch also found that young adults were “This allows students to dream bigger,” Krenz side key players from The Hormel Foundation, more likely now than in the past to take out said. “There is no dead end. Parents begin to see Austin Public Schools and Pacelli Catholic loans to pay for their education. About two-thirds that ‘my child can have more than I had’ and Schools. Conversations about the scholarship of college seniors ages 18 to 24 took out loans for they begin to see a different future for themhad taken place for more than six years, with their education in the 2011-2012 school year, up selves and their legacy.” the first idea being tossed around during the from about half in the 1989-1990 school year. Originally, Austin had several similar prolast decade even before Atewologun started Because of the Austin Assurance Scholarship, grams such as Cycles for Success. However, with serving Riverland in 2013. some students will now even get to be the first that program only serving a certain segment What seemed like a simple announcement to ones in their families to be able to attend colof the student population, the thought behind allow prospective high school seniors to attend lege, and be the first to graduate with a college Austin Assurance Scholarship was to open the Riverland completely debt-free, was actually a diploma like Getsemani Ramirez, a Pacelli High doors to postsecondary learning for everyone, monstrous task to fulfill with many nuances School senior. regardless of their income, race and more. and details to craft. It was a promise to students “My mom was so excited,” Ramirez said. “I’m “We wanted to provide equitable education for that their futures could be assured, as long first generation, and my family didn’t have the all of our students,” Alberts said. “We wanted as they worked to earn that right to a higher opportunity to go to school. I saw (this scholarthem to have a vision for a future that they can education. ship) as my chance to take.” grab a hold of.”
“This allows students to dream bigger. There is no dead end. Parents can begin to see that ‘my child can have more than I had’ and they begin to see a different future for themselves and their legacy.”
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The costs are high for a college education. Pew Research Center data noted that among borrowers of all ages with outstanding student loan debt, the median self-reported amount owed among those with less than a bachelor’s degree was $10,000. Bachelor’s degree holders owed a median of $25,000, while those with a postgraduate degree owed a median of $45,000. “I got into this business to help anyone I could in my sphere and to level the playing field and remove poverty as an impediment to progress,” Atewologun said. “Education is an equalizer and for me it’s a personal mission to eliminate the strangling hold of poverty. I feel so content and the scholarship is a big piece of that.” Another significant portion of the scholarship was the investment in a academic advisor who would be working with students who take their first steps onto Riverland’s campus, and to work closely with each student as they transition into college. “We are setting students up for success right at the start,” Atewologun expressed. “Having this position is a critical piece that these young students need to realize how different college is from high school and learn in an environment of civic and academic engagement ... we are giving them the best opportunities to succeed.”
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A chance of a lifetime
Removing financial barriers meant students no longer had that obstacle to hurdle. What now mattered, was whether a student would take their futures into their hands by meeting the requirements of community service. Pacelli Catholic Schools and Austin High School, which already emphasized the importance of serving others in their curriculum, had already seen younger students begin to prepare their applications for the Austin Assurance Scholarship by logging their community service hours. It was emphasized right from the beginning to students: this scholarship was not a hand out, and that in order to accept this gift of free school, one must earn it and demonstrate that they are willing to take their futures into their own hands by initiative. “Right now, we’re seeing the bigger picture,” said Pacelli Principal Jean McDermott. “We’re working on pieces together to have things run efficiently, and we’re moving in the right direction.” To many students, having to serve the community for a certain number of hours in exchange for free college seemed like the least they could do to earn their way to a better future by bettering the community in which they lived. “It’s been an absolute privilege to work on this program,” Alberts said with a smile. “What’s real-
ly interesting was that this program was the rallying point for the community. A lot of people have said ‘let us help too.’ We looked into volunteer hours as sort of the piece of a puzzle. We have an obligation to give back and investing in volunteerism is important to us.” Various community organizations have stepped up to help with the Austin Assurance Scholarship Program, including the United Way of Mower County using Get Connected technology to help students track their community service hours and being able to see how much their volunteerism impacted the local economy. Not only did community service help students earn their scholarship, it also gave students a chance to see how their investment into Austin can spark their desire to help others and to be engaged more in the community. “I’m grateful to live in a community that’s willing to do something like this,” said Leila Lopez, an AHS senior. “There aren’t a lot of places that offer something like this ... I feel like yes, teens have a lot on their plates, but we don’t look at what we can do for this town, instead of what this town can do for us.” Although it’s too soon to know how the Austin Assurance Scholarship would affect the community as a whole, many see this opportunity as a sign of progress. P
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Growing the future of education
Nicole Van Hooser reads to students at Sumner Elementary. Photos by Eric Johnson
2+2 program builds foundation for new teachers BY HANNAH YANG Inside Sumner Elementary School, students aren’t the only ones learning. Watching her students color, Paige Fasbender, a 27-year-old Winona State University senior studying elementary education, is on the way to becoming a teacher. Originally moving to Austin from Adams, Fasbender wasn’t sure what she wanted to be after going to college. However, when she heard about the 2+2 Program, she immediately jumped at the opportunity. 40 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
“I was really excited to hear that they had this program,” she said. “I found out that this arrangement was perfect to what I wanted to do and what I was looking to do.” The 2+2 Program is a teacher preparation partnership among Austin Public Schools, Riverland Community College and Winona State University, and students in the program take two years of traditional coursework at Riverland before moving into the schools to complete their courses through intensive, onsite clinical
and student teaching experiences, according to Debra Mishak, Winona State University assistant professor of education and the Austin 2+2 Program coordinator. When the program launched two years ago, there were 24 graduates from the 2+2 Program. Now, there is an increase of students taking advantage of the opportunity to become teachers with 36 graduates in this year’s class. The 2+2 Program exposes potential teachers to the classroom environment sooner and
demonstrates a more accurate, realistic atmosphere to what a career in teaching could look like. Mishak also shared that often times, prospective teachers from smaller districts haven’t experienced a diverse student population. By starting in the Austin Public Schools Distric,t where the non-white student population exceeds the white student population, that opportunity is there. “They really do get a wonderful first look at their careers,” Mishak said. “They are so taken by their experience. It’s pretty eye-opening and to be immersed in such a diverse environment, many wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.”
Painting a reality for teachers
When Sumner Elementary School Principal Sheila Berger first began working in the APS district more than a decade ago, she recalled the fierce competition to become a teacher. There would be around 150 applicants for a single job posting. However, there has been a drastic change within the last few years. “Last year, we had 10,” Berger said in a previous interview. APS had seen a declining number of applicants, which has been attributed to a statewide and nationwide shortage of teachers. Area schools in Mower County were no exception to this trend, according to the Minnesota Department of Education’s 2017 Teacher Supply and Demand Report. The report highlighted the limited number of applicants for job openings was a larger barrier to hiring qualified teachers than testing requirements or licensing standards, and that districts expressed that within the next five years, the most difficult staff to hire will be special education teachers, teachers with multiple licenses, math and chemistry teachers. The staff least difficult to hire would be elementary teachers, social studies teachers and Bryan Matera communication arts and Assistant professor at literature teachers. There has been a decrease Winona State University-Rochester in the number of external candidates applying for positions in APS within recent years, according to Mark Raymond, human resources director. Despite this, the district has been able to sustain and grow its own teachers as a way to tackle the forecasted teacher shortage. Around Siblings Annette and Fernando Garcia are both familiar with the 2+2 program. Annette is currently going through the five students were hired directly from the first class and Fernando has completed it. class when the 2+2 Program launched.
“Austin Public Schools is a very unique, genuine community and it’s a very healthy place to be. It really gives these students a nice step and a great starting place.”
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In fact, graduates from the 2+2 Program have seen a 100 percent placement rate upon finishing the program, according to Bryan Matera, assistant professor at Winona State University-Rochester. “Consider that there’s a 100 percent placement,” Matera beamed. “Our students got jobs where they wanted to be. Austin Public Schools is a very unique, genuine community and it’s a very healthy place to be. It really gives these students a nice step and a great starting place.” Often times, students don’t know what to expect when entering the education field. When student teaching in their final semester of college, sometimes, they realize that teaching wasn’t meant for them. Having programs that introduce them earlier into the classroom also helps prospective teachers to get a better idea of what it takes to become a teacher. Matera said when he first started student teaching during his senior year, that was his first and only exposure to teaching before graduating. He said he had wished there was a program like the 2+2 Program that existed during his time as a college student. “Student teaching can be really frightening,” he said. “Here we’re getting our WSU kids side by side. They have three clinical experiences and apply that learning right down the hall.” Lizabeth Ceballos reads to first-graders at Sumner Elementary.
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A testament to teaching experiences
Many of the teacher candidates who graduate from the 2+2 Program end up becoming teachers within APS. Berger has stated that those candidates were able to quickly apply what they’ve learned in the classrooms at Sumner and last year, five teachers in the program were hired. “You’re kind of on a job interview for the next two years,” Berger has said. “We get to show these students our best and hopefully entice them to stay as well.” A testament to the success of the 2+2 Program was Fernando Garcia, 25, an English Language teacher in his second year at Sumner Elementary School. He’s always known he wanted to be in a career field where he would work with children, especially with multicultural students who were learning English as a second language. After going to school to become an electrician, Garcia eventually returned to become a teacher and utilized the 2+2 Program to help him achieve his career goals and graduated from the first class. From his own experiences in the program, Garcia said he felt more prepared being able to
meet the challenges that some may encounter while teaching in a classroom and had a more in-depth understanding of how students learn. “All students learn differently,” Garcia said. “You don’t know what they’re going through at home, and maybe that’s why they’re distracted in school. The connections you make with students and the families are something the kids always remember … they remember their elementary school days, and you do make an impact on your kids.” Following in her brother’s footsteps was Annette Garcia, 21, who is also a student in the 2+2 Program. Having seen Fernando go through the process of becoming a teacher, she was inspired to take the same route. She also aspired to return to Austin and to become a teacher in the district that she graduated from. “I always dream to work in the district,” Annette said. “It makes my day and right from the start, you learn whether you’re going to love the job or not. Practice makes perfect.” Fernando gave his sister some advice: keep an open mind when entering the teaching field and to take things day by day. “Be prepared physically and mentally,” he said. “You’ll learn your lesson at the end of the day.” P
Cassidy Williams helps a student in second grade at Sumner Elementary.
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Diversity
Carla Conradt talks to students at Austin High School. Conradt offers a friendly face in an effort to welcome students to the community and the school. Photos by Eric Johnson
A different kind of coach Success coaches are key to providing help to immigrant students BY ROCKY HULNE Being a stranger in a strange land is not an ideal situation for anyone, especially if you don’t speak the language. No child is left in that dilemma for long at Austin Public Schools, where the success coach program has helped students from other countries and cultures adapt to life in a primarily English speaking school district. Valentina Gallegos, a success coach at Southgate Elementary School, has helped students learn how to speak English for the past 18 years. It’s a passion that was forged in her when she moved to the United States as an immigrant when she was a youth. “I came here as an immigrant, not knowing the language,” Gallegos said. “I completely understood how these kids felt coming into this school 46 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
system, not knowing any English and expected to do the work. It was very difficult for me and I understand their struggle. I just want to support them and let them know they’re never alone in this, and if I made it, they can make it too. That makes me go forward with these kids every day. I want them to know they can make it; they can be successful and they can go to college.” The success coach program has been in place for 12 years. It has produced plenty of positive results; immigrant students have gone on to become lawyers, doctors and teachers. The success coach program has also been behind the success of many Austin athletic teams — including the statequalifying boys basketball and boys soccer teams — over the past few years.
The school district has 14 success coaches on staff and Kristi Beckman, a former success coach, works as the integration coordinator. The coaches range in diversity to match the student population that needs their help and they work together as a team as students move up in grades. Beckman said it’s been a rewarding profession, to be involved in so many lives. “I think we’re really starting to see how the diversity in our community really benefits us,” Beckman said. “By wrapping our arms around our new neighbors, we’re able to have a really cool global experience here in Austin Public Schools. This is the most amazing and inspiring group of people in Austin. I would dare someone to try and prove otherwise. They’re really an incredible group of people with amazing personal and professional stories. They have a huge passion for kids and families.” Success coaches primarily teach students to speak English and deal with cultural differences, but their duties expand far beyond that. They act as the bridge between parents and the school as the coaches look for ways to enhance the educational experience and encourage a college education for students who need their help. Success coach Santino Deng grew up in Sudan, where he was separated from his parents at the age of 13 due to the outbreak of war. When he moved to Austin, he tried to stay active in the community and help his fellow immigrants.
Santino Deng helps Southgate Elementary student Jack Yual through pronouncing a word.
“I think we’re really starting to see how the diversity in our community really benefits us” Kristi Beckman, Integration Coordinator When he found out about the success coaching position, he made an immediate jump. Through the years, he’s seen plenty of kids find their way to graduation after facing big struggles as youngsters. Deng works in various schools throughout the district, so he is able to have a big impact on the upcoming generation. He wants to make it an impact of encouragement. “I see a lot of challenges and I accepted this challenge and this one opened my eyes. So I am stuck here forever. I did see that there is a need and you don’t think about yourself. You do the little that you can do and you try. We have to get involved,” Deng said. “In Sudan, the education is different. The parents don’t have the tools to support kids and the kids learn by themselves. When they go home, they deal with all of the work on their own and the kids have difficulties. Some of the parents don’t know English and they can’t help the kids out.” Carla Conradt is the lone white success coach, but she has found a way to reach out to non-white students in the district by treating them with kindness and building up trust. Conradt, who works at the high school, may not have the life experience of some of the other coaches, but she certainly cares about the students. Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 47
“I can’t supply what my colleagues can supply them, but I’ve tried my hardest to be a warm, welcoming face and a person of trust and confidant with families. It’s very meaningful work,” Conradt said. “I think there are a lot of hidden rules in any society, things that are just understood among a group of people that have always functioned together as a society. With some of our newer populations coming in, there are things that they don’t know about our systems, our connections or how things work. Part of our jobs is helping our newer populations understand those hidden rules in our society.” Along with keeping students up to pace, the success coaches are always looking to keep students equipped and involved. They want to make sure every student has a coat, a backpack, and a chance to sign up for activities in the community.
Valentina Gallegos, Santino Deng and Carla Conradt are all success coaches in Austin, who are helping students of other cultures fit in better at the schools as well as in the community. Right, Valentina Gallegos helps Jayvan Towers, right, and Alex Pascual with math homework at Southgate Elementary.
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“In the big picture, some of our big goals are to let all of our students have access and representation in everything that Austin Public Schools offers,” Beckman said. “A lot of the work our success coaches do is finding kids and helping them gain access to programs, athletics and extracurricular activities and PSEO classes, that can count as college credit.” Gallegos has seen the success coach program grow by leaps and bounds over the past 18 years and she still loves going to school every day and helping a student who is looking for a friendly voice. “It’s very rewarding. They come in not knowing a word of English and six months later they’re speaking English to their classmates and outside at recess and it’s like ‘wow, how did that happen?’ It’s been fantastic to see how far kids come,” Gallegos said. “I’ve always known that I wanted to be a teacher since I was in third grade. I wanted to support kids. It feels good to help my community and support them to be successful. We want to make sure that every kid succeeds and every kid has everything they need. It’s very important that anybody who comes through that door feels welcome. We are truly a bridge between parents and students and staff.” P
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The next step Austin athletes finding success on the college playing fields BY ROCKY HULNE
Austin native Both Gach handles the ball for the Utah men’s basketball team against Brigham Young University Dec. 8 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo by Steve C. Wilson/University of Utah 50 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
A trend doesn’t simply start overnight, but it has to start somewhere. When Austin High School grads Gach Gach and AJ Nywesh signed on to play college basketball for athletic scholarships, they started a trend that has now grown well beyond their beloved sport of basketball. Gach and Nywesh, both of Sudanese descent, have had many Austin basketball players follow their path to college sports. And, there are plenty of Packer soccer players of different ethnicities who are going on to play in college as well. Gach is now wrapping up his college basketball run as a senior at Division II West Texas A & M, but he’s seen his impact carry on in Austin. Several Packers have gone on to the college ranks over the past few years — including Oman Oman, Nyagoa Obany and Tate Hebrink. Gach is most proud of his younger brothers Duoth, who has followed Gach’s footsteps to North Dakota State College of Science; and Both, who is now playing at Division I University of Utah. “They’re making their lives better for themselves. It’s what we dreamed of, to make it and play in college,” Gach said. “To see both of them succeed makes me smile and it makes me proud. It took a lot of work and we came a long way.” Gach may eventually get into coaching, but he’s hoping his playing career isn’t over yet. He’s looked into opportunities of playing professionally overseas after this season. “Anything else would be another gift from God,” Gach said. “These last four years have been incredible. I learned about the speed and physicality of college basketball. Everyone is as athletic and talented as you
are. Off the court, I learned how to be an adult and I learned how to take care of my business with time management.” While most of the Packers who have gone on to play college basketball did so right out of high school, Deng Deng had to wait a little longer for his chance. Deng, a 2016 Austin grad, didn’t have a lot of playing time when he was with the Packers, but after a oneyear hiatus from basketball, Deng ended up playing at Hibbing Community College. “Going to college is very expensive and we hadn’t really seen any Sudanese guys ahead of us go on to school,” Deng said. “Basketball is a good tool for an education and if you can get into a four-year school and not have to pay anything, that’s big for your parents and it’s great.” Deng had been going to school at Iowa State University and Des Moines Area Community College before he had his chance to play basketball at Hibbing. Now he’s hoping he can continue playing basketball and going to college. “It’s really important to go to college. You can go on to lead better lives for your families,” Deng said. “I don’t think people understand when they’re in high school how important it is to get any type of scholarship offer for any type of higher education. Basketball has really helped and Fads (Austin head coach Kris Fadness) has really helped a lot of families really not worry about having to pay for school. He’s a great leader for that.” Fadness isn’t going to take the credit for sending so many players to college programs, but he is glad that AHS is helping its grads better their lives. “I don’t know what I’ve done. The bottom line is, first and foremost, we’re an academic institution,” Fadness said. “The fact that they can use basketball as motivation to get grades and graduate from high school and then motivate them to go on and further their education, that’s what it’s all about. We just try to do the best we can with the kids and hopefully they know we’re trying to help them.”
“I don’t think people understand when they’re in high school how important it is to get any type of scholarship offer for any type of higher education.” Deng Deng, 2016 Austin Graduate
Austin grad Gach Gach spots up for West Texas A & M this season. Photo provided
Austin grad Deng Deng advances the ball for Hibbing Community College this season. Photo provided
Austin grad OJ Cham has seen what the basketball team has done and he’s hoping he can be one of the trendsetters for the Packer boys soccer program. Cham, who grew up in Kenya, played this last year with Iowa Lakes Community College along with fellow Austin grads Lonyjera Okal and Abel Gebrekiros. Austin grad Sam Bailey was on the Luther College men’s soccer team this year and Austin seniors Kevin Ortiz and Mooday Wah both have aspirations of playing at the next level. “The ultimate goal for me is to get guys going to college. My eyes were opened when I saw my older peers move on and you can do something better with your life by going to college and also playing soccer,” Cham said. “That was something I had been looking forward to, and now we’re passing it down to the younger generation and they want to be better than us and make it out of Austin.”
Cham said college has challenged him on the field and in the classroom. The players are bigger, stronger and faster and the classes are serious. “It’s been a roller coaster. There is a big difference between high school soccer and college soccer,” he said. “When you go to college, it’s automatically hard and there are many people there that have more experience than you. You’re competing against people who have been playing in clubs for years and they’ve been overseas. You’re just a kid coming out of high school, hoping to get the best experience. “Education is a very important part of it. High school coaches and college coaches both emphasize education. Without an education it doesn’t matter how much talent you have, you’ll get held back. My college coach always emphasizes that we get a B or higher if we want to get out of there (and play somewhere else).” P Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 51
Ronissia Gondao-Bengba has become a valued member of Sterling Beauty Salon and as such she feels her skills have becomed valued in the African community in Austin as well as the community in general. Photos by Eric Johnson
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Ronissia Gondao-Bengba finds her home at Sterling Beauty Salon BY ERIC JOHNSON Sterling Beauty Salon stylist Ronissia Gondao-Bengba beams when you talk to her. The smile spreads rapidly and broadly and the laugh comes just after. To say she is happy with her life is a bit of an understatement. “She’s been more than a joy to have here,” said Sterling owner Carol Callahan. “When she walks in the room, the whole atmosphere changes.” Gondao-Bengba came to Sterling in 2016 after attaining her license, but her journey to a chair at Sterling has a bit more of a tale to tell. In 2011, Gondao-Bengba was still living in her native country of Central African Republic, and going to college when she decided to immigrate to the United States. It was a longshot, but ultimately she won the lottery. Literally.
“I was in university and from there I won a lottery for a visa,” she said. “It’s the only reason God brought me here.” Like so many who immigrate to the U.S., Gondao-Bengba faced a number of challenges. She had no job and she didn’t know the language or the customs. But Gondao-Bengba isn’t one to simply stop because of a few challenges. The process just to get in the country is long and drawn out and she said it took her six months to get here on Nov. 20, 2011. After a very short time in the United States, however, Gondao-Bengba had a job at Quality Pork Processors, and in 2012 she started school at Riverland Community College. While she was making strides, she still had obstacles to overcome. She spoke French, not English. She did have one advantage: she had solid writing skills, she said.
“It was just another experience,” she said. “My mother said, ‘keep strong and never give up school.’” Up until this point, Gondao-Bengba still wasn’t looking at cosmetology as a career,although in some ways, she was already into it. In Africa, she has styled the hair of not only family members, but those in her community as well. “I just loved it,” she said. “I would do my sister and mother’s (hair). I just loved it.” That kind of community hair care would continue in the U.S. First, it started with her roommate, and that quickly ballooned into several people a week coming to her to have their hair done. There was nobody in Austin, she said, who was trained to do hair in what Gondao-Bengba said is the “African style.” “It’s deep and curly hair,” Gondao-Bengba
explained. “It’s not easy to comb. There are products (that help), but it’s not easy, even for kids.” She found the idea of doing hair for a living was appealing — and there was a place in Austin for her talents. “Every week I would have ‘clients’ come over and they tipped me,” she said. “So getting into cosmetology … there was a need.” After she graduated from Riverland and got her cosmetology license, Gondao-Bengba began her career with Smart Style in Walmart, until it closed down just over two years after she started working there. She found a job next at the Golden Tress Salon and Day Spa for a short span before finding her current home at Sterling. “I came here to see Carol from Sterling and I said, ‘I need a job,’” Gondao-Bengba said. She was asked to come back for an interview.
“In this life, any experience is good experience. Keep following the path until God finds your place.” Ronissia Gondao-Bengba
Ronissia Gondao-Bengba’s cosmetologist operator license is displayed at her station at Sterling Beauty Salon.
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Gondao-Bengba saw the blessing of the chance. “Thank you, Jesus,” she said with a laugh. Gondao-Bengba saw not just the blessing, but the opportunity Sterling offered to reach out to the African community in Austin and give them an option. “I just don’t say it, I mean it. I was allowed to offer all of my skills,” she said. “It allows people, whoever you are, to come in.” Gondao-Bengba sees this as an opportunity not just to help one culture or another, but to help a community as a whole. And it’s clear she loves every minute of it. She laughs, she jokes, she talks and she shares and the coming together of Gondao-Bengba and Sterling have been a match made in Austin. “The work she does … it’s amazing work,” Callahan said. “It’s all here.” For Gondao-Bengba, it’s just another chance to gain valuable life experience. “In this life, any experience is good experience,” Gondao-Bengba said. “Keep following the path until God finds your place.” P
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Ronissia Gondao-Bengba works on a friend’s hair. She has always had an interest in hair, doing that of friends and acquaintences as well as family in both Africa and in Austin.
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Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 55
A helping hand
Through CLUES, Jose Rivera hopes that Latinos coming to Austin can truly be a part of their new home. Photos by Eric Johnson
CLUES providing resource for Latinos new to Austin BY ERIC JOHNSON Coming to a new town from another town is difficult. Coming to a new town from another country can be downright daunting and frightening. There is a new language and a new culture to learn -- and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. But it’s exactly why CLUES in Austin has been established. “CLUES’ mission is to advance the capacity of Latino families and individuals to be healthy, prosperous and engaged in their community,” said executive director of the Austin CLUES, Jose Rivera, quoting the main goal of the organization as a whole. But Rivera takes a more poetic look at what CLUES does. “People, they come from another town,” he explained. “It’s like a bottle of cold water in the desert. They drink it and they feel so much more comfortable.”
want to be part of Austin. “For most it’s ‘can you help me find a job, health insurance,’” Rivera said. “We are helping them obtain a job, building a resume, concentrate on areas of training,” Rivera continued. “We take them through and make sure they are answering each question correctly and honestly.” The Austin CLUES offers a computer lab, equipped with a number of computers that people can use for resources and research. “The goal for CLUES is to make available a different culture,” Rivera said. “Come together. It’s the same goal as everybody … to help each other.” CLUES has a close working relationship with the staff of the Welcome Center, whose offices are located over his basement office at 110 Main St. N. Through referrals, the two areas work off one another to provide support for those seeking it. Rivera said they also have a close working CLUES relationship with th United Way of Mower County as Rivera understands the challenge of coming to the well as SEMCAC. Saul Cuniga United States from another country. But it goes one step further than simply helping Latinos Originally from Honduras, Rivera had been working become comfortable in their new town and surroundings. in a private school for five years. Through connections, he It’s as much of an effort to make a complete and unified made several visits to the states, meeting his now-wife in 1994 and community and for that goal, Rivera wants CLUES to be able to do making the move to live here fully in 1997. more in its efforts. At the time, Rivera did not have what CLUES offers today. Working for the “I want to see CLUES extended more,” he said. “More services, more organization that has branches in St. Paul, Wilmar and Worthington as well, workshops, more programs that can help the community of Austin and make he understands the needs of the Latino people who want to work and who it a better town with better families and better friends.
“I have learned many things from every workshop I’ve attended. It’s enriched my knowledge more.”
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Nora Mejia, from left, Saul Cuniga and Flor Sota all have made use of the the Austin CLUES.
Who CLUES has helped Saul Cuniga
Saul Cuniga came to the United States three years ago from Quatla, Mexico, and his connection with CLUES started with the most basic of things — learning the language. However, he had more aspirations than simply learning English. “At this moment I’m knowing more people and more Latinos in the community,” Cuniga said through Rivera. “But I want more connections with the American community as well.” To that end, Cuniga has been making use of several workshops offered by CLUES and each time he finds himself becoming more a part of the community. “I have learned many things from every workshop I’ve attended,” he said. “It’s enriched my knowledge more.” But for Cuniga, CLUES is helping in another valuable way, aside from those things like looking for a job and learning the language. Moving from another country to a brand new one can be mentally taxing and it can be isolating. Somebody new doesn’t know anybody and may find it hard to become a part of their new community. Most certainly there is a mental health component to it all and it’s here that Cuniga is finding help as well. “One of the workshops I’m attending help me understand my emotions, my feelings,” he said. It’s just one way, however, CLUES has helped Cuniga. “I feel more comfortable,” he said.
Flor Sota
Flor Sota came to the states in January 2011 from Mazatlán, Mexico, and prior to that, Mexico City. From the first day that CLUES opened last year, Sota has been making use of the resources CLUES offers. “I’ve been coming to all the workshops to learn,” she said, also through an interpreter. “Coming to use the computer labs because of my art, print pictures and information and show off my finished art.” In particular, CLUES has helped her in her effort to work more with kids.
“All the workshops have helped me a lot,” she said. “I like to work with kids, but not just kids, but families as well.” Now she volunteers, teaching art to kids and getting them involved in their artistic sides. “I have lots of projects in my head and I would like to share those with kids,” she said. She has seen the connections it has made for people with the community of Austin, including for those looking for jobs or making connections in the community. Sota also said there is so much available to her and others, it just depends on the individual person as to what they want. “CLUES offers those classes, it just depends on the individual and what they want to learn.”
Nora Mejia
While Nora Mejia is no newcomer to the U.S., she still finds the resources at CLUES to be immensely helpful. Fourteen years ago, Mejia moved to California from El Salvador and then moved to Austin a year and a half ago. She remembers the loneliness of coming to a place where she didn’t know anybody. “I had no one, except for George, my husband,” Mejia said. “I felt lonely, but then I met Flor at the Welcome Center and from there we went everywhere together.” Mejia got a job as an interpreter at the Welcome Center and through the workshops of CLUES has worked through the mental stresses as well as making those necessary connections in the community. “That’s the way we get to know our community,” she said. “It’s helped me a lot. It’s helped me get a job and make connections from the school. It’s been very nice and I’m thankful we have CLUES.” Mejia sees the part CLUES plays in bringing a community together for all cultures, including the part the organization played in a Christmas party just last year. “It was great to see the community,” she said. “... all coming together. You get to know each other in the community. It’s very helpful.” P Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 57
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Setting the Example
George Bass has taken up serving his community here in Austin, becoming the first honorary council member. Photo by Michael Stoll
Riverland’s George Bass serves as first honorary council member BY MICHAEL STOLL Riverland Community College Director of Business Services George Bass is no stranger to serving in the community. Since coming to Austin in late 2016, Bass has established himself as part of the Austin Rotary Club, the Welcome Center, the Chamber of Commerce’s Austin Leadership program, the Austin Human Rights Commission and the Austin Art Council’s board of directors. So when the Austin City Council created the honorary council member position, Bass seemed a natural fit. “It’s fair to say I was the guinea pig, so to speak,” he said of his appointment. Originally from the West African country of Gambia, Bass came to the United States to study at the encouragement of several friends. He came to Minnesota in 2000 after transferring to St. Cloud State University to major in finance. In 2016, while living in Thief River Falls, Bass ran for the Minnesota House of Representatives. He was unsuccessful in his bid for office, but came to Austin six days later to work for Riverland. Prompted by the large diversity in Austin and the lack of interaction between immigrant and non-immigrant communities, the Austin Human Rights Commission conducted research into how Austin could become a more 60 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
welcoming city. After conferring with members of the various immigrant communities in the city, the AHRC presented their findings in a Welcoming Report to the City Council in July 2017. One of the recommendations was the creation of an honorary council position to expose members of the immigrant community to city government and “empower multicultural leadership.” In 2018, the council voted in favor of creating the position. The honorary council member would serve a three-month term and would be appointed by the city council. Although the position does not include voting power or financial compensation, the honorary member receives all correspondence directed to the council, except that which is deemed “privileged,” and may give comments at the end of the council meetings and work sessions. After council approval, Mayor Tom Stiehm and City Administrator Craig Clark reached out to Bass and encouraged him to apply. Bass took the seat on Oct. 15, 2018, and held it until a new honorary member was appointed on Jan. 22. While in the position, Bass was most impressed by the drive of the council to make Austin a welcoming city. “I found comfort in knowing that this is a group of individuals who are
committed to doing the best that they can to make this a welcoming city for everybody,” he said of the council. “That’s not always something you’ll find in leadership. They are always very candid in their discussions. People are open to disagree, but ultimately they come together to do the work of the people.” “If you look at our national government today, I think that is what is missing,” he added.”People need to understand it is not about self or about personal ideology. I think what matters for us is the ability as human beings to reconcile our differences and coexist in a manner that continues to advance the agenda of the country or the city.” Bass also used the opportunity as a chance to meet the city administration and the staff. “These are people who are really committed to their service,” he said. “If that trend continues, then Austin will continue to be a progressive city and we will continue to be a model city for others to emulate.” Bass learned about the commitment to the city from sources outside of the government, particularly companies like Hormel Foods. He said Hormel is an integral key to the development of the city and continues to George invest in all sectors, especially in providing opportunities for the younger generation. But while the position was a learning experience for Bass, he feels it could also benefit from some changes, such as more training for the chosen individual. “I am well aware about how city government operates and I have a very strong depth of knowledge in so many areas, and I think that really helped me a lot in this position,” he said. “That may not be the case with every member that follows after me. One thing that is critical is to give this individual some training so they can have an idea as to how things operate.”
But the most important change Bass hopes to see is more involvement in the meetings for the honorary council member. “It will be important to have this person air their concerns or suggestions or opinions during deliberations,” he said. “My understanding is the city attorney felt there were some legal limitations there that prevent it. I would like to see that change. Hopefully, they’ll look at that a little more and refine it in a manner that will give this individual more involvement.“ Despite this, Bass believes the council is on the right track to make Austin a more welcoming city and hopes other immigrant’s in Austin will be encouraged to follow his lead. “I believe the city is making a conscious effort to make sure we have voices coming from every community in Austin and I think this process is going to provide an exposure to some individuals from different communities in the city who down the road could potentially step up and assume leadership within the community,” he said. “I view public service as a privilege because if you are out there representing the people, you have to Bass understand that self doesn’t matter anymore. You have to represent those that agree with you and those that disagree with you, and it takes a certain kind of individual to understand that. This is going to help propagate proper leadership down the road.” “I hope anyone who has the ability within the immigrant community will step up and serve whenever they’re needed,” he added. “This is just one aspect of what needs to be done, because there are so many things within the community in which we should be taking a part. Being involved and part of the community demands that we are active in the community.” P
“I believe the city is making a conscious effort to make sure we have voices coming from every community in Austin ...”
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Business Jeff Sellers started his business as a mobile business in 2008. He now has a permanent business front and sells other item, including safes. Photos by Eric Johnson
Hard worker
Sellers unlocks the key to business success BY DEB NICKLAY Jeff Sellers of Sellers Lock and Key knows all about hard work. Despite the fact colleagues in the lock and key business told the then-fledgling Austin locksmith about how he would have to operate a second business to keep the lock and key business afloat, he found himself “busy, every day, from the day we opened. Every year has been better.” His recipe for success? Hard work, continuing education and training, and working with a great crew. Sellers, 39, a Blooming Prairie native, came to the lock and key industry while looking for a job several years ago. “I saw a job for a locksmith in Hutchinson, 66 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
Minnesota. I thought, hmmm, that sounds kind of interesting.” While he did not apply for that job, it sparked enough of an interest in him to pursue training. Close to completion of his courses, a job opened in Rochester and he went to work for a locksmith there. He learned the ropes and, when it came time to have a child with wife Charisse in 2007, the couple decided to move to the smaller community of Austin. “We just felt Austin was a better place to raise kids,” he said. They also planned to open a lock and key business. Sellers said he was thankful for his
wife’s position as a cardiac nurse in Rochester to help keep the family afloat while the business got off the ground. It didn’t take long. Sellers first opened his business in 2008, as “a mobile unit; I basically worked out of our garage,” he said. By 2009, he had purchased Lee’s Locks in Austin, and in 2011, opened in his first storefront. Last year, he again opened a new storefront at 303 Fifth Place NW, directly east of his former location. As part of the project, he remodeled his first property into garage space for the growing business. Today, Sellers has two employees — Troy Oeltjen and Corey Smith — to help handle the calls and
services the business provides. He is a registered locksmith with the Associated Locksmiths of America, as well as a member of the Safe and Vault Technicians Association and National Safeman’s Organization. The business is far different from many people’s perceptions — usually, people think only of lock and key businesses as someone to call when they misplace their car keys. But the business’s scope is far broader, although those calls still keep Sellers and crew busy on occasion. “The technology is constantly changing … so we change with that,” he said. “Twenty years ago, there were no computer chips; now every car on the road has a computer chip.” That technology has produced digital locks, fingerprint and code readers, key pads-- even cloud-based locks. “I have one school I work with whose employees only carry a fob around and whose movements in and out of different areas in the school can be tracked digitally,” he said. Sellers installs and repairs locks in both the residential and commercial sectors, as well as vaults for any number of uses. Many are used as gun safes; he might also be asked to install vault doors for panic rooms or tornado shelters. One of his clients was an art gallery. In addition to Minnesota and Iowa, the business
takes him as far as South Dakota and Wisconsin. There has been growth in all facets of the business — both because of the economy and despite the economy. “I call it the second oldest profession,” he said with a laugh. “No matter what, people always need locks.” A bad economy will prompt some to implement safeguards to protect what they have as crime increases, which means an increase in business; in a good economy, he added, people have more to
safeguard and are willing to spend the money to install new locks and systems. “We are economy-proof,” he said. And, there is a growing environment that generally wants more safety, he said. That has probably led to the increased use of vaults. In the beginning, he said, he might occasionally field calls for vaults; today, he gets calls for installations all the time. When you walk into the shop, you will see a line of different vaults displayed in the showroom.
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The staff of Sellers Lock and Key, that along with Jeff includes Corey Smith, right, and Troy Oeltjen, left, perform a variety of jobs through the community and area.
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He did not start out with the intention of having vaults as a large part of the business. “I started getting customers asking if I sold safes; I naturally progressed, thinking maybe I’ll carry one or two,” he said. “Now, I usually have 10-15 on site. “ The difference between a safe and a vault is open to interpretation – however, in Sellers’ mind, safes are smaller and mobile -- primarily those “you might buy at a big box store,” he said. A vault is a much stronger, almost impregnable construction of heavy steel and bolts. “You can break a safe,” he said. “But no one gets into our vaults.” Sometimes, even getting into a residential door is frustrating. He recalled being contacted by an elderly man in Rochester to fix a lock on the man’s front door. When he arrived, he found the lock to be operational, but the door would not open. Sellers ended up sliding through a coal chute to gain entrance to the basement. “I landed on garbage bags — lots of full garbage bags. I was reaching over bags to get to the basement door,” Sellers said. Making his way to the upstairs, he found the man was a hoarder. When he still could not open the front door, he cleared away items from a barricaded side door and once again met the elderly man in the front of the home. Sellers finally realized there was no problem with the
lock — the door that had been nailed shut. “I thought, ‘What the heck?’” A police officer arrived at the home and asked what Sellers and the man were doing. The house had been deemed unsafe by the city and the officer asked that they leave. However, the failure of the city to post a red label (that legally identifies the home as unsafe) on the home’s door allowed Sellers and the man to re-enter the home, “so at least he could gather some things,” he said. “I told the officer that unless there was a red label on the door, the man had every right to go into his home,” Sellers said. “I stand up for my customers.” However, working with Austin police — which he often does — has been a “great experience,” he said. There are plenty of times, however, when people call to get into a locked home or car that is not theirs. “I’ve had people try to steal cars,” he said. “When someone says, ‘I’ve lost my keys and can’t get into my house,’ you have to do the right thing” and make sure customers have proof of ownership. If not, the police are called, he said. Most days are pretty good, but there are hard days, too. Sellers and his crew, often working with law enforcement, are sometimes called upon to change locks on houses going through foreclosure or when there is a separation or divorce involved.
“To be in this job, you have to like puzzles; more often than not you have to be able to piece something back together – and you have to have a ton of patience.” Jeff Sellers
Perhaps the worst of those times came following the housing crisis in 2008. “Sometimes the families were right there while you were working — that was hard, but you have to do your job,” he said. “You feel bad.” He also might be asked to open locked doors for a welfare check. At times, death greets him at the door. “Those are hard,” he said of finding a deceased person. “I’ve seen it all.” There are times when he has to crack a safe to help families retrieve wills, birth certificates, or other legal documents. The business can be challenging for other reasons; some locks or vaults just don’t want to “give.” He said he has worked as many as 16 hours over a three-day period to get into a business safe. Drilling a hole into the safe, then using a scope to dial the lock from the inside, is a normal procedure. In the case that took three days, the lock had malfunctioned. Sellers had to drill multiple holes and, watching through a scope, inserted tools to manipulate the lock. It was painstaking work. “To be in this job, you have to like puzzles; more often than not you have to be able to piece something back together — and you have to have a ton of patience,” he said. All areas of the business have grown with technological changes.
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“Automotive seems to be the most changeable,” he said. “Nowadays, you have much higher security keys — the chip keys, as well as car remotes and ignitions; the door locks. “Commercial is also changing, with many going to cloud-based locks. Residential has stayed pretty consistent.” While it is a business with challenges, Sellers said his biggest one came not from an unruly lock, but from an unwilling heart — in the most physical sense. “I am blessed, that’s all I can say,” he said, recalling days spent recovering from open-heart surgery. When he says he is lucky to be alive — well, believe it. He is especially thankful for his wife, Charisse, who recognized quickly that something was happening to her husband when he came into the house on a warm day in 2015 after working outside on the lawn. “I was huffing and puffing – and she’s a cardiac nurse. She knew something was wrong.” Doctors found he had a rare heart condition affecting his coronary artery. “I was told that they usually only find this particular problem at autopsy,” he said. “I was really lucky.” His surgery was followed by a chest
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infection that almost killed him; in 2017, he suffered through another chest infection. “I was working too hard and got worn down,” he said. Today, he has a new appreciation for moderation — and a staff who “carried the shop, did everything, for all the time I was in the hospital” and the months of recovery that followed. “You couldn’t ask for anyone better,” he said. Sellers and staff remain busy. One side of the shop holds hot tub and artesian spa displays, owned by Leisure Aquatic Products of Byron. The owner is a friend, and Sellers provides showroom space. He and staff sell the items for a cut of the profit; he also owns and operates a laundromat next door to the shop. He is occasionally asked about adding security or camera systems to the business, but for right now, he is busy enough. “I never say never about opportunities, but for now, we’ll stay the course.” Being given a second chance, to work on the business, to spend time with his family and friends — those are the sweet parts of his life and he is enjoying them. “Like I said, I am blessed,” he said. “And I believe if I do a good job, do the right things, the world will take care of me.” P
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Elaine Hansen runs an Austin Chamber of Commerce board meeting. Photos by Eric Johnson
New leadership for Austin’s main business advocate Austin Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes Elaine Hansen BY MICHAEL STOLL Elaine Hansen is a name well known around town. Since coming to Austin in 1994, she has been the executive director for the Mower County chapter of the American Red Cross, has worked in the business office for the school district and was most recently served as the senior development coordinator at Gerard Academy. But her first job in Austin was at the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, and since Dec. 10, she has served as the president of the 72 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
chamber, replacing Executive Director Sandy Forstner in the position. “I’m excited to be a part of the business community in Austin and really proud of the work the Chamber does, not only to support the business community, but also to help the overall quality of life here,” she said. With Hansen’s selection, one change was made immediately: her title. While Forstner’s title was that of “executive director” when he was head of the chamber, Hansen’s title is “president.”
The chamber is a business organization, and Hansen said the change was made because “president” seemed a more business-appropriate title. “Businesses tend to be run by presidents and CEOs, while the board of directors is typically led by an executive director,” she explained. With roughly 400 members who employ approximately 10,000 people, the chamber is one of the community’s leading business advocates. The first step for Hansen is to figure out what members need. “I want to get a sense of where things are at, in terms of the local business community, and what are the primary concerns or areas that are challenging them in their goals of being a successful business,” she said. “Initially, I’ll be gathering information and attending Minnesota Chamber of Commerce activities and hearing what’s going on at the state level and connecting with local government entities at the city and county level as well as (State Rep.) Jeanne Poppe and (State Sen.) Dan Sparks.” In her interaction with businesses, Hansen has already started identifying some of the major challenges for chamber members. “Workforce issues are a big part of (the challenge),” she said. “Almost everyone I’ve talked to has a need for more employees, both skilled and unskilled. Trying to figure out how
“I’m excited to be a part of the business community in Austin and really proud of the work the chamber does not only to support the business community, but also to help the overall quality of life here.” Elaine Hansen, President of the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce
to attract those people to our community, to the great businesses and the great life they can have here, part of that is complicated by the need for daycare, which is a huge challenge we have, as well as affordable housing. Those are some of the big factors we have that are holding people back from relocating in Austin or staying in Austin.” Forstner, who assisted Hansen with the transition, said building a consensus was key to overcoming challenges faced by members. “When you work for a non-profit organization, there are a lot of different directions you can go,” he said. “People have different ideas of what you should be doing and what services you should be providing, so you have to build consensus and decide. There are limitations to what you can do and that can be very challenging, In turn, it can be very rewarding, because you do have wins and you do recognize the fact that you’re working for an organization that represents business. That is the foundation of our economy. Our members are the job providers.” “If they succeed, the entire community benefits,” he added. Hansen is taking the helm at a time of retail growth in Austin. In 2019, the chamber is hoping to have new members in the form of Marshalls, Hobby Lobby, Five Below, Pet Supplies Plus and Ashley HomeStore.
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“The exciting thing about bringing more retail businesses into town is they’re a way to keep more overall retail dollars in town,” Hansen said. “People see more options, more ideas, and it will help them think about other things they can purchase here rather than traveling somewhere else or clicking on the web.” Hansen said she is looking forward to connecting with businesses and people within the community and providing them with a conduit to connect with each other. “I’m excited to be a part of the business community in Austin and really proud of the work the chamber does not only to support the business community, but also to help the overall quality of life here,” she said. “I look forward to meeting more of our members and the general community. Austin is a really great community with people committed to success. There are great opportunities for businesses to grow and expand as well as bring new businesses into town. It’s helping people to see what a shining star Austin is in southeast Minnesota.” P
Elaine Hansen has taken over as president of the Austin Chamber of Commerce, replacing the retiring and long time director Sandy Forstner.
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Both Munch and The 1910 have been driven by owners Israel Gonzales, left, and Enrique Camarena, bringing treats and authentic foods to Austin. Photos by Eric Johnson 76 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
Expanding the Brand
1910 owners open Munch Ice Cream and Snack Lab BY MICHAEL STOLL Since 1910 Fresh Mexican Kitchen in July 2017, it has become a favorite among Austin locals. With a simple model of fresh food prepared and served in a timely fashion, co-owner Israel Gonzales and family have established 1910 as one of the more popular Austin restaurants. In November 2018, Gonzales took that same model and applied it to dessert with the opening of Munch Ice Cream and Snack Lab on 18th Avenue, next to Jimmy John’s and Total Fitness Gym. Serving house-made ice cream, the concept of Munch is to allow visitors to create their own unique dessert by choosing from a wide array of toppings, some traditional, others unorthodox. Munch also serves other snack options such as crepes, nachos, and Mexican-inspired spicy sherbet treats called blazes. Gonzales came across the location while searching for another location for 1910. “We were originally thinking of finding a second location for 1910, just to have a bigger kitchen, not necessarily to open a second one at the time,” Gonzales said, sitting at one of Munch’s dining tables. “Out of curiosity, I called the owner of this building because I was taking a look at this property. We talked about possibly relocating 1910
“We hear people say ‘thanks for being in Austin.’ It’s been wonderful being here; that’s why we opened a second place here.” Israel Gonzales Co-owner of 1910 Fresh Mexican Kitchen and Munch Ice Cream and Snack Lab
here, but we saw it wouldn’t work because the kitchen is actually smaller than where (1910 is) at. But, we saw the possibility and opportunity (for Munch), so we thought why not give it a try? “We’re still looking for a bigger kitchen,” he added with a laugh. “That didn’t solve that problem.” Munch was supposed to open in September 2018, but construction problems and attention needed at 1910 delayed the opening for two months. “We tried to take advantage of the summer, but there are things that you don’t see at first, and that is what happened here,” Gonzales said. Like with 1910, Gonzales’s goal is to introduce new flavors to Austin. They include those found while living in Mexico and in other states. “We have an inclination for food,” Gonzales said of his family. “We’ve lived in different states and countries, so we got to see and experience different types of businesses, different set-ups, different menus, so that’s an advantage that we have. We can bring a lot of things that people haven’t seen in town.” Gonzales said despite the community’s embrace of Munch and 1910, operating two restaurants in Austin has its challenges. Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 77
The 1910 Fresh Mexican Kitchen owner Israel Gonzales brings out a sauce-covered burrito.
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“Our issue has been finding and keeping employees, especially since we’re competing with employers like Hormel and QPP (Quality Pork Processors) — bigger companies that can offer more benefits than we can,” he said. “A lot of people nowadays want to be an entrepreneur, they want to be a CEO, but they don’t know what’s behind all of that. You have to mop floors, you have to wash dishes, you have to stay late and work 16 hours. For us, it’s been challenging in that sense, but we embrace it and we like working. We’ve been around the food industry for a while and we’ve done other things, so we’re not afraid of hard work. “Another challenge is now that we have this place, we don’t get a day off,” he added. “But, it’s a family business and we’re all taking turns and trying to keep it afloat and get a system where we can eventually get a day off.” Another challenge, Gonzales said, is getting some people to embrace new tastes. “People are kind of used to the same type of food,” he said. “A lot of people are afraid of trying new things, so you have to slowly introduce menu items and people might start taking that leap. We’ve noticed here with our blazes, they’re a little spicy, but everyday you see a few more people who are ready to try one. It’s step by step.” “It’s challenging, but it’s fun at the same time if you like what you do,” he added.
Despite how busy operating the two businesses has been, Gonzales and family are still hoping to expand. “It’s always been in the back of our minds to build a chain, more than one restaurant,” Gonzales said. “We’re looking at other possibilities; not immediately, because we want to take care of Munch and 1910, but we are looking at possibilities like Rochester or other towns where we can eventually open a second 1910 or Munch. We’ve even talked about a model where we can put both businesses in one building, but I think the next approach we want to do is the mobile units. We want to be able to offer caterings and cook the food at the site. We don’t want to rush things.” “It’s kind of a hobby for my dad and I; we’re always looking at possibilities,” he added. Regardless of where the next business is located, Gonzales said he and his family are grateful to the Austin community. “It’s been a great opportunity and we’re thankful for the people of Austin,” he said. “And not just the people from Austin; we get people from Albert Lea, Rochester and other towns. We want to thank the people that are helping us build this. “We hear people say ‘thanks for being in Austin.’ It’s been wonderful being here; that’s why we opened a second place here. Some people think there aren’t enough customers here, but I see Austin is growing and good things are coming.” P
Enrique Camarena calls out an order that’s ready at the 1910 Fresh Kitchen in Austin.
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Husband and wife duo Ward and Tammy Jeno purchased the restaurant two and half years ago and have guided it forward ever since. Photos by Eric Johnson
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Lansing Corners Supper Club making a comeback BY MICHAEL STOLL If you have not dined at the Lansing Corners Supper Club, chances are you still know the location. Sitting at the corner of U.S. 218 and 270th Street, the red building is arguably one of the most recognizable landmarks between Austin and Blooming Prairie. And for the past 2 ½ years, owner Tammy Jeno has been working to bring the restaurant back. According to Jeno, the decision to purchase the restaurant stemmed from a suggestion by her husband, Ward. “I wanted to move back to Minnesota to be with my grandkids,” she said. “Apparently, (restaurant ownership) was a dream of his that I didn’t know about. He told me about it after finding it was for sale.”
Jeno, who worked as a server and cook in the past, had no prior restaurant ownership experience. “It was scary because we didn’t know how it was going to go,” she said. “We didn’t know the area. I had been in Austin once before I bought this place. It was pretty scary because we never owned a restaurant.” “We just went all in,” she added. Compounding the uncertainty was the poor condition of the building at the time of purchase. “There was so much that needed to be fixed,” Jeno said. “It didn’t have heat that worked, the air conditioning didn’t work, the refrigerator didn’t work, and it hadn’t been cleaned. It took us about a month, if not a little bit longer, to get it repaired and clean it up. It was horrible.” The re-opening of the restaurant brought about mixed reactions from those who remembered the older versions.
“A lot of our true friends and locals that wanted us to succeed encouraged us and told us how good it was and how everybody loved it.” Tammy Jeno
“I heard good and bad from people,” Jeno said. “A lot of our true friends and locals that wanted us to succeed encouraged us and told us how good it was and how everybody loved it. Then you had people that discouraged us, saying we would fail just like previous owners. I’ve had a lot of people say it’s almost back to what is was, though it’s not as fancy as it used to be. People have said it reminds them of the past; other people say they liked it when all the walls were up and there was privacy.” But with time, Jeno found the right formula, keeping some familiar dishes while introducing some new items. “I’ve kept the haddock,” she said of a popular dish from the supper club’s past. “Everybody said you have to have the haddock. I’ve added specials here and there. I’ve added lobster mac. A lot of people didn’t know what that was, and now they have to come in here every Saturday and have lobster mac.”
Tammy Jeno cuts onions for a prime rib meal for a Christmas Party at Lansing Corners.
A seasoned prime rib is ready for the oven. “It’s basic all-American food,” she added. “(Business) is getting better. We’ve gone through over 100 employees and now we have a pretty good group. It’s taken a while to find
the right people and we’ve lost customers and gained customers. It’s just part of buying a new restaurant.” Despite the improved business, Jeno said the rural setting is a challenge, particularly with attracting diners from Austin. “It’s only three and a half to four miles from town and people say there isn’t food in town like this, but they don’t want to drive three and a half to four miles, and that is the biggest challenge we have,” she said. “I have more people come from Blooming Prairie, Rochester and Owatonna than I do Austin. If we were in town, we would probably have quadruple the customers.” But despite this, Jeno is pushing forward with catering services for on and off site events. “I’m focusing on catering, particularly parties,” she said. “You make money off of parties and weddings. I’ve had people get married here.” P Progress 2019 | Austin Daily Herald | 81
Stayin’ Alive Small towns bank on their unique qualities BY DEB NICKLAY
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looming Prairie Mayor Curt Esplan knows there are some things his town doesn’t have. Maybe it doesn’t have a recreation center, for instance, that nearby Austin might have; or a fiveday-a-week medical clinic. And true, in an earlier time, being close to some of the larger population centers might have been seen as a deficit. It was thought then that the proximity to the larger cities — Blooming Prairie is within an hour of four major cities — would draw off workers, reduce retail offerings or prompt families to move to the larger cities. But that’s not the mindset anymore. Instead of being worried about being too close to urban centers, some cities prefer it — for manpower brought into the community, and urban jobs that provide jobs for residents, too. Both scenarios work, said Esplan. “The fact is, we have as many people coming into town as going out of it” for work, he noted. “For a small town, we do really well.” Blooming Prairie is not alone. City officials and 82 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
business owners across Mower County nod to several factors they hope will sustain their small communities. Inexpensive housing, lower crime rates and community connectedness all play a part, they said. True, keeping small towns vital is a challenge, especially since the ag economy has slowed in the past few years. But companies such as Akkerman Manufacturing in Brownsdale, Arkema in Blooming Prairie; and Agri-Steel and Absolute Energy in and near Lyle — are just some examples of companies who provide work for employees from near and far. In Blooming Prairie, schools, a variety of retail, library, restaurants, newspaper and a grocery provides a good, small-town life. “And it’s a giving town,” he said. “When people need help, they step up.” Its Paint the Town Pink effort each year is just one example. According to LeRoy Mayor Brian Thiel, his town offers low-cost building lots — to the tune of $10,000 to $12,000 — “with the intention of making living affordable for those who cannot
afford to live in Rochester.” “And that’s with utilities in place,” he added, noting that there are 20 residential lots available. “A lot of people can’t afford a home at $200,000 to $250,000,” he said. “But with an inexpensive lot, now perhaps you’re talking $150,000 for a starter home — that’s a different situation. That’s my big push.” A quick scan of single lot prices in Rochester showed prices ranging from $40,000-$90,000 for a .2 acre lot. An average home being built in Rochester doesn’t start below $300,000. Even older homes of less than 2,000 square feet with a one-car garage are priced between $169,000 and $189,000. Offering affordable housing is on Lyle’s radar as well, said Mayor Gary Harrison. “A lot of people want to move out of the larger cities,” he said, agreeing that lower-priced lots are just one attraction. In fact, he said, the council is currently discussing a reduction in price for lots to increase their attractiveness even more. Lyle’s proximity to Austin is only about 12 miles — a distance that commuters would easily embrace.
“We’re hoping to entice employees from Hormel; Hobby Lobby is coming in, the furniture store,” Harrison said. The impact of lower housing costs were notable in Racine, agreed City Clerk Rob Mathias. The tiny town’s population grew from just over 300 in 1998 to 450 in 2018 — all part, he believes, of contractors meeting the housing needs created by Rochester sprawl — and residents wanting to locate in the Stewartville School District, of which Racine is a part. Stewartville had similar growth over the 20-year span, from just over 5,000 in 1998 to about 6,100 last year, according to the city’s website. Still, Mathias said, Racine is out of lots right now, and enticing more development has a lot of variables. The housing development of recent years “happened naturally,” he said, with contractors purchasing land and taking on most of the risk. Affordable housing isn’t the only attraction in a community. Residents still want a variety of amenities, from health care clinics and convenience stores, to parks and hardware stores, just to name a few. Thiel said LeRoy has gone the extra step of providing bus service to Rochester so that some employed there don’t have to worry about parking — but still enjoy small-town living. The LeRoy City Lines provides two coach buses that carry employees each day to Rochester; an average
ridership is between 20 and 30 on the city lines, he said. The community also hosts a well-known restaurant — Sweets — as well as a grocery store, two convenience stores, lumber yard, schools, senior housing, nursing home and an indoor pool. There is also the trailhead for the Shooting Star Trail. But like many communities, LeRoy still has some vacancies on its wish list to fill — not the least of which is a medical clinic. Mayo closed its clinic there in 2017. Thiel said the loss was hard and the city continues to speak with other providers. Blooming Prairie would like to have its clinic open for more than just one day, while Racine would like to have a convenience store back in town, said Mathias. Harrison said a larger convenience store would be nice in his community too. Mayor Sandy Fenton of Grand Meadow said revitalizing the community’s downtown is one of her wishes. All of the communities can struggle at times with keeping up infrastructure and utilities — while still trying to keep the financial burden off the backs its residents. “But these things are part of being a municipality,” said Mathias. “You have to do them.” In Racine, a new water tower was recently erected and some sewer improvements made. None of those things are sexy, so to speak, and
they often carry a large price tag with little appreciation from residents who might see their rates increase. Lyle needs to repaint its water tower and replace street lights, Harrison said, who agreed those projects present challenges. But there are trade-offs. Despite its size, Racine “still has that Mayberry-type feel,” said Mathias. “We’re a neighborly little town,” he added, with a nice park, a relatively new community center, and “a really great bar and grill that has some of the best food around.” While the town has only a handful of small businesses, it’s seems to be enough. Harrison said Lyle is like that, too; “it has a lot of pride; it’s a town that really comes together” which is evidenced each year by its holding of the Lyle Area Cancer Auction. To date, the auction, in its 40th year, has raised almost $3 million for cancer research. The Minnesota Department of Transportation will install turn lanes at the intersection of U.S. Highway 218 and the east road to the school in upcoming months. Last year, a truck driver, who tried to slow for a vehicle in front of him that was turning left toward the school, lost control of his semi-trailer and rammed into the west wall of the school. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt. But he gets excited about those victories — because they affect his neighbors.
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A LeRoy Lines bus heads down Main Street LeRoy after dropping off riders, destined for Chester, Iowa. Photo by Eric Johnson
“And we have our 150th coming up; everyone is excited for that,” he said. Those ties between neighbors and hometown pride, while seemingly intangible to some, is strong in these towns. It’s the very reason that Brownsdale’s Frontier Lounge — that’s right, a bar — took over the organization of the annual town celebration, said owner Tanya Rumsey. Rumsey, her parents and her husband are all involved in planning Brownsdale Fest, which will be held on Aug. 3 this year. An earlier sponsor “wanted to get away from it,” and
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asked if she would consider it. “I didn’t want the festival to go away because a lot of people like the town celebration,” she said. Even though some towns are not holding celebrations any longer, “we’re building ours,” she said, adding the organizers hope to add a parade and community church service in the future. “People say, ‘Oh this is so great that you do this,’” she said. “It’s overwhelming; they are 100 percent appreciative.” The town doesn’t offer a lot in the way of retail, she noted – but the Legacy, a newly-opened
assisted living facility fashioned from the former Brownsdale Elementary School, and Akkerman Manufacturing help keep the town humming. And, the Frontier Lounge, it seems. “We do fundraisers for Paint the Town Pink, but we’d like to start one for Alzheimer’s disease,” she said. “My father-in-law passed away from it, and that’s something we’d like to do.” “Doing,” in fact, seems to be a hallmark of these small bergs whose vitality sits on volunteerism, vision — and a steadfast belief that says our town might be small, but it is still our town . P
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Establishing Response Future of Gold Cross Ambulance in Austin sees further reach into region BY HANNAH YANG Gold Cross Ambulance will soon open its new facility in late February, which was projected to add 12 to 14 staff members between Albert Lea and Austin. Earlier last summer, the $2.2 million station found at Fifth Street Northwest and 18th Avenue in Austin broke ground and measures about 7,600 square feet. Four ambulances can be accomodated in the large ambulance bays, along with newly-erected training and education spaces. To help with employees who commute into Austin, the new facility will be able to provide a place to stay after working 12-hour shifts or because of inclement weather. The new Gold Cross Ambulance garage along 18th Avenue neared completion in January. Above, the garage bay can hold up to four ambulances. Photos by Eric Johnson
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“Our current facility was not built for the future. The healthcare industry is always changing in treatment and we want to stay on top of those changes. We’re always looking to find efficiency.” Kristopher Keltgen, Operations Manager / Facilities Project Lead for Gold Cross in Austin
“We are adapting to a changing workforce,” said Kristopher Keltgen, operations manager/facilities project lead for Gold Cross in Austin. “Many people used to work in the communities they live, but now many commute to town. We want to be able to provide that flexibility even if some of our team don’t live in town.” The new facility represents a complete upgrade in comparison to the current base for Gold Cross Ambulance at 1010 Oakland Ave. -- and its operation far different from when it was Austin Ambulance Services, begun in 1996. Back then, the city of Austin owned the ambulance and was housed in different parts of the city. “Our current facility was not built for the future,” Keltgen recalled. “The healthcare industry is always changing in treatment and we want to stay on top of those changes. We’re always looking to find efficiency.” Austin’s new Gold Cross facility was part of an ongoing plan to invest in all Gold Cross stations. Chris Rustad, Gold Cross administrator, said in a previous interview this transition was mostly based on collaboration to bring state-of-the-art technology to first response. “We have actually been upgrading our facilities throughout the area,” Rustad said. “We knew we needed to make the necessary investments … it’s great that Austin and Albert Lea will have modern facilities.” The location of Austin’s new Gold Cross Ambulance Center was also intentional. With close access to the main highways, the Gold Cross crew can expand its reach into Mower County with faster response times to emergencies. Since Gold Cross received call volumes of 4,500 per year,
Keltgen said the new ambulance facility would help increase the efficiency of emergency services. Built to have a lifespan of between 45 to 50 years, Gold Cross will be capable of enhancing its center with the latest technology to help better serve Austin and the surrounding communities. “It’s been a long time coming,” Keltgen said. “Our crews have been ecstatic.” P
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Easing Fears
Staff of Elrod, Green & Heimer working to make trips to dentist’s office easier BY ROCKY HULNE
Dr. Karen Heimer, Angie Himebaugh, Rebecca Woltermann, Melissa Klocke and Krissy Ehmke are the staff at Elrod, Green & Heimer that are taking education for dental health to Austin’s students. Photo by Eric Johnson Below, students at Woodson Kindergarten Center helping Melissa Klocke, licensed dental assistant, name what food makes our teeth happy and what food makes our teeth sad. Photo provided
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For a small child, the first trip to the dentist’s office can be a bit scary. There are loud noises, strange smells, a giant chair and a strange person with a mask and sharp, metal tools. Over the past 30 years, the dental office of Elrod, Green & Heimer, DDS has done what it can to make that first visit a little less intimidating, while also informing area youth on the importance of dental health. The offices made presentations at every kindergarten in Mower County last year and over 700 kids received an education on how to keep their teeth clean. Kara L. Heimer, DDS, said the presentation even informed some teachers on how much sugar can be in one serving of soda. “It’s not that you can’t have candy or pop. It’s if you’re going to have it, there are things that you can do. If it’s a special event or a birthday party it’s OK to have these treats and here’s how to take care of your teeth afterwards,” Heimer said. “It isn’t about scaring them or telling them they can never have these things, but showing them how to incorporate those healthy habits into everyday life.” Krissy Ehmke, a registered dental hygienist, said she makes the presentations as fun and informative as she possibly can. “I think it’s huge,” Ehmke said of the presentations. “If you don’t grow up with a family that has the education, you don’t grow up with those values of taking care of it. The younger can we can incorporate it and a healthy diet, the better habits they’re going to have their whole life.” The success of the presentations can quickly result in positive student habits.
After one presentation last year, many students grabbed white milk instead of chocolate milk in lunch. Heimer said it’s important to get kids thinking about their teeth at a young age. “Cavities are 100 percent preventable and it’s the only disease that is. I think it’s very important to teach people,” she said. Kids who see the presentations, which usually take place in March, receive a packet with a free toothbrush and toothpaste. Sometimes the kids will go home and take what they’ve learned and tell it to their parents, helping the whole family get healthier. “It’s extremely diverse in Austin,” office manager Rebecca Wolterman said. “A lot of their parents may not have ever been to a dentist before either, and parents are learning through their kids.” In the past the presentations were held for preschoolers to sixth graders in Austin, but recently they have focused on kindergartners throughout Mower County. The presentations are held in front of the class and their teacher, and a Q and A session is offered. “Our way of reaching out is visiting the schools,” said Angela Himebaugh, marketing director. Ehmke said dental health education is crucial
Krissy Ehmke, registered dental hygienist, showing students at Pacellii the gloves and masks they will see the staff wearing when they go to the dentist. Photo provided at a young age and she’s glad to be able to work with young students. “The mouth is a gateway to everything else and we have to keep it healthy,” Ehmke said. “We go in and we talk to the kids to get them
familiar with the dental office. We educate about dental health, (and) oral hygiene with brushing and flossing. We talk a lot about healthy snacks and we show them some of the tools they use.” P
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Small Towns
From Harvard to Home Vogt Sween is a country lawyer and that’s fine with her BY DEB NICKLAY
Shawn Vogt Sween has headquartered her office in downtown Grand Meadow, providing a family and small-town atmosphere in which to work. Photos by Eric Johnson 92 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
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hawn Vogt Sween may have been educated at Harvard, but in practice — and at heart — she is a country lawyer who came home to help her friends and neighbors. Vogt Sween, 39, a Grand Meadow native, has found operating a law practice in her hometown of just over 1,100 residents is as fulfilling as she had hoped. “I think there is a perception that there is nothing going on in a rural community,” she said. “In fact, there is a lot of work to be done.” Vogt Sween recounted her return to Grand Meadow while sitting in the conference room of her practice, located in the former Corner Café building in Grand Meadow.
“I think there is a perception that there is nothing going on in a rural community. In fact, there is a lot of work to be done.” Shawn Vogt Sween The 1890s-era building, abandoned and almost beyond repair, was renovated by Vogt Sween, her husband Patrick, and their families, to become the new home for her practice. It’s an apt location, because Vogt Sween is, at her very core, a problem solver. She loves working with farm families to find legal solutions to estate and business issues. To find she is also someone who works hard to renovate and preserve something that needed repair makes a lot of sense.
A photo of a young Shawn Vogt Sween sitting with her grandfather Bob Waltman, who served in the state legislature, is placed on a shelf behind her desk
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Shawn Vogt Sween has found a quaint home for her office in Grand Meadow.
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Work in any form has never been an obstacle for Vogt Sween, daughter of Gary and Vicky Vogt — who themselves have proved to be hard workers both on the farm, in business, and most recently, as owners of the family’s winery. Vogt Sween is the eldest of the “Four Daughters” in the winery’s now-famous name. Her father also served as member of the Grand Meadow School Board, so she got a close up view of local school proceedings — making her an early witness to public service. But her real inspiration came from her grandfather, the late Bob Waltman, who served as state representative for several terms. A photograph of Vogt Sween, then a fifthgrader, sitting on her grandfather’s lap at the opening of one of the legislative sessions, has a treasured place in her office. “He was a very nice, very kind man, a good, good person,” she said. “When I was a kid, I wanted to be in politics, just like him.” Vogt Sween distinguished herself early. She served as national president of the Future Homemakers of America (today the Family Career and Community Leaders of America) organization when she was a senior in high school and “I spent about half of my days that year traveling all over the country. I got to be involved in policy making — they do a really good job of putting students in touch with local,
Shawn Vogt Sween’s office is located at the corner of East Grand Avenue and North Main Street in Grand Meadow.
state and national legislators,” she said. “I spent a lot of time in education policy even though (today) I don’t work in that area.” She also was a student member on a legislative committee that studied the creation of a state vocational high school. Polly Glynn, today a Mower County Commissioner and former Grand Meadow School Board chairwoman, remembers Vogt Sween, “who, even as little girl, was someone who just oozed confidence.” That drive and confidence, she said, took Vogt Sween to the national presidency of FCCLA and later, to Harvard Law. “She was simply amazing,” Glynn said. “To have someone from our small town be the national president! It was mind-blowing. And today, to have (Vogt Sween and Patrick) back, it is such an asset to the community.” After obtaining her undergraduate degrees — in political science, business and communications — she headed to Washington D.C. as a Truman Scholarship Fellow, a coveted selection offered by the Truman Foundation, which provides financial resources to graduate students pursuing careers in public service. She worked at the U.S. Department of Agriculture that year, working on rural policies. She thought she was all set to pursue the field of public policy studies.
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A welcoming and light-filled front area greets visitors to Shawn Vogt Sween’s law office.
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“But I found my job is more as a sounding board and a problem solver ... These aren’t necessarily easy steps and everyone’s circumstances are different. I need to get to know what the circumstances are in order to arrive to a solution ” Shawn Vogt Sween “I’d filled out the applications for public policy schools,” she recalled. “They were done, I had taken all the tests — I had also taken the law school exam, and business school exams; I wanted to keep my options open.” But a chance meeting with a family friend in Washington D.C. had her suddenly considering another career path. She told former U.S. Congressman Gil Gutknecht – who also served with her grandfather in the Minnesota House of Representatives before Gutknecht won a Congressional seat in Washington — about her career plans and asked what he thought. “He told me, ‘Look, I would hire someone with a skill, but a public policy degree doesn’t give you a skill,’” she recalled, chuckling. “He said, ‘Go get a law degree. At least then you’d be a lawyer.’”
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The Truman Scholarship also gave her enhanced access to the top colleges. Her pick? Harvard Law School. Life got busier. After her Harvard graduation, she and Patrick – another Grand Meadow alum — headed to California, where they lived for 14 years as Patrick worked in the aerospace industry. Vogt Sween found California interesting, she said, but it wasn’t Minnesota. “We lived in the middle of the Mojave Desert; I would plant a garden and by the end of July, it would be burned to a crisp,” she said with a laugh. She did legal work while in California and the couple began to have children. Today, they are the parents of one daughter and four sons whose ages today range from 5 to 15. Life took another turn in 2010, when the couple found that both Gary Vogt and Bob Waltman had been diagnosed with cancer. The family made trips back and forth to Minnesota. “We had talked of wanting to return to Minnesota to raise our children,” she said. “And we thought, maybe now is the time,” she said. It was also time to establish a practice. During one visit, she mentioned to her mom of the couple’s plans. “We saw a Realtor the next day and we bought the building (for the practice) that same day.” Vogt Sween worked to earn her license to practice law in Minnesota and with Patrick began to wrap up their lives in California; in the meantime, Vicky Vogt oversaw the work to renovate the old building, first built as a bank. “The building had been abandoned, boarded up; it was in rough shape,” she said. “It had been flooded a number of times. But … my mom really likes building projects. So, she managed the oversight of the building (and) kept her eye on things for us.” It was nice to return home, she said. “We were welcomed with open arms; we knew so many people,” she said. A new life emerged. Patrick, retired from his aerospace work, today works at the winery, teaches their children in homeschool and enjoys flying his own private plane. In addition to being an aerospace engineer, he is also a trained
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airplane mechanic. The couple was able to purchase a hangar and airstrip near their home to house his plane. Vogt Sween’s love of public policy seems to dovetail with the practicing of agricultural law. She found she can make life better for people with her legal skills. “Before I became a lawyer, I thought there were rules and forms you filled out and, as long as you did the things in the right order, you would get to the right recipe” to follow. “But I found my job is more as a sounding board and a problem solver … these aren’t necessarily easy steps and everyone’s circumstances are different. I need to get to know what their circumstances are in order to arrive to a solution.” She is the only lawyer in town and has found her practice growing. There aren’t many lawyers who specialize in rural law, she said, “so, we keep pretty busy.” She handles estate and trust administration with people who own farms, homes, and businesses primarily in the three-county area of Olmsted, Fillmore and Mower counties. She works with three paralegals — Amy Sund, Kristen Kruschten and Scott Kerrins. If life is busy with her growing practice and active family, it comes with the knowledge that some things are just more important than stacking up billable hours. As the daughter of a farmer, she knows the emotional ties to the land and the importance of family bonds. “I work with a lot of people who want to keep their farms in the family,” she said. “Tax issues are one thing -- but what’s more important is they want to respect the legacy their parents left to them; to them, land is more than a monetary asset. They want to keep the land in the family. So, we work on how can we structure this for future generations, what can we do to hold on to it.” Relationships with family are precious and those with her clients are
often moving. “I get to work in something the rest of the world doesn’t get to see,” she mused. “I see a lot of love between families;
what I see from some is, ‘I love my family; (and even though) I don’t know how to express that … I want to see them taken care of.’ That’s a privilege.” P
Law Office of Shawn Vogt Sween Shawn Vogt Sween’s office covers a variety of areas affecting those living in rural areas. For more information visit www.svslawoffice.com or call 1-507-754-4555.
Agricultural Law
Farm business planning, estate and succession planning, government programs and hearings, farm land purchases and acquisitions, contract negotiation and review, crop losses, farm injuries, and accidents, vineyards and wineries, family farm winery licenses.
Community Banking
Advising community banks, foreclosure by advertisement and action, buy-sell agreements.
Rural Business Law
Entity selection and business formation, contract review, employment law, transportation and trucking.
Rural Communities
Legal support for town councils, mayors, and city staff.
Rural Citizen Legal Needs
Real estate closings, title opinions, and title review, probates, wills and estate planning, contract review and negotiation.
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Mayo Clinic Health Systems has remained open in the face of fears of closing. Photos by Eric Johnson
The heartbeat of Adams How a community and Mayo Clinic came together to keep health care accessible BY HANNAH YANG 100 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
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hen it was announced the two main primary caregivers at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Adams were leaving for Rochester, the future of the clinic seemed bleak. However, dialogue and coming together helped keep rural health care accessibility a reality. The solution came into fruition on May 22, when Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea and Austin launched a new health care delivery model to provide Adams and LeRoy-area patients with accessible care options, paired with an on-site medical support staff. Those who depend on those services were able to keep their health care in their own backyards. Patients like Pat Sorenson and her husband, who had lived in rural Adams since 1959, in a clinic that was close to home. “It’s local, and there’s no driving time,” Sorenson said. “There’s a minimal wait time in comparison to going to the larger clinics. I call down here, and get an answer, and it’s always reasonable … it’s really ideal that when you call for an appointment, you get in to be seen, and you see the same person … they get to know you, and you’re a person and not just a patient.”
“Most of the people here, we’re an elderly community, and our kids don’t take off work to take us to Rochester for treatment. Closing the clinic would have been a really hard burden on the community, and means an extra trip further away.” Pat Sorenson Pat Sorenson talks about the importance the Adams Clinic plays for the people of Adams and LeRoy.
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She remembered how much the town worried about losing the Adams clinic. Sorenson contemplated taking her husband down to Osage, Iowa, to continue treatments. “I was really debating that,” she said. “Most of the people here, we’re an elderly community, and our kids don't take off work to take us to Rochester for treatment. Closing the clinic would have been a really hard burden on the community, and means an extra trip further away.” Dr. Jay Mitchell, chairman of the Southeast Minnesota Outpatient Practice Subcommittee, recalled how the city of Adams and Mayo Clinic came together to talk about how keeping the clinic in a rural area like Mower County was crucial, and so came up with its new delivery model. “Fundamentally, it’s to keep care close and local, and that’s an important thing for our patients in the region,” Mitchell said. “Particularly in the smaller communities, and working collaboratively with the community in figuring out how we do this over time.” Mitchell said traditional models of health care Pat Sorenson has her blood pressure checked by Sandy Larkoski during a stop at the Mayo Clinic Health System - Adams Clinic. Sorenson is one of the many longterm patients who are glad the clinic is staying open.
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in the past were difficult to sustain and the patients in Adams and in the current environment with LeRoy didn’t come together for provider shortages. With the listening sessions held after the launch of the Adams clinic health announcement of the clinic’s care model, there were two phases: closure. Phase one included the “The city of Adams is excited,” availability of a licensed practical then-Adams Mayor Nancy nurse on Tuesdays, Wednesdays Thalberg said in a previous and Fridays to provide scheduled interview. “We welcome this lab draws, blood pressure checks, new health care delivery model weight checks and peak flow meter that will be provided within our measurements for asthma patients. community for area residents.” Immunizations were also available A different option in the mornings and a registered Although this type of delivery nurse provided scheduled care model is still in its infancy stages, on Friday mornings to include Mitchell stated that it plays a some child visits, anticoagulation bigger part in trying to give management, hypertension convenient local access to a care management, patient education, team. Working alongside with the Medicare annual wellness visits communities and stakeholders, the and minor clinical treatments. new delivery model was another Phase two, launched during the step toward the future. summer, includes video visits as a “We wanted to make this note of new way of providing healthcare appreciation to the community,” in Adams. Video visits enabled he said. “To the mayors of Adams patients to communicate directly and LeRoy and other community with providers via a secure video The front desk of the Mayo Clinic Health System - Adams Clinic has remained open, giving the members who engaged with or computer link. Computers with people of the small community a place to get medical care. us. It’s important stuff to the that capability are made available community and we realize the significance for them and really appreciate for patients to use in the clinic. This type of delivery model would not have been possible if Mayo Clinic their partnership in this work.” P
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When one door closed, another opened Legacy of Brownsdale gives new life to elementary school BY HANNAH YANG After the closure of Brownsdale Elementary School in 2016, the town worried about about its future. With no school, what would draw people to come live in a small Mower County town? The answer came to Deidra Burke of Blooming Prairie. While getting ready for bed one night, her husband alerted her about the sale of the building that housed the former elementary school. It was at that moment, the owner and property manager of Legacy of Brownsdale took a chance to purchase the school and transform it into an assisted living center. “Look at this building,” Burke said while giving a tour of the newlyrenovated building. “This was one that started life’s adventures. It takes my breath away that teachers may be coming back to live here. It really has come full circle.” Legacy of Brownsdale held its grand opening earlier in January to welcome back as residents those who may have been former teachers or students of the elementary school. Gone was the gymnasium that held meetings that were contentious and heartbreaking, transformed into a dining area for residents to enjoy their morning coffee. This restaurant style is also be open to the public as a
place to enjoy a good meal as well. Classrooms that once were settings for kindergarteners to learn shapes and colors, are now units residents can call their home. Thirty-two units were created, with a housing capacity of 55 residents if some were looking to move in with their spouses. Each unit encompassed modern features and an ADA compliant bathroom. What was formerly the school’s library, turned into a spacious commons area with outdoor patio seating, and an activities room was constructed, where scrapbooking and crafting would be a regular occurance. While it took a while to get
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Residents Connie Hendrickson, center, and Gayler Jensen have breakfast with Deb Block, Legacy of Brownsdale activity director. Photos by Eric Johnson
The Legacy of Brownsdale has made use of the old Brownsdale School, giving the building purpose for the future. properly licensed, and getting set back with additional construction and inclement weather, the $3.4 million project finished a little more than a year after it was announced that Brownsdale Elementary would close. Turning a painful memory into a new hope for the future, Burke acknowledged that preserving the elementary school in some shape or form was important to the residents
that lived in Brownsdale. She noted that without the unanimous support from the city council, Hayfield Community Schools District and Mower County, the assisted living center would not have been created. Without the tax abatement program, Burke said this project would not have been possible. “The amount of support we’ve had made this process so much easier,” she said. “We’re very happy that we
were able to maintain the integrity of the school. I was expecting some push back, but not at all. There was a tremendous amount of faith placed on me. It was a lot to ask for from a taxpayer. But, it’s giving them jobs for kids, and housing for parents. It was a good compromise.” The school’s former playground may be replaced in the future, but Burke sees it as a chance to invite Brownsdale’s children to come and
play while being around the residents living at Legacy of Brownsdale. What may have first appeared to be a heartbreaking end of a school, turned into an unexpected blessing in disguise. “Looking at this building that was at one time starting one’s life adventures and having this place built around that is still breathtaking,” she said. “It just seems appropriate.” P
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Cars Cause for a
Rose Creek Car Show has raised over $60K for suicide prevention BY MICHAEL STOLL
The Rose Creek Car Show has become a popular annual event in the small southeast Minnesota town. Usually held in conjunction with Rose Creek Days, the car show draws spectators and participants from near and far. But for Rose Creek resident Dave Nelsen, who is one of the organizers, the Rose Creek Car Show has a more personal purpose: it helps raise money for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. “In 2007, my wife and I lost our oldest son to suicide at college,” he said. In 2011, Nelsen and other members of the community decided they were
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going to do something to help those fighting suicidal thoughts. “We started talking one day about something that we could do to help,” Nelsen recalled. “We all have cars, so we came up with the idea of having a car show. The idea just stuck.” “(Nelsen) went around with the idea and asked people if they would help out and people said it was a great idea,” said Jamey Ulven, who also helps organize the car show. When asked how long it took to organize the first show, Nelsen and Ulven laughed. “We basically started in March and the car show was in July,” Nelsen said.
Cars are lined up during the Rose Creek Car Show. Photo provided
“The original (car show) was “A couple of years ago we had a downtown here, so it was little more car come all the way from Hastings difficult,” Ulven said. “We had been to (Minnesota) because the owners’ son a few, but nobody had ever run one of was in the armed forces and killed these before.” himself after he got out, so they came and “We had no idea what we were supported us,” Nelsen said. doing,” Nelsen added. “It was trial and Ulven said others have come from as error.” far as northern Minnesota and Green Bay, Despite not knowing what to expect, Wisconsin. organizers signed up 80 cars for the “I don’t know how word gets out that first show. Since then, the show has far,” he said. “They may just happen to be grown, with Nelsen and Ulven agreeing in the area with their car, but there have an average of 110 cars have been the been some long-distance drivers.” norm for the past three years. “We’ve got people that have been to “We have different cars, but roughly every show,” Nelsen added. the same number,” Ulven said. “We In 2017, the show had its biggest year have had more spectators over the yet, raising almost $10,000, according to years. The fire department sets up Nelsen. and sells brats and it brings a lot more But the money is not the only way the Jamey Ulven, left, and Dave Nelsen help organize the annual Rose Creek Car Show people in. It’s out by the highway now, to raise money for suicide prevention. Nelsen lost his oldest son to suicide in 2007. show helps with suicide prevention. and I think a lot of people drive by and “A couple of years ago, I had a person Photo by Michael Stoll see the show, so they pull in.” call me and wanted me to come talk to him With a few exceptions, the show runs during Rose Creek Days, though because he was thinking about (suicide),” Nelsen said. “He knew we did the Nelsen indicated the 2019 show would be in fall due to a scheduling conflict. show for that. While I was there, I got him hooked up with the right people that Along with an entry fee for participants, money is raised via raffles from he needed to be talking to because I wasn’t qualified. He’s doing OK now.” donated items. For Nelsen, the community has embraced the car show and the cause of “Everything the show brings in goes toward the American Foundation for suicide prevention in true small town fashion. Suicide Prevention,” Nelsen said. “The entry fee is $20 per car, and we have “When you live in a small town, everybody is family,” he said. “Pretty much people and businesses throughout the area that donate to the show.” everybody in this town has been affected by it in one way or another. One of the To date, the show has raised $60,827 for the AFSP, and support for the event other couples that help with this, her dad did it. There have been other young has come from all over. people in town. It affects everybody, and people really give to (the show).” P
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News of the day was brought to the people of Lyle by The Lyle Tribune. Mitch Helle has been turning to the old publication as he seeks to preserve the town’s history in a book. Photos by Eric Johnson
Preserving History Mitch Helle works to tell his hometown’s story
BY MICHAEL STOLL The city of Lyle will celebrate its sesquicentennial in 2020. With the date rapidly approaching, Lyle native Mitch Helle has been busy volunteering his time to compile and preserve an accurate history of the small southern Minnesota town. “I got talked into committing to write a book (on Lyle history) 5 or 108 | Austin Daily Herald | Progress 2019
“The story of Lyle is a very common story; farming town, railroad town. In some ways it’s different ... You start digging into that history and you truly learn their stories. ” Mitch Helle
6 years ago,” Helle said. “With a small town like Lyle, it’s hard to find information.” Helle is no stranger to the difficulties of finding the whole story. Since committing to writing Lyle’s story, Helle has put in countless hours at the Mower County Historical Society, combing through old copies of the Lyle Tribune, a newspaper that operated from 1895-1951.
But Helle wasn’t just looking for stories. He led the way in getting the Lyle Tribune placed on microfilm, which is expected to have a life of about 500 years, and later digitized to allow for optimal word searching. The process was helped along with Minnesota Legacy grant money from the Minnesota Historical Society for the microfilm and a grant from the Worth County Development Authority for digitization. “All of the Lyle Tribune is digitized,” said Helle, who is working on a website to make the digital records available. “Anything prior to 1923 is public domain and will be available to the public. Anything after 1923 will be password protected for now.” Converting old copies of the Lyle Tribune to microfilm and digital records was just the first step. Helle set out to conduct an oral history project to record stories from the current residents of Lyle. “The point of the oral history project is to capture what may not have been documented, but was captured in the memory of the residents,” he said. “The Lyle Tribune stopped publishing in 1951, and other papers didn’t have much focus on Lyle.” The oral history project has to be done to professional oral history standards. Helle said grant money could be utilized to pay for transcription, bound copies, recording equipment and DVDs of the interviews. Helle has broken down the oral history categories into churches, schools, businesses and rural Lyle. “With my interviews, I tried to have a mix of people; men and women, people that live in town and rural Lyle,” he said. “I tried to interview people from every decade and it was quite difficult.” But despite the difficulty, those who Helle did interview had a lot to say. “Every single person, I felt, I could talk to for three or four hours,” he said. “They all have interesting stories to tell.” Helle hopes to have the oral history project finished by spring 2019. At that point, he can focus on his book, which he aims to have completed by the 2020 Lyle sesquicentennial. There are two books on Lyle’s history, both of which Helle said
contain inaccuracies and are missing information. “There are things I want to correct,” he said. “There was a lot of focus on the first things in Lyle, then huge gaps in the timeline. I think there are a lot of things in between that were skipped over.” In the process of writing Lyle’s story, Helle has photographed every headstone in the cemeteries in and around Lyle as well as scanned every Lyle yearbook. He is also looking for photo and artifacts from 1900-1960, particularly a record that is said to contain a play by play of the 1957 District 2 title basketball game in which Lyle defeated Austin. “Rod Golberg shot the winning shot that put Lyle up 63-63,” Helle said. “Lyle later lost in the regional final to Rochester by one point, so they didn’t get to go to state.” But while Helle is hoping to find Lyle’s whole story, he is still focused on telling today’s stories as well. “Its important to capture what’s going on today so that someone down the line can have that information,” he said. In the end, Helle’s goal is to tell “our story.” “When you have a town like Austin, which I consider a big town, there will always me someone to write about it,” he said. “With Lyle, there are a lot of things that could be lost. The story of Lyle is a very common story; a farming town, a railroad town. In some ways it’s different. My family has history there, other families have history there. A lot of the people have 100150 year farms. You start digging into that history and you truly learn their stories. That is dear to my heart.” P
Mitch Helle shows off microfilm copies of The Lyle Tribune. Photo provided
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Reputation of Service BY ROCKY HULNE Whenever Jim Bottema walks into work, he’s likely to see plenty of familiar faces looking back at him — and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Bottema, manager of LeRoy Lumber, has been in the business of lumber ever since he finished carpentry school in 1983 and he’s been a friendly face in town for anyone who is looking to build a house, an addition, or even a pole shed. “I love it. I’ve been doing this all of my life,” Bottema said. “I’ve been in the building part of it, I’ve been in the retail part of it and I’ve been in the wholesale part of it. It’s what I do. I love coming to work.” LeRoy Lumber is a full-service hardware store and lumber yard that allows customers to order from pretty much anywhere. Bottema said the company does business as far west as Lake Okoboji, Iowa, and as far south as Des Moines, Iowa — and, of course, in southeast Minnesota.
“I’ve been in the building part of it, I’ve been in the retail part of it and I’ve been in the wholesale part of it. It’s what I do. I love coming to work.” Jim Bottema, manager of LeRoy Lumber
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Jim Bottema is the manager at LeRoy Lumber. Photos by Rocky Hulne
Bob Bastian, yard leader/delivery, works the lumber yard at LeRoy Lumber.
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LeRoy Lumber has been under its current ownership since 1994. Below, An old photo of LeRoy Lumber hangs inside the business.
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LeRoy Lumber completed six houses last year, but most of the projects involve additions or renovations. The store offers a unique experience as the hardware store is connected to the lumber yard and all employees are often just an earshot away from each other. “I have fun with the people that work here and I have fun with the builders that we work for,” Bottema said. “You deal with the same people every day. It’s a repeat thing where they’ll come in for something else a couple of months down the road.” LeRoy Lumber offers free estimates and free delivery anywhere. While focusing on lumber and hardware, the company is also looking to get more involved in plumbing and electrical work. Bottema has performed almost every imaginable job at the business and he’s enjoyed it every step of the way. “I want to thank the people that have supported us in the past. We look forward to future business,” Bottema said. Current LeRoy Lumber owners
Diane Lunning, office coordinator, and Don Theobald, inside sales, at LeRoy Lumber. Mike and Carrie King bought the place from the LeRoy Co-Op in 1994. The lumber yard has existed in LeRoy since around the time the railroad arrived in 1867. The township of LeRoy was organized in 1858. P
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At home in the aisles
Hayfield grocery store going strong under its newest co-owner BY ROCKY HULNE Nathan Nelson didn’t expect to be a co-owner and manager of a small town grocery store just five years after he graduated from high school. But that’s exactly where Nelson is and he couldn’t be happier about it. Nelson, who graduated from Austin High School in 2012, began working as a store manager at Ryan’s Foods in Hayfield in March 2017. He bought in as a co-owner of the business in July 2018. Nelson has now moved into Hayfield and he’s starting to feel right at home. “I see a lot of the same customers,” he said. “I'd say most of my customers are in here every day or every other day. It's nice to see them and I know a lot of their names. You meet people and you become friends with them.” Nelson started working in the grocery business when he was 15 years old and looking for his first job.
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He ended up at Jim’s Marketplace Foods in Austin, where he worked during his high school days. After attending University of Minnesota Rochester and pursuing a medical degree for two and a half years, Nelson had a change of heart. He decided to get a business degree at Riverland Community College, and that’s when Jim Baldus, the owner of Jim’s Marketplace, took Nelson under his wing and brought him along. “I was just a kid looking for a job, and I guess I just kept coming back,” Nelson said. “I liked the work. It was easy enough and it was rewarding. This is probably where I'll be for the rest of time.” Ryan’s Foods features a full grocery menu, and it also includes DVD purchases, home supplies and novelty items like pickled turkey gizzards. With Rochester and Austin having larger grocery stores a short drive
Ryan’s Foods offers a place for Hayfield residents to go for groceries without leaving town. Photos by Eric Johnson away, Nelson said he’s had to keep his prices competitive, but he feels Hayfield is a great place to run a store. “They love having us here. I have customers coming in here every day saying they're so happy that we're providing this service and doing what we can for the community,” Nelson said. “We're close, we're convenient, and we know people. They come back.” He’s had a lot of on-the-job training over the past two years. He learned plenty in school, but he’s learned even more while running a store. “It was kind of sink or swim. I had to figure it out,” Nelson said. “Taking classes gives you an idea for it, but then you actually start doing it and you realize there's a lot more to it.” Nelson enjoys his day-to-day work at Ryan’s Foods and he’s also found a greater drive after becoming
co-owner. Now he’s investing himself and his time into his business. “I had to shift my viewpoint from just being somebody who works here, to being somebody who is invested here,” Nelson said. “I need to do everything I can to make this place run and not just what's expected of me.”
“I was just a kid looking for a job and I guess I just kept coming back.” Nathan Nelson co-owner Ryan’s Food
Although he’s learned a lot on his own, it’s likely Nelson wouldn’t be where he was today if it wasn’t for the tutelage he received from Baldus. “Jim's been such a great guy through this process. He's been fantastic and he works with me every day,” Nelson said. “I would say thank you to all of the people who have supported us. They've been great to me.” P
Nathan Nelson bought in as a co-owner of Ryan’s Foods in 2018, where he has been working since 2012.
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Riley Millam goes through some of the plans he has constructed for use on the schools 3D printer. Photos by Eric Johnson
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Programming in BP student at the forefront of school’s technology BY ERIC JOHNSON Every year, technology makes new strides forward and, as technology expands, so does the benefits that schools see. Blooming Prairie High School is seeing that progress first hand, and one student is taking his talents and combining them for invaluable experience. Riley Millam, a senior at Small examples of what the students at Blooming Prairie High School, Blooming Prairie have created with the 3D is making use of the school’s printer. 3D printer as well as his own programming skills. It was Millam the school went to when it purchased the printer, based on work he had done with his robotics team. “For the past three years I’ve programmed for our robotics team and for our Spanish teacher. I programmed an app you can find in the app store,” he said. “I have a lot of history doing this stuff.”
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So when school officials approached him to help, Millam was all too happy to help out. “It was something new to try,” he said. Millam has been involved with computers for a long time, dating back to when he was in elementary school. “I always thought it was kind of interesting in elementary up to my freshman year,” Millam said. “We had a robotics team and we needed somebody to program it.” It’s the fourth year in a row Millam has done the programming for the team and he finds an interesting connection between that and directing a play. “It’s like directing a scene,” he explained. “I’ve always thought directing would be kind of interesting and I thought it was neat for me doing something I have a niche for.” Among the other things he is doing with the technology at the school, Millam worked on a project where he got Christmas lights to blink in time with “The Sound of Music,” the signature song from the movie of the same name.
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On the printing side of things, Millam has used the 3D printer in direct relation to the robotics team. “More recently, as our robotics team needs more stuff, we’ve attempted to print some 3D stuff on (the printer),” he said. Another project he’s working on is a phone case. He developed a novel way to get around the inflexible plastic. “I’m still finishing up,” he said. “I’ve developed it so it’s like a puzzle piece. You attach each one on the phone individually.”
Riley Millam has been a go-to resource for new technology at Blooming Prairie High School and was tapped by the school to help with the 3D printer the school purchased. Above, an example of a small rollercoaster that Millam created on the printer.
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The idea of the printer has helped Millam see the things he’s creating, to appreciate the details. “It’s helped me learn the way to make (ideas) practical,” he said. “It allows us to see what we’re making.” In all, Millam has just come to enjoy the practical aspects of both the printing and the programming. “Specifically, I like the computer aspect,” Millam said. “I like doing the Christmas lights thing again, I like the physical form of it. It’s neat to see it in progress and work on it. That’s why robotics is neat.” Milan said he intends on going to college for both computer science and electrical engineering. P An example of the plans that Riley Millam uses for his creations on the 3D printer at the school.
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Tumor Microenvironment & Metastasis
Shujun Liu, Ph.D.
Yibin Deng, M.D., Ph.D.
Cancer Epigenetics & Experimental Therapeutics
Cell Death & Cancer Genetics
Associate Professor
Associate Professor
Anna Sundborger-Lunna, Ph.D.
Bin Liu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor
Cryo-EM & Molecular Cell Biology
Transcription & Gene Regulation
James Robinson, Ph. D.
Ilana Chefetz, Ph. D.
Rendong Yang, Ph. D.
Cell Signaling & Tumorigenesis
Cancer Stem Cells & Necroptosis
Computational Cancer Genomics
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor
Liang Liu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Luke H. Hoeppner, Ph.D.
Chromatin & Epigenetic Gene Regulation
Assistant Professor Cancer Biology
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