Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas
www.dakotacountytribune.com
February 16, 2017 • Volume 131 • Number 51
Scholarship to honor of former teacher
OUR LIFE
Family hopes longtime English instructor Ruth Cook’s legacy will live on by Maren Bauer SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Active living for older adults Today’s special OurLife pages are included in this edition to offer insight into what older adults are doing in the Twin Cities. Page 7A-9A
Her students remember her as a strict disciplinarian and a passionate Shakespearean. Some of Ruth Cook’s former students, and her son, are celebrating her legacy as a Farmington English teacher of 25 years who died on May 29, 2016, with a new scholarship. Born in 1922 as the youngest of eight children
on a farm in New She proudly repRichland, Minneresented Farmingsota, Cook went ton and Minneon to study English sota. She coached literature and eduspeech and debate, cation at Gustavus followed the MinAdolphus College nesota Vikings in St. Peter, graduand Gophers, and Ruth Cook ating in 1944. loved all things Her son, Tom Farmington TiCook, says that gers, especially “English was the family hockey and football. Perbusiness� and Ruth car- haps it was this fondness ried it on with fervor, ar- for discipline on the field riving in the Farmington that kept her classroom in district in 1961. line.
Former student Teri Cordes recalled: “Mrs. Cook expected respect. She was there to teach, and you were there to learn. There was no fooling around, if you were talking or not paying attention, all she had to do was give you the ‘look’ and you knew she was not happy with your behavior. You sat up straight and paid attention. There was absolutely no gum chewing in her classroom, if
Antiques offer intrigue Submissions currently being accepted
OPINION Fund schools adequately Gov. Mark Dayton’s two-year funding blueprint for schools merits consideration, the ECM Editorial Board writes. Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
Music and dance of Ireland Irish tenor and “Riverdance on Broadway� star Michael Londra presents his “Celtic Fire� show at the Ames Center. Page 17A
SPORTS Winter sports tourneys on tap The winter sports season is starting to point toward its conclusion as tournaments are in sight. Page 10A
PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District. Page 12A
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 10A Public Notices . . . . . . 12A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 13A Announcements . . . . 16A
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SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Photo submitted
Mark Moran will host a free appraisal show in April at the Robert Trail Library in Rosemount. mulating the last 30 years,� Moran brought a 1950s pin-up girl paintsaid. ing he purchased for $5 at a yard There’s usually a few surprises. sale. While doing an appraisal See MORAN, 15A in Prescott, Wisconsin, a man
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osemount has several rows of houses where farmland used to be, but the desire to grow your own food hasn’t left its residents. Dozens of families are getting back to their roots by planting gardens at various parks throughout the city through the Rosemount Park and Recreation Department. Registration is open for garden plot rental at Biscayne, Jaycee, Winds and Lions parks as well as th Flint Hills Outdoor Recreation Complex. The gardening program is in its seventh year. “People are concerned with the produce they buy at the grocery store,� said Tom Schuster, recreation supervisor. “They don’t know what’s been applied to it. People are growing food for health reasons. It’s also an interesting family activity — something families can do together. There’s a certain satisfaction in eating food you grow yourself and I’m sure there’s some cost savings.� It wasn’t always this popular. It started with one park in 2011. Now it’s to the point where every new park the city designs includes garden plots. Two sizes are available: 10-by-20 feet for $30 and 20-by-20 feet for $50. Gardeners supply their own seeds, plants, fertilizer and equipment. Water
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State Achievement and Integration funds will be used in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District in an effort to raise graduation rates and improve standardized reading test scores among minority students and those from lower income households. As part of the district’s 2017-2020 AI plan, which the School Board approved Feb. 6, the goal is to have 90 percent minority students and those who receive free and reduced-priced (FRP) lunches graduate by 2020, reduce achievement gap test measures and improve reading test scores at the district’s two Racially Identifiable Schools. To reach these goals, six intervention strategies are slated to be implemented districtwide, while two additional strategies will be used at Echo Park and Oak Ridge elementary schools, which are Racially Identifiable since they have 20 percent more minority students than others in the district. Since the district is Racially Identifiable (also having 20 percent more minority stuSee DISTRICT, 15A
tanks are on site. It’s also popular enough to have a lottery. This is the third year for the lottery, which has worked out well, Schuster said. It’s allowed for more choices and flexibility. “Supply has always exceeded demand or at least matched it,� Schuster said. “We’re able to accommodate most requests.� Applicants rank the park and size of the plot they want. “We can give most people that apply their first or second choice,� Schuster said. “For some, it’s their third or fourth. It’s given us the opportunity to offer plots to more people. Nobody is too disappointed.� The Park and Recreation Department has about 70 total plots available. Gardeners tend to plant common vegetables such as tomatoes, beans, squash and pumpkins. Some plant flower beds or mix in a few marigolds to keep rodents out. “We let them plant pretty much whatever except perennials,� Schuster said. “But if they are going to grow vining plants, keep them intact and be a good neighbor.� See GARDEN, 15A
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Strategies aim to raise achievement
by Tad Johnson
Garden plot rental popular in Rosemount Residents following instincts to grow their own food
See COOK, 15A
State funds to target raising graduation rates, standardized test scores
by Andy Rogers There are hidden treasures out there waiting to be found, appraised and appreciated. Mark Moran feels they just need to be revealed. Robert Trail Library in Rosemount will host a free appraisal event featuring the author and antiques expert at 1:30 p.m. April 1. Items up for appraisal are currently being accepted. Moran has done several programs for the Dakota County Public Library system before, but this is his first trip to Robert Trail Library. He structures his program to “Antique Roadshow,� a popular BBC and PBS program that’s been going strong for more than 20 years. He invites attendees to bring their treasured items where Moran will talk about their history and value. “They’ve been wildly popular,� Moran said. He started in 2011 and he averages about 100 shows per year. The antique market has evolved over the years as many categories have declined as tastes changed. “That just means it’s a great time to buy,� Moran said. The items that are increasing in value are studio glass, metal ware and ceramics. Items from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s is a rich collecting area, as well, he said. Toys in their original packaging are also popular. “People in my generation, the boomers, they are now wanting to sell a lot of the things we’ve accu-
you got caught she made you walk to the front and spit it out. Mrs. Cook was in charge.� She stayed physically active throughout her days, from playing softball in her younger years to golf in Arizona with her husband, Earl, a longtime Farmington veterinarian, in their retirement. Cook embraced her Swedish heritage with