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Seasons of Minnesota
May/June 2016
Willmar ACMC Allergy & Asthma Center Barn Theatre Best Western Plus Bethesda Casey’s - East Hwy 12 Cash Wise Foods Cornerstone Coffee Cub Foods Dairy Queen - East Hwy 12 Deidra's Espresso Café Dunn Bros Family Eye / Janning ENT Family Practice Medical Ctr Good News Bookstore The Goodness Coffee House Jake’s Pizza Kandi Printing LuLu Beans The Oaks at Eagle Creek Petersons Shoes Pizza Ranch Potpourri Health Foods Rice Hospital Rohner’s Auto Parts Running’s Sunray - Eagle Lake US Bank Walt's Whitney Music Willmar Community Center Willmar Public Library Woodland Centers YMCA
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Pennock The Pit Stop Atwater Casey’s
Kandiyohi Kandi Quick Stop
Lake Lillian Citizens Alliance Bank The Food Garage
New London 3 Sisters Furniture ACMC Glen Oaks Hillcrest Truck Stop Lake Region Bank McKale’s Restaurant The Middle Fork Mill Pond Mercantile New London Bakery
Raymond Buckingham Vet Clinic Cenex
Spicer Dairy Queen Deering’s Sales & Service Green Lake Mall Heritage Bank Mel’s Sport Shop Spalon Mac Spicer Superstop Westwood Café Zorbaz
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contents
May/June 2016
LOCAL EVENTS - Photo Galleries
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12 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
6 10 14
Steel Magnolias at The Barn Theatre Red Beard Run Life Connections
Sheriff’s Desk Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
Public Safety Are You Ready for Motorcycle Season? Feature Story: The Barn Theatre Over 50 Years of Local Entertainment Cinco de Mayo Family Festival We’re Bringing it Back!
Kandiyohi County Drug Free Coalition Doing the Right Stuff
Local Businesses Join Forces Sterling Water Culligan Buys Willmar Water, Inc. Local Astronomy Blastoff to Model Rocketry
The View From Down Here To Break My Fall It Seems to Me The Sweetest Thing...Revisited Local Flavor Zesty Ravioli Skillet
Seasons of Minnesota
Publisher & Editor Sheila Rohner Quinn
Contributing Editor Laurie McCabe
Advertising Sheila Rohner Quinn
Graphic Designer J. Leandro Rodrigues
Distribution Assistant Maxine Sweeter
Contributors Dennis Benson Sheriff Dan Hartog Margaret Lanning Zack Liebl Gary McDowell Aaron Neubert Val Swanson Patrick Thibault Robert Valdez
Seasons of Minnesota PO Box 1707 Willmar, MN 56201 Phone: 320.444.3272 E-mail: publisher@ seasonsminnesota.com
www.seasonsminnesota.com ________________________
To advertise, please call: 320.444.3272 or email: publisher@ seasonsminnesota.com
________________________
ON THE COVER Performers at The Barn Theatre
Seasons of Minnesota is published bi-monthly by Quinn Graphics and Publishing, Inc. of Willmar, MN. No part of this publication may be reproduced, in any form, without prior written permission from the publisher and original author. Contributors maintain copyright ownership for all articles, photos, artwork, and other submissions. Opinions expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of the publisher.
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Seasons of Minnesota
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Publisher’s Note
ur feature story this issue is on The Barn Theatre in Willmar. I must tell you that if you’ve never been to one of their productions, you are really missing out. We have some incredibly talented folks in our area. You’ll be impressed! They work extremely hard to bring us quality shows, and I’ve always been amazed at the level of professionalism by our “amateur” entertainers. Please support our local arts by attending their performances. Your donations are also much appreciated and greatly needed to keep it going. The Barn Theatre is truly a local gem. We’re lucky to have it here! I’m also happy to report that the Cinco de Mayo Family Festival is coming back. It has always been a really enjoyable event, filled with a variety of impressive entertainment, lots of great food, and more—all geared toward wholesome fun for all. It’s great to see it returning again this summer. It’s coming up soon in May, so don’t miss it! If you ride a motorcycle, you are probably getting ready for a season of fun adventures on your bike. But did you know that Willmar offers motorcycle safety classes at the Ridgewater campus? These courses range from beginner to advanced, and it’s a great way to brush up on your skills and learn new ones that will help you become an even better rider. I encourage you to check into it. Read more about that on page 12, with an article written by Gary McDowell, a motorcycle safety instructor. You could learn valuable lessons that will save your life! More safety tips are on page 8, regarding bicycles and pedestrians. This article, written by Sheriff Dan Hartog, outlines the laws and will remind you how to safely share the roadways. Most importantly, pay attention and avoid distractions! Lastly, I would like to point out the article on page 20 from the Kandiyohi County Drug Free Coalition. This is a local committee that works hard to help prevent our youth from using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Please take a moment to read about everything they are doing in our community.
Have a great summer! Sheila Quinn, publisher
May/June 2016
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Photos by Dennis Benson
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• No person shall operate at night unless the bicycle or its operator is equipped with a lamp which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and rear reflectors. To increase visibility, add a rear flashing light. Driver Safety:
• Motorists must maintain a three-foot clearance when passing a bicyclist. • Drivers should use caution and look twice for riders when turning. • Drivers should use caution when opening car doors upon parking on the side of the road.
Regarding pedestrians, the Governor’s Highway Safety Association reported the lowest pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 people in 2014. While that is good, one person who loses their life, in a case that could have been avoided, is too many.
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By Dan Hartog, Kandiyohi County Sheriff
ith spring upon us, people are eager to get outside and be active. In this article, I have summarized some of the laws concerning the operation of bikes, as well as safety tips for pedestrians. Walkers, bicyclists, and motor vehicles often use the same piece of roadway at the same time, so it’s important to follow the laws to keep everyone safe. The common thread in these modes of travel is being attentive. The biggest distraction we deal with in law enforcement is individuals using their cellphones.
Bicyclists, please remember these statutes:
• Obey all traffic control signs and signals just as motor vehicles. • Signal turns—and ride in a predictable manner.
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• Ride as close as possible to the right hand curb or edge of the road except when: - Overtaking and passing another vehicle going in the same direction - Preparing for a left turn - Reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that make it unsafe. • If a bicycle is traveling on a shoulder, it shall travel in the same direction as adjacent vehicles. • Persons riding bicycles on a roadway or shoulder shall not ride more than two abreast and shall not impede the normal movement of traffic, and on a lane roadway, shall ride within a single lane. • An individual operating a bicycle on a sidewalk or other vehicle on a bikeway shall leave a safe distance when overtaking a bicycle or individual proceeding in the same direction on the bikeway and shall maintain clearance until safely past the bicycle or individual.
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Some safety tips to keep in mind for pedestrians and vehicles are:
• Drivers must stop for pedestrians at marked crosswalks and all intersections without crosswalks or stop lights. • Pedestrians must obey traffic signs and signals at all intersections that have them. • Vehicles stopped for pedestrians can proceed once the pedestrian has completely crossed the lane in front of the stopped vehicle.
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• Pedestrians must not enter a crosswalk if a vehicle is approaching and it is impossible for the driver to stop. There is no defined distance that a pedestrian must abide by before entering the crosswalk; use common sense. • When a vehicle is stopped at an intersection to allow pedestrians to cross the road, drivers of other vehicles approaching from the rear must not pass the stopped vehicle. • Failure to obey the law is a misdemeanor. A second violation within one year is a gross misdemeanor. More Reminders for Pedestrians:
• Cross the street at marked intersections; don’t cross mid-block, and obey traffic signals. • Make eye contact with drivers and ensure they see you and will stop. • Clearly show your intentions to cross. • Watch for turning and passing vehicles. • Look across all lanes for moving vehicles before proceeding. • Continue to be alert and watch for vehicles when walking in a crosswalk. • Use sidewalks where provided. If there are none, it is usually safer to walk facing traffic. • Make it easy for drivers to see you: dress in light colors and wear retro-reflective material. Carry a flashlight when it’s dark. I hope these safety tips and reminders help all of us to remember we have to share the roads together. Let’s work together to stay safe!
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Photos by Dennis Benson
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By Gary McDowell, MSF Rider Coach for the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center
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compared to 2014, when 46 riders were killed. We had 205 riders who suffered severe injuries in 2015, compared to 152 in 2014. These numbers are too high, and these crashes are all preventable." Riders need to make safety their number one priority. The easiest way to do that? Wear full protective gear—it saves lives. Put on your DOT-approved helmet, riding jacket, pants, gloves, and boots. Your gear should be brightly colored for visibility. Don’t make an excuse. Preliminary reports show 38 of the 61 riders killed last year were not wearing a helmet. One of the best things riders can do to make sure they’re prepared for road debris, inattentive drivers, and other surprises is to take a training course. All Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center training courses teach life-saving maneuvers that help riders get out of tough situations on the road. The Basic Rider Course will teach you how to ride, and you can earn your motorcycle license endorsement. Many riders stop there, but more courses are available to help you become a better rider.
otorcycle season is in full swing in Minnesota. Riders have been back on the road for weeks, some since as early as February! With the spring riding transition period behind them, riders are feeling comfortable on their bikes, and drivers should be accustomed to looking twice for motorcyclists. It’s great that everyone is getting used to sharing the roads, but now is not the time for riders or drivers to get too comfortable. Page 12
Bill Shaffer, Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Program Coordinator says, "Summer is fast approaching and is typically a deadly time of year for motorcyclists. Riders and drivers need to be even more attentive as we cruise into the dog days of summer. Last year, 16 of the 61 motorcyclists killed on Minnesota roads died in June crashes, according to preliminary reports. Here are some more numbers to consider: F i ft ee n more r ider s di ed in 20 15
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The Intermediate Rider Course is the next step. This course will help you master control, finesse, counter steering, cornering, swerving, and braking. Ever have a deer jump out at you on the road? You’ll want to have swerving and braking mastered for that situation. After completing the Intermediate Rider Course, you’re ready for the MN Advanced Rider Course and MN Expert Rider Courses. These courses help experienced riders hone the skills needed to avoid the dangers of the road. The sharper the skills, the safer the ride, and it’s a lot more fun when you’re extremely comfortable on your bike. These courses are a challenging and fun way to spend eight hours bonding with your bike. Ridgewater College right here in Willmar offers all four of these rider training courses. Courses fill up fast, so find one that fits into your schedule and register now, even if it’s not until July or August. All of the course descriptions and schedules are online at www.motorcyclesafety.org.
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Photos by Dennis Benson
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FEATURE STORY
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By Zack Liebl
he Willmar Community Theatre operates as a non-profit community theatre, locally known as “The Barn Theatre.” It provides cultural and artistic entertainment for the public, including plays, recitals, workshops, and visual art displays. The mission of The Barn Theatre is to provide affordable, quality performing arts to West Central Minnesota. The Barn promotes community involvement, affords opportunities for personal growth for its volunteers, displays and develops artistic talent, and provides community leadership for the fine arts. The Barn Theatre is a dynamic, live performing arts theater—incorporated in Willmar, Minnesota on September 29, 1964. Its volunteer board of directors purchased a nearby horse barn and lot. Community support supplied the labor and supplies to transform the vacant barn into a theater; thus, “The Barn” was born. Three to five summer productions were given annually. In
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1984, extensive renovations and improvements were required, prompting the board to explore other options. During the next four years, space was rented from the Willmar Community College. In January 1987, the downtown JC Penney building was renovated into the current site of The Barn Theatre. The new theater opened on June 9, 1988. A winter season was added to the existing summer season, and six annual shows are now presented. The season of 2014-2015 was The Barn Theatre's 50th year of offering a wide range of theatrical productions to this area. It is a regional theatre, growing from its original roots of a community theater to a theater that draws from up to and beyond a 60-mile radius. The Barn offers volunteers of all ages an opportunity to participate in all aspects of theater, using their talents to enrich their lives and of the community. In 2015, the Board of Directors researched and initiated a three-year capital campaign, An Encore Performance. To date,
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The beautiful new entrance lobby the capital campaign has nearly $658,000 pledged in donations. The end goal of An Encore Performance is to raise an additional $331,000 within the next twelve months, for a total of $989,000. These donations have enabled much needed improvements to the building, allowing for a first-class venue for the already first-class performances. The updates have also allowed for expansions in the available space to provide more visual arts, additional productions, workshops, concerts, comedians, and event space for the community. Summer Season is bound to entertain old and young alike. The summer line-up of productions are Mary Poppins in June, Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor in August, and The Diary of Anne Frank in September.
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The best way to support arts and culture in our community is to attend a performance, visit the visual art displays, and simply encourage others to attend. As a non-profit, we rely on the community to contribute financially when able, and we appreciate all donations. Be sure to follow us online at www.thebarntheatre.com, and “Like” The Barn Theatre on Facebook!
“The Arts and Sciences, essential to the prosperity of the State and to the ornament of human life, have a primary claim to the encouragement of every lover of his country and mankind.” – George Washington
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e d o c n i C Mayo Family : l a v i t s e F ! g it Back n i g n i r B We’re
By Robert Valdez
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Get Ready for Live Music, Great Food, Family Fun, and Much More!
he Cinco De Mayo committee, in partnership with WCER (Willmar Community Education and Recreation), Duininck Inc, Fiesta Time Rentals, Jennie-O, PACT 4 Families, Heritage Bank, and Bremer Bank, is excited to present its seventh Cinco De Mayo Celebration Family Festival on May 21, 2016. This year’s Cinco De Mayo Family Festival will be hosted on the World’s Cultural Diversity Day, bringing a full day of fun and excitement to the Willmar Lakes Area that will attract attendance from the entire surrounding region. Our goal is simple: to make it a positive, family-friendly social event. This year's Cinco de Mayo Family Festival in Willmar will boast lots of live entertainment, opening with the remarkable Aztec performers, then enjoying some stomping to traditional Mexican music by ballet folklorico dancers, and listening to Willmar’s own Esplendor Norteño Band. As you stroll through the event, check out the Page 18
business and organizational carnival booths with hands-on activities to win big. If you've brought your little ones along, be sure to check out the fun and festive Kids Zone, with free inflatables rides kids will love. New this year will be a two-day Cinco de Mayo Soccer Tournament which will take place Sunday, May 15th (day one eliminations) and Saturday, May 21st (day two final four). For all you sport enthusiasts, come join us on the Willmar Soccer fields next to the Dorothy Olson Aquatic Center—we will have food vendors and a free bouncy house for the kids to kick off the celebration.
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Don’t forget the food and games! Food is a big part of Cinco de Mayo, and there will be plenty of it at the Festival. Vendors will be serving up tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and more of Willmar’s best Mexican cuisine. Enjoy all the great eating while watching your friends, neighbors, or co-workers tackle the ever favorite Jalapeño Eating Contest or sing their tune on Willmar Idol! Often confused with Mexico’s Independence Day, which is Sept. 16, Cinco de Mayo actually marks a major victory for the Mexican Army on May 5, 1862, when 4,000 Mexican troops defeated 8,000 French troops at the Battle of Puebla. "They won a war they were supposed to lose," said Kristen Valdez, Spanish teacher at the Willmar Middle School. "They were the underdogs, but they believed in something and fought for it anyway. I think that's why the story resonates so strongly with people." Today, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the tradition of freedom and acknowledges the beauty of Latino culture. The Cinco de Mayo Family Festival was first produced in 2006, as a way to recognize and celebrate the cultures and traditions of the growing Latino population in Willmar
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and the surrounding area. It is also a fundraiser for scholarships, awarded to deserving area students. To date, over 15,000 people have attended this event since its inception as an alcoholfree, alternative way to celebrate our community’s cultural diversity. As a result, the Cinco de Mayo Committee has provided over $10,000 in scholarships from 2006 to 2012. This year, we hope to be able to reach a goal of $4000 – with your help. The bottom line: we are bringing it back. Our Cinco de Mayo celebration will offer plenty of live music, food, arts and crafts, activities for families and children, and much more. The Seventh Cinco de Mayo Celebration will be on May 21st from 11am to 6pm. This year’s event will be held at Roosevelt Elementary School, located at 1800 19th Ave SW, Willmar. If you have any questions, or would like to meet personally, please feel free to contact Javier Valenzuela at 320.231.8157 or send an email to JValenzuela@bremer.com See you all there!
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By Val Swanson Kandiyohi County Drug Free Communities Coalition
he Kandiyohi County Drug Free Communities (DFC) Coalition is working to empower the community through prevention, education, and shared leadership to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use among our youth and families. Youth substance abuse is no one's fault, but prevention is everyone's responsibility. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states: Page 20
“Like physical illnesses, mental and substance use disorders cost money and lives if they are not prevented, are left untreated, or are poorly managed.” In fact, research shows that prevention programs not only prevent substance abuse, but there is also potential cost savings as a result of their implementation, where every $1 spent on Substance Abuse Prevention can save $2 to $20 (in benefits). Benefits are estimates of savings over a period
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of time, resulting from reduced demand for health and social services. Prevention is equally important for mental and/or substance use disorders. Mental and or substance use disorders often go together (co-occurring), and successful prevention can have a positive effect on both. The Kandiyohi County DFC Coalition sponsors Students Working against Alcohol, Tobacco, and other drugs (SWAT) coaches in local schools. SWAT Coaches are typically school personnel who promote substance use prevention activities as they engage students to help others make better choices to live drug, alcohol, and tobacco free. The Kandiyohi County DFC Coalition provides exemplary educational information for parents, grandparents, and families—available for free at booths at various community events, including the Kandiyohi County Fair, Life Connections, Spring Home and Living show, Y’s Healthy Day, and the Ridgewater Health Fair. Check out the mobile application, “Talk. They hear you.” This underage drinking prevention campaign from SAMSHA helps parents and caregivers start talking to their children early about the dangers of alcohol. Have you heard radio ads on our local stations warning parents or any individual against providing alcohol to underage youth, or hosting an event where alcohol is served to youth under age 21? This is Kandiyohi County’s Social Host Ordinance (SHO), which makes it unlawful to provide an environment where the underage drinking takes place and can be successful in reducing the number of underage drinking parties. A local tuxedo outfitter and floral shops distribute inserts with a photo of a prom couple with the headline, “Get dressed up, not messed up!” during the prom season to discourage underage drinking. When you visit the Kandiyohi County Park beaches, they are “tobacco free,” as well as the Kandiyohi County Fair within 20 feet of all buildings. The prescription drop box, located at The Kandiyohi County Law May/June 2016
Enforcement Center, has collected and incinerated over 9,600 pounds of expired, unused, and unwanted medications. The DFC coalition consists of the following subcommittees: alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs, public relations, and tobacco. Help us do more of the right stuff. Join us, choose a committee, and we’ll find a place for your skills. We meet the fourth Wednesday of every month for a luncheon meeting. Contact Laura Daak, Drug Free Grant Coordinator for the Kandiyohi County DFC Coalition, at 320-231-7800 ext. 2533. You can also find us on Facebook.
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Fader and Tangley families join efforts to offer improved water treatment services
he original Sterling Water company had its humble beginnings in October 1949 when W. Sterling & Jo Tangley formed their new venture, Culligan Soft Water of Pierce County (WI). They established a new Culligan franchise and built a plant in Ellsworth, WI. The business grew steadily for the next 25 years. During those early years, Sterling and Jo’s son, Peter, grew up and actively worked in the business. Sterling Water has continued to grow and change through internal growth and external acquisitions. They purchased additional Culligan dealerships, including Pine City, MN; Marshfield, WI; and Wausau, WI in 1989. Peter’s son Bret has grown up and actively worked in the business in a variety of roles since 1982, most recently as President since 2005. Bret is a third-generation “Culligan Man.” In 2009, Sterling Water purchased Culligan in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. In 2012, the historic Culligan of Willmar dealership was purchased by the Tangley family. Bret is very active in the Culligan franchise, serving on several boards and advocating for dealers. He was recently the Water Quality Association President for the 2015-2016 year. Willmar Water, Inc., owned and operated by the Fader family, has been a well-respected community business for nearly 35 years. Bob Fader started his water career in 1981. He worked for two years for the local Willmar Page 22
Employees at Culligan Willmar, one of Culligan's Original 25 Franchises, circa the 1950s
Lindsay dealer, then made the move to go on his own, starting his business in the basement of his house. He quickly went to work fixing softeners and winning over customers with his quick wit and subtle determination. Two weeks later, Bob borrowed some money to get his first load of salt. “My wife thought I was crazy!” exclaimed Bob. “However, she knew I was determined, and if it all failed, we were going to have enough salt for the biggest margarita party in Willmar history.” Within a few months, Bob was installing multiple softeners each day. In 1987, he was one of the top ten salesmen in the nation. This growth caused Bob to move his business to a garage on Gorton Avenue; ironically, it was one block away from the original Culligan dealership.
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In 1989, Bob hired his first employee; he also went on a mission to grow his business in next decade. He had one of the first cell phones in Willmar, sharing the line with seven other people. “Many times you could hear multiple conversations, but it was effective and helped grow the business.” Continued growth pushed Willmar Water into their current dealership, located on 11th Ave NE in Willmar. Drive and determination propelled the Faders to begin a bottling plant, buy a few competitors, and establish two businesses in Minneapolis. Like the Tangleys, the Fader family was involved in the business. His boys helped deliver water in summers, and his wife Carol answered phones and did bookwork to support the business. His son Lee started working part time in 2009 and now works as Operations Manager. “We felt it was important that this merger remain local—because all water issues are local,” said Bob Fader. “The company has simply been handed from one family, who is passionate about water treatment, to another. Shifting roles slightly will allow me to get out of the office and focus on sales. I’ll be able to visit the great people of Willmar and the surrounding areas. In the last couple years, I was running to Minneapolis and back to the office. I lost touch with our great community.”
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Sterling Water has employed the staff of Willmar Water. “We want to ensure this transition is as seamless as possible for Willmar Water customers,” said Aaron Neubert, General Manager of Sterling Water Culligan – Central Minnesota. “We are beyond excited for the opportunity to continue serving Willmar customers and all of their water treatment needs.” Sterling Water Culligan expands Willmar Water’s services with free online billing, licensed and factory trained service and installation technicians, 24/7 live emergency answering service, and a host of enhanced service offerings. Watch for our “Water Tips” articles in subsequent issues of Seasons of Minnesota magazine.
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Local Astronomy By Patrick Thibault
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odel rocketry has been used as a vehicle to introduce and stimulate interest in science for the last five decades. Tens of thousands of children have discovered the excitement and thrill of flight through teachers, youth organizations, and individual practitioners of the hobby. As a young boy, my curiosity was ignited by an Eagle Scout and good neighbor. Launches took place on dirt roads in our rural neighborhood just south of St. Cloud. A group of kids gathered around the launch pad as our Eagle Scout guided his bright yellow rocket gently down the launch rod and applied alligator clips to the ignition wire in the engine. Excitement gathered with wonder about the likelihood of success of the rocket ship: would it explode on the pad? Fly off in an uncontrollable path toward the crowd of Page 24
spectators? What would it take to make it to the moon? All good questions from budding science enthusiasts. The electric wires, attached to the rocket engine, ran across the ground to the "launch controller" fifteen feet away. The Eagle Scout loudly commanded onlookers to clear the area as the rocket engine was charged, and then the countdown commenced, starting at ten. The crowd joined in the countdown, tension mounting as the final command of "liftoff" was shouted in unison. The shiny yellow rocket with its clear payload sat majestically on the launchpad, as if frozen for an instant, but then a "hissing" sound, the fuel ignited, followed by flight. The white smoke formed a trail behind the climbing rocket; onlookers shouted with joy as they witnessed, firsthand, the miracle of flight.
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Within a matter of seconds, the rocket had climbed to a thousand feet, now a speck in the eyes of the crowd, who watched carefully as the rocket slowed its ascent. A burst of yellow smoke signaled the ejection of a black and yellow parachute, and the yellow rocket began its descent to Earth, drifting slowly down. Meanwhile, kids ran toward the potential landing spot to grab it before it hit the ground. Today's model rocketry offers the same discovery of flight with advances in model rocket kits and launch accessories. Model rocket kits are designed for different levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Cost ranges from less than ten dollars to hundreds of dollars for advanced high-power rockets. Launch equipment emphasizes safety with electronic launch controllers that prevent accidental launches. Advances in technology have increased the number of gadgets one can use in rocketry: tiny cameras can be attached to the body of the rocket that provide a bird's eye view of flight; altimeters measure the altitude; GPS can track and locate a highaltitude rocket; electronic timers can ignite a cluster of engines. Model rocketry does not require you to be a rocket scientist, but you can learn a lot of science from model rocketry. Kids discover Newton's laws of motion, principles behind the motion of the rocket, and they learn that a stable rocket flight requires sound adherence to aerodynamic laws. But this is just scratching the surface.
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The best way to find out is to purchase a kit, which includes engines and launch pad, then locate an open field. There are several good sites in the area; soccer and football fields are suitable sites for small rockets. However, a large rocket and powerful engine require a large field. Make sure to follow the recommendations for choice of engine in your model rocket and comply with the safety guidelines provided with all engines. Have a blast!
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The View from Down Here
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By Margaret Lanning
lost control and heard a sharp crack. As I twisted and landed hard on the cold ice, I knew. I just knew. Earlier that Saturday morning, I had gotten up and busied myself around the house before joining a friend for coffee. When I was finished, I pulled on my coat and stepped out the front door. She had just pulled into my driveway. I was looking forward to her company and a steaming mug of vanilla chai. Ice leached out onto my front sidewalk. I moved toward her car, stepping on the ice patch carefully, or so I thought. Suddenly my whole body jerked, and down I went with that sickening noise in my ears. I had broken a leg…again. Page 26
You see, seventeen years ago, when I lived on the northwest side of Willmar, I’d heard that same sound. I was hurrying back and forth between my detached garage and my back door carrying groceries and things I had bought for my sweet four-month-old son. At that time, I never saw the ice. When I hit it at a good pace, I slipped backward, broke my left leg multiple times, broke my ankle, and sprained the shoulder I landed on. I was 28. And here I was, older but apparently not wiser. My friend, my husband, and my three teenagers stood around me wishing they could do something to help. The police came, and an ambulance arrived. I reached the
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emergency room quickly, and the whole process of problem solving began. But I could have told them the generalities without any CT scans. Spiral fracture of the right tibia. Fracture of the fibula. Only one thing hurt worse than the physical pain—the shock of having broken my second leg. As I lay helpless in a hospital bed, wishing I were anywhere else, in walked my friend and pastor, Gary Esboldt. A few minutes later, another friend arrived as my attending physician, Dr. David Newcomer. Both of these men had surrounded me several decades earlier in an emergency room just like this one. Their faces were priceless. They wanted to know how I had done this…again. We joked, and I felt lightened a bit. What could we do but laugh? Later in the day, the surgeon placed a titanium rod in my right leg to match the one in my left. Soon, I was home managing pain around the clock and receiving meals, house cleaning, cards, prayers, gifts, flowers. I realized how important it was to remember not only
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the first leg break, but all the love that had flowed through our house back then. It was flowing again. I repeatedly told my heroic husband that he should have been a nurse. I thanked my kids constantly. I wrote over sixty notes to people who had participated in my healing in some way. We all prayed, cried, laughed, ate, and remembered together. And, oh yeah, my sweet friend came back with vanilla chai a few days later. We finally got our time together, though I couldn’t have predicted the setting. She was one of the many used to help break my fall, and I was grateful.
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It Seems to Me
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By Laurie McCabe
ast week I spent some serious quality time with my grandchildren at Disneyland! Along with my daughter and son-in-law, we enjoyed two days at the Happiest Place on Earth (my feet still hurt). And we had a grand time! The joy of seeing Disneyland’s wonders through a five-year-old’s and a two-yearold’s eyes was the stuff golden memories are made of. It was such a fun and exciting adventure, I decided to scrap my original column idea and write about the trip. But then I realized I’d already written about Disneyland in the January 2009 issue. The Page 28
theme of the column was how a small gesture on someone’s part can create forever memories for the recipient. So I decided to share that column again with a brief update.
Here it is: At one time or another, we’ve all uttered the phrase, “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me.” Those indelible moments tend to happen when we’re not expecting anything at all. Someone—a friend, family member, or even a stranger—gives with such generosity of spirit that we just know we will remember it forever.
Seasons of Minnesota
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This “nicest thing” moment could occur on a birthday or special holiday, but it could just as easily be a mundane Thursday evening or a busy Saturday afternoon. Or on a trip to Disneyland. When I was growing up, my family went to the Magic Kingdom once a year. Like most kids, sleep was difficult the night before, and waiting to leave the next morning was torture. (One year my dad actually washed the car first! I can still picture him methodically wiping down the left rear hubcap of the 1960 Ford Galaxie while completely ignoring my frantic squirms.) When we finally got to the park, my mom and I stood in line for a ride on the Storybook Land Canal Boats. For those unfamiliar with this gentle attraction, riders float through a serene outdoor waterway in a small motor-driven boat with a roofed box covering the engine at the rear of the craft. A guide is on board to point out the sights along the way. After all the passengers had boarded our boat, it was discovered that we were one seat short—for me. I was about five, too big to sit in my mom’s lap, so the young girl guide perched me up on the roof right next to her. This was too good to be true! As we floated through the canal looking at miniature scenes from famous Disney films, I felt like the most important girl in the world. But it got better. While narrating the ride to the other passengers (I was too excited to hear a word she said), that heaven-sent girl leaned over and picked a flower from one of the vines and handed it to me. I carried that flower for the rest of the day and even pressed it in a book when we got home.
May/June 2016
I often wonder if that Disneyland employee realized the life-long gift she had given me. It seems to me that “nicest thing” possibilities present themselves just about every day…especially when we open ourselves up to noticing them. Whether it’s a kind word, a helping hand, a compliment, or a truly special gift, the opportunities are there to help create a moment that will touch someone’s heart forever. And just so you know, Disneyland employees did not disappoint these so many years later. Several of them went out of their way to make our trip extra special—some of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me and my family. _________________________________________ How does it “seem” to you? Need some advice? Got a question or a suggestion for a future column? Please write me a note at dashelamet@yahoo.com and tell me about the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you.
Seasons of Minnesota
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Local Flavor
DIRECTIONS
Wash spinach in large colander; drain. Grate cheese. Set aside spinach and cheese. Add oil to a 12-inch skillet; heat over mediumhigh heat 1-3 minutes or until shimmering. Finely chop jalapeño; add jalapeño to skillet. Cook and stir 1 minute or until crisp-tender.
Press garlic into skillet with a garlic press; cook and stir 15-20 seconds or until fragrant. Add tomatoes, salt, and black pepper to skillet; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until simmering. Add ravioli; stir to coat. Cook, uncovered, 4-5 minutes or until tender. Stir cream into skillet.
Cook, uncovered, 1-2 minutes, or until simmering. Sprinkle spinach over ravioli; cook, covered, 1 minute or until spinach starts to wilt. Remove from heat. Top with cheese; cover and let stand 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted.
INGREDIENTS
4 cups loosely packed fresh baby spinach leaves 6 oz Provolone cheese 1 tbsp olive oil 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded 3 garlic cloves, pressed 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes with onions, undrained 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper 1 pkg small frozen cheese ravioli (about 65) 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream Page 30
Seasons of Minnesota
May/June 2016
Yield: 8 servings
May/June 2016
Seasons of Minnesota
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