2018
HOMETOWN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS MAKING A DIFFERNCE
SLAYTON, MN Carla Goedtke, RFC, CPFA, CSA 2648 Broadway Ave. Slayton, MN 244 W. Main Marshall, MN Securities offered through American Portfolio Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC Advisory Services through American Portfolios Advisors, Inc. SEC Registered Investment Advisor Investors Choice Financial Services Inc. is Independent of APFS and APAI
MATHEWS, MISSION, GROUNDBLINDS AND MORE!
Lynn A. Johnson Law Office, LLC LYNN A. JOHNSON Attorney at Law
We provide quality and efficient service
CHUCK SKALAK 2629 Broadway Ave. Slayton, MN 56172
2548 Broadway Ave. P: 507-836-6757 Slayton, MN 56172 F: 507-836-6773 lynnj1@frontiernet.net lynnjohnsonlaw.com
Groundblind.com - 1.866.250.2634 Phone: 507-393-0410
TJ Gertsema Store Manager
Floral & so much more! Sleepy Eye 507-794-2131
Bingham Lake 507-831-1106
Troy Winter Store Manager/Sales 1535 20th St. Slayton, MN 56172
Stop in to see our wide variety of gift items, home decor and memorial gifts
V
IP Floral & Garden Center 2539 20th Street/Hwy. 30, Slayton 507-836-8260 www.vipfloral.net M-F 8:30-5:00, Sat 8:30-3:00, Sun closed
Slayton 507-836-8571
800-658-2462 Cell: 507-760-0706 Fax: 507-836-8860 troyw@millersellener.com
email: m2@sturdevants.com mobile#: 507-329-0869 2795 20th Street, Slayton, MN 56172 Main: 507-836-8545 • Fax: 507-836-6067 Toll Free: 800-658-2462
The Hut Gift Shoppe DOWNTOWN SLAYTON
Unique Gifts, Home Decor, & Women’s Apparel
% OFF 0 2 O
E ITEM NE REG PRIC S 4-30-18
**EXPIRE
Find us on Facebook & Instagram Susan Isder / Emily Rosenbrook hutgiftshoppe@iw.net
507-836-6800
2525 20th St • Slayton 507.836.6464 Mon-Fri 8am-8pm Sat 8am-5pm Sun 9am-5pm
www.jims-market.com
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018 • PAGE 1
NIKKI CHESKIE — HEARTS AND HANDS
Dream comes true for Slayton woman known for her charity work
By Jenny Kirk
jkirk@marshallindependent.com
SLAYTON — It was always Nikki Cheskie’s dream to have her own charity someday. That day came to fruition just over a year ago when Hearts and Hands of Murray County was established. Since then, a lot of good has been accomplished through the local organization founded by Cheskie, a Slayton native. “I worked with the Salvation Army in Slayton for about 13 years and they’re a great organization, but I kind of felt like I wanted more local control,” Cheskie said. “So I said to my husband (Jeff), ‘I wish I could have my own charity, so I could make more decisions and help benefit more people locally.’ ” Cheskie said she was later approached by some women who were doing a Bible study and was told that they’d like to help if she planned on doing some type of good works. “I went to our Ministerial Association and asked if there was a church that could be the fiscal host so that we could be non-profit,” Cheskie said. “Three Ministries was a new church in town and agreed to be the fiscal host, so it all just came together last February.” A board of directors was quickly assembled after that. “I just felt like when you’re doing what God wants you to do, it works out,” Cheskie said. “People
really got behind it. I think they especially liked that it was all local.” Cheskie added that the name Hearts and Hands was based off the Biblical messages about loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, strength and mind as well as loving one's neighbor as yourself, though the organization itself is not strictly a religious one. “Our motto is sharing the love in our hearts through the work of our hands,” she said. “Hearts and Hands is not necessarily a religious organization, but the guiding force is sharing the love of Jesus Christ through active service.” For the most part, Cheskie said she wanted to be able to continue doing some of the same things she was doing for Salvation Army, but “not stepping on their toes” in the process. “It was a matter of someone else being able to hold the purse strings because I believed it had to be easier to do good works,” Cheskie said. “That was the inspiration behind it. So we did school supplies in the fall. Those were distributed by our local law enforcement people. We also continued with our Christmas gifts.” Cheskie credited Murray County for having a wonderful Christmas gift program for younger children. But years ago, she had noticed a need for teens in the area. That led to the start of The Angel Tree project in 2006. “I’m a social worker at the ele-
Photo by Jenny Kirk
Hearts and Hands of Murray County founder Nikki Cheskie poses alongside some of the donated dresses gathered for a Cinderella’s Closet project that assists teen girls in acquiring clothing and accessories for prom.
mentary school in Slayton and Lori Manderscheid Activity Scholthat’s what kind of got me inarship, named in memory of spired,” she said. “I had an older Cheskie’s “beloved” aunt who student come to me and say there passed away last year shortly bewasn’t going to be a Christmas at fore Hearts and Hands of Murray their family’s house that year. County was established. “The older kids get forgotten “Her husband, Rick, donated sometimes, which is really sad,” some money to help us get started,” Cheskie said. “That’s what Cheskie said. “It’s to help pay if prompted me to start that. It’s been kids have an activity fee, want to really fun. We have the kids’ wishes go to a camp, need basketball shoes on a tree and a lot of times, people or want to take piano lessons. come and that’s their tradition, to We’re open to other ideas as well. come choose a wish for a (nameIt’s so kids can be involved. We less) student on the tree.” haven’t had a ton of requests, but Cheskie said that a local woman it’s still new yet. We’re still getting — the late Anita Ackerman — had the word out on that one.” really gotten behind the teen ChristMost recently, teen girls had the mas gift effort. opportunity to take part in Cin“She passed on and we kind of derella’s Closet, a special prom named it in honor of her,” Cheskie shopping experience for young said. “We call it The Angel Tree. women from Murray County CenAnd we continue to do that through tral and Fulda. Hearts and Hands now.” Cheskie PAGE 2 One of the newer efforts is the
PAGE 2 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
Quality time is precious.
{
Don’t spend it worrying.
TOWN & COUNTRY AGENCY
}
“An Independent Insurance Agency”
www.tcamn.com MARSHALL • 105 South Market Street • 507-532-7538 RUSSELL • 300 Front St. • 507-823-4391 HANLEY FALLS • 110 N. 3rd St. • 507-768-3494 WOOD LAKE • 330 2nd Ave. • 507-485-3111
Cheskie FROM PAGE 1 “People donated prom dresses and I actually stopped into the Marshall bridal store and got some good bargains, too,” Cheskie said. “They hooked me up, so we had a bigger selection. We didn’t have a ton of girls this first year, but that's OK. We’re figuring it out as we go.” Along with having shoes, jewelry and other accessories available, the Cinderella’s Closet project also featured some discounted rates for the teen participants. “Our local VIP Floral gave the girls 50 percent off their flowers and a local gal agreed to meet with the girls and do their nails before prom,” Cheskie said. Flexibility is one of the best parts of the new organization, according to Cheskie. The Hearts and Hands board is able to make fast and fair decisions, she said. “I had a mom that had to leave a negative domestic situation and I was able to write out a check to help with a down payment on utilities,” she said. “Another time, there was a mom who was going through some stuff. She had five children. We just went and got her some groceries to tide her over.” Helping others is also one of the best parts. “It’s really neat,” Cheskie said. “There’s kind of a rush when you get to help people. It’s like a celebration. I feel like working at the school and seeing the needs was all part of this. The good Lord put me in a place where I could witness what the needs were and then put the resources in my hands to help out.” Cheskie shared praise for the support from area communities, some-
thing she said was absolutely necessary for the charity to function. “We sent letters out to churches and local organizations after Hearts and Hands was formed,” she said. “We received donations from several civic organizations and church groups. One church gave $1,000 and we had a local gal whose husband passed away who gave us $2,500 in his memory. It’s really awesome. I just can't say enough about how the community has gotten behind us financially.” Cheskie is also quick to credit the board members for their efforts. “My board jumps in and helps,” she said. “Part of the learning process for me is learning how to let people help.” Cheskie said she was also was grateful to her 14-year-old son, Kyle, who was especially helpful at Christmastime.. “God Bless him, he has to go with and help me a lot of the time,” Cheskie said. “My husband is in the Navy Reserve, so he’s gone sometimes. What I tell Kyle about helping people is that it’s not rocket science. Anyone can do it. You just have to make a conscious effort to do it.” While Cheskie downplays her own effort, others have taken notice of how much she does. The ladies at the Hut Gift Shoppe call her “the Angel of Murray County.” Shortly after finishing up the prom project, Cheskie said one of the women on the board asked her what they were going to be doing next. "I said there was nothing 'til fall, but I'm sure we'll figure out something," Cheskie said.
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018 • PAGE 3
CHUCK LINDEMANN — MARSHALL ROTARY
Working behind the scenes to make a worldwide impact By Mike Lamb
mlamb@marshallindependent.com
MARSHALL — Chuck Lindeman has never visited Afghanistan or Pakistan. But in a small way, he’s helping to make a major impact in those and other countries where polio still exists. Lindeman is helping make that impact happen through his membership in Rotary International. “We are an organization of business and professional people worldwide providing humanitarian services, high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world,” He said. Rotary, according to Lindemann, has set it sights on eliminating polio in the world. “We keep track of the polio in Afghanistan,” he said. “Teams go in. Immunizations days are planned. Vaccinators will vaccinate 37 million children across the country and in Pakistan. And this is going to coincide with the campaign in Afghanistan to interrupt the transmission of the virus across shared borders.” Lindemann is one of many Rotary members who work behind the scenes to raise money and awareness for the polio campaign and other humanitarian projects. Lindemann is a member of the Marshall Noon Rotary Club and is also an assistant to the district governor. But Lindemann said he’s not one
to stay in front of a group too long. He likes to work behind the scenes. “Basically, I just try to give out information. I’m not someone to present a whole program. I like to facilitate,” he said. Lindemann joined Rotary International in 1975 with the Canby club. “I was getting a business loan in Canby and the banker told me, ‘By the way, I want to see you Thursday noon at Randy’s Supper Club for Rotary meeting.’ I didn’t know what Rotary was. And they fired the banker two weeks later and I’m still in Rotary,” he said. In 1982, Lindemann moved his family and photography business to Marshall and he joined the Marshall club. “I have been pretty much in the backseat all the time. I stayed in the back row for probably 10 years. I was president (of Marshall Noon club) in ’94 and ’95. And then I was president about three years ago,” he said. Besides assisting the district governor, Lindemann is also heavily involved with a Rotary program that collects donated wheelchairs that are delivered to a South Dakota prison. Inmates there refurbish the donated wheelchairs so they can be given to disabled people in need. “I always say we are the best in what we do. We kind of have a motto ‘one foot local, one foot global,’ ” he said. “So we do a lot
Photo by Mike Lamb
Longtime Marshall Rotarian Chuck Lindemann attends a weekly noon meeting at Shay’s Restaurant and Lounge in Marshall.
of things locally, then we also sponsor a school in Tanzania for just the poorest of the poor which was started by Rotarian in Australia a few years back. We started in 1988 with polio in 125 countries with 350,000 cases. Now we are down to probably 12 (cases) or so. We work with the Gates Foundation, World Health Organization and local governments. And again, this is all volunteer.” Lindemann said Rotary can make a difference in the world because it has 33,000 clubs in 200 counties with 1.2 million members. “We all volunteer time and talents to serve communities,” he said. Lindemann was born in Dawson and moved to Ohio for a period of time before returning to Minnesota. His wife, Monica is a pharmacy technician at ShopKo. He has also has three children. His oldest, Chad, is an art professor in Milwaukee. His daughter, Cerissa, is a
first-grade teacher in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Callin is a diesel mechanic and lives in Ghent. He also has four grandchildren. No longer operating a photography business, Lindemann now works in property management. “I’m still in the people business with working with tenants in apartments,” he said. “I work my schedule around Rotary. I told (employer) I have to have every Tuesday off between probably 11:30 to 12:30 because I have a Rotary meeting to go to. They said fine, they like I’m doing my civic duty.” Lindemann expects to continue his involvement in Rotary for years to come. “One thing about Rotary, we are completely non-political and completely non-religious so we can go in and do things where politics and religions are always a problem,” he said. “It's (Rotary) is the best value for my time and monetary investment.”
PAGE 4 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
MINNEOTA Home of Boxelder Bug Days!
Gislason’s DEPARTMENTS
Paint & paint supplies Greeting Cards Housewares &&&&%$#&"!& & " & ! Lawn & Garden &&&& !& &
SERVICES
Tools !" " Plumbing Builders ! & & &&& " ! & &
! &
&&&& & " & ! &&&& !& ! "! ! & ! &&&& ! & ! &&&& !& "& ! & & &&&&&&&& ! & ! &&&& & ! & Rent Pex Crimping Tools
Check us out on Facebook under “Gislason Ace Hardware�
Brad’s Market
The
ArchedDoor Like The Arched Door on Facebook
Fashion & Home Decor
106 E. 1st St. • Minneota, MN • 872-6472 M-F 7:30am-5:30pm, Sat. 7:30am-4:00pm
507-872-5183
MINNEOTA BUILDING MATERIALS, INC. • Competitive Prices • FREE Estimates • Materials On Hand
507-872-6147
115 West 1st Street • Minneota, MN • www.mbmminneota.com
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018 • PAGE 5
VANHECKE, BUYSSE — FRIENDS OF LIBRARY Leading Minneota group’s board in running another successful Chocolate Affair By Karin Elton
kelton@marshallindependent.com
MINNEOTA — The Friends of the Minneota Library’s annual fundraiser, a Chocolate Affair, has been put to bed for another year. The group’s largest fundraiser is always popular and successful, but it is hard work to coordinate. “It takes a lot of planning,” said Katie VanHecke, who has been a Friends of the Minneota Library members since its inception. “The members make the chocolate and several of the library board members do as well.” Van Hecke, who is the group’s vice president, nor Gary Buysse, the president, say the Friends of the Minneota Library started in “2001 or 2002.” The two are among the 15 or so members who meet monthly at the library. About “seven or eight” people show up regularly at the meetings and the rest help out when needed. VanHecke and Buysse said the group is always looking for new members, especially younger members. “If we had 20 to 25 members we’d be good,” said Buysse. The group conducts fund-raisers throughout the year such as the
Chocolate Affair and silent auction, which this year was Feb. 10, and the bake sale which takes place during Box Elder Days, the second weekend in September. “Quite a few library board members help out with the fund-raisers, too,” said VanHecke. The Friends of the Minneota Library are responsible for seeing that the window display in front of the building gets change seasonally. “We line up people to do that,” said VanHecke. The group also has sponsored authors who have come to read from their books. “We’ll make cookies for the event,” VanHecke said. If there is a Plum Creek event, the Friends of the Minneota Library will help out with that as well. Mainly the group has been focused on its biggest accomplishment by far — the refurbishing the former Big Store location in downtown Minneota to accommodate the Minneota Public Library. The funds were received from grants. “Members did the grant-writing,” VanHecke said. The library opened in its new quarters three years ago. “We started (renovations) in the
Photo by Karin Elton
Katie VanHecke and Gary Buysse sit on a bench in the middle of the newly-renovated Minneota Public LIbrary. The two are among the members of the Friends of the Minneota Library which works to provide extra amenities for the library.
basement,” said Buysse. “We needed to shore up the columns.” Other remodeling included taking out the old furnace, buying a couple dehumidifiers and then on the main floor they had to patch the plaster walls. They bought a fire-
place and refurbished and built new bookshelves, pictures for the walls and new lighting. The group’s future goals include “fixing the elevator so that the opera hall on the second floor can be used,” said VanHecke.
CANBY
PAGE 6 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
FIRST SECURITY BANK CANBY 204 SAINT OLAF AVE N CANBY, MN 56220-1374 507-223-5866 www.truevalue.com
Proud sponsor of the L.A. Amundson Scholarship Program PO Box 70 • 102 St. Olaf Ave. N Canby, MN 56220 Phone: 507-223-7231 • Fax: 507-223-7470
C.A.S.
PLUMBING HEATING -- & -APPLIANCE
110 2nd St. West Canby, MN 56220 507-223-5763
AUTHORIZED LENNOX SALES AND SERVICE WHIRLPOOL AND MAYTAG APPLIANCE SHOWROOM WATER SOFTENER SALES, RENTAL AND INSTALLATION
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018 • PAGE 7
D & K RV SALES Wildwood, Heritage Glen, Impact - Toy Haulers
Service, Parts & Accessories
507-223-7518 Doug & Kathy Sik
DREAMS BEGIN AT HOME. Because with the right support, any dream is possible. And there’s no better insurance than that
Let’s talk today. Charles Fennell, Agent cfennell@amfam.com 206 W College Dr, Marshall Bus: (507) 532-3107
105 1st St E, Canby Bus: (507) 223-7286
Access Anytime: 1-800-MYAMFAM (800-692-6326 American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. and it’s Operating Companies, American Family Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 013589 - Rev. 6/17 ©2017 - 6931988
We’re the competition AMST R
Independent Oil. Co. Canby, Minnesota Tim Hentges
507-223-5942 GAS - DIESEL - LP Check us out!
CANBY
PAGE 8 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
GENE BIES — CANBY LIONS CLUB
Camaraderie, meeting new people big reason for his involvement since 1970s
By Deb Gau
dgau@marshallindependent.com
CANBY — Gene Bies said being part of his local Lions club has been a positive experience. Positive enough that Bies was part of the group for 15 or 20 years, and then came back again a few years ago after a hiatus, he said. The people have been a big reason Bies enjoys being part of the Lions, and have kept him coming back, he said. “It’s the feeling of the camaraderie, and meeting new people,” he said. “That’s been the fun part of it.” The Canby Lions Club was chartered in the 1970s, Bies said, and he joined around 1977. Bies had come to Canby while working for Otter Tail Power, and he said it was his mentor, Gene Fritz, who encouraged him to join the Lions. Over the years, Bies said, he’s not only taken part in club activities, but he’s also been part of leadership. He’s been club president twice, he said — “But in smaller
clubs, that’s the way it works.” The Canby Lions have a variety of service projects and fundraisers in the community, Bies said. Members help run the concessions stand at the high school football field. “That’s really been one of the ones where we’ve done well,” Bies said. Being able to do concessions at Canby school sports events helps take some of the pressure off other groups to find volunteers, he said. The Canby Lions also served hot chocolate at Canby’s Hometown Holidays event in December. The hot drinks turned out to be a big hit, he said. “We were shocked at the number of people who bought hot chocolate,” Bies said. A lot of the club’s fundraising work is about reinvesting in Canby, Bies said. “You have to go out and earn those dollars, and put them back into the community,” he said. Bies said the group has contributed to local causes including the Canby Blue and Gold Foundation, and school groups.
BRAD MEULEBROECK
Photo by Deb Gau
Gene Bies has been a longtime member of the Canby Lions. Bies said the club’s community activities, and the people he’s met, have kept him coming back through the years.
Being part of the Canby Lions has also meant pitching in with service projects, Bies said. The group has done highway cleanup along part of U.S. Highway 75 south of Canby for the past several years, he said. The Lions have even supported Canby High School’s after-prom activities. Bies said it was important to be able to help keep local youth safe on prom night — even if he might not be up to serving as a volunteer at the event anymore. “Staying up until five in the morning wouldn’t be as much fun as it used to be,” Bies joked. Through the Lions Clubs International, the Canby club also helps support a number of sight and hear-
ing programs, Bies said. “We like to stay in the community, but at the same time we do support the international program,” he said. Keeping a community club active in a small town does have challenges, Bies said. People seem to be a lot busier than they were in the past. However, Bies said he thought the Canby Lions club has grown over the past few years, especially after the organization allowed members’ spouses to join. “I think it’s more the togetherness,” and the chance to get to know community members, that people enjoy about being part of the Lions, he said.
DELIVERING A GREAT NIGHT SLEEP, FOR LESS
brad@colemanelect.com
905 E. Southview Marshall, MN 56258 O: 507-532-2420 C: 507-829-1505
www.TheMattressBarn.com Owners Brenan & Laura Clark
Open Mon-Fri: 10am-8pm, Sat: 10am-4pm, Sun. 12pm-4pm
1507 East College Dr., Marshall, MN (Next to Mike’s cafe) • 507-828-2409
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018 • PAGE 9
J.P. PRINGLE — FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
Enjoys making donations to youth activities in Hanley Falls By Jody Isaackson
jissackson@marshallindependent.com
HANLEY FALLS – J.P. Pringle is the chief executive officer of the Firemen’s Relief Association for one of the tiniest towns in southwest Minnesota with a fire department, Hanley Falls. The Hanley Falls Fire Department has about 22 members most of whom are also active in the relief association. The communityminded things they do with their relief association are often overlooked, said secretary Josh Brusven. The HFFD Firemen’s Relief Association is a non-profit organization that has been contributing to the area communities in big ways, firefighter Rob Stengel said. “The Hanley Falls Fireman’s Relief Association has been going to great lengths to help other organizations thrive in many ways,” Stengel Said. The organizations that the HFFRA has been able to donate to comprise area schools, area youth activities and area veterans’ programs. Pringle’s favorite part about working with the HFFRA is making donations to youth activities. “Without our donations, some of the groups like Hanley Falls youth baseball wouldn’t exist,” Pringle said. “We also contribute to the backpack program (weekend food assistance) at Lakeview School and help pay for the Hanley Falls Fire Hall.”
“We do donate quite a bit to the youth baseball team in Hanley Falls,” Brusven, said, “and have for as long as I remember.” The relief association has been around for many years. It started with the support of the local patrons of Hanley Falls and surrounding areas by playing pull-tabs for the past several years. “A percentage of the money made has to be given back or donated in certain ways, according to the gaming laws,” Stengel said. “We have been able to give back to the Hanley Falls Youth activities and organizations since the association was started,” Stengel said. “Fortunately, every year the HFFRA has gotten bigger and better, which means more funds are able to be given back.” The HFFRA started off small, only in Hanley Falls, and has grown to where it now expands into the Cottonwood and Granite Falls communities. The Hanley Falls Fireman’s Relief Association is currently set up at the Hanley Falls Liquor Store, LeRoy’s in Cottonwood, The Golf Course, Granite Falls Bowling Alley and The Rock in Granite Falls. There they offer pull-tabs, e-tabs, tip boards (pull-tabs with extra prizes like meat bundles) and a variety of raffles. “It is important to remember that of all the money people use to play, a portion is given back to great or-
ganizations such as these listed,” Stengel said. In the last few years, the association has been able to donate thousands of dollars back to these communities from these fundraising activities, Pringle said. In addition to working with all the projects of the HFFRA and conducting monthly relief association meetings, Pringle also makes monthly reports to the Hanley Falls City Council to keep them abreast of the organization’s progress and successes.
Submitted photo
J.P. Pringle is chief executive officer of the Fireman’s Association in Hanley Falls.
PAGE 10 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
TRACY, MN Bonnie & Clyde’s
LUNCH • DINNER • DRINKS 101 3rd Street Tracy, MN
507-212-4700
Mon-Sat 11am-1am Sun 10am-11pm
Insurance including: •Auto •Home •Farm •Crop •Annuities •Life •Health •Commercial •Long Term Care
Brian Lanoue • elect@iw.net 25 Years of Sales & Service 168 4th Street, Tracy, MN 507-629-4250 or 888-629-4250
WHAT’S INSIDE MATTERS®
Tracy has something for everyone!
PRAIRIE WOMEN’S EXPO
Sat., April 14th VMC, Downtown Tracy 9 am - 3 pm
91st BOX CAR DAYS
Matthew J. Knakmuhs
Broker Insurance & Real Estate
Real Estate: Tracy - 507-629-4618 Walnut Grove - 507-859-2154 Insurance: Tracy: 507-629-3084 Walnut Grove: 507-859-2154
Greg Carlson Agent Insurance
www.knakmuhsagency.com
Ask us about catering off-site!
Fri., Aug 31- Mon., Sept 3 Tracy Visit www.tracymn.org Find us on Facebook
Banquet • Dining • Catering • Lounge
1045 Craig Avenue, Tracy, MN
507-212-0999
Open at 4:30pm Mon-Sat Serving Lunch M-F 11-2 • Sunday Breakfast 8-11
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2017 • PAGE 11
JIM QUIGLEY/ TONY PETERSON — EAGLE’S
People helping people is motto followed in Tracy community By Jenny Kirk
jkirk@marshallindependent.com
TRACY ─ People helping people is the motto for the Fraternal Order of Eagles (F.O.E.), more commonly known as the Eagle's Club, and in Tracy, Aerie 3918 prides itself on doing just that. “We try to keep that going strong,” said Jim Quigley, a Tracy Eagles member for the past 25 years. “We’re always trying to help the community. I like the socializing part of it and the good it does for the community.” Quigley, who has also been employed at Midwest Supply for more than 25 years, said the Tracy Eagles contributes financially through scholarships and to organizations such as the food shelf, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as well as to fire departments, ambulance crews and law enforcement. “We’re non-profit, so anything we make, we get rid of during the year,” he said. “We give to these organizations, to help them out with whatever they need. We get letters from different places, but we try to stay as local as we can.” Tony Peterson, a Tracy Eagles member since 2002, said the club does donate to a few outside organizations. “We did do the flags for Fort Snelling,” Peterson said. “They wanted to get 100,000 flags before Memorial Day. It’s not 100 percent
local. Our focus is local, but we do contribute to a few national programs, too.” The Jimmy Durante Children’s Fund, dedicated to improving the life of youth and named in honor of legendary entertainer Jimmy Durante, is also supported by Aerie 3918. “That’s a biggie,” Quigley said. “And that all comes out of membership.” F.O.E., an international fraternal organization that was founded on Feb. 6, 1898 in Seattle, Washington, by a group of six theater owners, donates more than $10 million annually to local communities, fundraisers and charities. As part of its philosophy, it gives back 100 percent of money raised. The Tracy Eagles Club has been active for 38 years, having been organized on April 20, 1980. “We’re a good community club that helps the community,” Quigley said. “We give as much as we can when we can. Our business goes up and down just like everybody else’s, so if we’ve got the money, we donate it. If we don’t, we tell them to come back later and maybe we can help them. We support Let’s Go Fishing every year,” he said. “Folks that have a medical crisis that pops up, if they approach us, we donate to that, too. That’s for sudden losses and that type of thing.”
Photo by Jenny Kirk
Proud Tracy Eagles Club members Tony Peterson, left, and Jim Quigley pose for a photo recently.
The F.O.E. grew quickly after being found 120 years ago, becoming a leader in influencing national politics, pushing to create Mother’s Day and eventually Social Security and Medicare. Members received free medical attention for themselves and their families, weekly payments in case of sickness and a funeral benefit as well. “There’s benefits for people who are emergency medical service personnel, if they get killed in the line of duty,” Peterson said. “That’s through the national program and
it's a benefit for survivors. It’s the cheapest insurance there is and you still get to help people.” Peterson added that veterans and people who are emergency responders can join the Eagles cost-free for the first year. “They don't have to pay the initiation fee or dues even though it’s inexpensive anyway compared to other organizations,” he said. According to business manager Ruth Sanders, the Tracy Eagles curEagle’s PAGE 13
PAGE 12 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
MARILYN LEACH — MAFAC
Helped get Marshall Area Fine Arts Council started By Cindy Votruba
cvotruba@marshallindependent.com
Photo by Cindy Votruba
Marilyn Leach is a longtime supporter of Marshall Area Fine Arts Council.
MARSHALL — Marilyn Leach of Marshall thinks her children played a role in getting her involved with the Marshall Area Fine Arts Council in the first place. Her daughter is involved with dance, and her son is involved with theater, and Leach herself has done art with her medieval brass rubbings. She's even taught classes on the art form. According to MAFAC co-presidents Carol Purrington and Becky Wyffels, MAFAC is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to presenting art exhibitions and per-
Your Hometown Printer Since 1926 1926
1940
1980 to Present
A.J. Henle,
Ray Henle
Mike Henle
Founder
Making first impressions for three generations™ 601 Jewett St., Marshall www.henleprinting.com
T: 800-491-4493 F: 507-532-4494
formances, promoting local artistic talents and providing educational experiences. Back in 1988, Leach said she was involved with the first “incarnation” of MAFAC. Charlotte Wendel had noticed the house on the corner of Seventh Street and Marshall Street had come up for sale. She got a group of people together saying it would be great for Marshall to have an arts center, and a meeting took place at St. James Episcopalian Church. “People decided we would form an arts center,” Leach said. The organization got started and funds began to be raised, Leach said. Leach said she was also involved with the Prairie Dance Alliance. “That original group focused on concerts,” Leach said. MAFAC has been active since 1996, and some time later, the arts center was established on Marshall’s Main Street. The arts center is now located at 109 N. Third St. in downtown Marshall. “I came back on board,” Leach said. The focus of MAFAC was local artists and displaying their work and bringing concerts into town, Leach said. Leach was on the MAFAC board from 1997-1999, and after she retired, she returned to the board in 2012. She serves as the board’s treasurer. “I just like the idea,” Leach said about MAFAC’s purpose. “There
seemed to be so much art in the area.” Besides the exhibit area, MAFAC has a variety of art for sale in the gift shop, where area artists sell jewelry, paintings, pottery, photography, and more. Judy Skogen displays the works in the gift shop. The Read Local program is included in the gift shop, and Dana Miller, the Read Local chair, organizes book talks at MAFAC, the co-presidents said. The exhibits at MAFAC are “wonderful,” Leach said, and feature individual artists to high school students in Lyon County. MAFAC displays the works of individual artists every six weeks, the co-presidents said, which show a variety of mediums, from painting to photography to mixed media. Exhibit chair Alma Hale organizes and displays the art. MAFAC also has a concert series, the co-presidents said, which consists of four performances throughout the season. Some of the past performances include the Vienna Boys Choir, Vocal Essence and John Davidson. “For a reasonable cost,” community members are able to experience high quality entertainment unique to our area,” the co-presidents said. Kim Christianson and Sandy Wyffels chair the performance committee. Education is also a vital part of MAFAC, the co-presidents said. MAFAC has offered residencies Leach PAGE 13
Eagles FROM PAGE 11 rently have 72 members. Sanders added that the local Eagles Auxiliary disbanded recently. “I was a charter member of Auxiliary,” she said. “We had 42 members when we disbanded about two years ago.” At roughly the same time, the national organization began allowing women to join F.O.E., which previously had been all-male membership. “The main reason we lost our Auxiliary is because you can’t get many young people to get interested,” Quigley said. “It’s tough.” Peterson said the struggle seems to be similar for most other organizations in the area. “People are so busy doing other things,” he said. “There’s too many
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018 • PAGE 13
distractions. “For every new member, we’ve probably lost three who had been there longer than 10 years,” Peterson said. Peterson and Quigley, who serve as two of the three trustees for the Tracy Eagles, hope membership continues its upward trend and avoids a similar fate as the Auxiliary. Peterson said it’s a series of hurdles. “The first hurdle is getting them to sign up,” he said. “The second hurdle is to get them to a meeting or get them involved in something. It’s that in any organization. Once you get that core 10 percent to start doing things, more things happen. Then as the total number goes up, that 10 percent grows. Right now, a lot of the work load is being shared
by about five or six people.” Members are still encouraged to help out with as much as they can. Quigley noted that there are meetings where he has to be gone and that farmers are obviously less active during planting and harvest seasons. Peterson said having a larger membership would help so that other people can make up that difference when it’s needed. “People just don’t want to be in charge of anything anymore,” Peterson said. “They just want things done for them. But on the flipside, they don’t want (the organization) to go away. But sometimes, if people don’t’ step up, it’s gone for everyone.” The Tracy Eagles Club is open
most days from 5-10 p.m. “If it’s busy, we stay open longer,” Quigley said. “If it’s dead, we lock up and go home. We do serve food, but not a regular menu. We have a breakfast buffet on the third Sunday and we have a steak feed on the first Friday of the month, but there’s pizzas and over the bar type stuff, too.” The Eagles Club is open to anyone. “You don’t have to be a member to come to the meetings,” Quigley said. “I started out socializing and then went to a couple of meetings. Pretty soon I ended up an officer and it’s been that way ever since. We need people involved. We’re in an upswing right now, so that’s good.”
Leach FROM PAGE 12 with area public schools and has had painting classes at the arts center. “We will also be teaming up with Marshall Community Services this spring to offer several arts classes for the community,” they said. MAFAC has also worked with the city of Marshall in spearheading the completion of three murals in the downtown area, done by professional artists, as well as the Mrs. Whitney sculpture and the sculpture at the Red Baron Arena. During the summer, MAFAC provides four free concerts at Liberty Park, the co-presidents said, which includes performances by such local groups as the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra and the Route 68 Big Band. Networking with other arts organizations is something MAFAC
does as well, Leach said. That includes the ability to attend concerts in other communities with the annual concert series. “It keeps us very much focused,” Leach said. The MAFAC board meets once a month. There are also a few MAFAC committees, including the exhibit committee, Read Local and the performance committee. As treasurer, Leach said she does the monthly executive board update. “We track income and expenses for each of the committees,” she said. Leach will be the board’s treasurer until the end of the year. She said JoAnne Fraunfelder has been shadowing her in the position. But Leach plans to be part of MAFAC in some form. “I like volunteering here,” Leach said.
Call 507.537.9234 for a tour
Making a Difference in our Community
Love Where You Live
PAGE 14 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
COTTONWOOD
Cottonwood, MN • 507-423-5601
Extreme Panel
Cottonwood Body Shop
TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
STRUCTURAL INSULATED PANELS
S
terling
ne Right! o D s 800.977.2635 P I S extremepanel.com
Cottonwood, MN
Cottonwood Economic Development Authority (EDA)
Equipment & Repair
' ( ( ( % * !&'#* & *' &'
It isn’t far for great Residential, Industrial & Commercial Opportunities! For more information on properties available, contact the Cottonwood EDA at 507-423-6488 or charlie@cityofcottonwoodmn.com Cottonwood EDA, 78 W. Main St., PO Box 106, Cottonwood, MN www.cityofcottonwoodmn.com
Taylor Benson - Owner
507-423-5431 • Cottonwood, MN
AUTOMOTIVE Body Repair +*)('&%$&'# "! %%( '% !! & ' Frame Repair
BOATS TRUCKS & * #! %%(+* & $** ( * !(+* & ( "*!( (+* & +*)('&%$&'# ! &' ( *! &'# ' ( ! % &'#
Geihl
onstruction, Inc. Paul Geihl, Owner Cottonwood, MN 507-423-6458 www .geihlconstruction.com
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018 • PAGE 15
COTTONWOOD 67 E. 2nd St. N Cottonwood (507) 423-5492
www.midcontinentcabinetry.com
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE
! !
! ! ! ! ! !
! !
Your local C-Store and More! Cottonwood, MN • 423-6282
Cottonwood Co-op Oil Company
PAGE 16 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
COTTONWOOD United Southwest Bank Cottonwood
111 West Main Street • 507.423.6285
Marshall
1403 East College Drive • 507.532.9151
Vesta
176 South Broadway • 507.762.3111
Hanley Falls
101 First Street North • 507.768.3600
We can supply all the materials for that
Stop out at the Cottonwood Building Center
31 East Main Street • Cottonwood, MN • 507-423-6227
2x2
FIELDCREST ASSISTED LIVING
80 EAST VERMILLION ST. • COTTONWOOD, MN • 507-423-6691 email: fieldcrest@fieldcrest.info • www.fieldcrestcottonwood.com
Jeseritz Electric Residential, Farm, Commercial Wiring & Trenching
FREE ESTIMATES • Jon Jeseritz
507-828-8464 • Cottonwood License #EA002903
www.unitedswbank.com
INSURANCE SERVICE AGENCY
Farm 2X4 Home Auto Business DEREK DAHL, OWNER
(507) 423-6215
68 West Main Street Cottonwood, MN 56229 derekd@starpoint.net
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018 • PAGE 17
PAUL GEIHL — SPORTSMEN’S CLUB Cottonwood area man knows how to ‘get ‘er done’ By Jody Isaackson
jisaackson@marshallindependent.com
COTTONWOOD — Cottonwood Area Sportsmen’s Club is synonymous with its leader Paul Geihl. Geihl is active in a number of Cottonwood area organizations that help the community in a variety of ways. For the past several years, the Cottonwood Area Sportsmen’s Club has been taking veterans and disabled children fishing just to name a couple of its major projects. Geihl was right there in the thick of things using his organizational skills to keep things flowing. “Paul Geihl is one of the planners on the veterans trips,” club trip organizer and American Heroes Outdoors Ambassador Lance Peterson said. “He gives it his all. It’s hard to explain how much he gives back to the community. The guy would give the shirt off his back in order for you to succeed.” While the club members are proud of their sponsorship of these fishing trips, the leaders shy away from any personal publicity, much like the unassuming Geihl. “He’s a huge asset to me,” Peterson of Wood Lake, said. “Paul has been president of the Cottonwood Area Sportsmen’s Club for almost 34 years and was fire chief for over 30. When it comes to creativity and a ‘get ‘er done’ attitude, that’s him.” This veterans trip was first
started when Peterson received a monetary donation from an anonymous source, but couldn’t put the trip on by himself. He let Geihl in on it, he said, and Geihl suggested running it by the sportsmen's club to see if any of them would help. “There’s not a possible way I could’ve done this without Paul Geihl,” Peterson said. “Paul said, ‘Let’s put it before the club,’ and we got connected to Fishing Has No Boundaries, and got ‘er done.” Since then, the active club has taken a number of veterans to Canada over the past couple years to honor them for their service to their country. Peterson and Geihl make the veterans fishing trips happen, like the one they took Delvin Hunter of Vesta on last summer. They book up Arnesen’s Rocky Point in Baudette/Warroad. “This year, we’re flying just World War II vets to Baudette/Warroad,” club member and veteran Ray Pederson said. “This will be my third trip.” They have also taken a number of disabled persons fishing on Cottonwood Lake as a service to the community with Fishing Has No Boundaries, Pederson said. Additionally, this club maintains aerators on area lakes over the winter to prevent winter kill of fish. “Paul really is the spark plug that gets this club going,” Pederson said. “He helps the community in
File photo
Winner of the 2017 Conservation and Sportsmanship Award, Lance Peterson of Wood Lake, is receiving a plaque from club president Paul Geihl.
so many ways. He’s a great leader and gets the guys to follow along.” Cottonwood City Administrator Charlie Seipel recalls meeting Geihl for the first time and has since discovered that Geihl puts as much commitment into community service using his day job. “I met Paul shortly after I took the position of Community Development Coordinator in Cottonwood, about 11 years ago,” Seipel said. “In the community, Paul is a general contractor and works on various projects in Cottonwood. He and his staff have an office/shop over on East 4th Street North.” “Paul and his son, Aaric, were involved early on with the Community Center renovation project, when the Community Center Committee was looking for help to put together new floor plan options to present to the city council,” Seipel said. “The Geihls presented the committee with various options to choose from and the committee selected the layout that they and the city felt would best serve the facility. Once the project was gearing up, Paul devoted many hours to fi-
nalize the building specifications and worked with the city and state on the permitting process.” Once the project commenced, Geihl was instrumental in working with the project architect, the city, the community center committee and the contractors involved with this project, Seipel said. “Because of the many hours that Paul has put into the project he has saved the city a lot of time and money and has pulled this project together. Paul has also worked with the local Sportsman’s Club to purchase a new stove and hood vent that will be installed in the new community center kitchen.” Seipel said. “ I honestly don’t know how we could have carried out the vision that the city and the community center committee had for this project without him.” The city administrator said he was pretty certain the remodeling of the Cottonwood Community Center would be completed by March 17 when the Cottonwood Area Sportsmen’s Club plans to hold its annual wild game feed. The wild game feed is the club’s main fundraiser.
PAGE 18 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
DENNIS JENSEN — AMERICAN LEGION Minneota hometown hero considers himself one of the lucky ones
By Jody Isaackson
jisaackson@marshallindependent.com
TYLER — Korean War Veteran Dennis Jensen was one of the lucky ones. Not only did he return from service in Korea, but he had won a coin flip to stay in camp on the day that one of his buddies step on a roadside bomb on the excursion. “We flipped a nickel and I won,” Jensen said. “He had to go. He got schrapnel all up and down his leg.” It could have been worse. Many war victims got home in body bags, if at all. But Jensen said this buddy considered himself the lucky one. “He kept laughing,” Jensen said. “When asked why, he said he got to go to Hawaii to take care of his leg. He was a Johnson from Minnesota, but I don’t remember his first name.” After his two years in the Army, Jensen said one of his many jobs was as a truck driver. He had a load to the Minnesota town where this buddy lived, so he stopped for a brief visit. “He limps a little, but otherwise was getting along pretty well,” he said. Jensen was in the Army for two years, from 1952-53, serving as the company clerk for most of the time. He duties included developing work details/groups and filling out and filing multiple forms. When he was drafted, they shipped out of Seattle on a big ship that took 10-11 days to get to Korea. Jensen said he did not get seasick but several soldiers did. “When I visited Japan, at that time it was really poor,” Jensen said. He had gone there for chemical training (long before Agent Orange came out). He didn’t mind talking about his unit moving up and down from the east side to the west side
of Korea when he was there. Every time they got close to the front lines, there was a nice trade-off for being that close to the shelling. “It was a cold place,” Jensen said. “Almost like Minnesota. We lived in tents and slept in sleeping bags. Near the 38th Parallel, the buildings were well-built and held in the heat. It was nice.” Back then, a soldier never new how much mail they would get or when it would arrive. Often it was very little and far between, he said. On the homefront, after Jensen joined the Tyler Legion, he has participated in uncounted number of parades, gun salutes for funerals and serving at the Legion bar during town celebrations and wedding receptions. One Feb. 22, Jensen was recognized as a 50year member of the Tyler American Legion Post 185. He received a certificate commemorating the occasion. “It would have been longer, but I didn’t sign up for membership right away when I got back to Tyler,” he said. Having graduated from Tyler High School just prior to going into the service, Jensen did not have an opportunity to go to college, but did not have any trouble finding jobs after he left the Army. In the years in between, Jensen took on a bookkeeping job with Lincoln County Co-op Company, which is a story in itself. “They’re not in business anymore,” Jensen said. “I worked for them for about 30 years total.” Jensen spun a story about how the company management came up with the idea he knew wouldn’t work, so he left the company for some time. “I was office manager to start with, then I got to be manager,” he said. “Then they decided on some expansion that I knew wouldn’t work,
Photo by Jody Isaackson
Jensen was recognized as a 50-year member of the Tyler American Legion Post 185. He received the certificate he is holding to commemorate the occasion on Feb. 22.
so I quit. Then, they went broke, and then they hired me back as manager. I worked from 1986 until I retired. I retired in 1996.” During the years he didn’t work for the co-op, he still worked for area co-ops as a troubleshooter. “I worked everywhere, working at a lot of different jobs in between,” he said. “Hendricks’ went broke, too, so I went up there and got their books together and got it ready for sale.” Jensen basically did the same thing for another area town’s cooperative.
T Y L E R
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018 • PAGE 19
Lyon-Lincoln Electric Cooperative (800) 927-6276 (507)-247-5505
www.llec.coop
115 W Lincoln Tyler, MN 507-247-5578
Your Touchstone EnergyÂŽ Cooperative LW6
NMLS #819027 Mail: PO Box 430 Tyler, MN 56178-0430 www.csbtyler.com 800-289-5379 Fax: 507-247-5532 Phone: 507-247-5531 E-Mail: gen@csbtylermn.com
Home OfďŹ ce: 111 N. Tyler St. Tyler, MN 56178
The power of human connectionsÂŽ
215 W Bradley St. Tyler, MV 56178 DECOR+MORE
{507 . 530 . 0653}
Gregory L. Peter NMLS#819714
Tyler Body Shop Ph. 507-247-5513
Tyler, MN
Jason Brust
Tyler Body Shop wants to be Your Choice for Professional Collision Repair & Glass Replacement
507-247-5546 Phone 507-858-7075 Cell 507-247-5548 Fax
Assisting farmers, families, and businesses, since 1996 with customized: Call us for a #"
!
" FREE consultation: #" " #"! " 507.247.4700 #" " or toll free Five MN Locations: #"! " " " 877.492.6620 • Dawson, MN #" " www.millerlegal.com • Rosemount, MN *Helping families to keep the farm in the family* #" "
PAGE 20 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
NORMA SIVERSON — HENDRICKS LITERARY
Women’s organization meeting monthly for almost 60 years By Karin Elton
kelton@marshallindependent.com
Norma Siverson of Hendricks has been a member of the Hendricks Literary Club since its inception in 1960. A federated women’s club, the members meet monthly at a local retirement facility. “Four of the members have apartments there,” said Siverson, who is 99 years of age and lives in her own home. The club started out with 21 members and annual dues were $3. Nowadays the club has about 12 members and dues are $20. “We put $2 in a tin cup every meet-
ing too,” Siverson said. The money is used to fund a variety of community projects from scholarships to street signs. “We give away money at the end of the year,” she said. The group has funded a Hendricks history book, a teachers’ tea, the first day care in 1971, introduced glass recycling in 1974, supported pap smears and breast exams, welcomed new residents to Hendricks, and delivered May baskets to senior citizens to name a few civic endeavors. They’ve also funded a cemetery directory. “Every grave is documented,” she
said. “Visitors know exactly where to find graves. Every year it is updated.” “The literary club has a list of community achievements that have added to the tapestry of our community,” said Jay Nelson, a former Hendricks mayor. At the group’s monthly gatherings, it’s up to two or three hostesses to decide the activity. “We might do book reviews,” Siverson said. “One person reads a book and tells about it. Or if someone went on a trip, they tell about it and show pictures.” As the members are now in their 90s, they will have to decide at some point the future of the club.
Photo courtesy of Hendricks Pioneer
Norma Siverson, right, was the first president of the Hendricks Literary Club.
Hwy. 19 Car/Truck Wash
NEW SERVICE: DETAILING
ed inish Pre-F vailable ns A Optio
Whatever your project, Andersen Delivers. Andersen offers what you need to design, build, remodel and replace
• Auto • Semi Interior Detailing • Full Service Truck Wash - Washouts Full Service Hours: 7am-5pm M-F & 7am-Noon Sat Self Serve 6am-10pm •7 days a week Winter Hours Self Serve 6am-8pm
1501 W College Drive, Marshall • (507) 532-3198
COMPLETE BUILDING PRODUCTS CENTER No Job too Small... No Job too Large •Home Design •Estimates •Ag Buildings 508 Baseline Road, Hwy. 23 Bypass, Marshall 507-537-1479 or 1-800-866-1479
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018 • PAGE 21
HENDRICKS Hendricks
GOLF CLUB & RESTAURANT
1 mile west of Hendricks on North side of the lake 507-275-3852
NB GOLF CARS One Stop For All Your Golf Car Needs! See us for golf cars, parts, batteries and accessories!
WE R CONSIDE ALL TRADES
FACTORY AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTORS FOR… Golf’s Driving Force Like us on Facebook!
E. Railroad St. • Hendricks • (507) 275-3564 • www.NBGolfCars.com
H Your Project Begins Here...
Something for Everyone!
507-275-3134 www.hendrickshosp.org The healthcare provider of choice.
Purses • Jewelry • Scarves • Children’s Gifts • Men’s Gifts • Norwegian Section Dress Jackets & Skirts • Expanded Baby Area • Expressions Giftware Holiday Home Decor & Much More!
Hendricks Community Hospital Association
Siversons Pharmacy & Gifts Call us to Save Money! 1-800-950-3784
118 S Main St • Hendricks, MN 56136 • (507) 275-3323
Hendricks Community Hospital Association
www.hendricksfarmerslumber.com
503 East Lincoln Street P.O. Box 106 Hendricks, MN 56136 507.275.3134 www.hendrickshosp.org
PAGE 22 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
WAR
E
R
W
LAKE LUMB D O E O & HARD
359 3rd St N • Wood Lake, MN (507) 485-3128
DRIVERS WANTED
CONVENIENCE STORE
Gary Kotek Trucking Inc. 201 Co. Rd. 2 • Wood Lake, MN 56897
507-485-3595
CHICKEN
Cottonwood, MN Phone: Cottonwood: 423-6282; Wood Lake: 485-3137
WOODY’S BAR 53 2nd St. • Wood Lake, MN 56297
61 2nd Ave W Wood Lake, MN
507-485-3111
507-485-3389
Equity Elevator
Reiten Insurance Agency
Trading Company 3rd & Railroad P.O. Box 69 Wood Lake, MN 56297 (507) 485-3155 | (800) 248-5427 www.eetwoodlake.com
Steven Reiten, Agent 98 2nd Avenue West Wood Lake, MN
507-485-2188
W O O D L A K E
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018 • PAGE 23
BENGTSONS — WOOD LAKE COMMUNITY CLUB
Couple’s clowning around helps promote ‘only city fair left in Minnesota’
With a small community club, everyone has to wear many hats.” WOOD LAKE — Doug and Last year, the sale of wristbands Sharla Bengtson love to promote for the carnival was so high, the their town of Wood Lake. And, carnival company refunded a couthey’ve got a lot to brag about. ple of thousand dollars for their efThe city of Wood Lake boasts forts, the couple said. the only city fair left in Minnesota. “There is a correlation between Each year the Bengtsons, along the carnival and the community with the Wood Lake Community club,” Doug Bengtson said. “There Club, put a lot of elbow grease — has been a long-time relationship. and some hamburger grease — into “Midwest Rides of Elk River has making the event just short of the been a good partner in the fair,” Minnesota State Fair, Doug BengtDoug Bengtson said. “Last year son said. And, it’s all put on by the they paid us about $2,400 in comWood Lake Community Club. missions for wrist/armband sales.” Prior to the Bengtsons joining, Bengtson said he thinks they are the club had been a commercial able to get the carnival because the club since Sept. 4, 1934, involving fair is held on weekdays, instead of just the local businesses. It then beweekends. They run it on Monday, came known as the Wood Lake Tuesday, Wednesday of the third Community Club and now includes week in August. This year it will be country residents as well as city on Aug. 20, 21 and 22. dwellers. It used to interfere with early Bengtsons said that approxistart at Lakeview School, Doug mately a dozen members come regBengtson said, but last year, the ularly to the monthly meetings. school moved back their start date a “When it gets close to fair time, little bit to accommodate fair parthough, then they all come out of ticipation. the woodwork,” Sharla Bengtson Lakeview secretary Heidi Beck said. “Which is good because we confirmed the change. need extra help at the fair.” “We started on Wednesday, Aug. Hand-in-hand, for about 20 years, 23, last year,” Beck said. “It’s nice with about a dozen regular club to have a partial week for the members, and hundreds more come younger kids, and for the high fair time, the Bengtsons find ways to school students to have a chance to improve upon the already popular adjust their schedules before going city festival and publicize it. full swing. The fair also played a “It’s a joint effort,” Wood Lake part in the decision.” City Clerk Brenda Drager said. The hamburger grease part of the “The Bengtsons are very involved. By Jody Isaackson
jisaackson@marshallindependent.com
File photos
Sharla Bengtson, above, and Doug Bengtson, below, dress up as clowns for several Wood Lake community events throughout the years.
event is related to the most popular hamburger stand in the area. People come from as far as Sleepy Eye, Doug Bengtson said, especially to eat Wood Lake hamburgers as well as enjoy the fair festivities. Sharla has talked to several people from Marshall who are also repeat visitors. The Bengtsons gave a lot of credit to Schaffran and Tony Rhodes who manage the hamburger stand. “DeWayne is always amazed at how many jars of pickles we go through every year,” Sharla Bengtson said. The Wood Lake Elevator provides manpower and a tent to set up for diners to enjoy their meals in the shade, Doug Bengtson said. As shift workers for the hamburger stand, the Bengtsons also get in on after hours fun. “When you work a shift, you get the full-meal-deal to eat, which includes fresh cut French fries,” Sharla Bengtson said. “Last year, we got a free ride on the merry-go-round when we got off the last shift.” That was at 11 p.m., Doug
Bengtson said. The couple has also helped the club with finding free entertainment, set up exhibits of flowers and other homegrown or homemade projects, run the kiddy parade and getting donations from the American Dairy Association (cheese and milk for the hamburger stand) and hamburger from local farmers. Bengtsons still do clowning as Happy Face and Candy Kisses. They also portray Ole and Lena (a Norwegian-based comedy act) as they had done at last year’s Wood Lake Fair. The performance was written by the couple and admission included a reduced rate, if nonperishable food items were brought to be donated to the area food shelf.
PAGE 24 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
DAVE HOYT — WALNUT GROVE AREA LOG-
Been part of community service groups since 1970s
By Deb Gau
dgau@marshallindependent.com
WALNUT GROVE — Volunteer work is something that helps tie the community of Walnut Grove together, Dave Hoyt said. And Hoyt would know from experience — he’s been part of local community service groups since the 1970s. Today, he’s an active member of the Walnut Grove Area Loggers, a homegrown service organization. The Loggers have a long history in Walnut Grove, in different forms. The community group that would become the Loggers started out as a chapter of the Jaycees, Hoyt said. But around 10 years ago, members
left the national group and formed the Loggers, to focus more on serving the Walnut Grove community. Hoyt explained that the Loggers name comes from Walnut Grove’s school team, from before the Westbrook-Walnut Grove school district was formed. The Loggers even adopted the old Walnut Grove school mascot, Louie the Logger. Hoyt’s history with the Loggers goes back a long way, too. He was a charter member of the Walnut Grove Jaycees in 1975. At the time, he said, he was looking for a way to be part of the community. And he’s stayed with the group, now as a Logger. “I enjoy it,” Hoyt said.
Walnut Grove, Minnesota
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum & Information Center
Open April – October
Eight Hands-On Buildings to View 888-528-7268 (888-LAURA-68)
Depot with Laura History Chapel Grandma’s House Walnut Grove Jail Cells Dugout
Little Red School House Early Settler Building Heritage Lane Gift Store
2018 Wilder Pageant Dates: July 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 Call 888-859-3102 for tickets
www.walnutgrove.org
Back when the community group was chartered as the Jaycees, Hoyt said, “We basically started out by volunteering in the community.” Members helped deliver sand to fill children’s sandboxes, and worked on building projects like park shelters. Later on, he said, the group joined with other service organizations to help build bathroom facilities at the Plum Creek county park. Part of the Loggers’ work today has a couple of key focuses in the community, Hoyt said. “We focus on kids and the elderly, mostly kids,” he said. “We help Hoyt PAGE 27
PIZZA SUBS TACOS ATM 507-859-2552
Photo by Deb Gau
Dave Hoyt of Walnut Grove has been active in local community service organizations since the 1970s.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant July 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 Walnut Grove, MN Ph. 888-859-3102 www.walnutgrove.org
Walnut Grove, Minnesota
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018 • PAGE 25
MIKE CZECH — LAKE BENTON LION’S CLUB
‘Pancake King’ heads up pancake fundraisers throughout school year
By Jody Isaackson
jisaackson@marshallindependent.com
LAKE BENTON — In Lake Benton, one of the Hometown Heroes could be called “Pancake King� because he heads up the pancake fundraisers throughout the school year. Mike Czech is no stranger to the spatula or to fundraising. Having been surprised with his own fundraiser to help defray the cost of his ulcer treatment in 2006, Czech said he feels a need to give back to the community, and this was his way to do it. “The Lions Club blindsided me with a benefit,� he said. “I decided to give back to the community. It’s
Lake
been 10 years since then, but I like to have fun when I work these benefits. And I help out wherever I can.� Having fun must be the key, because he’s been in charge of the pancake feeds ever since. “I can’t be at the big annual conferences and other big meetings,� he said, “but I can make time for the six or so pancake feeds throughout the year from September or October into early spring.� Czech is a field inspector for an engineering firm out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota,a and is lucky to get home at night take his children to late sports practice. The fundraising events are usually
held on the first Sunday of the month, serving from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The club’s goal is to do at least six benefits during that time and will add another here and there as opportunities arise to help community members face financial hardships due to medical reasons. “One year, we paid for cochlear ear implants for a little girl,� he said. “Other times it’s the Big C. Cancer affects a lot of people. Sometimes it’s getting seeing eye dogs or helping veterans. Helping the blind is definitely one of our annual supports.� Czech PAGE 27
Photo submitted by Emma Czech
Pancake king Mike Czech of Lake Benton models his fundraising flapjack apron. Czech is in charge of the half dozen or so pancake benefits the Lake Benton Lions Club sponsors throughout the school year to help community members struggling with medical issues and finances. Czech also serves as a firefighter for his town.
BENTON KJERGAARD
Utoft-Johansen Chapel Lake Benton 507.368.9385
www.hartquistfuneral.com
SPORTS GUNS
OVER 3,500
BUY • SELL • TRADE
!
Visit our website at... www.kjergaardsports.com
1951 200th Ave., Lake Benton, MN • Phone (507) 368-4696 • Service (507) 368-4894 (from Lake Benton, MN - 4 miles north on Hwy 75, 1 mile east, 1/2 mile north)
PAGE 26 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
MARLA ANDERSON — CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Balaton resident enjoys being involved in her community By Jenny Kirk
jkirk@marshallindependent.com
BALATON — When it comes to community contributions, Marla Anderson’s name gets brought up a lot. In and around the Balaton area, she's known as a very selfless and active volunteer in a variety of organizations. Anderson’s efforts include involvement in Balaton Area Chamber of Commerce, Trinity Lutheran Church, Fun Fest organization, Tracy Area Public School events and much more. “I’ve learned that it’s not what you find the time to do, it’s what you take the time to do,” Anderson said. “I enjoy being involved.” Though very cooperative about highlighting the various organizations she is part of, Anderson was quick to rattle off the names of others whom she
thought were more deserving of recognition than she was. “There are so many others who do more, but I’m very honored — humbled, actually,” Anderson said. Anderson credits her parents for being positive role models when it comes to community involvement. She added that her sisters are also avid volunteers. “My parents were always involved in the community, especially in 4-H and church,” she said. “I was raised in the Congregational Church of Garvin, and of course, that’s not a huge church. It’s never been, so it's like if you’re a part of it, you’re going to be involved. If people aren't involved, then there's no activity.” Anderson has been a member of the Balaton Area Chamber for the past seven years and currently Anderson PAGE 28
Photo by Jenny Kirk
Community involvement has always been a way of life for rural Balaton resident Marla Anderson, a Balaton Area Chamber of Commerce member and Trinity Lutheran Church volunteer.
BALATON, MN Balaton Dental Clinic
Advanced Health, Safety and Security Cost-Effective Solutions •Asbestos •Security Cameras •Home Theatre •Dry-Ice Blasting •Clock Systems •Mold •Radon •Access Control •Intercom/PA System
105 3rd St. Balaton, MN yourhealthandsafety.net Brian & Jeremy Parrie, owners
Brian 507-763-3606 or 605-430-8842 Jeremy 605-431-0677
1160 County Road 63 P.O. Box 382 Balaton, MN 56115
New Patients Welcome! Open 8am-5pm Monday - Thursday (507) 734-6381 Fax (507) 734-6107
Dr. Richard W. Brown, DDS 123 Third St., P.O. Box 186 • Balaton, MN 56115
507-734-2251
HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018 • PAGE 27
Czech FROM PAGE 25 The pancake feeds are held at a place currently called Center Post in Lake Benton, Czech said. It was originally the Legion hall. “The city is working on purchasing it so we can continue to have our pancake feeds there,� he said. The menu includes French toast as well as pancakes, eggs, sausage patties from the local grocer’s special recipe file and beverages, he said. No door-to-door canvassing for funds, he said, but occasionally “someone will sneak into the grocery store and pay for our supplies. That’s nice because it means we can make our donation check out for a larger amount.� Sometimes a silent auction is combined with the meal, he said. Czech gave credit to fellow Lion Jim
Hoyt FROM PAGE 24 Roggenbuck for actually planning the meals and figuring out how much food they need to prepare. “We also discuss it at meetings to make sure the amount fits the event,� Czech said. Czech also gave credit to the Lake Benton Fire Department, of which he is also a member. Whenever the Lions need extra hands, the firefighters are willing to oblige, giving the event another 10-15 helpers, doubling their manpower. His family is also involved in the pancake feed. “My wife, Tonia, is the most awesome kitchen cleanup crew member and skillet cleaner I know,� he said. “She’s kind of our second wind for those large benefits.� The Jensens’ children, Steven, 19, Adam, 16, and Emma, 14, have all flipped flapjacks to help out, too.
sponsor lots of different kids things.� The Loggers still fill sandboxes, and they organize a kids’ fishing tournament at Lake Laura each summer, as well as a wrestling tournament for kids in preschool through sixth grade. In February 2018, the wrestling tournament had one of its biggest turnouts ever, with more than 200 participants. “We’ve just got great volunteers that put that on,� Hoyt said. “There are a lot of local volunteers that help out because they love wrestling.� Hoyt said the Loggers’ work supporting youth has also been important for keeping the group active. “By doing that, we seem to keep a lot of young people,� he said. It’s not an easy thing to get young people involved in service clubs today. “The people are a lot busier now.� The Loggers also sell pull-tabs and hold bingo nights in Walnut Grove, which helps raise money that gets put back into the community. The group has donated to many causes in Walnut Grove such as new youth sports uniforms, and contributing toward the construction of the veterans’ memorial in Walnut Grove’s city park.
Local Mattress Recycling with a Mission Your support means local jobs for adults with disABILITIES!
Dominic M. Smith, Esq Licensed in MN & SD
Take mattresses to:
Lyon County Environmental Open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Call 507-532-8210 for more information.
Mattress or Box Frame TRUSTS & WILLS • ASSET PROTECTION • FARM & BUSINESS SUCCESSION
“Estate Planning is ALL I do‌â€?
1411 East College Drive • Marshall, MN 56258 507-337-2590 • dominic@legalestatesolutions.com
ONLY $7 Disposal fee is $2 5 or soaked.
PAGE 28 • HOMETOWN • INDEPENDENT-MARSHALL, MINN. • MARCH 23, 2018
Anderson FROM PAGE 26 serves as an officer. “Chamber has been around for a long time,” Anderson said. “They sponsor a lot of activities.” According to the Balaton Centennial book, which Anderson said her family calls “the blue Bible,” the Chamber has been in existence since 1932. The first organizational meeting consisted of 43 businessmen in attendance. And while the name has changed over the years, the goal and mission remain the same: to promote and serve Balaton area businesses and citizens. “I don’t live in town and I don’t have a business in town, but I’m on the Chamber,” she said. “Anybody can be involved in the Chamber, whether they'’e a business or an individual.” Reading from the Centennial book, Anderson said one of the first promotions of the newly-formed club was a crow hunt, with the results of the two teams at 128 to 105. Lake Yankton and sponsoring a baseball team were among the topics at the first meetings. “In 1954, the Balaton Commercial Club became the Balaton Chamber of Commerce, with the number of businessmen being in
the range of 50-75 throughout the years,” she said. While there are no longer crow hunts, the Chamber is very active. Anderson said an Easter egg hunt and a Chamber banquet take place in April, followed by the Fun Fest celebration during the Fourth of July holiday. Then in the fall, there is a tour of homes or a craft show. Anderson said that Julie Erickson, Denise Hoek, Jean Larson, Carmen Villa, Jodi Kruger and Sara Timmerman are also on the Fun Fest committee, though they could always use more volunteers. “I wish more people would step up and ask what they can do,” Anderson said. “If everybody would help with just a little portion, it would really help. It’s become a huge celebration.” The Chamber also sponsors the Balaton Christmas and for two years, the Snow Ball, which serves as a big fundraiser. “Those are the first week in December,” Anderson said. “We've had silent auction items at the Snow Ball and those proceeds are going to the playground out at Eastbay. Fundraising for Eastbay has been a big one we've been working WE APPRECIATE ALL OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS
on for the past few years.” Clean-up projects and other improvements, along with recognition for Citizen of the Year, are also part of the Chamber’s annual efforts. Besides fundraising, a lot of the events are just a way to “bring people together,” Anderson said. “We’ve got a good list of Chamber members contributing this year.” Two years ago, the Chamber began sending out an informative letter, but also began putting a little tear-off sheet at the bottom. “Instead of just sending out an informative letter saying members fees are due, there’s a reminder, like a receipt, to send back in with contact information on it,” Anderson said. “That has really helped increase and make more regular, our membership.” Anderson and her husband, Rick, who is a Lyon County Commissioner, have two adult daughters — Kristina and Megan — and live in the rural Balaton area. She has spent 23 years employed with the Tracy Area School District — working as a paraprofessional in Susan Meyer’s kindergarten room since fall 2003. “I really like working with Susan
MISTER COOL’S CLOTHING Making You Look Great Since 1972
SUITS - DRESS SHIRTS - DRESS PANTS TIES - SWEATERS - POLOS JEANS - TUXEDO RENTALS
“Feather Your Your Nest Nest with with aa Little Little Down” Down” “Feather
• Interior Design • Furniture • Sleep Shop
BRING IN THIS AD FOR
25% OFF ANY REGULAR PRICED ACCESSORY
VALID THROUGH 04/12/18
(507) 532-6320 • 1-800-310-6320 • 1202 College VALID THROUGH 12/31/11Drive • Marshall, MN 56258
and just in that same classroom,” Anderson said. “It’s nice because the kindergarten kids have the best outlook every day. They’re always excited and there’s always stories that hear about.” Since the mid-80s, Anderson and her family have been members of the Trinity Lutheran Church, where she is extremely active. “I’ve always been a member of the choir since we joined the church,” she said. “Since Lisa Parker moved away, I’ve helped pick out the music for the choir and set up the practice time. We practice once a week. I also did a stint on the church council quite a few years ago. This year, I was on the nominating committee, with a couple of other people, to find people to fill the open offices for the election.” Anderson spent numerous years teaching Sunday School and Bible School, as well as serving as superintendent. She and her husband were also Luther League youth leaders. Anderson contributes by serving on one of the funeral planning committees, where she helps with lunch. She's also a vital part of the handbell group, which started about 18 years ago at the church.
Our Service & Quality is #1
Downtown Marshall, MN 507-532-9520 • 866-888-1016
www.mistercoolsclothing.com
Your LOCAL Newspaper Covering
Your LOCAL Town and
Your LOCAL Sports Neighbors Bringing You The Good News Of Your Neighborhood
Southwestern Minnesota’s Daily Newspaper 508 W. Main • Marshall, MN • 537-1551 • www.marshallindependent.com