Local mom bares her soul
Storm Hawks offense on roll
Serves fourth helping of ‘Chicken Soup’
Girls hockey team outscoring opponents
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011
CHASKA
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HERALD Discovering winter refuge Rapids Lake Unit shines in all seasons, even the cold one BY MOLLEE FRANCISCO mfrancisco@swpub.com
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PHOTO BY MOLLEE FRANCISCO
The prairie is frosted over, the leaves have fallen to the ground. The grasshoppers are long gone and the chickadees are huddling around the birdfeeder. Overhead, the tundra swans are moving south. All those things together can mean only one thing. “That’s a sure sign of winter,” said Leanne Langeberg, park ranger at the Rapids Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Well, that and the hint of snow on the ground. There is perhaps no better place to witness the changing of the seasons than at the refuge’s 1,500 acres along the Minnesota River, just south of Carver. But not only does the refuge provide a place to watch the seasons.
Leanne Langeberg, park ranger at the Rapids Lake Unit of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, loves the view from the hill overlooking the refuge and the Minnesota River.
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Rapids Lake Unit Cost: Free Refuge Open: Sunrise to sunset and entry Visitor Center Open: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. When the building is open, visitors are welcome to come in and check out a pair of snowshoes for free. Info: (952) 854-5900; www.fws. gov/midwest/MinnesotaValley/
Leaving, after many historical feats Museum curator begins new venture BY UNSIE ZUEGE uzuege@swpub.com
Mother Nature dumped a heavy, wet foot of snow on Chaska. “It was very pretty,” offered Lund. But digging out from it wasn’t as pretty. So this year, Lund will take the look of winter, with less of the work, for the Hometown Holiday.
Larry Hutchings completed his fi rst history project while in grade school. He reconstructed the skeleton of a dried-up mouse. “I found it and cleaned it up, and then I put it together with Elmer’s Glue,” Hutchings recalled. “At the time, I planned to be a paleontogist. I was really proud of it, but my mom took it away from me. She was afraid I’d crush it so she put it on top of the TV. But I got hold of it, and she was right. I did break it.” Thankfully, Hutchings, 52, learned how to take better care of his things since then. In fact, he’s an expert in the field. For the past 10 years, he’s been curating, and exhibiting the vast collections at the Carver County Historical Society and Museum in Waconia. Before that he spent 14 years at the Stevens County Historical Society and Museum in Morris, Minn. Friday, Dec. 2, is his last day at the Carver County Historical Society. After 10 years as curator of collections and exhibits, he will head his own company – Museology – where he’ll consult with museums on their collections and exhibits. “I’ve been making exhibits and things since I was a kid,” Hutchings said. “Table top exhibits, dinosaurs. I was always off on my own tangent.” He was always interested in the
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Hutchings to page 2 ®
FILE PHOTO BY MARK W. OLSON
Horse drawn wagon rides were a huge hit at last year’s Hometown Holiday event. They’ll be held again this year from 2:30-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3.
Gearing up for a Hometown Holiday Merchants and city team up for event BY MOLLEE FRANCISCO mfrancisco@swpub.com
Donna Lund is hoping for a dusting of snow, but she’s careful what she’s wishing for these days. Last year, as the city and downtown merchants teamed up for a day of holiday shopping and cheer,
PHOTO BY UNSIE ZUEGE
The Carver County Historical Society’s museum is filled with treasures, but it’s this simple hand-carved horse that Larry Hutchings will miss most. He loves that a Swedish pioneer carved it for his children. Hutchings last day is Friday, Dec. 2. He’s started his own company called Museology and will be a museum exhibit consultant.
Larry Hutchings Age: 52 Title: Carver County Historical Society curator of collections and exhibitions Hometown: Barrett, Minn. City: Minneapolis Background: Bachelor of Arts, music, University of Minnesota, Morris; curator at Stevens County Historical Society and Museum, Morris, Minn.; and curator at Carver County Historical Society and Museum, Waconia, since 2001. Hidden talent: Plays the euphonium — it’s a tenor tuba. What’s next: Owner, Museology, a firm that does museum consulting and exhibit work. His staff includes former Carver County Historical Society education coordinator Erin Andersen, currently finishing a master’s program at George Washington University; and Brett Pearson, a volunteer who donated hundreds of hours to building the Veterans Gallery.
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