June 2009 Northfield Entertainment Guide by The Entertainment Guide

Building IS in the

BUDGET Building can get you more home for the money! Call Schmidt Homes or visit our website to view floor plans. When you’re ready for financing, Community Resource Bank will find the perfect loan for you. We’re building dreams…affordably!

• Priced as low as $175,000 • No Down Payment • Seller pays closing costs • Hassle free living • $8,000 home buyer credit (for qualified buyers)

Northfield Office 1605 Heritage Drive • 507-645-4441

507-663-0482 • Northfield www.schmidthomes.com 2 NEG@northfieldguide.com

Also located in Cannon Falls and Roseville

www.community-resourcebank.com Member FDIC

JUNE 2009

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

Welcome Vol. 5, Issue 6

June 2009 17 Bridge Square Northfield, MN 55057

507/663-7937 neg@northfieldguide.com Publisher: Rob Schanilec By All Means Graphics Advertising: Abby Erickson abby@northfieldguide.com or 507/663-7937 Contributors: Susan Hvistendahl Locallygrownnorthfield.org Northfield.org Northfieldarttown.com Breanna Zarbinski

to the NORTHFIELD ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE™ Your No. 1 Guide to what’s going on in and around Northfield – music, food fun.

Contents

Theater ............................................................................ 5 Sports ............................................................................... 5 Local Galleries ............................................................... 6 Local Focus: Kat Zerebiec ........................................... 7 Happenings – Up Close .........................5-14, 30-36 A Month at a Glance..........................................26-29 Clubs, Classes and More ......................................... 37 Who’s Playing At A Glance .................................... 37 Historic Happenings: Susan Hvistendahl ....38-43 Dining ........................................................................... 44 Just Curious: Virginia Kaczmarek .................45-47

Online: at northfieldguide.com! A flippin’ cool digital edition, downloadable PDF, archives and content submission form.

On the Cover:

It’s a year of welcome repeats: The Second Annual JuneBug Music Festival June 24-27 and The Second Annual Northfield Music Issue on pages 15-22.

GET IN THE GUIDE Here’s how it works – we list happenings for free. I know – that’s cool and a great service to the community – but we want our publication to be a great resource for our readers to get out and take it in. Of course, we love our advertisers – and we’ll love you, too, if you get us your happenings information AND advertise. Our rates are affordable and you get a FULL MONTH OF COOL EXPOSURE! But whether you advertise or not – you need to get information our way: title, time, place, cost, description, photo(s). We’re easy to work with so don’t be shy. There’s a form online at northfieldguide.com, give us a call, 507/663-7937, or e-mail to neg@northfieldguide.com – we’re nice people. And to advertise – ask for Abby. She’s cheerful, too, mostly.

4 NEG@northfieldguide.com

Support Our Advertisers The Archer House ........................................ 18 Barefoot Studio ............................................... 7 Bridge Square Barbers ................................27 Bridgette Hallcock Photography ............. 15 Books and Stars 2009................................30 By All Means Graphics ...............................29 Celebrate Dundas ........................................ 14 Chapati .................................................... 25, 44 City Discount Card .......................................42 College City Beverage ................................39 The Contented Cow ............................ 25, 44 Community Resource Bank ........................ 2 Culver’s .................................................... 32, 44 Downtown Sound Music .................... 15, 17 Eastman Music ..............................................23 El Tequila ..................................................10, 44 Fantastic Sam’s .............................................33 First National Bank .....................Back Cover Froggy Bottoms River Pub .................11, 44 Pam Gillespie, Realtor® ..............................42 Girls Night Out ..............................................40 The HideAway ..........................................8, 44 Hogan Brothers Acoustic Café..........16, 44 James Gang Coffeehouse ................ 27, 44 Jesse James Lanes .......................................33 JuneBug Music Festival ..............................24 Just Food Co-op ............................................26 KYMN 1080 Radio................................17, 35 Dianne Kyte, Realtor®.................................38 Landscape Artisans of Rochester ............. 4 Marguerite’s Salon ....................................... 10 Northfield Arts School ...................................12 Northfield Chamber of Commerce....Cover Northfield Dance Academy ....................... 43 Northfield Downtown Development Corp............................................................ 31 Northfield Garden Club ..............................26 Northfield Kitchen Concepts ....................41 Northfield Liquor Store...............................38 Northfield Retirement Community.......... 47 Northfield Youth Choirs ...............................46 Ole Café ......................................................8, 44 Paper Petulum................................................. 5 Paradise Center for the Arts .....................31 PJ’s Fabrics and Crafts .................................. 5 Premier Banks ............................................... 17 Present Perfect ..............................................40 Quarterback Club ....................................9, 44 Quality Bakery ..............................................44 Rare Pair ..........................................................39 Rice County Humane Society ..................23 Rueb ‘N’ Stein ...........................................9, 44 The Sketchy Artist ........................................ 31 Schmidt Homes........................................2, 23 Sisters Ugly ..................................................... 11 Taste of Northfield .......................................34 Jan Stevens, Realtor® ..................................33 Sweet Pea’s Loft & Toys & Treats .............. 6 The Tavern .....................................................44 Tiny’s Dogs All Day ................................7, 44 Vintage Band Festival ................................. 18 Willingers Golf Club................................3, 44

There’s a whole lotta’ music goin’ on David van Eijl, editor of Cien Fuegos, southern Minnesota’s newest regional arts magazine, was in the Entertainment Guide offices the other day lamenting the fact that Rochester, his home base, not only lacked a regular jazz venue, but also a mechanism to bring musicians together. A collective, if you will, where musicians can discover and uncover each other and opportunities to jam.

Theater Best of Broadway!

Paradise Center for the Arts June 13, 7:30 p.m. and June 14, 2 p.m. A show filled with fun, frivolity and music. Join some of the best local talent as they sing the best of the Broadway tunes you love. Featured performers are: Dallas Musselman, Gail Kaderlik, Barb Piper, Kim Schaufenbuel, Megan Proft, Jeffrey Jackson, Michael Lambert, Craig Berg and Tyler Schwictenberg. The Merlin Players’ Julianna Skluzacek will emcee. Tickets: $10.

In Northfield, we not only have Occasional Jazz (see page 18) that plays a lot more than occasionally, a jazz festival scheduled for this August that will bring Butch Thompson to the Grand, an amazing menu of music (for which there’s but a sampling on pages 15-22), the insectious JuneBug Music Festival (see ad on page 24), but also the Northfield Music Collective.

S P O R T S Here are the home games

From one of it’s founders, Peter Lynn (of Slack & Daylight, Study Hall with Peter and Terry and The Rice County AllStars):

Friday, June 5

The Northfield Music Collective is an organization born out of the belief that our quaint little town harbors considerable musical talent – talent enough to piece together noteworthy shows employing musicians unacquainted and unpracticed. Talent enough to draw anxious artists from the Cities to play on a moment’s notice and to put fans to a challenging decision of which performance they ought to attend this evening. Talent enough to ultimately warrant a formal “union” of music lovers in Northfield. That “union” is the Northfield Music Collective. In its current infancy, it is centered around a website that aims to facilitate communication among musicians and groups of Northfield, as well as consolidate communication with the public regarding local musical happenings. Join the Northfield Music Collective on the ground floor – help grow the organization so that we all might announce our importance to the Cities and Minnesota at large. Encourage our music to proliferate and progress. Revel in the glory that is Northfield, Minnesota.

The Northfield Music Collective http://www.northfieldcollective.com/

Wednesday, June 3

BASEBALL – Dundas Dukes vs. St. Paul Sports and Spine, 7:30 p.m. Northfield Knights vs. Minneapolis Rocks, 7:30 p.m. BASEBALL – Dundas Tournament, 6 p.m. Northfield Knights vs. Richtown bombers, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6

BASEBALL – Dundas Tournament, 11 a.m. Sunday, June 7

BASEBALL – Dundas Tournament, 11 a.m. Northfield Knights vs. Miesville Mudhens, 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 10

BASEBALL – Dundas Dukes vs. Stewartville-Racine Sharks, 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 12

TRACK AND FIELD – Carleton Men’s host MIAC Multi-Events, noon Sunday, June 14

BASEBALL – Dundas Dukes vs. Red Wing Aces, 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 17

BASEBALL – Dundas Dukes vs. TBD, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24

BASEBALL – Dundas Dukes vs. Chicago Wildcats, 7:30 p.m. Northfield Knights vs. Rochester Royals, 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 26

BASEBALL – Dundas Dukes vs. Rochester Royals, 7 p.m.

JUNE 2009

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

ArtOnWater

The Garage

Art Studios with open hours

217 S. Water St. • 786-9700 artonwater.com American Opal Glass – “Art at 2400 Degrees” – One-of-a-kind works of decorative art conceived, designed and presented on site.

18 Bridge Square • www.artfuel.com the art of fuel

Barefoot Studio Carla Thompson, artist 418 Division St. • 612/309-6084 www.barefootstudio.net

ArtOrg

Northfield Arts Guild

Moving Walls Gallery 200 Division St. • 645-2555 artorg.info 1000 Print Summer: Dundas – June 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. St. Cloud – June 28, 12-5 p.m. Join the “2009 Thousand Print Summer” in the beautiful Lake George Park in St. Cloud for “Granite City Days.”

Carleton College Art Gallery One N. College St. • 646-4469 carleton.edu/campus/gallery Carleton College Senior Show 2009

Through June 12 Studio Arts Major’s Integrative Exercise (comps). Gould Library through August:

Photographers & Authors – highlighting Gisele Freund (1909-2001), who created portraits of some of the 20th century’s most interesting literary figures. That Marvelous Legend: The Canals of Mars – late 19th-century astronomical maps that led scientists to believe that canal-like structures existed on the surface of Mars. Vispoeologee: An Anthology of Visual Literature – collaborative works by local writers, artists and bibliophiles presented by Minnesota Center for Book Arts. Pulp Fiction and Fact – work of students in paper arts, a course on hand papermaking taught by Jeff Rathermel of Minnesota Center for Book Arts through June 15.

The Flaten Art Museum Dittmann Center 1520 St. Olaf Ave. • 646-3556 stolaf.edu/depts/art/

6 NEG@northfieldguide.com

Grezzo Gallery 16 Bridge Square • 581-2161 grezzogallery.com 304 Division St. • 645-8877 www.northfieldartsguild.org Northfield High School Honors Exhibit: “Where the Wild Things are Created,” through June 13. La Petite France, det vakre Norge – paintings by Gary Alan-Hue Christenson and Maureen Welter. This exhibit is joined by “Art In Bloom” with the Northfield Garden Club. Opening Reception June 25, 6-9 p.m. Through July 18.

Paradise Center for the Arts

Right Brain Ventures Art Barb Matz, artist 305 So. Water St. • 507/581-0425 www.rbv-Art.com Got a studio with open hours? Get listed – neg@northfieldguide.com

Local Focus (facing page) brought to you by www.northfieldarttown.com The hub of visual arts in Northfield, Minnesota

Carlander Family Gallery 321 Central Ave., Faribault • 332-7372 paradisecenterforthearts.org Kevin O’Hara “Mudslinger Pottery” – O’Hara has been making art for more than 30 years and doing what needs to be done to get by while making art. He loves to make beautiful things and to help others do the same, be it with clay, paint, pastel or whatever material the creative process calls for. A collection of his favorites. Through July 3.

swag 423 Division St. • 663-8870 Elegant ceramic works of the female form by Minnesota sculptor, Jude Ryan Reiling. Reiling is known for her of oneof-a-kind sculptures with themes such as beauty, loss, anticipation and inspiration. One of the delicate pieces featured is a collaboration with Minnesota jewelry artist, Katerina Pflipsen Olivova. It combines the strength of clay with the subtle movement of sterling silver.

Fruit, Vanilla & Chocolate Caramels, Turtles, Toffee, Peanut Butter Sticks and Licorice

Help Tiny’s

SAVE AME RICA! Northfield’s Best Kept Secret! Bottled Soda • 2nd Best Burger in Town

Whiners and Weiner Lovers Welcome! Specialty tobacco, T-shirts, quality cigars, postcards, convenience items and more!

It’s not too late to customize a painting for your graduate or bride! Come in and see all the new ideas! Affordable, unique and hand-crafted gifts

(507) 645-6862 Downtown Northfield 321 Division Street

SAVE AMERICAEAT AT TINY’S JUNE 2009

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

HAPPE N I NG S MONDAY, JUNE 1 Third Annual NRC Golf Classic • 11 a.m.

Northfield Golf Club Enjoy a round of golf, sit-down lunch and dinner, gift items and a chance to win prizes. Registration and lunch start at 11 a.m. The shotgun start is at 12:30 p.m. Poker • 7 p.m.

Froggy Bottoms Play Texas Hold ’em for points and prizes. Free! Man Cave Monday: Movie Night • 7-9 p.m.

Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault Featuring movies that ONLY men can stand to watch! From “Slap Shot” to “Starship Troopers,” this will be YOUR time. The first Monday of each month. Refreshments available. Tickets: $5. Nordic Jam • 7:30 p.m.

The Contented Cow This weekly open acoustic jam session plays from the Nordic countries and their immigrant communities in North America.

Nordic Jam

Annual African Drum Ensembles Recital • 4-5 p.m.

The Bald Spot, Carleton Jay Johnson, director. Performances to include 18-member African drum ensemble and a number of smaller Afro-Cuban ensembles. Rain site: Great Space in Sayles-Hill hall. Violin/Viola Recital • 4:30-6 p.m.

Music Hall 103, Carleton Hector Valdivia, coordinator. Bluegrass and Old Time Jam Session • 7:30-10 p.m.

The Contented Cow Bluegrass and old-time musicians of all levels gather to jam. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 Violin/Viola Recital • 3-4:30 p.m.

Concert Hall, Carleton Hector Valdivia, coordinator. Summer Outdoor Movie Night • 9 p.m.

Contented Cow The Brothers Burn Mountain

The Contented Cow THURSDAY, JUNE 4

TUESDAY, JUNE 2

Todd Thompson Trio 8-11 p.m.

Chamber Ensemble Recital III • 12-1 p.m.

The Tavern Lounge Local acoustic music.

Concert Hall, Carleton

8 NEG@northfieldguide.com

Karaoke • 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

Froggy Bottoms

Area 51 • 5 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5 Kevin Stanke • 7-11 p.m.

The Tavern Lounge Lyrically focused acoustic grooves inspired in part by artists often covered: G. Love, Jack Johnson, Belle and Sebastian and Magnetic Fields. Karaoke • 9 p.m.

Rueb ‘N’ Stein Dave Manning and Brandon Emmerich Stanke

The Contented Cow Acoustic guitar duo.

Goodsell Observatory Open House • 10 p.m.-midnight

Goodsell Observatory, Carleton Visitors can use the observatory to view stars, nebulas and planets. Carleton physics and astronomy professors are available to answer questions. Dress appropriately for the weather! Cancelled if skies are cloudy.

The Contented Cow Take eight from the fields of education, architecture, communications and medicine; mix in guitars, drums, saxophones, harmonicas, voices and cowbells, and you’ve got “music from the heavens.” More on page 17 in our special Northfield music section. Jon Manners • 7-11 p.m.

The Tavern Lounge Voted Northfield’s best male musician of 2009! Playing guitar since 1957, Manners has been in bands including: The Stingrays, The Fabulous Intruders, The Critters, The Sticky Wickets, Yellow Fish, The Glass Eye, The Windjammers, No Dive, Rockaday Jonny, Diesel Goose, Zebra, Berceuse, Shriek, Neoneon, The Kitty Younger Band, Flight Time, The Great? Imposters. In the early ’70s, he associated with Andrew Loog Oldham, onetime producer for The Rolling Stones. Now playing solo, he says “it’s easier to call a rehearsal and it gives me complete control over the songlist.”

Teaming up to Help Your Team!

Your Two Favorite Restaurants have Joined the Team! Eat at J. Grundy’s Rueb-n-Stein or The Quarterback Club Monday-Friday, 5-9 p.m. and 5% percent of your food receipt will be donated to the Northﬁeld Booster Club. Simply drop your dining receipt in the Booster Club Box at either restaurant. JUNE 2009

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 5 continued Carey Langer • 8 p.m.

The Contented Cow A solo artist covering six decades and seven styles of music. From The Everly Brothers and Frank Sinatra, to Rick Springfield, Dave Matthews and Jimmy Eat World, plus original music.

Quiz Night • 8 p.m.

The Contented Cow Stop in anytime to sign up. Foursomes compete for prizes and the chance to drink from the “Winner’s Mug” the week following their triumph! MONDAY, JUNE 8 Poker • 7 p.m.

Karaoke • 9 p.m.

Froggy Bottoms Play Texas Hold ’em for points and prizes. Free!

L&M Bar and Grill, Dundas

Nordic Jam • 7:30 p.m.

The Contented Cow This weekly open acoustic jam session plays from the Nordic countries and their immigrant communities in North America.

DJ Music • 9 p.m.

The Rueb ‘N’ Stein SUNDAY, JUNE 7 Politics and a Pint • 6 p.m.

The Contented Cow Join discussions on local issues at this “lightly moderated” open forum. For topics, go to www.contentedcow.com. Northern Roots Session • 7:30 p.m.

The Contented Cow Acoustic music with roots in the north, particularly the Nordic countries.

10 NEG@northfieldguide.com

TUESDAY, JUNE 9 Bluegrass and Old Time Jam Session • 7:30-10 p.m.

The Contented Cow Bluegrass and old-time musicians of all levels gather to jam. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 Books and Stars: Magician Star! • 7 p.m.

Central Park Bring a lawn chair or blanket and settle in for some magical fun. Booker opens at 6:30 p.m. and has library books, magazines and movies for all ages. If you need a library card you can get one on Booker! Cocoa Bean will sell refreshing Hawaiian Shaved Ice. Rain site: 1651 Jefferson Parkway. For information, call 507/645-6606.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11

FRIDAY, JUNE 12

Claim to Fame Pre-Party

27th Annual Claim to Fame

Harmony Park, Geneva, MN This is for those that just can’t wait for the three-day music extravaganza June 12-14. This evening features White Iron Band (Minnesota Outlaw Country). $20. No minors. No pets.

Harmony Park, Geneva, MN Note the 27th annual – this obviously very successful threeday music event has more going on than we can list here – so check out the web site, www.myspace.com/claimtofamerally for details, tickets, camping reservations and more. Friday’s featured act is Aultimate Ozzy (tribute to Ozzy) and Bad Monkey. Advance tickets $50, $60 at the gate. No minors. No pets.

Northfield Community Band Concert • 7:30 p.m.

Bridge Square Local volunteer musicians provide this free concert – great for friends and family! Bring a lawn chair, sit back and enjoy!

Ian Alexy • 7-11 p.m.

The Tavern Lounge Singer/songwriter/guitarist Ian Alexy offers deft finger-picking, jazzy melodies and heart-warming tales of a well-traveled 20-something-yearold.

Mark Mraz • 8-11 p.m.

Tavern Lounge Forget about life for awhile with the piano man. More on this finger-flying phenomena on page 20 in our special music section.

Bonnie & the Clydes • 8-11 p.m.

Karaoke • 9 p.m.

Froggy Bottoms Study Hall with Peter, Terry & Peter

The Contented Cow This includes Peter Lynn and Terry VanDeWalker – but unless it’s a typo there’s another Peter on the bill. These guys really rock the house – digging deep into obscure covers and original tunes. More on Study Hall on page 19 in the special music section.

The Contented Cow Take a step back and resurrect songs of love, peace and flower power from the late ’60s and early ’70s. The Bonnie is Bonnie Jean Flom. The Clydes are Bill McGrath and Scott McMillan.

305 Water St. S. • 664-0260 www.froggybottoms.com JUNE 2009

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 12 continued

DJ Music • 9 p.m.

Karaoke • 9 p.m.

Dime-Store Watch

The Rueb ‘N’ Stein

Rueb ‘N’ Stein

The Contented Cow Jerry Johnson, Inga Johnson and Joel Cooper.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13 Carleton Commencement • 9:30 a.m.

SUNDAY, JUNE 14

Hulings Hall lawn (Rec Center if bad weather) Picnic lunch follows on the Bald Spot. For information, call 507/222-4308.

27th Annual Claim to Fame

Harmony Park, Geneva, MN Check out the June 12 description for more on this three-day music event. Saturday’s featured act is Freebird (tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd) High Adventure and Kat Blu. Norwegian Cowboy • 7-11 p.m.

The Tavern Lounge Old-school country, ’80s rock, alt-country and alt-rock. Songs you don’t want to admit you like. Not really a cowboy, but voted Northfield’s Best Male Musician 2008.

Harmony Park, Geneva, MN Check out the June 12 description for more on this the final day of this three-day music event. Politics and a Pint • 6 p.m.

The Contented Cow Join in on discussions concerning local issues at this “lightly moderated” open forum. For information on topics, go to www.contentedcow.com. Best of Broadway! • 2 p.m.

Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault See page 5. Northern Roots Session • 7:30 p.m.

Best of Broadway! • 7:30 p.m.

Karaoke • 9 p.m.

The Contented Cow Acoustic music with roots in the north, particularly the Nordic countries. Listen, jam, enjoy.

L&M Bar and Grill, Dundas

Quiz Night • 8 p.m.

Norwegian Cowboy

Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault See page 5.

Northern Roots Session

“Cuando los poetas y los pintores de siglos se han cansado de decirnos, el arte no está acerca de la expresión de talento ni el hacer de cosas bonitas.”

The Contented Cow Stop in anytime to sign up. Foursomes will complete for prizes and the chance to drink from the “Winner’s Mug” the week following their triumph!

MONDAY, JUNE 15 Poker • 7 p.m.

Froggy Bottoms Play Texas Hold ’em for points and prizes. Free! Nordic Jam • 7:30 p.m.

El Arte y el Alma Enriqueciendo la Communidad Por las Artes

Nordic Jam

Presentado por

The Contented Cow This weekly open acoustic jam session plays from the Nordic countries and their immigrant communities in North America.

Gwen y Greg Smith

TUESDAY, JUNE 16

Northﬁeld Escuela de Artes (507) 645-6008

Bohemian Duo El Arte original por

Bluegrass and Old Time Jam Session • 7:30-10 p.m.

The Contented Cow This ongoing event is for bluegrass and old-time musicians of all levels, cultivating an inclusive atmosphere of musicians and an evening of entertainment for the audience.

Jay Hansen http://patient-247.deviantart.com

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 Heritage Days “Está acerca de la conversación y la contención del alma.” Las citas de “Care of the Soul” – Thomas Moore 1992. (Pagina 303)

12 NEG@northfieldguide.com

Faribault This is the first of this five-day celebration of Faribault’s heritage. Enjoy live music, carnival rides and great food in Central Park, with activities all around town.

Wake-Robin • 1-2 p.m.

FRIDAY, JUNE 19

Bittersweet A local duo on strings playing Celtic and Civil War period tunes.

Carleton Reunion Weekend

Call 507/222-4205 for information. Heritage Days

Books and Stars: IrishMohr 7 p.m.

Odd Fellows Park Wake-Robin Irish and Scottish quartet featuring traditional dance tunes including jigs, reels, hornpipes and ballads. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and settle in for the fun! Booker opens at 6:30 p.m. and has library books, magazines and movies for all ages. If you need a library card you can get one on Booker! Cocoa Bean will sell refreshing Hawaiian Shaved Ice. Rain site: 1651 Jefferson Pkwy. For information, call 507/645-6606.

Faribault This is the third of a five-day event. See June 17 description. Carleton Garage Sale • 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

West Gym, Carleton This is the second of a two-day event. See June 18 description. Joe Meyer • 7-11 p.m.

The Tavern Lounge Karaoke • 9 p.m.

Rueb ‘N’ Stein THURSDAY, JUNE 18

Bohemian Duo

Carleton Reunion Weekend

Call 507/222-4205 for information. Heritage Days

Faribault This is the second of a five-day event. See June 17 description. Carleton Garage Sale • 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

West Gym, Carleton This is the first of a two-day event. This is a benefit for Northfield Area Special Olympics, Project Friendship and the Northfield Union of Youth. Taste of Northfield • 5-10 p.m.

Bridge Square Local restaurants present samples of their specialties along with a beer and wine tent, music, bank raid reenactment, silent and live auctions, street dance and an old-fashioned band concert in Bridge Square. Bring your lawn chairs. More at www.nddc.org.

The Contented Cow Chad Johnson and Russel Franek, two former front men of Communication Breakdown are back at it. They’ve been playing music together, off and on, since 7th grade. You’ll hear everything from the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Van Morrison, CCR and, of course, some Johnny Cash! They’ll also throw in some of their old original tunes from the “CBD” album. More on Chad and their roots on page 16 in our special music section. SATURDAY, JUNE 20 Carleton Reunion Weekend

Call 507/222-4205 for information.

Northfield Community Band Concert • 7:30 p.m.

Heritage Days

Bridge Square Local volunteer musicians provide this free concert – great for friends and family! Bring a lawn chair, sit back and enjoy!

Faribault This is the fourth of a five-day event. See June 17 description.

Mark Mraz • 8-11 p.m.

The Tavern Lounge Forget about life for awhile with the piano man. From Billy Joel to Kermit the Frog – Mraz tickles the ivories and entertains requests from the audience. More on this finger-flying phenomena on page 20 in our special music section. Karaoke • 9 p.m.

Froggy Bottoms Study Hall with Peter, Terry & Peter

The Contented Cow This includes Peter Lynn and Terry VanDeWalker – but unless it’s a typo there’s another Peter in the bill. These guys really rock the house – digging deep into obscure covers and original tunes. More on Study Hall on page 19 in the special music section.

JUNE 2009

Eccentric Circus Concert • 3-10 p.m.

Sechler Park A battle of the bands put on annually by the Northfield Union of Youth. All ages. $4/$3 with a costume. Theme: robots. David Haack • 5 p.m.

The Contented Cow A blues and rock sandwich, served with a side of soul…this Des Moines, Iowa/Los Angeles, Californiabased rocker has toured with Billy Ray Cyrus and has the TV role of Hannah Montana’s guitar player, Davie. Community Scandinavian Midsommar • 6 p.m.

Way Park Celebrate midsommar Scandinavian style with a processional, maypole raising, music, dancing and games. Hot dogs, ice cream treats and waffles available for purchase. Rain site: St. John’s Lutheran Church.

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

Politics and a Pint • 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 20 continued Literary Arts Event • 6:30-8 p.m.

Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault In honor of Faribault’s Heritage Days, you’ll write poems and poetry based on your family. Matt Arthur and the Bratlanders 7-11 p.m.

The Tavern Lounge Roots music. Original folk and gospel. Outlaw country.

The Contented Cow Join in on discussions concerning local issues at this “lightly moderated” open forum. For information on topics, go to www.contentedcow.com. Northern Roots Session • 7:30 p.m.

The Contented Cow Acoustic music with roots in the north, particularly the Nordic countries. Listen, jam, enjoy. Quiz Night • 8 p.m.

L&M Bar and Grill, Dundas

The Contented Cow Stop in anytime to sign up. Foursomes will compete for prizes and the chance to drink from the “Winner’s Mug” the week following their triumph!

DJ Music • 9 p.m.

MONDAY, JUNE 22

Burning Chrome • 8:30 p.m.

The Contented Cow Karaoke • 9 p.m.

The Rueb ‘N’ Stein SUNDAY, JUNE 21 Carleton Reunion Weekend

Call 507/222-4205 for information. Heritage Days

Faribault This is the fifth of a five-day event. See June 17 description.

Poker • 7 p.m. Northern Roots Session Froggy Bottoms Play Texas Hold ’em for points and prizes. Free!

Nordic Jam • 7:30 p.m.

The Contented Cow This weekly open acoustic jam session plays from the Nordic countries and their immigrant communities in North America. And there is more…Happenings continued on page 30

14 NEG@northfieldguide.com

Welcome

to our annual salute to those who set our toes to tapping, our hands to clapping and our minds to running free. Musicians, composers, the young, the seasoned, the imports, the homegrown…what kind of haps would we have without these happening cats?!

Ameriikan Poijat brass septet Founded in 1990 by St. Olaf professor of music and Vintage Band Festival stalwart, Paul Niemisto (inset), “Ameriikan Poijat” (Boys of America) is made up of primarily Midwestern musicians of Finnish descent. Their repertoire derives directly from original manuscript sources found among Finnish bands and archives: Waltzes, schottisches, polkas, mazurkas and polonaises. Prominent composers include Sibelius and Madetoja as well as modern Finnish composers and arrangers who have contributed many new works to the septet. “Through contact with septet players in Finland, we realize that our playing style may differ a bit from native performers, but their enthusiasm for our renditions has been gratifying. We play with a ‘foreign accent.’” In 1992 they toured Finland (and again in 1995 and 2000) and played an entry march for Finnish President Mauno Koivisto. Founding members are: Brian Borovsky, Sheldon Theater Brass Band, alto horn; Don Hakala, Bloomington Symphony, cornet; Eric Kiltinen, Washington D.C., tenor horn; Karl Hill Kortesmki, Grand Rapids, Michigan, horn and alto horn; Niemisto, euphonium; Denise Pesola, Fargo-Moorhead Symphony, cornet; Russell Pesola, professor of music, Concordia College, Moorhead, E-flat cornetist; and Eric Peterson, Bloomington Symphony, tuba. More at www.ameriikanpoijat.org

Dolce Wind Quintet Five wind players + one Contented Cow = the perfect place to play standard wind quintet literature, orchestral transcriptions, show tunes, holiday music, waltzes, popular songs and ragtime. Dolce Wind also plays weddings, special events and recitals around the Twin Cities. They perform annually for The Schubert Club in St. Paul’s Landmark Center and other magical venues as varied as the front porch of an old farmhouse to a riverboat on the St. Croix. The Quintet is Ford Campbell, bassoon; Marilyn Ford, oboe; Karen Hansen, clarinet; Vicki Wheeler, horn; and Nancy Wucherpfennig, flute. Hansen and Campbell are St. Olaf grads. More at dolcequintet.com.

Your Full Service Band Instrument Center

Band Instruments Repair Service Private Lessons Digital Pianos

Violins & Acces. Guitars, Cases Church PA Pro-Audio

952-758-5166 • 104 Main St. E • New Prague

JUNE 2009

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

Fish Frye

Mankato-based Fish Frye is Joe Tougas and Ann Fee. They play throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, telling stories of “saints in bars, new wave girls, Tennessee rain and other fun topics.” Five decades of music delivered so you can hear the band and the person next to you.

acoustic duo eclectic pop, rock & country

They were introduced to Northfield in 2007 when they both gave readings and played some songs at the Contented Cow as part of The Blueroad Review, an anthology of road writing published by John and Abbey Gaterud. Their favorite venues are Richard’s in St. Peter, Vincenzo’s in Stoughton, Wis., RedSky and Pub 500 in Mankato and the Contented Cow. More on Facebook and myspace.com/mankatofishfrye or by emailing ann@fishfrye.com. Upcoming gig: June 27 at the Contented Cow.

acoustic alternative

Chad Johnson rock & country Born and raised in Northfield – a homespun story: 1994 – 7th grade – best friend Mark Grundhoefer starts to learn guitar. He thinks Johnson should learn to play drums so they could start a band. They find a used drum kit, an old stool and another good buddy, Russell Franek, who

Featuring Acoustic Acts Call Ann (645-6653)

Support music in Northfield! Soup • Sandwiches • Gourmet Coffee Espresso • Ice Cream • Quality Beers 415 Division Street S. • Downtown Northfield

16 NEG@northfieldguide.com

shows interest in learning an instrument. So Grundhoefer teaches him guitar. Two months later “The Grundhoefer Band” is born. “The funny thing is that Mark literally taught both me and Russ, in just a couple months, how to play our instruments. Mark, in my opinion, is a musical genius. It’s just natural for him.” Grundhoefer’s dad, Joe, owns (and still owns) the Rueb’N’Stein and lets them play once a month upstairs. They pack the place and Joe lets them divide up the cover, which some nights is a pretty good chunk of change for 7th and 8th graders. “We felt like little rock stars!” Ninth grade – they go their separate ways but still get together and jam once in a while. Johnson explores guitar and writes lyrics. 2001 – Johnson, Franek, Adam Hackfeld and Kyle Heckers form Communication Breakdown. They release their first CD in January 2002 at The Grand, which is Johnson’s favorite place to play. Mark Grundhoefer makes guest appearance. The band breaks up in 2002. Johnson continues writing songs and in 2004 records a solo CD through Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls. It’s released at The Grand in July 2005 selling more than 200 CDs the first night. Raising a family trumped live performances, but inspired him to write more. Now, with the kids a little older, he’s playing live shows again – solo and acoustic (he opened for Grayson last month at the Grand), with an eye towards releasing his second CD this summer. More at www.chadjohnsonmusic.com Upcoming gig: with Bohemian Duo June 19 at the Contented Cow.

Area 51righteous sound

The Legend of Area 51 (abridged): In the mid-1990s teachers, architects, communications experts and folks with medical backgrounds began to meet secretly to discuss music theory. In due course – they took up musical instruments: Guitars, drums, saxophones, harmonicas, voices and cowbells. Finally – their time had come – and Northfield experienced a juggernaut of righteous sound that some would call “music from the heavens.” Their identities, closely hidden for so many years, are now revealed: Vocals: the “Songbird of Southern Minnesota,” Barbara Piper Bass: the “Beast of the Bass,” Joel “The Colonel” Cooper Drums and percussion: Richard “The God of Thunder” Hanson Harmonica: Ed “Clean Head” Treinen Guitar: The “Acoustic Alchemist,” Al Agee Mandolin: Dan “Maestro of the Mandolin” Kust Sax: The “Horn Lord,” Dan Andreasen Lead guitar and vocals: “Colorado” Ray Coudret

tented Cow, Upcoming gigs: June 6 and 26 at the Con Lounge. rn Tave June 25 at the

• The Wayne Eddy Affair • Art Zany • Tech Talk • Fine Tune • The Unexpected Caregiver wins • Minnesota Tw • Afternoon Drive

• The Long Way Home • The Morning Show • Multe Music • Law Review • Kid Talk • La Vecedora • Locally Grown Radio

Breakthrough mostly Christian

From Nerstrand…rocking, relevant, redeeming... revolution… the sound that is Breakthrough. Five siblings – writing their own music – doing covers – hoping their music is the tool that brings a lost generation home. They’ve played locally at the Northfield Armory, Bridge Square, Hogan Brothers Acoustic Café and various church events. They also perform all over the United States, playing youth events, festivals, parties, coffee houses, clubs, churches and campgrounds. Their first CD, “Waiting,” can be purchased directly from the band. Upcoming gig: June 5, 8 p.m. at the Grounded Cafe, Madison, Wisc. For more, go to www.myspace.combreakthrough2, email jkmedin@dishmail.net, call Kim at 507/649-1130 or PJ at 507/581-9152.

JUNE 2009

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

Daniel Kallman composer extraordinaire If you know the more formalized music scene of Northfield – you know of Daniel Kallman. If you don’t – he’s the one often seen biking around town, his long white bear flowing in the breeze. He was born and raised in Austin, Minn. In 1986 he moved to Northfield and has been a self-employed composer ever since. He’s left his mark having composed several pieces for the Northfield Youth Choirs (NYC’s founder, Cora Scholz, was Kallman’s first piano teacher in Plainview, Minn., when he was five years old). Most recently, he composed “Come, Make A Home” with text by his wife, Christine, choreography by Shari Setchell and conducting by Liz Shepley. It commemorated Northfield’s sesquicentennial in 2005. Another, “Fidelitas,” was an orchestral work with narration commissioned for and performed by the Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra, conducted by Paul Niemisto with Will Healy as narrator, commemorated the 125th anniversary of the 1876 defeat of the James-Younger Gang. It was written to uphold the ideals of sacrifice, and heroism to honor Joseph Lee Heywood, who was killed when he refused to open the vault.

He wrote a premiere musical, “Donata’s Gift,” for the Northfield Arts Guild (1998). It will be produced again at the end of this year. Book and lyrics were by Christine Kallman. He’s also written music for other NAG productions including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “As You Like It” and “Much Ado About Nothing” and served as music director for “The Secret Garden” (1996), “Donata’s Gift” (1998, 2009) and “Cabaret” (2006). Several years ago Dan and Christine wrote and performed musical shows as volunteers at Greenvale Elementary, then Longfellow and Sibley. That proved so successful they marketed the shows and took them on the road to many elementary schools in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin under the name of Twin Moon Productions. You’d think that would be enough – but there’s more. For the past ten years he’s transcribed and arranged the horn parts for the Northfield High School’s immensely popular Rock ‘n Roll Revival. He conducts and writes music for the Bethel Lutheran Adult Choir and helps with their Youth Sunday once a month. He organizes a Christmas Choral Concert from local volunteer singers each December at the men’s prison in Faribault. Finally, he owns and operates Kallman Creates Publications, selling printed music to primarily bands, orchestras, choirs and churches. But you can bet there’s more. To find it, go to www.kallmancreates.com.

sionaltetJazz Occajazz quin classic

Co-directed by Mark Pernecky on keyboard and Steve Kelly on sax, Occasional Jazz is dedicated to the mainstream classic jazz of Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck and others in the same styles. Plays monthly at the Contented Cow, the colleges and other Northfield events. More by emailing skelly@carleton.edu. Upcoming gig: June 24 and the Contented Cow.

18 NEG@northfieldguide.com

Marty Anderson

Americana with country alternative sounds Martin Anderson is the lead member of Marty Anderson and the Goods, which currently includes Scott Barvir on drums, Hannah Breckbill on bass and violin, Paul Delong on lead guitar and keyboards, Peter Jones on drums, Katie Knuntson on vocals, and Marti Anderson and Peter Laack on sax, keyboards and vocals. They offer an eclectic mix of music in both time and genre, covering artists including John Hiatt, Steve Earle, Springsteen, Zevon, the Replacements, David Bowie, the New York Dolls, Ryan Adams, Wilco and Bright Eyes. Martin began his musical career in Minneapolis with several different bands including the Dogs (once opened for the Replacements at the 7th Street Entry at First Avenue). In 2002 Martin and his son, Michael, and cousin, Marty, started acoustic guitar trio. In 2003 Martin met his future wife, Marti (yes –that would be Marti, Martin and Marty all in one story – hang in there!), who worked at Aquatic Pet’s in Northfield. The Goods first gig was in the front of the pet store for their 13th anniversary customer appreciation night. Martin returns there for Crazy Daze, Third Thursdays and Winter Walk. Martin’s favorite local venue is the Contented Cow where he plays at least once a month. His favorite Minneapolis venue is the Cabooze where he recently performed with the White Iron Band and Mark Grundhoefer of Down Lo for a Bob Dylan tribute. For more, go to martinandersonandthegoods.com. Upcoming gig: June 26 and the Contented Cow.

Study Hall with Terry and Peter Though Study Hall’s Terry VanDeWalker and Peter Lynn share the common bond of the Rice County All-Stars (see next page), this musical collaboration far preceded said group, dating instead to late night “jams” at Peter’s beloved house by the tracks on Second Street after they had closed down the Contented Cow. Between these sessions and the musical success of the RCAs, Terry decided to graciously invite Peter to partner on a formal and regular basis – just the two of them on guitars, digging even deeper than the RCAs into the realm of obscure covers and original tunes. Pairing Terry’s big red electric and Peter’s mellow acoustic guitars, Study Hall (as it was soon deemed) explores the world of B-sides and rarities every other Thursday at the Con-

JUNE 2009

tented Cow – rain or shine, crowd or no crowd, for better or for worse...and more often than not, with special guests aplenty. For more homework, go to www.northfieldcollective.com/ profile/StudyHallwithTerryPeter. Upcoming gigs: June 11 and 18 at the Contented Cow.

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

Rice County All-Stars (RCAs) raucous covers/ underexposed originals

In June 2007, the late great Deputies had booked a gig at the upstairs Rueb that presented a scheduling conflict for half the band. Rather than submitting to an embarrassing cancellation, Deputies Michael Anderson and Peter Lynn approached their good friend and Big Wu drummer Terry VanDeWalker to solicit his services for the evening. Terry, always willing to play if able, gladly agreed, and approached his friend Aaron Anderson of Mr. Sticky to round out the rhythm section for the evening. Billing themselves as the Rice County All-Stars, the foursome laid down a set of raucous covers and under-exposed originals, setting an excellent precedent for future collaborations and officially formalizing the genesis of the RCAs. When Michael Anderson departed to pursue his Minneapolisbased Son of a Gun, the RCAs picked up the talented Aaron Hagenson of the Last Known Whereabouts (Northfield’s 2008 pick for Best Band) to take his place. In that respect, the RCAs consider themselves a Northfield “supergroup” – drawn from some of Northfield’s strongest musical outfits, the RCAs bring to the table considerable musical prowess and channel it into

crowd- and band-pleasing covers alongside the occasional original plucked from the member’s bands (or material otherwise unreleased). Whether playing their “home” venue of the Contented Cow, benefits in Faribault, or weddings in Red Wing, the RCAs will dig up some songs you want to hear, let their hair down and encourage you to do the same. Keep an eye out for a new RCA on the horizon as Terry soon hopes to move out from behind his kit and showcase his big red guitar skills... The Rice County All-Stars are: Aaron Anderson of Mr. Sticky – bass Aaron Hagenson of the Last Known Whereabouts – guitar Peter Lynn of Slack & Daylight – guitar, keys Terry VanDeWalker of the Big Wu – drums (soon to be guitar?) More at www.northfieldcollective.com/profile/RiceCountyAllStars. Upcoming gig: June 26 at the Contented Cow.

Mark Mraz – Northfield’s “piano man” Mark Mraz grew up playing piano – and many other instruments – and then went off to the University of Minnesota to get a teaching degree. There he played in the marching band on the drum line and even donned the Goldy Gopher suit for a season. He went on to tickling the ivories in coffeehouse duos, bar bands, wedding bands, dueling piano bars and on solo piano. Currently he plays with the Mraz Brothers Band and Raggs. He did put the education degree to good use – he teaches middle school music in Burnsville. He broke into the Northfield scene at the Tavern Lounge, which remains his most frequent Northfield venue and favorite place in town, though he also plays regularly at Froggy Bottoms and has performed at the Contented Cow, the Grand, the Rueb, the Northfield Golf Club and Willingers. He’s hands-down Northfield’s “piano man.” It would be remiss not to mention his staunchest supporters since day one: John and Vicki Tripp.

More at www.mrazbrothers.com/mark.htm.

Upcoming gigs: June 11 and 18 at the Tavern Lounge.

20 NEG@northfieldguide.com

Richard Katherine Collman

orchestrating organist

When Richard moved to Northfield in the summer of 2006, he hosted an organist friend from Las Vegas, which prompted a tour of pipe organs in Northfield. They saw organs at churches and the colleges – a wonderful array of different instruments – and they got to try them out. That sparked Collman to orchestrate a series of summer noontime 30-minute recitals, something he’s played in and scheduled for other cities. Seven such recitals by local and visiting performers were set up in the summers of 2007 and 2008 and have become a mainstay of Northfield’s annual ArtSwirl (Aug. 13-16, 2009). Nine 30-minute noontime recitals are scheduled for this summer, beginning Wednesday, July 8, in Boe Chapel at St. Olaf and concluding during ArtSwirl at Trinity Lutheran. Raised in the country west of Duluth, Collman discovered the organ as a college senior and has been playing it ever since (nearly 40 years). Last fall he taught an Elder Collegium course on what Mozart tagged, “The King of Instruments.” Collman serves as organist at First English Lutheran Church in Cannon Falls, on Northfield’s Arts and Culture Commission, on the Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra Board, and sings in I Cantanti. For details on upcoming organ performances, stay tuned to the Northfield Entertainment Guide. More on pipe organs every Sunday night with Michael Barone at “Pipedreams” on Minnesota Public Radio, 99.5, KSJN Twin Cities at 9 p.m.

New Moon Trio multi-hyphenated rock This is Northfield’s premier amateur blue-eyed, blue-collared, white-bearded, blues band playing blues-rock, folk-rock, country-rock, pop-rock and crock-rock. Drummer Lance Heisler has been playing music longer that most Northfielders have been on the planet. His big break came when he and his bandmates converted an old school bus into a touring bus and traveled to gigs throughout the Dakotas in the 1960s. An attorney by day, Lance is the band’s velvet-voiced crooner at night. Guitarist Justin London is classically trained. He kept it honest working his way through the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music playing blues guitar in bars at night in the 1970s. He is part of an occasional classic guitar duo that performs internationally. Justin is a professor of music at Carleton and sporadically tries to impart some basic elements of music theory to the rest of the band.

started with the harmonica, moved to the guitar and settled on the bass. Ross is a community organizer by day...just think of Barack Obama but shorter, fatter and whiter.

Bass player Ross Currier came to music rather late in life. A few years ago his youngest daughter needed help with her piano lesson and, to her great disappointment, found out that he couldn’t read music. Dedicated to self-improvement, Ross

Upcoming gig: June 25 at the Contented Cow.

JUNE 2009

Lance came to Northfield for love, Justin came here for money, and Ross came here...of course...for the authentic downtown. For more, see newmoonband.blogspot.com/.

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

Annita Walsh – harpist/singer/guitarist –with a twist Anita Walsh specializes in country, Celtic, popular standards and Christmas music. She began singing publicly at nine years of age and, finding an old beat-up guitar in the closet, took guitar lessons from the nuns at St. Mary’s Catholic school in Alexandria, Minn. Country music became her passion at 15, so she sold her horse to buy a new guitar and focused on becoming a singer. Years later, she spied a harp booth at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival and was smitten! She’s been studying harps and harp history ever since. After moving to the Northfield area, she took lessons from Elinor Niemisto. She added singing to her harp playing – not as simple as it might sound. There were no country music harpists/singers to look to for ideas so she created her own harp arrangements to accompany herself. The most recent addition to Annita’s stable of harps is a Lyon and Healy solid body electric with a pick-up on each string. With a distortion pedal, this harp can be used like an electric guitar – you can imagine the fascinating possibilities! For more, go to www.harpmaven.com.

The Northfield Troubadors – religious, patriotic, traditional and show tune sounds

The Northfield Troubadors, left to right: Gerhard “Gery” Meidt, director, Phil Parsons, Dieter Prowe, Dean Larson, John Varley, Lee Gangloff, Larry Jones, Ross Stickley, Dick Cover, Phil Peterson, Russ Margulies, John Backstrom, Ed Youngquist, Gary Knutson, Don Anderson, Jud Lemke, Fred Stanley, Dick Dahlin, Jerry Williams, Les Rud, Paul Raadt, Dick Appleyard, Doug Kriesel, Dean Ostlie, Richard Nau, Rhonda Reece, accompanist and Jack Huus. Not pictured: Gene Drentlaw, Frank Gery and Terry Gilbertson.

This singing group was established in 1979 as a follow-on to the Northfield Mens Chorus, which had disbanded several years earlier. The group was sponsored by the Northfield Seniors Association and organized and directed by Marilyn Wing. Wing was succeeded as director by John Evenson in 1997, who was in turn succeeded by Gerhardt “Gery” Meidt in 2003.

fall through May, concluding with a Spring Concert, which will be presented this year on Sunday, June 7 at Saint Johns Lutheran Church, 3 p.m., along with several other musical groups. To join the group – contact Meidt at 507/664-9534 or Russ Margulies at 507/645-7201.

The group performs religious, patriotic, traditional and show tunes at no charge for Northfield-area organizations from late

22 NEG@northfieldguide.com

Advertorial

On the Job with Greg Schmidt

Long Summer Days Warm Summer Nights Forget about work Forget about homework Forget responsibility Start living outdoors Enjoy warm summer breezes in your new outdoor getaway.

Call Schmidt Homes Remodeling today and make your porch, deck and addition dreams a reality. 507-663-0482 â&#x20AC;˘ www.schmidthomes.com A division of Steven Schmidt Construction, Inc.

JUNE 2009

A Division of Steven Schmidt Construction, Inc.

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

24 NEG@northfieldguide.com

CUISINE of INDIA

Open for lunch & dinner 6 days/week. Closed Mondays. Lunch Buffet ~ A La Carte Catering Take-out Parties Welcome

Northfield

Edina

507-645-2462 214 Division St. S.

952-946-0009 7078 Amundson Ave.

GOOD BEER GOOD FOOD GOOD COMPANY

Wed. June 24-Sat. June 27 Wed. June 24

Fri. June 26

6:30 pm: Occasional Jazz

6 pm: Heritage

8:30 pm: Bridge Water Ramblers

Thurs. June 25 4 pm: Spring-Heeled Jack 6 pm: New Moon Trio

4 pm: Area 51 8 pm: Gospel Gossip 10 pm: RCAs

Sat. June 27 2 pm: The New Deal 4 pm: Fish Frye 6 pm: Marty Anderson & The Goods 8 pm: Meredith Fierke 10 pm: The Options

Sundays • Politics & A Pint 6pm • Northern Roots Jam Session 7:30pm • Quiz Night 8pm

Mondays: Tuesdays:

www.chapati.us JUNE 2009

Nordic Jam

Blue Grass & Old Time Jam

This is the season for music at the Cow! Open 3 pm

www.contentedcow.com

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

June SUNDAY

Get in the Guide! Send us your event information! Online at www.northfieldguide.com or email to info@northfieldguide.com

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Third Annual NRC Golf Classic • 11 a.m.

Chamber Ensemble Recital III • 12-1 p.m.

Violin/Viola Recital 3-4:30 p.m.

Northfield Golf Club

Concert Hall, Carleton

Poker • 7 p.m.

African Drum Ensembles Recital • 4-5 p.m.

Summer Outdoor Movie Night • 9 p.m.

Great Space, Carleton

Contented Cow

Violin/Viola Recital 4:30-6 p.m.

The Brothers Burn Mountain

Music Hall 103, Carleton

The Contented Cow

Froggy Bottoms Man Cave Monday: Movie Night • 7-9 p.m.

Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault Nordic Jam • 7:30 p.m.

The Contented Cow

Bluegrass and Old Time Jam Session • 7:30-10 p.m.

The Contented Cow

Politics and a Pint • 6 p.m.

Poker • 7 p.m.

The Contented Cow

Froggy Bottoms

Bluegrass and Old Time Jam Session • 7:30-10 p.m.

Books and Stars: Magician Star! • 7 p.m.

Northern Roots Session 7:30 p.m., Contented Cow Quiz Night • 8 p.m.

Nordic Jam • 7:30 p.m.

The Contented Cow

Central Park

The Contented Cow

F lowers & Fine Art 2009 NORTHFIELD GARDEN CLUB GARDEN TOUR

Saturday, June 27th from 10-4 Sunday, June 28th from 12-3

Six Artists

Six Gardens

Art in Bloom June 25 - June 28 Northfield Arts Guild 304 Division Street

26 NEG@northfieldguide.com

Garden Tour Ticket Price is Only $10

Advance tickets available at :

Hodge-Podge Que, Knechts Nursery, and Present Perfect

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Todd Thompson Trio • 8-11 p.m.

Kevin Stanke • 7-11 p.m.

Area 51 • 5 p.m.

The Tavern Lounge

The Tavern Lounge Karaoke • 9 p.m., Rueb ‘N’ Stein

The Contented Cow

Dave Manning and Brandon Emmerich, The Contented Cow Goodsell Observatory Open House 10 p.m.-midnight

The Tavern Lounge

Goodsell Observatory, Carleton

L&M Bar and Grill, Dundas DJ Music • 9 p.m., The Rueb ‘N’ Stein

Claim to Fame Pre-Party

27th Annual Claim to Fame

Carleton Commencement • 9:30 a.m.

Harmony Park, Geneva, MN

Northfield Community Band Concert • 7:30 p.m., Bridge Square Mark Mraz • 8-11 p.m.

Ian Alexy • 7-11 p.m.

Hulings Hall lawn (Rec Center if bad weather)

The Tavern Lounge

27th Annual Claim to Fame

Bonnie & the Clydes • 8-11 p.m.

Harmony Park, Geneva, MN

Tavern Lounge

The Contented Cow Karaoke • 9 p.m., Rueb ‘N’ Stein

Norwegian Cowboy • 7-11 p.m.

Karaoke • 9 p.m.

Froggy Bottoms

Karaoke • 9 p.m., Froggy Bottoms Study Hall with Peter, Terry & Peter

The Contented Cow

Jon Manners • 7-11 p.m. Carey Langer • 8 p.m.

The Contented Cow Karaoke • 9 p.m.

The Tavern Lounge Best of Broadway! • 7:30 p.m.

Paradise Center for Arts, Faribault Karaoke • 9 p.m.

L&M Bar and Grill, Dundas DJ Music • 9 p.m., The Rueb ‘N’ Stein Dime-Store Watch, Contented Cow

Farmers Market • May-October • Waterfront Park (across the river from the Safety Center) Tues & Fri, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday 9-11 a.m. produce, plants, cut flowers, baked goods, jams, jellies, pickles, occasional music & more!

JUNE 2009

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

27th Annual Claim to Fame, Harmony Park,

Poker • 7 p.m.

Froggy Bottoms

Bluegrass and Old Time Jam Session • 7:30-10 p.m.

Geneva, MN

Nordic Jam • 7:30 p.m.

The Contented Cow

Heritage Day, Faribault Wake-Robin • 1-2 p.m.

Politics and a Pint • 6 p.m.

The Contented Cow

Bittersweet

The Contented Cow

Books and Stars: IrishMohr • 7 p.m.

Best of Broadway! • 2 p.m.

Odd Fellows Park

Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault Northern Roots Session 7:30 p.m., Contented Cow Quiz Night • 8 p.m.

The Contented Cow

Carleton Reunion Weekend Heritage Days, Faribault Politics and a Pint • 6 p.m.

Poker • 7 p.m.

Froggy Bottoms

Bluegrass and Old Time Jam Session • 7:30-10 p.m.

Books and Stars: Amy & Adams • 7 p.m.

Nordic Jam • 7:30 p.m.

The Contented Cow

Central Park

The Contented Cow

2nd Annual June Bug 4 p.m. into the night

Northern Roots Session 7:30 p.m., Contented Cow Quiz Night • 8 p.m.

Burning Chrome – Bridge Square, 4 p.m. Occasional Jazz – The Contented Cow, 6:30 p.m. Key West Rejects – The Tavern Lounge, 8-10 p.m. Bridgewater Ramblers – The Contented Cow, 8:30 p.m. Mark Joseph Project – Rueb ‘N’ Stein, 9 p.m.

The Contented Cow

Garden Tours • 12-2 p.m. Pancake Breakfast 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., VFW Politics and a Pint • 6 p.m.

Poker • 7 p.m.

Froggy Bottoms

Bluegrass and Old Time Jam Session • 7:30-10 p.m.

Nordic Jam • 7:30 p.m.

The Contented Cow

The Contented Cow Northern Roots Session 7:30 p.m., Contented Cow Quiz Night • 8 p.m.

The Contented Cow

28 NEG@northfieldguide.com

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Carleton Reunion Weekend Heritage Days, Faribault Carleton Garage Sale • 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Carleton Reunion Weekend Heritage Days, Faribault Eccentric Circus Concert • 3-10 p.m.

West Gym, Carleton

Sechler Park

Taste of Northfield • 5-10 p.m.

Joe Meyer • 7-11 p.m., Tavern Lounge Karaoke • 9 p.m., Rueb ‘N’ Stein Bohemian Duo, The Contented Cow

David Haack • 5 p.m., Contented Cow Scandinavian Midsommar • 6 p.m.

Bridge Square Northfield Community Band Concert • 7:30 p.m., Bridge Square Mark Mraz • 8-11 p.m., Tavern Lounge Karaoke • 9 p.m., Froggy Bottoms Study Hall with Peter, Terry & Peter

Way Park Literary Arts Event • 6:30-8 p.m.

Paradise Center for Arts, Faribault Matt Arthur and the Bratlanders 7-11 p.m., The Tavern Lounge Burning Chrome • 8:30 p.m.

The Contented Cow

The Contented Cow Karaoke • 9 p.m.

L&M Bar and Grill, Dundas DJ Music • 9 p.m., The Rueb ‘N’ Stein

Annual Chamber Golf Event

Celebrate Dundas 2nd Annual June Bug 4 p.m. into the night

Celebrate Dundas ArtOrg 1000 Print Summer 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Area 51 – The Contented Cow, 4 p.m. Heritage – The Contented Cow, 6 p.m. Relativity – The Tavern Lounge, 7-11 p.m. Gospel Gossip – The Contented Cow, 8 p.m. The Norwegian Cowboy – The HideAway, 7:30-10 p.m. The Bratlanders – Rueb ‘N’ Stein, 9 p.m. RCAs – The Contented Cow, 10 p.m. Karaoke • 9 p.m., Rueb ‘N’ Stein

Railway Street, Dundas

Willingers Golf Club Northfield Community Band Concert 7:30 p.m., Bridge Square 2nd Annual June Bug 4 p.m. into the night

Spring-Heeled Jack – The Contented Cow, 4 p.m. New Moon Trio – The Contented Cow, 6 p.m. Area 51 – The Tavern, 8-11 p.m. Toaster Fork! – The Contented Cow, 8 p.m. Draper Daniels – Rueb ‘N’ Stein, 9 p.m. Art Opening Reception • 6-9 p.m.

Northfield Arts Guild Karaoke • 9 p.m., Froggy Bottoms

Garden Tours • 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 2nd Annual June Bug 2 p.m. into the night.

The New Deal – Contented Cow, 2 p.m. Fish Frye – The Contented Cow, 4 p.m. Marty Anderson and the Goods – The Contented Cow, 6 p.m. The Norwegian Cowboy – The Tavern Lounge, 7-11 p.m. Carey Langer – HideAway, 7:30-10 p.m. Meredith Fierke – The Contented Cow, 8 p.m. Gumption Trapp – Rueb ‘N’ Stein, 9 p.m. The Options – Contented Cow, 10 p.m. Karaoke • 9 p.m.

L&M Bar and Grill, Dundas DJ Music • 9 p.m., The Rueb ‘N’ Stein

Bring this coupon in for

15%

OFF

your next printing order Expires 6/30/09

JUNE 2009

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

2nd Annual June Bug • 4 p.m. into the night

HAPPENINGS continued TUESDAY, JUNE 23 Bluegrass and Old Time Jam Session 7:30-10 p.m.

The Contented Cow Bluegrass and old-time musicians of all levels gather to jam. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24

Books and Stars: Amy & Adams • 7 p.m.

Central Park Enjoy eclectic folk rock, Tin Pan Alley and bluegrass music. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and settle in for the fun. Booker opens at 6:30 p.m. and has library books, magazines and movies for all ages. If you need a library card you can get one on Booker! Cocoa Bean will sell refreshing Hawaiian Shaved Ice. Rain site: 1651 Jefferson Pkwy. For information, call 507/645-6606.

This is the first of four nights of music. Burning Chrome – Bridge Square, 4 p.m. Occasional Jazz – The Contented Cow, 6:30 p.m. Mainstream classic jazz of Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck and others in the same style. More on page 18 in our special music section. Key West Rejects – The Tavern Lounge, 8-10 p.m. Being kicked out of the Keys in August 2004 didn’t get these musicians down. They just packed up their guitars and headed north for a change. Playing favorites from Jonny Cash, Tom Petty, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, Foo Fighters, Lit, Buck Cherry and many more surprises, they have all the bases covered. The Rejects also play a wide repertoire of originals from all of the revolving musi-cian’s catalogs.

Bridgewater Ramblers – The Contented Cow, 8:30 p.m. This local group is best described as a variety band focusing on country/folk and variety type music with a strong vocal orientation. Artists and groups covered include Susan Ashton, The Beatles, Greg Brown, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Eagles, John Fogerty, Dan Gofelberg, John Gorka, Faith Hill, Michael Johnson, Allison Krause, Gordon Lightfoot, Kenny Loggins, Paul Simon, Al Stewart and Doc Watson. Mark Joseph Project – Rueb ‘N’ Stein, 9 p.m. Led by singer/guitarist Mark Grundhoefer, the Project mixes strong vocals, solid funk and R&B beats as it slides from classics by Jackie Wilson to twisting arias by John Legend and Erykah Badu.

Here’s what’s happening in June! 10 Magician

Star! Magical fun for all. At Central Park.

17 InishMohr! Irish & Scottish quartet featuring

traditional dance tunes including jigs, reels and hornpipes, interspersed with a few ballads. At Odd Fellows Park.

24 Amy

& Adams! Music with many influences: Eclectic Folk Rock, Tin Pan Alley and Bluegrass. Enjoy free & fun family entertainment at various parks throughout Northfield! At Bridge Square. Free summer reading program runs June 8-July 30 for “read to me kids” through Grade 5.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and settle in for fun!

Cocoa Bean will be selling refreshing Hawaiian Shaved Ice. Proceeds benefit children’s programming at the library!

*Rain Site:

NCRC Room SS103, 1651 Jefferson Parkway.

Call 645-6606 for details or changes. www.northfieldmn.info

Supported by City of Northfield-Library & Northfield Schools Community Services Division. Sponsored by a grant from Southeastern MN Arts Council.

30 NEG@northfieldguide.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 25 Annual Chamber Golf-A-Palooza • 11 a.m.

Willingers Golf Club Annual Chamber fundraiser includes 11 a.m. lunch/registration, 1 p.m. shot gun, tail gate party to follow. Northfield Community Band Concert • 7:30 p.m.

Bridge Square Local volunteer musicians provide this free concert – great for friends and family! Bring a lawn chair, sit back and enjoy! 2nd Annual June Bug • 4 p.m. into the night

This is the second of four nights of music. Spring-Heeled Jack – The Contented Cow, 4 p.m. New Moon Trio – The Contented Cow, 6 p.m. Here’s a taste of 100 years of popular tunes, random requests and spontaneous harmonies featuring Ross Currier on bass, Lance Heisler on drums and Justin London on guitar. More on these local wonders on page 21 in our special music section. More JuneBug on next page…

JUNE 2009

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

Culver’s Happy Hour! Monday–Friday from 2–5 p.m. enjoy

Buy One, Get One FREE Medium Concrete Mixers, Shakes and Malts! ite d L im ffe r! eO Tim

Build Your Own! Butterscotch • Chocolate Syrup • Hot Caramel • Hot Fudge • Marshmallow Cream • Mint Topping Peanut Butter • Candy Sprinkles • Brownie Pieces • Banana • Blackberries • Blueberries Cherries • Peaches • Pineapple • Raspberries • Strawberries ®

Culver’s of Northﬁeld 960 Hwy. 3 South Northﬁeld, MN 55057 507-645-7700 getculverized.com

Free Medium Concrete Mixer, Shake or Malt of equal or lesser value of purchase. Please no substitutions. Not valid with any other offer. Not valid for value basket upgrade purchases. Valid at Culver’s of Northﬁeld, MN for a limited time only.

32 NEG@northfieldguide.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 25 continued.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26

More JuneBug from previous page…

Celebrate Dundas

Area 51 – The Tavern, 8-11 p.m. Take eight from the fields of education, architecture, communications and medicine, mix in guitars, drums, saxophones, harmonicas, voices and cowbells, and you’ve got “music from the heavens.” More on page 17 in our special Northfield music section. Toaster Fork! – The Contented Cow, 8 p.m. Original music from alt country to straight up rock and roll, blues and punk. Draper Daniels – Rueb ‘N’ Stein, 9 p.m. Heartland rock for the soul – rock with alternative country influences and litely sprinkled with folk. The band is: on guitar/vocals Jeff Draper and Mike Danielson, on bass Phil Haire, and on drums Scott Skaja.

This is the first of a two-day community festival that includes, on Friday, outdoor baseball The Zillionaires with the Dukes followed by an outdoor screening of the movie, “A Rebel without a Cause,” and Saturday you’ll find bingo, mini-golf, a car show and carnival, music, a live broadcast of Will Healy’s “The Long Way Home,” horses, history and live music by the Entertainment Guide’s Best Band of the Year 2008, The Zillionaires, from 8 to 11. Full schedule at www.cityofdundas.org.

SOUTH METRO

Art Opening Reception • 6-9 p.m.

Northfield Arts Guild “La Petite France, det vakre Norge.” See page 6.

Now is a great time to buy your first home Phone: 507-663-1234 ext. 19 Cell: 507-244-0500 janstevens@realtor.com

Karaoke • 9 p.m.

Froggy Bottoms

Realtor & Certified Residential Specialist

COUPON

$999 $899

Adult Cut Kid’s Cut OR (11 & under) Valid at Northfield Salon only. One coupon per person. Not valid with other offers. Expires 7/31/09.

COUPON

$799 $899 Waxing

OR Men’s Cut

Waxing includes brow, lip or chin. Seniors - age 60 and over. Valid at Northfield Salon only. One coupon per person. Not valid with other offers. Expires 7/31/09.

COUPON

$3499$4499

All-Over Color OR Full-Foil Highlights or Perm Additional charges for long hair, additional color & specialty perms. Valid at Northfield Salon only. One coupon per person. Not valid with other offers. Expires 7/31/09.

JUNE 2009

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

FRIDAY, JUNE 26 continued 2nd Annual June Bug • 4 p.m. into the night

This is the third of four nights of music. Area 51 – The Contented Cow, 4 p.m. See June 25 and/or page 21. Heritage – The Contented Cow, 6 p.m. Contented Cow regulars from Farmington play Irish music. Relativity – The Tavern Lounge, 7-11 p.m. Current and classic light rock as well as great original music. Toby Jensen on acoustic guitar and vocals, Sandy Jensen on vocals, guitar and strumstick and Linda Grimm on vocals, percussion and harmonica. Gospel Gossip – The Contented Relativity Cow, 8 p.m. Voted Best Band by City Pages – “Drawing on old-soul pop awareness they must have accrued in their past lives, these wunderkinds have made a high-wattage debut that harkens to the finer, headier days when brainiacs like the Velvet Underground and New Order were called party music.” Gospel Gossip

The Norwegian Cowboy – The HideAway 7:30-10 p.m. Old-school country, ’80s rock, alt-country and alt-rock. Songs you don’t want to admit you like. Not really a cowboy. The Bratlanders – Rueb ‘N’ Stein, 9 p.m. Roots music. Original folk and gospel. Outlaw country. RCAs – The Contented Cow, 10 p.m. The Rice County All-Stars are Aaron Hagenson, Peter Lynn, Terry VanDeWalker and Aaron Anderson – that would be a dose of Last Known Whereabouts, a dash of Deputies, a smidgen of Big Wu and Mr. Sticky to taste – the All-Stars. More from the beginnings to today on page 20 in our special music section.

RCAs

Karaoke • 9 p.m.

Rueb ‘N’ Stein SATURDAY, JUNE 27 Celebrate Dundas

This is the second of a two-day event. See June 26 description. ArtOrg 1000 Print Summer • 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Railway Street, Dundas

See page 6.

34 NEG@northfieldguide.com

JUNE 2009

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 27 continued

Karaoke • 9 p.m.

Garden Tours • 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

DJ Music • 9 p.m.

This is the first of a two-day event. Visit local gardens, enjoy live music and get inspired. 2nd Annual June Bug • 2 p.m. into the night.

This is the fourth of four nights of music. The New Deal – The Contented Cow, 2 p.m. Fish Frye – The Contented Cow, 4 p.m. Mankato-based duo featuring a Neil Youngsounding Joe Tougas and the georgeous-voiced Ann Fee. Eclectic pop from Etta James to KISS – five decades of music delivered so you can hear the band and the person next to you. More on this hot new Fish Frye addition to the local music scene on page 16 in our special music section. Marty Anderson and the Goods – The Contented Cow, 6 p.m. A blend of Americana and country alternative sound with lots of Bob Dylan. They do some glam-era adaptations that really rock, as well as new music like Wilco and Ryan Adams. The 2009 “Goods” are: Hannah Breckbill, Paul Delong, Pete Jones, Kate Knutson and Peter Laack. More on Marty Anderson on page 19 of our special music section. The Norwegian Cowboy – The Tavern Lounge, 7-11 p.m. Marty Anderson Old-school country, ’80s rock, altcountry and alt-rock. Songs you don’t want to admit you like. Not really a cowboy. Carey Langer – The HideAway, 7:30-10 p.m. A solo artist covering six decades and seven styles of music. From The Everly Brothers and Frank Sinatra, to Rick Springfield, Dave Matthews and Jimmy Eat World, plus original music. Meredith Fierke – The Contented Cow, 8 p.m. Well-heeled in the Minneapolis Carey Langer music scene, this Northfield-grown wonder practices original illusive lyrics, raw emotion and deft guitar playing – voted Northfield’s Best Female musician 2008. Gumption Trapp – Rueb ‘N’ Stein, 9 p.m. Minneapolis-based folk rock/roots music/ jam band – 600 pounds of sin! The Options – The Contented Cow, 10 p.m. Five psychologists and an artist – you figure you who is who. Either way, this Meredith Fierke garage band has taken it up a notch with a classy sound, captivating vocals and a jamming good sax.

36 NEG@northfieldguide.com

L&M Bar and Grill, Dundas The Rueb ‘N’ Stein SUNDAY, JUNE 28 Garden Tours

This is the second of a two-day event. See June 27 description. Pancake Breakfast • 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

VFW Politics and a Pint • 6 p.m.

The Contented Cow Acoustic music with roots in the north, particularly the Nordic countries. Listen, jam, enjoy. Quiz Night • 8 p.m.

The Contented Cow Stop in anytime to sign up. Foursomes compete for prizes. MONDAY, JUNE 29 Poker • 7 p.m.

Froggy Bottoms Play Texas Hold ’em for points and prizes. Free! Nordic Jam • 7:30 p.m.

Nordic Jam

The Contented Cow This weekly open acoustic jam session plays from the Nordic countries and their immigrant communities in North America.

TUESDAY, JUNE 30 Bluegrass and Old Time Jam Session • 7:30-10 p.m.

The Contented Cow This ongoing event is for bluegrass and old-time musicians of all levels, cultivating an inclusive atmosphere of musicians and an evening of entertainment for the audience.

Get in the Guide! Send us your event information! Online at www.northfieldguide.com or email to info@northfieldguide.com © NORTHFIELD ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE

July is just around the bend – and that means we’ve got another fun-filled, home-town 4th of July Celebration in the works – food, music, a kiddie carnival, bike parade and, of course, fireworks! This event is solely funded through private donations. All money raised goes directly into the celebration. Give what you can – every bit helps. Support this home-town celebration! Make checks out to the 4th of July Committee and send to: 4th of July Committee, PO Box 75, Northfield, MN 55057.

Who’s Playing at a Glance Ian Alexy .......................................................... June 12 – Tavern Area 51 ...............................June 6, 26 – Cow; June 25 – Tavern Marty Anderson and the Goods ....................... June 27 – Cow Matt Arthur and the Bratlanders ................. June 20 – Tavern Bluegrass and Old Time Jam Session .............Tuesdays – Cow The Bohemian Duo ............................................ June 19 – Cow Bonnie & The Clydes.......................................... June 12 – Cow The Bratlanders.................................................. June 26 – Rueb Bridgewater Ramblers ....................................... June 24 – Cow The Brothers Burn Mountain ............................. June 3 – Cow Burning Chrome ......June 20 – Cow, June 24 – Bridge Square Dime-Store Watch .............................................. June 13 – Cow Draper Daniels ................................................... June 25 – Rueb Meredith Fierke................................................... June 27 – Cow Fish Frye............................................................... June 27 – Cow Gospel Gossip...................................................... June 26 – Cow Gumption Trapp ................................................ June 27 – Rueb David Haack........................................................ June 20 – Cow Heritage................................................................ June 26 – Cow Key West Rejects ............................................. June 24 – Tavern Carey Langer .....................June 6 – Cow, June 27 – HideAway Jon Manners ...................................................... June 6 – Tavern Dave Manning and Brandon Emmerich ........... June 5 – Cow Mark Joseph Project.......................................... June 24 – Rueb Mark Mraz ................................................. June 11, 18 – Tavern Joe Meyer ......................................................... June 19 – Tavern The New Deal ...................................................... June 27 – Cow New Moon Trio................................................... June 25 – Cow Nordic Jam........................................................ Mondays – Cow Northern Roots Session ....................................Sundays – Cow Norwegian Cowboy.....June 13, 27 – Tavern, June 26, HideAway Occasional Jazz.................................................... June 24 – Cow The Options ........................................................ June 27 – Cow RCAs..................................................................... June 26 – Cow Relativity .......................................................... June 26 – Tavern Spring-Heeled Jack ............................................. June 25 – Cow Kevin Stanke ..................................................... June 5 – Tavern Study Hall w/Peter, Terry and Peter .......... June 11, 18 – Cow Toaster Fork! ....................................................... June 25 – Cow Todd Thompson Trio ....................................... June 4 – Tavern Wake-Robin .............................................. June 17 – Bittersweet The Zillionaires ............................................. June 27 – Dundas

JUNE 2009

Clubs, Classes and More… Glass Garden Beads Beading Class – 507/645-0301

First and third Mondays Northfield Public Library – 507/645-6606

Free Summer Reading Program, June 8-July 30 – For kids through 5th grade. Adventure Girls, 7 p.m. – Book club for girls ages 9+. First Steps Early Literary Center, Mon and Fri, 10 a.m.-noon and Sat, 10-11 a.m. (for children 6 months-4 years) Infant Lapsit, Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Toddler Rhyme Time, Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Preschool Stories and Crafts, Thursdays, 10 a.m. Carleton ACT Story Hour, Saturdays, 11 a.m. Just Food Co-op – 507/650-0106

Tuesdays: Knitting Night, 7-9 p.m., 507/645-6331 – knit, chat, share ideas and get help. Sweet Pea’s Toys and Treats Game Night – 507/645-6555,

Thursdays, 5-7 p.m. – Fun, prizes and family time! The Key

Mondays: Book Club, 5-6 p.m. Tuesdays: Photo Club, 5-6:30 p.m. Art Project Night, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays: Skate Park meeting, 5-6 p.m. College Prep, 7-8:30 p.m. – Learn about the ACT, financial aid, how to write a college essay, etc. The Key will pay for college applications for those not able. Most who show up are paired with a caring and knowledgeable adult. Fridays: Movie Night, 7-9 p.m. Sundays: Writing Workshop, 3-5 p.m. – For details, call 507/663-0715. Paradise Center for the Arts – 612/216-1206

More classes and activities at www.paradisecenterforthearts.org. Beginning Basic and Intermediate Acrylic Painting, Thursdays in the summer beginning June 4, 1-3 p.m. – Gary Hoganson helps students paint from photographs, or assist them in developing paintings that they have been working on. Supplies not included. Fee: $50/ses members ($60/ses non-members), five-week session. Open Textile Lab (ages 15+), second Monday of the month 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Get acquainted with the textile lab and do a small project planned by instructors. Registration encouraged. Instructors: Deb Johnson and Arlene Rolf. Fee: $10/ses members ($15/ses non-members). Pastel Drawing with Jeff Pridie, Mondays: June 15, 22 and 29, 10 a.m.-noon – beginning/intermediate. Learn basic pastel techniques and use of materials. Those with previous experience will develop further techniques. Intermediate students will start a portfolio to be displayed at the Paradise Member Show in August. Painting supplies included. Fee: $60/ses members ($70/ses non-members), six hours of instruction. PJ’s Fabric and Crafts, 507/332-7151 – Classes include crochet-

ing, knitting, sewing, quilting and more! For a full calendar schedule visit, 111.emailcontact.com/calendar/view/5132 River Bend Nature Center, 332-7151 – Classes and activi-

ties at www.rbnc.org.

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

HISTORIC

HAPPENINGS NORTHFIELD STYLE By Susan Hvistendahl

There’s a Long Tradition for Singing in Northfield Northfield’s rich musical heritage can be traced back to Ann North, wife of Northfield’s founder, John North. When it came to a choice between bringing along either John North’s law library or Ann North’s piano when they moved from New York to Minnesota in 1849, her piano won and the law books were shipped later. Certainly, she fostered the inclusion of music in every civic milestone after the Norths moved from St. Anthony to Northfield, as she played and sang at local meetings of this new town. The first schoolhouse for 25 pupils was built within a year of the town’s founding in 1855, and the celebratory dedication ceremony on Nov. 7, 1856, went on for hours. Ann North wrote to her parents in New York about this event, “I assure you we had a good time.” After mentioning the speakers, including the teacher and her husband, she said that a quintet of singers, including herself, sang three anthems: “Give Ear, O Shepherd,” “How Beautiful Upon the Mountain,” “Make a Joyful Noise,” and three pieces of secular music: “The Pilgrim Fathers,” “The Happiest Time is Now” and “Farewell Glee.” She said, “I played the melodeon.” As described in last month’s column, John North wasted no time in establishing a Lyceum. When the Constitution for this

38 NEG@northfieldguide.com

Ann North was the first fount of music for Northfield, playing piano and singing at the town’s first local gatherings. Photo credit: Northfield Historical Society

debating society was written in October of 1856, the organizing committee recommended “that the Choir who now have the use of the hall for singing schools, have the continuance of such privilege only on condition of furnishing vocal music for the Lyceum at the opening and close of each meeting.” The topic of women’s rights was one of the first to be debated and, after it was decided in the affirmative by both sexes, the session concluded (appropriately enough) with the singing of “There’s a Good Time Coming.” But during January of 1857, the Lyceum minutes noted an absence of singing. Hiram Scriver, secretary, wrote on Jan. 14, “Singing being called for, the genius of music had fled for the time, and the members were fine to content themselves with a musical excuse from the Pres.” A week later, Scriver wrote, “Singing was called for but being like our

thermometers subject to great variations. We are now suffering under the minimum of the fever, consequently the music was minus.” Finally, in February, “Our ears were again greeted with music. The treat being not only in its merit, but in its novelty.” It was not until 1872 when the Lockwood Opera House was built on Division Street that Northfield had a showcase of its own for musical and thespian talents. A souvenir program from the opening of the Ware Auditorium in 1899 on Washington Street said that the Lockwood stage was small but “on it played some good attractions for Northfield,” including lectures, plays, musicians and traveling shows. The opening of the Ware provided an even grander venue for entertainment, which continues today as the Grand Event Center. By 1875, Northfield had a music teacher, Miss May Martin, and during the inaugural term of the St. Olaf’s School, also in 1875, the school offered instruction in piano, organ and the elements of note reading in vocal class. An early school choir was formed on Dec. 3 with 28 boys and nine girls. In April 1876, the choir officers decided to join a new gymnastics club instead and that choir ended, but a music teacher, Miss Ella Fiske, provided vocal and instrumental entertainment with her students that spring. A Haydn Chorus (which included both students and town residents) was formed at Carleton and grew from 20 to about 60 participants by the end of the 1877-78 school year when this choir provided music for commencement week. In 1880, the Department of Music at Carleton became the first department to have its own building.

JUNE 2009

In March 1888, the Manitou Messenger reported: “Song choirs are springing into existence and are as long-lived as May flies, an ephemeral insect which our prospective zoologists will be able to fully describe.” The first “concert tour” occurred on May 17,1889, when the male Kjerulf Quartet, a ladies quartet, a piano instructor and a violinist from St. Olaf traveled to far-off Kenyon. Emily Skinner was active in music in the early days of Northfield, playing the melodeon for her Congregational Church. She said in a Jan. 1, 1926, Northfield News story, “I enjoyed singing! I would sing till I couldn’t talk. We gave the cantata ‘Queen Esther’ three nights in succession one year. The receipts the last night went to build a fence around the park. Cattle ran loose in those days so everyone had a fence. That fence was the first improvement made in the park.” By the way, she greatly facilitated singing on Carleton’s campus by donating Skinner Memorial Chapel in 1916, in honor of her husband Miron, a pioneer merchant, banker, mayor and Carleton board member In 1900, St. Olaf music professor Oluf Glasoe organized a Choral Union of 56 singers who performed on Founders’ Day, Nov. 6. In the fall of 1903, F. Melius Christiansen became music director in the newly established Music Department and organized the first St. Olaf Music Festival of May 17-18, 1904. This event featured Haydn’s cantata “Creation,” performed by a chorus of invited singers and the Danz Symphony Orchestra of Minneapolis (forerunners of the Minneapolis and Minnesota Symphonies). The first of the famous Christmas festivals took place in December of 1912 and had been preceded in the spring Historic Happenings continued on next page

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

Historic Happenings

continued from previous page of 1912 by the concert tour (of Wisconsin and Illinois), which had announced the name of “The St. Olaf Choir” for the first time. In 1913, the St. Olaf Choir made its first of many tours abroad, to Norway. In 1926, when the new Music Hall at St. Olaf was dedicated, the Minneapolis Symphony played a concert, which led to yearly exchanges between the symphony and the choir.

choir was in its infancy at the Congregational Church. In 1919, J. Arndt Bergh started his 29year career as a music teacher at St. Olaf. He became the organizer and director of the Northfield Male Chorus. St. Olaf voice teacher Gertrude Boe Overby was a universally praised soprano soloist with the St. Olaf Choir for many years, even after her graduation in 1923. Her husband Oscar Overby, a St. Olaf professor who directed what became the Chapel Choir, was well-known in the choral music field. Later on, Alice Larsen (St. Olaf Class of 1951) taught voice and directed the Manitou Singers (the first year women’s chorus) from the mid-1950s until 1983, before retiring in 1989. It was said that she had directed more than 2000 singers in her long career.

Meanwhile, at Carleton College, singing by a glee club was part of the first “May Fete” on May 22, 1909, along with marches, pole dances, ice cream and crowning of a May queen at Lyman Lakes. (By the 1920s, this festival attracted more outside visitors to Carleton than any other event.) The year F. Melius Christiansen (shown here at the age 1912 was a banner year for vocal music of 80 in 1951) was founder and first director of at Carleton. The School of Music became the famous St. Olaf Choir. The renowned St. Olaf Choir continues to the Conservatory of Music and was Photo credit: St. Olaf Archives bring international recognition to Northauthorized to grant a bachelor of music field. It has had only four directors, all very degree. This same year, Edward (Ned) Strong, a noted tenor and esteemed, since its founding by F. Melius Christiansen: Olaf C. son of Carleton’s first president, James Strong, became Professor Christiansen, who succeeded his father as director in 1943 until of Voice and Dean of this Conservatory. Also, famed composer 1968, when Kenneth Jennings took over; and Anton ArmFrederick L. Lawrence (nicknamed “Daddy”) returned to be strong, who was named director in 1990 and continues today. professor of piano, organ and composition and director of the college choir. He had led the choir from 1898-1901, when the

40 NEG@northfieldguide.com

Carleton’s choir has an esteemed vocal tradition, as well, including a presentation of the cantata “The Swan and the Skylark” in 1920, accompanied by the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. Starting in 1947, Henry L. Woodward and his wife Enid (who directed the choir and glee club) continued to build up the Department of Music at Carleton. Two years were spent in preparation for a three-day Bach Festival in March of 1950 in which the Carleton Choir, directed by Enid Woodward, sang the entire Bach B Minor Mass. Two other prominent names in Carleton’s recent vocal history: composer Phillip Rhodes, who composed and premiered two operas while at Carleton, “The Gentle Boy” in 1982 and “The Magic Pipe” in 1992 and Lawrence Burnett (winner of the first New York Governors’ Award for African Americans of Distinction in 1992) who has been Carleton’s choral conductor since 1993. St. Olaf student Luther Onerheim founded the male Viking Chorus in 1935, which is now composed of first year men and directed by Dr. Christopher Aspaas. Still going strong at St. Olaf is the student-led a cappella ensemble, the Limestones, founded at St. Olaf in 1989. Among the student-organized singing groups at Carleton, which still exist today is the “Carleton Knights,” which originated in 1955 when Carleton freshman Dixon Bond formed a men’s a cappella singing group called “the Carltunes.” Among the names to remember with long service in the choral history of Northfield High School are Paul W. Stoughton, director of music for the Northfield School System, who was the Historic Happenings continued on next page

Current Northfielder Dixon Bond is shown here (foreground center) in 1959, singing with the Carleton Knights group he founded in 1955. Photo credit: Carleton Archives

1001 HWY 3 South, Northﬁeld (next to McDonalds)

507-664-9530 northfieldkitchenconcepts.com Store Hours: M-F (9AM-5 PM) Sat (9AM-2PM)

JUNE 2009

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

Historic Happenings continued from previous page

first choir director, from 1937-54 (as well as director of the band and orchestra); Yosh Murakami (St. Olaf Class of 1951), who served as choir director at NHS from 1954-68; and Wayne Kivell, who then took over until 1994. (One of the many NHS Choir highlights was being named the highest rated choir at the Key-

Paul Stoughton (at piano) was the first Northfield High School choir director. His successor, Yosh Murakami, stands behind him in this 1954 photo. Photo credit: Northfield Historical Society

www.Ahadiscounts.com. Cardholders will receive discount(s) up to 50% at the point of purchase from local participating businesses on ®

REALTOR

507-645-1181 pamgillespie@edinarealty.com

Residents may pick up the $10 value City Discount Card as a Free Gift from any business store listed on www.AhaDiscounts.com. These Free Gifts are limited, so don’t wait! (The offer will end on June 30th, 2009)

Pam Gillespie

Your Card Is Your Year-Round Savings!

City Discount Card 42 NEG@northfieldguide.com

note Choral Festival in Chicago in 1990.) And, of course, among student shows, the eagerly anticipated Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival always rocks the rafters and sells out all of its performances. Also worthy of note are the Northfield Boys’ Chorus, founded by Robert Swanson in 1969, which toured the country until its end in 1984; the senior men’s chorus “The Troubadours,” celebrating its 30th anniversary this year (see profile on page 22); the Northfield Chorale, founded by Connie Sansome and Robert Scholz, which existed from 1980-1998; the Northfield Youth Choir, organized by Cora Scholz and Judy Bond in 1987 and now directed by Elizabeth Shepley; and KidzSing (started in 2004) for elementary age students. One highlight of the Chorale was the 1987 premiere of St. Olaf professor Carolyn Jennings’ choral song cycle, “Sitting on the Porch,” based on poems by Minnesota poets, including three with Northfield connections: Mary Easter, Joan Wolf Prefontaine and E. Reed Whittemore. The Northfield Arts Guild, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, has its own proud vocal tradition, which will be the subject of my August column.

At the conclusion of a Lyceum meeting on April 14, 1858, Northfield’s first choir sang what was termed “a favorite piece” called “Old Obediah.” Their rendition “brought down the house,” according to the minutes of the meeting. This song was followed by “The Battle of the Nile,” sung with such “touching pathos” that it brought tears. The minutes concluded: “The society expressed their appreciation of the music, by frequent and continued applause…This choir reflects great credit on the musical ability of Northfield.” The musical ability of Northfield continues unabated today – in the schools, at the colleges, in the churches, on the performance stages of the town and maybe even at your local karaoke venue. Maybe. Thanks to the archives of the Northfield Historical Society, the Northfield Public Library, Eric Hillemann of Carleton, Jeff Sauve of St. Olaf, Wayne Kivell of Northfield High School and Dr. Joseph Shaw, St. Olaf professor emeritus of religion and college historian, for information used in this story.

Mini Theme Camps (Ages 3-12: June 22-25, Mon-Thurs) 4:00-5:15 (Ages 6-8) • 5:15-6:30 (Ages 3-5) • 6:30-7:45 (Ages 9-12) For $75 you receive: 6 hours of dance instruction with Faith Mitchell (Masters in Dance Performance), crafts, snacks and lots of FUN!

Summer Classes (All ages: July 13-24, Two weeks) Monday/Wednesday Kicks/Jumps/Turns (Int/Adv)...............3:30-4:30pm w/Miss Carisa Tap/Jazz/Hip-Hop (Ages 5-7)................4:30-5:30pm w/Miss Faith Open Ballet (All Ages/All Levels) ........4:30-5:30pm w/Miss Carisa Creative Movement (Ages 3-4) .............5:30-6:15pm w/Miss Faith Pre Pointe ....................................5:30-6:15pm w/Miss Carisa Fairytale Ballet (Ages 5-6) ..................6:15-7:00pm w/Miss Faith Kicks/Jumps/Turns (Beg/Int)...............6:15-7:15pm w/Miss Carisa Tap/Jazz/Hip-Hop (Ages 8 and up) .........7:00-8:00pm w/Miss Faith Hip-Hop (All Ages/All Levels) .............7:15-8:00pm w/Miss Carisa

Tuesday/Thursday Ballet V ....................................3:30-4:45pm w/Miss Carisa Baton Twirling ..............................4:00-4:45pm w/Miss Nora Ballet II ....................................4:45-5:45pm w/Miss Carisa Ballet III-IV ................................5:45-7:00pm w/Miss Carisa Lyrical ......................................7:00-7:45pm w/Miss Carisa

Hot Summer DEAL!!! 1st class full price. Addt’l classes half off!!!

Class Pricing: 45 min = $50, 1 hr = $55, 1 hr 15 min = $60

Ph oto s Ph by H oto em gra min ph gw y. ay

Competition Team Info. Meeting (July 27 at 6pm) • Competition Camp & Auditions (August 3-14) Visit our website for details, schedules and registration forms! Register via phone, mail, fax or stop-in!

JUNE 2009

640 Water St. So. (River Park Mall) Northfield, MN 55057 507-645-4068 651-330-8346 (fax) www.northfielddance.com Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

DINING

Support the restaurants that support the Northfield Entertainment Guide.

Chapati

See page 25

214 Division St. • 645-2462 (office 645-1665) www.chapati.us Closed Mondays – Cuisine of India. Variety of curry and Tandoor entrees including a large selection of vegetarian items. Wine and beer. Contented Cow

See page 25

302 Division St. S. • 645-1665 • www.contentedcow.com 3 p.m.-close – British-style pub with authentic British specialties as well as a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches. Extensive patio overlooking the Cannon River. Great selection of imported and domestic draft beer as well as a full selection of wine and spirits.

Ole Café

See page 8

151011 St. Olaf Ave • 645-2500 • Mon-Fri 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.-2 p.m. – A coffee shop and cafeteria-style eatery with soups, salads, build-your-own sandwiches, panninis, and during dinner hours – build-you-own-pasta bar. A retail bakery with cakes, cheesecakes, cupcakes, cookies, bars and breakfast pastries. A pizza bar and fine beers and wines. Quality Bakery and Coffee Shop – 410 Division St. • 645-

8392 • Opens 6 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday – Owned and operated by the Klinkhammer family since 1949. Quality baking from scratch using delicious family recipes with no preservatives. Custom cakes, homemade breads, donuts, pies, cookies, espresso, lunch and more. Quarterback Club

See page 9

960 Hwy. 3 So. • 645-7700 • getculverized.com – ButterBurgers and frozen custard.

116 3rd St. W. • 645-7886 • Mon-Sat • 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. – Family friendly dining in Northfield for 37 years. House specialties include broasted chicken, BBQ ribs and flame-broiled hamburgers.

El Tequila

The Tavern of Northfield – 212 Division St. • 663-0342

Culvers

See page 32

See page 10

1010 Hwy. 3 S. • 664-9139 • 11 a.m.-10 p.m. – Family restaurant offering authentic Mexican cuisine as well as wonderful margaritas and much more. Froggy Bottoms River Pub

See page 11

305 S. Water St. • 664-0260 • www.froggybottoms.com • Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-close – New menu! Steaks, salads, pasta and much more. Wide selection of beers and wines. Non-smoking restaurant with cozy atmosphere, thousands of frogs and a beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the Cannon River. The HideAway

See page 8

421 Division St. • 645-0400 • Mon-Fri • 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat-Sun 7 a.m.-10 p.m. – Cozy bistro atmosphere serving unique appetizers and sandwiches. Coffee drinks, wine and beer specialties. James Gang Coffeehouse and Eatery

See page 16

2018 Jefferson Rd. • 663-6060 • Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat- Sun 7 a.m.-5 p.m. – Voted Best Coffeehouse in southern Minnesota. Fresh daily roasted coffee. Wraps, soup, sandwiches, salads, desserts, ice cream and non-espresso drinks. Free wireless internet and business catering available. J. Grundy’s Rueb ‘N’ Stein

See page 44

503 Division St. • 645-6691 • www.ruebnstein.com 11 a.m.-close – Great burgers and famous Ruebens. Casual relaxing atmosphere. Huge selection of imported and domestic beers, fine spirits and wines. Game room, happy hour 3:30-6 p.m., Karaoke on Fridays at 9 p.m.

Sun-Thu 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri-Sat 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m., lounge open daily 3 p.m.-midnight – Located in the historic Archer House since 1984, The Tavern hosts casual dining with a wide variety of homemade menu items and specials daily featuring fresh fish on Fridays and prime rib on Saturdays. The Tavern Lounge sports a deck overlooking the Cannon River, appetizers and a full bar with live music Thur-Sat. Tiny’s Dogs All Day

See page 7

321 Division St. S. • 645-6862 • Mon-Thu 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Historic former pool hall, Tiny’s continues to delight patrons with great hot dogs, sandwiches, non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. Features include New York-style coneys, Chicago-style Vienna Beef, as well as Tiny’s own classic dog. Since 1947 Tiny’s has offered Northfield’s largest selection of specialty tobaccos and quality cigars. Willingers Bar & Restaurant

See page 3

6900 Canby Trail, Northfield • 952/652-2500 • Sun-Thurs 11 a.m. -9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m. – High above the course, with views of Willingers Golf Club’s fairways, greens, lakes, wetlands, ponds and trees, this venue offers dining with casual, upscale cuisine. Enjoy dinner or simply a beverage at the bar. Also available for wedding receptions, banquets, meetings or small gatherings. Get your venue listed here or with a display ad in the next Guide – very cool exposure at a very affordable price. Contact Abby – 507/663-7937 or abby@northfieldguide.com

CLASSIFIEDS

need printing?

50¢/word – 30-word minimum. Payment due before publication. Fax or e-mail text or inquiries to 507663-0772 or neg@northfieldguide.com.

Try By All Means Graphics. Money-saving coupon on page 29! 663-7937 or stop in at 17 Bridge Square.

44 NEG@northfieldguide.com

Just Curious…

And so a few quick questions and answers. By Breanna Zarbinski Meeting Virginia Kaczmarek is truly like getting a breath of fresh air in the hot summer. She is motivated, ambitious, passionate and, most of all, extremely personable. Although she has only “officially” lived in Northfield for a little more than a month, Kaczmarek has been involved in the community since 2007 as the director of the Northfield’s YMCA. Since then, she has helped the organization grow into a vital part of Northfield. BZ: How did you become involved in Northfield’s YMCA program? Kaczmarek: Almost by accident. I was working in River Falls as executive director of their YMCA. Friends of mine had heard the CEO position in Northfield was recently vacated and encouraged me to look into the job. My youngest had just graduated from high school and my house was on the market. My plans were to move to River Falls so checking into Northfield didn’t seem part of the plan. After further encouragement, I set up time to meet with the volunteers in Northfield during the fall of 2007. They gave me a tour of the community and I saw the Canon River and how beautiful the downtown is. The whole community is so beautiful and appealing. I remember sitting in the car driving and thinking, “I want this job.” I had a different career plan all mapped out, but I ended up taking a right turn. I applied to the job and started in December of 2007. BZ: Since then, how have you acclimated to working in Northfield? Kaczmarek: I’ve been commuting from Rosemount for oneand-a-half years and only just moved here about a month ago (I finally sold my townhouse). For me, it is so wonderful to be able to live only four minutes from my work. I can’t remember the last time I lived that close to work. I have rediscovered the wonders of leftovers, because I can go home and eat or bring leftovers to work! BZ: What things have changed since you first started? Kaczmarek: The Y is on an endeavor to build a full facility. I have been working like crazy to find areas of collaboration to accomplish this goal. Last year was a wonderful year for me personally, but also for the Y. It was probably the most successful year that I have ever had. For example, we started

JUNE 2009

summer day camps for pre-school and elementary schoolaged children. I had thought that since it was the first year, we may be lucky to get 50 kids in the program. We ended up with 127 kids and offered 28 of them scholarships. We also opened a Health & Wellness Fitness Center on the campus of the Northfield Retirement Community and our programs have significantly increased in size (many in collaboration with other organizations). BZ: Was the program a success? Kaczmarek: On the first day of our camp programs last summer, I remember one of the counselors returning from a day trip with great news. He said one of the kids told him that he had never been for a walk in the woods before. That type of experience is what the Y is all about. We are completely outdoor-focused and all about nature. For the Y, it is also about getting kids away from screen time on the television and computer. Statistics now say that kids get between five and seven hours of screen time a day! We are trying to encourage kids to get outside and become more active. BZ: Why do you think less kids go outside to play tag or games now? Kaczmarek: The culture has really moved away from those types of things. The major two determinants are definitely technology improvements and safety concerns. My role with the Y has been to examine how we can change the culture to make it more health-oriented and outdoor focused. Child obesity, for example, is becoming a terrible problem. We have a growing population of adults and kids struggling with health issues that need our attention. BZ: You mentioned that you are on your way to building a full facility in Northfield. Do you have any idea when that may be done? Kaczmarek: Our Y is a community-based nonprofit (501c3) and owned by Northfield. We have the support of the Y of the USA. They give us help with marketing or registration templates and curriculum materials, and other things that deal with administration. They’ve have also supported Ys across the nation to build full facilities and have 20 tried-andtrue steps for working towards a building in the Northfield community. They by no means do the work for us, but they give us guidance. We are at about step six or seven. From the moment the volunteers get together until the moment the new facility is open typically takes six to ten years and we are just over three years into that process. BZ: What inspired you to become a part of the YMCA? Kaczmarek: I was a single parent for most of my adult life. When I first became single, my son was nine months old and my daughter was three. I worked multiple jobs during the day and night and put myself through school. I got an undergraduate degree and a masters in economics. I was doing so much that I felt like I was always working, taking care of my children, or going to school. One day while going to the daycare, I passed a school bus with kids going to a YMCA camp. One of the counselors told me that I should send my kids to the day camp. My first thought was, “No way can I afford that!” A few days later, she saw me again and gave me a registration and financial aid form. It took me about a week Just Curious continued on next page

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

Just Curious continued from previous page

to fill them out, and I found out a week later that both of my kids could receive full scholarships to go to camp. BZ: What was that like? Kaczmarek: It was amazing! It was two whole weeks where I knew my kids were safe, having fun, doing crafts and singing songs. I didn’t have to worry about them, and I could just focus on school and my jobs. It gave me enough revitalization so that I could keep going. I remember thinking that someday I wanted to be in a position to be able to help someone else out as much as they had helped me. BZ: So how did you first get involved with the Y after that? Kaczmarek: After getting my graduate degree from the University of Kansas, I took the first job that was offered and worked there for about a year to get my feet under me. Then I took a job with the YMCA, so I have been working with the Y for about 11 years now.

“I remember thinking that someday I wanted to be in a position to be able to help someone else out as much as they (the YMCA) had helped me.” – Virginia Kaczmarek

BZ: What types of programs is the Y in offering this summer in Northfield? Kaczmarek: The YMCA is a family focused organization. We have so far been able to provide programming in summer camps and child care, youth sport and development programs and adult fitness. Last summer we had two elementary age camp programs and one for pre-school kids. This summer we are also collaborating with Carleton for a half-day camp as well, so there are three options for elementary-aged children. They all focus on the outdoors but have slightly different emphasis. We are also adding a teen camp for middle school students. There are three options: “Teen Cuisine,” “Teen Media,” and “Teen Outdoors.” We also have about 20 different options for weekly programs ranging from Wee Soccer, golf, tennis, young environmental scientists, flag football, family track and field and Leap’n preschoolers. BZ: Who comes up with all of these ideas? Kaczmarek: Mostly I do. I can use the Y of the USA to get ideas from other programs and I continually talk to parents, teens and kids here to get feedback and ideas about interesting programs. BZ: How do you hire your summer staff? Kaczmarek: It is a very long process. I interviewed 52 people in the last three weeks! I take copious notes to make sure I remember each person. I’m looking for experience and passion working with kids and I look for outdoor experience. I want our counselors and teachers to be role models to encourage kids to explore and understand the outdoors. It’s

Two Ways to “Find Your Voice” with Northfield Youth Choirs

Join us for our 09-10 Choral Season! REGISTRATION / CHOIR PLACEMENT DAYS

Tues., June 23, 4–7 p.m. Tues., Aug 4, 4–7 p.m. St. John’s Lutheran Church 500 W. 3rd Street, Northfield

All are welcome. No appointment necessary.

Or join us this summer for a week of musical theater fun! Session 1: For grades 2-6 June 21-26 Session 2: For grades 5-12 Aug 9-14

Scholarships available! For more information, call 507-664-9335 or visit www.northfieldyouthchoirs.org

46 NEG@northfieldguide.com

difficult to do this if you haven’t spent much time outdoors yourself. BZ: What is the hardest part of your job? Kaczmarek: Right now, the hardest part of my job is that I have so many hats. One minute I might be working on curriculum for our “Music and Movement” class and deciding who I should hire and if they need training and CPR certification. The next minute, I’m talking to my site and facilities committee and we are trying to determine who we can collaborate with in the community to build the building or provide more programming. I am constantly going from micro to macro, from details to big ideas. BZ: So what is your favorite part of your job? Kaczmarek: Even though the hectic schedule is the most challenging part of my job, it is also something that I love about my job. I thrive off that kind of diversity. One minute I could be giving a scholarship to a family for a summer program, and they are so thankful. The next minute, I will be working with volunteers that are really excited and want

JUNE 2009

to meet with the city or the school district. I continually feel gratified all day long. The staff is also amazing. I love watching them work with the children and love staff development. The YMCA is very relationship- and community-based, and I thrive on working with people to accomplish things together. The continual gratification of the job is really my favorite part. BZ: How do you think Northfield matches the YMCA’s mission? Kaczmarek: I have worked all over the Twin Cities in the YMCA system. Northfield has an amazing number of people that care about the community, volunteer their time and are civically oriented. People here care about this town. They show activism, concern and involvement. I think the Y can really fit in as a collaborating partner for all of these people, because the town seems very open to collaboration. I love collaboration, because I think it pools in the best resources that a community has to offer.

Check us out online at www.northfieldguide.com

Is your bank lending money for… Real Estate? Home Equity Lines of Credit? Autos? Businesses? Other Needs?

We are. First National Bank of Northﬁeld is always ready to loan money to qualiﬁed borrowers. Stop by our Downtown or South location and tell us about yourself. We look forward to working with you.

At the heart of Northﬁeld since 1872. Downtown

329 Division Street 507-645-5656

South

ﬁrstnationalnorthﬁeld.com

NEG@northfieldguide.com

Motor Bank

1611 Honey Locust Drive 507-664-0820

529 Division Street 507-645-5673

Member FDIC