Owatonna’s Uber Tanning continues growth I Waseca pilot helping missions in Third World
35C
APRIL/MAY 2009
Commerce along the I-35 Corridor
A taste of Mexico Jose Herrera has taken success of Plaza Morena to new heights in the region
35Confab: Gov. Tim Pawlenty talks about I-35 corridor business.
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35C Business Magazine • P.O. Box 537 • Northfield, MN 55057
Business of golf: While rounds were flat in the region, clubs optimistic.
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DECEMBER 2008/JANUARY 2009 35C
35Cbusiness.com
35Contents 6
The business of golf With rounds played around the state declining, area golf clubs holding their own.
A new skins game
s
12
The new owner of Uber Tanning Company is spreading the word about its products and success.
16
Cover story Jose Herrera’s journey from Mexico a coup for Mexican food lovers in the region.
22
A pilot on a mission
31
A fun solution
Waseca pilot/mechanic Maynard Stensrud volunteers to help Third World missions.
35Caricature: Northfield attorney James Schlichting wets a line to escape pressures of job.
Departments 4 5 11 20 21 26-27 28 29 30
35Commentary 35Confab 35Catalyst 35Commendation 35Culinary 35Chamber 35Construction 35Commercial Directory 35Charitable
Cover Photo
About Us
Jose Herrera has taken the recipes he learned in Mexico and turned them into dishes he serves at four restaurants he owns or coowns in the region.
Volume 1, Issue 5 Copyright Š 35C 2009 Published April/May 2009 by: I-35 Target Media, P.O. Box 537, Northfield, MN 55057 / 507-645-1136 Send releases and story ideas to: Jerry Smith at 35C Business Magazine, jsmith@I35targetmedia.com
(Photo by Thom Caya)
Publisher: Sam Gett Sales Director: Julie Frazier Associate Editor: Jerry Smith Account Executive: Machelle Kendrick Graphic Designer: Catherine Roberts Contributing writer: Forrest Izuno (Southern Research Outreach Center)
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35Commentary Weighing the pros and cons of bio energy B
iomass for renewable energy, biobusiness, bio-economy, bio-tech, local grown, healthy foods, pharming, farmaceuticals — some of the buzzwords and topics du jour as we try to cope with high energy prices, rising costs of healthcare, shifts in global markets and production strategies, sagging rural economies and rising consumer awareness. We all feel so enlightened that we sometimes forget that “local grown” corn ethanol was the rage in the prohibition era, that pharmaceutical giants had their own agricultural divisions in the 60s and 70s to cultivate plants such as periwinkle for use in cancer-fighting medicines, that people in many countries have never abandoned herbal medicines and that children in Southeast Asian villages can still be seen chasing water buffalo with pans to recycle solid manure for cooking fires. We have made great scientific, attitudinal and infrastructural strides in these areas. Yet, I find it interesting how close our present day conceptual solutions are to practices that have existed for centuries around the world, albeit on much more sophisticated levels today. I am a proponent of plant-based solutions. However, I would strongly suggest that we ensure two things as we move forward: good science and the right landuse balance. We have seen health claims
Guest Columnist Forrest Izuno about everything from food supplements to whole foods. Do we have the science to back up the claims? We can make energy out of virtually anything. Is it truly renewable, carbon friendly or practical? Have we been attentive to the fact that a bio-economy, in many current cases, requires land and the production of intentionally grown materials? Do we fully understand that to achieve our goals, we must find a sustainable land use balance for food production, human health crops, growing biomass for energy and maintaining a healthy environment? The big question is: How do we achieve all of the additional benefits from our fixed supply of land without jeopardizing our single-most important global advantage, i.e. the ability to grow a wide variety of foods in amounts great enough to feed ourselves as a nation? We need to remember that any bio-solution must address tangible and intangible
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values, be doable and practical, not create major imbalances in land use, be scientifically substantiated and result in economic benefits over a wide geographic area. Relative to southern Minnesota, there are tremendous opportunities for us in this new bio-economy. But, we must be patient and not get caught up in implementing technologies that will not be truly sustainable. We must strive to be better stewards of the land since the land now has more value. We cannot jump at new opportunities without first ensuring that the underlying science is sufficient and that land use and product balances are maintained. As entrepreneurs, we must not myopically lock into founding the next multi-billion dollar company. Instead, we should remember that a larger number of smaller companies, spread out over a larger area, will in fact bring more value to more people and to the rural landscape. Finally, we cannot forget that a bioeconomy is not just about making money; it is a strongly emotional issue with potentially huge implications with respect to a sustainable human race. — Forrest T. Izuno is Professor and Head of the University of Minnesota’s Southern Research and Outreach Center in Waseca. He can be reached at (507) 461-0320 or by email at izuno001@umn.edu
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35Cbusiness.com
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35Confab
A chat with Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty
A
?
5 Takeaways from Gov. Tim Pawlenty
1.
“Our corporate business tax rate in Minnesota is the third worst in the world.”
2.
“It’s too expensive to do business in this state. So I’ve launched a whole series of proposals to make Minnesota a more job competitive, business friendly state.”
3.
“You’d have to massively raise taxes in order to just make a dent in Minnesota’s budget deficit.”
4.
“The federal government is broke. But they’re going to send us billions of dollars. They are printing money in the basement and sending us money they do not have.”
5.
“I think the only way we’re going to get any sort of real discipline out there is to pass an amendment to require a balanced budget.”
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s Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty travels the state with the message of living within our means in these hard economic times, there is one topic he makes no qualms about. “It’s too expensive to do business in this state,” Gov. Pawlenty said in recent visits to Faribault, Owatonna and Dundas. “You cannot be pro-job and anti-business. We need to be a pro-job state.” In each of his three recent community discussions along the I-35 corridor, Pawlenty said that “our corporate or business tax rate (9.8 percent) in Minnesota is the third highest in the world.” “If Minnesota was a country by itself, if you combine the federal and state tax burdens in Minnesota, we’re the third highest in the world,” Pawlenty said. ”That is not competitive. For too many business sectors, it’s too expensive to start a business.” Pawlenty believes his answer to this crisis is simple. He’s proposed a plan that over six years would reduce Minnesota’s business tax rate from the 9.8 percent it is today to 4.8 percent. “It would be done incrementally,” Pawlenty said. “Minnesota would then go from being third worst to one of the better states in the country.” While Pawlenty discussed business on the state level, and even the local level, he did not address trends on a regional level during his stops.
some targeted things we can do. For example, Sage (Electrochromics in Faribault) has used the Job Seek Program, which has been very successful. That’s basically a tax-free opportunity for them to invest in Minnesota and not be taxed. The issue that they raised this morning (frozen funding) is really a federal one, so we can start by seeing if we can get the federal people to change the law.
In a 35C interview, Pawlenty touched on business along the I-35 corridor:
Q: How important are regional partnerships, such as those along the I-35 corridor, to the state’s business future?
Q: How can the state of Minnesota assist in helping regional businesses prosper? A: We have a whole series of programs in Minnesota that have worked, but we need to do more, including overall making this a better business and job climate by reducing the burdens on our businesses and job providers. We also have
Q: Do the state’s discussions and analyses of its business environment ever drill down to the regional level? A: Absolutely. If we don’t have a geographically balanced state in terms of where investments are made and where businesses grow, it begins to be an unfair or unbalanced state. With the programs that we are offering, many of them require that the investments and incentives be spread across the whole state. Q: How does the I-35 corridor (from Lakeville to Albert Lea) fit into the state’s business future? A: Well, that’s a major transportation artery for the whole state and really the upper Midwest, so it’s an important mover of goods and people and something we want to maintain and hopefully enhance in the future.
A: We see a correlation between economic development and prices where there is a modern infrastructure. So having an efficient, modern piece of infrastructure usually is a magnet or an invitation for businesses to come and stay and grow. That’s a critical part of the I-35 corridor and its attraction.
“
We need to get back to some basic things in this state. APRIL/MAY 2009 35C
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The Business of Golf Despite rounds played being down statewide, the region’s golf clubs are hanging tough during the economic slowdown By JERRY SMITH Photos by THOM CAYA
D
epending on whom you talk to in the region, golf is either holding its own in the slow economy or is in danger of becoming the next casualty. On one hand, you have the private and semi-private clubs that are flat or experiencing modest growth. On the other hand, daily or public courses are feeling the effects of the worst economy since World War II. “Minnesotans are probably going to continue to play golf, but the big question is how much,” said Curtis Jorgenson, the director of golf at Legacy Golf in Faribault. “It’s about the recreation dollar. People are choosing to do more family oriented things, which will affect the rounds of golf played here and at most public courses.” That trend began in 2008 as public courses across the state saw a 2 percent drop in rounds played from the year before, according to the Minnesota Golf Association. So as courses along the I-35 corridor open or prepare to open, golf faces major challenges in 2009. For Legacy Golf, the biggest challenge will be attracting leisure golfers in the region who aren’t members at area golf clubs and who might not have the same golf budget as they once had. “I can’t say we were down a lot last season, but we were definitely flat,” Jorgenson said. “I don’t see things getting much better in 2009 unless the economy makes a quick recovery. “All we can do is give our customers the best product we can on a daily basis and try to entice them to play. We’ll offer good deals to get them down here and hopefully they’ll like what we offer and keep coming back.” >>>
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Outings, weddings, food & beverage handicapped by slowdown Superintendent Phil Jones mows a putting green in preparation of the early March opening at Legacy Golf in Faribault.
Semi-private and private clubs are holding own The Owatonna Country Club has enjoyed a six-year honeymoon of sorts as it has seen growth in all areas of operation, including membership, since major renovations to the course and clubhouse took place in 2002. The honeymoon is all but over now as the club is feeling the effects of the economic slowdown, albeit not like public courses in the city and region. According to general manager Bob Howell, membership at the Owatonna Country Club was “way down” in 2002 when a decision was made to give the course and the clubhouse major facelifts. By all accounts, it was the right decision. “We were starting from scratch,” Howell said of the major renovation. “Each year since then, we have enjoyed growth in our membership. We have a cap of 350 members and we hit 340 toward the end of sum-
mer last year.” Then the economy went into the drink. Howell says this is the first year the club has hit the national average of club resignations, which is annually 7 percent. Up until this winter, that attrition number hovered around 4 percent to 5 percent. “We had a heavier than normal resignation this winter and people cited the economy,” Howell said. “I think things have settled down now. We always believed this would be the year attrition would reach 7 percent.” Now the challenge for Howell and the Owatonna Country Club in 2009 will be retention. “We want to give our members reasons not to leave,” Howell said. “We’d hoped in 2009 we would reach our cap. That vision has changed a bit. We’re now focused on a 2-3 year plan to get back to full membership.” The Northfield Golf Club has experienced the same
highs and lows as those seen at the Owatonna club. Attrition has decreased the number of members, and rounds played in 2008 were down 1,500-2,000, according to Mike Luckraft, director of golf and general manager at NGC. But the club saw the writing on the wall early enough to make a difference. The decision to waive the club’s $2,500 initiation fee helped attract enough new members to offset the number of resignations. “We lean more toward the private club and the prospective members were looking at the cost of a membership and the initiation fee as being too much in these tough times,” Luckraft said. “We made the decision to eliminate the initiation fee and that led to a big injection of members.” While 35 members were lost to attrition during the winter, 45 new memberships were sold, giving the club a net gain of 10 members. >>>
The actual golf part of the golf industry at semi-private and private golf clubs isn’t the only aspect feeling the pinch because of the economy. While the number of rounds at many of the courses in the region are flat or down, so are the number of players participating in outings. “I think more companies are taking a look at how they spend their money now,” said Bob Howell, general manager of the Owatonna Country Club. “As a result, we are seeing lower numbers. “We’ve signed everyone from the year before and will see 80-100 participants where in years past that number has been 120-144.” The food and beverage part of nearly every club has seen a decrease in revenues as well. “People still have to have weddings, but now they might spend a dollar or two less,” said Jeff Richards, general manager of the Waseca Lakeside Club. “They will make thrifty choices.”
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>>> “That doesn’t sound like a lot, but we feel fortunate to have gained any members,” Luckraft said. “We’re very optimistic for 2009. As we continue to do things to improve our product, more people will want to belong.” The exception As other private and semiprivate clubs weather the economic storm, Waseca’s Lakeside Club has been the true success story in the region. “We’re coming off a record operational year,” said Jeff Richards, who has been the director of golf and general manager for 16 years. “We’re membership driven and so far we have seen nothing but growth. We’re fortunate, we’ve been in the black my entire time here.” Richards says he isn’t naïve enough to think that the growth in Waseca will continue. He’s cautiously optimistic for 2009. “It will be interesting to see how the economy af-
fects us in 2009,” Richards said. Richard’s plan is to offer great products at reasonable prices. It’s a strategy that hasn’t changed much in his tenure. “A mistake you can make is to give your product away, even in times like these,” Richards said. “If you don’t have revenues, you can’t maintain your golf course.” Richards has had enough experience in the golf business to know that there will be ups and downs. When it comes to matters of economics as it pertains to golf, he is philosophical. “Golf was here before the Great Depression and it’s still around,” he said. “Golf tends to stick around and weather the storm no matter how bad it gets.” “Greens meetings” One aspect of golf that has never waivered is networking on the course. Doing business on the golf course is as prevalent as ever. >>>
ABOVE: Superintendent Phil Jones mows, as assistant groundskeeper Chad Carrigan inplants cups at Legacy Golf in Faribault. LEFT: Superintendent Seth Langager prepares machines for the upcoming season at the Waseca Lakeside Club.
“
We’re coming off a record operational year ... we have seen nothing but growth. — Jeff Richards, Director of Golf and General Manager of Waseca Lakeside Club
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We promise to deliver one thing:
better water, pure and simple. Assistant Golf Professional Brady Arnold puts out new woods in the Owatonna Country Club pro shop in preparation for the golf course opening.
>>> Richards believes there is no better place to network and do business than on a golf course. “There is a huge amount of business being done out here,” he said. “Social networking is not dead. What better place is there to network than on a golf course.” Bernie Gaytko couldn’t agree more. The president of First National Bank in Waseca believes in doing business on the golf course so much, he encourages all of his officers to be members at the Waseca Lakeside Club. “It’s very important for our officers to be out there often to make those connections,”
he said. “It’s a big part of the fiber of the community, the relationships that transpire at the clubs.” For Mike Milstead of Ag Power in Owatonna, it goes beyond that. He believes relationships can be forged on the golf course and for three years he has been doing his best to make that happen at the Owatonna Country Club. “Anytime you can talk to someone for four hours, that gives you a lot of time to talk about business,” said Milstead, a partner in the John Deere dealership in Owatonna. “It’s a fun way to conduct business. We take advantage anytime we can.” r
I-35 corridor golf courses Semi-private/private Faribault Golf Club • 507-334-5559 Northfield Golf Club • 507-645-4026 Owatonna Country Club • 507-451-6120 Kenyon Country Club • 507-789-6307
Legacy Golf (Faribault) • 507-332-7177 Brooktree Golf Course (Owatonna) • 507-444-2467
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Hidden Creek Golf Club (Owatonna) • 507-444-9229
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Havana Hills Golf Club (Owatonna) • 507-451-2577
Willinger’s Golf Club (Northfield) • 952-652-2500
Shoreland Country Club (St. Peter) • 507-931-4400
121 Walnut Ave. N, Owatonna • 507-451-1010 1104 S State St., Waseca • 507-835-1234 1690 Hwy 3 S, Northfield • 507-645-6621 • culliganiswater.com APRIL/MAY 2009 35C
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‘Suite Seats’ have Nicollet company sitting pretty P
hil and Chris Vorwerk don’t ever want to apologize for the work they do. That’s why the owners of United Commercial Upholstery in Nicollet say they use only the best materials to build their highly successful “Suite Seats� custom replacement seats for golf cars. UCU took its design cues for its Suite Seats from the marine industry. In that industry, studies showed that the first thing a potential customer looking at a boat or a pontoon would test were its seats. The Vorwerks knew that any seat they designed for golf cars would have to be stylish, well built and be able to withstand the elements. Chris said the work they’ve been doing in the marine industry has paid dividends. “We were already doing work for several boat manufacturers so we had the knowledge of what it takes to design
35C photo by Thom Caya
Phil and Chris Vorwerk have cashed in on the comfort, quality and good looks of their “Suite Seat� golf car seats.
and build a sharp looking seat that would stand up against the elements,� Chris said. “A lot of people compare Suite Seats to the kind of seats you see on bass boats.� Since production began in 2003 on the Suite Seats line, the Vorwerks have seen great success and incredible growth.
Business Relationships Matter
Golf clubs such as The Meadows at Mystic Lake and the Medina Golf and Country Club have gone with Suite Seats. “Our members deserve the best and Suite Seats are the best seats I have ever experienced,� said Jeff Drimel, director of golf at Medina Golf and Country Club. “Their comfort, looks and functionality are unmatched.� The company offers eight standard colors, which allows for 64 different color combinations within the standard pricing scheme. UCU also does custom colors, as well as custom fabrics. UCU also offers custom embroidery, which can be as
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specific as a corporate logo or a more general look such as a cart owner’s initials, all of which have been successful. “I didn’t think the golf car seats would take off like they did,â€? said Chris, who designed the Suite Seat lines. “It’s just not an appearance thing. Our seats are comfortable and built to withstand harsh elements.â€? On the business side, Phil believes the company has seen success by being competitive with other manufacturers. He says UCU has kept its overhead down by manufacturing the Suite Seat line in Nicollet and using the same materials used in its marine seats. “Because of our marine customers we are purchasing large amounts of raw materials used in the manufacture of our Suite Seats and this leveraging of our cost of goods is what makes Suite Seats affordable,â€? he said. For the Vorwerks and UCU, a decision to stay at a certain price point and not lose any quality has paid off as the company has continued to grow. “We’re not going to try to out cheap anybody,â€? Phil said. “A business thrives on quality, affordability and talent and we have all of that.â€? r • For more information, call United Commercial Upholstery at 507-232-4224.
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35 Catalyst Five who are making things happen along the I-35 business corridor
Kathleen Jansen
Marie McCarthy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
DEDICATED TO ST. PETER
FARIBAULT ADVOCATE
NORTHFIELD HOCKEY FAN
FAITHFUL TO OWATONNA
WASECA’S KEEPER OF LAKES
After a tornado ripped through St. Peter in the summer of 1998, Superintendent of Schools Gil Carlson was faced with one of the biggest challenges of his career. With school damages in excess of $10 million, he was asked, and met, his deadline to get students back in the classroom. “They needed normality,” said Carlson, who is now retired but still serves on many boards and volunteers in St. Peter. That’s one example of Carlson’s dedication to the city he’s been a part of since 1978. What he’s most proud of are his efforts and the efforts of others who helped turn 80 acres of school property into affordable housing. The deal was not only lucrative for the city and school district, it opened up a whole new avenue for different housing options in St. Peter.
Kathleen Jansen believes it takes a lot of people to make a community successful. For 24 years, she’s played a key role in keeping Faribault, and especially its schools, strong and vibrant. Now that Jansen’s two children (Cole and Ellen) have gone through the school system in Faribault, she’s turned her attention to other causes. One is the First United Bank all-female women’s advisory board. The board helps bring community issues and concerns to the bank by hosting meetings and special events. “We get good feedback from the community on this effort,” she said. Jansen feels humbled that she can support these organizations. “I feel fortunate to be a part of this community,” she said.
Hockey is alive and well in Northfield thanks to Mike Stowe, the Northfield Hockey Association and a cast of hundreds of volunteers. That has never been so evident than in recent months as the Northfield Ice Arena underwent a major facelift. Organizing that effort was Mike Stowe and Pete Jirik, who each had large roles in getting the inside of the arena painted, among other things. “This has been one of the most successful seasons from a customer standpoint for our arena,” said Stowe, who also volunteers as the association’s tournament director. “This year was one of the largest volunteer efforts both for the ice arena and in improving the outdoor arena.” As a hockey parent, Stowe says he appreciates those who helped.
Jim Herzog draws his energy from his wife Joan, his family and the thousands of children he has gotten to know during his three decades plus as a teacher and school administrator. Retired now, Herzog’s lifestyle hasn’t changed much as he is still involved with the Owatonna school system, the Owatonna HospitalMayo Clinic partnership, the Civil Service Commission and other community organizations. On top of that, he is an adjunct faculty member in the area of training principals at St. Thomas University. “I’m of the belief that you need to feel fortunate that people continue to keep asking you to contribute to the community, even after you retire,” Herzog said. “I think we have some responsibility to continue to work for our community if we can.”
Waseca is often referred to as the “city between two lakes.” As president of the Waseca Lakes Association, it is Duane Rathmann’s job to improve and maintain water quality of Clear and Loon Lakes in the city. One of the biggest projects Rathmann has been involved with since the association was formed in 2001 is the Gaiter Lake project. When finished, it will re-route storm water being emptied into Clear Lake through a series of wetlands, thus making it cleaner. “I enjoy doing this,” said Rathmann, who is an avid runner and has a home on Clear Lake. “It’s been educational and we learn a lot of what’s behind what we see.” Rathmann and the association are also involved in many community events that take place on or around the city’s lakes.
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.. Ubermensch Jared Rinerson has helped Uber Tanning Company grow each year since taking over in 2006
By JERRY SMITH Photos by THOM CAYA In German, Ubermensch means “the man” or “superman.” Since Jared Rinerson arrived at Owatonna’s Uber Tanning Company four years ago, he’s been just that, helping grow sales about 80 percent.
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I
f Jared Rinerson had a theme song, it would have to be Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again.” From his Ham Lake home to his business in Owatonna to as many hunting shows as he can fit into his busy schedule each year,
the owner of Uber Tanning Company puts thousands of miles on his truck each month. But that’s OK with Rinerson, who is the proud owner of the only custom tanning company remaining in the United States. He says his mission is to let people know the 104-yearold company is alive and doing well.
“For me, it’s a matter of getting the word out about Uber Tanning Company,” said Rinerson, who bought the company from the Uber family in 2006. “Even folks here in Owatonna don’t know we exist. At the Owatonna Deer & Turkey Expo, a third of the people I talked to from here hadn’t even heard of us.” >>>
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Uber Tanning Company Mittens, gloves and a number of other garments are cut from deer and elk hides by using specialty dies. A hydraulic punch puts pressure on the die, which in turn cuts the pieces.
>>> Rinerson wants to change that as he is not only spreading the word about Uber Tanning Company’s quality products, but also about the company’s success. In 2008, Uber grew 56 percent, and according to Rinerson, sales on both the wholesale side of the business and the tannery are already up 40 percent this year. “We’re growing because in part we are the only one in the country doing this, but also because we have quality products,” Rinerson said. “I can feel it snowballing.” Rinerson recently returned from the Salt Lake International Sportsmen’s Exposition, an outdoor show he believes will gain Uber new business. “I bet I will get a 1,000 percent return by the end of the year on all of the shows I’ve attended,” he said. “Hunters are a crowd you know or don’t know. I’ve been a hunter my whole life and I know how to market to that group.”
New to the business Four years ago, Rinerson was working as a computer systems analyst and felt his job was taking him nowhere. Knowing he always wanted to run his own business, Rinerson decided to start looking for opportunities to purchase a company he could call his own. He really hadn’t given much thought to what kind of business he wanted and spent the better part of a year searching as brokers continued to contact him. “Once I got my name out there, brokers started to call,” Rinerson said. “We got a call about Uber Tanning and we took about six months to make the decision. One day my wife and I said it felt right and we made an offer.” The rest is history. Rinerson was fortunate that Lanny Uber was willing not only to sell him the business, but also to help him learn about a trade he had very little knowledge about. “Lanny comes in two to three times a week and helps out around here,”
Rinerson said. “I couldn’t ask for a better situation. He has been so helpful.” Providing even more insight into the business is general manager Chris Proft, a seventh generation Uber and Lanny’s nephew. He runs the daily wholesale and tannery operations and is a key reason Rinerson feels comfortable hitting the road to drum up more business. “We’re very fortunate to have Chris because I didn’t know anything about the business,” Rinerson said. “Making leather isn’t an easy thing to do and he makes it look effortless. He knows his stuff.” Since Rinerson’s arrival, Proft has seen an increase in business. “Jared has expanded our market by talking to more hunters and attending more shows,” said the 30-year-old Proft, who has been GM for two years and has worked for the company on and off since he was 15. “The biggest thing he has done is to get the word out about the company. It’s fantastic how we’ve grown.” >>>
What: A 104-year-old custom tannery that makes mittens, gloves, clothing, garments and accessories from deer and elk hides and sells them to retailers across the region, state and country. Owner: Jared Rinerson Where: 308 Adams Ave., Owatonna Phone: 507-4511990 Web site: www.uberleather.com
Buying Uber products Uber Tanning Company products can be found at the Uber Leather Store at 308 Adams Ave. in Owatonna and on Uber’s online catalog at www. uberleather.com. Other regional distributors include: • Faribault Woolen Mills (Faribault) • Charlie’s Hardware (Waseca) • Scheels Sporting Goods (Mankato and Twin Cities locations) • C & S Supply (Mankato)
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One of a kind Uber Tanning Company has specialized in the custom tanning of deer, elk, moose and cowhides into soft, pliable glove and garment leather for more than a century. When three other custom tanneries around the United States recently went out of business, Uber became the last company that processes hides brought in by customers. “The custom tanning is 60 percent of our business,” Rinerson said. “We are now the only place in the country where you can bring a deer hide in and we’ll clean it and tan it for you.” Even as the economy continues to slow, the tannery seems to remain steady in its growth. According to Rinerson, people are still bringing in their hides to be processed. “One guy wanted us to make a gun case out of a giraffe he bagged,” Rinerson said. “We’ve also processed Cape Buffalo from Africa and
Randy Camerer has more than 20 years experience in the tanning industry. Here he hand fleshes a deer hide. Fleshing removes the fat and membrane.
other wild game.” History on his side For more than 104 years, Uber Tanning Company has been making garments, accessories and durable work gloves created from premium leather produced at its tannery in Owatonna.
While mittens are the biggest part of the wholesale business, there is still a call for leather clothing, jackets, bags and accessories. To make these garments and accessories, Uber Tanning Company needs a lot of deer and elk hides. That’s where Rinerson comes in. He’s able to
purchase skins in large quantities, which means lower prices. “We buy our hides from processors and hide brokers regionally,” said Rinerson, whose company is running 600 hides a week through the tannery, as compared to the 400 a week they were doing. “We recently purchased 15,000 deer hides and 2,000 elk hides to be used on the wholesale side. I bought a lot of hides this year because I knew we’d have a big fall.” Rinerson says he buys only quality hides, which translates into quality gloves and garments. He believes people who want high quality products will continue to buy from Uber. “In times like these, people pay much more attention to what they are spending their money on,” he said. “They want quality and value. People aren’t buying disposable gloves and mittens. They are buying the quality products we provide.” >>>
We believe
Optimism can make the impossible, affordable. We are optimistic about the housing market in 2009. Others look at us with disbelief and ask “Why?”
Here’s why: Affordablity. It’s a word you’ll hear a lot if you’re looking to buy a house in 2009. A mix of historically low interest rates, an $8,000 tax credit (that does not have to be paid back) for first-time buyers and a continued buyer’s market has increased home affordability significantly.
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Why do we believe the housing market will recover in 2009? Because we choose to – stand with us in 2009.
Sid & Martha Kasper 612-483-3303 or 612-483-1323 SidandMarthaKasper@edinarealty.com
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420 SW 10th Street, Faribault, MN 55021 507-334-7156
www.donahuesgreenhouse.com
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The future looks bright After nearly four years, Rinerson still can’t believe the entire process of creating quality leather products is all done in-house. He’s proud of that fact each and every day. “It just strikes me that we have raw hides coming in the front door and mittens and gloves and bags and garments going out the back,” Rinerson said of the products that are shipped to retailers, some of which are halfway around the globe. “We clean up the hides in the tannery and then we make what our Japanese customers say is the best leather in the world.” Proft agrees. “We’ve always had a really fantastic product, but to see us go international blows me away,” he said. “To know somebody over in Japan is wearing our products is really cool.” As Rinerson gets the word out to even more hunters at outdoor shows, he believes Uber Tanning Company will grow even more, despite the economy. He’s banking on it.
Providing rural electrical power to the I-35 Corridor •Northfield •Faribault •Owatonna •Ellendale 507-451-7340 2411 West Bridge St. 800-526-3514 Owatonna, MN 55060 swce@swce.coop • www.swce.coop Uber Tanning Company General Manager Chris Proft scrapes a hide to stretch it at the sewing factory.
“We get most of our business from hunting shows,” said Rinerson, who has presented Uber products in Forth Worth, Texas, Reno, Nev.; Birmingham, Ala., and closer to home in cities like Des Moines and Duluth. “Everybody wants to work with us. I think the next couple of years are going to be really good.” r
We have two locations to serve you,
Tanning 101 • Hides are received during deer season each year. Custom hides are individually marked and recorded by customer name, address, etc. • The hides are then separated by color and salt packed to start the curing process. • Once in the beamhouse, the hides are washed and run through a fleshing machine. This machine uses a high speed roller knife to peel away all remaining meat and membrane. • Next, the hair is removed using an unhairing solution and soaking process. This not only removes the hair, but also the hair cup or root, leaving the smooth grain leather. • To reduce the swelling in the hide from the unhairing process, the hides are moved on to the bating and pickling process. Here, the hide is prepped for the tanyard. • In the tanyard, chromium salts are introduced to replace
the biodegradable protein in the hide. By this process, the hide is preserved indefinitely. • The hides are then stored or sent on to finishing. They are wrung to remove excess water using a Stehling Feed Thru hydraulic wringer. • Next, the hides are set out to soften, smooth and loosen fibers in the hide with a BakerLayton Setting Machine. • Then, the hides are split for thickness to an even, suitable glove and garment thickness. The hides proceed directly to finishing, where they are dyed the desired shade and fat-liquored with finishing oils to keep the leather soft and supple. • Finally, the hides are taken to the drying room for toggle drying, and a talc tumble milling to luster and finish them. For those having articles made, it’s on to the Glove Shop and the cutting department.
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Serving his country Jose Herrera (right) serves customers at the bar of the Plaza Morena Mexican Restaurant in Owatonna.
Jose Herrera brings a taste of Mexico to the region with four corridor restaurants By JERRY SMITH Photos by THOM CAYA
J
ose Herrera’s long journey from Mexico to Owatonna landed him in many places, where he worked in just as many jobs. But no matter how many times he strayed, Herrera was always drawn back to the food industry. It’s where he gained a strong work ethic, learned how to run a restaurant, and more importantly, where he became an extraordinary cook. From washing dishes and busing tables in Jesus Maria, Jalisco, Mexico, at the age of 10 to owning his own restaurants in the region, Herrera knew from that early age that he was
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meant to cook in his own restaurant. “I started working in the restaurant business in Mexico when I was a young kid, but I was too little to cook so I was just a helper,” said Herrera, who is sole owner of Mexican restaurants in Owatonna and Albert Lea, and is a partner in two other restaurants in Faribault and Waseca. “At age 11, I was already cooking and it was something I was good at and enjoyed very much.” A few years later, with the intimate knowledge of how to cook authentic Mexican cuisine, Herrera embarked on his dream of one day owning his own restaurant. In 1985, Herrera came to the United States and landed in the straw-
berry fields of California where he worked hard for very little. It was the first stop on his 16-year trek across the country to his eventual home in Owatonna. “I’ve done a lot of things in my life and have been many places,” said Herrera, who opened his first restaurant in Detroit in 2001. “I moved to Minnesota in 2002 to open this restaurant. I wanted to get my family away from Detroit. It was bad there.” So Herrera got in the car with a friend and they drove around the Midwest looking for a place that felt like home. Three months after that foray into Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota, Herrera got the call from a Realtor in Owatonna saying a building >>>
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>>> was available. Herrera jumped at the opportunity and the rest is history. Plaza Morena on 18th Street SE in Owatonna was Herrera’s flagship restaurant. Three others would follow. In a 35C interview, Jose Herrera talks about his roots, his love of cooking and how he has taken the success of one restaurant and expanded that to include three others.
Q: What is the advantage of having multiple restaurants in the region? A: We’re proud to have four successful restaurants in this area. The advantage from a purchasing side is that big companies sell products to us and we can get better deals because it’s for all four. They have to think about it. If they lose one, they lose four. Also, insurance is cheaper (with four restaurants) and advertising is the same. The most important advantage is that our food is “Mexican Creative,” instead of authentic because I make all of the recipes. Not all of the dishes are the “real thing.” Some dishes are real authentic dishes, but some are not, so we call our food “Mexican Creative.” Some are created from dishes in the U.S. and from Italian restaurants. It’s a bit of a mix. That’s the thing that the American people like. I experimented a lot and most of the dishes are my creations. This makes us unique as all four of the restaurants use many of the same recipes. Q: Where do you get
your work force?
A: Most of the cooks are
Mexican. I have one from Guatemala. The servers are mostly Mexican, but it doesn’t matter. We have
Jose Herrera not only owns four restaurants along the I-35 corridor, he can often be found cooking one of the many dishes he has created from recipes he learned in Mexico.
Americans working for us, too. I’m not too concerned that all of the workers are Mexican. My main concern is that they are good and the service we offer is good.
Q: Do you have plans to expand? A: Yes I do. I have to prepare myself more and find people to help me. I tried to go too fast in the beginning and it didn’t work out. I had to close a restaurant in Savage (Minn.) because I never had good help. That is where I learned that I can’t go that fast. Now I’m trying to get more prepared and to make enough money to expand. That way we can grow. Another thing, I’m trying to create a system so maybe we can franchise. That’s a little ways off, but I hope it can happen. Q: Has the economic slowdown affected your
business?
A: Actually not. We went up for whatever reason. One of the reasons, I think, is because we give a lot of food for the prices we charge. Our prices are fair, so I think that is helping us. We may not make the same money (profits) as the other companies, but we make more in quantity. Another reason, I think, is that people try to spend less and expect to get more for less. We can provide that, which is why we are successful. I think we were up about 5-10 percent over last year (2008 to 2007). Q: What are your plans to keep your business growing? We’re really working to keep the prices the same. Many of the products we use went up but we are trying to keep our >>>
Jose Herrera’s restaurants Plaza Morena Mexican Restaurant 369 18th Street Owatonna 507-446-0844 www.plazamorena.com Plaza Morena Mexican Restaurant Northridge Mall 2588 Northridge Ave. Albert Lea 507-379-9195 Gran Plaza Mexican Grill 520 Central Avenue Faribault 507-333-1344 El Molino Mexican Restaurant 214 State St., North Waseca 507-835-4223
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>>> prices the same as long as we can. The only time we increase the prices is if I see we are falling short. If we get more business, that’s good. We make less of a percentage of profit, but we have more dollars because of the quantity.
Q: Who is your customer base? A: Most of our customers are repeat customers. They love our food. We’re not like a restaurant on the highway where people stop just when they see it. I try to attract the local customers and make them happy so they keep coming back. I want to keep the same people coming back, but of course I like new customers, too. Q: How important is service in your restaurants? A: Very important. It’s a system we’ve put in place at all of our restaurants. We want you to feel welcome and we want to serve you the best we can. We try to listen to our customers on just how much service they want and need. We know when to relax. Sometimes it bothers the customer to have service so quickly and so often. We keep an eye on those things. Not too much and not
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too little. Service is one of the ingredients that makes us successful.
Q: What has made you most successful in your businesses? A: I think it is the food and service, because we are not too different from the other restaurants, but we have our own line of food. We try to offer products the others can’t offer. We’re unique in many ways and I think that is why we are so successful. We have a lot of dishes that are the same, but we also have dishes that set us apart. We use some spices that no other Mexican restaurants are using. We try to be different and that’s our advantage. Our fajitas and chimichangas are different. They really don’t look that different, but they taste different because of the spices and ingredients we use. I think we offer a lot of choices, too. You see some Mexican restaurants offering a smaller menu, but we want our customers to have many choices. We also offer some American food so families with children can choose Plaza Morena. I have kids and they always wanted to go to McDonald’s, so I offer some choices for kids, too. >>>
Jose Herrera’s Plaza Morena Mexican Restaurant in Owatonna has a full-service bar, where customers can order a margarita or other specialty drinks.
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507.373.1900 Albert Lea, MN
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One of Jose Herrera’s specialties at Plaza Morena Mexican Restaurant is Vallartas Especial, which features grilled shrimp, steak, chicken, peppers and onions over a bed of rice with lettuce, pico de gallo, cheese dip, guacamole and tortillas.
Q: Is it easy to be complacent once you find success in this business? A: We never want to be complacent. Now that people say we are the best we have to keep having the same good service and the same portions. You will always learn something different and hear something so you can never get too comfortable. We always strive to be the very best. I’m always nervous as a restaurant owner. It doesn’t matter if they say you are doing very well. I feel we are doing OK, but that we can always do better.
very welcoming. I just want to give something back and to get involved in the city. I’m on the Human Rights Commission here and a member of the Chamber of Commerce and a lot of other things. I try to do all I can for this community. I’m thankful that the people here like us as people and as a business.
We never want to stay complacent. Now that people say we are the best we have to keep having the same good service and the same portions.
“
Q: Why is it important
for you to be a part of this community?
A: Since I was little I was involved with my community. It’s something I enjoy. When I came to Owatonna they were
Q: You’ve moved around a bit since coming to the U.S. Do you feel like Owatonna is your home now?
A: Absolutely. Since we’ve moved here I thought this was the right town. It’s a great community with good schools and I want my family to grow here. When I moved here I wasn’t thinking of having a big business. I just wanted a small business where I could make money and support my family. It’s turned out to be a lot better than that. My dream happened and is still happening. r
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35Commendation Recognizing individuals and companies in business along the I-35 corridor /Faribault/ I&S Group adds Koense, Schlaak to growing team I&S Group, Inc. recently announced the addition of Ken Koense and Steve Schlaak to its growing team. Koense is a senior architect and will focus on healthcare and other public facilities, from schematic design to construction. A graduate of the School of Architecture at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Koense has experience designing spaces for retail, education, public spaces and health facilities. Koense recently served on Mayor R.T. Rybak’s “Great city Design Team” in Minneapolis and the AIA Housing Advocacy program “Search for Shelter.” Schlaak is a mechanical engineer and will be working with I&S’s vertical services group providing heating, ventilation and air conditioning and plumbing design services. Through his eight years of professional experience, Schlaak has specialized in mechanical designs for commercial properties. Schlaak is a graduate of the Institute of Technology at the University of Minnesota. He has worked on projects of up to 200,000 square feet for local
education program has drawn approximately 16,000 students each year, making it the largest of its kind in Minnesota.
and national clients, including the Mall of America, Target and Best Buy.
/Faribault/
/Faribault/
SCC unveils Center for Business and Industry
Phone Station, Inc. celebrates 25 years
South Central College, with campuses in Faribault and North Mankato, is shifting the focus of its Customized Training and Education program. As part of this shift, a new identity was enveiled. The new name is Center for Business and Industry. “The Center for Business and Industry is a brand that exemplifies our commitment to helping business, non-profit and government organizations improve profitability and productivity,” said SCC Dean of Economic Development Marsha Danielson. “We are making a functional shift from being a niche-services broker to becoming a full-service, performanceimprovement agency and we wanted to communicate that evolution.” The renewed approach is targeted to employees who realize that they need to invest in employee training to remain competitive during slow economic times. SCC’s customized training and
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
For the owner of Phone Station, Inc., Helmut “Butch” Schwartz, it seems like yesterday when he opened the doors on his new venture. That was 25 years ago and many things have changed in the telecommunications industry. “When I started the Phone Station in 1984, the phone business was all about rotary dial phones,” Schwartz said. “Today, technology has turned towards the Internet and wireless forms of communications.” According to Schwartz, Phone Station, Inc. has been growing and changing its mission to meet the needs of its customers.
/Owatonna/ Sears Hometown store changes hands Steve and Holly Glynn, recently took over as the new owners of the Sears Hometown store in Owatonna. The Glynns are also the ownatonna
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• To resolve internal workplace conflicts call us at 507-664-3522.
www.rcdrp.com 20 APRIL/MAY 2009 35C
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Interstate appeal n and
oi Sharon Br erred Ariel Prefand plans have gr erred for Pref at Medford Outlets : h the trend Bucking has seen growt Noble RVeconomic woes. despite sales to au th res: Wi Hard tim 5 corridor deale down, I-3 to hang on. ships try
/Owatonna/ Music school opens in Owatonna There’s a new music school in town called Owatonna Music School. The proprietor of the school, Dave Rohde, teaches guitar and bass guitar, both acoustic and electric, as well as music theory. He’s also a song writer. He also has a drum teacher and a piano teacher on board and is planning on hiring a violin teacher and perhaps more, soon. The basic business will be to provide music lessons to those who are just beginning or wanting some additional instruction or to those who have picked up an instrument as a hobby.
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Commerce along the I-35 Corridor
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ers of Brookstone Homes in Owatonna. The Sears store was purchased from Chip DeMann of Dundas, who has owned the store for the past 6 1/2 years. Steve Glynn spent time at the Sears corporate office in Chicago, learning the business and getting ready for the transfer. “In no way does this compromise the service and commitment that Brookstone Homes offers the community,” Holly Glynn said. “We are very passionate about both companies.”
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35Culinary I-35 corridor restaurants are ready to serve Torey’s Restaurant & Bar 685 W. Bridge St. Owatonna
Torey’s, located one block east of the Bridge St. exit off I-35, has fantastic food and friendly service and offers a full service bar and an extensive wine list, all in a sports bar atmosphere. Known for its lunch buffet, Torey’s is a perfect place to go if you are look-
Richard’s Restaurant & Pub 408 South 3rd Street Saint Peter
Richard’s Restaurant & Pub recalls turn of the century elegance. Located in the historic Konsbruck Hotel, friends, family or business associates will find a comfortable yet sophisticated environment in which to enjoy fine food — prepared by chef Emily Streeter — and beverages attentively prepared and served. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or you just want a variety of food options, come eat with us. Our delicious dishes are freshly prepared and offered at very affordable prices. Reservations: For more information and/or to set individual and group reservations, please call 507-934-4988 or e-mail info@www.richardsrestaurantandpub.com.
The Tavern of Northfield
212 Division Street Northfield The Tavern of Northfield Restaurant & Lounge is a great place for people of all ages. The Tavern has been making its breads, soups and sauces from scratch for nearly 24 years. Located in the basement of the historic Archer House in Northfield, the Tavern features a full breakfast, lunch and dinner menu and a full bar. The Tavern has been a restaurant of choice in Northfield for business people and families alike. The service is great, but you’ll return for the great prices and the quality menu. Reservations: For more information about the menu and for reservations for parties of five or more, please call 507-6630342.
ing for a casual meal and great service. Torey’s also offers a banquet room for those special occasions or business dinners and provides full service catering. Specialties: Seafood, award-winning ribs, char-grilled steaks, Asiago chicken, pastas, spinach artichoke dip, seafood cakes and deck wings. For a full menu and wine list, go to www.toreys.net. Information and reservations: Call Torey at 507-455-9260.
Patrick’s on Third 125 S. Third St. Saint Peter
Welcome to Patrick’s, home of the World Famous Patty Melt, Best Burger on the Planet, Bucket of Death, Govenaires Drum & Bugle Corps, Drum Corps Museum and a number of other really weird and wacky things. If it’s an amazing burger you crave, Patrick’s is the place to go. Patrick’s also offers a variety of menu items from steaks and burgers to pasta and Mexican to Italian. If it’s beer you crave, Patrick’s offers 20 craft beers on tap. Enjoy a casual atmosphere where there’s Trivia Night each Tuesday, Karaoke Buffet every Wednesday, kids eat for $1 on Thursdays after 4 p.m. and Cribbage on Sundays. Patrick’s is open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. For reservations, call 507-931-9051. APRIL/MAY 2009 35C
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Fixing airplanes is his mission Waseca’s Maynard Stensrud puts his trust in God when he travels the globe to help Mission Aviation Fellowship By JERRY SMITH Photos by THOM CAYA
M
ost days when you see Maynard Stensrud, he’s elbow deep into the engine of one type of an airplane or another. As owner of Stensrud Aviation, the company that runs the Waseca Airport, Stensrud has had his hands full for 19 years repairing airplane engines and doing the annual inspections on many of the planes housed there. While that is what helps put bread on his table, it is something similar, yet totally different, that fills Stensrud’s heart with joy and gives him a sense of accomplishment. It all began 12 years ago when the son of a fellow member of Christ Community Church in Waseca asked if Stensrud would be willing to come to Mali, West Africa, to bring one of the planes being purchased by Mission Aviation Fellowship up to current inspection. Six weeks later, with all of his shots updated, Stensrud was off to Mali for the first time. He completed the annuals on the plane, and Mission Aviation Fellowship purchased it for mission flights. “Before we could purchase the airplane it required a presale and annual maintenance inspection,” said Jerry Krause of MAF. “No one was available within our mission organization to come out so that’s when the thought crossed my mind to contact Maynard and see if he was interested, available and willing to make the trip. “Due to Maynard’s timely trip and maintenance sign off, MAF did purchase the Cessna 206 and it continues to fly missionaries >>>
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“
Farm lease has Waseca airport flying high
Maynard, in a simple way, demonstrated the love of Christ to all those he came in contact with every time he was here. — Jerry Krause, a member of the Mission Aviation Fellowship
Maynard Stensrud, of Stensrud Aviation in Waseca, not only works on airplanes, he’s an avid pilot and still flies for pipeline patrol for Eagle Sky Patrol, based in South Dakota.
>>> and relief workers in Eastern Africa. For Stensrud, it was an opportunity to use his skills as an airplane mechanic to do some good for others. “I think it’s something God has presented to me,” said Stensrud, who has now been to Africa 19 times in 12 years to bring planes up to certification or do repairs on mission planes. “If God moves my heart to do a certain thing, I do it. It’s been a real blessing and a lot of fun.” The cause Mission Aviation Fellowship, based in Nampa, Idaho, operates the world’s largest fleet of private aircraft used for the public good. In 2008, the MAF fleet of 55 aircraft made 36,831 flights, logged 2.7 million
miles, transported 120,343 passengers and delivered 10.3 million pounds of cargo, all on 1,700 rough, unimproved dirt and grass airstrips, as well as waterways, according to the organization. More importantly, in the past year, “MAF planes saved Christian and humanitarian workers 63,460 days of travel time,” the Web site claims. “These flights support Christian workers, evangelists, teachers, medical personnel, as well as relief and development workers.” The organization also says its planes haul food, seed and livestock; transport the sick and injured; and deliver doctors, medicine and relief supplies. With that many planes flying that many missions,
the aircraft need maintenance and annual inspections. That’s where Stensrud has stepped in. He not only has done numerous mission-related trips to Mali, he also has helped make planes Federal Aviation Administration ready in Niger and other parts of Africa. Krause says it’s been a blessing to have Stensrud among those he can count on to volunteer. “Each time (we’ve called upon Maynard) we were either short-handed on maintenance staff or had major maintenance that needed to be performed,” Krause said. “Without his help, the airplanes would have been grounded for two to four additional weeks until we could have completed the work on our own. >>>
WASECA — Maynard Stensrud, manager of the Waseca Municipal Airport, said a $25,000 increase in revenue is a big deal to the airport’s financial health. The additional income comes this year and next from a new two-year lease on the 230 acres of farm land surrounding the airport. The farm lease revenue goes into the airport fund to supplement operational costs of the airport. Stensrud said the city’s airport was developed through a Federal Aviation Administration grant. The sources of revenue available to the airport come from land rental, hanger rental and yearly maintenance money from the Minnesota Department of Transportation Aviation. He said the airport fund balance has been depleted through a variety of improvements made over the past few years, including a new building, parking lot and driveway. “This will help us maintain and hopefully increase our fund balance,” Stensrud said. Stensrud said the airport improvements are made in conjunction with the FAA and MnDOT with aviation user fees and aviation fuel taxes. — Ruth Ann Hager
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>>> “For those missionaries, relief and aid workers who depended upon our service, Maynard’s willingness to sacrifice his time to come made a tremendous difference.” Inherent danger It was in Niger that Stensrud realized the danger that is sometimes involved in these goodwill trips. Two years ago, Stensrud was asked to co-pilot a flight that was heading to northern Niger to evacuate three soldiers wounded by rebel forces. Stensrud flew hundreds of miles across the Sahara Desert right into political unrest. “There are times when things get a little dicey, but for the most part there is not much danger,” said Stensrud, who is a pilot for a company called Eagle Sky Patrol based in South Dakota that does aerial surveillance along the natural gas pipeline. “In this case, three wounded soldiers were just south of Libya and had to be
inspect a plane and prepare for the annual FAA inspection. He said going to this part of the world has him a bit rattled, but not enough to stop him from going. “I’m really not too worried,” Stensrud said. “I’ve been on a lot of trips and there has been no real danger to speak of. There is political unrest in this part of the world, but I think I’ll be far away from any danger.”
Maynard Stensrud’s love of tearing things apart and putting them back together led to him being a mechanic.
flown out and they needed a co-pilot. They asked me and I said I’d do it.” On another mission trip, Stensrud found himself in western Mali, where he helped take apart a damaged aircraft, load it on a truck and transport it 300 miles across rugged terrain. “That was a lot of fun and an experience I’ll never
forget,” Stensrud said. “It took us six hours to travel 45 miles and three days to go 300 miles.” While Stensrud has never really felt threatened on any of his 19 trips to Africa, his latest adventure left him a bit apprehensive. Stensrud left in mid-March on a mission-related trip to Afghanistan, where he will
“
The right reasons While Stensrud works on planes for a living, his work on mission planes is done solely on a volunteer basis. He has not received a penny for any of his mission-related trips. The Waseca pilot/mechanic believes his payment comes in many other ways. “I don’t get paid for this,” he said. “I stay with mission families, which is half the fun. Africa has become a love of mine. It’s all Third World people living day-today and hand-to-mouth. It makes you appreciate all you have.” >>>
There are times when things get a little dicey, but for the most part there is not much danger. — Maynard Stensrud, talking about his goodwill trips to Africa and Afghanistan
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www.trimgraphics.com If Maynard Stensrud isn’t working on one of the airplanes stored in the 24 hanger spaces at the Waseca Municipal Airport, he’s working on his own plane. Stensrud’s love of mechanics has led him to Africa and Afghanistan to help make sure mission planes pass annual maintenance inspections.
>>> Krause says that besides Stensrud’s great aviation maintenance expertise, he developed friendships easily with the local employees and showed them great respect. “Maynard always came with about 20-25 pounds of candy so he became known as the ‘Candy Man,’” Krause said. “He always had a piece of candy to give out to children he met along the way. Maynard, in a simple way, demonstrated the love of Christ to all those he came in contact with every time he was here.” Stensrud says he’ll continue to do his part as long as he is asked to help. “I do it because I can’t find a reason not to do it,” he said. “If I can’t come up with legitimate ‘why nots,’ then I’m going to keep going.” That doesn’t surprise Bob
We think beyond ink.
The Stensrud file Name: Maynard Stensrud Occupation: Owner of Stensrud Aviation and Waseca Municipal Airport Manager (19 years). Family: Wife Sara and three children ages 29, 27 and 23.
Pierce, a member and volunteer at Christ Community Church and the brother-inlaw of the man who ran the Waseca airport before Stensrud took over. Pierce says the congregation is aware of Stenrud’s goodwill trips and all believe his heart is in the right place. “Maynard is one of those guys who wants to help anyone in need,” Pierce said. “His heart is as big as he is. He’s the right guy to be doing what he is doing.” r APRIL/MAY 2009 35C
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™
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35Chamber A look at what’s new in the region’s Chambers of Commerce
Northfield Chamber recognizes Person, Business of the Year T
he Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce named its top award winners at its recent annual celebration. Waste Management of Northfield was named the 2009 Business of the Year, while DaShumway vid Shumway, CEO of First National Bank, was chosen as the 2009 Business Person of the Year. Both honorees were recognized at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting and Business Recognition Banquet.
Curt Saffle (from left) of Waste Management, Chamber president Jeff Hasse and his wife Karna, Northfield Mayor Mary Rossing and MC Jeff Johnson enjoy the Chamber dinner.
private-sector Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Initiative for six years. The Chamber’s Business Development Committee is responsible for working on this initiative, and is conducting business retention and expansion visits to local companies. The reason for the visits is to thank them for doing business in the Northfield area, to see if there are any problems that can be solved, and to collect feedback that will be used to identify trends in the economy and help shape the business community’s public policy agenda.
Northfield BRE visits more important than ever The Northfield Area Cham-
ber of Commerce wants local companies to grow, expand and prosper in the Northfield area.
• To see more Northfield events, log onto www.northfieldchamber.com.
35C photo by Jerry Smith
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Faribault
Owatonna
St. Peter
Waseca
Faribault Chamber Business Expo set for April 23 The Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce’s 18th Annual Business Expo will take place from 2-7 p.m. on April 23 at the Faribault Ice Arena. The 2009 Expo will continue the tradition of drawing in many people who are looking to get information on local sales and products from Faribault businesses. The Chamber will be partnering with the Faribault Foundation in providing a large nonprofit area at the Expo.
Lowe Family coming to Owatonna on April 23-24 The Owatonna Community Education program is hosting two concerts by the Lowe Family, a popular musical group from Branson, Mo. The concerts are scheduled for 7 p.m. on April 23 and 24 at the Owatonna High School auditorium. All seats are reserved and sold in advance with tickets priced at $30. You can also purchase tickets online at www. owatonnacommunityed.org. To find out more, call the Owatonna Community Education office at 507-444-7900.
St. Peter Area Chamber Annual Social on April 4 The St. Peter Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Social on April 4 at Gustavus Adolphus College. The theme for the event is “Casino Night — Let ’er Roll” and costs $25 per person. The public is invited to attend. There will be gaming, hors d’ oeuvres and a dessert buffet, plus a live auction.
Waseca Historical Society offers spring luncheons You won’t want to miss these spring luncheons at the Waseca County Historical Society. • April 23, photographer Doug Ohman shows his “Minnesota’s State Parks” exhibit. Ohman comes back to WCHS with another book published by the Minnesota State Historical Society press. • May 28, writer Susan Price Davis presents “Northern Treasure – The History of the Minnesota Arboretum.”
Business Awards Luncheon planned for May 14 The 2009 Faribault Area Business Awards Luncheon will be held May 14 at the Elks Lodge East Wing. Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year and New Business Spotlight will be awarded. • Get connected in Faribault by clicking into EVENTS at www. faribaultmn.org.
Owatonna Area Chamber ‘After Hours’ set for April 28 The Owatonna Area Chamber of commerce is hosting a Business After Hours from 5:30-7 p.m. at Deml Heating & Air conditioning. Call the Chamber at 504-214-1888.
Key City Kennel Club dog show set for May 23-24 The Key City Kennel Club All Breed Dog Shows and Obedience and Rally Trials are set for May 23-24 at the Nicollet County Fairgrounds in St. Peter. Hundreds of dogs from numerous breeds compete in the show rings. For more information, please call 507-344-1159 or visit www. keycitykennelclub.org.
• To see more Owatonna Chamber events, log onto www.owatonna.org
• To see more St. Peter Chamber events, log onto www.tourism.st-peter.mn.us.
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Waseca antique and shops ‘Out on the Farm’ set dates A Touch of Country Craft and Gift Sales out on the Farm takes place May 14-17 and 21-25. Many of Waseca’s antiques and specialty shops throughout the city will also showcase their new spring merchandise with open houses. • To see more Waseca Chamber events, log onto www. wasecachamber.com
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35Construction Projects contributing to the growth of the I-35 corridor
TOP: New signs visible from I-35 will be finished soon as Preferred Outlets of Medford continues its expansion from 34 stores to a possible 55 businesses. RIGHT: Work on the Waseca Medical Center’s $1.2 million Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center has begun.
Ritchie Bros. auction sets Minnesota record The first auction at the new Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers facility in Medford took place on March 19. The auction had more than 1,000 items up for sale — items ranging from golf carts, skid steers and trucks, to diggers and pavers. More than 2,500 registered bidders — the largest that Ritchie Brothers has ever had at any of the 80-plus auctions the company has held in Minnesota — were on hand to bid on the equipment. — 35C photos by Thom Caya and Jerry Smith
LEFT: Work continues on the $5.3 million GrandStay Residential Suites Hotel on Highway 21 in Faribault. The hotel is due to open this smmer. ABOVE: Construction is on schedule for the new Owatonna Clinic addition.
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35Commercial Directory Professional resources along the corridor to help grow your business City
Business Description
Contact
Tim O’Connell, CPA
Northfield
Tax, accounting, consulting for construction, manufacturing, retail, real estate and hospitality industries.
Ph: 507.645.8735
Carlson, Branstad & Co.
Owatonna
Providing personalized financial guidance to local individuals and businesses since 1996.
Ph: 507.444.9754
carlsonbranstad.com
Barbara Burke and Assoc., Inc.
Northfield
Customer service consultant, trainer, author and motivational speaker since 1986.
Ph: 507.663.7232 Fax: 507.663.0472
barbaraburke.com
Making Words Work
Northfield
Business writing, speaking and corporate training to enhance your reputation and increase your ROI.
Ph: 952.210.7167
MakingWordsWork.biz
Brenda Elsagher
Burnsville
National keynote speaker, comedian and author uses humor, healing from a patient’s perspective.
Ph: 952.882.9882
Renee’ Rongen & Assoc., LLC
Fertile
Provides tools for assisting individuals and organizations in becoming more passionate and productive.
Ph: 888.333.2802 renee@reneerongen.com
reneerongen.com
Using the most advanced cleaning equipment, chemicals and techniques on your floors, carpets.
Ph: 800.735.1774 507.334.1774
carriagecleaning.com
Providing your business with the most secure way to destroy your confidential documents on-site.
Ph: 507.451.1881 877.97.SHRED
eliteshredding.com
Owatonna
Strategic business and technology planning with services including network security.
Ph: 507.446.0847 888.440.0847
ITnav.com
Waseca
Farmers Insurance offers home, auto, life and business insurance. Offering great service for 40 years.
Ph: 507.835.5070
Five corridor locations
Complete regional legal services providers along the I-35 business corridor.
507.332.4001 - Faribault 507.663.1241 - Northfield
jphoffmanlaw.com
N. Mankato
As your printing solutions company, we are driven to grow with you.
Ph: 800.891.1345
corpgraph.com
Trained and certified solid waste management consultants who reduce costs of recycling and waste.
Ph: 952.435.3503
envfinsol.com
Name
Web site
ACCOUNTING
COMMUNICATIONS
Barbara@MakingWordsWork.biz
livingandlaughing.com
brenda@livingandlaughing.com
CLEANING SERVICES Carriage Cleaning
Faribault
DOCUMENT SHREDDING Elite Shredding
Owatonna
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Technology Navigators Inc. INSURANCE Nelson Agency LEGAL SERVICES Hoffman Law PRINTING Corporate Graphics
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT Environmental Financial
Minneapolis/ St. Paul
• For information on including your services, please contact Machelle Kendrick at mkendrick@I35targetmedia.com APRIL/MAY 2009 35C
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35Charitable March 5, 2009
United Way’s ‘Power of the Purse’ a success Marcia Morris-Beck didn’t really know what to expect when she started planning the “Power of the Purse” event for the United Way of Faribault. On March 5 at the Vintage Ballroom, the Executive Director of the United Way of Faribault was pleasantly surprised. “It was an evening that highlighted women, because many of the businesses that took part are owned by women,” Morris-Beck said. “Power of the Purse” is a new United Way fundraiser that featured a buffetstyle dinner, wine and silent auction of fashionable bags and purse packages. More than 65 people attended the
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
Women who attended the “Power of the Purse” fundraiser bid on purse packages.
Unique bags and purses like these from irememberbagz.com were auctioned off.
event that raised $2,571 in ticket sales and auction sales. More than just a fundraiser, Morris-Beck said the event was a way for women business owners to network with others. “As a woman in business in Faribault, I like every opportunity to network with other women,” she said. “Another rea-
son for the event was to get feedback about United Way best practices.” Morris-Beck deemed the event a success on all fronts. “Everybody commented on how much they enjoyed the event and that they looked forward to the next ‘Power of the Purse,’” Morris-Beck said.
April 18, 2009
35Charitable
Young Life Cake Auction benefits Owatonna kids Young Life Cake Auction organizer Chuck Jamison can’t say enough about the folks who come out each year for what has become a local rite of spring in Owatonna. “I’m really humbled by it and in awe of the great lengths these people go to in order to help fund Young Life and continue its mission,” Jamison said just days before the 2008 event, which raised a record $56,000 in its 30th year. Individuals, businesses, groups of friends and neighbors are encouraged to come to this year’s event, which is being held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 18 at the Owatonna High School gymnasium. Organizers are hoping to raise $70,000 this year to benefit kids and Young Life in Owatonna. More than 100 cakes will be auctioned live, with cakes on sale for $30-$35. For information about the Young Life Cake Auction, call Jamison at 507-451-9401. 30 APRIL/MAY 2009 35C
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We would like to hear from you 35C welcomes announcements for your upcoming charitable events and news of those that have passed. We are looking to publish information and photos relating to fundraising and philanthropic efforts along the I-35 business corridor. For consideration, please e-mail information and photos to Associate Editor Jerry Smith at jsmith@I35targetmedia.com. Please include the date, time, place, event name, details and charity served. 35C photo by Thom Caya
Young Life Cake Auction organizer Chuck Jamison takes a bid on a cake during the 2007 event, held in Owatonna.
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35Caricature Corridor business people draw strength from outside the office
Photo by Thom Caya
Fly fishing provides great escape for attorney By JERRY SMITH
O
n a beautiful summer day a couple of years back, James Schlichting was taking in all the sights and sounds of nature as he stood in the middle of a babbling brook. As he was casting his fly toward the west, he noticed a storm rolling in but figured he had a few hours before it reached his little slice of heaven. A few minutes later, he noticed the water beginning to rise. And a little while after that, small tree branches, twigs and leaves, along with other debris, started swirling around and past his hip waders. “The water rose eight inches in an hour and I noticed more and more debris racing by me,” Schlichting said. “That storm over the hill came up pretty quickly.” Such is the life of a fly fisherman.
Northfield’s Schlichting can’t think of a better place to clear his head than in a trout stream While the storm presented no real danger to Schlichting, it did interrupt one of his favorite pastimes and cut short his “chess match” with his nemesis, which in this case was a trout. “Fly fishing is about out-thinking the fish,” he said. “They are small, but they are still wily and smart. Because the bait is artificial, you have to be good enough to fool the fish into thinking it’s his next meal.” Schlichting took up the sport by accident when he was visiting a friend in Juneau, Alaska, in 1996. But to this day, the Northfield attorney lists it among his favorite hobbies and one of the best ways to escape the day-today rigors of being a lawyer. “You’re out in nature with the grass and the trees and the running water gurgling over rocks,” said Schlichting, who is
a catch-and-release fisherman. “It’s meditative. It soothes you and slows you down.” As an attorney who has been practicing business, real estate and family law since 1975, Schlichting has the need on occasion to find something that takes him away from the intense pressure of finding solutions for people who are in a bind. “At first, I reacted to the clients’ problems and that was a bit stressful,” Schlichting said. “I’d rather spend my time finding solutions. My job is to get past the emotional part and find solutions.” Which, in turn, can be emotionally draining for Schlichting. When that happens, the 63-year-old attorney tries to get away for a little fun and relaxation. While fly fishing is at the top
of his list of summer getaways, hitting the slopes is his choice when the snow starts to fly. At least once a year, Schlichting tries to head to Utah or points west for an extended ski trip. Closer to home, he prefers the serene setting of Welch Village right here in the Cannon River Valley. “I’m a day skier and enjoy a sauna by night,” he said. “I’m out there to have a good time and relax. Your mind just clears and you start concentrating on something entirely different. It’s a very good way to relax.”
The Schlichting file Name: James Schlichting Occupation: Attorney Age: 63 College: St. Olaf College (B.S. in Economics in 1968); Rutgers University, Camden (Jurisdoctorate in 1975) Hobbies: Fly fishing, skiing, woodworking
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