Southern Minnesota Magazine Fall 2011 by Andrew Greenman

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Nice selection of clothing, infant to adult, plus size, household misc., decor and so much more!

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Mon.-Fri. 10-5 • Sat. 10-3 123 N. Broadway, Albert Lea • 373-0388

Hours: Mon-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4

Reinertson’s Embroidery Business logos •Hats •Jackets •Sweats •Denims •Blankets

For all your gift & decorating needs

127 S. Broadway, Albert Lea

507-373-0751

Northbridge Mall • 373-3353

T-N-T

Used Appliance Store

This feature publishes 5 times throughout the year. If you would like your area business advertised here, please call Renee at (507) 379-3430.

Sales and Repair 121 N. Broadway, Albert Lea, MN Brock Tufte, Owner Phone: 507-373-6022

Shop Addie’s for

the holidays •Unique Home Decor & Gift Ideas • Cards • Fresh & Silk Flowers for all ocassions • And Much More

Come & see us

216 S. Broadway Albert Lea 377-2081

122 S. Broadway Ave. Albert Lea • 373-7746 Hours: Mon.-Wed. 9:30-5:30, Thurs. 9:30-7:00, Sat. 9:30-3:00

editor’s note ❧

A big farm needed a big table

arms were part of my youth. One grandparent Writer Michelle Haacke visited Haberman’s Custom was a vocational agriculture teacher and FFA Framing & Art Gallery in Owatonna and wrote adviser. The other was a farmer, and I particabout it for a feature that starts on page 27. ularly recall their amazing table. Someday, I would like to see that framed perfect It was huge and was round except for a side cribbage hand she mentions at the start of the story, attached to the wall, kind of like the shape of a big, preferably by being dealt it during a game. two-dimentional lightbulb on stilts. The chairs Our model on the cover is Morgan DeBoest. Find around it swiveled and were cushy, more pictures of her on page 31, like captain’s chairs without the high where she models fall fashion. Writer backs. And the area of the table Nya Lony tries her skills at modeling. opened to the kitchen in one direcShe models hats on page 5 and is the tion and to the living room on the author of a piece on pottery on page other. Clearly, the table separated 6. Double duty! How cool is that? what space was considered kitchen Let us know if you like the wedand what was living room. ding photos on page 11. I do. (Pun Grandpa could sit along the wall intended.) If you want your wedding and see everyone and watch TV at photo in the magazine, contact me, the same time. Of course, the TV but here is the requirement: Be difwas off during meals, even if there ferent! was a good football game. The Finally, I’d like to offer you a slice design of the table was practical, of pie. On page 4, writer Matt decorative and central to the feel of Peterson investigates the pies at Tim Engstrom that house’s interior. Harla’s Deli & Desserts in Racine. Editor in Chief The table needed to be big because it was a big farm, and this was the 1970s and 1980s. They had pigs, cows, chickens, oats, corn, beans. There was a lot of work to do. There were big meals. Dinner meant the midday meal, not evening. I still associate my grandparents’ homes with the terms hearth and home. The world has become more urban than rural since then, yet, no matter where you go — town, city or country — we seek that warmth in our homes today. Homes have been a major part of this magazine from the start. In this issue, one of our editors, Amanda Lillie, tours three homes in the Albert Lea and Austin area and shares with readers the thinking that went into their designs. One home is built into an earthen berm. Another has a lakeside, Cape Cod feel. The third has stunning floor-to-ceiling windows. You can see the warmth of these homes in the Our new RV Park is now open for short or long term work of photographer Eric Johnson, who shoots visits and we are offering special rates for the 2012 season! We offer 40x80’ sites, full hook ups and a pond many of the photos throughout the magazine. His for the grandkids! Conveniently located (at exit 26 on photos of the houses and the story begin on I-35) only 15 miles north of Albert Lea. Call or stop page 16. out to reserve your Seasonal Site for the upcoming 2012 Season. Limited number of spaces available! You can also find home decorating tips from the experts at iDesign in Austin. On page 12, writer Sarah Stultz explains how the design firm came to be and shares tips from the two women who own it, Andrea Carney and Barbara Mitchell. Who knew violet was a hot color this fall? On the wall above that big table at my grandfather’s house was a framed aerial photo of the farm. People preserve their cherished memories in frames, sometimes in paintings and photographs www.crystalspringsrvresort.com and sometimes by framing larger possessions.

“Seasonal Special” Call today for details

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Publishers Scott Schmeltzer Crystal Miller Editorial Editor in Chief Tim Engstrom Editor Amanda Lillie Editor Trey Mewes Contributing Writers Andrew Dyrdal Michelle Haacke Adam Harringa Angie Hoffman Rocky Hulne Alexandra Kloster Kelli Lageson Nya Lony Matt Peterson Sarah Stultz Contributing Photographer Eric Johnson Jason Schoonover Art Art Director Stacey Bahr Graphic Designers Susan Downey Colby Hansen Kathy Johnson Sales & Promotion Sales Representatives Jana Gray Crystal Miller Fall 2011 Volume 5, Number 4

Editorial correspondence: Editors, Southern Minnesota Magazine, 808 W. Front St. Albert Lea, MN 56007. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission. For comments, suggestions or story ideas call (507) 379-3433 or (507) 434-2230. To purchase advertising, call (507) 379-3427, or fax (507) 373-0333 To subscribe, call (507) 434-2220 © A Minnesota Publishers Inc. publication

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What’s inside Space cowboys invade The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra is expanding

As American as... It’s all about pie this fall

4 4

DAZZLE ❧ Cap off the fall

Celebrating freedom

Hats that fit anyone’s style

SEEN ❧ Scenes from Austin’s Freedom Fest Parade

CREATE ❧ Passion for porcelain

Iowan artist Billy Cho sets his sights up north

MOVE ❧ Coaching for success Supportive parents are key to youth sports

6 6

Liberty in style

Making strides

Blooming Prairie hosts annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July

The Hormel Institute’s first Walk for a Cancer Free World was a hit

I do Go the distance

Tennis anyone?

Find the fall run that fits your needs

Three products you need to be better on the court

final word ❧ You can go back again Alexandra Kloster revisits the resort she loved as a kid

Wedding pictures from around the region

Become a subscriber today! Call (507) 434-2220 to have Southern Minnesota delivered right to your door.

on the cover

SAVOR ❧

SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FALL 2011

Country Cool

Local model Morgan DeBoest shows off six of this fall’s trendiest ensembles.

Cover photograph: Eric Johnson Cover model: Morgan DeBoest Cover layout: Stacey Bahr

Features ❧

Interior inspiration

Southern comfort

Two women start business with advice of design virtuoso

Step into three of the region’s most fantastic homes

Preserving precious memories

Owatonna company frames your family’s most cherished times

Special thanks to Herberger’s of Albert Lea for providing the clothes and to Terry and Sherri Thissen for the beautiful location for our fall fashion shoot!

www.SouthernMinnesotaMagazine.com

100 William Ave. Conger, MN • Family Owned

Only 6.5 Miles W. of Hwy. 69 on Co. Rd. 17

(507) 265-3340

Northbridge Mall Albert Lea 377-1556

SouthernMNmagHS_Fall2011_Layout 1 8/2/11 12:51 P

On the Main Stage

Presented by

“ You Can’t Sto� t�e Beat” of t�is Big B�oadway Musical!

800-362-3515 W W W. C h a n h a S S e n D T. C O M

Galactic Cowboy Orchestra:

SAVOR ❧

Intergalactic Expansion It’s hard to find space-age country music anywhere

else but Minnesota, but that’s where the Galactic Cowboy Orchestra comes in. The band, fronted by John and Elisa Wright, are taking their “newgrass art-rock” sound to the next level. “We all are definitely in it together,” said Elisa, who grew up in Blooming Prairie. “We have an idea of what we want to achieve.” The Minneapolis-based alternative country-rock quartet is rocketing through the Midwest and making waves in the East Coast alternative scene, having completed several successful tours on the East Coast with more tour dates on the way. The group played a wildly successful set at the Paramount Theatre in Austin in May 2011, a show that felt more like a homecoming than anything else. With two cover albums and two CDs full of original songs, the orchestra is tuning up for big things. Big things like working with Lori Hehr, the agent behind alternative bands like King Crimson. Big things like touring in Raleigh, N.C., Pittsburgh and Binghamton, N.Y. in September 2011 and following up in some of the cities they’ve toured at before. The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra is building their fanbase with oldschool sensibilities, fiddling and jazz-fusing at places to build some wordof-mouth buzz. “The one thing that hasn’t changed is the need for live performance,” John said earlier this year. The big goal is to play around the world — if not the galaxy. “We have an idea of what kind of success we want to achieve as far as finances are concerned,” Elisa said. “We want to be playing all over the U.S. We want to go to Europe. We want to go to Latin America.” — Trey Mewes

Fall: It’s all about pie

hether there’s an open window with one sitting on the sill or a young boy with one plastered all over his face, pie represents fall more than any other food. “Pie traditionally is fall,” said Harla Nelson, owner of Harla’s Deli and Desserts in Racine, Minn., just south of Rochester on Highway 63. Though Nelson’s business offers popular burgers, breads, salads and sandwiches, she specializes in pie, especially in fall. She makes all of her pies by hand, in-house and even uses ingredients from local gardens, including her own. Nelson opened her business in 2007, but she’s no pie-making rookie. She learned the secrets, which were passed down from previous generations, from her mother while growing up on a farm. Each one of Nelson’s pies has a little bit of history, as she still uses her grandmother’s rolling pin to form every crust. “It’s family tradition,” Nelson said. “What you learn from your mother, your grandmother, those secrets you never give up. … You can’t buy that in a store-bought pie.” Just because Nelson’s pies are all handmade doesn’t mean she can’t mass produce. She once

4 | SMM | Fall 2011

made 30 pies for a wedding — by herself. Her staff of nine once made pies for 48 straight hours, which resulted in 200 pies for the grandest pie-making occasion of all — Thanksgiving. “We make traditional pies,” Nelson said. “I would say we have 50 different pies.” Though Nelson said she makes traditional pies, some of her pies may not be well-known. Among the apple, banana cream, pumpkin and blueberry varieties, Nelson likes to make sour cream and raisin pie. “It’s not unusual, but it’s a pie nobody makes anymore,” she said. Nelson has plenty of her own secrets, but she has also put her own spin on others’ creations. Some of her rarities have included minced-meat pie and banana bread pie. No matter whose recipe she uses, though, Nelson has learned something valuable. Through her upbringing, spending time with her family and now making pies for a living, she has discovered the essence of family gatherings: “It’s the food that brings people together.” — by Matt Peterson Photo by Eric Johnson

Harla Nelson, right, owner of Harla’s Deli & Desserts, with her daughter Camille Morehart gives plenty of attention to her pies and desserts, a focal point of her business in Racine.

❧ DAZZLE

Leave your hat on! F

all is the perfect season to add flair to your style by wearing hats — they keep you warm while still being stylish. Browse through these featured hats to see which color and style will work best with your wardrobe this fall. Pageboy caps of any style are popular because of their versatility. They can be worn with casual or formal clothing. Turn them to one side to make a more dynamic look. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and wear a hat in a color you normally don’t wear — just pair it with a black or white shirt and jeans and you have an instantly stylish outfit.

Meet

our model,

Nya Lony

Nya is 18 and has lived in Albert Lea since she was 9. Born in Kenya, Nya and her family moved to Albert Lea from Des Moines, Iowa. Nya was the summer intern at the Albert Lea Tribune after serving as co-editor of Albert Lea High School’s newspaper, the Ahlahasa. She was also a Link Crew leader for two years in high school and a member of the Chemistry Club and Knowledge Bowl. This was Nya’s first time modeling. She said her face started to hurt from all the smiling but that it “was very fun.” She will attend the University of Minnesota this fall and major in biology. All hats were found at local department stores and www.etsy.com. Fall 2011 | SMM | 5

CREATE ❧

❧ MOVe

From clay to display It

wasn’t until

Billy Cho

worked part time

in a college art room that he discovered his passion. Cho, originally from Hong Kong, hadn’t realized how much he would enjoy pottery. “Oftentimes I finished my work early so I started teaching myself how to throw and work with clay,” Cho said. “I loved the whole process, especially working on the wheel.” Cho’s no stranger to the United States. He came to the U.S. as a foreign exchange student in 2004, later returning to Hong Kong to finish high school. He returned to America in 2005 to attend school at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, where he found a love for clay and kiln. It was that love that spurred him to earn an associate degree, followed by a bachelor’s degree in ceramics from Northwest Missouri State University in 2009. “What I love most about making pottery is that there’s no limit,” Cho said. “It’s all about your creativity and there is so much freedom in that.” Though he lives in Webster City, Iowa, Cho’s pottery made an impact at art galleries throughout the Midwest, including a featured artist exhibit at Albert Lea Art Center in June. His work is also on display in several galleries in Iowa including From Our Hands Gallery in Des Moines, Iowa, the Art Center in Waterloo and the Fort Dodge Museum. Many of his pottery pieces are sold through those galleries or on his website, www.billychoceramics.com. “The majority of my work is porcelain,” Cho said. “I honestly can’t choose a favorite because I make so many pieces in a year. I like the round pottery pieces the most. I find inspiration for all of my work in magazines and even through other potters.” Cho has many goals for his pottery. He aspires to be featured in larger galleries, specifically the Northern Clay Center at Minneapolis. “As a potter, I have an unquenchable thirst to do more with my pottery,” Cho said. “I’m curious about what more I can create with my clay and I’m constantly trying to be different to keep my work interesting and appealing. I want people to think about my pottery and how I made it.” —Nya Lony

How to build a winning team

Sideline parents should know: If you’ve ever watched a coach from afar and thought their job isn’t very hard, you might want to think again. Ask Mark Raymond, Austin High School gymnastics coach and 23-year coaching veteran. He can attest there’s more to coaching than just teaching the game. Keep

your focus

Raymond, whose Packers made it to the Class A state team meet two years ago, deals with gymnasts of all ages. Once gymnasts get the hang of their technique, he’s usually focusing on the mind more than the ability of his athletes. “We talk about being tight-minded and loose-minded,” said Raymond, who has also coached soccer at AHS. “A tight mind is on track and knows what it’s doing. A loose mind wanders and is more worried about falling or not falling.”

Enjoying

sports

When gymnasts first try out for the sport, Raymond’s more focused on keeping the athletes interested. “If they get hurt, you want to minimize those impacts so they can enjoy the sport, so they don’t quit,” Raymond said. After all, if a child is going to succeed in a sport, they have to find and nurture a love for it. “Develop a passion for the sport instead of focusing on ability early on,” Raymond said. “If you try to throw hours at a child and they don’t like it, the kid will resent it. You could spend four hours in the gym and only get a half hour of work done if they don’t want to be there.”

“The best teams I’ve ever coached have had good parent groups that are amazing to work with.”

— Mark Raymond, AHS gymnastics coach

Put

parents on board

Parents play a key role in how long a youngster will stick with a sport. According to Raymond, it’s important to make sure a child enjoys the sport and isn’t just participating to appease his or her parents. It helps when parents communicate regularly with their children’s coaches to make sure everyone is on the same page. “The best teams I’ve ever coached have had good parent groups that are amazing to work with,” he said.

Know

how to win

While gymnastics is an individual sport, Raymond said he focuses on different tactics when team sports are involved. When he coached soccer, he told his team to remember there’s only one ball and to always think of how their actions could affect the game. “We always stressed that everybody plays a role at all points during the game,” Raymond said. “You have to work as a group.” — Rocky Hulne

6 | SMM | Fall 2011

The Landing 763-694-7784

www.threeriversparks.org/parks/thelanding.aspx

Take an autumn drive to Shakopee… where the Midwest comes to play!

Canterbury Card Casino

952-445-7223 www.CanterburyPark.com

ValleySCARE 952-445-6500 www.valleyscare.com

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival

Sever’s Corn Maze and Fall Festival, home of the first corn maze in the Midwest, welcomes Minnesotans every Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 17 to Oct. 30, 2011. New this year is an outer space themed corn maze, a jumping pillow area and a canary tent, in addition to all the usual entertainment such as the corn pool, giant slide, pumpkin slinger, barnyard tours, live music, food, and more! Come October, the Halloween Haunt and Planet Spooky at ValleySCARE takes over Shakopee’s favorite amusement park! Enjoy nine mazes, attractions and rides for Haunt with milder fun for the family during the daytime. ValleySCARE is spooky fun for the whole family. Take a step back in time at The Landing – Minnesota River Heritage Park, formerly Historic Murphy’s Landing, established in 1969. This 88-acre living history museum depicts life in the Lower Minnesota River Valley from the 1840s–1890s with authentic 19th-century buildings, demonstrations and a scenic river trail and overlook. Step even further back in time to the days of fair maidens and dark knights Aug. 20 to Oct. 2 at The Minnesota Renaissance Festival! The country’s largest Renaissance-themed festival offers a unique glimpse into a 16th century European village, where 16 stages of musicians, magicians, jugglers and mimes will entertain you and more than 250 artisans display and sell handmade wares. Experience 24-hour excitement in the Canterbury Card Casino, Minnesota’s largest selection of table games and Chips Bar serving until 2 a.m. daily! Canterbury Park’s Fall Poker Classic, the upper Midwest’s premier poker event, runs October 1 – 15 with over $1 million in prize money up for grabs.

952-445-7361 www.RenaissanceFest.com

Sever’s Corn Maze 952-974-5000 www.SeversCornMaze.com

To download our free Visitor’s Guide and for discounts while visiting our community, go to www.VisitShakopee.org or call 800-574-2150.

MOVE ❧

ready to run

hough your summer beach body may be rockin’, fall is the time to keep in shape for ski season and the ice rink. What better way to stay in shape than with a little long-distance running? Southern Minnesota brings you the top races in the area to keep toned and ready to go once the flurries fly.

Saturday, Sept. 3

St. Croix Valley Triathlon: Olympic Course, (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run); Hudson, Wis. Lake Front Park, 100 Walnut St.; 7:30 a.m.; $80 per individual, $120 per team www.finalstretch.com; 507-664-9438 Sugar Lake Brandon Beckman Memorial 5K; Annandale, Minn. Corinna Township on Ireland Ave.; 9 a.m.; $25 for adults, $10 for kids www.sugarlake.org; kristinturn@gmail.com

Sunday, Sept. 4

St. Croix Valley Triathlon: Sprint Course, (Thirdmile swim, 10-mile bike, 4-mile run); Hudson, Wis. Lake Front Park, 100 Walnut St.; 7:30 a.m.; $75 per individual, $115 per team www.finalstretch.com; 507-664-9438 The Dream Mile: Vibha 5K/10K; Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis 3010 East Calhoun Parkway; 10K at 8 a.m., 5K at 9:30 a.m.; $28 for 10K, $23 for 5K www.thedreammile.org/twincities; twincities@thedreammile.org; 952-818-4014

Monday, Sept. 5

MDRA Victory 10K and 5K; Minneapolis Webber Park at Webber Parkway and Colfax Ave. N; 10K at 8 a.m., 5K at 9:30 a.m.; $35 www.victoryraces.com

Thursday, Sept. 8

Life Time Trail Run Series; Victoria, Minn. Carver Park Reserve, 7025 Victoria Drive (Springview area); 6:30 p.m.; $20 www.ltftrailseries.com; 952-944-7386

Saturday, Sept. 10

James Page Blubber 5K; Minneapolis 420 Main St. SE, 10:01 a.m.; $40 www.blubberrun.net; 612-747-5019 Bear Water 10-Mile and 20-Mile; White Bear Lake Bear Water Run, 2228 Fourth St., 8 a.m.; $40 for 10-mile, $45 for 20-mile www.whitebearlions.org; bearwaterrun@hotmail.com —Adam Harringa 8 | SMM | Fall 2011

Rack-it up Fall is the perfect season to play tennis in dry, cool air. Before hitting the courts, make sure you have the latest equipment.

Racket: Head YouTek IG Instinct, $169.95

Head’s latest racket release is endorsed by ATP players Tomas Berdych and women’s star Maria Sharapova. This racket is built for intermediate to advanced level players and features a light, 10.9-ounce strung weight but allows players to hit for power.

Shoes: Babolat Propulse 3, $109

The Babolat Propulse 3 shoes are high-tech power shoes for players looking for performance advantages. Worn and endorsed by Andy Roddick, the Propulse 3 has a soft and comfortable upper sole due to its cell shield material. The shoe is in its third generation and comes in either white or red with black accent colors. Babolat claims out-of-box comfort with no break-in required. The Propulse 3 also come in a women’s model.

Shirt: Lacoste men’s Super Dry Chest Stripe Polo, $85

Go old school with this chest-stripe polo by Lacoste. In a Super Dry fabric, this two-button polo comes in Oceanside Blue or white, with white, green and blue accent colors. The polo has black contrast tipping on the collar with the signature crocodile logo on the chest. The polo pairs well with Lacoste’s Summer Colorblock Jacket ($155). — Andrew Dyrdal

SEEN ❧

FREEDOM FEST Austinites take in the Freedom Fest Parade on July 4, 2011

— Photos by Jason Schoonover

Fall 2011 | SMM | 9

SEEN â?§

Summer 2011 was packed full of events, including The Hormel Institute Walk for a Cancer Free World in Austin and the Blooming Prairie Old Fashioned 4th of July

10 | SMM | Fall 2011

SEEN â?§

Congratulations! New brides and grooms clockwise from above: Alisa Berger and Andy Rolands, Amy Jacobson and Jade Pestorious, Katherine Strehlow and Craig Rosell, Katie Schultz and Mark Chryst, Lori Parkinson and Shannon Christiansen.

Fall 2011 | SMM | 11

The mere mention of color swatches, fabric textures, window treatments or

Andrea Carney, co-owner of the interior design business iDesign in Austin

decorative pillows can light up these women’s faces. Whether it’s designing for a commercial or residential space, Belita Schindler, Andrea Carney and Barbara Mitchell all share the same passion — interior design. “It’s about helping create a space where someone is comfortable and happy,” said Mitchell said. Carney added, “It’s about dealing with people and being able to exceed their expectations.” Putting aside their own personal styles, these Austin women seek to help their clients discover a sense that complements their interests and unlocks a home’s inner beauty.

The

first stroke of the brush

Schindler became an interior designer 32 years ago and opened her own shop, Belita’s Commercial & Residential Interiors, on Second Street Northwest in Austin. As a budding designer, Schindler said she didn’t have many other interior designers to turn to for feedback,

Interior Inspiration Up-and-coming

interior designers mentored by

By Sarah Stultz

Barbara Mitchell, co-owner of iDesign in Austin

Austin

decorating virtuoso

Photos by Eric Johnson

but eventually she developed her craft, completing dozens of small jobs. “In a small town you get a smaller pool of clients,” she said. “You get whoever walks through the door.” Her name became more known as time went on, and now she may be most recognized for her work designing the inside of Austin’s Hormel Historic Home, along with another Hormel property in Vail, Colo. It was Schindler’s resources and expertise that attracted Carney and Mitchell — both relatively new to the field — to the seasoned decorator.

Passing

the brush

Carney began working with Schindler nearly six years ago, with Mitchell jumping in about four years ago. Schindler’s resources and expertise — “she was real energetic and inspiring” — were appealing to Carney. Mitchell said Schindler’s willingness to share the knowledge and materials she has gathered in 32 years of decorating was helpful as she and Carney began exploring new avenues of design. “Personally, I learned a lot,” Mitchell said.

12 | SMM | Fall 2011

Carney, who personally has a contemporary style with a mix of eclecticism, said she loves simplistic but warm design. Mitchell, on the other hand, has a transitional style with a bohemian flair. The women said they learned the value of collaboration and the importance of brainstorming with other designers as they watched, listened and learned from Schindler’s experience. Having received more training in commercial design, Mitchell said she learned the intricacies of residential design from Schindler. Schindler, an established designer when the women joined her business, said she never saw Carney and Mitchell as competition. They were fellow design associates — even friends. “I never thought of it as mentoring,” Schindler said. “I thought of them as friends.” Everything fell into place when Schindler was ready to retire in June 2011, as Carney and Mitchell decided to open their own design studio. The two up-and-coming designers acquired Schindler’s supplies — including carpet samples, fabric swatches and decorating books — and opened iDesign, short for interior design, a remodeled shop at 111 Fourth Ave. NE in Austin. Within the shop is Carney’s business, Insight Interiors, and Mitchell’s business, Barbara’s Interiors. “It worked out so great that they were willing to bite off a bigger chunk,” Schindler said. In July 2011, the shop was coming together, and the two women only had a few finishing touches left to complete. “These are very talented people,” Schindler said. “They know it’s hard work.”

Intricate

details

While Carney’s personal style uses contemporary design, she said she can’t implement many contemporary ideas when decorating Austin area homes because many people in the area prefer a traditional style. When they are commissioned for a design job, Mitchell and Carney said they observe many characteristics of the client, from the way the client dresses to the way his or her home is already decorated. They bring dozens of samples of carpet, fabric, color swatches and other design books for visuals. They talk about patterns and ask lots of questions. “It’s really nice for people to have a lot of choices,” Carney said. Mitchell said many people may not even know their own personal style until they meet with the designers. Only after talking through the client’s interests and displaying options do many clients discover what they like. “This is a great business, it really is,” Schindler said. To reach Mitchell or Carney at iDesign, call 507437-4687. There will be an open house at the store from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 22.

What’s

hot this fall in design

• Minimalism with luxurious accents. • Violet, mandarin orange, yellow and green as accents in combination with gray and white as background colors. • Global influences, including African and American Indian. • Creating outdoor spaces indoors (use of rattan furniture).

Owners of the new interior design business in Austin Andrea Carney, right, and Barbara Mitchell, center, got their business off the ground with the help of recently retired interior designer Belita Schindler.

8 easy tips for beginning designers 1. Create a focal point in each room. 2. Only use elements that you love in your home. 3. Simplify and de-clutter. 4. Use rich colors with muted pigmentation. 5. Decorate with yourself in mind and not to impress others. 6. Splurge on one special item you love and build around it with simpler things. 7. Follow a color theme throughout the house (not necessarily in kids’ rooms). 8. Take your time; don’t rush the development of a welldesigned house or room. Consider hiring a professional. — Tips from Barbara Mitchell and Andrea Carney of iDesign in Austin Fall 2011 | SMM | 13

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Not your typical greenhouse! Visit us at the fall festival for unique fall designs

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Bel-Aire Acres LLC 4351 Dancer Ave. St. Ansgar, IA 50472 (641) 420-7092 belaire@omnitelcom.com

Visit www.belairewinery.com for info on our apple festival!

324 W. 4th St, St. Ansgar, IA 641-713-4698 • Mon-Sat 9:30-5:00 Open Thursdays til 7:00

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112 S. School St St. Ansgar, IA www.OldCrow ArtisanGallery.com Margie Kline

Attract tourists! Build business!

Southern Minnesota and northern Iowa are filled with beautiful, cozy towns that each offer their own unique experience. And, people across the region are explorers — willing to make the drive to explore new shopping, dining, events and attractions. Let me bring new people to your community — and grow your business — by featuring your town in the next issue of Southern Minnesota! With 10 years of marketing, advertising and print media experience under my belt, I can help with your community’s promotional campaign and draw new and lifelong patrons into your establishment. Please call me at 507-379-9852 to begin your town’s campaign today!

- Michelle

Michelle Haacke Marketing Executive Southern Minnesota 507-379-9852 michelle.haacke@ albertleatribune.com

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By Amanda Lillie

Photos by Eric Johnson

distinctive designs

Among the gorgeous homes Southern Minnesota has to offer, three homes in Austin and Albert Lea stand out. They encompass three familiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; different tastes, needs and design style. Each house has something unique to offer, whether it be a sauna, outdoor fireplace or cathedral ceilings.

16 | SMM | Fall 2011

Living

Home

stats: Built in 1982 2,000 square feet 10-acre yard 2-stall garage 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms Outdoor patio Sauna

in the earth

Steve and Mary Moe never expected their home to draw much attention. After all, it is disguised as part of a hill, tucked neatly into an earthen berm with just a roof poking out. “We don’t have goats on our roof,” Mary joked. “But it’s very efficient and easy to heat and cool.” The home is four miles west of Austin on Freeborn County Road 46. The Moes have spent 24 years living there, barely even on local utilities’ radar due to the efficiency of their home. Since the earth provides insulation by covering half the house, the inside of the home will never get below 52 degrees — not even in the dead of winter with the heat turned off. When the heat is on, it’s generated by a dual boiler system that can be powered by wood — cut and split by Steve — or an LP gas tank. The wood burner is tucked into a wall in between the living room and dining room, adding a cozy touch to the decor. A sauna hides neatly in the boiler/laundry room behind the wood burner. The Moes only recently bought a small air conditioner for their bedroom for the hottest days of summer. On a regular summer day, though, inside temperatures stay around 68 degrees. “It’s really a low-maintenance home,” Mary said. “It’s great in stormy weather. We don’t have a basement, but it’s so safe.” The Moes don’t mind not having a basement — or stairs. The largest step up anywhere in the house is a two-inch lip in the doorway from the garage to the kitchen. “There are no steps, and the doors are larger than normal, so it would be a great handicapped house,” Mary said. The sustainable features of the home, coupled with the lack of basement storage space, made the Moes more aware of environmental efficiency and the joys of not being packrats. Mary said they’ve had to be particular about the items they purchase or store so as not to clutter the available storage space. “You don’t have the room, so you don’t have much stuff,” Mary said.

continued on page 20

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Melanie and Max Faust have nearly everything they need to survive any kind of Minnesota weather — three fireplaces, nine-foot tall windows for natural light, oak trees for shade, a recreation room with a bar, a basement woodshop and an indoor grill. Of all the features of the Fausts’ home on the southwest side of Austin, Melanie says the nine-foot windows in the great room add the most character to the house. “The floor-to-ceiling windows let in so much light that even on the gloomiest day it’s bright and cheery,” she said. “It’s really refreshing, especially in the long winter months,” Max added. The Fausts finished remodeling two rooms in July, but they kept the cathedral ceilings and windows in the great room in tact. Instead, they focused on the master bedroom and bathroom, using local designers and construction companies to match the original home style with the remodeled rooms. “Since we loved the original architecture and design features, we challenged Belita Schindler to design a plan that would update the master bedroom and bath,” Melanie said. “To keep the house as ‘original’ as possible, Paul Hirsch and Belita Schindler worked to match all new cabinets, window trim, hardware and baseboards to the existing style and color used throughout the house.” The Fausts added indirect lighting to the master bedroom in keeping with the existing light fixtures. Two new “his” and “her” closets were added to the bedroom. In the bathroom, Melanie said she and Max added a shower and second sink, as well as can lights “for a simple, streamlined look.” The master bedroom features exposed-beam ceilings that can be found throughout the house. Max said each beam is around 40 feet long and stretches across the entire house. “Each one of them is as tall as a tree probably,” he said. “It’s pretty unique construction.” Outside, the Fausts’ home has a deck that wraps around the front of the house to reach both sides of the yard. The backyard hosts a patio that is visible from the great room windows. “You can look out these windows, and we have five neighbors within a stone’s throw, but you can’t see one of them,” Max said. “It’s a nice, private patio that’s big enough to entertain. “We love that about the house.”

20 | SMM | Fall 2011

Home

stats: Built in 1957 4,700 square feet 2-stall garage 4 bedrooms 3 bathrooms Walk-out basement Outdoor patio

Home

stats:

Built in 1934 Expanded in 2002 6,000 square feet 4 bedrooms 4 bathrooms Outdoor wraparound porch Outdoor patio with fireplace

touch of the

Cape

Though Tempest and Brad Arends live about 1,400 miles from Cape Cod, the Massachusetts peninsula has inspired the design of their 6,000 square-foot house on Fountain Lake in Albert Lea. “We wanted a house that looked like it belonged on the lake and had been here a while,” Brad said. “I wanted to go for a Cape Cod look,” Tempest added. When the Arends bought their home in the Shoreland Heights neighborhood in 2002, they expanded onto the front, nearly doubling the size of the house. Now, a kitchen-and-dining-room area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooks Fountain Lake, with a wraparound porch extending off the kitchen and to the corner with a shaded sitting area. On the other side of the kitchen, outside and overlooking the lake, is a patio with an outdoor fireplace the Arends use in the fall. The outdoor fireplace is one of five in the home. “We wanted an outdoor room,” Tempest said. “We use it more in the fall and spring. If it gets chillier, in the 60s, we’ll put a log out there and visit.” With three floors, the bottom level of the house offers a walkout basement and recreation room, where the Arends’ three daughters can spend time with their friends. The rec room has darts, a pingpong table, a pool table and a TV set, plus amenities, but both Brad and Tempest said the kitchen is the main hangout for the whole family. Complete with a bar counter that could seat several people and a hearth-like stove that doubles as a flower-laiden centerpiece, the kitchen is everyone’s favorite room in the house. “This room is basically where the family lives,” Brad joked. Tempest said she wants guests to focus on the flowery hearth above the stove when they visit, because the goal was to make it look like a fireplace above the stove. Other furniture on the main floor of the house was also decorated with floralscapes to give a nature-friendly beach vibe. “It’s lake-inspired and gardeninspired,” Tempest said. “We tried to bring the garden inside so we can have a garden year-round.” Fall 2011 | SMM | 21

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The scent of apples, cinnamon and nutmeg from freshly-brewed cider and freshfrom-the-oven pies waft through the air. The sight of maple leaves turning deep hues of reds, yellows and orange pepper the sky. A cornucopia of handcrafted harvest items line Main Street in Osage, Iowa, already known for its unique boutique-like shopping experience. Welcome to north Iowa’s premier fall festival, Autumn Artistry. Now in its 11th year, Autumn Artistry has blossomed into a beautiful fall tradition in the City of Maples. The annual event, slated for Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Osage, will feature more than 100 area artisans and vendors, showcasing an array of quality handmade goods —from home décor to gifts, jewelry, pottery, baked goods, quilts and much more. “Osage is so pretty in the fall with all of our beautiful maples changing colors,” said event founder and co-organizer Marsha Stricker, who also owns The Flower Gallery. “It really sets the foundation to build this event on, which makes this so beautiful and special each year.” Many new items will be featured at this year’s Autumn Artistry, including pottery, handmade soaps and lotions, metal sculptures, feather hair extensions, woodcarving, quilts and wool pennyrunners, and custom pet accessories, just to name a few. Raku pottery, which is a type of Japanese pottery traditionally used in tea ceremonies— most often in the form of tea bowls—is another unique item to be featured at this year’s event. Delight in the selection of freshly picked pumpkins and gourds. Let your taste buds guide you through the selection of homemade baked goods and pies. Additional exhibits, crafters, artists and harvest goods will be on display and for sale at the Mitchell County Fairgrounds, along with a variety of activities, including the Blacktop Cruisers’ 10th Annual Car Show. Enjoy additional food vendors and a beer garden, as well. To make sure those in attendance can see all that Autumn Artistry has to offer without the stress of driving across town, shuttle service will be provided between Osage’s downtown area and the Fairgrounds with stops at Arts Shoes, Tomorrow’s Treasures, Home Trust and Savings Bank, the Osage Public Library and the Fairgrounds. Autumn Artistry is sponsored by the Osage Lions Club. For more information about this event, please call 641-732-3294.

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Sept. 23, 24 & 25, 2011 • Pitch tents and enjoy campfires in Trader Row • Watch woodcarving demos and learn how • Musket and primitive firearm display • Kid’s pole fishing and hand fishing • Dutch oven cooking and hog roasting • Blacksmithing demos

• Longbow shooting and demos • Dance and storytelling with the Sac and Fox Native American tribe • Kay Newman with S.O.A.R. will have her bald eagle • The Flying Pig Fiddle and Banjo Duo will be teaching and performing • Trapshooting tournament

Mitchell County Nature Center 1879-3 Highway 9, Osage, IA 641-832-7246 • maryjo@osage.net

- Michelle

Michelle Haacke Marketing Executive Southern Minnesota 507-379-9852 michelle.haacke@ albertleatribune.com

Preserving

Family Memories One of the examples of the intricate collage work done at Haberman’s Custom Picture Framing & Art Gallery in Owatonna includes this old violin with sheet music and a picture of the man who played it.

By Michelle Haacke

rom the perfect cribbage hand to an antique golf club, newspaper clippings and photos, Bob Haberman of Owatonna has preserved many family treasures since he took over Haberman’s Custom Picture Framing & Art Gallery in 1999. But perhaps his favorite was the antique violin. The violin — about 130 years old now — belonged to Henry P. Christenson, who passed away in 1944. Christenson’s grandson Jon Osmundson and his wife Lori of Owatonna brought the family heirloom to Haberman’s to be preserved as a gift for Jon’s mother. “As our young daughter started playing the violin, her grandma began sharing fond memories of her own dad’s musical talent,” Osmundson said. Christenson’s violin had been in storage in an attic for nearly 20 years. To surprise her

Photos by Eric Johnson

mother-in-law for Christmas, Osmundson brought the violin, along with a picture of Christenson and sheet music of the song “Pretty Little You” to Haberman’s. It was the tune he used to sing to his daughter. Haberman mounted the violin, photo and sheet music into a custom shadow box. “We chose not to cover it in glass because we wanted Grandma to be able to touch it,” said Osmundson. “She was so tickled to see the violin again, and it is the most meaningful gift we have ever given to her.” Haberman remembers the joy it brought to Osmundson’s face. Like many of the other treasured items he’s helped preserve over the years, the reaction from his clients is often the same. “I enjoy the creativity and the looks on people’s faces when they see it,” he said. “People tear up right in front of me.” The family connection is strong at

Haberman’s. Bob’s father, Richard, and grandfather, Anton, started the business building barns, homes and cabinets in 1947. Haberman joined the family business in 1978 and began the custom framing in 1981. The shop evolved into picture framing and now specializes in computerized matting and custom frames. While the shop has many framed prints on display, Haberman and employee Debbie Viera work with patrons to customize prints, canvas, mirrors, artwork, needlework, photos and many types of family treasures. Some of their more unusual framed items include an Indian medicine robe, Egyptian art on papyrus and Chinese silk tapestry, military medals, newspaper articles and keepsake family documents.

continued on next page Fall 2011 | SMM | 27

Their collage work, which includes collages of photos, medals, newspaper clippings and other important family documentation grouped together into a frame with customized matting, has become quite popular in preserving family memories. In fact, the collages could easily be compared to scrapbooking for a wall. One such piece includes the certificate of citizenship of Nels Martin Jensen, dated 1896, along with his certificate of marriage to Laura Jensen on March 7, 1894, a photo of their farm near Blooming Prairie, the birth certificate of Amelia Sophia Jensen dated Aug. 15, 1896, and a photo dated 1910 of Ivan, Nora, Raymond, LuVilla, Melvin, Amelia and Leonard Jensen. “It’s a nice way to keep things together and preserve these things that you otherwise don’t get to see,” said Viera. For Mike Friesen of Owatonna, the memories of the treasured photos in his collage are more recent. The black frame encompasses several photos of a cute, black puppy named Spirit: Spirit splashing around in an inflatable children’s pool with Friesen’s daughter, on a trip with the family to South Dakota, and lounging around the house. In the center is a poem titled, “May I Go?” with Spirit’s dog tag mounted underneath and a black paw print on white. Across the top the word “Spirit” is carved into the mat board. “Wherever we went, she went,” Friesen smiled. “We brought her into the house and treated her more like a person.” The black Lab was another member of their family for nine years, until cancer overtook her body and she had to be euthanized on Dec. 16, 2006. They wanted to make a remembrance piece, as she held a special place in the Friesens’ hearts. “It started out with her paw print, which was taken when she was euthanized,” Friesen said. “We thought we’d build around that.” He took the paw print, photos, poem and dog tag into Haberman’s a couple of weeks after her death. Haberman had customframed other prints in their home over the years, and Friesen knew he could work closely with Haberman to get the piece just as he wanted it. The Friesens now proudly display the collage in their dining room, where it’s often a conversational piece. And although they have since gotten another puppy, they will never forget Spirit — thanks to their framed collage. “It’s a nice reminder for us, something we can look at every day that reminds us of the good times we had,” he said. Aside from being the only business in Steele County to offer computerized matting, Haberman is able to customize the frames because he builds each one by hand. Shelves from floor to ceiling in the back room of the 28 | SMM | Fall 2011

The ongoing work of making collages at Haberman’s Custom Picture Framing & Art Gallery in Owatonna.

“I enjoy the creativity and the looks on people’s faces when they see it. People tear up right in front of me.” — Bob Haberman

Mike Friesen looks up at a collage of his dog Spirit he had done at Haberman’s to commemorate the family pet after they had to put the dog to sleep.

Debbie Viera of Haberman’s Custom Picture Framing & Art Gallery in Owatonna, left, laughs with Judy Weinke as they remember framing art by Judy’s grandfather. It was reframed using the original inscription on the back.

shop are filled with finished and unfinished moldings in long lengths. He’s able to cut and stain each one to tailor the exact wants and needs of his clients. In fact, some even bring in their own wood — including a set of barn boards awaiting to be measured and cut in his workshop. The shop also has the ability to provide some restorative work. They offer acid-free mat board and foam core backing rather than cardboard, as well as a variety of conservation glass, which protects the color of precious photos, prints, needleworks and other treasures from ultraviolet light damage. It’s thanks to these capabilities that Judy Weinke is able to look up from her desk each day and admire an original watercolor painting her grandfather painted for her parents as a wedding gift in 1939. She received it after her parents passed away. The frame was in poor shape and the matting discolored. Haberman’s was not only able to reframe and remount the photo, more importantly, they were able to preserve the original documentation from the painting’s original backing: a handwritten note from a father to his son and new daughter-in-law. Although Weinke never knew her grandfather, who painted art for a living, she knew of him through stories her grandmother told her as a child. Thanks to Haberman’s, she now feels connected to her grandfather through this piece of art, which will live on forever. “It’s a good recollection of a long, long time ago,” she said. And Haberman plans to continue bringing this sort of joy to his patrons for many years to come. “This is a blast!” he said. “If I win the lottery, I’d push this building over, move the Old Depot down here, put my shop in it and keep on framing.”

Country Cool

By Amanda Lillie & Angie Hoffman Photos by Eric Johnson

Meet our model, Morgan DeBoest Morgan is 18 and a 2011 graduate of Austin High School. She has recently returned to the city she was born, Des Moines, Iowa, to attend Drake University, where she is a magazine journalism and music major. Morgan lived in Des Moines until the age of 12, when her family moved to Austin. “It’s kind of a full circle thing,” she said of going to school in Des Moines. Morgan has played piano for 13 years and enjoys reading novels on the best-seller list. Although this was her first time modeling, she said it was fun, especially because of all the new outfits she was able to wear.

For a more country-chic look, spice up your jeans and T-shirt combo with a western belt and slouchy, crocheted hat. A rugged leather jacket coupled with leather boots will have you ready to ride the trails.

Fall 2011 | SMM | 31

This fall, don’t be afraid to wear colors you may not have combined in the past, like this purple dress with red skinny belt and shoes. The redpurple combo adds a playful twist to a typical fall dress, with knotted pearls lending a vintage feel. Add warmth by layering a simple cardigan.

If you’re going for a down-toearth yet flirty look, match body-skimming leggings with a breezy top. Show off your curves with a belt, complimented by likecolored boots that are both shaping and practical. Top it off with a pageboy cap. Don’t lose your style in too many oversized pieces. Instead, balance a comfy knit sweater with a pair of dark, skinny jeans. A contrasting hat ties into the versatile golden flats, and a buttery-soft leather jacket adds the perfect finishing touch.

32 | SMM | Fall 2011

Throw a bit of boyish charm into your wardrobe with a menswear-inspired crisp white button-up and dark, classic fit jeans. To ensure a feminine touch, too, cuddle up with a thick, wool sweater.

Add flair to cloudy day clothes by throwing on some silver jewelry and a chunky belt buckle to accent the mellow greys. Slip into a pair of zippered black leather boots for sass, layer with a lightcolored cardigan for contrast, and you will look effortlessly cool.

Fall 2011 | SMM | 33

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final word ❧

A resort is a resort unless, of course, the resort is

wenty-one years ago, I stayed at a resort in Brainerd. I fell in love with it and promised myself I’d visit every year. I never went back. It’s hard to make resolutions like that when you’re 19. Life takes off and you just have to hold on and hope you remember to roll when you land. I never forgot about it, though, and so when my husband, Graham, suggested we drive to central Minnesota and find a place to stay for a few days, I leapt at the chance to finally go back to Madden’s on Gull Lake. The whole drive there I practiced lowering my expectations. Nothing is ever as nice as you remember it. Places always change and sometimes not for the better. There was no way it could have sustained that picturesque charm it had, not in the age of giant megaresorts that make vacations feel more like corporate conventions than tranquil retreats. I was right. Madden’s had changed. It was bigger and more modern. It was also exactly the same. Somehow, maybe through marketing brilliance, architectural genius or plain old common sense, they had kept up with the times yet stayed refreshingly classic. Located on the Pine Beach Peninsula of Gull Lake, Madden’s started as three cabins and a golf course in the 1930s and grew steadily to more than a thousand acres today, capable of housing more than 600 guests in 287 units. Lodging is separated into sections instead of one massive complex preserving an intimacy usually found in smaller resorts. You never feel like part of a herd traveling from hotel to buffet to pool. With three fine dining restaurants, four casual eateries and multiple indoor and outdoor pools, crowds don’t violate your privacy or create frenzied bedlam around your fun. When I saw how deep into the woods we were traveling, I thought for sure my smartphone was going to lose its mind. I’d never get a signal much less be able to check my email and Facebook, but the grounds are equipped to accommodate the perpetually plugged-in 21st century traveler. Funny, though, after a couple of hours separated from the rest of the world, I didn’t want my phone with me.

36 | SMM | Fall 2011

Madden’s

Madden’s is the kind of place where the only battery you worry about recharging is your own. You discover the rules of all lawn sports are secretly stored in your brain just waiting for the opportunity to show that you know the difference between a croquet mallet and a shuttlecock. You decide playing Foosball and pingpong in the ParFecto Pizza eatery is a perfectly good way to while away the evening hours. Sitting on your balcony staring at Gull Lake never seemed so productive.

It’s not all slow-paced relaxation, however. For the activity junkie, golf, water sports, tennis and even trapshooting await. There are great children’s programs as well. I could tell the kids vacationing around us were having a good time when I saw a toddler throw himself against a Madden’s poster and yell, “Look, Mommy! Adventure!” If that’s not an enthusiastic endorsement, what is? Graham and I were able to reconcile our different leisure preferences with ease. While

he rode his bike along the 100-mile Paul Bunyan Trail, I lay at the pool and read. While he experimented with various watercrafts, I lay at the pool and ate, and while he golfed the Social 9 course, I lay at the pool and slept. You see? Something for everyone. There are scheduled activities available or you can wander until your mood tells you what to do. No one rushes you to fill your itinerary. The food is excellent and the staff delightful. I felt at home there, which is an elusive feeling that normally only boutique hotels and quaint inns can cultivate. I don’t usually use this space to advertise or make a sales pitch. I have no connection with Madden’s except as a satisfied customer. After three days I walked away without so much as a mild complaint. I only encountered courtesy and hospitality there. I said, “I love it here” so many times I think Graham wished something unpleasant would happen so I’d say something else. It’s not always a kind world we live in, and traveling can be stressful and exasperating, so when you have a particularly positive experience I think it’s a good idea to celebrate it and tell your friends about it. There are lots of beautiful places to stay in Minnesota, but for me, Madden’s is the home away from home that I will be visiting for years to come. The season runs until the last week in October.

Alexandra Kloster is a freelance writer living in Woodbury.

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