Country Acres South - February 17, 2024 by Star Publications

Saturday, February 17, 2024 | Country Acres South • Page 1 PRSRT STD ECR U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #278 Madelia, MN 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave Sauk Centre MN 56378

SOUTH Saturday, February 17, 2024

Focusing g on Today Today’ss Rural Environment

Volume 2, Edition 18

Fresh produce,

inside

Meet FFA members from local counties Triton FFA Chapter helps purchase hydroponic systems inside. PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO

Robert Ickler (left) and Poe Broskoff smile by a hydroponic unit Feb. 8 at Triton High School in Dodge Center. Broskoff, who has been a FFA member for three years, is helping to launch the hydroponic system as part of his senior project.

BY AMY KYLLO | STAFF WRITER

DODGE CENTER — What was once an old boiler room-turned storage closet at Triton High School has been repurposed and filled with units where there are lights, trickling water and the start of growing produce. Triton High School, in Dodge Center, used funds from the FFA chapter and the Dodge Center Foundation to purchase two types of hydroponic farming units. Already, there are signs of life with the small beginnings of lettuce transplanted into the five hydroponic units. Robert Ickler is the Triton FFA adviser. “I always wanted to grow food,” Ickler said. “It’s great to grow flowers, but that was a 90s thing. ... We need to get creative on where our food is coming from in the future.” Ickler said he has been working toward this project for 10 years. Initially, the plan was to build a greenhouse, but the cost was prohibitive, so they decided to go with hydroponic farming instead. “This is one pathway we haven’t had a very strong presence in during the whole history of the chapter,” Ickler

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Publications bli ti The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.

said. “This gives us the opportunity for S E E PAG E S 5 - 1 1 students to have career experiences in a facility. ... What this really provides is that experience of actively growing food.” The FFA chapter put $17,000 toward the project to pay for the five new hydroponic units. The chapter raised money growing corn and soybeans on 5 acres of land with inputs paid for by CHS Inc. in Claremont. They also saved a portion of the money from their annual corn drive fundraiser. In addition to those five units, the school received funds to purchase a Dutch bucket hydroponic system. These six new systems are in addition to the bath-style systems Ickler began teaching hydroponics with in a room adjacent to his classroom. “This is definitely non-traditional agriculture, growing food inside a storage room,” Ickler said. “Our producers understand that we have to get food from a lot of different sources. Anything they can do to help someone get excited to get into agriculture, ... they’re excited about that, because people are coming into the PHOTO SUBMITTED Lettuce grows in one of the old hydroponic units in 2023 at Triton High School in industry.”

Triton FFA page 2

This month in the

COUNTRY: Watch for the next edition of Country Acres on March 2, 2024

Dodge Center. Robert Ickler estimates that he will grow 150-300 pounds of lettuce per 60-day growing period on the five new hydroponic units purchased with funds from the Triton FFA Chapter. 4 5 6 7

Weddings Amy Kyllo Column Dodge County FFA Wabasha County FFA Fillmore County FFA

8 9 10 11

Winona County FFA Goodhue County FFA Houston County FFA Olmsted County FFA

13 Apprenticing in pottery Houston County 17 Wasioja’s demise Dodge County

Page 2 • Country Acres South | Saturday, February 17, 2024 Broskoff started Triton FFA building the five units during the first semester of the year. He said the first unit took 2-3 hours to complete, but after that, he could build the units in under an hour. The second system, called a Dutch bucket system, was purchased with a grant from the Dodge Center Foundation and is being installed. This system will enable students to grow large plants such as cucumbers, tomatoes and sweetcorn.

from front

SOUTH Published by Star Publications Copyright 2024 522 Sinclair Lewis Ave. Sauk Centre, MN 56378 Phone: 320-352-6577 | Fax: 320-352-5647 NEWS STAFF Sarah Colburn, Editor, sarah.c@star-pub.com Amy Kyllo, Assistant Editor, amy.k@star-pub.com Mark Klaphake, Writer, mark.k@dairystar.com Tiffany Klaphake, Writer, tiffany.k@dairystar.com Ben Sonnek, Writer, ben.s@saukherald.com Hans Lammeman, Writer, hans.l@star-pub.com Story ideas send to: sarah.c@star-pub.com SALES STAFF Laura Seljan, 507-350-2217, laura.s@dairystar.com Julia Mullenbach, 507-438-7739, julia.m@star-pub.com Missy Traeger, 320-291-9899, missy@saukherald.com Robin Brunette, 320-293-5911, robin@star-pub.com Tim Vos, 320-492-6987, tim.v@star-pub.com Mike Schafer, 320-894-7825, mike.s@dairystar.com Jaime Ostendorf, 320-309-1988, jaime@star-pub.com Bob Leukam, 320-260-1248, bob.l@star-pub.com Neil Maidl, 320-292-4454, neil.m@star-pub.com PRODUCTION STAFF Amanda Thooft | Nancy Powell | Maddy Peterson Cheyenne Middendorf | Karen Knoblach Annika Gunderson | Nadiia Zalitach ISSN Print: 2834-6491 | Online: 2834-6505

Deadlines: Country Acres will be published the first and third Saturday of every month. Deadline for news and advertising is the Thursday before publication.

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Senior Poe Broskoff serves as the FFA chapter sentinel and has been a FFA member for three years. For part of his senior project, Broskoff has been helping to launch the hydroponic system. “This opportunity is amazing for both students, the school, everyone,” Broskoff said. “Kids are able to get that experience with plants. ... It’s something I enjoy so much, so I want other people to enjoy Triton FFA page 3 it too.” PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO Broskoff is planning Lettuce grows in rockwool to attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls out of the sides of a next year for horticulture. hydroponic unit Feb. 8 Triton High School in He plans to work in plant at Dodge Center. These units science. feature walls with trickling Ickler said he hopes water inside. to try growing hydroponic sweet corn next September. If he is able to raise sweet corn, he said he might experiment with plant breeding. “I’d maybe have 10 ears of sweet corn, fresh, in Minnesota, in February,” Ickler said. This year, in the converted room, they have installed the five hydroponic units. These units feature walls with trickling water inside. The trickling water feeds plants growing out of Students in Robert Ickler’s food science class work with the water for the hydroponic the unit walls in crevices system Feb. 8 at Triton High School in Dodge Center. Triton High School used funds filled with rockwool and built at a 45-degree angle. from the FFA chapter and the Dodge Center Foundation to purchase two types of hydroponic farming units.

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Saturday, February 17, 2024 | Country Acres South • Page 3

Truck Drivers

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13723 US 52 Harmony, MN 55939 PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO

Grow lights shine on the old hydroponic units Feb. 8 at Triton High School in Dodge Center. These units use a water bath style, with plants growing in foam suspended above and just touching the surface of the water.

Triton FFA

150-300 pounds of lettuce during the 60-day lifespan of the seeds. The lifespan on seeds is definite. from page 2 Ickler tried unsuccessfully to push plants beyond 60 days. Broskoff and Ickler said they “By day 63, the roots were no hope all the installation will be com- longer white,” Ickler said. “They plete by March 1. were brown. They were gray. They Ickler has four water bath style were rotting, decaying, smelling, and units as well. Plants grow in you could pull the sheath off of the foam suspended above, and root, like the wrapper off a straw.” just touching the surface of, the In the spring semester, Ickler water. He plans to use plans to continue the all 10 of the systems plant science course he This is real life. going forward. is currently teaching. This is what you This class works with Ultimately, Ickler said he hopes that the hydroponic sysdo when you’re others are inspired to an adult. ... Trial tems.“This is real life,” place a hydroponic and error and system into a buildIckler said. “This is ing or store front in a what you do when learn through local small town with experience. You you’re an adult. ... empty buildings. and error and collaborate with Trial “Why can’t learn through experiothers, ... and you ence. You collaborate someone start one of these up and start grow together as a with others, ... and supplying your food you grow together as a group. locally?” Ickler said. group.” “Then, you don’t The class is a con- Robert Ickler have to get it trucked current class, meaning in from Arizona, Utah and the desstudents receive college credit for the ert.” course through Riverland CommuniIckler said both of the new systy College. tems should be up and running in the Broskoff said he is sad he will fall. Once everything is online, he not get to see the full system operatplans to hire one or two students as ing next year. Ickler said there have plant managers to care for the plants been many students who worked for during the first semester. Ickler the project but did not get to see its said preferably he will hire an FFA completion. student, but he will hire any student “It was never going to come who wants the job and is interested during their time,” Ickler said. “Yet, in plants. they had the faith that this would With the five systems alone, come someday, and part of their sacIckler expects to harvest a total of rifice went toward this project.”

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137 North 4th Street P.O. Box 546 Cannon Falls, MN 55009-0372 OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Thursday | 8 am - 5 pm Friday | 8 am - 4 pm Light shines off a portion of a mural Feb. 8 on the walls at Triton High School in Dodge Center. The Triton FFA Chapter gave $17,000 for the hydroponic project.

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Page 4 • Country Acres South | Saturday, February 17, 2024

Get in touch with Dave Puppe to see what we have this month

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One of my highlights Mom take all of my meathis winter is that I am going surements so I would order to be a bridesmaid in March. the right size and sent off my The bride and I met at money. the University of NorthwestThree weeks later, the ern-St. Paul, sitting next to tiniest possible box arrived, each other in the only fully miraculously holding all focused journalism class I three dresses and two gartook in college, Writing for ment bags. Sunshine & Flowers Mass Media. And, in some stroke of by Amy Kyllo Weddings bring a set of packing magic compared to adventures. This is the fourth what I expected when I saw time I have been in a wedding, and the box, the dresses were not even all luckily for me, this bride is extremely that stuffed in or wrinkled. chill. Somehow, I have hit the jackpot The only damper in my quest to on good brides for every one of the conquer and vanquish the dilemma of weddings I have been in. (Maybe that buying formal clothes online was that means I am the crazy person in every every dress came too big. Of course, I one of these friendships?) prefer too large rather than too small, Weddings are always a tad stressas it is hard to manufacture fabric out ful. The first time I was in a wedding, I of thin air, but it was kind of frustrating was 14. It was my sister’s wedding, and considering I had carefully followed the everything was wildly exciting and new. sizing chart. The morning of, part way through getI have not yet decided what dress to ting ready, I started to pass out, and they keep and which two to return. Naturalhad to lay me down with my feet up. ly, the decision-making process is not When it comes to weddings, the particularly helped by the fact that the time investment for getting ready for the three ill-fitting dresses gave me a lumpy groomsmen and the bridesmaids is not potato sack vibe that didn’t cause me to the same. A mad race of curling irons, fall in love with any of them. countless bobby pins and more makeup As a bridesmaid, I decided to spend products than an Ulta Beauty Inc. store a little extra and get the bride a special come together to do the impossible for wedding gift. I have paid a commisthe bridesmaids. Weddings are one of sion to a good friend who is a talented those times where I figure that if I don’t artist to draw one of their engagement look my absolute beautiful best, then, I photos. My friend can take a photo and never will. draw a carbon copy of their likeness For one of my sister’s weddings from it. A finished piece is like staring — as would be expected — us ladies at the photo except in pencil. I have arrived at the church around 8 a.m. to been enjoying the occasional progress be ready before the pictures and the reports I have been getting. Every photo wedding at 2 p.m. I will never forget shows the absolutely beautiful photo one of the groomsman’s shock when he coming to life. found out how long we had been there I try to be truthful in my life and primping. in my dealings with my friends, but I For the wedding this winter, when did exact the bride’s favorite engageit came to the dresses, the bride gave us ment photo from her under somewhat a color shade, and a few other specifideceiving pretenses. The surprise of the cations, and then let us each choose our gift is worth it. I can’t wait to watch her own dresses. open it. Armed with this information, I set As I look forward to the hustle and out to conquer the bride’s online retailer bustle of the upcoming nuptials, I am of choice. It was one of those massive thankful for wonderful friends who inbridal websites of colossal proportions. clude me in their lives and their stories. A vast sea of over 200 dresses fit You truly never know when something her requirements, which I narrowed as simple as one college class will turn down to three designs. I dutifully had into a deep and beautiful friendship.

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Saturday, February 17, 2024 | Country Acres South • Page 5

National

WEEK FFA FEBRUARY 17-24, 2024

What is FFA?

FFA is a dynamic youth organization that changes lives and prepares members for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. FFA develops members’ potential and helps them discover their talent through hands-on experiences, which give members the tools to achieve real-world success. Members are future chemists, veterinarians, government officials, entrepreneurs, bankers, international business leaders, teachers and premier professionals in many career fields. FFA is an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership. It is one of the three components of agricultural education. The official name of the organization is the National FFA Organization. The letters “FFA” stand for Future Farmers of America. These letters are a part of our history and our heritage that will never change.

Why do we celebrate

National FFA Week? The National FFA Board of Directors designated the weeklong tradition, which began in 1948, in recognition of George Washington’s legacy as an agriculturist and farmer. A group of young farmers founded FFA in 1928, and the organization has been inﬂuencing generations ever since about the idea that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting — it involves science, business and more. National FFA Week is a time for members to share agriculture with their fellow students as well as their communities. Chapters also give back to their communities through service projects during FFA week. Information provided by the National FFA Organization

DODGE COUNTY Elyssa Robinson

FFA changed that. I became a loud and outgoing child. I now raise my hand and participate in many activities. It has made a difference at home for when we are working cattle. We all have a voice, and we call and communicate a Senior lot better. Parents: Shane and Jacinta Robinson What is your favorite part of being involved Triton FFA Chapter in FFA? All of the fun memories that I have made throughout the years I’ve been in FFA. The dairy team has gone to state for three How are you involved with FFA? I am the years in a row, and the memories will never chapter president. I attend every meeting be forgotten. At the state convention and and participate with the members. I am ﬁlling national convention, the memories with this out an application for a state star degree in amazing and loving chapter will forever have placement. Outside of school, I show livean impact on me. This is my last year until I stock at my county fair in Kasson-Mantorbecome part of the alumni. ville and at the Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul. We have fun activities that we put on This feature on Dodge County is brought as a chapter, such as a petting zoo and an to you by these businesses: ag safety event where third graders come to the fairgrounds and learn about safety. HOME OF THE PROFESSIONALS! Sometimes, we do fun pre-meeting activities. What is your proudest accomplishment in Your Complete Building Material Supplier & Design Center! FFA? Winning grand champion at the state FFA show for dairy showmanship, because most of my family was there and that feeing 830 4th St. S. when the judge shook my hand never gets Cannon Falls old. It always reminds me of my ﬁrst time MN 55009 walking into a show ring, knowing that all of 507.263.5066 my hard work has paid off. But, that doesn’t mean to go easy if you already accomplished Proud something once. Supporter How has FFA challenged you? I joined FFA as of FFA! soon as I was able to. My whole family was in FFA from siblings all the way to cousins, Jeff Reinhardt, owner • jeff@interstatebuildingsupply.com aunts and uncles, so I thought I also needwww.interstatebuildingsupply.com ed to be in FFA. I was a shy kid who kept to STEEL ROOF & META L SALES myself. I hardly ever raised my hand. Being in

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Saturday, February 17, 2024 | Country Acres South • Page 7

Lynsey Ruen Senior Parents: Timothy and Jody Ruen Lanesboro FFA Chapter

How are you involved with FFA? I was our chapter reporter last year, and this year, I am the chapter president. I have competed in various competitions, including food science and floriculture. What is your proudest accomplishment in FFA? Becoming the chapter president. I am proudest of this accomplishment because my older brothers were either vice president or president. de

FILLMORE COUNTY How has FFA challenged you? FFA has challenged me to learn more about competitions. I can learn anything as long as I put my mind to it. What is your favorite part of being involved in FFA? I love being able to work on my leadership skills. I am good at communicating

and get along easily with people. I have not always been a fan of being in charge, so having to wrangle around 100 FFA members in grades 7-12 has stepped up my leadership skills. It’s important to have leadership skills to show others it’s OK to be stern.

To accomplish its mission, FFA:

• Develops D competent and assertive agricultural leadership. • Increases awareness of the global and technological importance of agriculture and its contribution to our well-being. • Strengthens the confidence of agriculture students in themselves and their work. • Promotes the intelligent choice and establishment of an agricultural career. • Encourages achievement in Supervised Agricultural Experience programs. • Encourages wise management of economic, environmental and human resources of the community.

• Develops interpersonal skills in teamwork, communications, human n relations and social interaction. • Builds character and promotes citizenship, volunteerism and patriotism. • Promotes cooperation and cooperative attitudes among all people. • Promotes healthy lifestyles. • Encourages excellence n in scholarship. Information provided by the National FFA Organization

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FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students. We’re proud to support our local FFA!

WINONA COUNTY Liv Gross

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How are you involved with FFA? I have been involved in FFA for three years, and I am serving as the chapter president. I also compete on our small animal team. I have also competed in the nursery and landscape Career Development Event. What is your proudest accomplishment in FFA? Being elected president. I had a passion for FFA ever since my ﬁrst meeting. Becoming president has helped me show that passion to others. How has FFA challenged you? FFA has challenged me by making me speak in front of crowds. This taught me that I am stronger than I thought. In elementary school, I didn’t talk to anyone. Now, I can get up in front of others and speak with conﬁdence. What is your favorite part of being involved in FFA? I love the community service we do and how the community is so grateful for our help. It’s important to do these things to show that kids can make a difference if they put their minds to it. People lose sight of how kind and caring we can be today, especially in the generation we live in.

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meaning The FFA emblem, consisting of five symbols, is representative of the history, goals and future of the organization. As a whole, the emblem covers the broad spectrum of FFA and agriculture. Each element within the emblem has unique significance. The cross section of the ear of corn provides the foundation of the emblem, just as corn has historically served as the foundation crop of American agriculture. It is also a symbol of unity, as corn is grown in every state of the nation. The rising sun signifies progress and holds a promise that tomorrow will bring a new day glowing with opportunity. The plow signifies labor and tillage of the soil, the backbone of agriculture and the historic foundation of our country’s strength. The eagle is a national symbol which serves as a reminder of our freedom and ability to explore new horizons for the future of agriculture. The owl, long recognized for its wisdom, symbolizes the knowledge required to be successful in the industry of agriculture. The words “Agricultural Education” and “FFA” are emblazoned in the center to signify the combination of learning and leadership necessary for progressive agriculture.

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Saturday, February 17, 2024 | Country Acres South • Page 9

Caden Lodermeier Junior Parents: Rick and Katie Lodermeier Goodhue FFA Chapter

How are you involved with FFA? I have been in FFA since 2019. I am the student adviser. I run a small farrowing-to-feeder pig operation. I also show my pigs all over Minnesota and am planning on going to the World Pork Expo and many more shows out of state. I am the president of the Belle Creek Peppy Peppers 4-H Club. I am on the livestock judging team for 4-H and FFA. I participate in Ag Day. I drive the wagon in the corn drive, clean ditches, sell hog roast tickets, set up and take down barns at the county fair, and help with weigh ins.

GOODHUE COUNTY What is your proudest accomplishment in FFA? I am getting my pig production award and the State FFA Degree. I am proud of this because it shows how much work, time and money I have put into this. I have really put all of my time into pigs. How has FFA challenged you? It has challenged me to push myself to put effort into things. I have learned a majority of stuff through FFA, and it has changed me in a good way as a person. What is your favorite part of being involved in FFA? Ag Day. I like being a part of Ag Day

Minnesota

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115,673 5 773 members rs 315 agriculturall education instructors

because I can drive my grandpa’s pulling tractor to school and bring pigs, and I get out of school. I like to share about pigs with the community and students. Everyone needs to learn how much work and effort all farmers put into this world. I like when kids learn about what I do and my pigs. HOME OF THE PROFESSIONALS!

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Page 10 • Country Acres South | Saturday, February 17, 2024

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HOUSTON COUNTY Tyler Hoscheit Junior Parents: Brad and Amy Hoscheit Caledonia FFA Chapter

How are you involved with FFA? I have been involved in FFA for about ﬁve years and have attended dairy judging competitions with my chapter every year. What is your proudest accomplishment in FFA? Making it to state for dairy judging. It’s

Katie Klug Junior Parents: Darrel and Krista Klug Spring Grove FFA Chapter

How are you involved with FFA? I have been in FFA for ﬁve years. I am the secretary for our chapter. I participate in the dairy judging team at the regional and state level.

important because it shows how hard my teammates and I have worked to make it there. How has FFA challenged you? It has challenged me to learn more about my agricultural community and what it’s like to be a farmer in my community. I want to run my own operation in the future, and I’ve learned the ups and downs to living where I am and what works best here. What is your favorite part of being involved in FFA? My favorite part is meeting new people everywhere I go. You grow friendships and see what others have to say about things in the farming industry. It teaches you to hear perspectives of farming, and you get to know more people.

What is your proudest accomplishment in FFA? One of my proudest accomplishments was receiving the star Greenhand award in our chapter my freshman year. How has FFA challenged you? It challenges me to be the best role model and leader so youth will see the advantages and accomplishments that can be had in FFA. What is your favorite part of being involved in FFA? My favorite part is going to area events and competitions and meeting friends from other chapters around the state. I’m making lasting friendships and memories.

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How are you involved with FFA? I am the reporter for the Dover-Eyota FFA Chapter, and this is my fourth year in FFA. I have done many competitions from ﬁsh and wildlife to poultry, crops and other invitationals. Ag Day is one of my favorite things we have done as a chapter as it brings so many people in to hear about the little things. What is your proudest accomplishment in FFA? My leadership role on our officer team. How has FFA challenged you? FFA brings on many challenges to each person. I have struggled with starting a new path when there has been a great change in the chapter. This has taught me that it is important to persevere even if it tends to be hard. This teaches many lessons and builds personality. What is your favorite part of being involved in FFA? I love being in FFA because there are always new opportunities. I am always able to try new things, learn valuable things and meet loads of new people who share interests with me. It is always so good to try new things. If you don’t, you will deﬁnitely regret not taking a shot at them. This feature on Olmsted County is brought to you by these businesses:

OLMSTED COUNTY FFA Q&A RECAP

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Apprenticing

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PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO

Delia Bell (left) and Mary Denzer hold a stamp and a print, respectively, Nov. 17, 2023, at Denzer’s home near Houston. Bell is apprenticing as a potter with Denzer.

Bell learns artisan ceramic skills to create practical pieces BY AMY KYLLO STAFF WRITER

HOUSTON — Delia ia Bell grew up going to art rt shows with her mother, who was an artist, just like ike her mom had done with her grandfather. “This is just in my blood,” Bell said. Now, Bell apprentices ces at Seven Bridges Pottery, y, a studio tucked into the wooded bluffs of southeast east Minnesota near Houston. n. There, Bell works alonggside artist Mary Denzer to learn ceramics. Together, they use about 2,000 pounds of clay and create around 900 vessels each year. “It’s nice when you hear people say, ‘Oh, I use the bowl that I got from m you every day,’” Bell said. “You can make something that people use.” Both Denzer and Bell make pottery pieces that are designed for everyday use and are practical and utilitarian. “It is the whole combination of usefulness and functional and art,” Bell said. Denzer agreed. “We don’t want our pots to sit on shelves,” Denzer said. “We try to keep our prices as low as we can. ... It’s affordable so they won’t be afraid to use it.” Bell’s introduction to pottery was in a ceramics class at Rochester Community and Technical College in 2019 during her senior year.

Bell said her teacher advised her to apprentice if she was interested in pursuing pottery. Bell knew Denzer through art shows she attended with her mom, and in the spring of 2019, Bell asked Denzer if she would take her on as an apprentice. Denzer’s story as an artist reads almost like a movie plot. From living in Italy to learn art and meeting her American sculptor husband Peter, to moving to New York where they worked in publishing. She learned pottery in St. Paul in 1974 and taught community courses and opened pottery studios. Denzer’s adventures have been many. As an artist, Denzer said she wants to pass on her knowledge to youth. “Hopefully the next generation will be able to make things with their hands and live a good life and do things that they love to do,” Denzer said. Bell spent the first year with Denzer watching her throw pots on the wheel and trying to replicate them. Bell also looked through Denzer’s files that articulate the measurements and weights of clay required for specific items. Then, the disruption of the coronavirus pandemic

in 2020 forced Bell to pause her apprenticeship. When Bell returned as an apprentice in June 2021, she began to experiment with designs to create her own pottery items. Today, Bell goes to Seven Bridges Pottery three days a week to apprentice in addition to the several other PHOTO part-time jobs she holds. SUBMITTED This past spring, A bird decorates both Bell and Denzer a plate made by received grants through Delia Bell. Bell hopes the state of Minnesota. to possibly get her

Bell page 14

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Page 14 • Country Acres South | Saturday, February 17, 2024

PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO

Pottery making tools sit under a work bench Nov. 17, 2023, at Seven Bridges Pottery near Houston. Delia Bell’s favorite type of pottery piece to make is a mug.

pieces and joining them together with slip, which is watery clay. In Denzer received a are hand-carved stamps informal terms, the progrant to print a book of which will create prints. cess is somewhat like making rollout sugar 85 poems Peter wrote While Denzer with illustrations for received a grant for the cookies or a gingerbread house. each of them. The illus- book, Bell received a Doing slab contrations will come from grant to work on slab struction is much slowfamily and friends, but construction pottery. er for Bell than wheel most will be done by Slab construction potthrown pottery. Bell Denzer as well as Bell. tery is pottery which could construct one The illustrations they is made by rolling out or two slab constructhave been working on clay, cutting out the

Bell from page 13

ed mugs in the time it would take her to throw a dozen wheel thrown mugs. After an item is thrown on the wheel or constructed, it is next dried until it reaches the leather stage where any handles can be added. Next, the item air dries until it is bone dry. At this point, the clay is dry, but if it became wet, it would turn back into wet clay. Once the piece reaches the bone-dry stage, it can go through the first firing, which is called the bisque firing. This heats the pot to 1,750 degrees. After it is fired, it is no longer susceptible to water and is instead a porous and breakable piece.

Bell page 15

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Pottery pieces are stacked in the kiln awaiting their final firing at Seven Bridges Pottery near Houston. The firing will reach 2,400 degrees. This pottery piece was made by Delia Bell. Bell’s introduction to pottery came during a ceramics class at Rochester Community and Technical College.

Saturday, February 17, 2024 | Country Acres South • Page 15 Saturd

Bell from page 14

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Next, the piece is dipped in glaze and dried to a powdery finish. Finally, the pot is fired for a final time. This time the heat is 2,400 degrees. The kiln is heated slowly using gas-fueled fire. A gradual increase in heat is required because the pieces go through quartz inversion where they are susceptible to cracking if the changing temperature is not slow enough, Denzer said. Once the kiln has reached full heat, the pyrometric cones melt and the potters shut up the kiln so no oxygen can get in or out. The flames then pull the oxygen and other materials out of the glaze in a process called reduction firing. Then, the kiln is allowed to slowly cool down so the PHOTO BY AMY pieces do not crack. KYLLO Bell and Denzer do about Delia Bell holds one three firings a year, with each fiof her slab constructed pottery pieces Nov. 17, nal firing being 200 to 300 items. 2023, at Seven Bridges These firings are scheduled Pottery near Houston. around three shows each year. Making slab constructed Bell and Denzer do a firing pottery is much slower before the Bluff Country Studio for Bell than wheel Art Tour in April, another before thrown pottery. Meadowfest in June — Meadowfest is a show Denzer hosts at her studio each year — and a final firing before the second Meadowfest in September. Bell said she enjoys pottery. “It’s just a very soothing and Zen process,” Bell said. “It’s a lot of fun. ... There’s so many pathways with ceramics.” Bell hopes to continue doing pottery, to try new things, to apply for more grants and possibly get into the 2024 Lanesboro Arts Juried Sales Gallery.

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A slab constructed pottery piece made by Delia Bell rests on a table Nov. 17, 2023, at Seven Bridges Pottery near Houston. Bell and Mary Denzer create about 900 pieces of pottery and use 2,000 pounds of clay each year.

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Delia Bell creates slab constructed pottery at Seven Bridges Pottery near Houston. Bell received a grant to do slab constructed pottery.

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Saturday, February 17, 2024 | Country Acres South • Page 17

Wasioja’s demise

PHOTOS BY AMY KYLLO

Light shines in the window of Capt. James George’s law office Dec. 27, 2023, in Wasioja. The peach paint on the walls is a match for the original paint the restorers found there.

Civil War memories permeate ghost town n BY AMY KYLLO | STAFF WRITER

e or

yond the primary school’s 8th grade, was the third The year is 1862. A group of about a dozen higher learning institution students led by professor Clinton Cilley march in Minnesota, behind only from the seminary, Northwestern College, in Hamline University, in Red d Wasioja to Capt. James George’s law office. Wing, which later relocated d Inside, the peach walls of the high-ceilinged to St. Paul, and the First State ate office looked down as they prepared to give their Normal School of Minnesota ota in futures to the Union cause. On George’s dark, Winona, which would eventually ntually wooden desk, hands sign their signatures to become Winona State University. versity. enlistment papers. These student Civil War ar This scene — and others like it — was one recruits, which became partt of the of many factors that took Wasioja from a boom- Second Minnesota Volunteer er Infantry ing new town to the present ghost-town assemRegiment Company C, represented resented blage of houses. part of George’s pledge to Minnesota On that day, Northwestern College was still Gov. Alexander Ramsey of 100 recruits. new. The college opened in November of 1860 with 300 students. Wasioja page 18 This institution, which gave education be-

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Wasioja from page 17 George, who was a Mexican War veteran, also volunteered and was as an officer throughout the war with Wasioja men until 1864 when health problems forced him to resign. The highest rank George held was that of colonel. Clinton Cilley, who eventually became a major, wrote to George’s wife regarding her husband’s acute rheumatism in a letter dated May 14, 1862. “Any other officer would have got a sick furlough for it and with good reason,” Cilley wrote. “But, he sticks close to us and is determined to see the fight.”

PHOTO SUBMITTED

Capt. James George’s uniform is displayed in the basement of the Dodge County Historical Society Museum in Mantorville. George was a Mexican War veteran who led Wasioja men during the Civil War until health problems caused him to resign in 1864.

PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO

An illustration of the Battle of Chickamauga from the pages of Harper’s Weekly hangs framed Dec. 27, 2023, in the basement of the Dodge County Historical Society Museum in Mantorville. One of the famous battles for the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which included Capt. James George and other Wasioja men, was the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863.

Some of the ffamous battles for the Second Secon Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Infantr Regiment included The Battle Bat of Chickamauga in Septembe September 1863, where they staved off the th Confederate advance. During the battle, one man from Compa Company C died and nine were injured. injured The Second Minnesota also were w part of the Battle of Chattanooga Chattan in November 1863 aand the Atlanta Campaign which wh included Sherman’s March Ma to the Sea.

John W. Mason of Mantorville, wrote down his memories of a speech he heard by George at the seminary while George was on furlough in 1863. Mason wrote, in documents displayed at the historical society, that he got cold chills as George’s heavy bass voice spoke in stentorian tones of the heroism of the men underneath him. Mason wrote that George said:

PHOTO BY AMY KYLLO

Neil Farnham holds a history book Dec. 29, 2023, at his home near Rochester. The book has the author’s signature in it, giving it to Farnham’s great-greatgrandmother Mrs. James George, the wife of Capt. James George.

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