‘I live in a haunted house.’ See Thisweekend Page 16A
Thisweek Burnsville-Eagan SEPTEMBER 9, 2011 VOLUME 32, NO. 28
A NEWS OPINION SPORTS
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A decade later, memories of 9/11 remain fresh for local officials Some Dakota County clergy, firefighters provided relief at Ground Zero by Laura Adelmann THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
After the second plane exploded into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, then-Dakota County Commissioner Mike Turner grimaced and said it was the start of World War III. County commissioners, staff and others had gathered around a television outside an Apple Valley conference room where they were meeting, staring somberly in disbelief as America was attacked on her own soil. National news anchors changed initial reports that a plane may have accidentally crashed into the North Trade Center Tower, the first struck, and began reporting America was under attack. Shattering glass, explosions, flames, screams, panic, sirens, bodies, horror and collapse all played out for the world to witness. “My blood ran cold,”
rsaid Dakota County Sheriff Dave Bellows, who at ty the time was chief deputy nand driving to work, listening to radio news reports. ut “I was thinking about he the number of people in the he World Trade Center and the ho thousands of people who would be killed,” Bellowss said. “You can’t print what I was thinking,” said Davee y Gisch, Dakota County emergency preparedness coordinator and a Vietnam War veteran, who described his feelings of anger, frustration and revenge. “I know it doesn’t sound right, but if you hit me, I’m going to hit you back,” Gisch said. Later that day, thenPresident George W. Bush said: “Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward. And freedom will be defended.” Like so many Americans, several Dakota County
leaders said they wound up watching their television sets for most of the day, looking on in horror as eventually two more crashes would happen that day, one at the Pentagon and another in a barren Pennsylvania field after brave passengers stormed the cockpit and foiled hijackers’ plans to fly the plane into the White
Prestigious Processor of the Pantry steamrolls at State Fair Burnsville’s Schaller wins top canning award for record fourth time by John Gessner THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
The ribbons keep rolling in for Minnesota’s recordbreaking Prestigious Processor of the Pantry. Barb Schaller of Burnsville, a State Fair contestant in canning and baking for 31 years, won the PPP prize for a fourth time this year. It goes to the State Fair canner who collects the most points based on first- through fifth-place finishes in the Canned and Preserved Foods division of the Creative Activities
Submitted photo
Barb Schaller, center, was photographed with Lynne Rossetto Kasper, host of “The Splendid Table” public radio show, and Michael Stern of the show’s “Roadfood” segment at the 2011 Minnesota State Fair. competitions. “I know that a couple of people have two of them,” said Schaller, 66. “No one has three, and no one be-
sides me has four. Last year I was the only three-time winner, too.” Schaller is a canner, See Schaller, 15A
File photos
People throughout Dakota County responded to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, in a variety of ways – (clockwise) a sign outside Eagan Fire Station No. 4, Burnsville firefighters wore black bands on their badges, a person paused to watch news coverage at Best Buy in Burnsville and a blood drive in Rosemount. House or the Capitol. a big-screen television in the Thompson said. “PostApple Valley Fire Chief mess hall. attacks, the U.S. military Nealon Thompson was a “We went from routine around the world took prosergeant in Kuwait on that daily business on an air base active measures to protect day, Sept. 11, 2001. to a heightened level of se- themselves.” He and fellow soldiers curity… into high-threat He was able to send a watched the destruction on level with high security,” See 9/11, 8A
Minnesotans: Eagan Market Fest is top farmers market by Jessica Harper THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
The people have spoken, and with a resounding voice Minnesotans have said Eagan’s Market Fest is their favorite farmers market. Eagan’s great get-together was named No. 1 in the state and 19th in the nation in a poll held by the American Farmland Trust, a nonprofit that aims to preserve the nation’s farm and ranch land. According to the organization’s website, its annual poll is aimed at raising nationwide awareness on the importance of buying fresh local food. Voting was open to the general public between June 1 and Aug. 31.
Eagan’s farmers market received 359 votes, beating St. Paul’s market, which won the annual contest last year. Carrie Phillips, coordinator of Eagan’s Market Fest, said she is not at all surprised the market beat St. Paul this year. “We have a very good following of loyal customers,” she said. The market has grown considerably in the past five years from about 10 vendors to 72. As the market begins to fill Central Park, organizers have shifted their focus toward maintaining high quality goods and entertainment, rather than growth. “What makes us unique
is our combination of fresh produce, artisans and family entertainment,” said Julie Johnson, director of Eagan’s Parks and Recreation. “It’s a nice community atmosphere.” Eagan’s market has won numerous awards in the past including an award of excellence in 2008 from the Minnesota Parks and Recreation Association. Eagan’s Market Fest also fell within the nation’s top 20 favorite farmers markets, which includes Seattle and Detroit. A total of 6,100 farmers markets nationwide were listed in the online poll. Email Jessica Harper at: jessica.harper@ecm-inc.com
Students return to school this week
Poverty in still life Local artist Dan Petrov wins two awards at fair with ‘Vincent’ by John Gessner THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
There’s a reason Dan Petrov depicted a bench instead of a table in his oil painting “Vincent,” a rumination on poverty. A table, he said, would signify a bountiful meal being served. “A bench,” he added, “is for sitting and waiting, as the problem of social justice is waiting for Photo by Rick Orndorf solution.” Artist Dan Petrov of Lakeville relaxed in his Burnsville The message wasn’t lost studio, where he paints and teaches. Petrov’s “Vincent” won two awards at the 2011 Minnesota State Fair. See Petrov, 3A General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000
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Photos by Rick Orndorf
Above: Students returned to classes on Sept. 6, the first day of the 2011-12 school year, at Gideon Pond Elementary in Burnsville. Left: Fast friends were made at the end of the first day of school while students lined up for the bus at Pinewood Elementary in Eagan. For more photos, go online to www.ThisweekLive.com.
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