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w Individual Therapy w Family Therapy w Marriage Counseling If you or someone you know is struggling, please call Gerard Community Mental Health Services at 507-434-4366.
changing one life CHANGES EVERYTHING
EDITOR’S NOTE
What makes Austin great When I was younger, the time immediately following Christmas was always a bit of a let down. So much time was spent building up to Christmas that January couldn’t be anything other than a letdown. From that point on the months of January and February slogged along with very little in the way of a break. Those two months seemed to take forever as we started to turn our vision toward spring and summer in the hopes that the warming temperatures and longer days would somehow drag us from the winter doldrums. In some ways that feeling hasn’t changed much. After three months packed full of events through October, November and December — January and February take on that same weighty feeling. Eric Johnson, We find ways though, don’t we? To beat the Austin Living days stuck inside, hiding from the cold. Editor There’s been plenty for us to do and that includes getting the January-February edition of Austin Living magazine ready for you as we head into the year 2020. This issue includes another assortment of stories that we hope you will enjoy and that maybe make the time stranded inside a little better. The stories do indeed touch on a number of topics, but one of the biggest is a story that will turn Austin’s eyes to itself. In the last decade, Austin’s diversity has grown by leaps and bounds, now featuring a community that in many ways represents the world. It’s what makes Austin a unique community and it’s what photographer William Taufic is hoping to capture in the project “Our Austin, Our America.” William’s lens has captured the changing face of Austin in a hope to reveal the people that make our community so strong. We feel it’s a great way to start this year off — with a fresh look at what makes Austin so great.
Along the way If you are having trouble finding things to do, be sure to check out The List, featuring five simple things you can do to get you out and moving during these frigid months. Area Eats serves up a portrait of Grinder’s Deli and the community of Austin’s celebrates 10 years of Paint the Town Pink.
2 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
PUBLISHER Jana Norman EDITORIAL Editor Eric Johnson Contributing Writers Rocky Hulne Eric Johnson Deb Nicklay Michael Stoll Hannah Yang Photographer Eric Johnson ART Art Director Colby Hansen Graphic Designers Colby Hansen Eric Johnson SALES & PROMOTION Sales & Marketing Manager Heather Ryks Sales Representatives Heather Biwer Mike Delhanty Brenda Landherr Heather Ryks JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020 Volume 8, Number 1 EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE: Editor, Austin Living 310 2nd Street NE Austin, MN 55912 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission. For comments, suggestions or story ideas call 507-434-2237. To purchase advertising, call 507-434-2220 © A Minnesota Publishers Inc. publication
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WHAT’S INSIDE JANUARY – FEBRUARY 2020
SEEN 6
MISSION COMPLETE Blooming Prairie wins first football title in school history.
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CHRISTMAS IN THE CITY Readers submit their holiday favorites.
WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS 10 SANTA’S COMING TO TOWN Santa and Mrs. Claus make an appearance at the Christmas in the City kick-off in November.
AREA EATS 12 ‘FRESH FOOD AND FRIENDLY STAFF’ Grinder’s Deli continues going strong under new ownership.
THE LIST 16 EMBRACE YOUR INNER CHILL! Lots to do outside during the frigid days.
HOME & HEARTH 18 AROUND THE TABLE Simple tips to eat healthier.
20 BRACELETS FOR A CAUSE CEO partners give to charity, one wrist at a time.
23 AUSTIN ARTWORKS CENTER Featured Artist: Logan Conley, MN Handcrafted. 4 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
OUT & ABOUT 24 RAISE A RECORD NUMBER 10 years of Paint the Town Pink.
27 NATURE NOTES Second phase of DNR grants will help kids engage with the outdoors.
28 NEED A SIGN? Austin wants to remind you, ‘You are beautiful’
TRAVEL 52 CRUSADE FOR HISTORY Small Alma, Wisconsin, museum offers window to ancient past.
LOOKING BACK 56 “HOME OF GOOD FOOD AND GOOD COFFEE” – AND CONEY ISLANDS! The Minnesota Cafe opens in Austin.
AREA HAPPENINGS 58 THE BIGGEST UPCOMING EVENTS
BOOK REVIEW 60 FAITH SULLIVAN RETURNS WITH NEW NOVEL ‘Ruby and Roland’ takes readers back to Harvester, MN
WHY I LOVE AUSTIN 64 RANDALL KRAMER Austin – There’s a lot to like here!
FEATURED 30 ONE COMMUNITY For a city such as ours, ‘One Austin, One America’ is a portrait of inclusion and welcoming.
40 THE CUPCAKE QUEEN Alison Witiak has turned her home kitchen into an at-home bakery that thrives on choice.
46 10 YEARS OF PINK After a decade, Paint the Town Pink continues its crusade to end cancer. January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 5
Mission complete
SEEN
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A lot of emotion went into this year’s state tournament run for the Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms. The loss of Anthony Nelson touched a community and a team was on the verge of doing something no football team in Blooming Prairie history had done before against an opponent in BOLD that ended its season last year in the semifinals. The Awesome Blossoms pushed through the entire season — a team on a mission to complete its final goal. They did that on Nov. 29, when they defeated that same BOLD team for the school’s first ever football state title.
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Blooming Prairie players celebrate Alex Baldwin’s touchdown reception in the state quarterfinals against Springfield. BP cheerleader Kassidy Borgen cheers just before kickoff of the Class A Prep Bowl between Blooming Prairie and BOLD. BP fans cheer before the start of Blooming Prairie’s semifinal matchup with Ada-Borup at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Blooming Prairie’s Jarrett Larson rushes the edge against BOLD in the Class A Prep Bowl. Maya Lembke gets ready for the Class A Prep Bowl. Head coach Chad Gimbel is hoisted into the air after Blooming Prairie claimed the Class A Prep Bowl on Friday, Nov. 29, 2019.
6 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
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The Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms walk off the US Bank Stadium field as state champions after defeating BOLD. BP statistician Micalyn Trihuis held this sign the entire time during the semifinals against Ada-Borup. BP cheerleaders get into a snowball fight in the final minutes of Blooming Prairie’s win in the quarterfinals against Springfield. Karson Vigeland celebrates his touchdown in the second half in the MN Class A Prep Bowl. BP’s Luke Larkoski is lifted up by coach Matt Kittelson after a stop against BOLD in the MN Class A Prep Bowl at US Bank Stadium. January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 7
Scenes with Santa For many kids, the season is about one thing — Santa Claus. There are several times throughout the holiday season in Austin where kids get the opportunity to sit with their favorite gift-giving elf and so we asked readers to submit their kiddos to Austin Living. We even got a Grinch!
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Asher Berndt, 5-years-old. Parents: Derek and Melony Berndt. Hailey Olsen 11, Zayda Olsen 2., Dominic Olsen 12. Mother: Autumn Olsen Jack Evenson, 5-years-old. Parents: Skyler and Emily Evenson. Gentry Erstad, 1-year-old. Parents: Garrett and Kelly Erstad.
8 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
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Miller Weidert, 5-years-old. Parents: Travis and Danielle Weidert. Bentley and Parker Farrell are photographed with the Grinch at Shoe Sensation. Parents: Amy Mullenbach and Luke Farrell. Toby’s picture with Santa. Fur mama Jessica Torres. Raegen March, 6-years-old. Parents: Josh and Melisa March. January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 9
WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
10 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
Santa’s coming to town PHOTO BY ERIC JOHNSON Santa and Mrs. Claus made their way down Main Street via golf cart for the Christmas in the City kick-off in November. If you have a photo you think would be worth sharing, send it to Eric Johnson at photodesk@austindailyherald.com. Resolution must be 300 DPI and at least 14 inches wide.
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 11
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AUSTIN EATS
Grinder’s Deli has been a lunch destination in Austin for years.
12 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
Penny Klapperich cuts an egg salad sandwich in half, getting it ready for the table.
‘Fresh food and friendly staff’
Penny and Tom Klapperich took over ownership of Grinder’s Deli this past spring, continuing a long tradition of food service.
Grinder’s Deli continues going strong under new ownership BY MICHAEL STOLL • PHOTOS For many Austin residents, Grinder’s Deli comes to mind when they are looking for a good sandwich. Now in its 29th year of business, Grinder’s finds itself under new owners Tom and Penny Klapperich, who took over ownership from Mark and Sue Nagle in early April. “They approached us a year prior and we weren’t ready at that time,” Tom recalled. “It came up again and it worked out.” The Klapperichs already had prior food service experience. Tom previously owned Zeppole’s at Oak Park Mall and Penny’s parents owned the Taco Shop at Oak Park Mall in the 80s. Both wanted to get back in the food industry. “It’s something that I personally enjoy and wanted to get back into because I enjoy it,” Penny said. But the Klapperichs didn’t want just any restaurant. It had to fit with their schedule, and Grinder’s proved to be just that restaurant. “It doesn’t involve nights and it really doesn’t involve a ton of weekend hours,” Tom said. “It was really the ideal kind of situation. It’s day hours, and in the late afternoon, we shut the doors. The food business is a crazy business, but with Grinder’s, it isn’t really like that. We don’t have the variables that other restaurants have. We don’t have
BY
ERIC JOHNSON
fryers, we don’t have hot foods; it’s all fresh and made daily. We don’t have complications that other restaurants have. Coming into this, it was eyes wide open of ‘this is the kind of business we want to be in.’ It’s been a pretty smooth transition.” Thanks to their prior restaurant business, the Klapperichs were right at home at Grinder’s. “I feel like it wasn’t anything we didn’t really expect,” Penny said. “It helped that Sue (Nagle) stuck around part time throughout the summer. We never closed the door once, even with the transition.” “We really knew what we were getting into,” she added. Grinder’s has had a loyal following in the community since the Nagles owned it. Acknowledging that, the Klapperichs opted to keep the menu the same, allowing the loyal customer base to continue getting favorites, such as the Grinder. “This is our signature sandwich and our best seller,” Penny said of the Grinder, which includes ham, pepperoni, salami, Swiss and provolone cheeses and your choice of lettuce, onion and tomato. You can also get it with yellow mustard, mayonnaise, Grey Poupon, as well as an oil and vinegar-based sauce known as Magic Sauce. January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 13
Penny and Tom Klapperich bring a rich history of working in the food industry to Grinders’ Deli.
But for a true taste of the Grinder, those in the know opt for the tangy mayonnaise-based Secret Sauce, the recipe of which is guarded more closely than the gold at Fort Knox. “Before owning (Grinder’s), I loved the sauce, but I could never pinpoint what made it taste like that,” Tom said. “Now that we make it, it makes sense, but I would never have guessed that’s how it’s made.” Tom wasn’t the only one curious about the sauce. Despite having the word “secret” in its name, Penny said people ask what’s in it on almost a daily basis. Those who do know have been sworn to secrecy. “I’m not going to give you their names,” Penny said with a laugh. Another crowd favorite is the Egg Salad sandwich, another secret recipe. “I have a chef whose come in here for years and has tried to replicate the egg salad because he likes it so much, and he can’t figure it out either.” Penny said. While she shared that it does not contain Secret Sauce, it does contain one ingredient of the Secret Sauce. For those unfamiliar with basic egg salad recipes, that ingredient is mayonnaise. But if meat is not your thing, those seeking healthier options can indulge in another top seller, the Veggie. “It was one that I personally didn’t think would be such a big seller coming into this, but there are those people who either don’t care for meat or are looking for a healthier option,” Penny said. “It’s surprisingly very delicious.” It’s never a complete trip to Grinder’s without having dessert, whether it’s carrot cake, O’ Henry bars, or the bestseller caramel bars. “We do occasionally get high school girls who come by for caramel bars,” Penny said with a laugh. “That’s their lunch.” Penny said that customers can buy treats by the pan. “People order them for special occasions, like family reunions, graduations, those types of things,” she said. While the Klapperichs have not added anything to the 14 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
menu, Penny said they are not opposed to doing so down the line. “If there was something we could find that doesn’t extend the prep time, because I pretty much do it solo, we might add it,” she said. “We want to keep it in that range; we’re not really looking to expand hours, just keep a great tradition going without spreading ourselves too thin.” The reception from the community has been positive since the Klapperichs took over. “A lot of people have thanked us for keeping it going the way it was and tell us how much they enjoyed it from years back when they were kids,” Penny said. I would say we’ve had a really positive reception and acceptance in the whole situation.” Penny said that customers who have memories of the building before it was Grinder’s frequently share stories of what it was like years ago. “It’s fun to have the older community come in and tell the stories of what they remember, like when it was a candy store and they would sneak away from school to come get candy,” she said. “That’s one of the best aspects is getting to hear all of the stories and the memories that this place holds for people.” “One lady who came in grew up in the neighborhood and remembered it as Tipton’s and how her family would come here and get groceries,” Tom said. “One gentleman stopped in and told me about how he would come in and get in trouble with his father when he got back for sneaking off the grounds,” Penny said with a laugh. “One lady told us how the school kids would send one person to get candy for all of them so only one person had to serve detention that day.” Penny encourages those who have not been to Grinder’s to come and experience “fresh food and friendly staff.” “We have fun here,” she said. “It’s a throwback environment,” Tom added. “You can’t get this nostalgic feel anymore.” Grinder’s Deli is located at 604 Third Ave. NW in Austin. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They can be reached at 507-509-9098.
First time? First time at Grinder’s Deli? Here are some suggestions from Penny Klapperich.
H THE GRINDER Red meat lovers rejoice as this sandwich comes with ham, pepperoni, salami, and Swiss and provolone cheeses. Get it with the tangy Secret Sauce for a memorable flavor combination. H EGG SALAD Ever had an egg salad sandwich that strikes the perfect balance of egg flavor without overwhelming you? If not, here’s your chance. Penny has to make several batches every week; that many customers can’t be wrong. H VEGGIE For a healthier option, try this sandwich, stuffed with Swiss and provolone cheeses, lettuce, tomato, onion, shredded carrots, cucumber and green pepper. One can taste the freshness in every bite (I’m sure I felt my arteries unclogging as well). H CARAMEL BAR The bestselling dessert at Grinder’s, these delectable bites can be compared to an oatmeal cookie with chocolate and caramel. H CARROT CAKE Unfortunately, Penny sold out of carrot cake before this interview/tasting was conducted. Therefore, I can only say that you should get it before it’s gone. January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 15
Take the whole family out to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center for some cross country skiing and snowshoeing.
THE LIST
r u o y e c a r b Em ! l l i h c r e n n i Lots to do outside during the frigid days BY DEB NICKLAY • PHOTOS Here is another way to think about winter: Instead of railing against the snow and ice, think of those chilly days this way: If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. That is, why not embrace the cold instead of steeling against it? There are plenty of activities that are fun and family-oriented this time of year. Don’t believe us? There are any number of things just waiting to warm your interest during days when the temperatures are in the icebox.
BY
ERIC JOHNSON
Ice Skating What’s better than strapping on those skates and swirling around on ice? Don’t worry about falling — your winter finery will cushion your fall. Check out public skate times at Packer Arena, 601 Seventh St. NE in Austin. Don’t have skates? — no worries. You can rent them there. For more on times and entrance fees, go to: www.ci.austin.mn.us/Parkandrec/ CustomerCalendar.pdf
Snow skiing /shoeing
Skating is fun for everybody with tools available for those first starting out. 16 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
What’s better than seeing the wonderful winter landscape while shooshing along the snow on cross country skis? Or, for those wanting a slower pace: How about grabbing your camera, strapping on some snowshoes, and enjoying a peaceful trek to witness all the winter wonders? The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center gives you the chance to do both all through the winter season. Staff will even provide free ski and shoe rental from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday afternoons. Rentals are available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 3-9 p.m. on Thursdays; and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays.
Chaslin Arndt, front, and Izzy Cantu head down Skinner’s Hill as they and other kids and families make good on a day off from school. Below, the Bruins are always a good choice for some winter fun.
A special day has been set aside on Jan. 25, when free cross country ski lessons will be given beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more, go to: hormelnaturecenter.org. And, just in case you get too chilly — check out the interpretive center and all it has to offer. Some uniquely winter programming awaits at the nature center — including maple syruping in March. Fun both inside and out!
Downhill skiing / snowboarding You don’t have to go too far to enjoy skiing the slopes, although travel time is about an hour in most cases. Some of the most popular resorts in this neck of the woods are: Mount Kato in Mankato (www.mountkato.com), Welch Village in Welch, Minnesota, near Red Wing (www.welchvillage.com), Coffee Mill at Wabasha (www.coffeemillski.com) and Afton Alps at Hastings (www.aftonalps.com). All have websites with times and descriptions of other amenities, such as snow tubing and snowboarding.
Buck Hill, just up Interstate 35, is another option that offers all the skiing fun you will need. Photo courtesy of Buck Hill
Hockey Okay, you just are not a fan of the outdoors? You can still get out and check out some great local ice super stars — the Austin Bruins. Cheer on the local stick squad during games at Riverside Arena and check out their game schedule and times at: www.austinbruins.com/2018-19-schedule
Sledding Austin’s Skinner’s Hill is the traditional favorite for the toddler to adult crowd who enjoy sledding on a beautiful winter afternoon. Never been there? The hill is located at the corner of Fourth Street and Ninth Place Southwest at Bandshell Park. However, if you are up for a road trip and more expansive landscapes, check out one of the 12 state parks (the closest is Frontenac State Park) that have winter sledding hills. Pack a picnic lunch for a truly different winter experience. For more on the state parks, go to: www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/ sledding.html January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 17
HOME & HEARTH
Around the Table
Tropical Mango Smoothie
BY JEN HAUGEN, RDN, LD
Simple tips to eat healthier Do you ever wish eating healthier could be easier? For instance, you could still eat those same foods that you always have enjoyed, but somehow they would be healthier for you? I know many of you are interested in simple swaps to make your favorite dishes healthier because you tell me about that when I see you. Let me give you some tips that I use in my own family: •Use the half plate approach. Have your favorite recipe on one side of your (smaller) plate and fill the other side of the plate with fruits and vegetables. My favorite way to do this is to make a salad including spinach and dried cranberries and walnuts, and topped with apples and poppyseed dressing. No matter what is on the other side of the plate, I am encouraged by the fact that I’m getting my vegetables and fruits in, and plus it’s downsizing the portion of the favorite. •Start the day with some extra protein. This may sound simple, but for many of us, it’s easy to have a bowl of cereal and call that breakfast. Then about 9 or 10 in the morning, the hunger pangs are there, and that leaves us reaching for something that’s close by which contributes to extra calories. 18 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
Don’t leave it up to chance, make protein a part of your meal at breakfast. Whether that is with an egg, or turkey sausage or simply adding a packet of pea protein to a smoothie, you will definitely notice the change. •Try adding Enrichables to your favorite dishes because it really can make them more nutritious. Enrichables are a new product from Pampered Chef and you can choose either 100 percent Pea Protein (10 grams per packet) or Kale and Fiber (2 cups freeze dried kale and 8 grams chicory root fiber per packet). You can add these packets to drinks and smoothies, sauces and dips, dressing and soups, pasta and rice, batters and doughs and more. Whatever your favorite dishes are, you can make them more nutritious by simply adding a packet of the Enrichables. I’ve been adding them to smoothies, macaroni and cheese, brownies and more! If you would like to learn more about how you can makeover your meals to make them healthier, schedule an online cooking class with me and your friends where I will share tips and recipes and even more about the Enrichables and how they can help you too. In the meantime, enjoy this recipe.
About Jen Jen Haugen, RDN, LD, is a mom on a mission to making everyday cooking easier so you can live your dreams. She’s a local small business owner, author and registered dietitian nutritionist. She owns her own business as a Pampered Chef consultant where she loves teaching how to make cooking fast and easy and healthy. If you would love to gather your friends for a fun evening of cooking together with tools that get the job done quicker, and learn simple cooking tips to make everyday cooking easier, then call Jen to set up your date: 507-438-7109. Want daily tips? Find Jen on Instagram: www.instagram. com/JenHaugenRD and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ JenHaugenRD And grab her Real Meals, Real Moms Recipe Package by subscribing to her blog: www.jenhaugen.com
Tropical Mango Smoothie Yield: one serving
Ingredients
• ½ cup (125 mL) coconut milk • 1 tbsp (15 mL) honey • 1 small carrot • 1 cup (25 mL) diced mango • 1 cup (25 mL) diced pineapple • ½ cup (125 mL) ice • 1/2 packet of Enrichables Pea Protein
Directions
• Add all the ingredients in the order listed, to the Deluxe Cooking Blender. • Replace and lock the lid. Turn the wheel to select the SMOOTHIE setting; press the wheel to start.
Nutrients per serving
Calories 240, Total Fat 3 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 100 mg, Carbohydrate 55 g, Fiber 7 g, Sugars 43 g, Protein 8 g
Cook’s Tip: Using frozen fruit will yield a thicker, colder smoothie. When you use frozen fruit, add at least double the amount of liquid and omit the ice.
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 19
Bracelets for a Cause Madisyn Busker, left, and Ava Jovaag are both taking part in the CEO Program, which introduces high school students to business. However, the two are going one step further and taking part in the fight against cancer through the bracelets they make.
CEO partners give to charity, one wrist at a time BY DEB NICKLAY • PHOTOS Austin High School juniors Madisyn Busker and Ava Jovaag, who are members of the Mower County CEO program, knew two things when they were faced with starting a business, which was a requirement of CEO. “We knew we wanted to be partners,” said Busker, 17. “And we knew we wanted to do jewelry; we both like to make things — we’re super crafty.” “And we both really like fashion,” added Jovaag, 16. “Then we started talking about doing something for charity, for doing something good (with our proceeds),” she added. 20 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
BY
ERIC JOHNSON
What has resulted is the creation of Iris Jewelry and the subsequent sale of handmade beaded bracelets whose colors indicate the type of charity they support. For instance, one month was pink for breast cancer; another was purple for pancreatic cancer. They decided they would sell the bracelets for $12 and donate $4 from the sale to the charity of the month. The pair, of course, also makes “regular” bracelets of varying colors and they take orders for custom work as well. But it is the charitable focus that has been of most interest for the pair — for two reasons. They enjoy
supporting charities, but they also found that the bracelets that support a charity seem to be more popular with customers. By mid-November, they had sold almost 40 bracelets for a cause, and donated over $150 to charities. They also have raised funds for lung cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. They decided to choose a different charity every month, although they also have chosen to do an “awareness month,” making bracelets of all the chosen charities. In honor of the holiday season, they decided to donate the proceeds to both Toys for Tots and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Their initial choices of charities stem from personal reasons, said Jovaag, because they knew family members who had suffered with some of the conditions. They also plan to return to a “pink month” during the Paint the Town Pink observance, when a number of activities and groups raise funds for breast cancer research. They both praised the CEO program for allowing them this opportunity. Initiated in Austin in the fall of 20182019, “Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities,” or CEO, brings together high school students with local business people who provide students with insight, support and financing for the program. It is a year-long course whose emphasis is learning how business works by having students plan, create and operate their own business with the help of business partners in their communities. The program extends throughout Mower County. Students visit area businesses, hear from guest speakers, have business tours and are provided one-on-one mentoring. The program is funded through investment dollars – which the students pitch to the businesses. CEO members face different challenges. Both Jovaag and Busker said they were intimidated when they were faced with having to ask for investment dollars of local business. “But you do it,” said Busker, shaking her head. “And it did get a little easier, after a while.” Both agreed that in addition to the time it takes to make the bracelets, after-school jobs and school activities — and homework — combine to make for often-hectic schedules. “With our jobs it can get to be a bit stressful,” said Jovaag. “We can get pretty busy.” But they still find the necessary time to gather at Busker’s house for production nights. They pull out a plastic tub full of bracelet parts and start threading beads onto elastic string. The pair will loop the string twice through the bracelet — because their quality control has shown them that a double loop is much stronger and the bracelets are less likely to break. They have also added a charm to some bracelets that carry a ribbon highlighting a chosen charity month. They are also ready to start adding necklaces to their stock. The willingness to work hard and explore areas of how to make the enterprise work better speaks well for the students, said Mower County CEO Facilitator Emily Hovland.
The duo’s bracelets come in a variety of colors and styles denoting the different causes.
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 21
Ava Jovaag, left, and Madisyn Busker work on their bracelet business which is part of the Mower CEO program
“I have been very impressed with Ava and Madisyn’s efforts to make each bracelet fit their customers,” she said. “They put care into the presentation of the bracelets and a personal touch on the tags by writing a personal thank you on the tag. I was looking to have their breast cancer bracelet personalized for myself and a friend who lost someone close to this disease. The girls came up with a great way to memorialize her and the bracelets are perfect for us. “I love that they are willing to work with their customers to make a product that fits their desires. They are really taking everything they are learning in CEO and applying it to their business in a way that is helping them to see success.” The personal benefits of being part of CEO and business “owners” are already being felt, both agreed. “Definitely, we are better public speakers,” said Busker. “And we’ve found that it’s okay to struggle sometimes. I think we’ve become better at listening and questioning, too.” “And you learn a lot about how to work with people,” said Jovaag.
Busker and Jovaag’s business is named Iris Jewelry and features bracelets of different varieties.
22 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
Both agreed that they are today more aware of what local retailers face, and the importance of shopping locally. They also realize that just getting a product publicized takes work and study. They have created brochures, and have Facebook and Instagram accounts. They also realized that just getting themselves “out there” to sell is important. They look ahead to finding more events during which they can sell the bracelets. In May, the CEO Trade Show will highlight all the students’ businesses. The skills they have learned will help with future plans, they said. Jovaag “will definitely” pursue some type of business career. Busker plans on being a kindergarten teacher. They agreed that they have achieved a confidence level that will make both careers more easily obtainable. As importantly, they have met a large circle of people, something they did not fully anticipate. “We know, for instance, a lot more students from Pacelli (High School in Austin) who we probably never would have met before,” said Busker. “Pacelli students are part of CEO, too – and that’s really nice. We’ve made lots of friends.”
Austin ArtWorks Center Featured Artist
MN Handcrafted’s main focus are rings, but Logan also has crafted cufflinks and necklaces. All rings are made in Rings, cufflinks and combination with various necklaces: $50-$825 organic materials not limited to deer antler, wood, moss, stone, etc. Not only does Logan produce magnificent rings for retail spaces like the Austin ArtWorks Center, he also works with clients oneon-one to create a one of a kind ring just for them. A special service that MN Handcrafted offers is that they will accept materials provided by the buyer (no matter how random, to create a ring that has a meaning special to you. Logan can even engrave a special message for you.
Logan Conley, MN Handcrafted
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 23
OUT & ABOUT Scientists from The Hormel Institute take their plunge during Plunging for Pink in 2018 at East Side Lake.
Raise a record number
A decade of Paint the Town Pink BY THE HORMEL INSTITUTE • PHOTOS
People want people to live longer, healthier lives, uninterrupted by cancer. That is the reason this year’s campaign for Paint the Town Pink — celebrating its 10th year — will aim to raise a record number! That’s a record number of innovative cancer research grant studies, dollars, events, communities and individuals involved or supporting Paint the Town Pink. “When people hear ‘pink’ we don’t want them to think they are funding exclusively breast cancer, as important as that is,” said Director of Development and Public Relations for The Hormel Institute Gail Dennison. “These studies can lead to discoveries that impact and cross over many can24 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
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ERIC JOHNSON
cers, just like other grants here may focus on one (e.g., skin, prostate or lung) cancer but can teach scientists about other cancer development as well. This campaign is about finding answers to cancer so people can live longer, healthier lives — what we all want and hope for.” The cancer research fundraising campaign that has now spread across the region is getting ready to celebrate its 10th year. The 2020 Paint the Town Pink season kicked off in November with Hunt for a Cure and will continue through the year of record breaking celebration and events for community-funded cancer research at The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota.
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Thank you to early founders of Paint the Town Pink for their vision and for spearheading this event.
Austin’s James Dickinson skates the puck in on Coulee Region goalie Paul Moberg during the first period of the first-ever Paint the Rink Pink.
Paint the Town Pink started in 2011 after the Austin Bruins held Paint the Rink Pink, which raised $23,000, in 2010. Over the past 10 years, Paint the Town Pink has grown to include a multitude of events throughout the year and has raised over $1.77 million to support breast cancer research at The Hormel Institute. Austin and surrounding communities and even states have come together to raise money for innovative cancer research at The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota. Thanks to The Hormel Foundation, 100 percent of every dollar given goes to research. The record of return — published discoveries in high impact journals, signifying important discoveries and new competitively awarded grants — shows the experts at The Hormel Institute are among the world’s best. Each year organizers choose an ambassador from the community to be the face of Paint the Town Pink and express the real reason everyone works so hard to raise money to fund breast cancer research — to allow people to live longer, healthier lives uninterrupted by cancer. For the
10th anniversary of Paint the Town Pink, each past ambassador will be invited back to be a part of this celebratory season. Past ambassadors include: 2019 – Maegan Siebe 2018 – Cheri Krejci 2017 – Debbie Retterath 2016 – Darci Buchan and Kelly Joseph 2015 – Susan Ryks 2014 – Stephanie Blaser 2013 – Barbara Nelson (passed away April 28, 2013) 2012 – Michele Fimon 2011 – Renee Anderson The amazing show of support from the community has inspired and energized each of the researchers at The Hormel Institute. It is unusual to have a research facility like The Hormel Institute in a town the size of Austin, but Institute scientists have a unique ability to see the effect of their research on the community and the community is able to see the direct impact their giving has on cancer research. January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 25
Austin’s John Kirby poses for a picture with his mother Lidia Kirby, left, and Trish Wiechmann during the jersey auction in 2011, part of the Bruins’ fundraiser Paint the Rink Pink.
In 2017, Paint the Town Pink distributed eight $25,000 seed grants to scientists at The Hormel Institute with innovative ideas for breast cancer research. Each of those grants were renewed for a second year in 2018. These seed grants fund research which would not otherwise be possible, and allow Institute scientists to gather preliminary data in novel areas. The researchers then use that data to apply for larger national grants to continue their research. This year, five new innovative Paint the Town Pink $30,000 research grants were awarded at The Hormel Institute. Research projects funded by Paint the Town Pink, while initially focused on breast cancer, benefit the understanding of many cancers. Faculty are now invited to apply for Paint the Town Pink grants specific to breast cancer OR other cancers. This year’s Paint the Town Pink grant recipients and research projects are: Dr. Ilana Chefetz – ALDH inhibitors in TNBC Dr. Yibin Deng – Targeting human translation initiation factor eIF4A/eIF4G complex inhibits pathogenesis of inflammatory breast cancer in vivo Dr. Sergio Gradilone – Development of targeted therapy for triple-negative breast cancer Dr. Liang Liu – Hairless As A Novel Tumor Suppressor Gene in Breast Cancer Dr. Shujun Liu – The Role of the FTO/m6A Axis in Breast Cancer 26 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
PTTP is a reflection of the community’s goal to accelerate answers to cancer, and people and groups are urged to plan now how to support Paint the Town Pink and RAISE A RECORD NUMBER in 2020. Paint the Town Pink has events scheduled throughout 2020 to celebrate 10 years of funding breast cancer research at The Hormel Institute and to thank the community for their amazing support. The celebration and goal to RAISE A RECORD NUMBER will include concerts, seminars and special events.
Keep your eyes on the Paint the Town Pink website and social media pages for additional information and dates for upcoming Paint the Town Pink events. Major events already planned include: Fishing for a Cure – Jan. 25 at noon Plunging for Pink – Feb. 1 at 12:30 p.m. Paint the Rink Pink – Feb. 8 at 7:05 p.m. Smashin’ for Cancer Demo Derby – Feb. 9
We want to hear your idea for an event! Visit hi.umn.edu/pttp or contact Paint the Town Pink director Kathi Finley at goPTTP@gmail.com or 507-460-0259.
Nature Notes News from the Minnesota Department of Natural Reources
Second phase of DNR grants will help kids engage with the outdoors Public entities and nonprofit organizations can apply to receive funding from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in the second phase of a grant program that supports getting more children outdoors. Application criteria Grant funding The grant program supports is available to assist projects that provide ongoing support for nature education with work including and outdoor recreation proteaching kids about grams. nature outside or Funding can be used for outdoor recreation equipment, getting them to transportation, and related natrecreate outside, ural resource education expenses. Evaluation criteria include integrating fishing and whether the proposed projects hunting programs into would: school curriculums, • Provide students direct and supporting high experiences and understanding of nature; school fishing leagues. • Use effective, researchPublic entities based educational curriculum and nonprofit that is based on environmental topics, ecology, agriculture organizations serving or natural resources; youth under age • Maximize the number of 18 can apply now participants; • Use public parks or other through 2 p.m. natural resource venues and Thursday, Jan. 9. The personnel as resources; • Have a high proportion of minimum grant for matching funds or in-kind this second phase support. is $5,000 and the maximum is $49,999. In this phase, the total amount available for all projects is $500,000. All reimbursable grant project work must be completed by June 30, 2022. No match is required for this phase of the program, but organizations are encouraged to include matches of cash, in-kind volunteer labor, donated materials or services. The percentage of match included in project proposals will be a priority criterion in considering applications. Examples of match could include teacher time, parent volunteer hours, program costs not covered by the grant, or time spent on reports and other administrative tasks associated with the grant project. The DNR will select projects through a review process and distribute awards on a geographically balanced, statewide basis. January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 27
Need a sign?
A ustin w a nts to rem ind y ou, ‘ You a re b ea utif ul’ BY HANNAH YANG • PHOTOS When you’re questioning your self-worth and wondering about your purpose, sometimes what you need is a reminder or a sign of how special you are. There’s now a literal sign that’s hard to miss that’s been installed in front of Austin United Congregational Church of Christ and Spirituality Center. The appearance is simple, but the message it shares reads boldly: “You are beautiful.” Since erecting the sign outside of the church at 1910 Third Ave. NW in mid-October, some have already started 28 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
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ERIC JOHNSON
pulling their cars off to the side of the street before crossing over to grab a selfie with it. A snapshot of a moment, where many people can be reminded that they are valued and worthy of being told they are beautiful. Having this sign outside of the church was part of an art installation brought to reality through the work of Julia Dankworth, who’s a member of UCC’s meditation groups. A long-time Austin native, Dankworth wanted to bring something positive to her hometown.
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She had long thought about the effects of how growing up into an adult could leave on a person’s feeling of selfworth and relevance. They may have forgotten about their physical and inner beauty, which has become a constant reminder from unrealistic standards set by society. So, when one of Dankworth’s co-worker posted a photo of themselves with the sign on social media, that’s when Dankworth felt that the message may have been something that many were desiring to hear for a long time. “The sign reminds us all that we have such amazing qualities that we can put forth into the world,” she said. “It’s really awesome to see people taking pictures with the sign. It’s a place where there can be so many happy moments and memories can be photographed like graduations, engagements or even family pictures with your grandparents. This is a place where we want people to be able to enjoy it.”
sign of gra ce
“I thought, why not?” Mason remembered of the conversation. “The congregation all supported to have the sign here. They received the message positively.” Before the installation would be permanently set into cement on two posts, Mason preached in a sermon about the meaning of self-image and being valued in the eyes of God. In front of the church, the sign was blessed and the congregation was able to see the message up close. She remembered asking the children of the church some questions about the message: did they think they were beautiful? “I asked them ‘How many think that you’re beautiful?’ and every hand flew up into the air,” Mason said. “When I asked the same questions to the adults, not all the hands were raised. I started asking them what happened to their child-like faith, and how in the years while growing up, they started doubting they were loved. We wanted them to remember this message that they are beautiful and loved and the church wanted to be a part of proclaiming that message loudly.” Now, the sign continues to greet drivers and churchgoers who pass by it. The point being that those who need a reminder of their place in the world, can find it in Austin. They just need to see it. Mason praised Dankworth’s efforts to bring that message out to the community. “We support and bless the work you’ve been called to do,” Mason said to Dankworth. “No matter where you’re at in your life’s journey, you’re welcome here and you do have worth as your place in creation on this Earth.”
It all started as a birthday present Dankworth received from her sister in 2015. A pack of silver stickers with the phrase “You are beautiful” printed on them left a lasting impression on Dankworth. Wanting to share this positivity, Dankworth recalled handing out stickers to random people as an act of kindness, and it soon spiraled into her wanting to bring more of this positivity to her hometown. According to the project’s website, You Are Beautiful started as a project in 2002 with 100 stickers as a goal to help people feel better about who they are daily. The project continued and orders were shipped out of a two-car garage For more information on the You Are Beautiful program, until 2018 before a headquarters opened in Chicago, offering please visit:.https://you-are-beautiful.com/ a retail storefront and a studio that builds art installations. There was a Kickstarter campaign that attempted to have an art installation set in each of the 50 states throughout the country, and for two years Dankworth wanted Austin to be the site for Minnesota’s art installation and sought to sponsor the project. “I really wanted this in Austin,” she said. “I wanted to take that message and bring it here to my friends, my family, and the community.” After raising enough money, Pastor Shari Mason and You Are Beautiful shipped out Julia Dankworth back the the art installation to Dankworth idea of positivity that the “You Are Beautfiul” sign can to put somewhere in Austin for bring to Austin. The sign sits everyone to enjoy. She thought prominently outside of Austin about finding the perfect spot, and United Congregational Church then thought to ask UCC’s Pastor of Christ and Spirituality Center. Shari Mason if the church would be willing to have the signage installed there.
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 29
one COMMUNITY
For a city such as ours, ‘One Austin, One America’ is a portrait of inclusion and welcoming PHOTOS
AND
STORY
BY
ERIC JOHNSON
William Taufic is the man behind the lens, hoping to showcase the good diversity has brought to his hometown.
30 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
The Serano family, pictured in their restaurant Tienda Y Taqueria Guerrero by Taufic for “Our Austin, Our America.” They are just one example of the success immigrants have found coming to Austin as well as an example of what immigrants can bring to a community. Photo courtesy of William Taufic
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 31
Miguel Garate poses for William Taufic at Riverland Community College.
Like so many communities, Austin’s story is a story of its people. People are what make communities thrive and grow and become unique unto themselves. More than most, however, Austin’s is also a story of nations, coming to one place to help build Austin into a thriving, diverse community. That’s what “Our Austin, Our America,” a project by photographer and Austin native William Taufic, hopes to show: Austin as a beacon of success, driven by the contributions of not just one people, but a multitude of people William Taufic is framed by examples of his work at the Austin Public Library during a presentation of “Our Austin, Our America” in November.
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from all nationalities. “This is a project for the city and for the state and maybe for our country,” Taufic said one afternoon in November, surrounded by some of his work hanging in the Austin Public Library. “To show other communities how much better life is if you welcome people, bring them into the community, help them become part of the community, and help them become Americans.”
Members of the committee behind “Our Austin, Our America” are photographed on Main Street in downtown Austin. They include Danielle Heiny, from left, Lori Henry, Janet Anderson, Mayor Tom Stiehm, Bonnie Rietz, Sara Karki and photographer William Taufic.
Austin’s diverse population has been growing for years, an upward trend that’s mirrored in places like Worthington, Minnesota, west of Austin along Interstate 90. Employment opportunities such as Hormel Food Corp. and Quality Pork Processors have helped bolster the number of people representing different nationalities in Austin. Austin has walked hand in hand with that population explosion and created a hub of welcoming within the city and, to a certain extent, the area. “Our Austin, Our America” tells that story through Taufic’s photographs. A book and tour are both part of the plans as Taufic takes his camera to all walks of life in an effort to reflect the diverse community of Austin. The idea started coming to fruition a couple years ago. Before then, Taufic had been a photographer in New York, building a portfolio in industries such as fashion and advertising as well as capturing images for corporate annual reports. Taufic traveled extensively to capture the images of his profession, but after 40 years he started turning his eye back west to where he grew up. Taufic, a Pacelli graduate, started feeling the call of his hometown again. “I had the idea sitting on my desk two years ago right now, in my 40th year of
being out east and I decided I wanted to do something to give back to Austin and so I brought the idea to the town,” Taufic said. For a town already in the midst of trying to accept all who came to Austin, the idea took root almost immediately. “Community leaders liked the idea very much and decided to move forward with it,” he said. “We raised money from The Hormel Foundation, thank you very much; from the SEMAC, we raised money; and I’m told we’ll raise as much money as it takes to do the project and this traveling photo show in the best way possible.” Danielle Heiny, diversity officer for Riverland Community College, which is sponsoring the project, soon became a part of the committee backing Taufic’s project. As someone who works extensively within Austin’s diverse community, she saw the value of what this project could mean for not only Austin, but the world outside of Austin. She feels the project is a way to speak to other people, to perhaps bring two sides together. “I think it helps people overcome some of the misunderstandings of who is choosing to live in our country,” she said, speaking outside of the exhibit Taufic had presented to an audience just moments earlier. “It shows that together we are much more alike than we are different.”
“This is a project for the city and for the state and maybe for our country. To show other communities how much better life is if you welcome people, bring them into the community, help them become part of the community, and help them become Americans” William Taufic Our Austin, Our America committee member
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 33
William Taufic, right, sets the scene for a portrait featuring those how have served or will serve with the Austin City Council as honoary council members. The shot was taken with Austin Mayor Tom Stiehm. From left: Austere Htoo Apolo, George Bass, Oballa Oballa, Stiehm, Solomon Paul, Karem Salas Ramierez, Rain Suereh, Herve Idjidina and Taufic. 34 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 35
Elbert Trias is one of the subjects portrayed in “Our Austin, Our America” project. Like so many others, he has a story to tell.
Reasons for being It’s on one late Friday afternoon in November, just before Thanksgiving, that we find a group of people gathered outside of the Austin City Council Chambers. The group is representative of the people coming from outside of our country to call Austin home. These are not the faces of people afraid of what the next day may bring, but rather they are excited about the opportunities the next day could provide. Among them are Austere Htoo Apolo, George Bass, Solomon Paul, Oballa Oballa, Rain Suereh, Herve Idjidina and Karem Salas Ramirez. Some have served as honorary members of the City Council, an effort by the city to include and educate people of diversity on city matters. Others will serve in the future. There is also Mayor Tom Stiehm, who will be included with them. As they gather, Taufic begins arranging them for a portrait. It’s a light-hearted affair with plenty of smiles and laughter reflective of the enthusiasm the photo — and the project. It’s not unlike the photo session Taufic set up in the week prior, photographing Riverland Community College employee, Miguel Garate, within the college’s east building. These are energetic photo shoots that show time and time again why people love living in Austin. 36 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
“I had a very interesting experience a couple months ago,” Taufic said. “I was invited to a lunch with a group of people from Oaxaca, Mexico, and they were talking about Austin and how good life was here and the things they would like to see happen. It was a very heartfelt meeting and at the end of the meeting I said to the leader of the group, ‘How good has it been for you to come to Austin?’ And they said, ‘I will never leave. I love Austin, I love living here. I have a home, my family is safe, they’re going to school, I have a job and I’m living my life the way I couldn’t have lived it where I came from.’” It’s what Heiny sees as well as a longtime member of the community hoping to welcome more people to Austin. “It’s a safe place to live,” Heiny said. “There are jobs so they can provide for their family. It’s a place that’s rewarding and with purpose. Sometimes, it takes people coming back to the community.” In that sense, this project is about gratitude. “There was a young man who participated in the Unity Project and he grew up in very unfortunate circumstances and his life was going downhill,” Taufic explained. “He came to Austin and turned his life around and is now very happy to be here and very happy to participate in the Unity Project as well as the ‘Our Austin, Our America’ project.” Taufic continued, saying: “That’s kind of the response
we’ve gotten through the different shows we’ve had and the people we’ve met. They’re all very inspired and feel grateful to be part of this community and I just hope that other communities can get there as well.” The man Taufic was referring to is Elbert Trias.
Reflecting a new start Trias is a man with a complicated past and without much provocation, he recites that history as a man who has come to terms with that past. A recovering drug addict, Trias spent a lot of time in and out of various court systems throughout his life. At an early age, he was involved with gangs and the drug use started soon after. “I was raised up in a good family home, a good middle-class home,” Trias said. “My choices were different from what my father wanted for me. So I joined a gang. I got in trouble a lot and ended up in juvenile hall a couple times. Went to prison out in California and I thought I could change, but then I came to Minnesota … no matter what state or city you go to there’s going to be drugs.” What ultimately made Trias face his past and what shined a light on the need to change was being sent to prison for third-degree drug possession. He spent 18 months in prison and during the time found the path to change, which took him through the Challenge Incarceration Program. It’s a military boot camp-type of
program designed to instill prisoner selfdiscipline. “CIP changed my life because I learned now I’m getting to old and I need to sober up,” he said. Trias, who is of Polynesian and Philippine descent, knew why he had to change his life, but he admitted that for a long time he was trying to change to please others. “I’m almost three years sober. I did it for myself this time and before it was always for the wrong reasons,” Trias said. “For court or I’m doing it for my mom and dad or doing it for my daughter. I came to realize that nobody forced me into this lifestyle; no one forced me to put that drug in me. It was my choice.” Trias came to Austin seven years ago, but it has been within the last three years when his life changed. “What I did was, I started going to meetings; I started working the steps,” he said. “I got the structure around my life with sober people. I’m working, earning money in a rightful living situation. Honest money.” Trias happened to be in the park the same day as the Unity Project when Taufic approached him for a photograph. The Unity Project was created in 2016 and is an interactive project consisting of 32 posts, each inscribed with various identifiers. According to the project’s website, those identifiers could be anything from “I’m a parent,” or “I speak English as a second language.”
Taufic looks over a photo he took during a shoot at Austin City Hall.
“Everybody is accepting. The people are here for who they are and what they represent. Instead of judging the book by its cover they are judging us by the individual and for who they are. They don’t look at the people as a color.” Elbert Trias Our Austin, Our America Portrait subject
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 37
William Taufic captured the excitement of the Akane family as the kids held signs from Ojoye Akane’s run for Austin School Board. Photo courtesy of William Taufic
38 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
Yarn, tied to a post, is chosen by a person who then takes up the yarn, intertwining it with others to create interconnectedness. That is what Trias is doing in the photo that Taufic took that sunny afternoon. Trias admits he doesn’t know why the yarn was handed to him, but in the end, perhaps the whole thing was simply providence — that a man changing his life is photographed at a project designed to connect people to so many others. A reflection of the community Trias now calls home. “Everybody is accepting,” Trias said. “The people are here for who they are and what they represent. Instead of judging the book by its cover they are judging us by the individual and for who they are. They don’t look at the people as a color.”
What the project is hoping to accomplish As of November, Taufic had printed 40 images with the hope to include a total of 50 in the book and the tour. With the idea of gaining around 50 pictures, the option of selecting the best stories becomes a little easier. “Our Austin, Our America” isn’t a project of simply taking pictures. Each picture will come with a story of just a couple paragraphs, however; it’s rarely that easy. A story needs to be told in those few paragraphs and that’s not such an easy thing when you get right down to it. Especially if those stories are as specific as Taufic imagines they will be. “The focus of the stories isn’t so much, ‘we went through this, then we went through this and we had to do this and this’ … that’s all hopefully covered in the timeline, which goes across both spreads in the book. It’s more about expressing the goodness of being Austin. The gratitude of being in Austin, how Austin helped them to have a new life and that’s really the message we need.” For Taufic and those on the committee, this project needs to be representative of the story that makes Austin the community it is today. When it tours, it has to bring that message with it in order to show others that exclusion is not the answer. Inclusion is the answer and this project, this reflection of Austin, can show that. “I hope in the years to come, we’ll look back at these portraits, read the life stories and recognize the connections we have with one another,” Heiny said. “These portraits can fuel the imagination of a better life, a better community.” January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 39
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The Cupcake Queen
Alison Witiak has turned her home kitchen into an at-home bakery that thrives on choice PHOTOS
AND STORY BY
ERIC JOHNSON
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 41
Alison Witiak prepares the filling for a batch of cupcakes in her at-home bakery.
W
alking into Alison Witiak’s kitchen, the clues are everywhere that she’s a baker. They’re too obvious to miss. In the corner, next to the oven, are three big bags of flour, sugar and powdered sugar. Witiak is more than a baker; she’s the owner of the athome business Your Sweet Tooth — a bakery operated out of her kitchen and it has kind of taken off beyond her own thoughts of where it could go. “I never expected it to be this big in an ‘every weekend you have something’ type of thing,” Witiak said from her family’s dining room table, just across from where her baking supplies were set up.
Childhood support Without a need for much of a push, Witiak’s journey to an at-home business started with her mom, who opened the door to baking when she was a girl. At the time, her mom gave her free rein to delve as far as she wanted. “I have been baking since I was a kid,” Witiak said. “My mom told me I could bake whatever I wanted and so I kind of took off with it. Cookies, brownies … I didn’t really do much for cupcakes until six or seven years ago.” When Witiak finally did start baking cupcakes, which is 42 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
what she sells the most of, it kind of took her by surprise how much opportunity there was, especially after a simple beginning. “I started looking up cupcake recipes for somebody’s birthday,” Witiak explained. “I was like, ‘wow, there are so many different recipes out there.’ So many more than I would have originally thought. It just took off from there.” Even though it was initially just for friends and acquaintances, it soon became apparent that there was opportunity for expanding her baking expedition. This notion was brought to her attention by her husband when the family started seeing more and more cupcakes being baked for them. “I started making them for the family and my husband was like, ‘You’re making too much. You’re going to make us too fat. You need to do something else,’” Witiak said. So she turned to a friend who sold items at a farmer’s market. “I asked her if there was something I could do and she said ‘Absolutely.’” This side project didn’t produce success the minute she started selling at the farmer’s market. It required time and more than a little bit of patience. But word of mouth began generating more and more interest in her cupcakes.
Your Sweet Tooth features the option of great custom cakes.
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 43
Alison Witiak applies frosting to some of her cupcakes. Below, Witiak mixes together some fresh frosting.
“It started a little bit slow, especially since the farmers market up by Shopko had a much older crowd,” Witiak said. “I had given free cupcakes to my husband’s work. I had taken it to a few different places around town.” Thanks to those efforts, the demand for her cupcakes began to grow. “They’re good. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but they’re good.”
Before cupcakes While she might be known more for her cupcakes, it wasn’t her first venture into selling goodies. It’s just her official foray. The first taste of the business came with cookies. Even though she said cupcakes are more fun, the cookies came along at the right time. It served as a jumping off point in a lot of ways. “I was at work and it was a really rough year for everybody and I loved making Christmas cookies for presents,” Witiak 44 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
said. “I said, ‘I’m going to offer them for sale,’ thinking that maybe I would sell 20 dozen. It was 159 dozen ...” That was a number Witiak said she was ill prepared to deal with, so once again, it was her husband who came along for the ride to help. “My poor husband. We were up so late baking on some nights to deliver these cookies for Christmas, because it went right up to the end,” she said. “Everybody needed cookies but didn’t have the time. That was in December.” That’s when the cupcakes took over.
Juggling flour with school As much time as Witiak spends baking cupcakes, along with cookies and cakes, it isn’t something that stands alone in her life. She must spend her time baking after her job as a paraprofessional at IJ Holton Intermediate School. A full day at the school translates into an afternoon of baking when she
gets home. That’s a challenge in and of itself. “There are days I don’t want to,” she admitted. “I do enjoy it. It’s kind of relaxing for me most days. I know the people that get the treats really enjoy it. That keeps me going and every time I get a new project I get really excited.” Witiak said she’s probably pushing around 150 different flavors available for buyers, and there are about 20-30 flavors that she makes more than the rest. That variety is what helps Witiak stay busy. “I think the fact I offer so many flavors helps,” she said. “Because you go to the store and you have your choice of five or six flavors. You come to me and you can get just about anything. I’ve made cupcakes with bacon before. I can use just about any ingredient the cottage laws will let me.” Cottage laws set the standards Witiak has to go by in order to run the business out of her home. It involves taking a food safety class and requires that she lists all the ingredients, as well as the ingredients of those ingredients.
Witiak has toyed with the idea of opening her own bakery, but with one child still in high school, it remains an idea for now. “I think it would be fantastic to actually open up a bakery, but that’s a few years yet,” she said. “We’ll see how it goes, but I love it. I really do love this.” January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 45
1 Austin’s Dante Sheriff celebrates his game-winning overtime goal against Minnesota Magicians during 2019’s Paint the Rink Pink.
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10 Years of Pink STORY
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PHOTOS
BY
ERIC JOHNSON
After a decade, Paint the Town Pink continues its crusade to end cancer January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 47
48 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
The year is 2010 and Austin has a new NAHL hockey team. The Bruins are celebrating their inaugural season and fans are excited by the addition to Austin. Many nights are sellouts and the popular reach of the Bruins is stretching out of town, based on an effort to make sure the Austin Bruins are not only part of the community but the surrounding area as well. It was a driving necessity of thensole owner Craig Patrick. “That was part of the plan from before I started the team,” Patrick said. “It couldn’t just be team that’s in the community, otherwise what’s the point? It’s something they can be part of, that’s the only way it can be in town forever — if it’s part of the town.” But Patrick soon found another way the Bruins could help and so it partnered with The Hormel Institute for the first-ever Paint the Rink Pink. The game was played on pink ice with the players wearing pink jerseys — and after the game, those jerseys were auctioned off, raising $22,000 for cancer research. Since that first year, the game has Kathi Finley raised $245,000, but the reach went Paint the Town Director beyond that, because Paint the Rink Pink was the foundation for a much bigger initiative: Paint the Town Pink. In total, PTTP has raised $1.77 million to date for cancer research. Now in the 10th year, the future has never looked so bright. “It went from a one-night event to basically a year-round initiative,” said PTTP director Kathi Finley. “What started in Riverside Arena is now in multiple states with multiple events. It’s taken on a life of its own.” From the very beginning, Patrick’s vision of PTRP was to contribute to the fight against cancer. In later years, Patrick himself was affected when he lost his sister to the disease. It brought home just what this battle means to everybody. “Everybody probably has been touched by cancer,” he said. “I lost my sister a few years ago now. One thing you don’t realize when you start an endeavor like this is how many people you will get to know or how big your friend base gets.” The ever-lengthening chain of people eventually pulled resources and talents together to create a foundation to raise more money. From one weekend to an all-year initiative, PTTP has forged that chain between volunteers and The Hormel Institute. The institute is now able to receive seed grants using the money raised. Those seed grants work toward getting the larger grants necessary for the continued research. “Our community never ceases to amaze me in giving and wanting to rally together,” Finley said. “Everybody has taken their interests and turned it into a fundraiser event.”
“Our community never ceases to amaze me in giving and wanting to rally together. Everybody has taken their interests and turned it into a fundraiser event.”
Since its inception in 2014, Plunging for Pink has been one of the biggest money earners for Paint the Town Pink. January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 49
Where there once was a successful hockey game and jersey auction, now there are events like a fishing tournament, demolition derby and the highly popular Plunging for Pink polar plunge at East Side Lake. In such a short time, PTTP has grown past many people’s expectations. “I don’t know if anybody ever imagined that it could (get this big),” Finley said. “The CVB wanted to turn it into a winter festival, number one, to highlight Austin and The Hormel Institute and to also give people something to do in the dead of winter in Austin, Minnesota.” “There were a couple events, then it went to two weekends and now we fill three weekends,” Finley said. The idea that an entire community could come together in these relatively short 10 years is another testament to the
giving nature of Austin. “It’s very humbling,” Finley said. “Again, we have just such an outstanding community and to be part of that … and it isn’t just Paint the Town Pink. Any benefit we have in the area and community we rally for one another.” Based on what PTTP has accomplished over the years, it’s hard to imagine where it might go from here. Those people who play a part in PTTP see a future full of possibilities. People like Patrick look back at what the Bruins and Austin can accomplish and see role models. “I think if they can look around at friends and neighbors that are there, look at our guys working their tails off for them and later during the auction and absorb what a special thing that we have. Nobody else in the nation has this. Nothing is like what we have. It’s an incredibly special thing in Austin, Minnesota.”
“Nobody else in the nation has this. Nothing is like what we have. It’s an incredibly special thing in Austin, Minnesota.” Craig Patrick, founder and co-owner of the Austin Bruins
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Meanwhile, Finley sees loftier goals and harkens back to what former institute director Dr. Zigang Dong once said. “Until nobody has to hear they have cancer there is room to grow,” she said. “I would like to say what Dr. Dong used to say. ‘Paint the world pink.’ I don’t want to put any boundaries on it. We just need to keep going as far as it takes. I think it’s a true testament to the heart of our community.” Over these past 10 years, Paint the Town Pink has gone from one weekend with Paint the Town Pink to city-wide effort with branching events from Paint the Rink Pink to even smaller events like door decorating at Ellis Middle School. It truly has become an Austin-wide effort.
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 51
TRAVEL
Items on display like this full suit of armor, let people take a step into the past when visiting the Castlerock Museum. Opposite page: An example of what a forge would have looked like. 52 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
Crusade for history
Small Alma, Wisconsin, museum offers window to ancient past BY ROCKY HULNE • PHOTOS
W
hile it is impossible to travel back in time to ancient Greece or medieval Europe, you can do the next best thing by visiting the Castlerock Museum in Alma, Wisconsin. Despite being located in a sleepy town along the Mississippi River, the museum is one of the premiere spots in the Midwest to check out ancient armor and weapons. The museum contains nearly all original artifacts and each display has an art exhibit that shows how the weapons were used in their time period. Museum Director Bill Wolcott said the museum offers plenty of history. “Most people spend about an hour on the tour, but if you’re really interested and you like reading about history,
PROVIDED BY
CASTLEROCK MUSEUM
it could take you quite awhile,” Wolcott said. “This is stuff that you normally don’t see around here. To get to the next level of an arms museum, you would have to go to the Art Institute of Chicago. People are really surprised to find a first class arms museum in Alma, Wisconsin.” One of the most prized items on display at the museum is a sword that may have been used in the crusades. It has the word “Jesus” engraved in Latin on one side of the blade and the word “Mary” engraved in Latin on the other side of the blade. “The feeling is that it was made for someone going to the crusades or given to someone coming home from the crusades,” Wolcott said. January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 53
out of the ground in ancient Other main attractions Greece, a relic of days long include an incredibly rare gone by. Italian parade helmet, a full “When I traveled around suit of armor and a shield that Europe, what we thought belonged to a Norse chieftain. of as early history in the While the Castlerock United States, is considered Museum has been open for just almost modern in Europe,” eight years, its collection was Schlosstein said. “There was built up over the lifetime by its a pub in London that had a founder Gary Schlosstein, a 91sign outside that said it was year old former Bluff County remodeled in 1643.” judge who spent much of his Schlosstein soon life traveling to Europe and discovered he could buy buying items at auctions. His pole weapons that were collection began when he was used by foot soldiers for 10 years old when he bought less than $1,000 in auctions an 1841 Springfield musket and he began to compile his that was used during the Civil collection. War. “I started trying to “That was a different time. represent different changing Ten-year-old boys could roam cultural periods and different around the streets in a city the periods of how you protect size of Minneapolis and walk yourself with aggressive into second hand stores and weapons,” Schlosstein said. buy things. Including guns,” When Schlosstein looked Schlosstein said. “As I was to put his items in a museum, growing up, we would listen Castlerock Museum founder Cary Schlosstein with his 1841 he found that 75 of his many to the war news every night. Springfield musket, the artifact that started it all. items would’ve ended up Naturally, I was interested in in a storage vault, so he decided to establish a non-profit the history of protecting our freedoms. I eventually joined the corporation to set up the Castlerock Museum. service myself.” “Everything we have in our museum today is authentic After his time in the service, Schlosstein made regular and we sprinkle through reproductions of early art to show trips to Europe and was amazed to see pillars still sticking
Armor worn by horses takes up a center display at the Castlerock Museum in Alma, Wisconsin.
54 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
how they were used by people of their time,” he said. “We have a very open format. One thing that has particularly pleased us is we have a lot of people that have been through the great museums in Europe and America and they almost always comment that they really like the way that we are displaying it.” Although the museum currently does not include anything later than the early 1700s, renovations have begun and it may soon include items dating all through World War II. The Castlerock Museum is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. It is available for group tours by appointment during the week. The cost for admittance is $5 for students, $6 for adults and children four and under can enter for free with an adult. The museum draws about 4,000 visitors each year.
Five places to visit near Castlerock Museum Buena Vista Park in Alma: The small park offers a great view of the Mississippi River and its trails and overlook give visitors a scenic view from 500 feet above Alma. Danzinger Vineyards at S2015 Grapeview Ln, in Alma: The vineyard is located on top of the Alma Bluffs and it covers 18 acres. Turning Waters Bed, Breakfast and Adventure at 136 Bridge Ave. in Wabasha, Minnesota: Built in 1902, the house holds five unique rooms. Five Mile Bluff Prairie within Tiffany Wildlife Area in Pepin County: The 300 foot bluffs offer a great view of the prairie and a good look at the Chippewa and Mississippi Rivers. Lock and Dam Number 4 is located near Alma and Kellogg, Minnesota, around river mile 752.8: The lock and dam are owned and operated by St. Paul District of the United States Army Corps of Engineers-Mississippi Valley Division.
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 55
LOOKING BACK
Owners of the Minnesota Cafe, sometime in the 1940s.
“Home of Good Food and Good Coffee” – and Coney Islands! BY JAIMIE TIMM, MOWER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY • ALL
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE
MOWER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Minnesota Cafe opens in Austin The newly built Minnesota Café opened on Aug. 31, 1941. It was an expansion of the former Minnesota Lunch Cafe, which had been housed right next door to the new building. Both businesses were owned and operated by George Togas and his wife, Dena. The advertisements for the new café boasted comfortable booths and new fixtures and equipment as well as superb food and good service. The bottom of the ads also noted what seems like a curious menu item, “We specialize in Coney Islands.” While “Coney Island” probably brings to mind images of a seaside amusement park and hotdogs on steamed buns, the term also referred to a hotdog served with chili, mustard, and onions. In the Midwest (especially in Michigan), many 56 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
Greek immigrants opened diners with “Coney Islands” on the menu. It just so happens that George and Dena emigrated from Greece to the United States in the early 1930s. Although the historical society does not currently have a menu from the café in its collection, one can imagine it was probably the usual diner food with a few specialties from George and Dena’s homeland. Many have speculated that the reason so many Greek immigrants featured “Coney Island” style hot dogs on their diner menus is because nearly all of them entered the country through Ellis Island and either visited the amusement park or heard of the treat. It may also have been inspired by a traditional Greek dish called saltsa kima, a spice, tomato-based meat sauce.
Congratulation ads and the grand opening for Minnesota Cafe was announced in the Austin Daily Herald. Below: An inside view of the cafe sometime in the 1940s.
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 57
Winter has spread throughout the area, but there is still plenty to do in Austin. All dates, times, and locations subject to change.
Jan. 11
2020 VEX Robotics Tournament When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: Austin High School Annual robotics tournament that brings teams from across Minnesota. Open to the public - stop by and see these amazing kids and their creative robots
Jan. 14
Poet’s Open Mic When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Sweet Reads Enjoy a relaxed evening of poetry readings and treats. All ages are welcome to share their own writings, favorite poetry of others, or just sit back and smile. For more information, call 507-396-8660.
Jan. 25
Paint the Town Pink: Fishing for a Cure When: Noon Where: East Side Lake This annual Paint the Town Pink event features a host of anglers hitting East Side Lake, competing for the biggest prize while raising money for cancer. For more information, visit hi.umn.edu/pttp
Author Meet and Greets at Sweet Reads For more information call, For more information, call 507-396-8660.
Jan. 18 . . . . . . . C. Ray Frigard, 1 p.m. C. Ray Frigard is an inventor, designer, sculptor and author. As an inventor, he is named on a diverse range of patents: Rollerblades, cameras, recreational vehicles, computers, sailboats and toys. Frigard has won a number of creativity awards: Parents’ Choice Foundation, iParenting Media, Creative Child Magazine and Hopkins Center for the Arts Drawing on time spent in New York City and his background in music and the arts he has launched the Opus Series of novels: “The Girl in the Yellow Scarf,” “The Piano Man,” and “The Opus Cafe”; that follows the turbulent career of musician/composer Michael Monroe in gritty 1980s New York. Jan. 25 . . . . . . . Rachel Pieh Jones, 1 p.m. Come and meet Rachel Pieh Jones, author of “Stronger than Death: How Annalena Tonelli Defied Terror and Tuberculosis in the Horn of Africa,” which tells the story of Annalena Tonelli, known as Somalia’s “Mother Teresa,” who spent 34 years in the Horn of Africa developing the treatment for tuberculosis among Somali nomads. 58 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
Jan. 28
Chicken Dumpling Soup and Chili Supper Fundraiser When: 4-7 p.m. Where: Mower County Senior Center Delicious way to help support LIFE Mower County. Tickets $7 for adults, $5 for children age 4-10 (children under 3 are free), available at the LIFE Mower County office, from People First Aktion Club members, and at the door. For more information, call 507-433-8994.
Feb. 1
Paint the Town Pink: Plunging for Pink When 12:30-3:30 p.m. Where: East Side Lake Take the ultimate plunge or simply come down and watch, as one of Paint the Town Pink’s most successful events jumps into the frigid waters of East Side Lake for some frigid fun. For more information, visit hi.umn.edu/pttp
Feb. 6-9
Calico Hutch Quilting Retreat - Honolulu Lulu Where: Holiday Inn Austin Conference Center Enjoy fun-filled days of quilting with friends, plus demos, massage therapists, show and tell, door prizes and games. For more information or to reserve your spot, call 507-377-1163.
Feb. 1 . . . . . . . . Emily Carson, 1 p.m. As a weekly columnist for the Rochester Post-Bulletin since 2011, Emily has delighted and encouraged readers with her reflections on ministry, life, travel, church, family and mystery. Read her book, “Holy Everything,” for a collection of some of her most treasured columns from the past decade. Feb. 8 . . . . . . . . Don Peterson, 1 p.m. Don Peterson grew up in the small town of Blooming Prairie and, with his wife, Leone, raised a family of five kids in the nearby small town of Brownsdale. “Small Towns” is a collection of stories gathered over the years about community, friends, family and a couple of chance encounters, mostly in small town Midwest America.
Hormel Historic Home
For more information, call 507-433-4243. • Jan. 9. . . . . . . Historic Treasures Series by Jaimie Timm, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. • Jan 13 . . . . . . History Happy Hour, 6 p.m. • Jan. 26. . . . . . Austin Wedding and Event Showcase, noon to 3 p.m. • Feb. 6 . . . . . . Healthy Living Series by Jen Haugen, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. • Feb. 10 . . . . . History Happy Hour, 6 p.m. • Feb. 15 . . . . . Foodie Throwdown - It All Started with Sausage, 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 8
Feb. 23
When: 7:05 p.m. Where: Riverside Arena The event that started it all. Paint the Rink Pink will feature the Austin Bruins hosting the St. Cloud Blizzard. Afterwards will be the annual jersey auction, featuring skits by the players. For more information, visit hi.umn.edu/pttp
When: 2 p.m. Where: St. Olaf Lutheran Church The Austin Symphony Orchestra celebrates the birthday of one of music’s greatest with the help of the ASO Chorus directed by Sonia Larson and pianist Horacio Nuguid. Program includes Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy,” along with the “Requiem for the Living” by Dan Forrest. Tickets are $15. For tickets or more information, go to www. austinmnsymphony.org.
Paint the Town Pink: Paint the Rink Pink
Feb. 9
Paint the Town Pink: Smashing Cancer Demolition Derby When: 1 p.m. Where: Mower County Fairgrounds Get ready for a smashing good time at the Mower County Fairgrounds in another one of PTTP’s more successful events. For more information, visit hi.umn.edu/pttp
Feb. 11
Poet’s Open Mic When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Sweet Reads All ages are welcome to share their writings – any kind of poetry is welcome. Be prepared to be inspired, laugh, sigh, and eat treats! For more information, call 507-396-8660.
Austin ArtWorks Center For more information, call 507-434-0934.
• Jan. 9. . . . . . . Wheel Throwing Bowl Pottery Class, 5:30-7:30 p.m. • Jan. 10 Gallery Opening - Emily Lavalier, Cora Fiest and Cynder Higgins, 5-7 p.m. • Jan. 11. . . . . . Free Family Art Studio, 1-3 p.m. • Jan. 23. . . . . . Wheel Throwing Bowl Pottery Class, 5:30-7:30 p.m. • Feb. 1 . . . . . . Collage Class with Emily Lavalier, 1-4 p.m. • Feb. 8 . . . . . . Free Family Art Studio, 1-3 p.m. • Feb. 20 . . . . . Ribbon Painting with Katie Stromlund, 5-8 p.m. • Feb. 21 . . . . . Songwriter Showcase, 6-9 p.m. • Feb. 22 . . . . . Afternoon Date on the Wheel, 3-5 p.m. • Feb. 29 . . . . . Afternoon Date on the Wheel, 3-5 p.m.
Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
For more information, call 507-437-7519 or email info@hormelnaturecenter.org. • Jan. 25. . . . . . Free Cross Country Ski Lessons, 8:30 a.m. to noon
Austin Symphony Orchestra Beethoven’s Birthday
Feb. 26 - March 1
“The Importance of Being Earnest” When: 7 p.m. (Feb. 26-29) and 2 p.m. (March 1) Where: Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College “The Importance of Being Earnest” has proven to be Oscar Wilde’s most enduring—and endearing—play. Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. The pair struggle to keep up with their own stories and become tangled in a tale of deception, disguise and misadventure. Filled with witty Victorian aphorisms and Wilde’s own brand of wisdom, “The Importance of Being Earnest” remains one of theatre’s most popular comedies. Some material may not be suitable for young children. For more information, call 507-433-0595.
Austin Bruins Schedule Go Bruins! Tickets can be purchased at Hy-Vee, Jim’s MarketPlace Foods, Games People Play, Holiday Inn or at the door at Riverside Arena. All games start at 7:05 p.m. at Riverside Arena unless noted otherwise. • Jan. 10. . . . . . vs. St. Cloud Blizzard • Jan. 17. . . . . . vs. Minot Minotauros • Jan. 18. . . . . . vs. Minot Minotauros • Feb. 8 . . . . . . vs. St. Cloud Blizzard - Paint the Rink Pink • Feb. 14 . . . . . vs. Bismarck Bobcats • Feb. 15 . . . . . vs. Bismarck Bobcats • Feb. 28 . . . . . vs. Bismarck Bobcats • Feb. 29 . . . . . vs. Bismarck Bobcats
Events at the Paramount Theatre For more information, call 507-434-0934.
• Feb. 7-9 . . . . . Pecos Bill and Slue-Foot Sue Meet the Dirty Dan Gang, 7 p.m. (7-8) and 2 p.m. (9) • Feb. 15 . . . . . Her Crooked Heart, 7:30 p.m. January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 59
BOOK REVIEW
FAITH SULLIVAN RETURNS WITH NEW NOVEL ‘Ruby and Roland’ takes readers back to Harvester, MN
BY NANCY C. STOVER, AUSTIN PAGE TURNERS Faith Sullivan Photo by Leila Navidi
Welcome back, Faith Sullivan. In Sullivan’s new novel, “Ruby and Roland,” the reader returns to Harvester, Minnesota, home to “Good Night, Mr. Wodehouse” and “The Cape Ann” and introduces us to another strong independent and resilient character, Ruby Drake, who loses her beloved parents at an early age in a winter storm. Ruby has no close family and virtually no financial resources. Resilience and the need for family are consistent themes in the author’s novels and we find the same message in this latest work. Ruby finds employment and a new family connection with the Schoonover family in Harvester. Emma and Henry, the father and Mother she misses so much, and the hired hands Dennis and Jake, will fill the empty and lonely voids in her world. Ruby’s life becomes complicated when Emma asks her to care for Dora, the fragile wife of the neighboring young farmer, Roland. The two, Ruby and Roland, start a forbidden love affair that colors their futures.The two young
60 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
people share a love of the land and Ruby becomes an accomplished farmer’s wife. She is intent on growing her expanding horizons. She learns to smoke cigarettes and makes frequent visits to the local library where she escapes into poetry and romance … and falls more and more in love with Roland. She welcomes the emotions that caring for Roland stir within her and knows they are wrong but her life goes on as do the demands of life on the farm and the growing and shifting duties and interactions for and with Dora. The novel, as do many of Sullivan’s writings, paints a vivid picture of the life that was farm life on the midwestern plains in the early 20th century. Love, friendship, compassion and duty all play a part in this compelling book. The novel is a rather short read so I do want to divulge the full plot and ruin your reading experience. This new tale from Harvester is a jewel. Make sure you take note of the cover of the book. It speaks volumes on what this talented author hoped to share with her readers.
TURN THE PAGE If you liked reading “Ruby and Roland,” by Faith Sullivan, Stover suggests these reads:
“Repent, Lanny Merkel,” Laura Pomfret returns to her hometown for a school reunion and finds a past nearly forgotten.
“Mrs. Demming and the Mythical Beast,” The worlds of reality and fantasy come together for Larissa Demming when she meats Pan.
“The Cape Ann,” Story revolving around six-year-old narrator Lark Erhardt and her independent mother’s dream of owning their home. January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 61
EDUCATION | BY RIVERLAND FOUNDATION EDUCATION EDUCATION | BY RIVERLAND FOUNDATION
Janelle Koepke is the dean of Janelle Koepke advancement is the dean of at Riverland institutional institutional advancement at Riverland Community College Community College
ADVERTISEMENT CONTENT ADVERTISEMENT CONTENT ADVERTISEMENT CONTENT
Riverlandtotohonor honoralumni alumni Riverland
Riverland Community College alumni play valuable roles throughout Riverland Community College alumni play valuable our communities. Of course, there are many people inroles ourthroughout area who our communities. Of course, there are many people in our attended one of the schools listed below before Riverlandarea evenwho existed — attended one of schools belowalumni! before Riverland even existed — we consider allthe of you our listed Riverland we consider all ofyears, you our alumni!has contributed to the Over many eachRiverland of these schools Over many years, each of these schools has training contributed development of our region. Education and leadstotothea strong development of our region. Education and training leads to a strong workforce, which drives economic development and makes our workforce, which drives economic development and makes our Riverland communities vibrant and thriving. Graduates of the programs communities andhospitals, thriving.clinics, Graduates of the programs Riverland offers can bevibrant found in manufacturing facilities, large and offers can be found in hospitals, clinics, manufacturing facilities, large and small businesses, schools, city and county government, and so many more small businesses, schools, city and county government, and so many more places. Each one of them plays an important role in their specific job, places. Each one of them plays an important role in their specific job, organization or industry. organization or industry. We need your help to identify the individuals who have contributed to We need your help to identify the individuals who have contributed to the community in a significant way. Riverland Community College will the community in a significant way. Riverland Community College will honora aDistinguished DistinguishedAlumni Alumniatat commencement exercise spring. honor thethe commencement exercise thisthis spring. Take a moment to nominate alumni who are worthy of being recognized Take a moment to nominate alumni who are worthy of being recognized withthis thisaward. award. with Send your nominationbybyMarch March 1 to Foundation@Riverland.edu Send your nomination 1 to Foundation@Riverland.edu including: including: Yourname, name,email emailand andphone phone • •Your • Name of nominee • Name of nominee Nominee’scontributions contributionsororaccomplishments accomplishments • •Nominee’s
To be considered for the award, a To be considered for attended the award,one a of nominee must have nominee must have attended one of these schools: these schools: • Albert Lea Area Vocational Technical Institute • Albert LeaLea/Mankato Area Vocational Technical Institute • Albert Technical College • Albert Lea/Mankato Technical College • Albert Lea Technical College • Albert Lea Technical College • Albert Lea Technical Institute • Albert Lea Technical Institute • Austin Area Vocational School • Austin Area Vocational School • Austin Community College • Austin Community College • Austin Junior College • Austin Junior College • Austin State Junior College • Austin State Junior College • Austin Technical College • Austin Technical College • Austin Technical Institute • Austin Technical Institute • Minnesota Riverland Technical College • Minnesota Riverland Technical College • Owatonna Extension Center Austin Junior College • Owatonna Extension Center - Austin StateState Junior College • Owatonna Higher Education Center • Owatonna Higher Education Center • Owatonna College University Center • Owatonna College andand University Center • Riverland Community College • Riverland Community College
RiverlandCommunity CommunityCollege CollegeFoundation Foundation raises, Riverland raises, manages, toto support, enhance, manages,and anddistributes distributesresources resources support, enhance, and Riverland andpromote promotethe theeducational educationalopportunities opportunities Riverland Community ofof our region. CommunityCollege Collegeoffers offersthe thepeople people our region. www.riverland.edu/foundation www.riverland.edu/foundation
Thank Thankyou youfor forsupporting supportingRiverland Riverlandstudents! students! 62 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 20202020 | 53 | 53 JANUARY/FEBRUARY
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HEALTHY PETS
Can everyday food be medicine? BY MICHELLE NELSON – OWNER, PET AUTHORITY Hippocrates said it best, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Nutrition is the foundation of health for your pets. If fuels the body, and provides the essential building blocks for health maintenance, energy and tissue repair. We need to look at food as the most important medicine we give our pets every single day. In order to maintain your pets health, it is paramount to feed fresh, wholesome, and low or unprocessed nutrition. Here are 7 Healthy Foods to support your pets health and promote healing. 1. Bone Broth – One of my favorites due to the numerous health benefits. Improves digestion and helps heal leaky gut (all disease starts in the gut), Michelle assists in detoxing the liver, Nelson reduces inflammation, alleviates joint pain, boosts the immune system, supports brain function, improves skin health, strengthens bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and improves skin health. 2. Raw Goat Milk – One of the most nutrient dense foods around, raw unpasteurized goats milk is a great source of Vitamin A, D and K2, is full of healthy fats like Medium Chain Triglycerides and Omega 3’s, is full of probiotics and digestive enzymes, and is a great source of protein, amino acids, calcium, magnesium and potassium. 3. Organ Meats – Organs and glands are very nutrient dense, that is why in nature dogs and cats instinctually go for the good stuff first when they kill their prey, the organs. Your pets will benefit from adding organs such as stomach (tripe), liver, kidney, heart, brain, and adrenal glands to their diet.
4. Eggs – Labeled as the most complete protein, eggs are great for cardiovascular health, eye and skin health. And yes, raw eggs are safe. My dogs love them raw or cooked. 5. Omega-3 Oils – Great brain food, also great for joint support, heart health, anti-inflammatory, kidney function and skin and eye health. Small fish like sardines and anchovies are a great source or using a fish oil supplement like krill oil. 6. Coconut Oil – Another must for my dogs, coconut oil is a packed with a tremendous amount of benefits. It improves cognitive function, is anti-bacterial, reduces inflammation, is full of antioxidants and minerals, boosts the immune system, and is great for skin and oral health. Since it is a healthy fat, it helps to fight cancer as cancer cells cannot use fat. Cancer cells fuel themselves by eating sugar, without sugar they will starve. Knowing that carbohydrates turn into sugar, if you are feeding a dry food, which on average is 50%sugar, you are feeding the perfect cancer food. 7. Fermented Foods – Like kefir or yogurt, fermented foods are a great source of probiotics, they support the immune system, help detox the bowels, and help heal leaky gut and IBD. Whether you currently feed your pets a dry food diet or a biologically appropriate raw food diet, these 7 healthy foods can be added to improve your pets overall health. Do you want your pets to Thrive of just Survive?, the choice is yours. I will leave you with an Ancient Proverb, “When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.”
January–February 2020 | Austin Living | 63
WHY I LOVE AUSTIN
Austin – There’s a lot to like here! BY RANDALL KRAMER • PHOTO
BY
ERIC JOHNSON
There is truly a lot to like about living in Austin. We are all so very fortunate to live in a city that has so much going for it. When my wife Wendy and I moved to Austin in 1992, we had no idea how the journey would go. Since then, we have raised our family here, helped to grow a business here and lived our lives here, all the time surrounded and supported by a network of wonderful friends and acquaintances. It’s a great place to call home. One of the things that Austin has going for it is its size — large enough to have some scale, yet small enough to be personal. By seeing many of the same people on a regular basis, it naturally draws us closer together and builds stronger relationships that endure over time. Living in a city of this size opens more doors of opportunity to participate in any number of groups, activities or committees and it makes it more possible to make an impact, to help move the needle to strengthen the community and to also enjoy a higher quality of life. Having the opportunity to participate in Austin’s art and music scene is a good example of this. The Paramount Theatre, ArtWorks Festival, Austin Art Center, MacPhail School of Music, the Symphony Orchestra, Summerset Theatre, Matchbox Theatre, Riverland Theatre and Northwestern Singers are all examples of places where local people can showcase their interest and talent in art and music. So many people in Austin volunteer their time and energy to make Austin a better place to live and it truly does make a difference. A recent example of this happened in October when Austin hosted the Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener. Dozens of volunteers planned and worked on organizing the event for months in advance. They really knocked it out of the park and did a great job of showcasing Austin. Look around at any school, church or civic organization — volunteers are at the core of them all. Local businesses in Austin also step up in a big way on a regular basis to support so many teams, groups and events in Austin. Remember that the next time you make a purchase. As the saying goes, you’ll never see an online retailer support your kids’ basketball team. The “Eat.Drink.Shop.Austin” program is a wonderful reminder of that. 64 | Austin Living | January–February 2020
Randy Kramer is a private wealth advisor with 29 years of experience for Wealth Management Solutions in Austin.
People in Austin look out for one another. The Salvation Army, United Way of Mower County, Welcome Center and Parenting Resource Center are just a few examples of places people can turn to when they need some help. Watch for the release of Austin native William Taufic’s new book, “Our Austin, Our America”. It will tell the story of dozens of immigrant families, refugees and community leaders — celebrating how Austin’s growing diversity enriches our community. The new Austin Assurance Scholarship Program at Riverland Community College is in its first year and is opening the door for many graduates from Austin High and Pacelli Catholic School to get an education that will lead to prosperous and rewarding careers. Funded by the Hormel Foundation, this program is bound to be a game changer. With the opening of the new Austin Community Recreation Center coming soon, we will all have an enhanced option to maintain our physical health. Take a look at this new facility from the north side of Mill Pond to really appreciate it. This, along with the Austin Public Library, the Paramount Theatre and the Municipal Swimming Pool makes for quite a panoramic view. Another new opportunity was opened last fall with the completion of the Shooting Star Trail that now runs all the way from the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center to LeRoy. A dream that was born 29 years ago by the Prairie Visions group has finally became a reality. And of course, many thanks to the Hormel Foundation and the Hormel Foods Corporation for all they do for Austin. Sometimes it can be hard to see and truly appreciate all we have here in Austin. A few years ago, I was participating in the Darren Dash Run here in town. I ran a couple miles with someone I didn’t know, from the metro area, who made the trip to Austin to train for an upcoming marathon. As we talked, he said, “The trail system here is fantastic! Rivers-Parks-Ponds-Trees! I honestly thought we’d be running in a corn field or something like that!” Go figure. There really is a lot to like here in Austin and it’s only going to get better folks!
HAVE HAVEAABETTER BETTER PORK-LIFE PORK-LIFE BALANCE. BALANCE.
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