Northfield NOW Summer 2020

Northfield

now L I V E / W O R K / P L AY

SUMMER 2020 • ISSUE 3

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Remaking history Former downtown vet clinic receives modern make over. Setting the record straight Nicolas Gustafson & the Northfield bank robbery

Reservations Area restaurants learn to adapt during COVID-19

Progress edition Pages 14-26

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contents 4 Remaking history: Former vet clinic property to become most modern building on Division 7 Setting the record straight: Nicolaus Gustafson & the Northfield bank robbery 10 In a snap: Technology changes, but photography remains a constant in Northfield artist’s life 14-26 PROGRESS - FiftyNorth continues to attract an ever-growing

number of seniors - 2020 a critical year for Rice County Area United Way - EDA sparks new economic development - NH+C pursues steady path – and rises to sudden challenge - Last 12 months prove productive for HRA - Despite difficult year, Chamber continues working for local businesses - Northfield Public Schools continues mission to help every student - HCI continues as a ‘backbone organization’ - NAG keeps arts scene vibrant during pandemic - Dundas moves ahead on building projects, revamping city services - 2020 proves to be busy, strange for Public Library - Bridgewater Twp. approves agreements, copes with loss in eventful 12 months - NDDC work ensures downtown vibrance

27 St. Olaf athletes, coaches prepare for uncertain fall season

30 Long Division: Maggie looks back at being Northfield News’ first female editor 32 Reservations – Area restaurants find

ways to adapt during COVID-19

36 Bank on it - Even with a new name, First National Bank of Northfield preserves important city history on the

cover:

Blooms along the Cannon River (Suzanne Rook/Northfield News)

Northfield

now L I V E / W O R K / P L AY

Construction workers don’t let the hot July sun keep them from completing the new building at 512 Division Street. (Suzanne Rook/Northfield News)

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Remaking history

Former vet clinic property to become most modern building on Division Story GRACE BRANDT

W

hen Northfield Veterinarian closed in March 2018, many wondered what would become of the historic buildings at 510 and 512 Division Street that housed the clinic. The old veterinary building, which was built in 1905 and rebuilt in 1920, was used for everything from a hotel, a boarding house, a

harness shop, a railroad office and an upholstery business before Northfield Veterinarian took over more than 50 years ago. However, after former veterinarian David Garlie surrendered his license following the review of a state licensing board, the community wondered what the property would be used for next. The answer? A whole lot. Cannon Valley Veterinary Clinic purchased the property in June 2018, and a project has been in the works for the last several months. Developer Mike Strobel — a veterinarian and part-owner at Cannon Valley Veterinary — said the finished space will include two spacious condominiums on the top floor, office space on the ground level and a climate-controlled storage space that can be

Construction workers don’t let the hot July sun keep them from completing the new building at 512 Division Street. While the structure replaces an historic building, the new one will have an historic look, bricks from the former building will be used on the facade. (Suzanne Rook/ Northfield News)

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rented in the basement. There are also tentative plans to open a vet clinic in the building, though the details are still up in the air. “It’s going to be a nice building,” Strobel said. “It’ll be the most modern building on the street.”

Starting over While the original plan was to renovate and expand the building, Strobel explained that it turned out to be too structurally unsound to move forward. Instead, they decided to demolish it and start over. “We were going to remodel, but all the beams were rotten,” Strobel said. “We decided it’d be better to take it down and start over again.” Strobel said they’re still determining exactly what will go inside, but the hope is to include a vet clinic that can offer quick services such as immunizations and wellness checks. Services such as surgeries and emergency care will remain at Cannon Valley Veterinarian’s main location at 1200 Hwy. 3 S in Northfield. “We’re still playing with the idea of actually putting in a vet clinic downtown,” he said. “We’re considering putting something downtown for people to have walking access to that service. Right now, you have to drive up to the other [location]. We’ve had several people request that. With all the new apartments going in downtown, there’s a larger population entering the area. I don’t know yet… I don’t want to promise people something that I don’t know.” The project also includes an improved pedestrian walkway along the south side of the building, including resurfacing the neighboring B&L Pizza building, as well as improving the parking lot behind the building and adding six additional parking spaces.

Preserving history Strobel said one of the most important goals of the project was recreating the front of the building so that it looks like it did in the 1910s. This includes using the original brick that workers saved from the building when it was torn down. Strobel has been working with Northfield’s Heritage Preservation Committee to ensure that the new building would fulfill all the requirements necessary for inclusion in the Northfield Historic District. Previous city planner Scott Tempel worked with Cannon Valley Veterinary on slight revisions of its original plan, with the newer plan approved unanimously by the HPC in May 2018. “When [Cannon Valley Veterinary] initially came forward with the design in May 2018, the HCP really looked at that façade and how that incorporates with the downtown preservation guidelines,” said City Planner Mikayla Schmidt, who took over the project when she was hired in December 2019. “They had to come forward again when they decided that they were going to reconstruct the structure. It’s been a long process. It doesn’t always take this long, [but] this is a complex process.” Strobel applied for the actual building permit in December 2019. He has brought the project back to the HPC any time a revision needed to be made, with the latest update approved just this June. Schmidt said the city of Northfield strives to work with property owners and make the process as simple as possible when navigating requirements for the Northfield Historic District. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

LOWER RIGHT: Northfield veterinarian and businessman Mike Stoebel purchased the buildings at 510 and 512 Division St. in downtown with the hope of renovating the buildings. But they were beyond repair and had to be razed, making way for a new building with a historic flair. (News file photo)

BELOW: A sketch of what the completed building at 512 Division Street will look like. (Image courtesy of the city of Northfield)

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HISTORY LESSON Prior to its demolition, the properties at 510 and 512 Division St., listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, was considered to contribute to the Northfield Commercial Historic District. According to the most recent resurvey of the district: “The property retains historic significance and enough exterior integrity to remain contributing to the district. [A 1900 map] labels two joined buildings as the Northstar Hotel. “Possibly built as a single structure with different heights and elevation treatments, local records note it was ‘built to look like two buildings.” A circa 1917 photo shows this treatment, with identical upper story window treatment of paired sash under a segmental arched window. The building variously housed the Lennox Hotel, Hotel Cleveland, Mrs. School’s boarding house and Schultz’s harness Shop. The American Express Railroad office was the occupant by 1917. During the 1940s it was a secondhand store, and next the Berg and Son Upholstery, Bromley Upholstery and finally the Garlie Veterinary office in the north building. “The current upper story treatment includes transoms that do not appear in historic photographs. The south building appears to retain the cornice over the entry that is suggested by the ca. 1917 photograph. The south building has had a long history of alterations, as the 1917, 1948 and 1977 views show. At present, neither building retains the window treatments still evident in circa 1917.” 6

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ABOVE: By 1923, when this photo was taken, Division Street, looking north from Sixth Street, looks much like today’s downtown. What’s now Reunion restaurant and the Central Block’s familiar spire can seen on the east side of the street. The arrow indicates 512 Division. (Photo courtesy of the city of Northfield) LEFT: This photograph, taken at Sixth and Division streets in 1886, shows 512 Division on the immediate left. At that time, it was the site of a hotel. (Photo courtesy of the city of Northfield) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Moving right along

exterior by the end of summer. Work on the roof began in midJuly. But he said he’s not sure how quickly the interior will be finished, since it depends on the demand for the space. This is partly because of the COVID-19 situation, since people might be wary about moving with everything happening across the state and country. “COVID-19 has changed things a bit,” Strobel said. “It’s harder to make decisions right now. It depends on how long we’re locked down. If we can’t get tenants, we probably won’t finish the interior side of the building right away. I can’t imagine that anyone’ll want to get into a new building if there’s [another] stay-at-home order.” Strobel doesn’t have an exact cost for the project, but he estimates it’ll end up somewhere around $750,000. Whatever it ends up costing and whenever it’s finished, there’s one thing Strobel is certain of: it’ll be an impressive and long-lasting addition to Division Street when it’s complete. “It’ll be there for another 100 years,” he said. “I’m really excited to see the final product,” Schmidt added. “I think it’s going to be a really nice addition to downtown. It’s going to continue to add that vibrancy that we love about Northfield.”

According to Strobel, the goal is to finish the building’s

Grace Brandt is a freelance reporter based in Mankato.

“We try to be responsive to the applicants and the property owners, because we know that they’re our investments into our downtown,” she said. “The city appreciates the reinvestment into the downtown streetscape and the buildings, and we know investment like that creates a sense of place that our downtown is known for. All those things offer jobs and dollars spent in the community. I think Northfield prides itself in that type of reinvestment, so I’m excited to see this project come forward.” While it can be a lot of work to create something that will work for both the property owner and the HPC, Schmidt said that it’s important to ensure that Northfield’s picturesque downtown is preserved. “[The downtown district] is Northfield’s heritage, and it creates that sense of place, [which is] what makes Northfield so special,” Schmidt explained. “I think people in our community really appreciate and like and are here because of that. It’s very unique. From a reinvestment standpoint, preserving the buildings and having that cultural significance that gets to carry on for generations is important, too.”

Setting the record straight:

Nicolaus Gustafson

& bank robbery the Northfield

Story B. WAYNE QUIST

T

he Millersburg Schoolhouse Museum 10 miles west of Northfield tells the story of the Millersburg Swedes and the Sept. 7, 1876 Northfield bank robbery. The museum, on the historic Dodd Road (Rice County Road 1) across from Boonie’s Grill and dispels myths and spurious information about the robbery based on local documentary information and other sources. Eyewitness accounts disagree, and conflicting details remain unresolved, about Nicolaus Gustafson, the Swedish immigrant farmer from Millersburg who was shot in Northfield during the robbery and died four days later. But over the years, inconsistencies and untruths have been recycled time and again by prominent authors—while movies, press accounts, and local reenactments CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 ABOVE: Del Gustafson installs a historical marker recognizing his ancestor, Nicolaus Gustafson at the Old Christdala Church in Millersburg. Gustafson, a Swedish immigrant and farmer, was killed during the 1876 bank raid in Northfield. (Photo courtesy of the Christdala Preservation Association) NorthIeld

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The Millersburg Store, pictured in 1890. Today, it’s Boonie’s Grill. (Photo courtesy of the Christdala Preservation Association)

Peter Gustafson, Nicolaus Gustafson’s brother. (Photo Courtesy Delbert Gustafson, Dennison, Minnesota, Gustafson Family Historian) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

are often pure fiction. Many Gustafson descendants still live in the Northfield area and have been disturbed by reenactors, and others, misled by incorrect and false information. Nicolaus Gustafson’s brother Peter and his family were founders of the nearby Christdala Swedish Church and are buried there. The families simply ask that people stick to the facts and respect the memory of their relative, Nicolaus Gustafson. The Christdala Church records are online through the Northfield History Collaborative. Original records and old maps are secured at the Rice County Historical Society in Faribault; copies are in the Millersburg Schoolhouse Museum. • His name is spelled Nicolaus Gustafson in the Christdala and old Swedish 8

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records. • He was a Swede, not a Norwegian, born in Sweden Aug. 20, 1846; immigrated to America in June 1876; lived with his brother Peter and family west of Millersburg. • Like his brother, he was a sober, reliable, hardworking Swedish immigrant farmer. • The Millersburg Swedes would travel to Northfield via the old Dodd Road that ran cross-country from Millersburg to Union Lake, then east on the Old Dutch Road into Northfield, crossing the Iron Bridge by the mill and into Bridge Square. • Gustafson and his Swedish companions were trading in a store near Fifth and Division when the shooting started; Gustafson went outside and was shot. • According to witnesses, Gustafson was not drunk and had not been drinking

Northfield” because Gustafson needed a anywhere that day. drink. Such statements are defaming and • The grand jury that indicted the totally false. Younger brothers failed to interview Other falsehoods were published in the John Olson, the Swedish carpenter who Northfield News on July 16, 2005. An was with Gustafson as he fell, or any article by a member of the reenactment member of the Millersburg Swedish community, regarding Gustafson’s death. cast stated that Nicolaus Gustafson was “mistreated, shunned by his family, and • Rice County Attorney George N. lived alone” (total fiction); that before he Baxter did not even know Gustafson’s name until Nov.14, 1876, two days before the grand jury indictment was issued. Conflicting accounts, myths, and falsehoods emerged in the days and years following the robbery, based largely on hearsay and fading memories. The result was Christdala Swedish Lutheran Church was built in 1877, the misinformation year after Nicolaus Gustafson was killed. It’s located on in books, movies County Road 1 west of I-35 near Millersburg. (Photo courtesy of the Christdala Preservation Association) and reenactments that was shot, a drunken Gustafson was “repersists to this day. clined on a bench near the bank” (totally The mythology was amplified when false); that Gustafson was an “elderly “spiced up” Northfield reenactments Swedish immigrant” (he was 30 years started, but recent untruths about Gusold). The author retracted and apologized tafson have become outlandish. after Del Gustafson wrote an objection In September 2019, a Northfield atrefuting each claim. But the damage was torney stated in a radio interview that done, with new fiction and new untruths Nicolaus Gustafson was an alcoholic posing as new “facts” in the newspaper. because “most unmarried 30-year-old Swedes emigrating to America in the 1870s were alcoholics;” and without knowledge or proof he further alleged Here are the facts: that the Millersburg Swedes “stopped The first Swedish immigrants to settle at a saloon in Dundas on their way to in Rice County formed the Christdala

FAR LEFT: Harold Thorson Building (today Bierman Furniture) on the northwest corner of Fifth and Division streets, probably at the time construction was completed. Notice under the staircase, the entrance into the basement of the building. Nicolaus Gustafson was believed to have been at this location before the shooting. (Northfield Historical Society Collection) Ernst Richard Gustafson, Nicolaus Gustafson’s nephew. (Photo courtesy Delbert Gustafson, Dennison, Minnesota, Gustafson family historian)

Church on July 18, 1877. Peter Gustafson, brother of Nicolaus, was a founder of the congregation. Peter and Nicolaus Gustafson were sober, hard-working, and reliable immigrant farmers. The Gustafson family entrusted Nicolaus to accompany their young nephew on the long and arduous journey to America. Nicolaus was murdered during the robbery and forgotten. Cole Younger pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. By 1876, 13 Swedish families lived in the Millersburg area. They had endured a severe economic depression and grasshopper plague. They were poor people and would barter in town, trading their produce for farm tools and clothing. Lingering and latent prejudice against “foreigners” who did not speak English existed by some in Northfield, and resentment toward Swedish immigrants increased as Norway’s drive for independence from Sweden gained strength. No one had imagined that Millersburg might host a gang of desperate exConfederate criminals, but late in the day on Wednesday, September 6, 1876 four heavily armed men rode into Millersburg from the west and spent the night at the local Cushman Hotel. According to a young boy whose bedroom was in the attic of the hotel, the gang members stopped at the Millersburg Store and asked for directions to Dundas. Charles Cushman was 9½ years old and heard them talk as they cleaned their guns. The old Cushman house still stands, a few hundred yards east of the Schoolhouse Museum. On the morning of Sept. 7, 1876, the four gang members left the Cushman hotel and headed east on the Dundas road

to rendezvous with their partners along the Cannon River between Dundas and Northfield. Early that morning Peter Youngquist harnessed his mules and five Millersburg Swedes headed for Northfield on the Dodd Road, preferable for heavy lumber wagons. Nicolaus Gustafson was 30 years old, having arrived in June with his 12-year-old nephew Ernst, grandfather of Delbert Gustafson. Around 1 p.m., Youngquist tied up his mule-team near Fifth and Division and the Swedes began trading. When the shooting started, Gustafson went outside and was shot in the head. He died four days later and was buried in an unmarked grave. Northwest corner of Division and East Fifth Street where John Olson encountered Nicolaus Gustafson The real hero of this story is John Olson, a Swedish carpenter who was working on a cellar door near the corner of Fifth and Division. He was with Gustafson as he fell, cared for him until he died and arranged for his burial. Olson and his Norwegian wife knew Pastor Thorbjorn Mohn, founder of St. John’s Lutheran Church and first president of St. Olaf College. They asked Mohn to officiate at Gustafson’s interment at the Northfield cemetery. His burial was recorded at St. John’s, causing people to incorrectly assume Gustafson was Norwegian. Incredibly, neither John Olson nor any member of the Millersburg community were ever questioned by the Faribault prosecutor. It was only in 1897 that Olson was asked for his statement as an eyewitness to the Gustafson shooting, helping keep Jim and Cole Younger in prison until their 1901 parole.

John Olson remained in contact with the Millersburg Swedes and was commissioned to build the Christdala Church. The owner of the mule-team, Peter Youngquist, contributed half the land. Olson finished construction during the summer of 1878 at a cost of $230 — about $5,000 in today’s money. The Gustafson families were prominent life members. But Nicolaus Gustafson remained forgotten in Northfield until movies and

A DEEPER DIVE Learn more about Nicolaus Gustafson, Christdala Church and the Millersburg School at christdala.com/ gustafson.html.

Nicolaus Gustafson’s gravestone is near the entrance of Northfield Cemetery. Though Gustafson died in 1876, where he was buried as discovered in 1994 when a marker was placed at the site. (News file photo)

a ceremony honors the murdered bank reenactments started using his name to “spice up” the street scenes. Gustafson’s gravesite was finally identified in 1994. Two letters in the Rice County courthouse and a note pinned to his death certificate revealed his name and where he was buried. A gravestone was erected in the Northfield Cemetery. Each year in September

cashier, Joseph Lee Heywood. Nicolaus Gustafson rests nearby, and his story is told at the old Schoolhouse Museum in Millersburg. B. Wayne Quist is a member of the Christdala Preservation Association in Millersburg. NorthIeld

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“Selective focus on the flowers allows the pattern of the grasses in the foreground and background to act as color-complements, like ‘backround’ color, rather than distracting detail.”

IN A SNAP

Technology changes, but photography remains a constant in Northfield artist’s life By ANNE KOPAS

P 10

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atsy Dew has more than 50,000 photographs in her database, and that’s only the beginning. Today, the Northfield-based photographer mostly sticks to modern tools like digital cameras and Photoshop. But when she started taking pictures as a child with a Kodak Brownie camera — a classic model known as the camera that made photography widely accessible — each photo took time to develop. Her parents nudged her in the right direction, gifting her that first camera and later building a darkroom into their home.

NOW - Summer 2020

Since then, photography has always held a prominent role in Dew’s life. In adulthood, Dew would set her infant son down for a nap, then use the time to develop a few photos in her basement. Though she seldom uses film anymore, Dew still has fondness for the hands-on element, as well as the unique challenge of creating a unique image with just black and white tones. “It took me awhile to get over having been a film photographer, where I was so careful. I wanted to make every shot count,” said Dew. Then came SLR cameras, then DSLR. With each new development came new opportunities to explore new techniques, and to take community education classes and read plenty of books on the craft.

Dew’s photography often focuses on a foreground object in detail, juxtaposing it against an out-of-focus background of complementary colors.

Patsy Dew sits at her booth at the Riverwalk Fine Arts Festival, an annual feature of Defeat of Jesse James Days, in 2019. Many of Dew’s photos, like this image of water droplets clinging to a spider web, emphasize her love for the details of nature.

Now that digital photography enables almost unlimited picture-taking, Dew shoots nearly every day. Each morning, she walks near a pond by her home on the south edge of Northfield, where she’s lived for more than 40 years. She’s drawn to candid images of people, often focusing on details like eyes and hands, along with natural subjects, like weather and water. Her fascination with the shapes of nature also leads her to the Carleton Arboretum, where she frequently shoots images of a waterfall throughout the year. “I like to get in close. I like to look at the way the light’s interacting with something. I love weather because the moisture changes the way the light interacts with the world,” said Dew.

‘It’s so infinite’ Dew’s other favorite subject is anything that hints at a story existing beyond the image. Lately, that’s meant Dew has taken countless photos of how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the world. When lockdowns first began, Dew took walks around downtown Northfield, photographing eerily empty streets and shop windows full of paper hearts and encourag-

ing notes. First thing in the morning, she would watch the street in front of her home, noticing her neighbors in a new way. They were little things: people walking dogs that she’d never seen before, couples walking 6 feet apart and friends running with a distance between them. These stories, and the implication of a life existing before and continuing long after a photo captures a brief moment in time, catch Dew’s eye and help her to see the world from different perspectives. One of her favorite photos features a man reading a newspaper, contrasted against a bright orange building, highlighting her interest in candid shots that suggest a narrative. Lately, Dew said she’s also been experimenting with composition, subject placement and color. “Photography offers so many variables that one can play with,” said Dew. “You can work on photographing motion, or you can be most interested in light and dark, and people, and capturing an expression. It’s so infinite.” Dew suspects her approach to photography has also been influenced by her work in community theater. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

GIVING BACK ‘For years Joan and Jim Spaulding have supported local artists, transforming their downtown Northfield restaurant into a gallery. They do not take a cut of any of the art sales; all go to the artist. During the time that my framed prints have hung at the Hideaway, two major events have disturbed our universe, the novel coronavirus pandemic and the brutal murder of George Floyd. I feel moved to respond. I am donating all proceeds from the sale of any of these prints: half to Juxtaposition Arts in North Minneapolis, and half to the owners of The Hideaway. Juxtaposition Arts is an amazing organization in North Minneapolis that “develops community by engaging and employing young urban artists in handson education initiatives...” Prices are not reduced. The incentive is to support two worthy organizations that nurture artists. The prints are hanging at The Hideaway now, and may be taken upon purchase. The sale runs through Aug. 31.’ — Patsy Dew NorthIeld

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LEFT: “Resting” is part of Dew’s “Hands Through Life” series. BELOW: Two workers take a break at a bakery in Portland, Oregon. When it comes to photographing people, Dew prefers these types of candid images of people, rather than posed portraits.

BEHIND THE LENS Her camera: Nikon D200 (and others) Favorite places to photograph: Carleton Arboretum; Valley Grove; her son’s neighborhood in Portland, Oregon Accolades: 2014 recipient of the Arts and Culture Commission’s Living Treasure Award Find her online: patsydewpix.com at laurabaker.org.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

She’s played a role in 40 shows and directed 15 more with the Northfield Arts Guild. And it’s not her only Guild contribution; she’s also a founder of the Young People’s Theater Workshop, an annual summer theater experience for elementary and high school students. Her work as the archival photographer for several of

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these shows helped her pay attention to the interaction of artificial and natural light, both onstage and off. While advances in digital camera technology allow photographers to shoot in higher definition than ever before, showing all parts of the image in detailed clarity, Dew often strays from the trend of photography where everything is in sharp focus. Instead, she’ll use her focus selectively, allowing her to bring out just part

of the image, playing with foreground and background to create layered images. She also tends to avoid adding filters to her photos, preferring instead to take what the camera gives at face value.

An artist of the community Since 2007, Dew has claimed the same spot for her

ABOVE: Weather events, like this rimefrost gathered on Carleton College’s Lymon Lakes, are among Dew’s favorite subjects to photograph. RIGHT: Dew sells some of her images as photo boxes like this one, which features a close-up of a dewy spiderweb.

booth at the Defeat of Jesse James Days’ annual Riverwalk Art Fine Arts Festival, where she sells photo boxes and cards along with prints. Her work has also appeared around town and beyond at the HideAway, Northfield Arts Guild galleries, FiftyNorth, Crossings (Zumbrota) and the Fleur-de-lis Gallery (Faribault). She’s also a fixture at the annual Studio ARTour of south central Minnesota, where she’s hoping to show her photography again in October 2020. In 2014, Northfield’s Arts and Culture Commission presented Dew with its annual Living Treasure Award, which honors people who contribute to the artistic and cultural life of the community. Nominees noted Dew’s integral role at the Guild, as well as her dedication to developing artistic programs like art

galleries to theater performances at FiftyNorth (then called the Northfield Senior Center). Her advice to others interested in starting photography? Take advantage of the many tools that make the craft accessible. While some may want to research and purchase a digital camera, she said, today’s smartphone cameras also offer an easy—yet high-quality—starting place that many already own. From there, it’s all about finding subjects that interest you and shooting away. “Just have fun with it,” she said. “The more you take pictures, the more you see, and things kind of feed off one another.” Anne Kopas is a freelance writer based in St. Paul.

Before switching to digital, Dew got her start taking black-and-white film photos, which she developed herself in a darkroom in her home.

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Progress Preserving the past promoting the future 14

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s

FiftyNorth continues to attract an evergrowing number of seniors Story LYNNE PEDERSON Guest columnist

F

iftyNorth is an integral part in assuring that Northfield is an agefriendly community so people of all ages can age well. It is a recreation center where members, community users, grandkids, can partake and thrive in opportunity that satisfies creative, physical, friendly interaction, mental challenges, and daily camaraderie. Members and users come in all different sizes, shapes, ethnic and culture backgrounds, interests, purpose, and ages. All are welcome, valued for their life experiences, stories, talents, ideas and engagement. Common denominators, for members is to engage, be active, continue learning and welcome new challenges as well as work toward overcoming existing challenges. Dedicated staff are driven to produce innovative, interesting, creative classes and programs along with the familiar and comfortable groups that gather daily. Programs are planned around subjects and interests for what resonates with the older adult, seeking answers to questions as we age, keeping fit — mentally and physically, having resources and referrals to use when needed. Accommodating member interests and learning by making

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changes in programming, to stay on topic, be fresh, keeping up with the trends, be challenged, and provide information and resources that is important to age well. Facility space is maintained, updated and altered to accommodate the interests of the growing number of members and users. Within this space core programming is offered in a state of the art fitness room, a warm water pool, fitness studio that hosts 50 weekly classes, an art studio, classrooms for the variety of lifelong learning classes, and CafeNorth dining. FiftyNorth has been affected by COVID-19 and was closed by state mandate from March 16 to June 29. FiftyNorth reopened following state mandates and guidelines with limitations on the number of users that can be in the facilities per hour, along with a strict cleaning regimen. Online fitness and lifelong-learning classes were and continue to be offered to people who are just not ready to return to a classroom setting. Members are returning and using the center as they feel comfortable. Prior to March, space at the center was used at the maximum capacity. The number of people turning 65, and the number of retires moving to Northfield, contributes to the steady increase in the number of members, now reaching 2,000, and the number of users each day at 350-400. A Future Planning committee is working with 292 Design Group to develop a master space plan to accommodate programming space for FiftyNorth and the best use by other organizations in the NCRC. The plan will be finalized by fall 2020. Lynne Pederson is the director of FiftyNorth, the city’s senior center. Reach her at lynne.pederson@fiftynorth.org.

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2020 a critical year for Rice County Area United Way Story PENNY HILLEMANN Guest columnist

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is a pivotal year for Rice County Area United Way, as it will be for so many – individuals, families, businesses and nonprofit organizations alike. After wrapping up its first fundraising season as a countywide United Way following the 2019 merger of the United Ways of Faribault and Northfield, RCAUW was starting its annual grant-making process in the early spring when the pandemic arrived in Minnesota. They extended the grant application period, started working from home and launched a COVID-19 Agency Relief fund. In April and June RCAUW awarded $11,700 in

COVID-19 Agency Relief microgrants to nonprofit agencies that were dealing with a surge in demand due to the COVID-19 health emergency and its economic impact. These experienced local agencies worked diligently and creatively to deliver services to more people while keeping clients, staff and volunteers as safe as possible. Thanks to individuals and organizations who donated specifically for this purpose, the United Way was able to get these additional funds out to help meet rising community needs. At the end of June, RCAUW announced annual grants totaling $240,000 to 27 nonprofit and schoolsponsored partner agencies that promote youth success, foster health in individuals and communities, help people acquire skills and habits that lead to longterm financial stability, and assist people experiencing crisis and hardship. We awarded $156,800 in the area of financial stability/basic needs, $61,550 in education, and $48,800 in health. Priority was given to programs that serve the greatest need and help the greatest number of community members.

Twelve of these agencies or programs provide their services county-wide or in multiple communities. Six of them primarily serve the Faribault area, one serves the Montgomery-Lonsdale-Le Center area, and nine primarily serve the Northfield area. These partner agencies play an essential role in the United Way’s commitment to fighting for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our community. Learn more at ricecountyunitedway.org/partner-agencies. Rice County Area United Way also expects to invest approximately $25,000 in 2020-21 promoting early childhood pre-literacy skills (and all the other benefits that come from families reading together) as the local sponsor of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, sending free, age-appropriate books each month to more than 900 Rice County area children from infancy to age 5. At a time when child care, pre-schools and public library programs are disrupted, Imagination Library will keep the books coming and keep young children excited about reading. United Way 2-1-1 is a free, confidential, 24-hour hotline providing health and human services information for people in Minne-

EDA sparks new economic development Story NATE CARLSON Guest columnist

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sota. The service is available in many languages and is also available online at 211unitedway.org. Whether you are in crisis or need a little support, 2-1-1 can provide quality information. During this pandemic they have worked diligently to keep up to date on the agencies and services that are available to help. As you can see, a donation to Rice County Area United Way has a mighty impact across the community. No other organization provides so much support for such a broad range of local needs. But the needs are continuing to grow in the time of COVID-19. With so many people laid off from their jobs, struggling to put food on the table, dealing with illness and experiencing high levels of stress, the needs are greater than ever. Some people who normally support the United Way will not be in a position to do so this year. If you are lucky enough to be financially stable, please consider a generous donation to Rice County Area United Way. Every gift makes a difference. Penny Hillemann is the executive director of Rice County Area United Way.

he Northfield Economic Development Authority has become a catalyst for new economic development for the city of Northfield over the last several years. Many of these accomplishments were the result of the EDA’s dedication to expanding the Northfield tax base and facilitating the development of a strong pro-business community. The following are several initiatives completed within the past year alongside a summary of future initiatives. The EDA approved the purchase agreement of 510 Washington St. in July 2019 with a price of $212,000. Acquisition was a strategic move to facilitate potential redevelopment projects. Following the acquisition, the EDA reviewed a request from the developers of the Fifth Street Lofts redevelopment project. The board approved a resolution in support of the use of tax increment financing for $1.8 million. The City Council held a hearing and approved the TIF request. Additional incentives were a revolving loan of $250,000 and contribution of 510 Washington St. The EDA approved these incentives. The Fifth Street Lofts building is scheduled to open in spring 2021. This project

achieved a city goal of growing the downtown through redevelopment. Development of women, veteran and minority-owned businesses is a strategic EDA goal. The board commissioned Strong & Starlike Consulting to gather information on the current environment for minority-owned businesses in Northfield. The consultant provided a report and recommendations and the board has dedicated funding for new initiatives based on the recommendations. This work is crucial for the future of Northfield businesses. A public hearing on incentives from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for All Flex, a local manufacturing company was held. The company sought $300,000 from the Minnesota Investment Fund program through DEED for a business expansion. The EDA acted as applicant for the funds. All Flex was awarded money through MIF and the Job Creation Fund for the planned expansion. The EDA offered a $50,000 revolving loan as well. In 2019, a pilot program to incentivize downtown building owners to improve building facades was created. Criteria was drafted with 2020 serving as the first year of the three-year pilot program. The EDA allocated $20,000 to the program. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the EDA prioritizes the well-being of all businesses. The board continues to review ways to provide financial relief. Although times are uncertain, the Northfield Economic Development Authority is determined to continue to helping expand the tax base and encourage a pro-business community. Nate Carlson is the economic development coordinator for the Northfield Economic Development Authority.

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NH+C pursues steady path — and rises to sudden challenge Story STEVE UNDERDAHL Guest columnist

Last 12 months prove productive for HRA Story BRENT NYSTROM Guest columnist

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t can be hard to recognize progress in the midst of a pandemic. Looking back over the past year, it’s hard to separate our current moment from our recent past. Still, 2019 was a year of growth and recalibration for Northfield Hospital + Clinics. Then 2020 brought unexpected challenge … and a heroic response by our talented, dedicated team to care safely for all patients, whatever their need. We’ll continue to adapt in the months ahead as our community faces the future together through the era of COVID-19. In 2019, NH+C grew on many fronts. We moved our Faribault orthopedics and ENT (ear, nose, throat) practice into a larger, more convenient clinic space and upgraded our equipment there. We added midwife services to our range of OB-GYN care with certified nurse midwife Jessica Bohren, APRN, CNM, giving new parents even more options for natural childbirth – with the resources of a hospital when needed. We debuted lactation services with certified lactation consultant Jennifer Kleine, RN, BSN, IBCLC, helping moms and babies with one-on-one appointments in a relaxed setting in our Birth Center. We welcomed excellent physicians across our practices — from family medicine (Dr. David McIntyre, Dr. Suzanne Schaefer) to surgery (Dr. Ashley Marek, Dr. Ellie Cohen) as we expand care in communities across the region.

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he Northfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority had a productive past year of work despite some transitions. Chair and longtime member Dayna Norvold and Housing Coordinator Janine Atchison both left the HRA after effective tenures in their respective roles. Sandi Gerdes joined as a new member, and the city recently hired Melissa Hanson as the new housing coordinator. The carry-over members are excited to work with our new member and staff. Local housing authorities are charged with purposes related to housing, redevelopment and planning activities, and Northfield’s HRA is focused on “providing a sufficient supply of adequate, safe and sanitary dwellings in Northfield.” To support these goals and to connect with the city’s current strategic plan in the areas of expanding affordable housing options, growing and supporting emergency housing and providing more senior housing, the HRA took a number of actions over the past 12 months including but not limited to: • Provided funding to hire a consultant to conduct a full

We’re also completing two significant construction projects on our Northfield campus. The expansion of the Birth Center adds to the capacity to deliver more babies, and extends the spectrum of care – from a dedicated operating room for cesarean sections to our first-ever birthing tub: • Four new labor/delivery rooms • Three new post-partum rooms • Dedicated C-section operating room • Water birth tub – a first for NH+C • New triage room • Expanded nursery • New waiting area • Phase One is to be completed in September. Final completion: February 2021 The expansion of the Northfield Clinic improves access for primary care, enables patient-centered care, and poises the clinic for future growth: • 2 new exam rooms • Lab moves to the front of the clinic • Design promotes team-based care • Phase One completed in June. Final completion is slated for November. At NH+C, we’re committed to the health of the communities we serve. We have worked hard to position ourselves to be a valuable resource for generations to come. Our greatest resource is the men and women who work at NH+C. We are so fortunate to have a wonderful mix of talent and dedication. I’m grateful to these colleagues. We will continue to move forward, together. Steve Underdahl is president and CEO of Northfield Hospital + Clinics.

housing market study and needs analysis for Northfield. When completed, the study will not only guide HRA but other city committees, outside developers and others in understanding housing needs and then working to improve the deficient areas. • Partnered with a trash and recycling hauler to conduct a “clean-up day” for Viking Terrace and Florella’s manufactured home parks where residents could dispose of any items. • Partnered with Three Rivers Community Action Agency to help them develop 32 affordable housing units as part of the Spring Creek II development. HRA owns the land on which the townhomes will be built. • Allocated $53,600 to the Northfield Community Action Center to provide emergency funds for rent and mortgage relief for members of our community that are in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. • Committed up to $45,000 to assist with the removal of eight blighted and abandoned mobile homes during a phased plan to improve the Florella’s manufactured home park. • Continued ongoing programs including street assessment assistance, the Residential Rehab Program, down payment assistance and rental housing partnerships. Looking forward to the next year, the HRA strives to explore creating an affordable housing trust fund, continue to seek land in Northfield for acquisition for future housing development, support upcoming emergency housing projects, and TO put protocols in place to allow for purchase of rental properties. Brent Nystrom is the chair of the Northfield Housing and Redevelopment Authority.

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Despite difficult year, Chamber continues working for local businesses Story LISA PETERSON Guest columnist

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or 100 years, the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism’s mission has been to lead in the creation, promotion and enhancement of a healthy business environment for the Northfield area. The organization began in 1920 as the Northfield Commercial Club and has come to be the resource and voice of the area business community. Many people know the Chamber for its events such as Crazy Daze and Winter Walk, but it’s so much more than that! It is an association of business and professional leaders which strives to

improve the civic and economic vitality of the community. The Chamber serves as an advocate for business growth and development, serving as the center for information and resources about the Northfield area. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the Chamber has worked hard behind the scenes, gathering information on loan and grant programs, writing letters to and attending virtual meetings with state and federal leaders on behalf of Northfield businesses, and giving members the chance to network and engage with one another in new and innovative ways. We took the lead on social media communication and partnered with the city of Northfield, Community Action Center, Northfield Hospital and Clinics and KYMN radio to assure that factual and up-to-date information was accessible to the community. We also created a COVID-19 Business Resource Center for members and non-members to access information on small business loan and grant opportunities, business resources and current executive orders along with city, state, and federal guidelines and regulations. In an effort to help small businesses, we developed the

Northfield Gift Card Extravaganza on the website, with over 50 gift certificates for sale. In less than eight weeks, the community purchased just over $12,200 worth of gift cards and $13,000 in Chamber Bucks. We continue to hold virtual meetings with our retailers, ambassadors, membership and board members monthly. We started our year honoring three very deserving business leaders in our community. Aldrich Technology was named Business of The Year, Marty Benson was named Ambassador of the Year and Tim Freeland was named Business Person of the Year. The ceremony and dinner was at Armory Square and catered by Café Shawn. It was a wonderful evening celebrating the 2019 accomplishments of the Chamber and our wonderful member businesses. In early March, was the first Chamber Bowling Tournament at Jesse James Lanes: a fun, casual event with over 60 bowlers. We gave away prizes, networked and had a lot of fun! Little did we know that life as we know it would quickly change. In mid-March, after Gov. Walz issued the Stay-At-Home Executive Order, the annual Home and Garden Show was reformatted to an online, virtual show. We had great response with over 1,000 visitors. Each vendor was individually showcased and had a link to their business. Although it wasn’t a perfect solution, it did work, and we hope to add this to an in-person, live event for future shows. The Chamber also manages the Northfield Convention & Visitor’s Bureau which is the official destination marketing organization for the city and serves

Northfield Public Schools continues mission to help every student Story MATT HILLMANN Guest columnist

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to favorably impact Northfield’s economy through conventions and visitors. In February, Explore Minnesota Tourism, the destination marketing organization for the state of Minnesota, recognized the Minne-Roadtrip for a Tourism Marketing Award. This is the second award for the group which is comprised of the Chamber/CVBs from Northfield, Faribault and Owatonna. The group most recently introduced Minne-Roadtrip Gift Checks, a program to promote food and beverage establishments in the region by offering gift checks in any amount that can be used at any regional dining establishment. You can purchase your MRT gift checks at the Chamber office or via our website. We know that it’s not going to be business as usual, and that’s OK. One thing this has done is allow us to use our creativity to find new ways of doing business that keeps people safe and healthy while maintaining jobs. Our business leaders are strong, creative, innovative individuals who lead by example and have found — and continue to find — new and better ways of doing business in this new world we live in. Look for the 2020 Chamber sticker on the door or window of your Northfield area businesses. It is your sign of their commitment to the business and local community. If you’d like to learn more about the Chamber or become a member, now is the ideal time! Contact our office at 507-645-5604 or visit www.northfieldchamber.com. Lisa Peterson is the president of the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.

he vision of Northfield Public Schools is to prepare every student for lifelong success within a world-class learning environment with a commitment to community partnerships and sustainability. During the last 12 months, the district has gone from the excitement of celebrating the groundbreaking for the new Greenvale Park Elementary School to adapting to historic changes in schooling and daily life as a result of the COVID-19 global health pandemic. Highlights from this past year: ● Construction of a new 600-student capacity Greenvale Park Elementary School. The building is being constructed adjacent to the existing Greenvale Park school, now called the Northfield Community Education Center. The Northfield Community Education Center will host the district’s preschool, early childhood special education, early childhood family education, licensed child care center, and community education programs. ● Completion of the new main office addition at Bridgewater Elementary School. The new office includes a secure front entrance, requiring visitors to come through the school office before being admitted to the rest of the school. It also has a new nurse’s office and conference room. The previous main office was converted into special education classrooms. ● Construction of a cafeteria addition at Sibley Elementary School. The addition also includes new music and art classrooms. The previous cafeteria/kitchen was renovated as a new media

center, while the former media center was remodeled to incorporate an enlarged nurse’s office and small group special education classrooms. ● The district adapted to a distance learning model due to the COVID-19 global health pandemic. Teachers provided instruction in real-time via live videoconferencing software and asynchronous learning activities through the district’s learning management systems. ● The district met the needs of families at the start of the pandemic by coordinating the installation of home internet access for 65 students. The Child Nutrition Department served over 121,000 free meals between March 30 and July 15. The Community Education Department provided free child care for the school-age children of health care and emergency workers. ● The district provided cultural competency training for over 300 teachers and implicit bias training for all employees. Optimism for the future, while acknowledging the challenges ahead ● As of this article’s deadline, the district did not know how the 2020-21 school year will begin. The Minnesota departments of Health and Education have asked schools to prepare for the possibility of three scenarios: in-person learning, a hybrid approach that includes some students learning on campus and some at home, and distance learning. Decisions about what scenario is used will be based on public health conditions. ● The financial repercussions of COVID-19 will have a long-lasting impact on public schools. With the state of Minnesota’s budget projection swinging from surplus to deficit, school districts anticipate limited resources over the next two years. The district is planning budget adjustments for the 2021-22 school year. District staff deeply appreciates our supportive community and remains committed to delivering educational excellence empowering all learners to engage in our dynamic world. Matt Hillmann is the superintendent of the Northfield Public Schools.

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HCI continues as a ‘backbone organization’ Story ZACH PRUITT Guest columnist

NAG keeps arts scene vibrant during pandemic Story TIM PETERSON Guest columnist

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he COVID-19 pandemic has shown us how important community is — and how collaboration is vital to ensuring that local youth, families, and people of all ages have the supports and opportunities they need to lead healthy lives. We often refer to Healthy Community Initiative as a “backbone organization.” Backbones provide structure, while protecting vital organs and nerves. Backbones are also flexible. This analogy holds true for our organization as we seek to meet the growing and changing needs of our community in this time of crisis. Our partnering programs continue to identify those needs and are working diligently to address them. Fortunately, even during tumultuous times, we do have much good news to reflect on, as we look at the past year’s highlights: • Northfield Promise was just the 12th partnership in the country to be named a “Proof Point Community” by StriveTogether, joining cities like Dallas and Seattle. This is because Northfield is seeing results in improving kindergarten readiness, third-grade literacy, high school graduation and postsecondary completion, while also changing systems to better serve youth. • HCI supported three community school initiatives – Green-

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he past 12 months have been momentous for the Northfield Arts Guild, beginning with the celebration of our 60th anniversary and progressing through the challenges we all continue to face while embracing our dedication to keep the arts strong in Northfield. We kicked off our 60th season with a celebration on our anniversary, Aug. 20, 2019, by celebrating a pivotal founder, Myrna Johnson, with an ice cream social at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater. Through fall, winter and early spring, the Guild offered a celebratory line-up of exhibitions, plays, concerts and classes. Highlights have included the plays The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Lend Me a Tenor, the exhibition Foundations, showcasing works by artists who have been involved with the Guild for over 35 years (Wendell Arneson, Mac Gimse, Chris Holmquist, Tim Lloyd, Riki Kölbl Nelson, Jan Shoger and Frederick Somers), 411 Series concerts by Pieta Brown and Jerry Kosak & Pat Donohue, CVRO’s 40th anniversary season opening concert, Tribute, (led by founding conductor Paul Niemisto), and Purple Door Youth Theater’s production of Matilda. The early year also saw two new staff additions: Jared Zeigler, (Performing Arts Manager), and Jennie Eubank, (Educa-

vale Park Community School in Northfield, Faribault Community School’s two sites at Jefferson Elementary School and Faribault Middle School in Faribault. Collectively, these projects provided out-of-school-time and enrichment programming to more than 3,000 youth and 1,200 adults last year. Greenvale Park’s funding was set to expire this year, but it has received a highly competitive grant from the Minnesota Department of Education to continue for the next six years! • The new Early Childhood navigators served more than 150 children from low-income families in Northfield and Faribault, connecting them to high-quality early learning programs and supporting families to access additional resources such as food, housing, and energy assistance. • 47 young adults continued their education journeys this year through the Northfield Community College Collaborative. Collectively, they earned 616 college credits through a combination of online and in-person Riverland Community College classes in downtown Northfield. • The TORCH initiative celebrated its 16th year — and had its 658th high school graduate this spring! • TORCH has emerged as a national model in supporting high school graduation for youth from low-income homes and students of color. All of HCI’s work depends on community – and our community steps up time and time again. The year ahead will undoubtedly pose new challenges, but it will also provide new opportunities to continue the work that we know makes a difference. To learn more about HCI or to get involved, visit www.northfieldhci.org. Zach Pruitt is the director of Northfield Healthy Community Initiative.

tion Assistant and Outreach Coordinator). In March, we were halfway through staging The Prince and the Pauper and in rehearsals for the musical Grey Gardens, when Minnesota’s shelter at home order was issued. Thankfully, creativity cannot be quarantined, and our resilient and innovative staff immediately transitioned our arts programming online to ensure that our community has access to arts engagement, education and expression. Online programming continues to thrive with classes, theater projects and community art making taking place via Zoom and on the Guild’s Facebook, YouTube and Instagram platforms (check them out!). We were also thrilled to offer E-magination Celebration (a virtual version of our annual Imagination Celebration), a Facebook Live concert with the acclaimed musician Katy Vernon, and present performances by YPTW and dance program students who showcased what Guild students of all ages have learned through these remote offerings. In addition, our visual arts program didn’t miss a beat, installing exhibitions and making them accessible through online tours, virtual receptions and more. We have also continued to work with community partners to offer free art packs for pick up every week through the summer for making art at home. Visit the Guild’s website (specifically our Guild@Home page) for more information on all our online arts projects. I am glad to report that we are actively working to reopen the Guild’s downtown building to the public later this summer and we are making plans to resume staging plays and concerts in spring/summer 2021. While we’re incredibly excited to see you again soon at the Guild, we will also keep online programming active to ensure everyone can engage with the arts in a way that feels safe and accessible for your specific needs. Tim Peterson is executive director of the Northfield Arts Guild.

Dundas moves ahead on building projects, revamped city services Story JENELLE TEPPEN Guest columnist

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t the time of this writing, the city of Dundas is working together in responding to a global crisis and doing our best to protect ourselves, our families and one another. With each day, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that it will be some time before the nation and our community will return to “normal.” Even then, there is a good chance that it will be a “new normal.” The city is focused on identifying proactive measures that will allow us to continue to provide the essential services on which the community relies. City staff will move from its current location on Railway Street about one block south to the newly built City Hall sometime in August or early September, depending on the timing of the furniture delivery and installation. This project was paid for

using General Obligation bonds and is expected to be completed within the project budget. The city looks forward to welcoming resident into the facility with the official opening date to be announced soon. As of today, 13 single family building permits have been issued for Bridgewater Heights 2nd Addition. In July 2019, 49 additional lots were approved for development in Bridgewater Heights. Development of a 39-unit market rate apartment building was approved by the City Council. This is located on West Avenue east of the railroad tracks. Construction has not yet begun on the project. A New Kwik Trip gas and convenience store, Cannon Valley Makers space and early learning child care center are three businesses that the either have moved into Dundas or are in the process of receiving the required approvals. Menards received approval to expand their gate area so that customers with online orders can easily pick them up. Previewing the upcoming year, the city will implement an online bill pay program for utility payments, making it easier and more convenient for customers to pay their monthly utility bills. The city plans on making improvements to Memorial Park, including replacing the playground equipment, installation of a berm and trail improvements, and paving the entrance to Memorial Park and the ball field area in anticipation of the Dundas Dukes hosting the 2022 state tournament. Jenelle Teppen is the Dundas city administrator/clerk.

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2020 proves to be a busy, strange year for Public Library Story TERESA JENSEN Guest columnist

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his year has been an extraordinarily strange year at the library. Due to COVID-19, we closed the library at the end of March and took stock in what was needed in order to reopen safely. While we were closed, staff for the most part worked from home and planned for the future of library services for the rest of 2020. During this time, we have purchased more e-books for our patrons, which can be accessed from anywhere. We began providing curbside pickup in April, and opened at the end of May after creating a detailed plan of cleaning, training, safe-distancing and quarantining. We ask that everyone in the building, staff and patrons, wear masks for the safety of others, and that has been working well. Our visits and checkouts have slowly climbed since we reopened and we are now at about half of the business that we would usually do in the summer — which is where we want to be, right now. Our patrons are very grateful that we are open for browsing, checkout and computer use. We still provide curbside pickup or delivery for those who need or want that service. The pandemic has severely impacted our bread-and-butter services including adult, children’s and teen programming, story times, Summer Reading, Books & Stars, book clubs and meetings. We have not had in-library programming since March. In its place, staff have learned to translate in-person programs to virtual; for instance, Books & Stars programs are recorded from our Division Street patio and streamed on Facebook and the city’s public access channels. Book clubs, dance workshops, an author talk, and more have gone online, and virtual story times (both bilingual and English-

only) will start again in the fall. Our popular Hispanic Heritage Month celebration will look different this year, with most programs being virtual. We’ve taken the bookmobile out for several bilingual driveway story times, but most of our outreach services, including the BookBike, have been reduced for now. On the other hand, our library collections, website and e-resources are seeing renewed attention. We continue to publish, online and in print, the Link newsletter, and provide Link services at the library for new residents. We fully expect that these limits to in-person programming and events will continue for the remainder of 2020; in the meantime we look forward to continuing to serve our patrons in innovative ways.

Information technology The city Information Technology department provides mostly internal support to ensure that our technological systems are secure, workin, and up-to-date. They also work to develop technology-related initiatives for all of Northfield. In the past year, IT staff has worked to transition the broadcast capabilities of the city through Northfield Public Broadcasting, the public access channels. Along with this, they worked to add public displays in viewable areas like the Fifth and Division kiosk and library. In the Council Chambers, IT staff completed the hearing loop project to allow for hearing impaired people to hear meetings via T-Coil technology. Thank you to the College City Sertoma Club for their assistance in funding that project. The installation and setup of a new, hyperconverged solution was completed to allow for the availability of more system resources. Continually, they work with Jaguar Communications and Metronet to determine ways to provide greater connectivity between city buildings and fiber-optic cable access to residents in Northfield, in order to achieve equitable and reliable access to the internet for all.

Arts & Culture Commission As a part of our first year of Public Art projects supported by the city, the Art Information Kiosk was completed and installed in early March; due to the pandemic, we did not hold an event celebrating its completion. For a second year, the ACC is partner-

ing with the Northfield Downtown Development Corp. and the Guild for the Artists on Main Street initiative. For the 2020-21 Public Art initiative, the underpasses at Highway 246 and Jefferson Parkway will have murals installed at the entrances to and inside of each tunnel; the artist selected through a Public Art Review Committee process is Adam Turman. The ACC is partnering with the owner of the Domino’s building on East Fourth Street in downtown Northfield in the creation of a mural by artist Brett Whitacre.

Bridgewater Twp. approves agreements, copes with loss in eventful 12 months

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In another partnership with the NDDC, the metal sculpture, “Threshold” by Kris Swanson was installed at the entrance to the west side of the Riverwalk near Basil’s Pizza. The ACC continues with its successful community-wide initiatives including implementation of the city’s Cultural Plan, public poetry, High School sculpture, the Living Treasure Award and art in City Hall. Teresa Jensen is the director of library and Information and Technology Services and Arts & Culture liaison for the city of Northfield.

he last 12 months have been eventful for Bridgewater Town-

ship. In September 2019, the township and Northfield agreed to extend the existing annexation agreement for three years and developed a new annexation agreement during that time, and the township agreed to not apply for incorporation during that period. This followed considerable

work on the part of the township on determining the feasibility of incorporation as a means of dealing with a number of issues. In November, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture awarded a $49,000 grant to Bridgewater, Northfield, Greenvale and Waterford townships for a wild parsnip eradication project. This followed a $15,000 grant the previous year to Bridgewater and Northfield townships. The project has had good results. In March at the annual meeting, township residents approved changing the number of supervisors on the town board from three to supervisors. A special election was held in May, and Thomas Hart and Tracy Jonkman were elected to the new positions. On July 4, Gary Ebling, a longtime supervisor, died in an accident. On July 15, the board appointed Andy Ebling to the open position, the last development of the eventful 12 months which ended in an unfortunate manner. Glen Castore is chair of the Bridgewater Township Board of Supervisors.

Story GLEN CASTORE Guest columnist

We know you’re busy. Northfield News SCENE Northfield woman bikes 25,000 miles / 10A

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Bridgewater Twp. OKs new annexation agreement with city, steps away from incorporation By SAM WILMES

swilmes@northfieldnews.com

Randolph High School ag teacher Edward Terry places his hand on a tractor in the school shop Thursday. The nearly 50-year educator was recently recognized with the Minnesota Outstanding Agriculture Teacher of the Year. (Sam Wilmes/Northfield News)

Randolph educator named Outstanding Ag Teacher of the Year By SAM WILMES

swilmes@northfieldnews.com

Randolph agriculture teacher Edward Terry has been a teacher for nearly 50 years. Terry, who now teaches on a part-time basis while remaining a full-time farmer, received recognition for his instruction by being named the Minnesota Outstanding Agriculture Teacher of the Year in July in Brainerd. The award covers ag teachers at the high school and college level along with farm management instructors. He was the first part-time ag instructor to be selected for the honor. “It’s very much a peer process,” he said. A 1964 Northfield High School graduate, Terry’s first ag teaching job was from 1968-74 in Farmington. “I had a good experience with my ag teachers in Northfield, and so I went to col-

lege and got a degree in teaching high school agriculture,” he said. Following his father’s retirement from farming in 1974, Terry and his brother, Dave, assumed control over the operation. Terry then took a three-year break before he was contacted about the Randolph ag teaching position for the 1977-78 school year. “They finally wore me down, and I sat down with my wife and my brother, and we decided we’d find a way to make it work, to give these kids opportunities,” he said. Today, Terry is the school’s FFA advisor and instructs a core curriculum that includes a introductory course, and classes on forestry and conservation, animal science, plant and soil science, and farm power, and mechanics. Terry, who will be 74 by the time this school year ends, says he still enjoys both of his jobs. “I feel good,” he said. “Kids are good. We

have good community support here. We have a strong superintendent who is very supportive.” The fulfillment Terry gets on the job comes from seeing his students develop, grow and achieve through the school’s FFA program. Throughout his more than 40 years at the district he has taught town leaders and major players in the ag sector. The evolution of the farming industry during Terry’s teaching career is hard to fathom. In 1968, items like GPS systems and GMOs were not on the radar. Those changes to the industry have forced Terry to adapt. Despite the changes to the industry, including the decrease in the number of small farms, Terry said teaching ag courses at the high school level remains important.

Bridgewater Township on Wednesday approved a three-year annexation agreement with Northfield. The agreement, which was expected to be approved by the Northfield City Council Tuesday, means the township cannot seek incorporation until the agreement expires or one of the two entities withdraws from the agreement. A six-month notice must be give before withdrawal. The agreement includes quarterly meetings between the two boards to discuss a possible new an- Castore nexation agreement for joint planning and zoning, which could include a provision that Bridgewater can use the city’s zoning authority in the township. “That’s what we are going to investigate,” Bridgewater Supervisor Glen Castore said Thursday. The city would agree not to initiate litigation against the township during the agreement. Castore said the township has been seeking additional control of zoning and is willing to work with Ness the city to address the issue so it can avoid the cost posed by petitioning for incorporation. “We had some objectives that we were trying to reach,” he said. “Incorporation was one of the means.” The township is grappling with the projected loss of the county landfill within the next 20 to 25 years. Castore said 25 percent of the township’s monthly revenue is generated through the landfill. The county pays a fee to the township as that’s where the landfill is located. “We’re looking to replace revenue we know we’re going to lose. That’s what got this all started,” Castore said. He noted the township uses the funding to buy gravel, and he believes the township would do a worse job of maintaining roads and mitigating flooding if that is lost. “One option for replacing that revenue is to have some agriculturerelated businesses locate in the township,” he said. “In order to do that, we probably need to control the zoning, which is currently controlled by the county.” Castore also sees board action has a preventative step. “The city does not want us to incorporate, plain and simple,” he said. “If we don’t incorporate and have any annexation agreement, we don’t have any protection at all against annexation.” Northfield City Councilor Brad Ness said the agreement is “kind of a starting point in our negotiations.” He supports extending the agreement and expects it to one day take on a longer term. “Hopefully we’ll get an agreement that’s acceptable to both parties,” he said. Ness said although zoning decisions are controlled by the county, the city would likely support zoning measures Bridgewater takes as long as they do not infringe on a Northfield development.

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By ANDREW DEZIEL

Sex education curriculum in Minnesota could soon be operating under new guidelines if a piece of legislation sponsored by Rep. Todd Lippert, DFL-Northfield, is approved. And that concerns some conservatives. Lippert’s bill, HF 1414, would require sex education to be medically accurate and age-appropriate. In addition, curriculum would be expected to cover a wide variety of topics, including genderbased violence, affirmative consent and contraceptives, and would be required to be inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community. Among the largest groups in support of the new legislation are Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MNCASA). Adrianna Perez, Prevention Program Coordinator for MNCASA, said that in many school districts, current sex education is falling short, failing to provide students needed information about healthy relationships. “Districts don’t spend a consistent amount of Northfield student Grace Muth testifies March 1 before the House Education Policy Committee time talking about certain topics,” Perez noted. on a bill, sponsored by Rep. Todd Lippert, right, which would, in part, require the Education “We want folks to be well informed so they can Department to identify one or more model sexual health education programs. While the bill faltered in the Senate, opponents plan a rally Sunday at the capitol to oppose the bill. (Photo by make healthy decisions for themselves. Part of it is healthy relationship consent piece, and oftentimes Paul Battaglia)

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that is not adequately taught in school.” Under the law, Minnesota school districts would be allowed to propose their own sex education curriculums and would submit them to the state Department of Education for approval. Currently, Minnesota lets districts put together their own sex education curriculum and is one of 37 states which currently does not require sex education curriculum to be medically accurate. Lippert’s bill passed in the House last session, but stalled in the Senate. Conservative opponents of the measure reacted with outrage, arguing the measure would pre-empt local and parental control of sex education. The Child Protection League, a socially conservative Mankato-based nonprofit, holds a rally at the state Capitol Sunday in opposition to the measure. Child Protection League Board Chair Julie Quist, of St. Peter, said that ultimately, the decision of what to teach children in sex ed needs to be left up to local school boards and parents. “(Supporters of the bill) say that what’s taught is inconsistent, that some places teach some things that other places teach others,” Quist said. “That’s what local control is.”

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NDDC work ensures downtown vibrance Story GREG SIEMS Guest columnist

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espite the numerous challenges facing our community today, downtown Northfield remains a bedrock on which to build our collective future. I believe — thanks to the ongoing efforts of many people to buy, invest and donate locally — we are as well-positioned as any community to weather this storm and come out stronger on the other side. Northfield Downtown Development Corp. is proud to play a role in this civic symphony, having worked tirelessly for 20 years to promote and improve the downtown district. In 2018, it officially became a designated organization through Main Street America, and this year it achieved full accreditation, the highest recognition available. This achievement is due in no small part to countless volunteer hours and persistent organizational focus over the years. It now gives the NDDC, and the Northfield community in general, more visibility and access to resources that we wouldn’t have otherwise, which are, of course, needed now more than ever.

NDDC’s national accreditation follows, in part, several other recent successes. We’ve implemented the Artists on Main Street program, which provides grants to artists for creative placemaking projects, funded through the Bush Foundation and Springboard for the Arts. In 2019 we supported a diverse range of projects including sculpture (remember “Selfie Shark”?), music, spoken word, and more We also, alongside the city’s Arts and Culture Commission, received a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council to install a sculpture, titled “Threshold,” at the west entrance to the Riverwalk, creating a significant visual improvement to an underutilized area. We have also deepened our partnerships with other state-level organizations. Thanks to grants provided by Rethos (which administers the Minnesota Main Street program), the NDDC designed colorful new banners that welcome visitors to downtown Northfield. With these same funds we also purchased an attractive new bench to be placed along the Riverwalk, near Threshold. And our collaboration with University of Minnesota Extension allowed us to be a pilot community for their business succession planning course, which four local businesses completed as they think about transitioning to the next phase of their careers and lives. I don’t intend to paint too rosy a picture, but as we all move forward into an uncertain future, it will be critical to remain focused on what we have and can still accomplish. I hope you will join us in supporting downtown Northfield, and the businesses that make it great, in any way you can. Greg Siems is the executive director of the Northfield Downtown Development Corp.

St. Olaf

athletes, coaches prepare for uncertain fall season

By MIKE RANDLEMAN

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tay ready, so we don’t have to get ready.” St. Olaf College head volleyball coach Emily Foster has uttered this mantra to her team countless times in 2020. Under the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, she stresses the importance of being ready for whatever’s next, whenever it’s coming. The pandemic has ravaged not only global health, but has impacted industries in ways unseen.

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Plans seemingly set in stone have washed away. Due to health and safety precautions, collegiate athletics in the U.S. suffered a cancelation of the 20192020 winter season championships and the entire 2020 spring season. The 2020 fall season and beyond are now in the crosshairs as the pandemic continues. At time of writing, Carleton College in Northfield canceled all fall athletics, becoming the first in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference to do so. St. Olaf College in Northfield is planning for a full fall season. St. Olaf’s plan calls for students to return to campus to begin classes Aug. 20, two weeks ahead of the school

year’s original start date. Athletic teams are slated to report to campus Aug. 10. The fall semester concludes Thanksgiving week, with students not returning until January for the winter semester. Fall break was canceled in order to reduce travel to and from campus.

Return of NCAA athletics St. Olaf’s fall women’s sports include volleyball, cross country, golf (fall/spring split), and soccer. St. Olaf’s men’s sports include football, cross country, golf CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

ABOVE: Senior setter Lexi Wall, No. 3, believes the St. Olaf volleyball team has become closer emotionally while apart physically during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of St. Olaf College Athletics) NorthIeld

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common areas should remain closed, and vulnerable student-athletes and coaches should continue to shelter in place. Physical distancing and virtual meetings are (fall/spring split) and soccer. encouraged. All Oles teams will adhere to the NCAA’s recom In accordance with federal guidelines, if Phase One mendations of resocializing collegiate athletics in a is carried out successfully over 14 days, Phase Two three-step phasing process. begins. The process follows guidelines provided by a White Phase Two is similar to Phase One, with differences House and Centers for Disease Control sponsored docuincluding a recommendation to avoid groups of 50, ment titled Guidelines -- Opening Up America Again. instead of the pre Prior to Phase viously prescribed One, schools 10. Nonessential are asked to be travel (i.e. to in compliance competitions) may with local, state resume. and national If Phase Two is laws relating implemented sucto COVID-19. cessfully over two Compliance with weeks, Phase Three federal guidebegins. This phase lines regarding invites vulnersocial distancing, able individuals to sanitation, testing, resume in-person tracing, etc. are interactions while also requested. practicing physical Gating criteria distancing and to properly reducing exposure begin each phase where possible. includes that at Gyms and coma state and local mon areas can relevel that there open if appropriate is a downward sanitation protocols trajectory within are implemented. a 14-day period Low- and high-risk of influenza and populations are COVID-like still encouraged to cases/illnesses, a minimize time in downward trajeccrowded environtory of positive ments. Individuals COVID-19 tests, who test positive and that hospitals will self-isolate are not in crisis. for 14 days. Those St. Olaf in contact with athletics director Mitigation efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 on the campus of St. Ryan Bowles said Olaf include limiting access to the public. (Mike Randleman/Northfield individuals who test positive are his department News) also encouraged to will not require be tested and selfstudent-athletes to isolate. participate in the fall if they have safety concerns. St. Olaf student-athletes are expected to be tested “I think our student-athletes are really anxious to be every two weeks, though symptomatic individuals may able to come back and compete and play because it is be tested more frequently. such a big part of their experience,” Bowles said. “But, at the same time, if a student-athlete expresses any kind of concern, we would accommodate that. We’re not going to force anybody to play. Our number one goal is health and safety. If that was a coach or a student-athlete or even myself, if anyone takes a step away in the fall, we’ll completely understand and accommodate that.” St. Olaf junior starting quarterback Lars Prestemon echoed Bowles’ sentiment. “You see that in the NBA with players opting out, even some NFL players are talking about it now. It’s just crazy circumstances, and no one’s going to hold any life-threatening illness over you for collegiate football,” Prestemon said. “It’s way more than football.” Phase One permits practices and team gatherings, recommending groups of 10 or fewer, unless physical distancing and sanitation can be achieved. Gyms and 28

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Coming closer with distance St. Olaf made the decision in March to conclude the 2020 spring semester with online classes only. Head football coach James Killian knew it might be a while until he saw his guys again as the pandemic was then just in its infancy in the U.S. “I told the guys prepare like this is going to be a real thing,” said fourth-year head coach Killian. “Anticipate not coming back (to campus). Get your mind prepared for that.” Workers and students around the country have been asked to work remotely where possible. That’s just what Killian’s crew did.

They’re among the surging population now proficient with video calls. “We weren’t able to have spring football, but we had Zoom meetings. Once we got to the summer, we did the same thing,” Killian said. “We’ve got incoming freshmen and first-year players involved with the Zoom meetings and their parents, to keep them informed and everything. Couple that with the George Floyd murder and all the unrest that’s come with that. I would say this summer more than any time I’ve been connected to our players.” The Oles volleyball team argues social distancing does not lead to emotional distancing. “I still feel like we had a really productive spring, although most of it was off the court,” Foster said of her squad coming together electronically. “It’s been nice to just stay connected. I feel like I’ve been talking with my team more than in past summers, so that’s been good.” Foster sends out weekly emails with information, levity and updates on the season ahead. “Three people will have one week they have to send out an email with a summer update,” said senior setter Lexi Wall. “This summer it’s three hype songs, one motivational video and then just a few updates with some pictures. That’s been really cool to see how people are spending their free time and how they are staying ready.” Along with supporting one another through difficult times, Foster has also impressed upon her team, which seeks its fourth straight 20-win season, the importance of keeping focus. In a time of uncertainty, controlling what one can control is crucial. “Hopefully we’ll be more adaptable than any other team that we play,” Foster said. “Stay ready so we don’t have to get ready. Whether if we’re playing in September, whether we’re playing our next game in a year, a month, six months, we are going to stay ready so we don’t have to get ready.” Wall anticipates a buildup of excitement for the season working in her team’s favor. “I definitely anticipate more growth this year,” Wall, a Chanhassen, Minnesota, native said. “Obviously with the changes that are occurring, but with our ability to stay flexible and stay motivated. I think all the pent up energy of ‘I want to play volleyball. I haven’t played since November.’ I think that’s really going to show out for us, and provide extra motivation and extra energy for one another.”

Shaping up Without being able to assemble in groups or use gyms throughout the spring practice season, St. Olaf coaches and training staff have offered methods for athletes to stay in shape with limited resources. St. Olaf prominently promotes study abroad programs to its student population, including athletes. Killian credited St. Olaf director of athletic performance, Charlie Woida, with creating a program for student-athletes studying internationally who may not have access to workout equipment. These regiments carried over to student-athletes quarantining at home. “(Woida) has a full workout that’s just body weight stuff. In the early time, we basically just transitioned to our study abroad workout that everybody can do,”

Northfield native and St. Olaf quarterback Lars Prestemon and his teammates relied on a workout plan designed for study abroad students in order to stay in shape while in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of St. Olaf College Athletics)

Killian said. “There were probably some home gym accessories purchased over the last few months, as well.” Prestemon, is working to hold teammates accountable. “This is a great opportunity for you to show us how much you care about the team,” the Northfield native, Prestemon, said. “If you really care like you say you do, then you’re going to be committed to doing these body weight workouts. It’s not what you want to do, we’d obviously rather be with our trainer and our teammates, but if you really like this team and you really love football, then you’ll work really hard, do the body weight stuff and find a way to get stuff done.”

COVID contingencies While plans are in place for a full fall season, more cancelations could be on the way.. The Ivy League opted to postpone all fall sports until at least Jan. 1. At time of writing, the Big Ten and Pac-10 chose to limit their member schools to conference play only in football, with the three other power conferences in Division-I football, the NCAA’s greatest revenue sport, to perhaps follow suit.

A smattering of schools and conferences have opted out of the upcoming season in various sports. These schools are primarily at the NCAA’s lower levels. Coaching staffs aplenty have taken pay or position cuts due to the pandemic. Stanford, the second largest athletic department in Division-I in terms of number of varsity sports, cut 11 teams. If a season is not played in full or is canceled, the possibility exists of a limited season with fewer practices and games. A high-contact sport like football with large numbers, may face more obstacles to complete a season than a more distanced sport like golf. An indoor sport, like volleyball, poses different scenarios as opposed to the rest of the fall sports teams who compete outdoors. Practices will primarily be in small groups, making scrimmaging and group work a challenge to achieve. Limiting travel is a mitigation tool in containing the spread of COVID-19. Teams may wind up with a conference-only schedule, or a schedule against strictly regional foes. An advantage for St. Olaf and the MIAC in this hypothetical scenario is its conference members are all in one state. Plane travel and overnight lodging are not necessary.

The exact extent to how teams will be impacted by members testing positive for COVID-19 remains to be seen. “The protocols we have are in line with what the CDC recommends,” Killian said. “That person would self-isolate and everyone they come in to contact with will be quarantined. So you can see how a case or two could affect us.” Spectators, if allowed, will likely be required to follow health guidelines at events. The number of spectators allowed may also be limited. Bowles and his colleagues are using guidance from the MIAC, CDC, Minnesota Department of Health and the NCAA in forming COVID-19 procedures. “We feel good about our plan. I think that it is a fluid situation, though. Information can change on a daily basis,” Bowles said. “The three things I’ve asked our folks to operate with is flexibility, creativity and empathy. Those need to be the pillars of our decision making and how we operate. If we are able to play it in the fall, just view it as a blessing, because we certainly learned this spring that you can’t take anything for granted.” Mike Randleman is a freelancer writer based in Northfield. NorthIeld

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Long Division

Maggie Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of columns that longtime Northfield News reporter and editor Maggie Lee wrote in May 2004 about her experiences with the News. Lee celebrated her 60th anniversary with the News during a public open house later that month.

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olks have asked me how it was to be a woman editor back when I was named to that post in 1967. There Maggie Lee

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looks back at being Northfield News’ first female editor

had not been a woman editor of the News at that point, but I must say that Northfielders were perfectly accepting. I never felt any kind of resentment. Of course I had by then been covering city council and school board meetings for some time. That may have softened up the subscribers. During those years I rather often found myself the only women in a room full of people. Something else that helped, I would guess, was the presence of Agatha Doyle, a popular person in Northfield. I can’t remember when she began work as North-

field reporter for the Faribault Daily News. It was after the conclusion of World War II, because she worked in the Faribault office of that paper while many members of the staff were away serving in the military — even though she lived in Northfield. She was born at Stanton and grew up there. But she moved into Northfield with her parents when she was a young adult. She had early on been employed at the Northfield News and later at a paper the News absorbed in the 1960 — the Northfield Independent. I can’t remember whether she was covering Northfield public meetings when I started to do so, but for

TOP: Longtime Northfield News editor Maggie Lee works at her desk in 1966, back in the days when she put in 80 to 90 hours a week (News file photo)

A Northfield News clipping from February 9, 1967 announcing Maggie Lee’s promotion to editor. The photo, according to the article, was taken by Hoffman Photos.

many years it was the two women reporters at work at those two posts. We got to be really good friends even though we were working for competing publications. For years we went out to dinner together before the meetings. At any rate no one thought it strange that women were covering those meetings. Neither was it considered strange in Minnesota Press Women, the state organization in which I was active, for a woman to be editor. I joined as a reporter while World War II was still raging. As I mentioned in a previous column, many of the other members were wives of servicemen and were taking their husbands’ places as editors and publishers while the men were overseas. As soon as the war was over, most of them went back to being homemakers, so that by the time I became editor of the News, it was perhaps a little unusual for a woman. As I remember, the only local person who gave voice to objecting to a woman editor was a comparatively young man who lived in one of the mobile home parks. He was downtown frequently, always dressed in blue denim and always barefoot. I … hoped I wouldn’t encounter him on a Northfield street after dark. When he stopped in the News office — rather often, unfortunately — he refused to talk with me and relayed his thoughts through another staff member, who was not always a man. I guess a woman staff member was OK if she was not editor! I can’t any more remember what his complaints were. One summer the Minneapolis Star took on members of the Minnesota State

Senate who the paper accused of being sold out to various sorts of interests. I think there were seven of them. Every one of the group was defeated in the forthcoming November election. One of the men was supposedly sold out to trucking interests and sure enough, when he was no longer a member of the legislature, he accepted a job representing the owners of fleets of semis. They were trying at the time to make the use of “double bottom” trucks legal on state highways. (I don’t any more remember what a double bottom truck is, but the size of present-day semis makes me think they must have been accepted.) At any rate this trucking representative stopped in at the News office one afternoon and announced in a loud voice that he wanted to take the editor out for a drink. I looked over at the counter and decided I did not want to invite the fellow back to my desk. I might have trouble getting rid of him, I thought. So I strolled up to the counter. “Oh, I wanted to see the editor,” the man said. “I AM the editor,” I replied. He was suddenly convulsed with laughter. He struggled, but he couldn’t stop laughing. Finally he pulled a bunch of printed material out of his pocket and shoved it toward me. “Here, read this,” he gasped and bolted out of the door. Maybe there were other men who didn’t approve of my station in life, but they didn’t let me know about it. When I was thinking about Aggie Doyle, I remembered that after she retired, a man was given her assignment.

Maggie Lee poses with a first-place Minnesota Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest award for a 1982 Northfield News special section. (Photo courtesy of the Northfield Historical Society)

The City Council met in the large room on the second floor of what is now the Northfield Arts Guild headquarters downtown, but was then city hall. At that point the newspaper representatives no longer had the little table, but we were given a sofa to sit on. Council meetings frequently continued well after midnight in those days and both this fellow and I were known to doze off. Finally some kind of social occasion was sponsored by the council and the man reporter had his wife in tow. After he introduced us, mischievous Maggie pointed out the davenport to her and said, “That’s where Bernie and I occasionally sleep together.” Thank goodness the council meetings do not last that long as a rule at this time. But I think the council’s business is much more complicated than it used to be. That even happened in those years I was covering the council. At first I used to knit while I observed the action, only occasionally taking a note. I was kidded about being Madame LaFarge of the

French Revolution. But that became less and less possible. Notes had to be made fast and furiously. For some reason I always enjoyed council action over school board action. But back in “my day” there was a bonus to covering school board. The hot lunch crew always left a very nice lunch for the board and the reporters to eat at the end of the meeting. We traipsed down to the lunch room to eat it. Sometimes discussion of some hot issue continued down there. A reporter didn’t dare miss the lunch. I don’t remember that action was ever actually taken, but wrinkles were ironed out over the delicious food and the board went home with a better idea of how things were going to be done. It seems to me that I needed to give up covering meetings when I became editor. I was too busy. I need to dig back into memories to discover how we set type and how we edited during the various decades. I have lived through several of them!

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Area restaurants find ways to adapt during COVID-19 Story GRACE BRANDT

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s Minnesotans have weathered the COVID-19 pandemic for the last several months, nearly everyone and every industry has faced challenging times. Across Northfield, restaurants have had to continually adapt in a constantly changing environment, ranging from a stay-at-home order to cautious re-openings slowly spreading across the

area. Even now, as more people are venturing out for dine-in experiences, restaurants face new challenges, such as refilling staff positions and keeping everyone — from staff to customers — safe in difficult times. But as challenging as the last six months have been, area restaurant owners have also shown an impressive dose of resourcefulness, creativity and tenacity — buoyed by the unwavering support of the surrounding community. “Part of the beauty of this community is how it wants to celebrate local [businesses] and make sure that local people feel supported,” said Ruth

ABOVE: The Ole Store Restaurant, a longtime St. Olaf Avenue fixture, reopened for dine-in customers in late June. (Photo courtesy of The Ole Store Restaurant) LEFT: The Ole Store Restaurant now offers curbside pickup and indoor dining. (Photo courtesy of The Ole Store Restaurant) 32

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Ole Store owner Alliya Lovestrand took over the reins in January, while executive chef Ingrid Norgaard joined the team in May. Both grew up in Northfield and are proud to now include themselves in the long line of entrepreneurs, foodies, Ole Roll lovers and caretakers of The Ole Store Restaurant. (Photo courtesy of The Ole Store Restaurant) RIGHT: The Ole Store Restaurant, established in 1889, sits just down the hill from St. Olaf’s Old Main. It’s long been famous for its sweet Ole roll. (Photo courtesy The Ole Store Restaurant)

Bolstad, owner of Ruth’s on Stafford in Dundas. “I’ve felt so supported by this community, and I very much appreciate it.”

Overhauling food services

announced his stay-at-home order in March, restaurants across the state scrambled to respond. Some simply shut down, but others — such as Fielders Choice Tap and Table in Northfield — found new ways to continue serving customers. At Fielders, service was switched to completely to-go orders,

When Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz

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thinks won’t change even as more restaurants open up again. “[People] are starting to realize they can cook,” he said.“They’re cooking at home, drinking at home, doing everything at home. I think that people are going to see the money they’re saving, and that’s going to be the biggest factor. I think spending in general is going to go down across the board, especially on dining in, bars, even small purchases. [Instead], savings will go up. But we’ll see.”

Fielders Choice management posted this photo of one of the restaurant’s windows on social media in late March to show how appreciative they are of their customers and the community. (Photo courtesy of Fielders Choice)

A CHANGING INDUSTRY Even as restaurant owners and customers alike hope to back to business as usual as soon as possible, local restaurant owners are acknowledging some ways that the restaurant industry has most likely gone through permanent changes. For Fielder’s Choice Manager Jesse Bigjohn, one of the biggest effects of the corona virus on his industry that he has noticed is simply how people have gotten used to staying in and cooking for themselves—something that he

With her unique experience with the catering industry, Ruth’s on Stafford’s Ruth Bolstad is already seeing long-term effects to event planning, and she’s not sure when—or if—it will revert back to “normal.” She said all of her “big events,” such as 100-plus-person weddings or parties, have been pushed out to 2021 at least, while people are planning much smaller events right now. Her scheduled events have a guest count of 30 or less; sometimes, people request special catered meals for only four or five. Unfortunately, these events don’t go as far in paying her bills. “My calendar is filling up, but it’s all with a whole lot smaller [events],” she said.“My greatest hope is that we can stay afloat. There are people who would really like to use our services and, for them, I’d like to makes sure that we can stay afloat. But if it’s all small stuff, it’s hard to do that.”

But it’s not all bad news for restaurant owners. According to Alliya Lovestrand, owner of the Ole Store Restaurant, the COVID-19 situation has given her a chance to take a step back and really consider safety and sustainability moving forward. “I think there are just so many different ways to look at this,” she said.“I think this is giving a lot of restaurant owners some time and opportunity to really focus on safety for staff and having more sustainable business models. I think that this is giving people an opportunity to just slow down and focus on what’s really important, which is the staff, and making sure that everybody is safe. I really hope that the changes and the focus on people stays at the front of all of this.” She added that she’s made even more of an effort to support the community that supports her, such as purchasing more locally sourced food. She said she hopes other restaurants will follow suit in upcoming months and that buying local will become more of a regular part of the restaurant industry. “With food shortages and sourcing issues across the country with larger distributors, we’re lucky in Northfield to be surrounded so many local farms and vendors,” she said.“We’ve been able to buy so much fantastic food here in town.”evident in circa 1917.” NorthIeld

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open at reduced capacity, more than 50 percent of the restaurant’s sales still come from to-go orders. “In the beginning, we had a lot of business,” Bigjohn said. “There were a lot of other restaurants that were closed down at the time, [and] we were one of the only ones still doing anything. But then the first week and a half of having the dining room open, it was slowed down tremendously.” The Ole Store in Northfield was one of the restaurants that briefly shut down services entirely, which owner Alliya Lovestrand explained was so that she could come up with a plan for the safety of her staff and customers.

‘It was a whole lot of unknowing what was going to happen next, and when it was going to happen. Even then, after two months of not doing something you know how to do, everybody kind of forgot how to do everything. It was strange seeing the craziness unfold. Everything’s just so weird. I’m starting to hate the word strange, but that’s how it is.’ - Jesse Bighorn, manager of Fielder’s Choice

TOP: Today, Fielders Choice has tables designated where diners may not sit. (Photo courtesy of Fielders Choice) ABOVE: When this photo was taken more than three and a half years ago, no one had heard of social distancing. Today, it and COVID-19 have had a major impact on the restaurant industry. (Photo courtesy of Fielders Choice) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

which customers could pick up and take home to eat. According to Fielders Choice’s

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manager Jesse Bigjohn, business remained steady during the stay-at-home period, but it has slowed down as more places open up for regular dining again. Even now, with Fielders dining room

“I needed a little bit of time to really understand what this meant for the business and the restaurant,” Lovestrand said. “We were closed on and off a couple times during the stay-at-home order to give staff a break and give me time to prepare and make sure we were doing everything in the safest way possible.” Lovestrand reopened for curbside takeout — where customers could pull up to the curb and a staff member would bring the food to their car — in April, saying that it was “really successful.” She also made the bold move of hiring a new chef in the middle of the pandemic, which gave her the chance to rework her menu and offer people something

new even though her menu was limited overall. She added that business stayed steady, even before she reopened her dining room at reduced capacity on June 16. “People were so grateful that we were open and able to provide the limited menu options,” she said. “The community has been so, so supportive, and we’re so grateful.” Bolstad’s business was affected a little differently, since she primarily caters events and puts together custom pick-up orders. Even before the pandemic swept through, Ruth’s on Stafford would take orders for Tuesday meals until Tuesday morning, and then customers would pick up their food on Tuesday afternoons. As catering events continued to be cancelled, Bolstad bulked up her to-go menu and also started offering the service on Friday nights as well. She also offers delivery to the surrounding area. While Bolstad lost nearly all of her catering events for the last six months, she saw a steep increase in to-go orders initially as loyal customers rushed to support her. “We had one Tuesday where we had a 200 percent increase in orders,” she recalled. “Numbers have come back down to petty normal for us, [with] Fridays a little bit slimmer [than Tuesdays]. But they’ve been keeping us afloat.”

Finding employees While restaurants are slowly reopening now, many had to lay off employees during the stay-at-home order because business decreased so much. Bigjohn said that they “cut staff tremendously” at Fielders, stating that their staff shrunk from 40 in February to about eight during the first month of the stay-at-home order. Thanks to the Payroll Protection Program, which is offered through the U.S. Small Business Association, Bigjohn could afford to bring his staff back up to around 22. At the Ole Store, Lovestrand also reduced staff, shrinking to a “core group” of around 15 — about 30 percent of her usual size. For Bolstad, the staff didn’t really change, since she already has such a small staff, but the ones who were there did take a pay cut. Instead, Bolstad’s friends volunteered to help, doing things such as the curbside takeout. Now that business is picking up, some restaurants are having trouble filling vacant positions, especially because some former employees are paid more to not work, thanks to federal unemployment stimulus funds. “Now with business picking up, we’re realizing that we’re missing a lot

of the people,” Bigjohn said. “It doesn’t seem like we can find anyone to hire. It’s definitely the fact that you’re making more money sitting at home than coming to work, so it doesn’t really make sense for them. I’m sure we’ll get a bunch of applicants at the end of the month [when the unemployment supplement runs out].” For Lovestrand, refilling her vacant positions won’t be as difficult, because most of her employees have been with the restaurant for several years and are eager to return to normal working hours. “I’m still in regular communication with the whole staff,” she said. “We really have been lucky that there are just a lot of staff members who’ve been there for a long time, so we are not really hiring any new staff.”

Looking ahead The road to reopening has been a rocky one, with stay-at-home extensions, changing announcements about outdoor and indoor dining restrictions and more. Now, as COVID-19 flare-ups have been breaking out across the country, the situation is uncertain once again. Bigjohn set up patio dining in the parking lot at Fielders as soon as he was allowed, but dine-in seating was allowed only a week later, so he said he hasn’t had much use for his outdoor seating. His staff has been taking several safety precautions, from always wearing masks to sanitizing every table, chair and door handle after guests leave. Refills are brought in new cups, while every customer has interactions with only one staff member. “We try to just keep the amount of interaction down as much as we can,” he said. Indoor dining, which is open at 50 percent capacity, has been picking up “week to week” he said, though there’s still a “huge swing” in business. Because of the unpredictability, Bigjohn said he doesn’t plan on opening up his space any more in the near future. The Ole Store is in the “first phase” of reopening, Lovestrand said, which includes limited hours in the dining room and 50 percent seating capacity. Like Fielders, staff members at the Ole Store wear masks at all times, while reservations are staggered to give enough time for deep cleaning between customers. Curbside pickup is still offered as well. “I wanted to take it slowly, just because nobody really knows what the future holds,” she said. “The pace has made us feel really comfortable. It’s felt safe. For that, I’m really grateful, especially for the staff who are coming to work. A lot of people are still choosing to do [curbside], which we absolutely understand. We’re adjusting to what we feel like is the new

ABOVE: Events like Dundas’ November 2017 State of the City address at Ruth’s on Stafford used to fill the catering company’s schedule. That was before the coronavirus. (News file photo) RIGHT: Ruth Bolstad of Ruth’s on Stafford in Dundas, says she’s lost a lot of business because events she was set to cater have been postponed. And while she’s lined up other jobs, they’re for far fewer guests than before. (News file photo)

normal of restaurants. There isn’t really a timeframe of when any of this is going to end.” As to when things will return completely to pre-pandemic levels, she doesn’t have a firm date yet. “If COVID-19 continues to decline in Minnesota and we feel like the way that we’re operating on a day-to-day level is safe for both staff and customers, I’d like to reopen the restaurant more and maybe offer more hours that we’re open,” she said. “That’s all dependent on the next couple weeks and the numbers of cases we see. I’m trying to be really conservative and safe in those next steps.” “We can only live one day at a time, and do the best we can,” Bolstad agreed. “I think that’s what everybody’s doing. My hope is great. I have a mug that says, ‘My hope remains,’ and I got it long before all this happened. I still drink from it every day.” Grace Brandt is a freelance reporter based in Mankato.

As catering events continued to be cancelled, Ruth’s on Stafford bulked up her to-go menu and also started offering the service on Friday nights as well. It also offers delivery to the surrounding area. (Photo courtesy of Ruth’s on Stafford) NorthIeld

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Bank on it Even with a new name, First National Bank of Northfield preserves important city history

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Story GRACE BRANDT

S

ept. 7, 1876. Five members of the James-Younger gang ride into Northfield, shouting and shooting pistols. While townspeople run for cover, three other gang members walk into the First National Bank of Northfield with the goal of robbing it like they’ve robbed countless others. Outside, local residents quickly realize what’s happening and arm themselves: “Get your guns, boys— they’re robbing the bank!” Seven minutes later, two robbers are dead, two more are badly wounded, and two Northfielders are also dead. The rest of the James-Younger gang flees town empty-handed. The largest manhunt in U.S. history at the time follows, eventually resulting in the capture of the Younger brothers and the death of another gang member. Though the notorious Jesse James and his brother Frank ride into the Minnesota prairie, the James-Younger gang is no more. In the nearly 150 years since the infamous “Northfield raid,” the First National Bank of Northfield has honored its place in the story and has been Rick Estenson committed to preserving that history. Following a merger with

Winona-based Merchants Bank that was officially completed this May, First National has changed its famous name, but the bank is still committed to preserving its well-documented history. “[Merchants Bank] understands the whole importance of history and who they are and who we’ve been,” said Rick Estenson, who acted as First National Bank’s Business Development Manager and came over to Merchants during the merger. “They feel very strongly about the fact that we do not want to lose that rich, deep, important history of First National Bank of Northfield.”

A mutually beneficial merger First National Bank of Northfield officially merged into Merchants Bank in May after being acquired by the company last year. Nearly all former First National Bank of Northfield employees were kept on-board for the transition, except for a handful who had been planning to retire. “We’re hoping that customers see a lot of familiar faces as they come into the

Joseph Lee Heywood was the bank cashier when the First National Bank was robbed on Sept. 7, 1876 by the JamesYounger Gang. Heywood, who refused to give the robbers any money, was killed in the raid.

bank,” Estenson said. “They should.” Merchants Financial Group, the parent company for Merchants Bank, was founded in 1875, only two years after First National Bank of Northfield opened. Today, the organization has more than $2 billion in total assets and is one of the largest financial organizations in the region. The acquisition of First National Bank, with $250 million in assets, was its largest acquisition to date. Estenson explained that one of CONTINUED ON PAGE 38 BELOW: The site of First National Bank at the time of the James-Younger Gang raid is now part of the Northfield Historical Society. It’s located just south of Bridge Square on Division Street from Northfield Merchants Bank. (Photo by Elkman)

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TWO LOCATIONS Though the downtown location of the former First National Bank of Northfield is more closely affiliated with the 1876 raid, the city had two branches in town. Both are now signed as Merchants Bank. Northfield - Downtown 329 Division St. South 507-645-5656 Northfield - South 1611 Honey Locust Drive 507-664-0820

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the reasons First National decided to join with Merchants is because Merchants has many more banking abilities and services available to its clients. Also, because Merchants has banks in 23 locations, clients have a wider network available to them if they move out of the Northfield area. However, Merchants still has a “hometown feel,” Estenson said. “There’s advantages that we hope people will look at in regard to [new services],” he said. “We think that keeping this hometown feel was a very important part of the decision making and that was why the selection of Merchant’s bank versus the number of other choices that might have been more lucrative for the former owners. They wanted people who wanted to understand the history of this area. The goal here is to just to feel very much like a hometown bank that’s just got some more resources available to it as we move into the next decade.” ABOVE: Merchants Bank’s downtown Northfield branch building, the former First National Bank of Northfield, is a fixture on the city’s Bridge Square. (Northfield News/Suzanne Rook)

LEFT: Though the bank’s name has changed to Merchants Bank, the words First National Bank, painted on the north side of the building, will remain. (News file photo) 38

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Preserving history According to Estenson, preserving First National Bank’s unique history was on the forefront of the conversation as negotiations about the merger began. First National Bank of Northfield has long displayed historical items in a display case its lobby. The case featured included bank bags, photos and the pistol from one of the James-Younger gang members that was found after the attempted robbery. These items were not part of the transaction between the two banks and were instead donated to the Northfield Historical Society. The NHS is also using First National’s former display cabinet to house a mixture of items — both donated by the bank and already owned by the society — relating to the raid. “We donated the whole display cabinet to the Northfield Historical Society,” Estenson said. “They’re going to be putting [items] in on a rotating basis. We think that’s kind of a neat piece of the history.” While some people wanted First National to retain its famous name after the merger, Estenson said that doing so would have been impractical given the complexity of banking regulations.

“[Merchants] knows that the name change is an irritant to people,” he said. “Some have suggested that we should have continued to carry on with that name, [but that] creates a fair amount of complexity in today’s highly regulated world. While there was some consideration to it, it really wasn’t a very practical thing to do.” Both former First National Bank buildings received new “Merchants Bank” signs, and other former First Bank promotional items, such as banners and signs around town, will be replaced in upcoming weeks. Estenson said there are no plans, however, to remove the original First National name that was painted on the top of the building at Division Street. “There’s no intent to wipe it from the top of the building,” he said.

Continuing a legacy First National Bank of Northfield has created a legacy of supporting the Northfield community for more than 100 years, investing in annual events such as the Defeat of Jesse James Days and funding efforts like Save the Depot, a grassroots effort to move, restore and reinvigorate the city’s historic train depot. Estenson said that Merchants Bank plans to continue that. “The management of Merchants made very clear they wanted to continue the rich giving to the community,” he said. “We’ll keep doing various things that we’ve been known to do.” Estenson said Merchants Bank has already pledged to be a major sponsor for the next Defeat of Jesse James Days, whenever it is able to be organized, and the goal is to support other organizations across the Northfield community. He added that the bank will continue to host its Main Streeter Club, which is available to clients 55 or older who have a certain amount of assets. First National Bank has long hosted monthly events, such as bingo nights, movies and its annual summer picnic. The picnic will still be held this year, though it will involve a drivethrough for meals to help ensure safe health practices during the current health crisis. “We’re going to keep the club going forward,” Estenson said. “If it hadn’t been for COVID-19, we wouldn’t be making any changes at all. We want to make sure people know that that’s a very important club that’s part of our makeup.”

A new era According to Estenson, First National would have converted over to the Merchants name last year, but management was trying to ensure the smoothest process possible for clients. “There were some other transactions they were doing and significant initiatives, and they didn’t want to disrupt our clients any more than they did,” he said. “That was the reason for the delay. Otherwise, we would have converted over last August. It gave them more time to do it right.” The former First National Bank officially opened its lobby June 22, and Estenson said things have been going well since the merger fully took effect. “It’s gone pretty well,” he said. “There was some good communication that went out in March and April about what to expect, which I thought was really well put together. We’ve heard that from others, too. Com-

Northfield Merchants Bank President Tim Viere was also an executive at First National Bank of Northfield. He believes the similarities in culture between the two banks and Merchants appreciation for First National’s place in the city’s history make the merger a good one. On the wall behind Viere is a portrait of Joseph Lee Heywood, the bank cashier killed in the 1876 raid. (News file photo)

munication is everything. I’m sure we’ll be sending something out soon to our clients to see after a couple months have gone by [to see] how they feel it went.” As Merchants Bank continues to become more involved in the Northfield community, management is also relying on its Local Advisory Board of Directors, which it established this March. The board is made up of six members, The sign outside Merchants Bank has been changed to mark the recent transition from including Cheryl First National Bank to Merchants Bank in downtown Northfield. (News file photo) Buck, director of business development at Professional Risk the community moving forward. Managers’ International Association; Matt Christensen, “They’re listening to what they’re hearing out there commercial risk advisor at WA Group; Richard Falck, and how we’re doing preserving that history,” Estenson owner of Falck Financial Services and RJF, Inc; Chris said. “That’s a big part of what their role is, to keep Kennelly, president of Northfield Construction Co. and us real. A lot of the decisions had already been made, Bluewater Properties; Jennifer Sawyer, founder and regarding gifting the history and participating in events. principal for Rebound Enterprises and BoardBOS; and That was already in place before the board even was Kevin Wright, managing partner at Red Pine Communiformed. Now, they will have ongoing permission and ties. responsibility to make recommendations and give feed Estenson said these members, who all live in Northback on things that we need to keep that history alive.” field, will be invaluable when it comes to preserving the bank’s special place in the area’s history and its place in Grace Brandt is a freelance reporter based in Mankato. NorthIeld

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Carleton is moving toward carbon-neutrality

two commercial-scale wind turbines

geothermal energy station

food recovery

prairie & forest restoration

Carleton strives to be a model of stewardship for the environment by incorporating ideals of sustainability into the operations of the college and the daily life of individuals.

For more information, go to www.carleton.edu

community repair fair