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MAY 2021 | THIRTIETH ANNUAL EDITION

profiles 2021

Resilience

Citizen of the Year

Becky Ford Faribault Daily News

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content Becky Ford seeks every opportunity for collaboration

Fuller family falls back on each other while coaching through a pandemic

Allina physical therapist Ryan Iverson rolls with the punches

15 Hometown fire chief Dusty Dienst leads through crisis

St. Vincent de Paul Society meets community needs

20 24

Bakery owners transition to curbside, have ‘best year ever’ despite challenges

Rice county therapists Amy Pfau and Renee Lanka adjust for ‘virtual’ support system

profiles May 2021 A special section of the Faribault Daily News 514 Central Avenue | Faribault, MN 55021

At HyVee, keeping the shelves stocked is a team effort

Profile 2021

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CITIZENS OF THE YEAR PAST HONOREES

Citizen of the Year

30 At Chamber and on School Board, Casie Steeves promotes with posititivity

REgional President/Publisher Steve Fisher regional circulation director/GENERAL MANAGER Chad Hjellming regional Editor Suzanne Rook regional Advertising DIRECTOR Tom Kelling Cover PHOTO Misty Schwab Cover Design & Layout Kate Townsend-Noet

2020 - Carolyn Treadway 2019 - Sam Temple George Wickstrom, Lifetime Achievement Award 2018 - Cynthia Diessner Kymn Anderson, Lifetime Achievement Award 2017 - Peter & Virginia van Sluis Gordy Kosfeld, Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 - Dee Bjork 2015 - Tami Schluter 2014 - Henry Doyle 2013 - Chad Wolff 2012 - Chuck and Paul Mooty 2011 - Nick Stoneman 2010 - Ron Goettsch 2009 - Dr. George Wagner 2008 - Matt Drevlow 2007 - Milo Larson 2006 - Todd Markman 2005 - Dan Burns 2004 - James Wolf 2003 - Gary Kindseth Richard Carlander, Lifetime Achievement Award 2002 - Gerry Heyer 2001 - Barb Handahl and Donna Crowl 2000 - Donn Johnson 1999 - Lynn Erickson 1998 - Keith Shaffer 1997 - Bill Korff 1996 - Fran and JoAnn Miller 1995 - Charlie Champlin 1994 - Helen Hoffman 1993 - Irene Purdie

Profile 2021 is distributed to subscribers and readers of the Faribault Daily News at no additional charge. It is available for individual sale at the front counter of the Faribault Daily News for $1. All rights reserved. ©2021.

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“I was thankful to be able to do that work. I met so many people. During a time in our world’s history when everything was shut down, I felt like I was doing something to have an immediate impact.” - Beck Ford

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

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Becky Ford seeks every opportunity for collaboration By MISTY SCHWAB misty.schwab@apgsomn.com

aribault Citizen of the Year Becky Ford will never forget a phone call she received in March 2020, not long after COVID-19 prompted shutdowns across the nation. Ford’s co-worker had called to ask a question about the Faribault Food Shelf closure, then assumed to be temporary. Her question was simple: “Where can young adults get food in Faribault?” But the answer was complex. “I knew nothing about food access,” Ford said. “It was not my lane, but I knew people who would know, so I started calling.” As the executive director of Faribault Youth Investment (FYI), a mother and a pastor’s wife, Ford has developed the ability to collaborate and establish connections. Whether she’s creating a common promotions platform for local youth organizations or introducing people at church with common interests, Ford believes forming connections is “what makes life worth living.” “I’ve always been that way,” Ford said. “I just know we can do so much more together rather than apart and siloed … Wherever I am, there’s always an opportunity for collaboration.”

Addressing a need

Knowing how to collaborate and having extra time with FYI programming on hold made Ford a key player in addressing a food access crisis in Faribault created by the pandemic. With school-age children out of school and a steep increase in laid off workers, food insecurity grew as COVID-19 spread. To find an answer to her co-worker’s question on food access, Ford first contacted Kathy Theilbar of the Salvation Army, which later closed permanently. Ford connected her co-worker with Theilbar, but it occurred to her that food insecurity during the pandemic would only worsen. A month passed after the initial food access conversation, but Ford said it didn’t go away. She considered

Becky Ford is the executive director of Faribault Youth Investment. When programming came to a standstill during the pandemic, she shifted her focus to making food more accessible for youth and their families. (News file photo/ southernminn.com)

how transportation barriers prevented low-income residents from accessing food. For non-English speaking clients, language was another barrier. Thankfully, individuals and organizations like the Community Action Center of Northfield, Northfield YMCA and Growing Up Healthy banded together to meet a common goal of making food more accessible. The first mobile distribution, April 23, was an un-

PREVIOUS PAGE: Becky Ford, pictured in the lobby of the Faribault Education Center, grew up in Faribault and continues to feel grateful for the community where she serves. (Misty Schwab/southernminn.com)

forgettable day for Ford. As one of the volunteers who agreed to transfer the boxes of food from the landing dock outside Faribault High School to the Life Skills room, she realized she needed help when the 500 boxes arrived. She texted friends to ask for assistance, and many of those volunteers stayed on with the project in the months ahead. uuu

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Profile 2021

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To Ford’s shock, all 500 boxes were gone after just one distribution. She had thought the supply would last at least two distributions, but clearly the need was bigger than she expected. As summer approached, volunteers from the YMCA and Growing Up Healthy returned to their paid work. That left Ford to set up distributions and coordinate volunteers for the project, which came to be called the Faribault Food Access Initiative. Ford, along with Growing Up Healthy Coordinator Rosmar Riedel, developed an assembly line system for the food distributions. “To be honest, we didn’t really know what we were doing,” Ford said with a laugh. “But we figured it out as we went.” TOP: The 40 Development Assets for Youth, advertised on this bench back, are part of Becky Ford’s work with Faribault Youth Investment. (Misty Schwab/ southernminn.com) LEFT: Becky Ford, seated second from right, was among the organizers for Local Faribault Prays this past summer. Pictured front from left: Lady Cindy and Pastor Bishop George, Becky and her husband, Pastor Dan Ford. Back: Duane Kawell, Kim Clausen, Pastor Greg Ciesluk, Pastor Joan Crombie, Noemi Arriaza and Alberto Arriaza. (Photo courtesy of Greg Ciesluk)

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Profile 2021

YOUTH BACKGROUND Becky Ford graduated from Faribault High School and attended University of Minnesota, Morris. She initially majored in music but switched to human services after developing an interest in helping young people. At Cedar House, an outpatient mental health facility in Faribault, Ford worked within a respite program after college. In 2002, Ford became youth development coordinator for Faribault Public Schools for five years. She left work in 2007 to stay at home with her children and began working part-time for Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Coalition in 2008. She became the Faribault Youth Investment Coordinator in 2018 and has since worked to reduce duplicated efforts by keeping open communication with other organizations.

Finding an appropriate storage space for the food eventually became another challenge. With the expectation of schools reopening in one way or another in the fall, Faribault High school could no longer house the supply. Instead, the Faribault Diversity Coalition staff offered an unused space in the back of its Central Avenue building. Especially after the permanent closure of the Faribault uuu

Becky Ford’s work with Faribault Youth Investment is oftentimes behind the scenes, at her office in the Faribault Education Center. (Misty Schwab/southernminn.com)

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As youth programs resume, Becky Ford looks forward to the continuation and implementation of Faribault Youth Investment projects like Cradle to Career and the YouthConnect! Network. (Misty Schwab/southernminn.com)

Food Shelf in June, the need for a permanent storage space became clear. Through client surveys, the group determined a need for both continued mobile distributions and a choice model food shelf. Ford was on the hunt for a new location when Natalie Ginter of Allina Health found a vacant space on Cannon Circle. The first mobile distribution at the new site was Nov. 30, 2020. Ford may not head the CAC Faribault, but she still has a key. “I was thankful to be able to do that work,” Ford said. “I met so many people. During a time in our world’s history when everything was shut down, I felt like I was doing something to have an immediate impact.”

Planning ahead

Apart from making food more accessible in Faribault, Ford has spent the past year planning future projects with her many connections.

Outside her involvement with FYI, Ford likes making things happen through her church. Her husband, Pastor Dan Ford of Faribault Evangelical Free Church, has served in the community since 1999. And since Ford grew up in Faribault, they two have a plethora of connections in the faith community. One of the most powerful experiences Ford volunteered for this past year was the Faribault Prays 24-hour event that involves churches, and individuals, throughout Faribault. Seeing different cultures and Christian denominations all coming together to worship at Central Park was something Ford considered a highlight during a year with fewer opportunities to come together. Applying her collaborative skills yet again, Ford has made connections with various churches in the area to develop a Celebrate Recovery program. While Ford isn’t in charge of the multi-church effort, she was named the “assimilation coordinator” who will lay the groundwork and get the word out. A house on the property next to River

Church will host the program, which isn’t only for those with alcohol or drug addictions but any “hangups, hurts or habits.” “It will allow people to participate — even if they’re not real religious — in a warm, inviting and safe space, and find people who will love them and walk alongside them,” Ford said. As youth programming resumes, Ford plans to continue ideas she put on hold and embrace new ones. The YouthConnect! Network is one project Ford finds exciting. The network includes representatives from youth organizations throughout the community, all figuring out ways to increase youth participation in out-of-school activities. “I’m really excited about creating a community-wide system,” Ford said. “We already do that with Community School, but I’m excited to bring it to the city and other organizations.” FYI also serves as a backbone to a new education model

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When youth couldn’t gather in person for programming during the pandemic, Becky Ford organized volunteers in Faribault and staff with the Faribault School District to pack 150 activity kits for area students to take home during school closures. (Photo courtesy of Becky Ford)

FAMILY TIME As much as Becky Ford devotes to her community work with youth, she works parttime so she can be more present for her family. Her twins, Amelia and Malachi, are freshman at FHS and her daughter Eloise is a fourth grader at Nerstrand Elementary. “Their parents are very busy, but they seem to be really resilient,” Ford said of her children. Faribault Youth Investment’s Becky Ford (left) and volunteer Emma Mentz hand out food boxes at the Faribault Rotary Club’s annual Warm our Community event in November 2020. (News file photo/southernminn.com)

called Cradle to Career, which revolves around the question, “How do we close achievement gaps for Faribault youth?” and implements seven benchmarks. That includes making sure all preschoolers are kindergarten-ready, proficient in reading and math by the recommended ages, and able to graduate with a plan for the future. The benchmarks even go beyond high school graduation.

ault and for me. That’s what drives me.” But even if Ford doesn’t like being in the spotlight, her often behind-the-scenes work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Dee Bjork, former director of the Faribault Foundation, didn’t know Ford well when she recommended her as Citizen of the Year. But Ford made an impression by being the glue of the group that addressed food scarcity in Faribault. “She really stepped up to bat,” Bjork said of Ford. “I think she was the catalyst who “She just does a got it to the level of sophistication [the mobile food distributions] had.” great job; she goes Bjork recognizes Ford as a humble above and beyond. person who created a snowball effect with Her involvement in FYI the food access initiative, first to help area youth and ultimately impacting the greater is a huge thing for our community. As Bjork sees it, Ford also kids … She’s a great allowed a partnership to form between one to have on our Faribault and Northfield, making the effort county-wide. team.” Chad Wolff, Faribault School Board - Chad Wolff chair, voted for Ford as Citizen of the Year, an honor selected annually by former Citizens of the Year. As her former FHS A humble spirit classmate, he’s long known her as someone Being the Citizen of the Year was not who likes make a positive difference in the something Ford expected or aspired to. She community. doesn’t see herself as a self-promoter but “She just does a great job; she goes above someone who simply wants to get the work and beyond,” Wolff said. “Her involvement done. in FYI is a huge thing for our kids … She’s a “I really see this work as ministry,” Ford said of her work with FYI. “It’s an extension great one to have on our team.” of my core beliefs to try to seek prosperity Reporter Misty Schwab can be reached at 507-333-3135. for the city, and for that reason I don’t feel Follow her on Twitter @APGmisty. ©Copyright 2021 it’s about me but what God wants for Farib- APG Media of Southern Minnesota. All rights reserved.

The pandemic has afforded Ford more family time, with both her husband, Dan, and her children at home during different periods over the past year. They have volunteered as a family to package food boxes, vacationed in Cincinnati, Ohio, and watched cooking and baking shows. They also enjoy Ultimate Frisbee, watching Dan’s community softball league, and having the occasional barbecue with their neighbors. Ford’s parents live in Faribault and her brother and sister-in-law live in New Prague, so she enjoys seeing them often. “I just feel blessed to live in this community and serve any way I can,” Ford said.

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Bethany Fuller, left; Isaiah Fuller, center; and Charlier Fuller, right, dressed in shamrock patterns and T-shirts inspired by Dr. Seuss for a meet. The family has often picked a costume theme for big meets to energize athletes. (Photo courtesy of the Fuller family)

FULLER HOUSE

Faribault family falls back on each other while coaching through a pandemic

harlie Fuller has a closet full of inspirational and funny T-shirts he likes to wear for his Faribault High School swim teams, but nothing in his closet could guide him and the athletes through a year of competing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Often those T-shirts bear comic book character symbols or have a goofy message that’ll bring a smile to a swimmer’s face for a moment before the grueling work in the pool begins. Shirts like, “It’s not my fault I was left

By NICK GERHARDT editor@apgsomn.com unsupervised” and “Swimming coach because freak and awesome is not an official job title” are T-shirts Fuller will don depending upon his mood or how he perceives the mood of the team at the time. Each shirt drips with selfdeprecating humor and it’s that type of fun that has kept swimmers coming back to the pool to learn from Fuller, who has spent the past 35 years motivating young men and women to swim faster. “The whole idea is to keep the atmosphere nice, easy going and still work hard at what you’re doing because if

you can’t work hard, you’re not going to go fast at the end of the year,” Fuller said. “We try to do the best we can to keep things going and keep things light. I find it’s the best way with kids.” Fuller is one of the longest serving coaches in Faribault High School history with 33 years of coaching the girls team and 24 years as the pole vault coach with the track and field teams in addition to the 35 as the boys swim coach. Fuller spent most of those 33 years with the girls swim team as an assistant to Ken Hubert, who retired

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‘This is a very tough sport to be in, competitive swimming. It’s a lot of work, so along with it, we try to make it as fun as possible. I’ve always said if it ceases to be fun, I’m not going to be here anymore because I could go out and do anything that I hate. Why do I need to do it here?’ - Falcons swimming and diving coach Charlie Fuller from coaching 2017. Despite a combined 92 years of coaching, nothing prepared him for a pandemic. For the notoriously meticulous Fuller, devising details for the teams to follow came easily. The tougher part came when direction from national and state public health leaders shifted and getting teenagers to adhere to social distancing. “I think it added a huge amount of stress to what he was doing,” said Charlie’s son and assistant coach with the boys team, Isaiah. “There’s a lot going into a practice, now you’re stressing out about the protocols.” Fortunately the Fullers had each other to rely on. Isaiah also serves as head coach for the Owatonna girls swim team while little sister Bethany is an assistant for both Faribault teams. Charlie’s wife, Joy, performs many of the administrative coaching duties for Charlie. The family likely never talked as frequently as it had this past swim season as both Charlie and Isaiah tried to chart a coaching course that adhered to all the protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and allow athletes a near return to the normalcy of practice and competitions. Joy provided the correspondence to athletes and parents for Charlie, who is a “two-finger typer.” “I know he’s ever-grateful,” Isaiah said. “He’ll grumble about something and say, ‘I shouldn’t have grumbled, I know Mom is just trying to help me out.’ She’s put up with him through the best and the worst of times.”

Diving in

Joy and Charlie met on the campus of Southwest Minuuu

Charlie, left; Isaiah, center, and Bethany, right, pose for a picture at a meet. Charlie has spent the past 35 years as head coach of the boys swim team while Isaiah has assisted for 10 years and Bethany for the past five. (Photo courtesy of the Fuller family) Quality Sales & Service Competitive Pricing Courteous, Professional, and Knowledgeable Team

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Isaiah and Bethany Fuller talk during a meet for Faribault. The brother and sister duo have helped coach swimming and diving with dad, Charlie, for the past five years. (Photo courtesy of the Fuller family)

Charlie and Bethany Fuller gave their best pirate impersonation at a past meet. If it isn’t a costume, it’s often a T-shirt with a funny slogan for Charlie at the pool. (Photo courtesy of the Fuller family)

nesota State University nearly 50 years ago. Charlie came from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis to swim in Marshall while Joy came from the family farm in Faribault to pursue teaching. Together they might be the best team in the Faribault community. “We’ve always been each other’s best

friend and teammate,” Joy said. While Charlie has coached, Joy has worked the scorer’s table at meets, maintained the best times spreadsheet for the teams, put together the end-of-the-year banquet booklet and sewed towels as sendoff gifts for the seniors each year. This past

year she sewed more than 300 masks, too. Together the couple raised five children including Bethany and Isaiah and have influenced generations of Faribault athletes. Each senior swimmer receives a graduation card from the Fullers that includes a message that they’ll always cheer them on after high school. Charlie retired in September 2020 from KPGCo. and Joy retired as an educational assistant for special education students last June so the additional free time helped ease the stress of planning a season during a pandemic. “I think had he been working it would’ve been the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Joy said. It seems there’s little that can keep Charlie from the pool. After graduating from Southwest Minnesota State University, Charlie couldn’t land a teaching job so the young couple returned to Faribault to help at Joy’s family farm. Joy’s family ran two farms with 72 cows and hogs on 1,2001,500 acres. Even with two small children, Charlie worked nights as McQuay International, now Daikin Applied, and coached swimming. On the weekends he coached diving in the morning and swimming in the afternoon before finally getting to bed. Joy, meanwhile, went about chores on the farm often with a child on her back. Even as Joy’s family lost the farms, both of which were century farms, in 1984 in the midst of the farm crisis, there was still swimming. It still remains fun for Charlie and Joy, perhaps even more now that Isaiah and Bethany help coach. “This is a very tough sport to be in, competitive swimming,” Charlie said. “It’s a lot of work, so along with it, we try to make it as fun as possible. I’ve always said if it ceases to be fun, I’m not going to be here

anymore because I could go out and do anything that I hate. Why do I need to do it here?”

Breathtakingly fun

Bethany has helped Charlie and Isaiah coach for the past five years, while Isaiah just finished his 10th season of coaching with Charlie. With four Fullers on the pool deck, the goofiness has become amplified at times. Not only are there the 25 or so inspirational T-shirts in Charlie’s closet, there’s also a fair amount of costumes. From Fuller 1, Fuller 2, Fuller 3 shirts à la Thing 1, Thing 2 from “The Cat in the Hat” to dressing up as pirates and even wearing a kilt sewn by Joy, the Fullers will go any length to make a meet that much more fun for themselves and the kids. “It’s added richness to our lives,” Joy said. “It’s also good for them to see how much time and effort Charlie has put into coaching.” These days there’s a healthy dialogue when it comes to coaching. Isaiah and Charlie will often play devil’s advocate with ideas for relays. If one of the three notices something with a swimmer’s stroke, they’ll turn to each other for advice or to verify if they see the same thing. “We know each other so well. If I ever need any help, I can ask Isaiah and my dad,” Bethany said. “Sometimes I’ll see something they won’t see.” Bethany has tended to work with the younger swimmers since joining the coaching staff. She focuses on technique while Charlie and Isaiah focus on diving and other intricacies. “Being family helps,” Isaiah said. “We’re

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Charlie and Joy Fuller have been married 45 years with many of those years spent at a pool in Faribault with Charlie coaching and Joy recording times. (Photo courtesy of the Fuller Family)

not afraid to say what we mean. I’m not going to dance around the situation. The communication between the three of us is fantastic. I don’t think any of us takes it personally.”

the protocols and the Fullers strived to give the swimmers, especially the seniors, the best experience they could. “We talked at length about the seniors,” Isaiah said. “We wanted to do right by them. We have some moving on. We didn’t want to cheat them.” Wading through guidelines Faribault had an on-deck ceremony for its seniors in the fall followed by a virtual The 2020 swimming and diving procedures list the Fullers came up with included banquet while Owatonna held a senior 28 items with instructions like, “numbered event in the parking lot. net equipment bags will be assigned to each swimmer to store a kickboard, fins, pull Swimming the wake buoys and possible paddles they will use for the season.” Any list item that extended Bethany and Isaiah followed in Charlie’s more than one sentence included two spac- footsteps by stepping back onto the pool es between the first and second sentence. deck as coaches, but they also followed The COVID-19 athlete/coach monitorJoy in pursuing careers in education in the ing form asked yes or no questions about Faribault school district. Isaiah works in seven different conditions that team mem- special education while Bethany works as bers had to fill out before every practice an academic specialist in the Ninth-Grade and meet after having their temperature Academy. recorded. Early COVID-19 protocols might have Competition changed drastically as girls left the Fullers swimming in circles before teams in the fall competed in virtual meets, the start of the season. But there was meaning the team swam in its own pool perhaps one good thing that came from the and matched times against opponents. new procedures. Toward the end of the season restrictions “I did get my husband home by 8-8:30 relaxed so teams could compete in pods for p.m. instead of 10:30 p.m.,” Joy said. the conference and section meets. Nick Gerhardt is a freelance writer based in Northfield. The focus remained on the kids despite

Charlie and Bethany Fuller show off just one of their costumes for a meet. The Fullers have donned different outfits to make meets more fun for swimmers and divers. (Photo courtesy of the Fuller family)

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Shortly after beginning his career as a physical therapist in January 2020, Ryan Iverson at District One Hospital faced a nine week furlough during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the furlough, Iverson volunteered to be trained as part of the hospital cleaning crew to help out where needed. (Annie Granlund/southernminn.com)

THE EXTRA MILE

Allina physical therapist rolls with the punches

hen Ryan Iverson graduated from college in December 2019, he was excited and ready to get his career started. “I knew I wanted to go into physical therapy since I was 16,” Iverson said. “I am one of those classic stories where I was an athlete who had a sports injury and had to go to therapy. During all that I realized this was kind of a cool process

By ANNIE GRANLUND annie.granlund@apgsomn.com of things I needed to do to get back to doing the stuff I want to do.” Shortly following his graduation, the Montgomery native was hired as a physical therapist for the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute with District One Hospital in Faribault,. After roughly five weeks of “getting up to speed” on how things work at the facility, Iverson couldn’t wait to do the work he had been preparing for

years to do. “I had about two weeks of ‘normal’ with a full caseload,” Iverson said. “Then COVID-19 hit.” Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that effectively shut down a bulk of businesses, services and events throughout the U.S. by the end of March, Allina Health began quickly scaling back services that weren’t deemed essential or emergency at all its facilities. This

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MEET RYAN Ryan Iverson specializes in physical therapy, orthopedics, sports performance and rehab, concussions, vestibular and post-op recovery. When Iverson is not helping patients at the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Faribault, he is working as a “helping hands” nursing assistant at District One Hospital, going above and beyond to help his fellow Allina Health teammates adapt to the unprecedented times.

Ryan Iverson had about two weeks under his belt as a physical therapist with a “normal” caseload before he was furloughed. Despite a almost three month break, Iverson said he was excited to get back to doing what he loved in June: helping patients reach their full capabilities. (Annie Granlund/ southernminn.com)

was largely to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 and to ensure that hospitals would have appropriate resources during anticipated peak periods. Unfortunately for newcomers like Iverson — as well as many other healthcare employees — this meant he was going to be furloughed. “I really didn’t know the impact this was going to have in the beginning,” Iverson said of the pandemic. “Personally I thought I would just have to wait it out a few weeks. I guess I was kind of naive, but eventually it settled in that this wasn’t going to just go away.” Knowing he would likely be the first up on the chopping block for layoffs as the newest hire in his department, Iverson was quick to volunteer to be cross-trained in cleaning hospital rooms and other custodial-like work for the hospital. “Our department was almost immediately shut down or we were told that we would be on ‘pause’ until the end of April,” Iverson said. “But you could see that this was a volatile situation and it was impacting the staff, so it was just sort of logical to find a way to help.” After spending a few weeks helping out with odd jobs where and there, Iverson gained a whole new respect for that staff that cares for the facilities and keeps them up and running. “That part of the hospital staff doesn’t get thanked nearly enough,” Iverson said. “We would not be able to operate without them.” Iverson said that he figured showing that he was willing

to go the extra mile and pitch in where there was need would be a good way to show he was committed to his career with Allina, but his supervisor said it’s obvious that this is just the way Iverson is wired. “Ryan just has this extremely flexible, can-do attitude,” said Jayde Sharpe, District One rehab services manager. “He’s always ready to jump in and do what needs to be done — and he doesn’t even have to be asked to do it.”

spent more time fishing than I ever have before in my life.” While Iverson said he is aware that most people felt a genuine sadness during the pandemic for a variety of reasons — including people in the same situation as him — he took it upon himself to take it one day at a time and capitalize on the freedom he had to read, spend time outdoors and spend quality time with his then-fiancee, now wife, Lexi. “It’s a choice you have to make,” Iverson said. “You can -----either sit around and wait and be sad, or you can make the most of it. I figured that all this free time is something that Sharpe said that when she had to let her staff know that is never going to happen again, so I decided to make posithey would be furloughed in mid-April that it was one of tive choices instead of festering over the circumstance.” the hardest days of her career, especially because there was When Iverson got the call to return to work in the “absolutely no guarantee” that any of her employees would second half of June, however, he acknowledged that it was be able to come back or that they would want to. With a “good call to get.” Iverson, however, she said it was never a worry. “It was such a good feeling to come back to work, even “I would be calling my staff every month just to check though I had only just started before I left,” Iverson said. “I up with them and let them know that we’re still unable to don’t want to say I took my job for granted, but I do think give them work,” Sharpe said. “All of them, Ryan included, sometimes a person doesn’t realize what you have is so were always positive and just thanked me for keeping them good until it’s gone.” in the loop and being honest.” Sharpe said when Iverson returned he brought his posi Though Iverson’s furlough meant he wouldn’t be helping tive attitude with him, which was appreciated as he had to with the cleaning anymore, he said he felt it was imporpick up an entire caseload upon his return. tant to try to remain positive. Laughing it off, Iverson said “Ryan is extremely knowledgeable in this field which that he tried to be grateful for the time to himself that he makes him so easy to work with,” Sharpe said. “I had no never got in-between graduating and starting his physical concern that he wouldn’t be able to pick up at that pace, therapy career. and we get comments from patients about how much “Nine weeks,” Iverson said of his time off from work. “I they appreciate him and his understanding of the physical

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“Given the scale of 2020, I feel like this has shown that as an organization and a group that we can get over most everything. And we can do it with success and creativity, which leaves everyone feeling more confident in navigating a variety of changes and being able to adapt.” - Ryan Iverson

During the pandemic, Ryan and Lexi Iverson got married. Ryan Iverson said that being furloughed from work allowed him and Lexi to spend more time together, which neither of them took for granted. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Iverson)

therapy process all the time.” It appears that Iverson’s willingness to do what needed to be done also picked up exactly where he had left it in the spring. In October when Rice County saw another big surge in COVID-19 cases, the hospital was dealing with being at near capacity and short staffed with nurses. Sharpe said they were essentially desperate simply to have “more helping hands.” According to Sharpe, the young physical therapist typically finishes his normal shift at Courage Kenny and then changes into scrubs and works as a type of “nursing assistant” at the hospital until late into the night. “I know at one point he had put in over 110 hours on one pay period,” Sharpe said. “He was there just to help wherever he was needed, even if it was just helping people go to the bathroom.” Iverson doesn’t seem to view his service as anything more than the right thing to do when working in health-

care and serving others. “Given the scale of 2020, I feel like this has shown that as an organization and a group that we can get over most everything,” Iverson said. “And we can do it with success and creativity, which leaves everyone feeling more confident in navigating a variety of changes and being able to adapt.” Reach Reporter Annie Granlund at 507-444-2378 or follow her on Twitter @AnnieGranlund. ©Copyright 2021 APG Media of Southern Minnesota.

Knowing that there would never been another opportunity like they had in 2020, Ryan and Lexi Iverson took full advantage of Ryan’s time away from work to go on vacations to Wyoming and South Dakota. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Iverson)

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Most of the rear portion of Faribault’s fire truck, called a tender, is made of plastic, about 1/2 an inch thick. Faribault Fire Chief Dusty Dienst said that the material is extremely durable, but reduces the truck’s cost. (File photo/southernminn.com)

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY Hometown fire chief leads through crisis

ince taking over as the city’s Fire Chief eight years ago, Faribault’s own Dusty Dienst has provided a steady hand and determined leadership, helping the department to meet growing needs despite limited staffing. Whenever crisis strikes, as it has in so many forms throughout his tenure, Dienst has always been on top of it in his roles as emergency management coordinator for the city of Faribault and the founder and leader of Rice County’s Community Emergency Response Team. Before he took the reins as fire chief and EMC, Dienst’s experience with crisis management was limited to his long tenure with the Fire Department. He first joined the department in 1994 as a part-time, on call firefighter before assuming a full time role in 2000. Dienst’s first passion was the environment. He earned a science degree at Vermillion Community College in Ely then returned home, working for the Rice County Water and Soil Conservation District for four years. After leav-

By ANDREW DEZIEL andrew.deziel@apgsomn.com ing the SWCD, Dienst earned his electrical license and worked as an electrician full time until he was hired by the Fire Department. He continued to do electrical work on his days off until he was hired as chief. Dienst assumed a leadership role in a department that had recently undergone turmoil. In late 2010, former Chief Joe Berge had “restructured” the department, cutting pay and staffing, increasing dependence on mutual aid and eliminating the Firefighters Relief Association. Backlash was swift, with 10 part time firefighters resigning. Soon Berge was gone too, but fortunately widely respected longtime Chief Mike Monge was willing to don the chief ’s hat once more on an interim basis while the city searched for a successor. Dienst was selected as the homegrown alternative to several candidates who had built their credentials elsewhere. It was Faribault who had long recognized his leadership ability and skill at making wise decisions under pressure, promoting him to fire captain in 2006.

“Dusty is one of those people who does whatever it takes to get the job done,” said City Administrator Tim Murray, Dienst’s longtime colleague. “He rolls up his sleeves and gets to work.” For Dienst, one of the hardest aspects of taking on a leadership role was having to step back. Like most firefighters, he prefers a “hands on” approach to addressing problems — but has had to learn to become more of a field general. “It’s hard for people who want to come up through the fire world, who want to put out the fire,” he said. “When you’re in a leadership role, you stand back and let others do it.” Leadership provided new opportunities for Dienst, particularly on the emergency management side of his job. He didn’t come into the job specifically trained in that area, but within a year and a half he’d earned a certificauuu

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TOP: Faribault Fire Chief Dusty Dienst leads a 2017 training for Rice County Community Emergency Response Team, or CERT. The group trains and prepares to be deployed by local law enforcement in the event of a disaster or emergency. (File photo/southernminn.com) RIGHT: Faribault Emergency Management Director Dustin Dienst, explains an emergency scenario in 2016 to two attendees interested in emergency management training.

tion in emergency management. Dienst has since put that training to good use, founding Rice County’s CERT Team and leading Faribault through one crisis after another: flooding, a tornado and a pandemic. Dienst said he particularly enjoys working in the area of emergency management because so much of what he does is effectively teaching. ‘It’s all about preparing people to be ready for something that may never happen or that may happen tomorrow,” he said. “It’s an educator role, passing on what you know to the public and to responders on how to deal with the larger events.” Rice County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Tracy Ackman-Shaw has done several joint presentations with Dienst. She praised him for having the vision to found CERT and helping it to grow. “Dusty has been a great team partner to have in terms of

our commitment to keep Rice County safe,” she said. “He’s always been driven to be a community minded leader.” A program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, CERT seeks to reach beyond traditional first responders and engage community members who want to be able to help friends, family and neighbors in the event of a natural disaster. By performing routine but necessary tasks, CERT volunteers free up trained public safety officers so they can perform specialized work. Over the last 25 years, hundreds of thousands of Americans have taken CERT training. Originally known as Faribault CERT, then renamed in hopes of attracting members from other area communities, Rice County CERT is still small, with only about 15 to 25 members. Still, Dienst is extremely excited about the group’s possibilities. “The team has been growing and we’d like it to continue to grow,” he said. “They’re trained in a vast array of different emergency roles, from search and rescue to first aid.” The CERT team’s formation was approved by Faribault’s City Council just months after devastating flooding caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage locally, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency declaring a state of disaster. CERT was able to play a key role in responding to the September 2018 tornado that devastated Morristown, offering aid and assessing the damage. Should the waters rise again, CERT volunteers could help with sandbagging and other efforts to control local water banks. Ironically, the largest public health disaster in recent memory has actually hindered the CERT Team Since COVID-19, CERT training and in-person gatherings have

been put on hold with team communications limited to virtual formats. When COVID began to hit Faribault, Dienst sprang into action. His department has been in contact throughout the pandemic with the city’s senior care facilities, helping them to follow Minnesota Department of Health guidelines and avoid any spread of the virus. Dienst and local care providers were determined to avoid the fate of care facilities in Seattle and other cities, which saw COVID cases ravage their facilities early in the pandemic. They largely succeeded locally, avoiding any deadly major outbreaks. COVID was also very much a worry from the Fire Department’s perspective. Dienst said his biggest fear was that a wave of COVID could knock out a large number of on-call firefighters, forcing the city to potentially rely on mutual aid agreements. While that happened in the small western Minnesota city of Plato, Faribault’s firefighters were able to stay mostly safe and operations continued as normal. A major part of that was proactive planning to limit the amount of inter-department exposure. Dienst had built up a long history of responding to emergencies and overcoming their challenges with assiduous preparation and determination. Yet even though pandemic response has always been part of the emergency response training manual, COVID has proved unique. For one thing, Dienst has been put in the unusual position of playing a supportive role in the emergency response efforts as Rice County Public Health has taken the lead. In addition, he said that the indefinite nature of the pandemic has proven difficult to wrap one’s head around. “It’s a different type of emergency,” he said. “With a fire or tornado, we know when it’s over. The pandemic just keeps going on and on.” Reach Reporter Andrew Deziel at 507-333-3129 or follow him on Twitter @FDNandrew. © Copyright 2021 APG Media of Southern Minnesota. All rights reserved.

DO YOUR PART It’s impossible to know when a flood, tornado or other natural disaster will strike, though extreme weather events are already starting to become more common as the world grapples with climate change. When local emergency responders are stretched thin, everyday citizens can play a crucial role in helping their neighbors through Rice County’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Faribault Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Dusty Dienst is always looking for volunteers looking to join the local chapter of CERT. It’s a modest time commitment, though volunteers have to first attend two seven-hour training sessions. The first is focused on CERT’s approach to terrorism, fire safety and utility control, and light search and rescue tactics, and the second on how to provide basic medical care in an emergency situation. As a part-time commitment, CERT is designed to be fit within a busy schedule, while providing community members with valuable knowledge and skills. For more information or to join Rice County CERT, email info@ ricecountycert.org.

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Cars line up along the street west of the St. Vincent de Paul building during a previous food distribution event. (Photo courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Society)

SOCIETY SHIFTS

By adjusting services, St. Vincent de Paul Society meets community’s needs

o matter the organization, business, individual or job, there is a good chance the COVID-19 pandemic has altered it in some way, shape or form. Despite the myriad challenges, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul stepped up to continue providing services to those in need, especially as the closings of Faribault’s Salvation Army store and the Faribault Food Shelf last spring increased the need during the pandemic. The St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Shelf changed its food distribution to an outside drive-thru model last spring to ensure social distancing for clients and society volunteers. Rather than allowing clients to select their

By MICHELLE VLASAK michelle.vlasak@apgsomn.com items, volunteers gave them pre-packaged boxes of food to keep volunteers and clients safe. Though that’s still the setup, Larry Muehlenbein, director of the society’s Food Shelf, hopes to allow patrons to again select their items as soon as everyone is comfortable doing so. The pantry room has been completely revamped to allow for more social distancing and a better flow of traffic. Muehlenbein feels allowing clients to select their own foods, similar to that of a grocery store, helps increase their pride and self esteem. Clients receive an assortment of meats, produce, canned/dry goods and dairy products in the food distribution events. While each community is unique in its needs/requests

for clothing and food, Muehlenbein said the society had a good grasp on the community’s needs and adapted accordingly when COVID-19 hit. To accommodate clients, weekly food distributions became twice weekly, while the number of clients have stayed pretty consistent throughout the pandemic. Being able to move to an outdoor/ mobile food distribution quickly, Muehlenbein said clientele accepted it and everyone understood the reasoning. Depending on the nee, Muehlenbein said on average the society distributed 10,000 to 15,000 pounds of food a week. About 60,000 to 90,000 pounds of food are received by the society each month and distributed as needed. uuu

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“We’re always looking for more volunteers. Anybody can volunteer for one hour, one week of full time. It’s completely up to them.” - Larry Muehlenbein

Racks of clothing are placed in the parking lot in front of St. Vincent de Paul, weather permitting, for clients to peruse in a safe manner. Some food items are also available during this time for clients to pick up. (Photo courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul Society)

One St. Vincent de Paul Society volunteer slides a box of food on a conveyor to another volunteer during a Friday food distribution event. The conveyor not only allows for proper social distancing, but it is also easier for volunteers to distribute the boxes of food. (Michelle Vlasak/southernminn.com)

Despite the bumps in the road, Muehlenbein said donations from food suppliers has been fantastic, from both the community, manufacturers and suppliers in stores. “Though we thought there would be, there has not been a shortage of food between the food bank, local manufacturers/stores in town and restaurants while temporarily shutdown,” said Muehlenbein. “Financial donations have been consistent, clothing donations doubled and so has the number of requested services. Food manufacturers/stores/ restaurants have been extremely supportive of our food shelf and the community.” Along with changes in food distribution, the society also modified its clothes and Christmas box distribution. Racks of clothing are available in the St. Vincent de Paul Society parking lot three days a week for those in need. During the holiday season, there’s even a program to provide new or lightly used toys for children up to 14 years old. Though set up in a different fashion than previous years due to COVID-19 restrictions, volunteers still put in their time to help sort and organize items, and generous community members and businesses donated items to gift to others. Because clients weren’t permitted inside the building, St. Vincent de Paul was unable to have in-person “shopping” for gifts. Since they are dedicated to continuing to provide holiday cheer, organizers developed a process that ensured appropriate safety measures for both clients and volunteers were followed. Clients were asked to fill out a form to provide more information about the particular child they were shopping for. From there, volunteers used the sheets to fill each Christmas box with age appropriate books, toys and winter

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A COMMUNITY EFFORT Even before the Faribault Food Shelf closed last spring, several area nonprofits banded together to make food more accessible to families during the pandemic. The collaboration of Growing Up Healthy, Faribault Youth Investment and over 15 other organizations, set up mobile food distribution sites at various locations. That effort continued after the Faribault Food Shelf closed, and over the summer, those mobile food shelves helped feed over 1,000 unique households. In August, the Rice County Board of Commissioners approved $125,500 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding for the collaborative team to cover costs of a new food shelf in Faribault. The Northfield Community Action Center, which has served northern Rice County communities for decades, is the lead partner in the collaboration. In October, the Northfield Community Action Center signed the lease for the space at 1400 Cannon Circle, to house a choice model food shelf in Faribault.

Aside from Christmas gifts and other related items, personal hygiene products, books, hats and mittens were also included in the Christmas box distribution. Pictured from left, Anna Simmons, Dennis Germann, Molly Simmons and Amy Simmons hold up handmade hats, mittens and scarves a generous individual donated. (Michelle Vlasak/southernminn.com)

apparel, along with some hygiene products, clothing and shoes as they were available. The distribution was open open to current clients, grandparents of client children and anyone who could qualify for food/clothing assistance at St. Vincent de Paul.

A foundation of volunteers

The society is always looking for food pantry volunteers. With no paid staff, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul relies entirely on the generosity of volunteers to serve those in need. While there was increase in clients looking for services when the Faribault Food Shelf closed, Muehlenbein said the number of volunteers able to help also changed. Pre-pandemic, about 50 volunteers donated their time off and on. After the onset of the pandemic in the local area, numbers of volunteers fluctuated from 25 to 50, based on the number of those concerned about social distancing and some who were ill at times. •Providing a section reserved for veterans and their family members.

“We’re always looking for more volunteers,” said Muehlenbein. “Anybody can volunteer for one hour, one week of full time. It’s completely up to them.” For those unable to volunteer their time, the Society also appreciates receiving monetary donations, as well as donations of personal care items, baby supplies, bedding (sheets, blankets) and kitchenware. Items may be dropped off at the Center between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, excluding Pantry Days. Make checks out to St. Vincent de Paul and drop them off at the Center or mail it to St. Vincent de Paul, 617 Third Ave. NW, Faribault, MN 55021. As a Christian organization, Muehlenbein feels volunteers stepped up amid the effects of the pandemic through wanting to help the community anyway they could. Although a vast majority of volunteers are retired, Muehlenbein said they felt it was their duty to keep people fed and clothed. “Even though we’re under a pandemic, the people that were able to work tried their best to keep people as com-

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Last November, the Faribault Food Access Initiative hosted its first mobile food distribution from of its new Cannon Circle location. Volunteers completed their tasks at different work stations near the loading dock on the east side of the building, and Hiawathaland Transit buses delivered the boxes to 250 Faribault families.

fortable and healthy as possible,” said Muehlenbein. “We felt it was our duty to help the needy and underprivileged. All you can do is feel for people while in need.” Volunteers are needed to help with office work, food distributions, minor maintenance, painting and servicing. Local resident Jose Huertha, who has been volunteering his time for about nine years said he enjoys helping out where needed. Though he’s been volunteering for six to seven years, Brian Anderson was able to offer up more of his time in the off season of his landscape work. Now that he is partially retired, Anderson says he is there quite frequently. Enjoying the camaraderie of the group, Anderson also likes the family-type atmosphere created with other volunteers. “It’s like coming to work together with your family,” added Anderson. “It’s nice to help people.” Reach reporter Michelle Vlasak at 507-333-3128 or follow her on Twitter @apgmichelle. ©Copyright 2021 APG Media of Southern Minnesota. All rights reserved.

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WORKING FOR IT Bakery owners transitioned to curbside, have ‘best year ever’ despite challenges

Lori and Chris Momberg began baking on a whim and have since turned a weekly farmers market stall in Northfield into a thriving brick-and-mortar bakery in Faribault. Crack of Dawn Bakehouse and Market celebrated its fifth anniversary, pictured here, in April. (Photo by Tami Enfield/Brand Yourself Consulting)

By BRIDGET KRANZ editor@apgsomn.com

ori Momberg says she started baking “unintentionally,” and leaves it at that – belying a much longer and more serendipitous journey from marketing professional to co-owner of Crack of Dawn Bakehouse and Market in Faribault. She elaborates, it started at the Riverwalk Market Fair in Northfield, over a decade ago. She and Chris, her husband and now business partner, had just had their son. One Saturday morning, they put Micah in his stroller and decided to walk down to the market, drawn in by the prospect of artisan breads. When they arrived, they asked the coordinators where to find the bread stall and were told there was no bread baker that year. The organizers asked, do you know how to make bread? Would you be willing to bake for the market? At first, Lori and Chris said they were too busy with the new baby. After they got home, they changed their minds. If nothing else, the extra income couldn’t hurt when it came to their growing family. The morning before their first day at the market, Chris and Lori started preparing just after midnight — one baking at home, the other baking in Lori’s parents’ kitchen. They worked until the market started at 9 a.m. and sold out within the first half hour. In 2016, after a few seasons at the market, they opened Crack of Dawn down the road in Faribault. This April, they celebrated their brick-and-mortar bakery’s five-year anniversary. By the time Chris and Lori opened their permanent location, they were already making over 200 loaves of bread every weekend for Riverwalk – and had added cookies and cinnamon rolls, which have now be-

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come a perennial favorite at the bakehouse. Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Lori says their time at the market and willingness to adapt helped them thrive — not just survive — during the pandemic, and now they’re even expanding their offerings as they look ahead to the next five years.

‘It’s been working for us, but we’ve been working for it’

When Lori and Chris first started selling at the market, they found practical ways to make their bread business work while continuing their day jobs in marketing and property management. They committed to baking everything the day that it was going to be sold — something they still do at Crack of Dawn. In order to do this, they started with a technique that allowed the dough to ferment in the refrigerator so that they could make it on Wednesday after work, then bake it on Saturday. Over a decade later, when the pandemic arrived and they were deciding how to adapt their brick-and-mortar business, this market experience helped them adjust. Almost immediately, they began a drive-up, curbside business. Similar to a market stall, they set up tables outside with boxes of baked goods. Customers could call with an order or drive up and get pre-packaged cinnamon rolls on the spot. Crack of Dawn also began taking phone

Crack Of Dawn Bakehouse and Market, in downtown Faribault, sold its baked goods on the sidewalk located in front of the storefront during summer 2021 to accommodate COVID restrictions. Lori Momberg, who owns the business with her husband Chris, said sales went “surprisingly well,” as they’ve adapted to meeting customers outside. (File photo/southernminn.com)

The Mombergs’ children Talia, 8, and Micah, 11, helped with curbside and delivery orders throughout the pandemic. Micah would take customers’ payments electronically, and Lori jokes that both children learned how to play ding-dongditch when making delivery rounds. (Photo courtesy of Lori Momberg/Crack of Dawn Bakehouse and Market)

orders. After a long day in the bakery, Chris and Lori would drive around with their children and deliver baked goods, meals and meal kits in the area. “We taught our kids how to ding-dong-ditch, which was fun for them,” Lori laughed. “But it was a lot of work in those first few “It works well for our months. We adjust- family, it helps to be on the ed what same schedule. We can we were doing, and create our own flexibility. it’s been Although, we always say working for us, but our boss is kind of a jerk.” we’ve been - Lori Momberg working for it. We didn’t just hope people would still come, our marketing and our services changed.” At the beginning, they kept saying “one more week” and taking it a day at a time. Their kids were home from school doing distance learning and would help out in between classes. Eleven-year-old Micah, who attended that fateful Riverwalk Market Fair as a newborn, took customers’ payments electronically. “It works well for our family, it helps to be on the same schedule,” said Lori. “We can create our own flexibility. Although, we always say our boss is kind of a jerk.” uuu

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SPACE OF THEIR OWN Crack of Dawn Bakehouse and Market celebrated its fifth anniversary this spring. After several years selling exclusively at the Riverwalk Market Fair in Northfield, Chris and Lori Momberg moved into the brick-and-mortar space in 2016 after outgrowing their home operation. “By the time we moved into the shop in Faribault, we were making over 200 loaves of bread every Saturday for the market and we were also baking cinnamon rolls and cookies,” recalled Chris. “We were outgrowing our house kitchen, so we knew we needed to make a decision.” Since then, the bakery has become a fixture of downtown Faribault, and Chris and Lori are expanding their operation in celebration of its fifth anniversary. They now offer an ice cream counter, and nitro cold brew coffee, and our thinking about other ways to continue growing their business.

Chris Momberg frosts a batch of cinnamon rolls, a perennial favorite at Crack of Dawn. Having studied science in college, Momberg says each day baking is like a new experiment. (Photo by Tami Enfield/Brand Yourself Consulting)

From science to baking experiments

and let her creative side take over. “In our typical workflow, I find recipes, tweak them and While their kids are now learning business skills thanks make them our own. Then, I pass them off to Chris, who’s to the family bakery, Lori and Chris came into baking from able to accurately and consistently execute them,” said Lori. completely different backgrounds — however, things seem “People can’t believe that I’m not in the kitchen anymore, to have come full circle, as they’ve brought their diverse but there’s so much that goes into the business side of skills to the bakehouse. things with bookkeeping and suppliers.” Chris studied science in college, and he now compares Although the business has grown exponentially, Lori In addition to daily staples, Chris and Lori go the baking bread to a daily experiment. extra mile to create seasonal specials – like a turtle and Chris remain committed to using quality ingredients “You have your active ingredients, and the science of cheesecake, seen here, and Chris’ famous sea salt and making everything from scratch. how bread naturally rises,” he said. “You have to tweak caramels at the holidays. (Photo by Tami Enfield/ “We start with cream, real butter, eggs, ” said Lori. “It’s Brand Yourself Consulting) your recipe, given the outdoor temperature and the moisreally important for us to make things straight from ture in the air. In Minnesota, that’s changing all the time.” scratch and do it the old way which in our minds is the – last year, it didn’t take place in-person due to COVID-19. After a decade at the market — and five years of run They’ve now reopened for in-person dining, while conning Crack of Dawn in addition to selling at the Riverwalk right way.” tinuing to do take-out orders, and have stayed busy despite Market Fair — Chris has become accustomed to a pattern the pandemic — and because of the adjustments they of seasonal adjustments which keep his bread the right made to their business model to cope with COVID-19. texture despite the elements. ‘Dedication to the place we’ve made’ “We’ve met our limit of how much we can bake on a Meanwhile Lori, who worked in marketing, is rarely in Saturday morning,” said Chris. “We can push it on special Because of how much Crack of Dawn has grown, this the kitchen anymore. When she is, she likes to cook and prepare some of the other foods that Crack of Dawn serves summer will be Chris and Lori’s first year voluntarily fore- occasions, but to do that consistently every week wouldn’t going the Riverwalk Market Fair since they started baking be fair to everybody.” — especially soups, when she can throw things together

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Before branching out to cinnamon rolls, brunch items and more, Chris and Lori started by baking bread for the Riverwalk Market Fair in Northfield over a decade ago. (Photo by Tami Enfield/Brand Yourself Consulting)

The difficult decision to not rejoin the market this summer also gives Chris and Lori time to focus on expanding what they have at Crack of Dawn. They’ve recently added an ice cream counter and nitro cold brew coffee and are toying with the idea of longer hours. “We’re really grateful for all of the support. As crazy as it sounds, we’ve had our best year ever and that says something about our customers,” said Lori, “and our family’s dedication to the place that we’ve made.” Bridget Kranz is a freelance writer based in St. Paul.

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Amy Pfau has been employed as a therapist at Rice County Social Services for the past 14 years. She primarily serves children and youth but occasionally adults as well. She pictured in her Faribault office, where she hasn’t seen clients in person since March 2020. (Misty Schwab/ southernminn.com)

SUPPORT SYSTEM

Rice County therapists are there for ‘virtually’ anyone

B Renee Lanka, a 24-year therapist at Rice County Social Services, has met with her clients virtually from her Lakeville home since March 2020. She’s pictured here with her dog, Kevin, who has been one of her sources of joy during the pandemic. (Misty Schwab/ southernminn.com)

By MISTY SCHWAB misty.schwab@apgsomn.com

eing a therapist during the coronavirus pandemic is like nothing mental health professionals Renee Lanka and Amy Pfau have seen in their combined 38 years at Rice County Social Services. Since March 2020, these two therapists have met with clients virtually from their home offices, helping them navigate new stressors brought on by the pandemic. Whether a client is feeling lonely due to increased isolation, biting off more than they can chew between work and distance learning or dealing with anxiety over COVID-19 itself, Lanka and Pfau recognize the importance of getting help. Even mental health professionals like themselves have been touched by pandemicrelated challenges, but by having the right tools, they’ve found ways to stay grounded while offering support to others.

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A safe distance

“I had several clients I’ve never seen in person, and you have to tune in so much to sounds,” Pfau said. “You can Telehealth, which allows clients to speak with therapists hear just through their intonation what they’re feeling.” via online portal or phone, has been Lanka and Pfau’s pri Added Lanka: “It’s almost easier to focus on tone of mary way to connect with clients in the past year. voice. Over the phone, no other things are distracting. I Pfau, who primarily serves children and families, said have found working with young adults and older teens, some clients find it challenging to speak to a therapist over with Zoom or video talks, it’s been fun to have them show the phone or video while others find it more convenient. me things like their room or artwork. That’s been really fun Clients she served before the pandemic have told her they’ll and a great way to connect, and it gives you things to talk see her again when COVID-19 passes, but she continues about.” to check in to preserve their connection. Others appreciate that telehealth allows them to access therapy from home. “I was pretty anxious initially about attempting therapy Finding peace and joy over the phone,” said Pfau. “I was pleasantly surprised I was Since becoming accustomed to telehealth, Pfau she said able to do it. I think I will continue to do it when it makes she’s “happy as a clam” working from home. Without needsense. It’s opened up opportunities for some and barriing to commute she also has a greater window of time to ers for others. So hopefully some of this accessibility will enjoy nature, take walks with her husband during lunch, be built into the system when things open up. If we had a system that provided accessibility for everyone, that would and cook earlier in the evening. Although her work setup is ideal, Pfau’s year has been be ideal.” Lanka added that a number of her clients, mostly adults, difficult in other ways. Her dad died, her mom is at home alone for the first time, and she’s dealt with illnesses within lack access to transportation, particularly in the winterher family. But concentrating on the silver linings, she time. Telehealth, in that case, is a handy alternative to said, “I feel like I have more time being with those people. in-person sessions. I’m really grateful for that; not being as distracted by work “I was surprised how well [telehealth] worked, that it demands. In some weird way it then worked out.” could be effective,” Lanka said. “For some people, it gives Lanka said the pandemic made her realize she’s more a certain level of safety, and it’s a little easier to talk about of an extrovert than she thought. She referenced a New things.” York Times article that resonated with her, called “There’s In terms of telehealth with children, Pfau said many have less anxiety about it than adults because they’re more a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishaccustomed to technology. Some, however, prefer to not be ing” by Adam Grant. According to the article, languishing is “somewhat joyless and aimless” or “a sense of stagnation on camera. She also needs to improvise activities she normally does in person with child clients, like playing games. and emptiness” that many have experienced during the

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“I was pretty anxious initially about attempting therapy over the phone. I was pleasantly surprised I was able to do it. I think I will continue to do it when it makes sense. It’s opened up opportunities for some and barriers for others. So hopefully some of this accessibility will be built into the system when things open up. If we had a system that provided accessibility for everyone, that would be ideal.” - Amy Pfau pandemic. Lanka also found validation in a social workers Zoom panel in which women she admires openly spoke about their own struggles. What’s been important for Lanka during the pandemic is figuring out what gives her joy or peace each day and deliberately pursuing that. For her, those things are her dog Kevin, hugs, and time to learn how to cook. She’s worked with her clients to find what makes them feel good as well. COVID-19 has revealed the things people take for granted, uuu

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SOMEONE TO LISTEN Both Amy Pfau and Renee Lanka developed an interest in mental health and the therapy field as teenagers. Pfau remembers going to a family gathering as a high school freshman and listening to a relative’s friend talk about plans to become a school counselor or a therapist. Then and there, Pfau thought, “That sounds about right,” and decided she wanted to pursue a similar career path. “I think it was also the desire to be with people and listen to people, to be able to hold their pain for them,” Pfau said. “I feel like that’s my job. They can give it to me, and I can take some of their burden.” That ability to listen and hold someone else’s pain is both a natural inkling and a skill Pfau has honed with training throughout the years. But after years and years in her practice, it’s hard for her to say how it developed. A friend from elementary school, who she re-connected with via Facebook, told Pfau her occupation “makes sense.” The friend remembered Pfau being the mediator in their group of three, which suggests that even as a child, Pfau was a therapist at heart. “I think some people are naturally good at that,” Lanka said. “I don’t think I always have been. I think it took some time and wisdom in order to witness extreme pain or trauma, especially not taking that home.” Lanka’s interest in mental health started in high school, with her parents’ divorce. Although counseling didn’t keep her parents together, Lanka saw the growth they both did personally and attributed that growth to their counseling. She also simply found it fascinating to understand why people do what they do and what impacts their feelings. And like Pfau, she wanted to be of help. Lanka has been with Rice County Social Services the past 24 years, and Pfau has been there 14 years. They, along with Eric Lundin, see clients who are uninsured, underinsured or who may have high deductibles. Rice County Social Services collaborates with other agencies and schools in the area. The facility also has access to Spanish and Somali interpreters, which were especially helpful before multilingual providers became more prevalent in the area. To schedule an appointment with one of the Rice County mental health professionals, phone Rice County Social Services Intake at 507-333-3773.

Not long after settling at their new office space at Rice County’s Social Services, pictured inside the Government Services Building in February 2020, therapists like Amy Pfau and Renee Lanka were asked to work from home during the coronavirus pandemic. (File photo/southernminn.com)

“There’s been so much talk about the importance of self care during the pandemic, and I’m glad to hear people talk about making a point to get outside with their kids and feeling like that makes a difference. And I’ve realized the importance of taking breaks and taking these short walks over lunch … It makes a difference in physical and emotional energy.” - Renne Larka Lanka observed, particularly time with family. The virus itself, she said, has increased awareness of the unknown and pushed some of her clients to enjoy each moment. “There’s been so much talk about the importance of self care during the pandemic, and I’m glad to hear people talk about making a point to get outside with their kids and feeling like that makes a difference,” Lanka said. “And I’ve realized the importance of taking breaks and taking these short walks over lunch … It makes a difference in physical and emotional energy.” Pfau believes the pandemic has opened up the global conversation about mental health and made it easier to talk about. “Being connected with humans is so important, and even as an introvert, I know it’s important for me,” Pfau said. “I think the conversation is happening more, and people are realizing the stress of not being around people does take its toll.” While the pandemic does seem to

Lanka added that some of her clients may have stepped in to help other family members. While they feel good about helping out, they may also become overwhelmed and lose motivation. “I will use the words ‘Be kind to yourself,’” Lanka said. “This is all new to us. Most people have not been through a pandemic before.” Grace and kindness Pandemic or not, some might express reluctance about reaching out for help in While some clients might have more a time of strain. Pfau likes her clients to time on their hands than before, others have a lot more on their plates than usual. know that no therapist is a “one size fits all” match for a patient, and the conSome of Pfau’s clients are parents who nection between therapist and client is have juggled full-time work with their essential. children being at home, and for parents Lanka agreed with Pfau, encouraging who have children with special needs, potential clients to think about therapy as that load is even heavier. a form of support. “We talk a lot about grace,” Pfau said. “It doesn’t necessarily mean there’s “Giving ourselves grace; giving other anything wrong with them,” she said. “We people grace … I don’t know that my clients aren’t necessarily seeing this as all need support.” personal character flaws; I think they’re Reporter Misty Schwab can be reached at 507-333doing a really good job understanding 3135. Follow her on Twitter @APGmisty. ©Copyright this is where the world is at, and we’re just 2021 APG Media of Southern Minnesota. All rights doing the best we can.” reserved. validate the harmful effects of isolation, Lanka has also noticed some of her clients minimize their own pain because “everyone is going through this.” That doesn’t need to happen, she said, so she encourages those experiencing difficult emotions to reach out for support.

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Mary is one of several Faribault HyVee employees working to stock the shelves during a global pandemic. (Ashley Rezachek/southernminn.com)

HIGH GEAR At HyVee, keeping the shelves stocked a team effort

hile you won’t see them wearing capes, it’s safe to say after more than a year in a pandemic, grocery store workers have earned the title of superheroes due to the critical services they’ve provided. Grocery store workers have been busy making sure the shelves are stocked, working with customers and ensuring the displays and cases are deep cleaned. Their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, leading some people to develop a

By ASHLEY REZACHEK ashley.rezachek@apgsomn.com greater appreciation for these frontline workers. This past year has posed a multitude of challenges, forcing many people to be flexible and to learn how to be resilient. Despite the hurdles, grocery store workers have continued to show up to work every day, ready to serve their community and power through the pandemic. While others brought laptops home with them to work remotely for months and other work places went into hibernation, grocery store workers kicked it into high gear, fulfilling

the much needed duties. Workers at Faribault HyVee have played a critical role in ensuring the community has access to food. The pandemic hasn’t stopped Robby Deyo, assistant manager perishables, from doing his best to provide for the local residents. Even through this year’s challenges, Deyo has come out arguably stronger having learned some important lessons. uuu

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Robby Deyo, assistant manager perishables at Faribault HyVee, has worked in the grocery store world for the last two decades. This year has presented some unique challenges, but Deyo says grocery store workers have persevered. (Ashley Rezachek/ southernminn.com)

Deyo has worked at HyVee for the last 20 years, starting as a bagger and eventually making his way up to his current job. He’s worked in nearly every role at the store: checker, dairy and frozen clerk, meat department, the deli, bakery and customer service. For seven years he worked as a night stock manager, running the store overnight and service manager for four years, before moving into his current role. As assistant manager perishables, Deyo oversees the kitchen, the deli, produce, bakery, meat department and other areas in the store. About 90% of Deyo’s day is spent on the floor helping out and getting things ready, he said. When he isn’t prepping the floor, he writes schedules for the management team. “Mostly I’m down there, elbow deep and all the stuff going on down there,” Deyo he said while chatting in his upstairs level office.

‘Everybody as my own family’

Deyo

While this was a scary year for many, Deyo notes that safety is paramount to the store’s operations. HyVee has

implemented many safety measures, including barriers at the cash registers and new cleaning techniques throughout the store. Grocery store workers are working hard to maintain cleanliness, spraying down the registers and register belts after customer visits. Store employees also work to make sure that the sanitization stations located around the store are fully stocked with hand sanitizer and wipes. Fortunately, Deyo says the local HyVee was able to maintain inventory when it came to produce throughout the pandemic. Although cleaning supplies and toilet paper flew off the shelves in the early days of the pandemic, that has since slowed down. “Luckily HyVee is smart enough to know how to procure those items so when other stores in the area have not been able to get their kind of stuff we actually have. Luckily we’ve been pretty much fully stocked since that initial huge push,” Deyo said. When the pandemic first hit, the store saw a significant increase in customer volume every day, requiring staff to work to keep up, Deyo said. At the time the store was running 2,000-piece trucks every single day, whereas today as visitor numbers have steadied, the average truck is about 1,300 piece.

“My main thing is I think of everybody as my own family, like I would want my family taken care of by somebody else if it wasn’t me. So that’s how I see things, I mean, the town of Faribault I see as one giant family. I come in every day with my head held high and just make sure that I work as hard for these people as I can.” - Robby Deyo Deyo and staff also clean the cases on a regular basis. The entire front rack and produce racks are removed weekly to be sprayed down and cleaned. The once monthly task has increased in frequency during the pandemic. In addition, one person from every department wipes down their department cases every half hour. The main challenge and priority this year has been making sure customers and employees feel safe and that critical items are accessible. The store has introduced an early morning shopping hour for those that may need to shop in a more safe environment, Deyo explained.

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CHALLENGING “Just with making sure that our customers are taken care of and we want to make sure that everybody, when they come into the store, feels safe,” Robby Deyo said, when asked what the biggest challenge was this past year.

The Faribault HyVee has implemented safety measures to protect customers and employees. (Ashley Rezachek/ southernminn.com)

When asked how he keeps a positive mindset even in the face of these obstacles, Deyo says that he understands how important it is to have accessibility to food. “My main thing is I think of everybody as my own family, like I would want my family taken care of by somebody else if it wasn’t me. So that’s how I see things, I mean, the town of Faribault I see as one giant family,” Deyo said. “I come in every day with my head held high and just make sure that I work as hard for these people as I can.” One lesson that Deyo has learned through his experience as a grocery store employee this year was to never give up, adding that it’s necessary to adapt to the times and perservere. He highlights the work of his HyVee coworkers and staff, saying that they have done an amazing job throughout this uncertain time. “From day one, minute one. I mean, nobody said, ‘no, I’m not going to come in because of this,’ because they have the same mindset that I do. They want to make sure that the town is taken care of and make sure that everybody has what they need to get through this (pandemic),” Deyo said. He praises the staff for their work and reliability, coming in every day and doing what needs to be done to keep the store running smoothly, it is really a team effort. The Faribault HyVee put out a call directed at people who lost their job during the pandemic, saying that they would consider taking them on part time. Some that joined are still there today, Deyo said. He offers some words of hope, “no matter what, it’s gonna get better. As a community we just need to keep pushing and make sure that we’re able to make it through.” Reach reporter Ashley Rezachek at 507-444-2376. ©Copyright 2021 APG Media of Southern Minnesota. All rights reserved.

Faribault HyVee employee Larry unloads some Revol Greens lettuce. Despite a global pandemic many grocery store employees have been working in high gear to ensure residents have access to the items they need. (Ashley Rezachek/southernminn.com)

“From day one, minute one. I mean, nobody said, ‘no, I’m not going to come in because of this,’ because they have the same mindset that I do. They want to make sure that the town is taken care of and make sure that everybody has what they need to get through this (pandemic). - Robby Deyo

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Pictured holding a Shop Small Saturday swag bag is Casie Steeves, operations director for the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce. The annual November event has been one of the many Steeves works to promote. (File photo/southernminn.com)

PROMOTE WITH POSITIVITY

At chamber and on School Board, Steeves aims to use problems to identify solutions

asie Steeves is a “die-hard Faribault fan.” It’s one of the first things she says about herself, and one of her main reasons she applyied to work at the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism five years ago. After starting her career in office management, she first came on board as

By BRIDGET KRANZ editor@apgsomn.com the front desk receptionist. Since then, she’s worn many hats and has now grown into the role of operations director. In her time with the chamber, Steeves has helped oversee its restructuring from employee-based to a tiered dues membership model and assisted extensively with the chamber’s strategic plan-

ning work. “Casie started as an administrator for our excellence in education initiative, she sat in on meetings, took notes,” said Nort Johnson, chamber president and CEO. “Through that time of discovery and research, her role began to expand, as did her passion for that work.

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“Most high schoolers wanted to move away and explore the world, but I’ve always wanted to stay and raise my family here. That’s exactly what I’ve done. I’ve seen that there are so many good things happening in our town, that’s why the job at the chamber piqued my interest. It’s my dream job. I get to work with the people that are making our community great and I get to share all the positive things that are happening.” - Casie Steeves Casie Steeves, second from left, started working at the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism five years ago. Pictured here with fellow chamber colleagues, Steeves said the role is her dream job, given the love she has for promoting her hometown. From left: Nort Johnson, Casie Steeves, Kymn Anderson, former Chamber bookkeeper Amy Kramer, Kelly Nygaard. (Photo courtesy of Nort Johnson/Faribault Chamber of Commerce)

seen that there are so many good things happening in our town, that’s why the job at the chamber piqued my interest. It’s my dream job. I get to work with the people that are making our community great and I get to share all the positive things that are happening.” This desire to “promote with positivity” was also part of what drew Steeves to the School Board. As her oldest son, Caden, entered elementary school, her family had an overwhelmingly positive experience — despite some negative things she was hearing about the district. Running for School Board gave her an opportunity to explore why others’ experiences were different from her own, while also giving space to acknowledge the good things that were happening in the district — and take the additional step of trying to find solutions for the things that could improve. “There are very positive things that are happening in ‘Good things happening in our town’ our schools, and I think that they need to be shown a little bit more. That was my main reason for running, and I’d In both roles, Steeves starts with acknowledging the like to hope that’s why I got the most votes,” said Steeves. good — something she’s always had a knack for in her Still, when community members voice concerns, she hometown. “Most high schoolers wanted to move away and explore said she prides herself on being a listening ear — much like the world, but I’ve always wanted to stay and raise my fam- she’s been for businesses this past year during COVID-19. “I might not have the answer that people want to hear, ily here. That’s exactly what I’ve done,” said Steeves. “I’ve “She took the opportunity to have exposure to highstakes issues, and understood early on that the reason you assess those issues is to find opportunities to improve those situations.” Steeves’ work on the task force was one of the factors that compelled her to run for School Board this past year — along with the fact that her children were entering the public school system, and that she is a Faribault Public Schools alum. In both her work at the chamber and on the School Board, Steeves said she aims to “promote with positivity,” while also being a listening ear and resource for community members. As Johnson said, Steeves tries to always take her work beyond the step of identifying problems — onto the tougher job of finding solutions.

but I’ve always prided myself on being able to find the information they need or make the right people aware of a concern,” said Steeves, relying in part on her long-time career as an administrator. “I don’t agree with my own husband on a lot of things, Steeves but at the end of the day I value people’s opinions and I value that we can take a step back and still remain dedicated to what we’re there for.” uuu

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‘SHE SCARES THE BEJESUS OUT OF ME!’ In her role as operations director at the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, Casie Steeves’ positivity and solutionsoriented mindset have made her a great presence around the office. Sometimes, however, she’s been known to pull an office prank or two. Most recently, when the chamber received a new garbage can from Archambault Brothers Disposal in Faribault, Steeves intercepted the delivery. Before staff wheeled the can into President and CEO Nort Johnson’s office, Steeves hopped inside and closed the lid. “When they brought in the new garbage can and asked what I wanted to do with it, Casie popped out of it and scared the bejesus out of me,” laughed Johnson. “I’m personally very proud of Casie’s work and of her character. It’s great to have her around the office, and she has that sense of humor.” Casie Steeves of the Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism distributes boxed lunches to area farmers Shawn, left, and Ron Wegner in October 2019. (Photo courtesy of Faribault Area Chamber of Commerce)

Making it work, together

When it comes to her own goals on the School Board — besides learning as she goes through her first year in the role — Steeves said she’s naturally interested in the intersection between a strong school district and a strong business community. “Without a thriving school system, we can’t hire and retain workers to stay here,” she said. “We’re a small town, but we’re big enough to have some pretty big names in business, and it’s important to have that mindset of continual improvement.” Steeves added that, in her role at the chamber, she hears constantly about companies’ need for employees. “In my experience in high school, it was almost looked down upon if you weren’t going to a four-year college, if you were headed into the workforce or to a two-year program,” she said. “We hear from our businesses every day that they need employees in certain sectors and trades, and we want to be able to get kids onto a pathway of success.” Last year, the chamber’s vision task force added housing to its official list of priorities and again during the pandemic, Steeves has sat in on a number of strategic planning meetings in her role with the chamber. In finding solutions, she says she’s again excited by how the city, chamber and school district’s roles can overlap. “Our hope is that with the new seven-period day (at Faribault High School), there’s capacity in the classroom to do elective classes in construction, welding and industrial arts. Then, our hope is to have capacity for these kids to go

“Our hope is that with the new seven-period day (at Faribault High School), there’s capacity in the classroom to do elective classes in construction, welding and industrial arts. Then, our hope is to have capacity for these kids to go and physically build a house. It’s hands-on learning. If you’re in a housing shortage and you have this new capacity at the high school, why not try and make something work?” - Casie Steeves and physically build a house,” said Steeves. “It’s hands-on learning. If you’re in a housing shortage and you have this new capacity at the high school, why not try and make something work?” As Johnson said, Steeves’ desire to “promote with positivity” also goes one step further — to not get overwhelmed by problems, but to try and find focused solutions.

“Casie has a very proactive, growth-oriented attitude and our chamber is functioning in that same way right now,” he said. “It makes all of the difference, for her coworkers, for our board of directors and for the members. They can feel that enthusiasm.” Reach Regional Managing Editor Suzanne Rook at 507-333-3134. Follow her on Twitter @rooksuzy. ©Copyright 2021 APG Media of Southern Minnesota. All rights reserved.

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