Le Sueur Profiles 2016

PROFILES Le Sueur County

2016

PAGE 2

LE SUEUR PROFILES

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Dorothy Dinwiddie

Staying Afloat Le Center’s Dinwiddie can’t stay away from the pool for long

Dorothy Dinwiddie first met her husband Harry while she was working as the aquatics manager at the Le Sueur Pool. The Dinwiddies have been married for 35 years, and live in Le Center. The couple has spent winters in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, since they were married. (Photo courtesy of Dorothy Dinwiddie)

By ALEX KERKMAN

akerkman@lecenter.com

Every summer, hundreds of kids and families enjoy spending lazy days at the Le Center Public Pool. They jump off the diving boards, wade in the kiddie pool and gaze at the painted walls.

Perhaps the pool’s most familiar fixture is general manager Dorothy Dinwiddie, who’s enjoyed swimming in Le Center since childhood. For nearly 20 years, she has helped get the pool ready so all of the kids in town can enjoy “her baby.”

Dinwiddie, 59, was born in Le Center and graduated from Le Center High School in 1974. She spent a brief time working in the medical field in the Twin Cities, but returned to town after the death of her parents.

Her brother, Don Hayden, helped Dinwiddie get a job of the Le Center Pool. It took a little bit of convincing, but with an eye doctor. The ownership has since change, but Dinwiddie agreed to take the job.

Dinwiddie has remained at Le Center Eye Care, working as “Dorothy had great ideas in updating the pool, changan office manager/optician.

See DINWIDDIE 3 When she returned, Dinwiddie joined the Le Center Ambulance, a position she held for eight years.

“Whenever we’re on call and there’s something very traumatic, we pull off of each other’s strengths,” said Barb Krohn, who worked closely with Dinwiddie there. “Dorothy would Family and Emergency dental care help us deal with it, and talk about it afterwards.” in a Friendly Atmosphere!

Dinwiddie was never away from a pool for very long. She Keeping worked for 24 years as a part-time night aquatics manager smile healthy ur yo for Le Sueur’s indoor and outdoor pools. and bright In 1997, then-Le Center City Administrator Myles Mcthrough the ages!

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PAGE 3

Dinwiddie From page 2

ing the paint and adding the mural to the wall,” McGrath said. “I think the kids recognize her leadership, and have a great relationship with her.

My youngest son, Ben, was a lifeguard at the pool. He enjoyed working with her, they’re both very outgoing and sociable, and got along very well.”

Though the pool is only open in the summer, Dinwiddie can be spotted there throughout the year.

She checks all of the pool’s maintenance needs, orders supplies and concessions and ensures there is enough staff for the following summer.

The latter is hardly ever a problem; many of the pool’s staff and lifeguards return to work for Dinwiddie every summer. A few years ago, Dinwiddie furthered her aquatics education by becoming a lifeguard trainer, CPR instructor and water safety educator.

Dinwiddie’s city service didn’t stop there. She was a council member for eight years in the early 2000s.

During that time, the council worked on a new water treatment project, several street reconstruction projects, and remodeling of the swimming

pool, council chambers and liquor store. She helped spearhead the movement to adopt pole lighting downtown.

“She’s quick to smile, but behind that, she has a drive for getting the job done and getting it done right,” longtime friend and president of First National Bank in Le Center, Greg Traxler, said.

“She always had the city’s best interest at heart, and was not going to do anything detrimental to the city. She’s a staunch person, and not afraid to stick up for herself.”

Dinwiddie loves working at the pool, and says she doesn’t feel almost 60, since the staff of teenagers “always remains the same age from year-to-year.” She has no plans of leaving the pool any time soon.

“I’ll be here until they haul me out on a backboard or I can no longer float,” Dinwiddie said with a laugh.

“I joke that I want them to sprinkle my ashes off the high diving board.”

Reach reporter Alex Kerkman at akerkman@ lecenter.com or on Twitter @ LCLalex2.

Dorothy Dinwiddie has been manager of the Le Center Public Pool for 19 years. She refers to the pool as her baby, and says she’ll stay at her position “until they haul me out on a backboard or I can no longer float.” (Alex Kerkman/Le Center Leader)

GET TO KNOW DOROTHY Dorothy Dinwiddie first met her husband Harry while she was working as the aquatics manager at the Le Sueur Pool.

“I had to throw him out of the swimming pool one night because he was messing around on the diving board,” Dinwiddie said. “He was trying to impress another lifeguard.”

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The Dinwiddies have been married for 35 years, and live in Le Center. The couple has spent winters in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, since they were married.

In her spare time, Dinwiddie enjoys remodeling and redecorating, and teaching swimming lessons in both southern Minnesota and Florida.

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LE SUEUR PROFILES

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Cleveland Police Chief Randy Tiegs welcomes people to the city. (Pat Beck/St. Peter Herald)

Randy Tiegs

Lawman of the People

Cleveland police chief’s hobby is his job

By PAT BECK

pbeck@stpeterherald.com

Cleveland is Randy Tiegs’ kind of town.

Tiegs thought he would be a temporary police chief and ended up with the job for the last 17 years.

He was going to be a six-week fill-in.

Cleveland hired Le Sueur Police Sgt. Bruce Kelly as an interim chief when the previous chief resigned for a different position. But Kelly was just promoted

to Le Sueur police chief.

Kelly asked Tiegs to run the Cleveland department, but Tiegs also was busy.

“At the time I was working full time at the state regional treatment center, part time for Henderson PD and part time for Le Sueur PD,” Tiegs said. “I said I have enough irons in the fire. He said just do it for six weeks.”

Tiegs agreed to take the job permanently three weeks into it. Leonard Robb, who was mayor of Cleveland,

asked Tiegs to stay.

“I said nothing against the community,” Tiegs said. “I love the community. I’m pretty established at the state. I know the wages and benefits, and you’ll never match that. Leonard said, ‘We don’t want you to stay full time. Would you stay part time?’ and I agreed to that.

And I’ve been here since.”

He has stayed because he likes the people.

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Wednesday, August 24, 2016

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PAGE 5

Tiegs From page 4

ple are our greatest asset,’” Tiegs said. “It’s a very friendly town. The Cleveland community has always been overly supportive of the police department.”

Tiegs likewise is friendly and encourages his five officers to be the same in the town of 780 people.

“I encourage them to engage with the community when they’re out on patrol,” Tiegs said. “I want the officers to be approachable.”

Cleveland officers focus on patrolling Highway 99 mainly for pedestrian safety.

“The real reason that we’re out there is on the north side of the highway we have the gas station and convenience store,” Tiegs said. “We have a lot of younger kids who cross Highway 99 to go to that store. It’s amazing that we haven’t had anybody hit. It’s a dangerous highway, so we really patrol and enforce the 50 mph limit.”

Cleveland police patrol the city eight hours a day. The other hours are covered by Le Sueur County Sheriff ’s Office, which takes emergency calls. Routine calls are typically saved for Cleveland officers when they’re on duty.

Tiegs works 24 hours a week for Cleveland in a combination of administrative work and patrolling, typically on the weekends.

Tiegs, who has been employed by the state 37 years, also works full-time as an administrative assistant at the 16-bed short-term state Behavioral Health Hospital behind River’s Edge Hospital in St. Peter. His duties include accounting and working with patients. Forty people work there.

“I definitely enjoy working with people who have a mental illness,” Tiegs said. “When I was out at the regional treatment center, I worked right on the floor with the patients.

When we moved about 10 years now out to the community behavioral health hospital, I missed the contact I had with patients, so I do some floor work also.”

With his job at the state and Cleveland, Tiegs works 60 hours plus a week, but he enjoys it.

“I don’t have a lot of days off, but that’s OK,” Tiegs said.

“Sometimes I work seven days a week. But Cleveland police department is my hobby.”

Tiegs enjoys his co-workers in Cleveland.

“Through my career here I’ve worked with two different mayors, a variety of different council people, and I’ve enjoyed every one of them,” Tiegs said.

He also works closely with City Clerk Gwyn Ploog.

“Gwyn does a lot for the police department during the day,” Tiegs said. “Citizens who walk in wanting to see an officer, she really fields all those contacts and sometimes calls me or sends me an email.”

The dispatch center is in Le Center, but citizens call city hall or the police department cell phone (507-381-7538) posted in businesses. If people have a routine message for an officer, they can call the cell phone. For emergencies, dial 911.

Cleveland Police Chief Randy Tiegs enjoys working with City Clerk Gwyn Ploog. (Pat Beck/St. Peter Herald)

One of the reasons Cleveland police have a cell phone is to call sober cab, which Tiegs started 15 years ago. Posted in all of the city’s liquor establishments, sober cab is free within a 10-mile radius.

Tiegs is single, lives in Henderson and has been a member of Henderson Fire and Rescue for 38 years.

An EMT since 1980, he also was on the Le Sueur Ambulance Service for 13 years. He retired from that after becoming police chief. He no longer works for Le Sueur or Henderson police.

He also worked in 2010-15 worked as Death Investigator for the Anoka County Coroner’s Office with the Sibley County contract.

Tiegs stay in shape by working out four days a week at Anytime Fitness in St. Peter.

To get away once in a while, Tiegs goes to his lake home in Litchfield which he co-owns with his sister. Tiegs likes

CLEVELAND POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTS Emergencies: Call 911 Routine messages: Call the police department cell phone at 507-381-7538 Information: Call city hall at 931-6380

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His sister, niece and nephew all live in Henderson.

Tiegs, 56, doesn’t have any plans to retire as police chief.

“As long as I enjoy the position, which I believe I will for a long time and I’m able to serve the community, I will probably remain here.”

Reach Sports Editor Pat Beck at 931-8566 or follow him on Twitter.com @SPHSportsPat.

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LE SUEUR PROFILES

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Remaining active in the service Brian Pfarr

Family, military service keeps Brian Pfarr busy, close to roots

GET TO KNOW BRIAN PFARR Brian Pfarr received his master’s in 2007 from Minnesota State University, Mankato, in 2007 and his undergraduate degree from MSU in 1991.

Through his National Guard service, he completed tours of Iraq as Chief of Operations in 2010, and served in Germany in 2004.

By DANA MELIUS

dmelius@lesueurnews-herald.com

Brian Pfarr’s local roots and continued service in the Minnesota U.S. National Guard have kept him grounded and close to his family’s Sibley County farm.

A 1987 graduate of Gaylord High School, he’s nearing a 30-year career with the Guard and shows no signs of slowing down. Pfarr has risen to the rank of colonel but credits his family and employer for providing the support for him to remain active in his service.

“I’ve just loved it,” said Pfarr, who in May was named president of First Farmers and Merchants Bank in Le Sueur.

Pfarr stressed he’s been able to maintain his National Guard career for three reasons – he continues to enjoy it, he’s able to manage it with his current banking position, and, most importantly, he’s been able to maintain the commitment with his family.

The Pfarr family includes his wife of 25 years, Kristan, and daughter Katie, 21, and son Hank, 19. Kristan’s a St. Peter native; Brian’s family farm is located between Gaylord and Henderson. Those Minnesota River Valley roots have kept the Pfarr family close, now residing in Le Sueur.

“I wanted to start a family in a small town,” said Pfarr.

“I’ve really enjoyed Le Sueur.”

Pfarr says his employment of over 10 years at First Farmers and Merchants has also allowed him to have close relationships and commitments to local businesses. And while he is concerned about the struggles of small towns, Pfarr is also optimistic about Le Sueur’s future.

Pfarr arrived at the Le Sueur bank in September 2005 after spending six years as a farm business management instructor at South Central College in North Mankato.

“Like many small towns in rural Minnesota, it has challenges,” said Pfarr. “But with these challenges come lots of opportunities.”

Pfarr sees Le Sueur’s comprehensive planning process as a potential opportunity. City Administrator Jenelle Teppen launched the process, with council and citizen input. He likes what he’s seen, Pfarr noted.

“I’m curious to see how that unfolds,” he said.

For that matter, Pfarr compliments both Teppen and firstyear Le Sueur-Henderson Public Schools Superintendent

Brian Pfarr stands in the front lobby of First Farmers & Merchants Bank. He was named president in May. (Dana Melius/ Le Sueur News-Herald)

portunities for advancement and public speaking. And Pfarr has taken advantage of those speaking invitations and leadership trainings.

Retired Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Jeff Bertrang, currently superintendent of schools at New Ulm, said early on he saw Pfarr’s leadership potential, though joked that Pfarr might not have always liked Bertrang’s barking.

Pfarr didn’t mind taking orders, calling Bertrang a fine mentor. Bertrang, in turn, said he’s “seen him grow” through Pfarr’s National Guard career, calling him “very nice, knowledgeable, down-to-earth.”

“You see the rising stars rising up because they can run with it. Brian was one of those guys,” added Bertrang.

Besides numerous overseas deployments, Pfarr recently returned from a one-year assignment in the U.S. Army War College Fellowship program at Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service. The academic and leadership approach helped him grow to “think strategically,” according to Pfarr.

Dear to Pfarr, as well, is his ongoing work with other veterans’ programs, such as the “Beyond the Yellow Ribbon,” which is dedicated to bring service members all the way home, according to the organization’s website.

“You get the opportunity to do it,” said Pfarr of his National Guard commitment. “It’s easy to do something that you’re passionate about.”

Brian Gersich and their leadership of two important community institutions. He labels the two leaders as “strategic thinkers.”

“I’ve been extremely impressed with them,” said Pfarr.

Pfarr’s leadership development has also helped him connect with several Le Sueur area organizations. He’s on the board of directors of Le Sueur Development Incorporated (LSDI) and is a member of the local VFW and American Legion branches, as well as the Le Sueur Lions Club. Pfarr Reach Associate General Manager Dana Melius at 507has also participated at several levels with St. Anne’s Catholic 931-8576 or follow him on Twitter @LNHdanajohn.

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PAGE 7

From batboy to coach Richard Berberich

Berberich is a staple for Le Sueur/ Henderson baseball

By RICHARD ROHLFING

Correspondent

From the visitors dugout of Le Sueur’s Bruce Frank Field, Lon Berberich peers up over his readers and then down to his smart phone below.

“He grounded to you last time,” Berberich’s voice rings out across the field to the Henderson shortstop. The Tigers make the third out, and Berberich, phone still in hand, heads out to the first base coaches box.

Combining modern technology and oldschool wisdom, Berberich, who during the day is the Henderson city administrator, has been a staple of experience on the Henderson and Le Sueur baseball diamonds for many years.

“He’s a baseball guy through and through,” said Tigers infielder and pitcher Kirby Weckworth. “He knows situations.”

Tigers manager Cody Boelter agreed.

“It’s his passion. Lon has forgotten more baseball than we have ever known.”

Berberich has been with the Henderson Baseball Association since its startup a decade ago. Before that he managed the Le Sueur Braves.

“I cornered him on what we needed to start up,” said Boelter. “He was the cog behind the scenes.”

Berberich also manages the Le SueurHenderson American Legion, a team that went to the state tournament this year.

Growing up in of Leavenworth, Minnesota, a tiny community not far from Sleepy Eye, it was natural that Berberich took to baseball. He remembers being a batboy in 1961.

“You’ve got a church, a bar, a farm and a baseball field. There’s not a whole lot more you can do.”

Manager Lon Berberich coaches the Le Sueur-Henderson American Legion team during the state tournament, held at Le Sueur’s Bruce Frank field in late July. Berberich has been involved in area baseball for many years.

All the while participating in baseball, Berberich attended school in Leavenworth to sixth grade before heading off to Sleepy Eye Public.

He played at the collegiate level for a bit at the University of Minnesota, Morris while earning his bachelor’s degree in political science. Later he earned a master’s in regional studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He was working as a management intern in New Ulm before he took the job as Henderson city administrator in 1983.

Playing for Leavenworth, his team was the ranked #1 in Class B amateur baseball.

All-in all, 25 teams he has played on or managed have made it to the state amateur tournament.

Berberich said that the state of baseball has changed a lot in Minnesota, both at the high school and amateur levels.

He said 10 to 15 years ago, there were lots of college players in the town teams and dominant, big name coaches. Now, talent is distributed differently.

“Club ball has proliferated all over. Pri-

vate schools have changed the landscape.

Legion ball is different. Amateur ball is still going great guns. College baseball is better now than ever was but different than ever was. It’s not better, not worse, just different.

The skill level is there, but how you get them there is different.”

Berberich said he is still trying to get his arms around the changes.

“I’m still evaluating. I haven’t figured it all out yet.”

But as a city administrator, he said not much is new.

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“I’ve been through it all and am not surprised by anything anymore. I can do things and figure out things better than 25 years ago.”

He said he likes the spirt of the citizens of Henderson’s ability to work together to enhance their town.

“It’s a great community … close knit.

People want to do stuff and get stuff done.

I’ve seen lots of mayors and city council members. All have been different and all have been good.”

When he’s not at work or on a baseball diamond, Berberich likes to hunt, travel and watch sports. He has visited every Mexican state and Canadian province. He is a season ticket holder of the Vikings, Twins and Gophers. He has been to every major league park in the country and pro football stadium as well and is now working his way around the college fields.

Berberich wasn’t involved directly baseball for a while. But he observed games, thought he had something to offer and decided to get back in. He said coaching high school players and amateur players is the same.

“To me they are all young.”

He said he doesn’t know how long he will wear a baseball uniform.

“I’m a 17-year recovering alcoholic, so I keep it going day by day. I don’t get too far ahead or too far behind. Next year I will tell you if I’m still in the game.”

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LE SUEUR PROFILES

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Susan Rynda

Here to serve the public County Human Services director sticks close to home

Susan Rynda, second from left, joined family members Carter, Jackson, her husband, Larry John, at a past family gettogether. (Submitted photo)

By DANA MELIUS

dmelius@lesueurnews-herald.com

Susan Rynda hasn’t strayed far from her Montgomery roots, but that doesn’t mean her influence on human services issues has been limited to her Le Sueur County department.

“She’s known statewide,” said Le Sueur County Administrator Darrell Pettis. “And people in the profession comment on how much she’s helped them.”

Pettis stressed that Rynda’s advocacy at the state level and ability to assist residents here and beyond who battle “difficult situations” is a benefit to the county and the state.

“She truly has the best residents of Le Sueur County and the state of Minnesota at heart,” added Pettis. “I’ve always found her to be a true professional and gracious worker to work with.

“She’s done an excellent job in her 17 years I’ve worked

with her. She’s truly a gem.”

Pettis’ high praise for Rynda’s work on a statewide level hasn’t prompted the Le Sueur County department head to look for greener pastures. Her family’s roots have remained in the Montgomery area, where Rynda, husband Larry John, and sons Jackson and Carter have called home.

The Rynda’s 280-acre Century Farm, located between Montgomery and Le Center, no longer includes dairy cattle, but the family remains active cash crop farmers in corn and soybeans. The Ryndas have been married 29 years.

She’s been a Le Sueur County employee for 28 years and served as a contracted employee prior to that. And she’s had several opportunities for advancement in other, larger counties, according to Rynda. But she said there’s never been an enticement to leave home.

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LE SUEUR PROFILES

PAGE 9

Rynda From page 8

Susan Rynda, director of the Le Sueur County Human Services Department, directs programming with a $7 million budget. (Dana Melius/Le Sueur NewsHerald)

ple you know personally,” said Rynda. “I’ve just enjoyed where I’ve been. “ For the past 17 years, Rynda has served as Le Sueur County Human Services Director. Pettis said it’s not a position she pursued, but when the opening surfaced, she agreed to fill in. That was July 1999 and now Rynda has a job she loves and fellow employees she loves being around.

“I’m surprised how long it’s been,” said Rynda. “When you really love your job, it goes fast.”

Rynda says she enjoys the problem-solving part of her job and she tries to encourage department employees to do the same. And it’s a critical, key department in Le Sueur County, with its $7 million budget rivaling the highway department.

“We are constantly adjusting to change,” said Rynda.

“And we are here to serve the public. Some changes have been gradual. But there are others that have really been good.”

Accountability, she noted, is one.

“I personally think it’s a good thing,” said Rynda, “never more so than how we’ve been held more accountable to the taxpayers dollars.”

Changes in child protection have also been fairly dramatic, according to Rynda, and are consuming more and

more of her staff ’s time.

Rynda’s personal life is also undergoing dramatic change, with her and her husband soon-to-be empty nesters. Oldest son Jackson has completed schooling at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and youngest son Carter graduated from high school last spring and is now off to college. So, the Rynda home is pretty quiet.

Both were active and pretty successful in athletics, but mom was no slouch, having played collegiate basketball at St. Cloud State University. Rynda was a 1987 graduate of Montgomery-Lonsdale. After chasing sports for quite some time, what might keep her preoccupied?

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“I love to work in my yard. And when you live on a farm, you have a lot of property to mow,” smiled Rynda. “And I love to garden.”

But she also loves work.

“I’m just hoping that it (being an empty nester) won’t turn me into a workaholic,” said Rynda.

Pettis and others throughout the state probably wouldn’t mind a bit.

Reach Associate General Manager Dana Melius at 507931-8576 or follow him on Twitter @LNHdanajohn.

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LE SUEUR PROFILES

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Bob and Susan Allen

Passion for Racing Allens are in 36th year running Arlington Raceway

By PAT BECK

pbeck@stpeterherald.com

Kasota’s Bob and Susan Allen have brought excitement to thousands of people’s lives at Arlington Raceway for the last 36 years.

“A lot of family memories are made at the track,” Susan said. “Some families are into their third generation. A couple of our drivers last year celebrated their 100th feature win.

That’s kind of cool.”

Bob said racing is a passion for many people, with racers from as far away as Des Moines, Iowa, to Grand Rapids.

“They spend so much time and effort in it that it’s easy to get upset with us,” he said. “But there are also a lot of people who truly appreciate the effort we put in, have fun with what they’re doing and help out when they can.”

While in high school, Bob and his family raced at St. Peter Speedway until it closed in 1977. They continued racing at the Cannon River Speedway in Morristown which also closed.

They wanted racing to continue in the area, so at age 23, Bob, and Susan, 21, founded Arlington Raceway.

They’ve been at it ever since, providing racing nearly every Saturday night from May to September.

“We had a meeting in a garage here with six or eight people and talked about forming an association and re-

Arlington Raceway owners Bob and Susan Allen of Kasota post the line-up board and meet with the drivers prior to racing Saturday night. (Pat Beck/St. Peter Herald)

opening the Cannon River,” Bob said. “Sibley County Board contacted us and asked us if we’d give that a shot. We tried Arlington as an association, and most people were more interested in working on their race cars than the race track, so about midseason, we started paying people for working there and designed it as a business.”

The first event had 13 race cars and 35 people in the grandstands. Now they have 100 plus racers and 500 plus in attendance.

They also ran Redwood Speedway on Sunday nights from 1990 to 2000 and helped out the owner for two more years.

Bob has also served as the International Motor Contest Association Sprint car director for 20 years. When the association started, there was one race track, Arlington. Now there are 20 tracks and 600 racers in the country.

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work. She keeps track of points for the drivers. She does the inventory and ordering for the refreshment area, the paperwork for employees, payroll and the bookkeeping.

Thirty people work in concessions, as track officials, safety people, truck drivers, scorers and announcers.

“It’s more than just a race track,” Susan said. “It’s a fastfood service, a retail souvenir stand, a mini bar, a customer service area for drivers and fans, an entertainment complex (racing).”

On race night, Bob mainly helps with the safety, track preparation, minor repairs, security and conflict resolution for racers and fans.

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Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 10 am - Midnight Fri. & Sat. 10 am - 1 pm | Off Sale 10 am - 10 pm

322 Broadway St., Cleveland 507-931-3885

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

LE SUEUR PROFILES

PAGE 11

Allen From page 10

highway accident.

Outside of racing, the Allens don’t have a lot of free time.

Bob, however, has been a volunteer firefighter for Kasota Fire Department for 30 years, serving as chief from 2003 to 2008. He goes to fire and rescue calls, 100 to 130 per year. Working at home, he makes a lot of the weekday calls. He also served as training officer and as relief association president.

Bob also began selling insurance to race tracks five years ago with Jonesbirdsong Motorsports Insurance of Wayzata. He has about 350 clients around the country. During the week, Bob used to work more getting the track ready, but Levi is taking care of more of the general track maintenance and is general manager.

Susan also has been active in their church, First Presbyterian in Kasota, as a member of the session (church board) for many years. But she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2008, so she cut back on church work.

“We’re still members of our church, but I’m not as involved as I used to be,” Susan said.

Another major part of their life is their family. They have two children and five grandchildren, two of whom race go-karts.Levi also used to race gokarts. Son, Brett, races Sprint cars, but he was injured, so he no longer races.

“I spend a lot of time with our grandkids,” Susan said.

The Allens haven’t made any plans when they will leave the business.

“It depends on the economy and how long people enjoy coming out to

Bob Allen has patroled the half-mile dirt track at Alington Raceway on Saturday nights for the last 37 years.

(Pat Beck/St. Peter)

See ALLEN 12

Call the HOUSE for all your insurance needs.

We are an independent insurance agency representing Auto Owners, Owners, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance, Fairmont Farmers Mutual, Allied-Nationwide, AAA - West Bend, Progressive, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medica and other speciality companies. We can design insurance policies customized to fit your individual needs.

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Le Center Office 22 South Lexington 507-357-2221

Darian Hunt

Randy Hunt

Matt Steffen

Hayley Hunt

Montgomery Office 103 Oak Ave S.E. 507-364-5511

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LE SUEUR PROFILES

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Allen From page 11

the race,” Bob said. “On the average nationwide, people who get into the business last three years.”

Bob said the race track has lasted so long because of support from people.

“We have some pretty good employees that help us out,” Susan said. “That’s a big thing, being able to count on them.”

Reach Sports Editor Pat Beck at 931-8566 or follow him on Twitter.com @SPHSportsPat.

ARLINGTON RACEWAY What: Arlington Raceway half mile dirt track (IMCA Sport Compact, IMCA Hobby, Outlaw Hobby, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Car, IMCA Modified, IMCA Sprint Car, Go-Karts, Auto Cross, Truck Cross, Figure 8’s) When: 7 p.m. Saturday May through September Where: Arlington, at the Sibley County Fairgrounds, 801 West Chandler St. Website: www.arlingtonraceway.com Facebook: Arlington Raceway-Official Page Phone: 507-380-6998

Susan Allen posts the driving order on Line Up Board at Arlington Raceway. This Saturday night featured 120 drivers in seven classes. (Pat Beck/St. Peter Herald)

First National Bank has been supporting all types of local businesses for over 110 years!

Whether you’re starting a new business or expanding your current one, come see Brad. He has been making loans to area business for over 10 years and welcomes the opportunity to discuss your lending needs.

www.fnblecenter.com 10 W. Minnesota St. Le Center, MN 56057 507-357-2273

134 N. Kilkenny Rd. Kilkenny, MN 56052 507-595-2273

Experience community banking at its best….First National Bank of Le Center We’re your neighbors and friends

Brad O’Keefe, Vice President at First National Bank