Community

Photo by Andrew Dyrdal/Artwork by Stacey BahrMembers of the Albert Lea Grizzlies, above, work just as hard off the field as they do on it. From left, front row, are George Gerdes and Jason Kuipers. In the center row are Dustin Peterson, Craig Schmidt and Ross Anderson. And in the back row are Chris Hable, Tony Tolbers and Paul Matheron. The team plays football in Albert Lea in the spring at Brookside Park.

By Andrew [email protected]

Members of the Albert Lea Grizzlies know they may not be around the community forever, but they’re taking steps to assure that if they decide to leave, the football team doesn’t go with them.

“We want to make the community a better place,” Grizzlies president Craig Schmidt said. “At the same time, we want to make the Grizzlies something that’s going to last so that when we become too old to play it doesn’t fall apart.”

The Grizzlies name was founded in October 2009 after the team relocated to Albert Lea from Emmons, where they were known as the Southern Minnesota

Indians. They play in the six-team Southern Plains Football League on Sat-urday nights at Brook-side Park in the spring.

The team’s fan atten-dance grew to 150 toward the end of last season and head coach Steve Piper said that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

“We could double that attendance this season realistically,” he said.

To stay legitimate, as of Jan. 6 the Grizzlies acquired nonprofit status and are working toward becoming a 501(c)(3) organization to be tax-exempt and absolved of liabilities of injuries.

“If you’re going to have an organization that lasts beyond you, it’s one of the bricks of the founda-tion that needs to be in place,” Schmidt said.

While the Grizzlies spent less than two months playing football last spring in their inau-gural season in Albert Lea, they spent over eight months giving back to the community.

In the early spring, the Grizzlies helped pick trash and glass off the streets during Albert Lea’s spring cleanup. This fall, they volunteered time coaching to the Al-bert Lea Family Y’s youth football program.

Volunteering isn’t hard, they said, because the community has already given so much to them.

Last season, the Griz-

zlies played at Brookside shortly after the June 17 tornado outbreak in three inches of standing water. Local fans came to help the players remove sticks and branches off the field for 2 1/2 hours so that it was playable. That was the same game the Griz-zlies had the largest and loudest crowd.

“That’s the community giving back to us,” quar-terback and Albert Lea native Tony Tolbers said. “It was a great feeling to have people watching despite the weather.”

Most of the Grizzlies players are from Albert Lea and take pride in their hometown. One of their goals is to help rebuild the football pro-gram in Albert Lea.

“I think Albert Lea loves football,” Piper

said. “And is addicted to it as anybody.”

Over the next year, the Grizzlies hope to develop a youth football program of their own starting with a three-day week-end skills camp in the summer.

“We have a lot of tal-ented guys that want to contribute to the commu-nity,” Piper said. “With the right partnerships, I think there is enough money and equipment for youth football to take the next step.”

Piper hopes that in 20 years he could drive through Albert Lea and still catch a Grizzlies game on Saturday night.

“We’re just trying to bring excitement and spirit to the community,” he said. “It’s something for youth to attend on Saturday nights, and it’s free.”

Home Depot volunteersEmployees from The Home Depot

volunteered to help remove debris from fields following the June 17 tor-nado outbreak in Freeborn County.

Your heroes are our heroesYou sent them in, and now we print

them. Thanks for sharing stories of heroism among your loved ones. From soldiers to spouses, these stories em-body the theme “Everyday Heroes.”

InsIde

The Giving GrizzliesHero: The Albert Lea GrizzliesSecret identity: South Plains Football League teamBase of operations: Brookside ParkSuperpowers: Enthu-siastic about every-thing they do on and off the fieldKryptonite: Can have too much fun togetherAffiliations: Stephen Piper, head coach; Craig Schmidt, team presidentOrigin: Began as the Owatonna Indians in 2007 before becom-ing the Southern Minnesota Indians in 2008 and Albert Lea Grizzlies in 2009. The majority of players are from Albert Lea.

Website:www.eteamz.com/algrizzlies/

Southern Plains Football League football players volunteer around Albert Lea

Page 2 • Albert Lea Tribune • Sunday, February 27, 2011 PROGRESS COMMUNITY

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Angels at St. John’s

By Sarah [email protected]

With a combined experience of more than 50 years at St. John’s Lu-theran Home, three certi-fied nursing assistants at the facility have been able to effect the lives of hundreds of residents.

Though CNAs ShaRon Eng, Paula Munkberg and Diana Paulson work at different wings of the facility, they have one large factor in common: they are always thinking of the people they serve.

“We try to be as accom-modating as we can to their likes and dislikes, what time they want to go to bed — that they get their choices,” Eng said.

Eng works on the Sec-ond North neighborhood, Munkberg works on the short-stay unit and Paul-son works in the First North neighborhood.

At St. John’s Lutheran Home, a neighborhood is akin to a wing.

Munkberg said she works with residents

who are in need of re-habilitation or hospice care, while Paulson and Eng work with residents who are living at the facility on a long-term basis. Paulson also works with some with residents who have Alzheimer’s disease.

As CNAs, they said they have a variety of responsibilities, includ-ing helping residents with the ins and outs of daily living, whether its taking them to activities, bathing them or help-ing them eat — doing pretty much whatever’s needed besides giving out medications.

Eng noted that some of her challenges of the job include adjusting to the needs, likes and dislikes of new residents and try-ing to care for residents who are combative.

For Paulson, one of her challenges is transition-ing from the Alzheimer’s unit to her other nurse’s station.

Munkberg said her main challenge is caring

for people who are at the end of their lives, know-ing when they come in for hospice care that they will probably not live much longer.

While it can some-times be a challeng-ing job, the women said what makes it all worthwhile is when the residents or the resi-dents’ families give them a simple “thank you.”

Residents often also tell them they missed them on their days off, which they say is a touching word of appreciation.

“The people who can’t thank us, they give us candy,” Eng said with a smile.

Eng, Munkberg and Paulson said they like the sense of teamwork at St. John’s among the employees.

“It’s a good facility to work with,” Munkberg said. “You can ask any-body a question here.”

“And all departments work together and re-spect each other,” Eng added.

Hero: ShaRon EngSecret identity: certified nursing as-

sistant, team leaderBase of operations: St. John’s Lu-

theran Home, Albert Lea Superpowers: likes people and differ-

ent personalitiesKryptonite: low tolerance for tardy

peopleAffiliations: husband, Tom; six chil-

dren, 13 grandchildrenOrigin: Eng has worked as a CNA at

St. John’s Lutheran Home for 21 years after losing her job at Land O’ Lakes. She works in the Second North neigh-borhood — or wing — of the facility dur-ing the second shift from 3 to 11 p.m.

Hero: Paula MunkbergSecret identity: certified nursing

assistant, team leader Base of operations: St. John’s

Lutheran Home, Albert LeaSuperpowers: caring and

compassionateKryptonite: caring and

compassionateAffiliations: husband, Kyle, two

childrenOrigin: Munkberg has worked at St.

John’s Lutheran Home for a little more than 10 years. She said she needed a full-time job and didn’t want to work at a factory. She works in the short-stay unit, where people come for rehabilita-tion or to seek hospice services.

Hero: Diana PaulsonSecret identity: certified nursing assistantBase of operations: St. John’s Lutheran

Home, Albert Lea. Superpowers: her family and grandchildrenKryptonite: spidersAffiliations: husband, Randy, four children Origin: Paulson has worked at St. John’s

Lutheran Home for 22 years. She works in the First North unit from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea TribuneOne St. John’s Lutheran Home resident stands up when it is her time to bowl on the Nintendo Wii in January.

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Hero: Keith Bolinger

How does a parent begin by telling everyone how very proud we are of our son and why he is our hero? Right now, Keith is deployed in Iraq defending our freedom so we can live and have rights like we do. He went over there proud to serve while leaving behind a family with four small children and a wife to take on all the responsibilites while he is thousands of miles away. Hopefully, Keith will be home soon where he then will come back to his job as a deputy sheriff here in Albert Lea. There too he helps the people of Free-born County and gladly does his job to protect and serve. We all need to give people like Keith all the respect they have earned and deserve.

With love to our hero.

Chuck and Marcy Bolinger

Heroes: Albert Lea Police Department and St. John’s Lutheran Home

My most recent heros are the members of the Albert Lea Police Depart-ment. After the recent robbery in my store, offi-cer Bob Ethridge arrived in minutes, phoned in a description of the men and in a very short time all three were apprehend-ed. The next day, Deb Flatness spent time with me and returned all of my stolen items and money. Both Deb Flatness and Bob Etheridge couldn’t

have been more kind and professional. Other officers searched for my lost checkbook and were involved in the apprehen-sion. Officer Etheridge has stopped in twice since the robbery to check on me. I feel very protected and safe due to the efforts of our police department.

I pray these young men will now be motivated to change and become the productive individuals they were meant to be.

Secondly, my heros are the staff of St. John’s Lutheran Home where my mother spent her last year and a half. I went to St. John’s twice a day for that one and a half years because mom needed encouragement to eat.

There wasn’t anyone from the laundry people, the cleaning staff, nurses, aides, those in the dining room who didn’t do their very best for my mother. The activity staff planned

a variety of programs that both mom and I enjoyed.

Chaplain Jeff Laeger-Hagemeister cared for ev-eryone’s spiritual needs. I took mom to the Sunday services. She couldn’t comprehend the message but she enjoyed the music and the hymns.

Albert Lea has a number of fine nursing homes. My experience was with St. John’s. They were instrumental in making that last year and half a happy time for mom and me.

Eloise Adams

Hero: Jeffrey Dahlen

Sgt. First Class Jef-frey Dahlen is the most wonderful father to our beautiful girls, Sierra and Shelbie. He is a caring, loving husband of 14 years. He is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure we are protected and safe. He has been de-ployed three times with a fourth one coming up. He is also a firefighter and an emergency medical technician for the city of Freeborn. He is the brav-est, kindest, most-caring person you would ever meet. He is genuine and true. He is our hero.

Jennifer Dahlen

Hero: Dustin Eggum

My daddy has been in the National Guard for seven years now. He will be turning 25 this month, and I will be turning 2 in April. My daddy is my hero because he is the greatest daddy in the whole wide world. In May he will be going on his third deployment for another year. My daddy is brave and a very strong man. I love you daddy!

Brynna Lynn Eggum

Hero: Waving gentleman

Can a person’s simple greeting, kind demeanor and wish of goodwill make him a hero? I think they can. Sometimes actions do speak louder than words.

For the past 10 years, my daily journey to Unit-ed South Central High School in Wells has taken me though the town of Alden, just as buses leave to fetch students and the place begins to stir. As my route gradually became routine, I noticed a gentleman walking each day along the main drag, but he didn’t just walk; as traffic passed, he raised his hand in greeting to

vehicles rolling by. Curi-ous, I thought to myself. Who is this guy? What’s he doing? Then one day I found myself waving back.

My driving to school and this guy’s waving have continued for years now. Rain or shine, snow or wind, I drive, he walks, we wave. I’ve come to ap-preciate the good will he sends my way each morn-ing. On a gloomy day, it’s a burst of sunlight; on an icy day, it’s a dry stretch of pavement.

Several years ago as I shopped at a local mar-ket, I noticed an oddly familiar figure navigating the aisle ahead of me, his gait clearly identifi-able. I approached him a bit warily and blurted, “Excuse me-by chance do you live in Alden?” Naturally a bit surprised, he revealed he did, and when he admitted he indeed walked daily and waved, I explained that I was one of the many who drove past him. He told me he’d been waving for years, that he enjoyed greeting people.

“I appreciate your waving,” I shared with a smile. “Even if I leave the house in a lousy mood, somehow your wave sets things right. It really makes my day. ”

A bit shy, he gazed at me though his thick lens-es and said, “And you’ve just made mine, young lady.” Then we nodded in mutual appreciation and went our separate ways.

On the hero scale, I suppose all this waving doesn’t compare much to leaping buildings in a single bound or saving a damsel in distress; none-theless it is an anony-mous blessing I appreci-ate every day.

I still don’t know this guy’s name; he doesn’t know mine. We meet daily during the school year and for a few sec-onds each morning, we wish one another well — an anonymous hero who makes my day.

Jane Johnson

Hero: Art Anderson

My husband is my hero, and this story that appeared in the Albert Lea Tribune in October 1999 is why:

By Geri McShaneTribune lifestyles editor

A traveler is alive today because Arthur and Roselyn Anderson chose to go into an Albert Lea restaurant instead of its drive-through.

The Andersons, of Albert Lea, were headed

to the Minnesota Renais-sance Festival Sept. 25 when they decided to stop at Burger King for breakfast.

They were just leaving the restaurant at about 9:30 a.m. when a man came running in from the parking lot, yelling “Help me! Help me!”

“I couldn’t believe all the blood,” Roselyn Anderson said. “He was lucky he even made it inside.”

The 29-year-old man had slit his wrist with a razor blade.

Arthur Anderson im-mediately grabbed the man’s arm and began applying pressure to the wound. He called for a towel and told someone to call 9-1-1.

The ambulance crew, along with Albert Lea Po-lice Officers Don Richter, Rodney Davis and Lt. Glen Larson, arrived at the same time and found

a heavy trail of blood as well as several pools of blood on the floor.

“They had to cut off his sweatshirt and T-shirt,” Arthur Anderson said of the man, adding all the while he kept applying pressure. “Finally some-one else took over.”

Because of the health risks involved, Anderson was told to go wash his hands twice, then report to the ambulance where attendants put a disinfec-tant on his hands. He also had had to report to the hospital to be tested.

“I’ve been told every-thing is good,” he said.

The Andersons never did make it to the Renais-sance Festival that day. They told their daughter about the incident and opted instead to watch their grandson play football.

Anderson received a special letter of commen-dation from the Albert Lea Police Department.

Larson wrote, “Your quick action saved the victim’s life. There is no

question from the sever-ity of the wound that this subject would have bled to death before the police and ambulance arrived if you had not taken the action you did. You are to be commended for your quick thinking and for putting your own safety aside to save the life of another person.

“As a police officer representing the city of Albert Lea, I take pride in the fact that there are citizens, such as yourself, willing to help in a time of crisis.”

Said Anderson, “It was purely instinct. I didn’t

think of anything except trying to save his life.”

The incident is some-thing Anderson has thought a lot about in the past week, and he wonders how the man is doing.

“There are so many questions,” he said. “My minister told me, ‘You were supposed to be there.’”

There were only two other couples in the restaurant when the man came in, Anderson said. He said he was surprised that no one else made a move to help, and that others who came into the restaurant didn’t stop to help. In fact, one man walked right through the blood.

“You don’t realize something like this can happen in Albert Lea,” Roselyn Anderson said.

Rose Anderson

Heroes: Kiester for a Cure

Kiester has a group of heroes, not just a single hero. The group is known as Kiester for a Cure. These heroes are Linda Willaby, Rachel Lohberger, Karen Zabel, Sheila Chose, Jodi Wil-laby, and Lori Schumann.

Lori Schumann passed away this past November after a two-year coura-geous battle with breast cancer. Lori was very well known in the Kiester community, several sur-rounding communities, and was a well-known ad-vocate for breast cancer awareness.

It all started out when Lori was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and started treat-ments. Linda came up with an idea to do a bowling fundraiser. She approached Rachel and Lori, and the plan-ning began. It was first established as Kiester Bowl for the Cure in 2008. Its first event

was held in February of 2009 and funds raised were sent to the Susan G. Komen Fund of Min-nesota. After their first event, they recognized a need in the surrounding communities for funds and awareness. They changed the focus of the fundraising to benefit lo-cal organizations and/or individuals. At this point, the name was changed to Kiester for a Cure. Their focus has mainly been on breast cancer awareness, but they have changed that to include all types of


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4Heroes, Page 6


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cancer. They have three events planned for this year – the third annual bowling fundraiser in February, a fun run/walk in June, and a commu-nity fundraising meal in November.

Kiester for a Cure recently donated pro-ceeds from their Febru-ary 2010 bowling event to the Naeve Health Care Foundation’s Project Pink. That donation was $12,000. In addition to the Susan G. Koman donation and the Project Pink donation, it also has dispersed funds to indi-viduals who are currently undergoing treatment for cancer. Thanks to these ladies and all the “heroes” of the community who support and donate to these events, many more people will benefit from this in the future, too.

The group is busy final-izing plans for their third annual bowling event which took place the weekend of Feb. 19 and 20 in Kiester. The event has become such a huge success that they had to add additional bowling sessions to their Saturday schedule and a Friday night session! It involves a four-person nine-pin tournament, silent and live auctions, a breakfast on Saturday morning, a supper Saturday night, and a dance at the Kiester Legion following the tournament on Saturday night.

If anyone is interested in making any donations, they can be sent to:

Kiester for a Cure (KFAC)

Box 133Kiester, MN 56051

Cheri Schuman

Hero: Robert Gillespie

Oct. 12, 2000. My son Robert was dispatched from his duties as an American Embassy guard to assist in the recovery of the dead when 17 people died and 39 were in-jured in an attack on the American guided-missile destroyer, USS Cole, in Aden harbor, Yemen. Since then Robert has made a career of service to our nation with four combat tours, the latest just last year in Afghani-stan. I am proud of his courage and dedication to preserving this nations security and freedom.

George Gillespie

Heroes: Leland and Betty Abben

Leland and Betty Abben are my heroes. Ever since I have been old enough to realize it, everything they told me was correct, even though I used to not realize it.

I have always looked up to them and thought to myself, “I wonder if everyone has parents like mine.” They are both loving, kind, giving and love their family very much. They provided a safe, warm and loving home where everyone was always welcome. My dad got up every day and went to work and my mom worked at home. They have instilled in my brother and sisters in many ways how to live an honest and good life, and we have passed that onto their grandchildren. I am proud to call them my mom and dad, my best friends, my guardian angels, my heroes.

I love you, Mom and Dad … always.

Jane (Abben) Beighley

Hero: Bill Villarreal

My father is my world, he has showed me what seceding means. If you realize what is important in your life and take care of it, everything else falls into place. Your health and family is what you need. It doesn’t mat-ter how much money or valuable things you have. My father has been there for many people and would never turn his back on someone who would ask for his help. My father has a heart of gold followed with brave ac-tions and words to live by. Live life to the fullest and don’t let it pass you by.

Kristin Villarreal

Hero: Debi Hage

My hero is my mother, Debi. She is a kind and a very nice lady. She is always there for you. She gives the best advice. Why my mom is my hero is because she always has been there for me. I always go to her for advice. She has taught

me right from wrong. She has helped me through my 20 years. She is the best mom I could ask for. Without her, my world wouldn’t be the same. She helps me with my child when I need her help. She knows how to say the right things and she does give the best advice.

Kindra Holland

Heroes: Holly Carlson and Lee Haines

When I think of the word “hero” there are so many meanings to that word.

My heroes are my parents for giving me the gift of life, loving me and raising me to adulthood and continuing to love and support me.

My other heroes in-clude a long list of people, family and friends, neigh-bors. My church minis-ter and Sunday school teachers are my heroes. My teachers at school are my heroes for teaching me while I thought I was un-teachable. Having worked in a rest home, all the staff were my heroes, my doctor and dentist are my heroes, the sheriff, police, fire, ambulance, first responders and

emergency medical tech-nicians are my heroes. Anyone who does volun-teer work is my hero. The military men and women. Anyone who lends a hand to someone in need is my hero.

My other heroes are both of my children, Holly and Lee. I am so proud to be their mom! My daughter has been on a volunteer fire depart-ment for seven years as an EMT, trying to help save lives.

My son is in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and is on his third deployment, serving are great country to serve and protect us all. These are my greatest heroes to me!

Debbie Heidemann

Heroes: NRHEG elementary students and the Hagens

I would like to nomi-nate two different groups of people whose work and deeds warrant them as being recognized as “Everyday Heroes.”

First I would like to nominate the children and teaching staff at the New Richland-Hart-land-Ellendale-Geneva Elementary School who started a Pennies for Patients program re-cently. The one-week program increased in value each day, to donat-ing successive nickels, dimes and quarters on succeeding days and end-ing with dollar donations earning a grand total of $4,736, which was donated to the Geneva Cancer Fund.

Second: I would like to nominate Dwayne “Whitey” and LaJune Hagen who helped start the first cancer auc-tion at Geneva and have continued it for over 27 years — planning and executing a volunteer program and auction to raise funds to fight in the cancer cause. (Judy, deceased, and Harold Thompson, were also in-strumental in helping get the first cancer auction going in Geneva.)

Also included in the nomination would be the auctioners and others who give of their time and money to make each event a successful effort on the part of the area residents.

Whitey Hagen de-livered a check for $81,000 on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 16, on behalf of the many cancer fundraisers in our area, to the Eagles Cancer Telethon in Rochester. They are well on their way to starting on their second million dollars in money raised for the cancer cause and cure research.

More than a million dollars has been raised over the past 27 years.

Carole Schember

Continued from Page 4

Your heroes!

Robert Gillespie

Lee Haines and Holly Carlson

Debi Hage, left, and Debbie Heidemann


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Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea TribuneRyan Hajek, an employee with the Utilities Department within the city of Albert Lea, stands next to a piece of equipment he uses regularly. Hajek is part of a team of city workers who maintains the water distribution system and sewer system for the city.

By Sarah [email protected]

Hero: Ryan HajekSecret identity: senior utility maintenance workerBase of operations: City Garage, Utilities Depart-

ment, city of Albert LeaSuperpowers: ability to get along with people

and easily make friends, always likes challenges, likes helping people, likes seeing progress, likes to give credit where credit is due, good at operating machinery

Kryptonite: not as outgoing as he should be sometimes, doesn’t always tell people how he’s feeling

Affiliations: wife, Lisa, two sons, Logan, 6, and Ethan, 3

Origin: Living on an acreage between Myrtle and Glenville, Hajek began working for Albert Lea 11 years ago in March.

He had previously worked at Wangen Excavating and credits many of the skills he uses in his city job to this company.

He helps maintain the water distribution system and the sewer system, both above ground and below ground in Albert Lea. This could include fixing water main leaks and sewer leaks, too.

He specializes in running a backhoe and also has his Class B water operator’s license.

During the winter, he also snowplows for the city. Outside of his employment with the city of Albert

Lea, Hajek farms corn and soybeans and raises cattle.

The Sewer Saver

He farms; he snowplows; he maintains the city sewer system

He sells tires; he manages a store; he runs a snowplow service

Kelli Lageson/Albert Lea TribuneKelvin Rehnelt stands in front of a John Deere skidloader with a snowplow.

Mr. Plow

By the numbers:

16 years Rehnelt has been at Hanson Tire

in Albert Lea. He started as service manager and worked his way to store manager and part owner.

45 lots are plowed by Rehnelt and

another employee. The lots are for businesses and in residential areas for people who hire them for their driveways.

12 to13 hours Rehnelt and another plower

must work to get all the lots plowed after snowstorms.

2 skidloaders are used to plow the lots as well as

trucks with plow blades.

By Kelli [email protected]

Hero: Kelvin Rehnelt

Secret identity: store manager/part owner of Hanson Tire

Base of operations: Albert LeaSuperpowers: ability to get up and work long

hours after a snowstormKryptonite: freezing rain, ice underneath snow

or heavy wet snow makes snowplowing difficultAffiliations: wife, Amy; daughters Sydney, 15,

and Rachel, 11Origin: Rehnelt grew up in Jeffers, which is in

western Minnesota. He came to Albert Lea to go to Riverland Community College and has since settled here. He started at Hanson Tire 16 years ago as a service manager. He had been working at Wendy’s. Hanson Tire started its snowplow-ing service in 1998 after originally just needing to clean their own lot. They have since offered the service to businesses and residential areas.

Rehnelt said he enjoys plowing because it’s challenging to do a good job. Making the custom-ers happy is his ultimate goal. That can be tricky because he wants to keep the costs down for customers while still keeping their lot clean.


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Hero: Karin Mattson

Secret identity: on Naeve Hospital Auxiliary, chairwoman of group who knit baby caps and donate them to Albert Lea Medical Center

Base of operations: Albert Lea Medical Center

Superpowers: time management because Mattson has many other duties with the auxiliary including working at the ALMC gift shop and cof-fee shop

Kryptonite: finding time to knit the caps, which take about two hours each

Affiliations: has four children, nine grandchil-dren and nine great-grandchildren

Origin: Mattson is a life member of the Naeve Hospital Auxiliary and has been a member for more than 40 years. She prides the auxiliary in

always having more than enough knitted caps for babies — each baby born at ALMC receives a donated hand-knitted cap. She estimates that more than 800 are donated each year, while less than 600 babies are born at ALMC. Mattson said that the group likes to donate more than needed because then any extras can be do-nated to other organiza-tions. Nurses like to have a variety of sizes and colors to choose from because babies’ head sizes are all different.

Mattson organizes the group of volunteers who knit the caps and is proud that anyone who can knit can help. She said some of the volunteer knitters are home-bound or in nurs-ing homes, and knitting caps is a way they can volunteer without having to be mobile.

Popular caps chosen by parents are multi-

colored or ones with extra detail, like a differ-ent color stripe. Mattson said one year she made polka-dot caps and the nurses told her they were very popular.

Though Mattson keeps busy making caps and organizing volunteer knit-ters, she doesn’t neglect the other duties auxiliary members have. Knitting caps for babies is one small part of the auxiliary. Members also run the ALMC gift and coffee shops, distribute donat-ed magazines through-out the waiting rooms in the hospital, give tours to first-graders, make comfort blankets for babies and donate combs and brushes for newborns and plush toys for children in same-day surgery. Auxiliary volunteers also visit with patients and family members in the oncol-ogy area and give two scholarships each year to high-schoolers.

The Knitting Nova“I think it’s really neat. It just makes it more personal. They usually come in after their first bath in standard gowns but then they have these cute stocking hats.” — Elizabeth LaFrance, mother of two children who each re-ceived hats after being born at ALMC

“They’re very cute. It’s a really neat thing that somebody makes them for the babies.” — Me-lissa Wittmer, mother of two children who each received hats after being born at ALMC

“That committee does a very good job at getting the knitters orga-nized. When the hospital says they need more caps she gets its done.” — Shir-ley Enderson, president of the Naeve Hospital Auxiliary

“It’s so neat to have something handmade. Every one is unique, like the babies. Parents can choose colors and keep them as a keepsake.” — Joy Shaft, outpa-tient nurse manager at ALMC

“The parents really appreci-ate these. Babies lose heat from the top of their head and this helps maintain their tempera-ture.” — Kirsten Meyer, staff nurse at ALMC


Kelli Lageson/Albert Lea TribuneKarin Mattson shows some recently knitted hats that she collected and donated to Albert Lea Medical Center.

We’d like to thank our members for helping us score an “87” in the recent American Customer Satisfaction* Index. Your feedback puts Freeborn Mower Cooperative a full 12 points higher than the utility industry average.

Even thought ACSI recognizes “customer” satisfaction. Freeborn Mower Cooperative members are in face “owners.” That’s an important distinction. And it’s why we strive to provide a level of service that’s second to none.


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Depot Debris

DisplacersBy Tim Engstrom

[email protected]

Photo by Tim Engstrom/Cutout by Stacey Bahr

Hero: Gary JohnsonSecret identity: specialty assistant managerBase of operations: The Home Depot, Albert LeaSuperpower: trustworthyKryptonite: fishing, cabin up northAffiliations: wife, Cathy; sons Brian, 27, Brad, 24Origin: He was recruited from his prior employer to

work at The Home Depot five years ago.

Hero: Mel JohnsonSecret identity: contractor

saleswomanBase of operations: The Home De-

pot, Albert LeaSuperpower: a kind people personKryptonite: social butterflyAffiliations: daughters Chelsea, 22,

Ashley, 20; granddaughter, Brynna, 1Origin: Nine years ago, she was work-

ing as a waitress at Applebee’s and had applied for a position at Albert Lea’s new Home Depot. She happened to meet the store manager at the restaurant, and he scheduled an interview for the next morning.

Hero: Gina SollandSecret identity: flooring supervisorBase of operations: The Home

Depot, Albert LeaSuperpower: helpful, friendly and

humorous

Kryptonite: needs new wheelsAffiliations: sons Nicholas, 19, An-

thony, 21, Dominick, 27Origin: She started seven years ago

at The Home Depot because “I love hardware.”

Hero: Elisa PetersonSecret identity: freight supervisorBase of operations: The Home

Depot, Albert LeaSuperpower: quick to volunteerKryptonite: sweetsAffiliations: husband, Kelly; daugh-

ter, Keira, 2Origin: Six years ago, she went

hunting for a job, and she was hired at The Home Depot.

Volunteer spiritDuring the days following the June

17 tornado outbreak, a call went out for people to assist with picking up debris in the corn and soybean fields around the Albert Lea area. These four Home Depot employees stepped forward to help and spent time in the fields picking up whatever they could find. Yes, the chainsaw helped, too.

Answers to quiz on Page 5:1. B or G2. B or G3. E4. A or D5. A or D6. C7. F


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By Michelle [email protected]

License Queens

Hero: Susan WagnerSecret identity: supervisorBase of operations: Freeborn County License Center, Albert Lea

Superpowers: more than 23 years of experience in the License CenterWeaknesses: major changes in procedures, laws and forms as man-

dated by the stateAffiliations: husband, two children and two grandsonsOrigin: Wagner worked in human services, but she took some time

off when her children were born. After her children were in school, her husband decided to start his own business and Wagner returned to work. She’s been at the license center since 1987.

Hero: Jean EplandSecret identity: office support specialistBase of operations: Freeborn County License Center,

Albert LeaSuperpowers: mingling with customers and customer

contactKryptonite: keeping up with all of the new knowledge as it

changesAffiliations: husband, two children and three

grandchildrenOrigin: Epland joined the license center about 4 1/2 years

ago after a 25-year career in banking.

Hero: Marilyn SasserSecret identity: office support

specialistBase of operations: Freeborn

County License Center, Albert LeaSuperpowers: being flexible, patient

and easygoing while dealing with differ-ent personality types within minutes of each other

Kryptonite: keeping up with state procedures regarding changes in infor-mation gathering and privacy rules

Affiliations: husband, Bob; son, Mark; daughter-in-law, Beth; and grand-sons Will and Rob

Origin: Sasser grew up in Minneso-ta, and then she and Bob moved when he accepted a job transfer. They lived in Florida and Alabama for 23 years before returning to Minnesota. She began working at the license center 9 1/2 years ago.

Hero: Roxy MallonSecret identity: office support

specialistBase of operations: Freeborn

County License Center, Albert LeaSuperpowers: loves peopleKryptonite: typingAffiliations: husband, Duane, two

children and four grandchildrenOrigin: Mallon has worked at the

license center for 3 1/2 years and said this is the best part-time job she’s ever had.

Michelle Haacke/Albert Lea Tribune

services within the motor-vehicle category offered: tab/registration renewal for car, truck and trailer plates

and duplicate registrations/plates; special plate applications for per-sonalized, military, collegiate, DNR, victims of impaired drivers and collector’s plates; titles and disability permits

4

motor-vehicle transactions, 10,027 driver’s licenses and ID applications and

2,196 DNR transactions were processed through the Freeborn County License Center between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2008

31,373

motor-vehicle transactions, 8,391 driver’s license applica-

tions and 1,934 DNR transactions were processed through the Freeborn County License Center between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2009

31,190motor-vehicle transactions, 8,474 driver’s license ap-plications and 2,294

DNR transactions were processed through the Free-born County License Center between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2010

31,349

in revenues were collected for the state in 2010 by the Freeborn

County License Center, as follows: $5,744,225 in motor-vehicle fees, $146,057 in driver’s license fees and $92,450 in DNR fees

$5,982,732

in revenues were collected and retained in Freeborn

County in 2010 by the Freeborn County License Center, as follows: $175,491 in motor-vehicle fees, $41,975 in driver’s license fees and $9,774 in DNR fees

$227,240major categories of services offered: motor vehicle; driver’s license, permits and identifica-

tion cards; and Department of Natural Resources

3

employees staff the Freeborn County License Center: three full-time and two part-time

employees. The office is fully staffed with six employees.

5


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Clinic CommanderHero: Laura Brink

Secret identity: clinic managerBase of operations: Planned Parenthood, Albert Lea is a spoke office, along

with offices in Owatonna and Fairmont. The main hub office is in Mankato.Superpowers: able to accommodate and be flexible with scheduling in the

clinics and having enough staff to cover when someone calls in sickKryptonite: not being open all of the time. The Albert Lea office is open on

Tuesdays and Thursdays and sometimes patients don’t have availability on those days.

Affiliations: husband and two sonsOrigin: Brink’s career began as an elementary education teacher, but her

first love was always in the medical field. She taught for awhile and then went back to school and obtained her nursing degree. She started as a nurse with Planned Parenthood and then moved up the ranks. She has been the clinic manager for the Planned Parenthood offices in Albert Lea, Owatonna, Fairmont and Mankato for seven years.

Her role as the manager keeps her on her toes with a variety of responsi-bilities, including budgeting, scheduling, serving on committees and visiting schools. However, her most important role, along with that of her nurses, is serving the patients.

“Most importantly, we provide confidential, caring and compassionate care to our patients, providing services they’re unable to obtain elsewhere,” she said.

By Michelle [email protected]

Photo by Michelle Haacke/Cutout by Kathy Johnson

Award-winning news

coverage.

Every day in the Tribune.

The Albert Lea HRA provides affordable housing in Albert Lea and Freeborn County through its Public Housing and Section 8 Voucher programs, and through the USDA apartments in Glenville. The agency also administers a foreclosure recovery first time homebuyer program, the Minnesota Cities Participation mort-gage program, co-administers the Small Cities Development owner occupied rehab program, and can provide other housing resource information including Homestretch training for first time homebuyers and referrals to foreclosure prevention programs.

For more informationcontact the Albert Lea HRAat 507-377-4375 or stop at the

HRA office at 800 4th Ave S, Albert Lea, MN

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By Linda [email protected]

Alzheimer’s is a pro-gressive disease with no cure and is not a normal part of aging. Ten percent of people over age 65 and 50 percent of people over age 85 have the disease.

The disease is the most common type of demen-tia, which is memory loss.

It is estimated about 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. And by 2050, 14 million people will be afflicted with the disease that takes away the person’s ability to remember and function independently.

Kim Hertges, certified nursing assistant, has been caring for residents at St. John’s Lutheran Home for 34 years. Half of her years of service have been working in the memory unit called Shel-tering Arms. What moti-vated Hertges to make a

change to spending her work day with persons of memory loss?

“I wanted to do some-thing new, and I didn’t know much about Al-zheimer’s,” Hertges said.

Hertges works a shift of 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. with two other nursing assis-tants and a nurse.

“We all work really well together,” she said.

And no two days are the same.

“There’s a routine, but there’s not a routine,” said Hertges.

When working with people who face memory loss, the approach is de-pendent on their level of functioning and under-standing. No two people are the same, nor are two days the same for the person.

Providing care to the 19 residents is Hertges’ primary responsibility. But other tasks are more indirect such as: getting reports from the nurse

at the start of the shift, passing linens, setting the tables for mealtime and the charting of what cares were given for the residents.

Tasks can be interrupt-ed by a resident’s need to be reassured when scared or redirected to an activ-ity to occupy their time.

“Answering the same question over and over is a lot of what the job is,” said Hertges. “They need extra attention.”

Sometimes the care given is as simple as sitting with the resident and holding their hand in silence.

“You learn what works when you get to know a resident,” Hertges said. “If it doesn’t work, you try something else.”

Hertges shared the story of resident, Joann Holtan. She said Holtan lights up when she sees Hertges and will ask her how she is, which is often followed by a hug, kiss

and “I love you.”“Sometimes you feel

like you are family to them,” Hertges said. “I think when they see you a lot, they know who you are.”

Putting a smile on the residents’ faces gives Hertges great satisfac-tion. Besides knowing the residents, Hertges gets to know the families of the residents.

“A lot of families visit during the afternoon cof-fee hour,” Hertges said.

Thank yous may not come from the residents, but the families are ap-preciative of everything done for their loved one. Working in Sheltering Arms does bring about the feeling of being one big happy family.

Hertges said as long as she can physically do the work she wants to be a caregiver of people with memory loss.


Family and Cosmetic Dental Care.

Robert G. Herold, D.D.S.Albert Lea Dental Clinic P.A.

1206 W Front St., Albert Lea, MNalbertleadental.com

373-5968

Alzheimer’s Avenger

Linda Holst/Albert Lea TribuneKim Hertges, right, shares a hug with Joann Holtan.

Kelli Lageson/Albert Lea TribuneJean Jordan, middle, stands with two students at Southwest Middle School.

Top Transitioner

Hero: Jean JordanSecret identity: principal at Southwest Middle SchoolBase of operations: Albert LeaSuperpowers: Jordan describes herself as a creative person who genuinely

likes kids and said she had lots of experience with them as well.Kryptonite: She often puts too much on her own plate, which can make it

hard to focus on tasks she needs to do.Affiliations: Jordan has two sons and one granddaughter.Origin: Jordan was recently approached by administration at Albert Lea

School District about helping during the transition of the school realignment. The district was experiencing overcrowding in all the four elementary schools, which Jordan had been dealing with as principal of Lakeview Elementary School. The school board had decided that to make more space elementary schools would become kindergarten through fifth-grade schools, and Southwest would become a sixth- and seventh-grade middle school. Eighth-graders would move to Albert Lea High School.

With the transition of younger students at the high school, administration wanted former Southwest Principal Marsha Langseth to be at the high school to help those students. That left a vacancy at the middle school. Jordan orgin-ally taught middle school before becoming an elementary principal and said she was excited to be back with middle schoolers.

“Kids are kids,” Jordan said. “It’s been very fun to meet them.”Now she’s working on deciding which staff will stay at the middle school and

which will move to the high school when the students transition in the fall. One of her goals is to create a community feeling in the school.To do that she plans on placing more emphasis on advisory periods. She said she also wants to deal with any problems as soon as they arise.

Jordan said it’s never easy to make such a big transition but that all the staff at Lakeview and Southwest have been very helpful to her.

“Everyone has just been great,” Jordan said.


507-373-8226Special care memory unitSpecial care short-term stay unit

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care for all people,

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respect, in anenvironment ofGod’s grace.”

St. John’s

Mission Statement

St. John’sLutheran Home

901 Luther PlaceAlbert Lea, MN

507-373-8226www.stjohnsofalbertlea.org

St. John's Lutheran Home

Knutson Place

that goal, and her approach and her ability to relate to each student is the reason she is successful as a teacher.

“She’s easy-going, not too strict, but won’t let us get away with any-thing,” Talamantes said. “She sets out a decent outline and they’re pretty easy to follow along with.”

Olson said when a student is originally enrolled at the ALC, the school reviews the student’s cred-its, identifies subjects that need work, and starts the process of get-ting those credits recovered.

“If at all possible, the goal is to get them to graduate on time, or as close as possible,” Olson said.

And, Olson added, most do by the time they are 18 or 19.

Olson said some think work-ing at a place like the ALC can be hazardous — and a background in criminal justice would come in handy — but she doesn’t feel that stereotype is accurate for most of her students.

“Some have had issues with getting along in society, but I re-ally enjoy these kids,” she said. “They’re a challenge sometimes, but they’re also a real pleasure, too. I appreciate the challenges they give me. They remind me I need to be a good teacher every day, and when they are successful, it is a really inspiring thing.”

Olson said the school sometimes gets a bad reputation for being too easy, but that’s simply not accu-rate. She said the school follows all state standards by which other public schools have to abide, and all teachers are licensed just as they are elsewhere.

“A lot of folks think it’s easier here, but that’s a misinterpreta-tion,” Olson said. “It’s not easier, it’s different. And because it’s dif-

ferent it works for these kids.”Wendy Bidne, who has

taught special education at the ALC for five years, has worked closely with Olson the entire time. She feels Olson really bonds with her students.

“If they’re struggling, they feel more comfortable talking with her,” Bidne said. “She’s pretty good at picking up when students are struggling, and she’s able to reach out. At the same time, when she has higher flyers, she tries to give them more opportunities.”

Bidne said schools like the ALC are much-needed for students who require some-thing beyond the high school setting.

“Teachers have to be flex-ible with their assignments, present things differently, and still meet state standards, and go at a pace where you aren’t leaving kids behind,” Bidne said. “Being a staff member up here, you have to be patient, considerate and caring, and yet be firm, and give a little tough love.

“Paula exemplifies all of those things.”

Bidne will get no argument from Eric Van Brocklin, administrative dean at the ALC. Van Brocklin said it takes a special kind of teacher to reach out to students there.

“It comes down to a true un-derstanding that every kid is truly unique,” he said. “They all bring something positive to the table, and they are all there because they know every kid has some good stuff. We know the traditional learning style doesn’t work for ev-erybody, so we try new things and we’re patient. Paula certainly has all of those attributes.”

For Olson, it’s all about helping the students who were set aside by the regular system.

“I have 20 of those stories in my classroom every day,” Olson said. “That’s pretty much who our kids are; other places haven’t given them a chance, and because we are small we are able to really get to know them and give them an op-portunity to find success.”

When she sees students gradu-ate, the hard work is all worth it.

“Going to graduation and see-ing these kids who are the first in their family to get their diploma, and you know there’s opportunity there because they got their high school diploma.

“When you see them graduate, then you know you’ve done a good thing,” Olson said.

Hero: Norah Johnson

My hero is my niece, Norah Ann Johnson, who was born July 1, 2010, to Andy and Leah Johnson. Norah was born 2 1/2 months premature, and delivered by emergency C-section, due to hydrops from severe heart failure. She was born at 4.4 pounds with 2.5 pounds being fluid. A couple of days after she was born the doctors discovered that Norah had one of the rarest heart defects, left ventricular noncompa-tion cardiomyopathy. I remember the first time I saw her, she was like a bloated water baby, just like the one I had when I was a little girl. I had never seen such a small baby. Her chance of

survival was 10 percent. I fell in love and had my heart broken at the same time. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the pain that my brother- and sister-in-law were and

are feeling.Since then, Norah has

conquered many goals and overcome many mountains in her short life that many of us will never face in a life time. A few of her accomplish-ments are getting to go outside for the first time, being able to finally go home at 5 months, taking a trip to Albert Lea and Clarks Grove to see both sets of grandparents, and now getting back on feeding through a bottle; things we all, let alone new parents, take for granted. Norah takes 24 doses of medicine a day and has two IVs giving her medicine 24 hours a day just to keep her heart going. She is listed as a 1A for a heart transplant. Now that she is finally home, a nurse comes and stays the night two to three times a week to help Andy and Leah so that they can go to work and keep being great parents to both Norah and her 3-year-old brother, Nolan. Andy, Leah, Nolan and Norah had to move from their home in Farmington to a new home in Minne-apolis so that they could be closer to the hospital in case something goes wrong or they get the anxiously awaited phone call that they found a heart for Norah. Norah now weighs 12 pounds 8 ounces, all being healthy weight. There aren’t any explanations so far as to why God gave Norah this heart condition.

Norah is my hero be-cause she knows nothing other than to be strong and fight for herself. She has taught me to never take loved ones for granted and to always show that love. I now say, “I love you” more than I ever did before. Our fam-ily has always been close, but I believe that be-cause of her, we are even closer. I think that she came to us as a gift and to teach us the difference between importance and nonsense. To me, Norah is not a “sick baby,” she’s an angel and a privilege to anyone that meets her. Norah is my hero.

Norah’s got heart!

LaChelle Johnson

Hero: Iris Tarvestad

My all-time hero is my wife, Iris Tarvestad. She has always been a good wife, great mother, dedi-cated volunteer, active church member, dedi-cated to our family and the two does she dearly loves. She does it all and

never complains. 2010 was a trying year

for me healthwise. I can’t begin to tell all the things she did for me to make me comfortable and keep me on the mend. She attended all my meetings with the doctors. She made me special meals to get me down to surgical weight. She was the best nurse possible after my surgeries, anything she could possibly do she did caringly and skillfully. I believe 2010 was the year we were closest to each other, mostly because of her dedication to what we went through. It was a tough year but one of the best I have had. Iris is my everyday hero and I love her.

Thanks, Iris.

Terry Tarvestad

Hero: Joanne Almquist

My hero is my mom. She has been there for me for my entire 22 years. Whether I am hav-ing trouble financially or with rela-tionships, she does whatever it takes to help me through it. I may not say it often enough but I really appreci-ate her and what she’s done for me. I could not ask for a better mother, I wouldn’t trade her for anything. I know that whenever and wherever I need her, she will always be there.

Tara Almquist

Hero: Omar DahlMost people envision

a hero as someone who is strong, brave and relentless. One who has leaped over insurmount-able obstacles to save the lives of others as well as themselves and carry with them the battle scars along with dis-played medals of honor and achievements. The heroes that I have the most respect for, how-ever, are the ones who, despite their weakened state, wake up every day to a world that they can no longer conquer. They face adversity head on, knowing that instead of medals of honor, they carry the battle scars of infirmity that are dis-played on their bodies and in their minds. They know there will be no ap-plause or recognition at

the end of their battle but have the inner strength to keep waking up each day. To be brutally beaten and taken down and yet have the strength and dignity at the end of the day to say, “Well, I’m still alive.”

My father served our country in World War II and was very proud of this. He managed our town’s VFW Club for many years and par-ticipated in our local parades, proudly carry-ing a flag to honor our heroes who served our country overseas. He was a Military Order of the Cootie commander, and he would visit veter-ans in the hospital and in nursing homes. I was proud of him for do-ing all these things, but the battles he bravely fought and faced the last nine years of his life are what I will forever be the most proud of him for. These are the years that made him a hero in battle as he bravely faced and fought in the last years of his life with a courage that we will never forget.

I didn’t realize how strong my father was until he became weak-ened by his illnesses. I didn’t realize until he was gone that he tried to be strong so that our family would have the courage we needed as we watched his life change and how his illnesses brutally took over, making his yester-years only a shadow of the past life that he had once lived. But he bravely faced each day and ended each night with a prom-ise. We would kiss him goodnight and tell him “See you tomorrow, Dad” and he would tell us “I’ll be here” and he would be for us.

There were many times that we thought we were going to lose him dur-ing a hospitalization or his amputation surger-ies. After spending days fighting for his life, he would wake up and to cheer us up he would sing his “Little Chicken” song to us, indicating that all was well and that he had made it through once again. We would stand around his bed and applaud after he finished his song and he would proudly smile and con-tinue to bravely face the days ahead.

We were his little army fighting along side of him each day. Even though he was weakened by his illnesses, he was the leader. He knew that if he was OK, that we would be OK, and he fought to be strong so that we

would be strong. Even at the end of a bad day we would ask him “How are you, Dad?” He would tell us “Well, I’m still alive!”

I didn’t know until later that he had told his minister that he had to stay here for his family, even though he suffered each day and had to live with the humiliation that sometimes goes along with depending upon others for your daily care, many of whom nev-er knew who he really was or had been before in his life. They had only seen him in the illness that had taken over him, and I can’t imagine how difficult that must of been for him. But he would bravely wake up to it every day so he could be with his family. I know it was difficult for him to wake up to a world that was so differ-ent from the one that he had previously known before he became so ill, but he did it and faced it daily.

Heroes are not born heroes. They are made what they are through adversity, and my father faced this adversity with the inner strength and stamina of the best of them.

My father’s battle was over on Jan. 13, 2010. He was a brave soldier in the battlefield called life. His war had been won the day he left this earth and God called him into His kingdom.

I will never forget one of the greatest heroes who had ever lived. My father, Omar Monroe Dahl.

Jody Johnson

Hero: Amy Wasson

Amy Wasson is a hero and inspiration to me. She is an amaz-ing woman who brings strength to those who need it most. She gives of herself selflessly in the community and around the world. Amy strives to make this world a better place from advocating for those fighting breast can-cer to helping children in Honduras. I am grate-ful for Amy’s ability to empower others to give of themselves. Through Amy’s encouragement I started an advocacy group to help others with FMD, or fibromuscular dysplasia. Amy has made a tremendous impact in the lives of many. Amy Wasson is the definition of an everyday hero.

Kari Ulrich


DAYBREAKERS We welcome you to learn more about our club by attending one

of our weekly meetings

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community

at a time. Working together, members achieve what one person cannot

accomplish alone. And along the way, club members share fun and laughter.

FRIDAYS, 7AM-8AMAlbert Lea American Legion

pReSIDent - LoIS AheRnpReSIDent-eLect - phIL hInteRMeISteR

IMMeDIAte pASt pReSIDent - DARRYL MeYeRtReASuReR - oRLo WILLMeRt

SecRetARY - jennIFeR LevISen

Your heroes!

Norah Ann Johnson

Joanne Almquist

Olson: Teacher likes helping students graduateContinued from Page 15

Adam Harringa/Albert Lea TribunePaula Olson has been a teacher at the ALC for 10 years.

The Moose is more than a social club.We raise and donate money to needy organizations,

especially those focusing on Children!!

We also have monthly activities for youth and families,including Karaoke, Bowling, Crafts, Sledding...

Located inSkyline Plaza

For more information or if you would like to joinCall 373-2106

We Also have a Dance Hall For: Weddings, Birthdays, Family Reunions, fundraisers, benefits...

1623 W. Main St, Albert Lea

Moose Lodge

#1703 Men's

#1364 Women's

Activities• Waffle Breakfast • Pastor’s Day • Highway Cleanup

• Peanut Day • Scholarships to ALHS & Riverland • Christmas Shopping for children & families

• High School Key Club • Junior High Builders Club • Frank Hall Park Playground

• New Basketball Courts• Bringing Up Grades Program

President - Paul TroePresident Elect - Angie Eggum

Vice President - Rhonda AllisonImmediate Past President - Tim Lenhart

Co-Secretaries - Larry Forster & Iris TarvestadTreasurer - Judy Verdoorn

Noon Kiwanis (Founded 1922)

Meetings every Monday at American Legion

www.albertleakiwanis.org

at America's Best Value Inn

ROTARY is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

If you are interested in learning more about the club, or would like to attend a meeting,

call Lilah Aas at 373-8617

By Adam [email protected]

Others have long since given up on many of the children who now call the Albert Lea Area Learning Center their school.

They’re students deemed “at-risk” or “troubled” by many, but not to the educators at the ALC like language arts teacher Paula Olson.

It took a little time, but Olson found her true calling. She’s now help-ing those kids become successful members of society.

Olson didn’t always plan on a career in education. Now in her 10th year at the school, she originally received a degree in criminal justice from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. But

realizing the field wasn’t for her, she decided to be a stay-at-home mom while her husband, Mark Olson, worked as a bar-ber in Albert Lea.

At the time, Olson had the opportunity to work as the drama coach for Glenville-Emmons High School. There she found she really enjoyed working with high school kids, and after eight years

at the school, decided to pursue teaching as a career. She went back to school and graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato, with a degree in edu-cation. After a year of teaching at Stewartville High School, Olson landed the language arts job at the Albert Lea Area Learning Center.

She hasn’t looked back. She said it’s what she loves, and it’s what she wants to do.

“I just absolutely enjoy being around teenagers,” Olson said. “I take the good with the bad.”

The Albert Lea ALC — which is located in Brookside Education Center — is set up to help high school students succeed who are consid-ered to be at-risk of not getting a diploma, and work toward the ultimate goal of graduation. The school, and the faculty who work there, give stu-dents a second chance.

Nicole Bliss, 17, is in her third year at the ALC and has been a student of Olson’s the entire time. She said her goal is to receive her high school diploma, and Olson is an integral part of that plan.

“She’s convincing me to stay on top of every-thing,” Bliss said. “She’s one of the teachers who

will go out of her way to help kids.

“She’s out for taking chances, helping kids get caught up.”

Blake Talamantes, 18, also has been at the ALC for three years and wants to graduate this year. He said Olson is a big part of


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Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea TribuneTonya Prouty has been a special education teacher at Lakeview Elementary School for eight years.

Hero: Tonya ProutySecret identity: special education teacherbase of operations: Lakeview Elementary

School, Albert LeaSuperpowers: She believes in her students

and has a strong perserverance. She is a lifelong learner and always wants to be a better teacher.

Kryptonite: biting off more than she can chew because she has a hard time saying no

affiliations: 5-year-old son, Bryce; boyfriend, Keith Franks

Origin: Prouty received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Dakota and worked on her bachelor’s-plus 30 from Minnesota State University, Moorhead. She moved to Albert Lea when her ex-husband got a job here and now is in her eighth year at Lakeview Elementary School. She is working on her master’s degree through St. Mary’s University-Winona.

Prouty said her favorite part about her job is working with the kids.

“I like learning about them and getting to know them,” she said. “With these kids I get to work with them year after year. It’s rewarding to see their growth.”

Prouty works mainly with students who have learning disabilities, emotional behavioral disorders or health disabilities.

One special teacher

“Tonya’s creativeness is awesome! She always plans fun, exciting, meaningful lessons for the kids. She has been great to work with. I have learned so much from her about organization and differentiating lessons.” — Ann Hareid, third-grade teacher, Lakeview

“I’ve worked with Tonya for two years now, and I really appreciate her ‘glass is half full’ attitude. Teaching kids can sometimes feel like breaking into a locked house. Tonya has learned to jimmy many locks.” — Robin Hundley, sixth-grade teacher, Lakeview

“Tonya is always willing to try new things. She is constantly trying to find the best ‘fit’ for kids. Tonya has it all — dedication, professionalism, passion for kids and a good sense of humor!” — Jean Jordan, former principal, Lakeview

“All you have to do is watch Tonya teach one day, and you’ll be able to see her passion and joy for teaching. You can tell it in the way she talks with her students and how she helps other teachers problem solve. She just has a gentle way of talking to her students that shows she cares. It’s obvious that they respect her and being in the same classroom as her. She gets to know them personally, where they feel comfortable with her. “She’s a go-to person, especially if we’re having difficulties with behaviors of students or classroom management ideas.” — Joie Willner, special education teacher, Lakeview

“Working with Tonya has definitely taught me patience and perserverance — and also to start fresh. Every day is a new start.” — Twyla Larson, para-educator in the Learning Center at Lakeview

What others had to say about Tonya:

A second chance

Hero: Paula OlsonSecret identity: Language arts teacher, grades 10-12base of operations: Albert Lea Area Learning CenterSuperpowers: She’s able to connect with students. “She tries to meet the

different learning needs and styles of all of her students,” colleague Wendy Bidne said. “She tries to build relationships with each student.”

Kryptonite: Olson says she’s her own biggest critic. She says she is always striving to improve her lesson plans and find new and interesting ways for stu-dents to learn, and she relies on colleagues for help.

affiliations: husband, Mark Olson, barber in Albert Lea; children Bjorn, Christopher and Stephanie

Origin: Olson originally received a degree in criminal justice. After realizing it wasn’t for her, she was a stay-at-home mom for a while, working part-time as a drama coach at Glenville-Emmons High School for eight years. That time as a drama coach helped Olson recognize her real calling; teaching. She got a degree in education from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and is now in her 10th year at the ALC.

Adam Harringa/Albert Lea TribunePaula Olson, language arts teacher at Albert Lea Area Learning Center, talks to students Trevor Carlson and Tyler Espinosa at the ALC library. Olson is in her 10th year at the Albert Lea ALC and said she is doing what she loves: helping high-schoolers succeed.

4Olson, Page 14

Green Mill’s GangPROGRESS COMMUNITY Sunday, February 27, 2011 • Albert Lea Tribune • Page 16

Spill it here.

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Bartender Michelle Nelson pours a beer for a customer.

Cook Zack Jensen spins dough on his finger.

Cook Zack Jensen tosses pizza dough.

Cook Nicholas Tuttle produces flames while working in the kitchen.

A chicken wrap sits waiting to be served as cooks prepare more food.

Waitress Brie Carlson prepares to take food to a customer.

Waitress Becky Morgan prepares drinks for her customers.

Photos by Danielle Boss

Albert Lea Community Theatre

46th Season

Always...Patsy ClineMay 5, 6, 7 & 8 and

February 23, 24, 25 & 26, 2011

GypsyJuly 14, 15, 16 & 17 (matinee)

and July 20, 22, 23, 2011

Box Office: (507) 377-4371www.ActOnBroadway.com

Marion Ross Performing Arts Center


The Determined Voters

By Tim [email protected]

Mary Puk voted on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011. She and other Sudanese refu-gees drove all the way to Omaha, Neb., to vote. In a blizzard, no less. It was a date that for two years she had been eager to see arrive.

But getting to Omaha to vote was only one example of this woman’s determination. This mother of seven once walked for two weeks from Ethiopia to Kenya, while pregnant, to reach migration officials, who helped her get papers to emigrate to the United States.

Two years ago, Mary first heard an indepen-dence referendum for war-ravaged South Su-dan had been scheduled. She was in a classroom, and she broke out crying. Hope overwhelmed her, she said.

“A lot of people died for this,” she said.

Mary Puk, Rebecca Deaw and Nyamuoch Puk are part of the small-but-tightknit South Sudanese population in Albert Lea and take English-as-a-second-language classes at Adult Basic Education in the Brookside Educa-tion Center on Richway Drive.

In Omaha, they cast their ballot in favor of making their homeland a new country. The reason, they say, is having an in-dependent South Sudan will prevent more wars. The north and the south fought a 21-year civil war that ended with a peace agreement in January 2005. That more or less was a continuation of a 17-year civil war that ended in 1972.

The reasons for the wars are complex, but the root cause goes back to colonial times. In short, southern Sudan is more

like Uganda and Kenya and northern Sudan is more like Arabic-speak-ing Egypt. Northern Su-danese are Muslims and southern Sudanese are generally Christians or Animists. People in the poor and agrarian south have been shut out of the Khartoum government, though beneath their very feet are valuable oil fields.

The weeklong referen-dum resulted in a vote for independence, so South Sudan is slated to become a country on July 11, 2011. Mary, Rebecca and Nyamuoch, nevertheless, speak in terms of “if,” rather than “when.”

They are from Sudan but have spent much of their lives living outside the country. It is fitting they take ESL classes be-cause southern Sudan is one of the most linguisti-cally diverse places on the planet. Dinka is the

most spoken language, but around Juba, the capital for the south, a local form of Arabic is spoken.

“Many people ask if I speak Arabic. I am from Sudan but don’t live in Sudan because of the war. I don’t speak Ara-bic,” Rebecca said.

All three women lived in refugee camps in Ethiopia. They know what war is like and have a hard time describing any of it to anyone. It brings tears. Mary said when she was a child in 1984 soldiers came to her family’s house and killed her brother. Nya-muoch spent much of her youth as a “lost girl,” meaning she had become displaced from parents. The term generally applies to lost boys (a fa-mous documentary film is called “Lost Boys of Sudan”), because when villages were attacked the girls were usually

killed, taken as slaves or not permitted by elders to leave in search of a better life. Now, as a young woman, she works at piecing aspects of life together.

Rebecca could not speak about the violence, but she speaks strongly about the need for South Sudan independence. She said the South Sudanese people are independent by nature, as witnessed by the determination to reach Omaha. They have had to live at times with no food or water. They have had to survive without doctors, hospitals and medicine.

Her father died from typhoid fever in 1992 while Rebecca was pregnant. She said he declined in health in two days, then died. She knew many people who died from typhoid fever. When she came to America, she was

amazed to see the cure was merely a tablet — an antibiotic.

“The cure for typhoid is easy,” she said.

They all said they are thankful to the American people for their gener-osity and for accepting Sudanese refugees into the country. They appre-ciate Diane Hill, the coor-dinator for Adult Basic Education. And they very much appreciate that the United Way of Freeborn County pays for the child care that allows them the free time to take English classes.

The journey from Ethi-opia to Kenya had peril; Mary said many people die near the border. She wanted to come to the United States because it was a better place to raise her children. She stepped foot in America in 1994.

“I just want my chil-dren to have a better chance in life,” Mary said.

Hero: Nyamuoch PukSecret identity: student, English

as a second languageBase of operations: Adult Basic

Education, Brookside Education Center

Superpowers: quiet, reservedKryptonite: young, experienced

things others her age have notAffiliations: one childOrigin: Nyamuoch is 21 and

came to the United States from Africa as a teenager. She attended high school in Spokane, Wash., and in Phoenix. She came to Albert Lea in July 2010. On the day of the interview for this story back in January, it was her second day in the class for English as a second language.

Hero: Rebecca DeawSecret identity: student, English as a second languageBase of operations: Adult Basic Education, Brookside

Education CenterSuperpowers: loyal friend, great fortitude, peacemakerKryptonite: doesn’t like television, except the world

newsAffiliations: four childrenOrigin: Rebecca moved to Albert Lea from New York

three months ago. She originally came from Africa to Des Moines, Iowa, in 1995, lived there for one year, then moved to New York. She felt the Sudanese population in New York wasn’t as connected and had a cousin in Albert Lea who described a close Sudanese group. She had tried to go to school when she was in New York, but it was dif-ficult without child care. Here in Albert Lea, a state worker suggested Adult Basic Education and how she would be able to improve her English skills and meanwhile have child care. “The way I look at it, I think it will be good for me,” she said.

Hero: Mary PukSecret identity: student, English as a second language;

certified nursing assistant, St. John’s Lutheran HomeBase of operations: Adult Basic Education, Brookside

Education CenterSuperpowers: determined, helpful translator,

appreciativeKryptonite: likes “Rush Hour 2” and CNNAffiliations: husband, Simon Wur; seven childrenOrigin: Mary came to the United States from Africa in

1994. She was in Des Moines, Iowa, for nine years. Her cousin and her husband moved to Albert Lea in 2001 to attend Riverland Community College and described Albert Lea as a good place to reside. She moved in 2002. A cousin eventually told her about the English-as-a-second-language program at Adult Basic Education, and how there is child care available for ESL students. She enrolled. Knowledge learned in the class helped her pass certified nursing assistant classes and an exam and gain employment at St. John’s.

Photo by Tim Engstrom/Graphic by Stacey BahrLeft to right are Rebecca Deaw, Mary Puk and Nyamuoch Puk.

First-rate FlierBy Andrew [email protected]

Submitted photoBryce Nelson after landing safely after he jumped from a plane.

Name: Bryce NelsonSecret Identity: sales and events director at Wedgewood Cove

Golf ClubBase of operations: Albert LeaSuperpowers: Staying safe while skydiving, making hard landings

and maneuverabilityKryptonite: Free falling for long periods of time and working his job

too often to improve on itAffiliations: dad, Tom Nelson; step-mom, Angie Nelson; brother,

Kameron; sister, Katelynn.Origin: Growing up, Nelson always wanted to fly. His father and

grandfather were crop dusters, and their stories and photos sparked his interest. When Nelson was 14 years old, he was given a certificate for a pilot lesson at Albert Lea airport from his parents at Christmas. The day he went up, he knew he wanted to fly commercial planes. After working various jobs in food service around Albert Lea, Nelson started working on getting a two-year degree from Riverland Com-munity College. At age 20 he was hired as a flight instructor and later by Mesaba Airlines. After acheiving his dream, Nelson found out that working for an airline didn’t fit his personality or lifestyle, but luckily he still had a passion for working at restraunts. Nelson still enjoys being in the air but now jumps out of airplanes instead of flying them.


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Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea TribuneFrom left, library technician Denise Sande, children’s librarian Patti Greibrok and library assistant Michelle Gurung each stand with a book in the children’s library at Albert Lea Public Library.

Super ReadersBy Sarah [email protected]

Hero: Patti Greibrok the ‘Super Bee Reader’

Secret identity: children’s librarian

Base of opera-tions: Albert Lea Pub-lic Library

Superpowers: “I love children, I love books and I love bring-ing the two together.”

Kryptonite: dealing with budget cuts while wanting to provide more services for school-age children

Affiliations: hus-band, Dwight; sons, Andrew and Michael; daughter, Sarah

Origin: Greibrok started part time at the Albert Lea Public Library in April 2000 as a children’s circula-tion clerk.

Now, she works full time as the children’s librarian and oversees the children’s library programming, includ-ing storytime and the summer reading program.

She said she appre-ciates how supportive the community is of the library.

Hero: Michelle Gurung the ‘Red Reading Hood’

Secret identity: library assistant


Superpowers: Gurung is in charge of the library’s “Classics on the Go” podcasts where people can re-cord classic children’s stories.

Kryptonite: “In a library you have books and services. With budget cuts, you have to lose some of one or the other,” Gurung said.

Affiliations: hus-band, Rajesh

Origin: Gurung has worked at the Albert Lea Public Library for almost four years. After attaining a bachelor’s degree in English, she said she thought this job brought her love of reading and helping people together.

Her favorite part about her job is matching people up with something they enjoy reading.

Hero: Denise Sande the ‘Book Fairy’

Secret identity: library technician


Superpowers: Sande sets goals for herself every day.

Kryptonite: She hates cataloging nonfiction DVDs and foreign language mu-sic CDs.

Affiliations: hus-band, Joel; two sons, Nick and Jack; one daughter, Emily

Origin: Sande first started at the Albert Lea Library as a page when she was in highschool. She went to college and even-tually returned to the library as a circula-tion clerk.

Now, as a library technician, she orders all the books and sup-plies for the library, keeps track of book stock and catalogs every item for the library.

“I love everything about it,” Sande said. “It’s fun seeing all the books come in.”

Hero: Blair BonnerupSecret identity: cross country and

track and field athleteBase of operations: Albert Lea

High SchoolSuperpowers: Bonnerup, a ninth-

grader at ALHS, runs 30 to 40 miles per week as a member of the cross country and track and field teams. Assistant cross country coach Lon Nelson said Bonnerup is extremely committed to the team and improv-ing himself.

“He’s always there,” Nelson said. “He knows how to get better and that he has to run consistently and he has to push himself. When he’s running, he’s always running with the seniors and juniors, trying to stay up with them.”

Kryptonite: Bonnerup said it’s hard to start up running at first, but if you keep at it, eventually it gets easier.

“When you first start running, you can get really sore,” Bonnerup said.

Affiliations: father, Doug; mother, Jodi; twin brother, Brandon; older brothers, Judd and Spencer.

Origin: Bonnerup, 15, who has been running since he was in fifth grade, said his family and his twin brother, Brandon, got him into running.

“My brother tried it, and I tried it and liked it, and I just kept at it and kept doing it,” Bonnerup said. “Now the coaches really motivate me to keep at it.”

Head cross country coach Jim Haney said Bonnerup has an incredible work ethic.

“He is goal driven, and he wants to do the best he possibly can,” Haney said. “You have to like pain. It’s that mental edge that puts Blair a little bit apart from his competitors. It’s that mental toughness that he has.”

By Adam [email protected]

Submitted photoBlair Bonnerup, left, has been running since he was in the fifth grade.

Running Fanatic

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