PEOPLE

Creative team: Noah & Sarah Hoehn use Internet platform to pursue musical project

Local audiences know Noah Hoehn as a homegrown talent — an accomplished harmonica player, percussionist and vocalist who is a three-time winner of the prestigious McKnight Fellowship for performing musicians. They may also recognize his wife, Sarah Hellstrom Hoehn, who often sits in the front row of his performances, taking photos and video.

By Beth Rickers , November 17, 2012

Men of Honor: Legion, VFW members collaborate to provide military rites

WORTHINGTON — If the local Honor Guard had a motto, it might be similar to what’s inscribed on the General Post Office in New York City: Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. In the case of the veterans, however, it could read: Neither snow nor blizzard nor rain nor sleet nor gale-force wind nor cold nor heat stays these men from honoring their fellow veterans.

By Beth Rickers , November 10, 2012

Hometown guy: Jim Laffrenzen retires after 42 years of working for city

WORTHINGTON — As the newbie on the Worthington Street Department in late 1970, one of Jim Laffrenzen’s first tasks was to walk in front of what was then the city’s sole snowblower, directing its path and that of the drivers who were hauling off the snow. “It was cold, and you had to dodge ice chunks, but it was a job,” he recalled. “Those first seven winters, I probably spent 15 to 18 hours straight every time it snowed out in front of that blower.”

By Beth Rickers , October 27, 2012

On the front lines: Erick Baumgart relives history as World War II re-enactor

WORTHINGTON — In real life, Erick Baumgart is an officer in the Worthington Police Department, a relative newcomer to the community, having moved here from Winona less than a year ago. But on the occasional weekend, Baumgart assumes a different persona — that of a World War II paratrooper in Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division.

By Beth Rickers , October 20, 2012

Proud to persevere: Bob Rohrer reflects on life affected by childhood polio

WORTHINGTON — As people sometimes do as they approach a milestone birthday, Bob Rohrer recently took some time to reflect on his life. Bob turned 70 on Sept. 13, and what put his lifespan in perspective was a yellowed and tattered newspaper clipping from 60 years prior (above left), when Bob celebrated his 10th birthday in an iron lung at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.

By Beth Rickers , October 13, 2012

Teacher turned artist: Edenstrom shares work at local art center

WORTHINGTON — An English teacher by vocation, Judith Edenstrom spent almost 40 years in the classroom, her days focused on literature, grammar, punctuation and writing. But in her off hours, Edenstrom always explored another interest — art.

By Beth Rickers , October 06, 2012

Steward of safety: Clyde Hoffman retires as state patrol bus inspector

WORTHINGTON — When Clyde Hoffman started his job as a vehicle inspector with the Minnesota State Patrol, carbon paper was a valuable commodity because all the reports had to be submitted in triplicate. “Good carbon paper was like gold,” he recalled with a laugh. “We actually had supplies hidden. Then we sent to self-carbonization — what an upgrade! — and then gradually into computers.”

By Beth Rickers , September 29, 2012

Tales from the Hill: Authors share experience of working in D.C. in first novel

“Capitol Hell” is a fictionalized account of a female Senate staffer working in our nation’s capital. But how much of the book is based on actual experiences? Only authors Jayne Jones and Alicia Long and maybe a few of their former colleagues know for sure. Jayne, a Minnesota native, and Alicia, who hails from Hartford, S.D., just outside of Sioux Falls, first crossed paths while working on Sen. Norm Coleman’s campaign in 2002.

By Beth Rickers , September 22, 2012

Music men: Community pays tribute to WHS Legacies -- Gerald Niemeyer

There is news of sorts along the streets of Worthington every day. A baby is born. Someone has died. Shocking news — news beyond imagining — is rare. There was news of this magnitude late on a Friday afternoon in 1961 — Nov. 7, 1961. Gerry Niemeyer and his wife, Iva, were both dead, killed in a car collision at a rural intersection near Fairmont, which was Niemeyer’s boyhood home. The work week was ended, the weekend had begun.

By Ray Crippen , September 15, 2012

Music Men: Community pays tribute to WHS legacies -- Glenn Evensen

Thirty years ago, Worthington High School was newer and bigger. The community surrounding the school had no sense of the impending changes and probably didn’t think much about the ’90s. Most of us lived our lives with friends, neighbors and relatives, hoping for more good than bad as one day faded into another.

By Mary Beth Blegen , September 15, 2012

WPD requests people wait to place chairs

WORTHINGTON — The Worthington Police Department is asking people to refrain from placing chairs along the King Turkey Day Parade route until the close of business on Friday night.

September 13, 2012

Officer Jacki: Dawson finds niche in school resource position

WORTHINGTON — After more than six years working as a full-time police officer, Jacki Dawson is accustomed to the weight of the duty belt, vest and boots that she dons every day as part of her uniform. But that 30 pounds of gear is a source of constant fascination to the young people she encounters. “I’m so used to it,” she said. “I forget it’s so interesting to other people. It’s just part of my uniform, and I’m particular about where everything goes.”

By Beth Rickers , September 08, 2012

Living history: Taylor's ancestor played role in 1862 U.S.-Dakota Conflict

FLANDREAU, S.D. — When Myron Taylor encountered an Abraham Lincoln impersonator a few years back at Pipestone’s Civil War Days, the two men had a lot to discuss. Myron is a direct descendant of one of the Native Americans the real Lincoln pardoned in the wake of the Dakota Conflict of 1862. “I felt bad, because I’m confined to a wheelchair, and you’re supposed to stand in the presence of the president, don’t you?” recalled Myron about the meeting, adding that a friend later told him that “Mr. Lincoln said one of the most powerful moments he’d had was meeting a real survivor (of the pardon).”

By Beth Rickers , August 25, 2012

Let the good times roll: Recipes

The original recipes were modified in a few cases to make a more cohesive and tantalizing menu at Sansone’s Bistro. In the case of this gumbo recipe, for instance, roasted pork was substituted for the chicken so the menu wouldn’t be “chicken heavy.” Additionally, alligator sausage was added to the Chicken Provencal recipe.

August 18, 2012

Let the good times roll: Guest chef dishes up New Orleans-inspired menu

DENVER, Colo. — To avoid burning eyes and tears while cutting onions, keep the onions in the refrigerator. Cooking a roux for an authentic New Orleans gumbo takes time and patience. Those are just two of the many culinary lessons my brother-in-law, Donald Hinchey, learned during a recent stint as a guest chef at Sansone’s Bistro in Greenwood Village, Colo

By Beth Rickers , August 18, 2012