PEOPLE

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

It must be puppy love: Rushmore girl raises money for humane society

RUSHMORE — Every time Layne Kuhl visits the Sioux Falls, S.D., Area Humane Society, she wants to take a dog — or two or three or four, and perhaps a kitten or two, too — home with her. But with two dogs already inhabiting their Rushmore home, mom and dad Melanie and Kris Kuhl have firmly said no. They just don’t have the room, time and resources to provide for another pet.

By Beth Rickers , August 11, 2012

Heart for art: Tricia Mikle named SMAHC's Prairie Disciple

Tricia Mikle retired a few years ago after a 27-year stint in the art department at Worthington High School, but she certainly isn’t done teaching or sharing her passion for art. For instance, on a recent morning she was creating autonomous art with Ellen Baker-Merrigan and her two sons, Stewart, 12, and Sullivan, 10, at the Baker-Merrigan home. A former colleague at WHS, Ellen teaches biology but also enjoys exploring her artistic side.

By Beth Rickers , August 04, 2012

Running man: Blau’s path takes him down every street in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS — As a high school athlete, Al Blau set a school record in the two-mile run that still stands at Harris-Lake Park High School in northwest Iowa. But he pretty much hung up his running shoes when he attended Worthington Junior College and then the University of Minnesota, pursuing a degree in mortuary science. Then a few years ago, Al — now a 50-some-year-old funeral director in the Twin Cities — decided to put those running shoes back on again.

By Beth Rickers , July 28, 2012

To nowhere and back: Burmeister shares story of 1970 hijacking in book

WORTHINGTON — The banner headline on the front page of the Sept. 8, 1970, Daily Globe proclaimed “Hijackers threaten lives of 180,” and the Associated Press story beneath it recounted the taking of several airliners by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), an Arab guerrilla organization.

By Beth Rickers , July 21, 2012

Still fired up: Ted Krull has lengthy legacy on fire department

SIBLEY, Iowa — He’s been retired for a number of years, but Ted Krull still dons his standard work uniform — a pair of denim overalls — just about every day. “I always did carpenter work, and I grew up on the farm,” Ted explained about his attire. The only other uniform Ted has ever worn is that of a volunteer firefighter. Ted joined the Sibley Fire Department in 1950, and at age 91 he’s still an honorary member today. That’s 62 years, giving Ted one of the longest current firefighter legacies in Iowa

By Beth Rickers , July 07, 2012