Business as usual on Main

Pauline and Jay Wieland, daughter Amanda and son Sean (not pictured) continue to serve up ice cream on 5th and Main, having recently purchased Toody’s Sweat Treats. (Photo by Karen Swenson)

 by Karen Swenson, staff writer

• PJ Sweet Scoops continues fountain tradition  

   Jay Wieland grew up on Henderson’s Main Street, spending much  of his youth at the counter of the local ice cream/soda fountain. Today he proudly stands behind the counter with his family, serving up ‘sweet scoops’ to his customers.
   “Used to be $1.05 for three malts,” said Jay, who would walk up the street, with his father, Gene, and Uncle LeRoy, from the Mobile station they owned and operated.
   Pauline, previous owner of The Branch and greenhouse in Le Sueur, said she and Jay have talked about doing something in the food industry since they’ve been married. “Jay called me up one day and said ‘Toody’s is for sale!’”
   There was no need for discussion, “we just did it.”
   Toody’s Sweet Treats closed Saturday, May 12 and team Wieland opened the doors Sunday, May 13.
   There haven’t been many changes as of yet. A light breakfast is on the menu, pies, muffins and other baked goods as well as lunches. And, of course the ice cream/soda fountain remains the same.
   “We are walking into something that’s already successful,” said Pauline. “We will just be adding to it.”
   The commute will be easy enough as the Wielands live across the river in Le Sueur. Jay has cut back to part-time at Napa Auto Parts to take on the new venture with his family.
   “We’re a plethora of businesses,” Pauline said. Jay is a collectable toy dealer and runs a frame shop (by appointment only) in the basement of Valleygreen Square Mall. The Wielands hope to incorporate some of these items into their Henderson business.
   While attending school at MNCS, Amanda’s first job was as a soda jerk at the very same soda fountain. This fall, Amanda begins baking classes at the The Art Institutes International Minnesota. “We will welcome as many things as she can put in here,” said her mother.
   For the present, hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. However you can look for PJ Sweet Scoops to be open late on Tuesdays as they roll out their  hot dog cart during Henderson’s Classic Car Roll-in, offering dogs will all the trimmings.


Jay Wieland, new owner of the soda/fountain on the corner of 5th and Main, serves muffins as part of the baked goods for sale at PJ Sweet Scoops.  (Photo by Karen Swenson)  

 Boogie down

   Students in kindergarten and first grade rock out to the Boogie Oogie Woogie during Hilltop’s Spring Concert, which took place Thursday, May 17. Kindergarten through fifth grade students shared their talents during the last concert of the school year. (Submitted photo.)

Sharon Trimbo, above, spends one-on-one time with Tiffany Meyer as part of her work day at the Minnesota New Country School. ( Photo by Karen Swenson)

Old school
meets new school 

By Karen Swenson
Staff Writer

   Sharon Trimbo of Henderson laughs when she relates being called ‘old school’ by some of those at the Minnesota New Country School, but she admits to the truth of it.
   On her third year of working for MNCS, Sharon, 70, said she is still adjusting to the differences between a public school and Henderson’s charter school.    “When you work in a regular school as long as I have, it’s drilled into your head.” Between Hilltop and the Henderson High School, Sharon has logged in 17 years.
   But that doesn’t mean she’s not happy with her job. “I love it,” she relates. “I love the kids.”
   At an age when most people are looking at retirement, Sharon likes working. “I like to keep busy. I can’t imagine sitting on your duff all day.”
   Before MNCS, Sharon was having difficulty finding a job without a lot of travel. So when she saw an ad in the paper for Experience Works (formerly Green Thumb) she gave them a call.
   “Two weeks later, I had a job.”
   A national organization that helps older adults find the skills and training they need to find jobs within their communities, Experience Works approached MNCS to participate as a host agency.
   Working part-time, Sharon has a variety of duties that can change on any given day. From making copies, answering phones and helping with special events to working one-on-one with students, “I help wherever I can,” said Sharon.
   Sharon, mother of four of her own children, is comfortable in her role at MNCS, with no plans for retirement as of yet. “I want to do quality work. The day I can’t do my job... I don’t want to be here.”

Deck the Hall

  Gone are the railroad ties and flower beds that once graced the front of the Henderson Event Center. Danny and Amy Ross, managers of Henderson RoadHaus/Event Center on Main Street have ordered up a few changes to the exterior of the hall. Pictured, Guthrie Swenson of Swenson Exteriors sets the screws on a deck which now wraps from the front steps around the side of the building. (Photo  by Karen Swenson) 

Bidding game changes

• Bidders’ approval letter requirement scratched, council will require letter at closing


by Troy Koester
staff writer

   The game has changed in the on-line bidding auction of 23 prime residential lots at Oak View Heights in Henderson.
   At it’s Wednesday, May 16 meeting the Henderson City Council adopted a new set of qualifications for potential bidders. Previously, bidders were required to have a $150,000 approval letter to complete the registration process.
In an effort to not exclude any potential bidders, the Council will now request the approval letter at the time of closing.
   Jim Fahey, of Fahey Sales, presented to the council and said they have been getting good questions from interested parties.   He added that putting restrictions on bidders will often disqualify some people. He indicated some might not want to go through the trouble of getting an approval letter if they aren’t guaranteed that they’ll be awarded the property. But would take that next step if they were the highest bidder.
   As of last Wednesday’s council meeting there were five bidders registered, only one of which had an approval letter.
   Mayor Tim Nytes made motion to remove the approval letter requirement. Councilman Randy Tiegs felt that removing the requirement might impact the quality of homes built in the development. The council determined that the letter of approval be made available at closing.
   “We want to get as many people into the game as we can,” said Fahey.
   The Council also has some authority to manage the details of the closing, so if a potential bid winner can’t have an approval letter by June 30, the closing could be pushed back to allow the buyer more time.
   There are requirements as to some of the specifications to a new home built in the development that would ensure that the homes are suitable.
   Bidding on the 23 properties ends on Wednesday, May 30 at 7 p.m. As of Monday, May 21 there were 12 registered bidders. Fahey Sales says in these types of auction sales many bidders do not enter the game until the final days, or in many cases the final hours.
   The auction did capture the attention of WCCO television, who was on site last week to film a piece for its evening news.
   Auction winners are to have a building permit by Dec. 16, 2014.


Memorial Day program this Monday

• Parade down Main Street starts 11 a.m.

   Sibley American Legion Post #74 will present a Memorial Day program this coming Monday, May 28, 2012 at Bender Park here in Henderson beginning at 11 a.m.
   The Legion Color Guard, along with the Le Sueur/Henderson marching band will lead off the program by parading down Main Street to the Minnesota New County School and north to the Bender Park shelter for the 11:15 a.m. Memorial Day program.
This year’s speaker will be Lisa Klenk. Klenk is the Veteran Service officer for Sibley County located in Gaylord.
   Lisa Klenk is a veteran of the United States Army.





New Country School expansion experiences setbacks from State

   The Carrot Seed is a children’s book by Ruth Krauss with illustrator Crockett Johnson. In simple elegance, it tells the story of hope.  A little child plants a carrot seed and every day he sprinkles and weeds.  Mother, father and brother continually say “It won’t come up.”   But the child believes and continues to tend the seed.  “And then, one day, a carrot came up just as the little boy had known it would.”  
   This tale could easily be transposed into many a community effort.  Today it resonates with the Henderson Elementary Task Force.
Last week, Minnesota New Country School received word from the Minnesota Department of Education that their affidavit to seek approval for expansion was denied and they have 30 days to appeal. 
  Task force members such as Jim Wartman, Bryan Rossi, Nichole Kotasek, Kim Bovee, Ethel Beuch, Cindy Sparrow, Tammy Kessler or Dee Thomas agree: This is a disappointment but just a temporary setback. They continue to meet weekly developing a strategy for moving forward.   Several Minnesota New Country School school board members have doubted the possibility of starting an elementary school in the fall of 2012. 
   Task force members such as Brigit Stevens, Hilary Conroy, Wendy Beck, Anthony Sonnek, David Rice, Kahlynn Bach or Mary Ann Piling have listened to the community’s request and dared work to that end. 
   They meet weekly, growing in understanding of creating a dynamic elementary learning environment.  Henderson’s elementary charter applications have been denied often and many community members doubt the potential for success this time. 
  Task force members such as Heather Bittner, Doug Thomas, Danielle Buesgens or Aaron Grimm believe in the resourcefulness, creativity and determination of the Henderson community. 
Henderson Elementary Task Force continues to meet weekly on Wednesdays at MNCS at 6:30 for about an hour and a half.
   Another children’s book, Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton, tells the tale of an old machine digging a foundation for a community’s town hall in one day. 
   The story describes the possibility of this happening because of the hope, wonder and support of its community members. 
   All are welcome to be a part of the beginning days of the Henderson Elementary Community School.
-Kim Bovee

 Graduation ceremonies this weekend

   Both  MNCS and LS-H will have their graduation ceremonies this coming weekend.
MNCS will hold their commencement on Saturday, May 26 at 1 p.m.  Seniors from LS-H will graduate Sunday, May 27 at 2 p.m. Valedictorians for LS-H are Christian Dwyer and AJ Smith. The Graduation Insertion for LS-H and MNCS is included inside this issue.

The 13 Lined ground squirrel, also known as the striped gopher, enjoys the spring weather at the Ney Nature Center. (Photo by Karen Swenson) 

Become a Master Naturalist at the Ney Nature Center

   The Ney Nature Center is offering a MN Master Naturalist Course beginning in June. 
   Trained MN Master Naturalist instructors will teach the course consisting of 40 hours of in-classroom training. The classroom training includes a variety of teaching methods—lectures, Power Points, hands-on activities, videos, and field trips that provide the participants with information on Minnesota’s natural history.
   The course is modeled after the MN Master Gardener program and facilitated through the U of M Extension.
   Are you someone that is curious and enjoys learning about the natural world, likes sharing that knowledge with others, and supports conservation?
   If you enjoy hiking, bird watching, following tracks, or identifying wildflowers, you’ll love being a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer. Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteers are a motivated group of fun and interesting people: teachers, retired professionals, nature guides, hunters, eco-tour operators, farmers and people like you.
   The course cost is $200 and includes manuals and supplies.  If the course cost is a hardship, scholarships are available on the via (www.minnesotamasternaturalist.org). 
To register for the course go to the MN Master Naturalist website and select “Courses Available”, and then choose “BWBR – Ney Nature Center.” The course start date is June 12 – July 27 which includes two all day field trips (June 23 and July 7).




Summer vacation ... what not to do

see Opinion

May 2012 be the year of restoring public trust

see Letters to the Editor