Spring Valley EDA

Tools for Economic Growth in Spring Valley, Minnesota.

Chris Hahn

Spring Valley’s ‘Wednesdays on Broadway’ begin June 21 ~ Market, music, munchies, much more!

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, June 15, 2023.   

Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

 

Spring Valley’s Wednesdays on Broadway monthly summer market in downtown Spring
Valley offers an opportunity to socialize and shop. (Picture courtesy of SV EDA website)

Calling out around the world, Are you ready for a brand new beat? Summer’s here and the time is right for dancing in the streets….” –Martha and the Vandellas

“We have new vendors and new music acts, and this year, the VFW green space will be utilized as a kid-friendly area with activities and vendors geared more towards kids. The fire department and VFW will have the trucks for kids to check out, as well as, hopefully, other opportunities throughout the summer. We will also have a new food truck with Mexican food and ice cream,” stated Tiffany Mundfrom, highlighting who’s going to be in the street on Broadway during Spring Valley’s second annual Wednesdays on Broadway summer market event series slated to begin Wednesday, June 21, and continue one Wednesday of each month through October.

The online declaration of what it’s like to dance in the streets as attendees share that the market series is “Spring Valley’s summer market…with that block party feel!” The Spring Valley Economic Development Authority’s webpage shared, “We invite you to join our community for Wednesdays on Broadway in historic downtown Spring Valley, Minnesota. One night each month, through this summer, Wednesdays on Broadway is inviting local businesses, vendors, community organizations, youth groups, faith communities and more to celebrate what makes Spring Valley the destination for summer night fun – community! Join us downtown on the third Wednesday of the month for a summer market, live music, food vendors, arts and crafts, shopping, and fun for the entire family. This is a free-to-attend event for our community that promises fun for all ages.”

Mundfrom recounted that Wednesdays on Broadway 2022, the first step into the street, went quite well. “We had a fantastic turnout at each event. Everyone seemed very happy to be out socializing, and the vendors had great things to say about the atmosphere of the events. It was very rewarding to have multiple vendors tell me that Wednesdays on Broadway was their favorite market to attend. It’s being able to do a little shopping, supporting our small businesses and farmers’ market vendors for fresh, locally grown produce while keeping in touch with community members in a relaxing and fun environment. I feel like even if people aren’t interested in buying anything at the market, they still enjoy coming downtown to find something to eat and enjoy visiting with people and listening to music.” The 2023 events calendar includes the first Wednesdays market on June 21–featuring live music by Matt and Brenda Stier–followed by the July 19 event with music by Bourbon Stiletto, Clay Fulton appearing onstage on Aug. 16, Luke Hendrickson performing on Sept. 20, and Bob Schlief on Oct. 18. Each evening’s activities begin at 5 p.m. and last until 8 p.m. Mundfrom commented on the vendors that will be at the street fair, saying, “So far, we have about the same number of vendors signed up for the first event as we did last year, although about half are new. I expect, like last year, we will continue to add new vendors. My favorite part is seeing everyone having a good time, and I like providing an opportunity for vendors to showcase their products and services and hopefully gain more customers through the events.”

She concluded by inviting anyone interested in showing at the market to “sign up online at Wednesdays On Broadway – Spring Valley, MN (springvalleyeda.org), or reach out to me, Tiffany Mundfrom, at 507-251-2198.” For more information on events themselves, log onto the Spring Valley Economic Development Authority’s website.

 

Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325

Loads of fun for kids this summer at SV Public Library

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, June 8, 2023.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

 

And a-one, and a-two, and a-three…All Together Now!

“The 2023 summer reading program at the Spring Valley Public Library begins with a kickoff week starting June 5. ‘All Together Now’ is the theme, and the program will be full of fun and exciting performers, activities, crafts on site, and all the regulars that our kids are used to,” shared Spring Valley Public Library (SVPL) Director Jenny Simon, inviting the small to the tall to join the edutainment at the local library this summer.

She went on to outline that the program is an opportunity for Spring Valley area children to enjoy a season filled with adventures. “Pick up a free book provided with funding from the Spring Valley Area Community Foundation (SVACF) after registering. The guessing jar, I Spy cabinet, look-and-find pictures around the library, the coveted Golden Book, as well as pop-up games, crafts and a special room for those ages 10 and older to hang out and do some ‘older kid’ stuff will all be ready.”

Simon stated that “we want to provide easy and free access to programs, books, story times, crafts, and all the things that kids need to keep their brains busy over the summer – while having fun at the same time.” She remarked, “I look forward to seeing how much the kids have grown and seeing many of them reading independently now. I know they are all excited for my fantastically funny jokes. We have lots of awesome new books to check out, and many old favorites, too. Crafts will be onsite again this year to foster the feeling of being at the library and being creative with others–that sense of community we have all missed so much during the last couple of years.”

The director highlighted the numerous presentations that the library will host for children from early June through the end of July, with all programs beginning at 1:30 p.m. at SVPL. “We are excited to host the following as part of our summer reading program this summer: On June 14, we will welcome Mary Bleckwehl with ‘The Magic of Story!’ Mary is an author who will read from one of her books and throw in some magic, too. Bring your stuffed animals, your grandmas, your best friends and yourself. This project/program is made possible by the people of Minnesota through Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Library Legacy Fund, in cooperation with our regional library system, SELCO. On June 21, Snake Discovery is hissing their way back with some familiar friends. You will get to touch a snake–maybe even hold one– and see lots of cool creatures. Please be sure to bring those who are afraid of legless creatures so they can see how gentle and calm they are.”

Simon continued, “On June 28, Balloons by Kevin will be here for a balloon-twisting show and workshop. Everyone will go home with a piece of balloon art, and the balloon art will be made ahead of time so there should not be waiting in line. And on July 5, stop in and pick up our only take-and-make craft for the holiday week. On July 12, Will Bjorndal will bring ‘Family Music Fun with Will.’ This will be a high-energy performance focused on positivity and joy and learning through curiosity. This project is made possible by the people of Minnesota through Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Library Legacy Fund, in cooperation with our regional library system, SELCO.”

Late July promises a summer reading program wrap-up party with the Friends of the Spring Valley Public Library. “On July 19, we’ll have the summer reading wrap-up party with Friends. Join us at the library for games, arts and crafts, story time, LEGO challenges, tattoos–temporary, of course—’chalk the walk’ and so much more. This is a day to celebrate reading, friends, and our library. The Friends of the Spring Valley Public Library will be helping out a ton on this day.”

Simon reiterated that the summer reading program is free and that it will be an exciting adventure. “Come to all of them, come to what you can, and come in between, as activities will be available all during June and July. Reading logs will be due on July 21, and prize bag pickup for those who turned in a reading log will begin on July 31.”

She listed the library’s other upcoming events, citing, “Here are a couple extra programs that aren’t part of the summer reading program but will be SO cool. We start on June 7 at 5 p.m. with ‘Cave Critters!’ Come and visit with Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) ranger Lindsay and talk about caves and who lives there and why. On June 29, Doug Ohman’s ‘Saving History’ workshop will be at 6 p.m. at Spring Creek Park. Have you ever used a metal detector before? Would you like to try? This is open to all ages, but you must call the library at 507-346-2100 to register so we make sure we have a metal detector for you. Learn how to search for relics and how to be a responsible user. This project/program is made possible by the people of Minnesota through Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Library Legacy Fund, in cooperation with our regional library system, SELCO.”

The Spring Valley Public Library is located just off Broadway in downtown Spring Valley and is open Monday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. For more information, call 507-346-2100.

 

Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325

Minn. author’s diligence garners on TV, three novels

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, June 1, 2023.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy

 

The secret to getting published is moving people from inebriation to brilliant statement, then listening to one’s grandma.

“I walked my resume to MTV. That was 1999, and I started working at VH1, when MTV was still doing music programming. That’s when they started making reality programs, and by the time we got to 2002, I got a call from the higher-ups at ABC to do a reality show called ‘The Bachelorette.’ I spent my time escorting really goodlooking drunk people from mansion to mansion and try to get them to say interesting things,” recounted Hastings, Minn., native and California author Stradal during his appearance at the Spring Valley Public Library (SVPL) earlier this month as part of the library’s participation in the Southeast Libraries Cooperating (SELCO) spring author tour.

The author of three novels – “Kitchens of the Great Midwest,” “The Lager Queen of Minnesota,” and “Saturday Night at the Lakeside Sup[1]per Club” – highlighted how his career progressed from being just a guy from Hastings who aspired to put words on a screen to being a member of pro[1]duction crews for famous television shows and writing books that, according to his website, “received glowing reviews from NPR, People, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota Public Radio, TASTE Magazine, AARP Magazine, and Kirkus, where it earned a starred review.” He addressed the audience at SVPL and answered their questions related to how he acquired novel-writing skills, saying, “Vanity Fair asked me how I learned to write a novel, and I told them that I had to take hours of footage down to 42 minutes…that’s not a lot of time to winnow things down to tell a story.”

He continued by telling about how he felt that his first manuscript had potential for publication. “I wrote every day for a year before work. I had written a novel before, but this was one that I thought might have a chance, but…my grandma read it and hated it. She told me to my face.” Stradal took questions from his audience related to how the editorial process affected his confidence, and he answered that he’d attempted to challenge one editor on the topic of how many swear words were included in the dialogue and been informed that he’d probably overdone it… eventually learning from his readers that it was better to listen to his editor than to do his best to row against the current. “Editors at every level have been very helpful…and once you get started in the publishing industry, you just keep writing… you get another crack at changes between hardback and paperback for when someone asks, ‘Who’s Blaine?’ and I remember ‘Oh yeah, I forgot I changed his name to Jake.’”

He took some more questions from attendees – particularly one involving whether he’s finished writing or has “more pressure now to write more after first successful books.” He responded, “Yeah, but a tree fell on our house.” That’s a house in Burbank, Calif., by the way, meaning that while he was “just a guy from Hastings, Minnesota” who wanted to use words to make his living, he’s well-traveled, but, he concluded, having a chance to return to the Midwest was a treat he thoroughly enjoyed.

SVPL’s summer program calendar is quite full with author visits, the children’s summer reading program, various educational workshops and more. SVPL’s director, Jenny Simon, encouraged interested persons to peruse the library’s schedule and take advantage of the free opportunities that await, including the return of photographer and author Doug Ohman, who presented in late March on his new book about metal detecting and will return to the library on June 29 to demonstrate how to use metal detectors to find historic artifacts deep underground.

The Spring Valley Public Library is open Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., striving to find opportunity and ability to reopen on Saturdays, if possible. For more information on library services, log onto the library’s website at www.springvalley.lib.mn.us, or call 507-346- 2100.

 

Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325

SV Library board makes plans, looks for solutions at May meeting

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, June 1, 2023.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy

Summertime, and the livin’s crazy at the Spring Valley Public Library (SVPL) simply because of the variety of business that the library staff and board have to handle to maintain SVPL as a community space that serves everyone. The May board meeting exemplified the hurry that the arrival of early June brings with it, including how to be prepared for the children’s summer reading program, how to manage the building and grounds, and what to do to plan for the fall budgeting process.

Library director Jenny Simon shared that she is grateful to the membership of the Friends of the Spring Valley Public Library for their generous volunteerism in taking on tasks that have gradually become responsibilities of library staff due to budgetary reductions that have affected the library’s ability to employ a larger staff. “The Friends offered to do some of the cutting and helping get crafts ready… and to help a little with the crafts,” Simon stated, adding that the Spring Valley Area Community Foundation (SVACF) had also contributed to the program’s impending success by providing a donation for the purchase of books for children who visit the library throughout the summer.

Discussion turned toward whether the library board and staff would choose to attend the Wednesdays on Broadway summer market in downtown Spring Valley in their official capacities to promote the library, but with the Friends’ presence there and the organization’s plan to represent the library’s best interests to the public, the board determined that it would be redundant for them to attempt to host a booth. Simon and the board shared once again how grateful they are to have the volunteers carrying out endeavors on behalf of the library.

Ongoing building maintenance issues were brought up because Simon noted that the State library construction grant had passed through legislature and that it was due to provide funding for numerous library improvement projects at libraries across the state once applications for grants have been received. SVPL’s most pressing issue is the replacement or repair of its stucco-like exterior covering that has chipped away and left large patches of wall unprotected. Simon has broached the topic during previous meetings and expressed exasperation at the shortage of available and actionable solutions in the midst of suggestions made by several different contractors or individuals. More recently, new board member Chris Danielson has offered to research the options that the board might pursue for replacing windows throughout the library and for upgrading the building’s exterior covering, returning to the board with information regarding the windows’ replacement and details of the conversation involving the building’s exterior. She shared that the papers she distributed mainly detailed the estimated cost of replacing windows that have proven to be difficult to operate or repair, but she added that she was aware of the necessity of fixing the library’s exterior and relayed that suggestions were still being made.

Board chair Kristina Rader and Simon acknowledged that while the library may not qualify for or receive construction grant funds, employing the services of a grant writer through Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) may be helpful in procuring those monies. Rader also stated, “We have a fund for the building, but we don’t want to deplete it.”

Library grounds news included Simon relating that the cement that will be poured to make a stable foundation for a picnic table donated through the Kiwanis Club may be installed without the removal of a tree that originally was considered to be in the way, allowing for shade over the table and making the library’s lawn a friendlier environment.

Budgeting processes are of particular concern to the library board this year as its members strive to present a balanced budget to the city council by the July 21 deadline and ensure that library staff is fairly compensated, as there had been a great controversy raised late last year regarding the gap in library staff pay and that of other City staff, whether the library board holds the authority to give the library staff pay increases, and how the board can obtain all the pertinent information to draft a budget that meets the library’s needs while being respectful of the City’s budget. Rader registered that she wanted to propose delaying the June board meeting by a week – from the third Thursday of the month to the fourth – and allot two hours’ time to review numbers and possibilities for the 2024 fiscal year, and the rest of the board concurred, choosing to set the next meeting for June 22 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Lastly, Simon updated the board on upcoming library programs, citing that the registration list for Willow’s Pet Painting has been filled and has a waiting list for the second class that the instructor will give as a free opportunity through the library, and she reminded board members that history photographer Doug Ohman will return to the library with his metal detectors in late June to teach participants how to use them now that he had given his program on metal detecting in late March and shared his new book on the topic of finding bits of history underground.

The board extended its gratitude for $400 donated by the Spring Valley Kiwanis Club for frames for the collection of Robert Clouse prints given to the library several years ago by Roderick Robertson, to the Spring Valley Area Community Foundation (SVACF) for $600 for the purchase of books for children participating in the summer reading program, to Vince and Laura Mangan for a gift to the SELCO Foundation in memory of Leonard Plaehn and in honor of Iola Thompson’s 90th birthday, to Jim and Sue Cavanaugh for a donation to the library in memory of Plaehn, to Marilyn Matson for her donation to the library in memory of Plaehn, and to the Friends group and volunteers who helped set up, run and load and haul books for the first annual book sale, as well as those who donated books for the sale.

The Spring Valley Public Library is open on Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 7 p.m., with aspirations to return to holding Saturday business hours as well. The friendly library staff is available to assist with just about any inquiries, with a few exceptions. For more information, stop in at the library on the corner of Broadway and Jefferson streets in downtown Spring Valley, or call 507-346-2100.

Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325

Minnwest Bank deepens roots in Spring Valley, opens combined facility

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It was a bit like musical chairs among business properties in Spring Valley. When damage from an ice dam prompted Minnwest Bank officials to explore combining their separate drive-up and walk-in facilities last fall, Kwik Trip had already re-located to the former BP site on North Section Avenue. That made the old Kwik Trip building on Broadway available, and it was the perfect opportunity for Minnwest to pursue a new presence and deepen its roots in the city.

“We’re glad you didn’t recognize the building,” Minnwest president Ivan Van Essen said with a chuckle when the Fillmore County Journal chatted with him after a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 15.

Minnwest maintained the original shell of the former Kwik Trip building, renovated the interior and added a vestibule and drive-up area, prompting positive feedback from customers.

 

Read the full two-page feature article, by Axel Gumber in the June 5th Edition of the Fillmore County Journal here!

Activities galore for residents, staff at SV Living during Skilled Nursing Week

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, June 1, 2023.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy

Oooh, what’s going on inside the care center?

Nothin’ but a little peep show. “Spring Valley Living (SVL) feels it’s important to keep our residents in the care center and tenants in our assisted and flexible living…keep their spirits lifted as much as possible and continue to spark the will to explore and try new things. Here at the facility, we try and do this by offering activities all throughout the day in each faction of our facility,” began SVL’s activities director, Shakiya Ogilvie, adding, “Our activities feature all sorts of variety, such as hosting a ‘peep show’ to entice our resident’s interest from the mundane…where we ended up hosting some farm animals like ducks and chickens and ate Peeps…to finding any excuse to throw a party or multiple.”

Ogilvie elaborated, “For instance, in February we not only had a Valentine’s Day party, we followed it the very next week with a Mardi Gras party equipped with voting for staff and residents alike to crown our Mardi Gras resident king and queen. We strive here to make sure our activities are as well-rounded as our many residents and tenants in offering different ways to exercise, TED Talks where we dive into deep personal discussions, cooking classes where we share the treat afterwards, art projects, trivia, spa nights and karaoke–we make our staff perform for the amusement of the residents, making sure to celebrate birthdays, and of course, we’d be lost without our wonderful performers who visit regularly throughout the month and the ever-faithful bingo…we have many requests to do bingo every day.”

She continued, “We also like to keep the community and care center deeply involved with one another by regularly hosting students from the local schools and clubs. This involves students giving musical performances, practicing school projects, hosting a bingo or painting murals. Having the constant interaction with the community helps our residents and tenants feel like they’re still a part of the goings-on in Spring Valley, where many of them are from.”

May 14 through May 20 is National Skilled Nursing Week, the designated week of this year that celebrates the contributions of nursing staff at care centers and assisted living homes. The inter[1]actions between nursing and activities staff and residents are vital to keeping residents’ wellbeing at the forefront. SVL has a “Daily Acts of Kindness” event this week, as Ogilvie cited, “Just like our ‘Fish’ program, during this week, we’d like to catch and honor those we see going above and beyond. [If you] see someone doing an act of kindness, drop their name in the fishbowl for a daily drawing.”

The calendar for this week included “Kicking off with a little Kindness” as residents were invited to “enjoy a Kind bar located in the breakroom” on Sunday, slack off on the “business casual” dress code by appearing on “Pajama Day” wearing “your comfiest pajamas with work appropriate footwear” on Monday while participating in a campus-wide scavenger hunt for prizes and snacking on fruit and donuts in the breakroom.” Tuesday’s calendar box had “Sports Showboat Day” listed for people to “wear your favorite sports team garb, grab a hotdog and root-root for your team!” Wednesday promised “Beach Day” and “a vacation at work…wear some vacation attire, grab a lei and enjoy provided mocktails.” Thursday brings “Celebrity Look-Alike Day” – staff can “dress up as someone famous… make it an actor, solo artist, and/or boy or girl band and prepare yourself for a lip-sync battle and dance-off…take home a prize for either, and enjoy tasty pop and popcorn.” Friday is “Facility Pride Day,” and staff can “showcase your Spring Valley Living pride by getting that logo wear on…enjoy lunch and refreshments in the breakroom.” The last day of the week’s festivities holds nuptials as its focus– staffers Liz and Justin “exchanging vows” –and staff wearing lavender and “rejoicing with cake.”

Ogilvie reminded members of the community to keep the residents of SVL in mind as they go about their days, because just beyond the doors of the care center are people who love a good visit, a chat, and most certainly are good at having parties and peep shows. “Our mission here at Spring Valley Living is to keep the entertainment and fun flowing always throughout our facility.”

SVL is located at 800 Memorial Drive in Spring Valley. For more information about how to visit or volunteer, log onto the Spring Valley Living website at www.springvalleyliving.org, or call 507-346-7381.

Courtesy of the Mower County Independent, 135 E Main St. LeRoy, MN 55951, (507)-324-5325