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Good Earth Village ready to welcome campers! ~ Traditional format returns after 2020 ‘pivot’

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, April 21,2022.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy 

 

What’s the most heavenly new camp chorus?

“Overnight is back, baby.”

“We’re open and back to our traditional, time-tested, time-honored format … I’m looking forward to having a lot of people around, hiking the trails until they’re well-worn paths– it was amazing to me during 2020 and 2021 how much nature was taking back the trails– so I’m looking forward to the well-worn paths, smelling like a campfire … I’m looking forward to the joy of God’s love and blessings,” declared Good Earth Village (GEV) Executive Director Dianna Parks, long anticipating the arrival of sleeping bag-toting youngsters returning to the Lutheran camp northeast of Spring Valley after two whole lonely years without overnight summer campers or the late-hour campfire smoke curling toward the star-encrusted sky.

Parks recalled the pivot that GEV, a destination for hundreds of children and families each summer, had to make when the COVID pandemic began in March 2020, leaving the camp’s administration lost as to how to navigate a season without eager young adventurers ready to sleep in cabin bunk beds and explore the great out- doors.

“In 2020, we did what we called ‘Virtual Village,’ and we did six weeks online–we have seven core values–and we did a Bible study, song, and craft on one of those each week. It was all online so churches could build around it. In 2021, we had Adventure Days where we did online camp, and it was much smaller than 2020.”

The long, silent springtime of 2020 left Parks and GEV staff trying to figure out what to do with the open-sky sanctuary that has served campers since its founding in 1978, even as Sunday schools and churches held online and drive-in church services and people were generally confined to home unless they had essential business to conduct.

Parks shared that GEV retreat director Tyler Anderson saw opportunity to welcome groups, such as families, church circles and others who did not feel comfortable meeting in their homes, to use the large lodges and outdoor amphitheater overlooking the valley once isolation mandates were lifted.

She remarked, “The other thing we did was we reached out to our ministry partners and congregations and offered our services for special music and online worship pieces. At Our Savior Lutheran (OSL) in Spring Valley, we did their entire services … we did that with a couple of our partners. We turned the tables and asked, ‘How can we help you?’” She noted that while GEV’s 2020 and 2021 outreach programming “didn’t look like so much on paper, it was (a lot of work and rewards) because it was brand new.”

No matter whether there were tall or small people with muddy or clean feet traipsing GEV’s hillsides and splashing in the Spring Valley Creek, GEV sought to serve its congregations and communities because “it’s what we’re meant to do.” However, even as the Bible camp’s staff restored some of its programming–such as the Lunch and Learn events that it hosts to highlight the re- treat’s diverse uses–it could not immediately repair what dam- age had been done to its annual summer camps, and the effects are still evident as registration opened for the new summer season.

Parks explained, “A lot of churches suffered loss of kids and families, because they were and are not ready to come back, and that’s broken the cycle of the church year and summer camp. We’re actively working to rebuild that. It’s the tension we feel most as we’re working toward a full summer of campers and struggle to find staff. We’re praying to find both … and living into our faith.”

The camp’s 2022 invitation to join for its wide range of sessions cites from Job 12:7-10, reading, “What is this summer’s theme? ‘But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In God’s hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all humankind.’

“The summer theme for 2022 is ‘Created Good.’ Campers will be exploring the daily themes of ‘Created to Create,’ ‘Created to Wonder,’ ‘Created to Care,’ ‘Created to Flourish,’ and ‘Created to Share.’ Through worship, songs, spiritual practices, environmental education, and more, campers will be encouraged to reflect on how they are called to nurture and care for all of God’s creation.”

Parks firmly believes that “kids need to be outside, they need to be on actual dirt and grass, get fresh air, have campfires, go on hikes, go splashing in the creek, be building community with other kids that they may not go to school with but will be best friends with by the end of the week.” Her favorite part of watching church vans, buses and parents arrive on Monday filled with wiggly, but per- haps uncomfortable, children is that “it’s amazing to see the chemistry … a week feels like a lifetime, and the amount of contact we have, like a church year … the amount of faith-building built into that time is extraordinary, and by Friday morning, they’re crying because they don’t want to go home.”

That means that somewhere, there are young adults who need a summer job and who are called to be counselors who lead campers who arrive uncertain but leave a week later with connections and faith grown as tall as the trees. She stated that GEV usually has its counselors’ positions filled, or nearly so, by mid- to late-March, but this year’s pandemic recovery leaves her concerned that the individuals who may be best for taking GEV Adventurers, Village Kids, Trailblazers, Settlers, Pathfinders, and other attendees to tramp down trails and get their feet wet in the stream won’t appear.

“I truly know that this is the best job that young adults can have, working at a camp, and it’s especially true of anyone who is pursuing a teaching or ministry job, truly for anyone who will be leading teams, who has to be self-sufficient … there’s no better job than being a counselor.”

GEV’s new program director, Erik Dahl, a Wisconsin native hailing from the capital city of Madison, agreed with Parks that getting to guide others in faith is an unforgettable endeavor, and it’s one that he looks forward to doing at GEV after four summers spent as a counselor, village leader and assistant program director at Sugar Creek Bible Camp near La Crosse, following that up with becoming GEV’s summer property director last year.

“I’m incredibly excited to be here. I went to school at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse to get my degree in recreational management with an outdoor emphasis to learn how to do this job, and I feel very prepared, very excited to be working with kids. It’s the impact we can have on a camper’s life–I’m a camper, too. I love anything outdoors … hiking, soccer, all sports. I’m looking forward to going on the Outback canoe trip to the Apostle Islands.”

The cat-loving former counselor cited that while he’s just beginning his work as a pro- gram director, he’s glad to have had experience as a counselor because once inexperienced staff arrives, “it helps to know that everybody is in the same boat this summer … that all of us, collectively, have never done this before” and he enjoys the “shared space … the sense of camaraderie” intrinsic to leadership. “I love team-building activities. I’m excited to bring that to Good Earth Village. I’ve learned from some of the best. It’s putting people in a controlled environment, and it’s how they work together as a team.”

He cited the tenets that remain from his own overnight camp experiences. “My favorite part is probably making new friends of people I didn’t know before. By the end of the week, we were best friends, and there are some I’m still in contact with.”

Parks highlighted that in addition to welcoming Dahl as its program director this season, GEV has “one camp that’s different every year, an offsite camp to the Apostle Is[1]lands, and we have the Spring Valley Creek that runs through our property which is prized for fishing … we give permits for people to come here to fish, and we have a Go Fish, a camp that was supposed to be brand new in 2020. We partner with an organization to teach kids how to fish.” She remarked that that camp is part of the rebuilding process as GEV returns to its literal and figurative summer camp roots this June through August with the “traditional, time-honored format” of unrolling one’s sleeping bag and getting comfortable in nature.

And Dahl concluded, “Camp is a unique place where you can be your authentic and genuine self. The sole purpose is to have fun, connect with each other.” Good Earth Village is located approximately five miles north of Spring Valley at 25303 Old Town Drive, Spring Valley.

For more information, log onto the Good Earth Village website at www.goodearthvillage.org, or call the GEV welcome center at 507-346- 2494.

 

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

Kingsland FFA’ers reflect on Challenges, Rewards

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday March 24th, 2022.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy 

 

Emily Miner’s FFA’ed out of her zone.

For that, she’s forever thankful.

“I have not been anywhere special because of FFA, but it has encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone,” said the Kingsland senior FFA member who is proud to be claiming her FFA State Degree at the Minnesota FFA state convention next month. She is as a member of the Spring Valley-Wykoff FFA chapter advised by Ag instructor Kristal Brogan.

Miner joined FFA as a seventh grader in 2017 “because all of my siblings had been in it, and it looked fun.” She explained, “I like the opportunities and challenges that it gives me. It has influenced me to do more in my community and to help others. I enjoy that we work together in groups outside of the classroom and get involved in the community and that I get to compete with my friends.”

She elaborated, “I have been on the Horse team, Nursery and Landscape team, and Small Animals team. I joined the Horse team because I’ve always been interested in horses. I joined the others just as something to do as a time-passer. My favorite event is competing in my horse career development event (CDE).” Also, she’s gotten to lend a hand during FFA service projects, such as making blankets for the local nursing homes, along with participation in the chapter’s other efforts to fulfill its mission to work toward bettering community through leadership.

Miner highlighted that her FFA membership has been both challenging and rewarding.

“A challenge was trying to find time between school and sports to get to work. It’s been rewarding to learn all of the things that I did. It has helped me succeed in my work experience—it’s hard work to try and juggle so many things, but it’s rewarding in the end. Being in FFA has helped me learn to do my job better, and it will help my future by allowing me to better learn in my career…and [it] helped me learn things that I may not have learned.”

Miner is excited to attend the state FFA convention to receive her degree.

“It’s knowing that I was able to get my degree before I graduated. It’s an honor and an award that I had the ability to receive … I look forward to going on stage and walking in front of everyone and knowing what I accomplished.”

She shared that she is “enlisted in the Army and hope to make a career out of it,” but that if she has a chance to help future FFA members find their way, she’d gladly do so, concluding, “I am always willing to help someone if they are in need. Just join FFA. The opportunities are endless, and it helps you grow as a person.”

Fellow Kingsland senior Emma Kuisle is also receiving her FFA State Degree, and Brogan honored her work as a member with an announcement on the chapter’s Facebook page, stating, “Emma Kuisle participated in the Small Animals competition on Feb. 8 at P-E-M High School. She was interested in trying this event because she is planning to go to South Dakota State University (SDSU) to major in Vet Science. She really enjoyed the competition and thought the information is helpful to further her career goals.”

Kuisle joined FFA in 2018 because she “had friends in it and wanted to show my animals.” She’s learned leadership skills and determined her career choice through her FFA experiences. “I have realized that I want to be a vet and currently work at Spring Valley Vet Clinic. I am going to SDSU to major in Animal Science.”

As an FFA’er, she’s also gotten to be chapter sentinel, meet “friends from other schools,” has participated in the job interview and veterinary science CDEs, been part of the floriculture team—finding that she’s preparing for her future through the Veterinary Science CDE, and that she enjoys horticulture—and been able to make a difference in her community through the chapter’s contributions to the Christmas in Fillmore County Christmas gift family assistance program. She’s also been on hand for the chapter’s corn drive, taught others about farming through the Little Farmhands and Miracle of Birth educational opportunities and taken part in FFA Week activities. Additionally, she’s been part of the goat and dairy shows at the Fillmore County Fair.

Kuisle named “recording hours and completing work” as her personal FFA challenges, but that she enjoys getting “to show off my hard work as an FFA member.”

She anticipates going to the state convention because it will be her first and only chance to attend, as the previous conventions were canceled due to the COVID pandemic. Having her FFA State Degree in hand will be to Kuisle like getting a bucket filled with kittens … almost.

“It is a good way to show your hard work and show your dedication to agriculture,” she commented, inviting others to consider FFA membership for the potential it holds, even if they don’t pursue their degrees.

“Do it! You will not regret it! You will make lifelong skills and meet friends.”

Kuisle and Miner will be among the numerous Spring Valley-Wykoff FFA members attending the state convention, as Brogan’s lineup of deserving students has grown since the first event in October through the most recent held in mid-February. The Soils team took fourth place at competition, with an announcement posted on the FFA Facebook page boasts, “Great job to the soils team on placing fourth at the Soils competition … they will advance to state in April!” followed by a list of the team’s membership— Ryley Guy, Kensie Heusinkveld, Jacob Warren and Emily Mlinar.

The Fish and Wildlife team hooked a second-place win at competition Feb. 8, with members Carson Wolfgram, Courtland Drury DeBoer, Connor Tangen, Dylan Schultz and Sam Snitker celebrating their individual placings, as well as their advancement to State.

Forestry team members—seniors Maddie Snitker, Hannah Lange, Becca Hanson and Lexi Harwood—have competed together for quite some time and also have the State convention on their calendars, readying themselves to show their knowledge about identifying the trees in a glen, as well as best management practices.

Also, a Feb. 16 meats competition at Stinson’s Meat Locker in Houston, Minn., garnered the Spring Valley-Wykoff FFA’s team a third place on the bracket and a trip to match their grading skills at State convention. Participating in this year’s team are Sam Howard, Ira Schmidt, Seth Howard, Gavin Hubka and Parker Johnson.

Brogan then posted just this past week that she’s “super proud of the members that competed on Friday in Cannon Falls,” as the Farm Management team placed third and is set to advance to State—including Audrey Webster, Anika Reiland and Kennedy Fenske.

Finally, Brogan extended her congratulations to the Ag Mechanics team, comprised of Max Erdman, Landan Hunemuller, William Arndorfer and Zach Reiland, who “placed fourth and missed going to State by seven points, as State competitions only take the top three teams … William placed third individually and is able to advance to the State competition by himself.” And a young Dairy Foods team gave it their best go at knowing what’s a good gallon of milk and chunk of cheese during the Dairy Foods meet, with Mylah Montgomery, Gretchen Hubka, Blake Krahn and Cody Howard taking close inspection of the calcium collection before them.

Throughout the 2021-2022 school year, Brogan’s FFA’ers have been found living to serve—gathering gifts for Christmas in Fillmore County; bringing small presents to Spring Valley Living (SVL), making Valentines for elementary students, carrying out annual fruit and bread braid sales; hosting FFA Week (including offering their fellow students the opportunity to pet farm animals during the FFA barnyard, held in the ag shop); testing their metal cutting skills using the department’s new plasma table to make trees for the elementary special education program for which the elementary “students will use magnets to manipulate the tree and work on various skills,” and collecting new hats, mittens and gloves to “help keep Kingsland cozy this winter.”

That’s not all the FFA’ers conquered, as another announcement posted explained, “Early October, these 14 members collected monetary and corn donations to raise a total of $9,000. ALL of the money was donated to True Friends (special needs camp), the Spring Valley Area Food Shelf, the Wykoff food shelf, and the Kingsland backpack (food) program.” And yet another post acknowledged the “24 FFA members who spent Friday making nine fleece tie blankets and hanging out.” Ultimately, the chapter’s membership entertains a very busy schedule each school year.

For more information on what’s getting students out of their zones on agriculture, log onto the Spring Valley-Wykoff FFA Facebook page.

 

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

State Exports Rebound to $24 Billion in 2021, 6% Above 2019, Prior to the Pandemic

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Redistributed with Permission, Original Press Release from DEED Communications (MNDEED@public.govdelivery.com) March 21,2022, 11:30 a.m.

 

North American markets drove growth; machinery, electrical equipment and mineral fuel & oil led export gains

St. Paul – Minnesota exports of agricultural, mining and manufactured products rebounded from 2020, increasing by 17% to $24 billion in 2021, according to a report released today by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Not only did exports recover in 2021 from weakened exports during the first year of the pandemic in 2020, but they even surpassed 2019 levels, prior to the pandemic.

“The continued rebound in the state’s exports is good news for Minnesota businesses – and the 112,000 Minnesotans whose jobs are supported by state exports,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “We’re heartened by this continued growth, but we know we must continue to do more to bring Minnesota goods to the global stage. We want the world to know: we build what matters in Minnesota.”

“The Minnesota Trade Office offers innovative programs and services to assist small and medium-sized Minnesota companies navigate international markets and successfully grow their export sales,” said Gabrielle Gerbaud, Executive Director of the Minnesota Trade Office. “We are dedicated to growing state exports to global markets as the world continues to emerge from pandemic disruptions.”

North American markets drove Minnesota’s export growth in 2021. Demand significantly strengthened in Canada, Minnesota’s top export market ($6.6 billion, up 36%) and Mexico, Minnesota’s third largest export market, ($2.5 billion, up 27%).

Export growth was more moderate to Asia ($7.7 billion, up 8%) and in Europe ($4.8 billion, up 11%). Exports recovered to 2019 levels in Asia but fell short in Europe (down 7%). Exports grew the most to the Philippines (ranked 6th largest; up $451 million to $786 million), China (ranked 2nd largest; up $235 million to $2.7 billion) and Ireland (ranked 10th largest; up $102 million to $547 million).

Among products, machinery, electrical equipment, and mineral fuel & oil saw the largest export gains. Surging global sales of machinery (up $1 billion), mineral fuel & oil (up $751 million), and electrical equipment (up $747 million) fueled Minnesota’s overall recovery in exports in 2021 and pushed these exports over their 2019 levels.

Minnesota conducted $56 billion in total trade in goods with over 200 countries in 2021. Total trade grew 16% since 2020 (up 8% since 2019). With $32 billion in imports of goods, the state ran a trade deficit in goods of about $9 billion in 2021 . In 2021, U.S. exports grew by 23% over 2020. Minnesota ranked 22nd highest in exports among the 50 states for total exports, down from 21st in 2020.

Additional details can be found in the 2021 annual report, which is posted on DEED’s website in the Export and Trade Statistics section.

The Minnesota Trade Office (MTO) supports small- and medium-sized Minnesota businesses through technical assistance, export education and training programs, trade promotion activities, services by offices in strategic overseas locations, and export expansion grants. State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grants – 50% matching, up to $7,500 – support a range of export development activities, including participation in virtual and in-person trade shows and missions. The MTO also serves as Minnesota’s Office of Protocol, ensuring that the state’s interactions with foreign delegations and dignitaries are conducted with appropriate diplomatic etiquette and cultural practices.

DEED is the state’s principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and its services, visit the DEED website, the JoinUsMn.com website, or follow us on Twitter.

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Upon request, this information can be made available in alternate formats for people with disabilities by contacting the DEED Communications Office at 651-259-7161.

 

SV Food Shelf thrives, thanks community support

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday March 10th, 2022.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy 

 

“Donations of food and money have continued to be strong. We have a giving community!” declared Spring Valley Area Food Shelf volunteer Carol Gross, extending her appreciation to generous individuals who have sustained the local food pantry with their donations throughout the past two years as economic conditions have shifted during the COVID pandemic.

Gross recounted how benefactors have kept the supplemental food program viable, even outside of the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign that takes place each year to round up cans, boxes and bags of food for the greater good of Minnesotans who use food shelf services.

“We did not accept food drives in 2020 and early 2021, but they have now resumed. In fact, we received over 600 pounds of food from Kingsland National Honor Society (KHS) on Friday. Kingsland school groups have several food drives during the year. They make it a competition between the classes, and there is always good participation.

“In the past, we have had food drives from Scouts and postal workers. Occasionally, the community has encouraged attendees at events to bring food products. Most of the churches have donation boxes, and Sunshine Foods and Dollar General have donation boxes as well. Several businesses have supported us with generous donations. One business came and asked what we needed and then donated a huge supply of non-food items that we were in need of.

“Individual donations are greatly appreciated, and we and our shoppers look forward to garden produce in the summer…we do have fresh fruit and vegetables available on most days. During the summer, we always have produce available.”

Additionally, she said, “Our needs vary from week to week and season to season. The empty spots on the shelves right now are in canned fruit and juices. We don’t always have baking supplies, so when we get them, they go out the door quickly. We do well during the holiday seasons – especially Thanksgiving. The Fillmore County Salvation Army gives us complete Christmas and Easter dinners in a box that we can give out, mostly to our large families. But our community seems to think of us during the rest of the year also.”

Gross listed the food shelf’s challenges, sharing, “Our challenges are basically having the kind of food available that our shoppers want. Channel One, our main supplier, occasionally cannot get certain items, so then we can’t get them either. When we are unable to get the items we need from Channel One or donations, we buy locally. This is especially true of meat and fruit, but also includes other things we are short of. We are a food shelf, but we also have cleaning supplies, paper supplies and personal items. We are happy to get these products donated as well.

“Probably our biggest challenge is how to get out the word that we are here, and we look forward to new shoppers. We had decreased use of the food shelf in 2020 and 2021. So far in 2022, we are up from then. However, we are still below 2019 usage. We can easily supply more shoppers. We know there are people out there with food needs, but we can’t seem to reach them…please come. We welcome everyone.” And as for the rewards, she stated, “I’m not sure what the rewards are to others. For me, it is knowing that I am helping to provide a service that is needed. We have the very best volunteers. We can always staff it on the open days. Our volunteers take ownership in the food shelf. They care about and assist our shoppers in many ways. They make good decisions when un- foreseen incidents come up. They are there on shopper days, on truck delivery days, on days when we check donated food for out-of-date items. We can always use new volunteers. The advantage to new volunteers is that they can schedule their own time. Many of our volunteers work only once a month.”

Those volunteers gladly invite shoppers to step into the East Jefferson Street building where they work hard to provide a dignified grocery experience.

Gross observed, “During 2020 and part of 2021, we had shopping from the curb, where the shoppers filled out a wish list and then we did the shopping. Things are back to the usual way of going shopping now. However, we do try to have only two shoppers at a time. Also, we have taken off the limits of the amount of food shoppers can take. We do continue to encourage shopping only once a month. We have the same hours— Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 to 11 a.m. We have a few shoppers without transportation, so we have contracted with Rolling Hills Transport based in Kasson to provide fare-free rides; however, this is only on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 3:15. Shoppers can call 800- 528-7622 to arrange for a pickup.”

She reiterated the invitation for community members who need supplemental food to take advantage of the food shelf’s benefits. “We accept everyone. There are forms to fill out, but income guidelines are exceedingly generous. We do emphasize that we are a supportive food agency; we do not attempt to provide all of a family’s food.”

Minnesota FoodShare’s March Campaign is a project of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches (GMCC) that ad- ministers and oversees participation in the annual effort to gather food to be distributed to food shelves within the state to bene- fit people who are food insecure. This year’s campaign began on Feb. 28 and will last until April 10, offering plenty of opportunity for raising awareness of hunger and how anyone can help by giving food items and cash to local food shelves.

GMCC’s website related, “GMCC’s Minnesota FoodShare began its work in 1982 as a campaign advanced by congregations to restock food shelves in the seven-county Twin Cities Metropolitan area.” Now in its 41st year, it brings together organizations, businesses, faith communities, and individuals to help stock and support nearly 300 food shelves. In fact, the 2021 March Campaign results found $13,076,992 raised by food shelves; 6,485,390 pounds of food collected; and $234,762 distributed to participating food shelves. Also, money donated allows food shelf administration to purchase even more items than an individual could buy and donate with the equivalent amount of money.

For more information on how to donate food or funds, volunteer or receive supplemental food from the local food shelf, log onto the Spring Valley city website at www.springvalleymn.com, or the food shelf’s Facebook page listed under “Spring Valley Area Food Shelf.”

 

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

Community Library is Spring Valley’s one-stop shop ~ But don’t expect to hear “Shhh,” because it’s alive!

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday March 10th, 2022.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy 

 

“Sometimes people think of the library as just a place to check out books. While we do a lot of that, we do so much more. We can help with finding unique materials, provide a place for a meeting for local organizations and groups (which we do for many already), we can be a meeting spot for people to knit together, do puzzles, spend time with friends, and attend programs that enhance and enrich lives,” stated Spring Valley Public Library (SVPL) Director Jenny Simon.

She continued, “We have Internet access and computers for those who may need to apply for jobs or work and [write] resumes. There are fax, scan, and printing capabilities.”

Simon added, “The library is a place where all are welcome and safe. Children of all ages are welcome here, and we don’t mind their laughter and chatter. As I have said for the almost eight years of being director, this isn’t a ‘be quiet’ library. We are a library that is alive. Alive with ideas, people, and alive with a future and a place in our community that is unique and necessary. We need the community as much as the community needs us.”

SVPL and its staff serve patrons who reside in Spring Valley, as well as bibliophiles from Wykoff, Ostrander and beyond, and its pulse vibrates with connections to people in all those surrounding communities. People among those who form SVPL’s backbone include staff, library board members, some very dedicated volunteers, and of course, its patrons.

Simon shared that the staff currently includes herself, library assistant Jeanette Ramaker and library assistant and cataloger Jenni Lovejoy, who joined the crew in the fall of 2020. “Chelsey Alverson also helps out during summer reading and filling in as needed.

The library board of trustees has all seats filled and consists of Kristina Rader, president, Trisha Montgomery, treasurer, Alex Merkel, secretary, and members Nancy Stender, Janelle Mosher-Rowe, Joel Huebner and Pam Phillips. The library is very appreciative of Gene Ramaker for all he does behind the scenes to help keep the building looking good and functioning. He vacuums for us, mops, fixes things that have broken or aren’t working right, and [does] just about anything else we need.”

Anyone who understands SVPL’s media and literary lending muscle and the ligaments that string patrons and visitors to that framework was quite likely feeling very lost at the end of March 2020, when Simon and board members had to determine how to navigate the outset of the COVID pandemic and close the library to in-person patron usage.

The director recounted, “When COVID first hit, we closed completely for two weeks. After that short time, we opened for curbside pick-up or by appointment to come in and check out or use the computer. Since February of 2021, we have been operating as if we were pre-COVID. We are open full hours, with the exception of Saturdays. Even prior to COVID, we were only open the first and third Saturday of each month, with numbers of patrons visiting those days pretty low. Our intention is to eventually bring back two Saturdays a month again. When that happens is hard to pinpoint. We are waiting to see how numbers of patrons rise during the week that would make being open Saturdays justifiable again.”

Simon cited, “As with any big change in people’s lives and schedules, COVID has affected the library in some ways, too. We are having fewer visits and circulation is down a bit. We are hoping that people get back into the habit of coming in and checking out materials. This trend is not specific to the Spring Valley public library, as many libraries are seeing reduced numbers of visits since COVID. People have moved away from old habits, like coming to the library, and many aren’t going out as much. We also understand that the pandemic has changed the way that many people are doing things, so we are always looking for ways to meet people where they are. We will continue to offer curb[1]side to any patrons who don’t want to or can’t come inside for whatever reason.”

She commended her staff for their vigorous response to the itchy topic of how to operate a public library during a pandemic; they’ve learned to swat away any irritations and just move on.

“Staff has adapted wonder[1]fully to the changes that COVID brought to the library. Our staff are flexible, hard-working, and adaptable to change on a dime. Right now, there are not a whole lot of differences from pre-COVID, minus a few safety precautions such as Plexiglass at the front desk, and minimal manipulatives available in the children’s section. Most things are back to normal.

“We changed our programming for summer the last two years and ran a highly successful program with weekly ‘grab and go’ bags that included crafts, activity pages and more. We also had ‘story strolls’ in our front lawn for patrons to enjoy, as well as yard games. Each week, there was a Facebook Live story for kids to tune into. In 2021, we had activities inside the library, like the Golden Book search, and both years, we offered an ‘I spy’ window that was visible from inside or outside.”

All this did not go unnoticed. “Kids and parents both shared how much they enjoyed all the activities provided by the library. In 2021, we handed out close to 600 bags over six weeks,” Simon shared.

The director stated that presently, the staff is “trying to focus forward” and get the body of literary works in motion for better health. “We have been working to better organize our collections and will be doing some physical moving of sections soon. Our collection continues to grow in all areas and genres. We have been building our ‘Cozy Mystery’ section. These are stories, many from Guideposts, that are clean, easy, and fun to read. We have a collection of about 400 of these books, divided into many series, and they get requested from all over the state of Minnesota, as well as being checked out frequently from our patrons and within SELCO (Southeastern Libraries Cooperating).

“We also received a grant from SELCO using American Rescue Plan Act funds to purchase new nonfiction books for young children and teens. Those areas of our collection need some updating in content to match what has changed in this world and to provide some fresh mate[1]rials for the youth. We also work hard to keep up on the popular authors that patrons love.”

SVPL’s skin has needed repairs for some time even though its heart is beating quite healthily. Simon explained, “The board has been talking about applying for a Minnesota Department of Education Library Construction grant to help fund the repair of the exterior of the building. The program is authorized biennially by the Minnesota legislature and funded from the sale of general revenue obligation bonds. The funds have not been secured for the program this year as of yet, but the grant application would begin next fall if funding goes through.

“Our exterior is exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS), and it has many dings and holes and is cracking in areas. The grant could help us repair that if it were to be funded and we can provide the required matching funds. The Spring Valley EDA director, Chris Hahn, has been working with us on understanding the grant, and the EDA would help us write the grant itself.”

Community programming is further proof that SVPL is an animated place–hosting the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) “Pollinators: Bee Aware” exhibit through March 11, along with numerous special guest presenters who will offer insight on aspects of life both insect and human. Simon, who’s known for raising monarch butterflies at the library, noted, “Regarding programming, we are glad to be getting back on our feet with in-person programming. We are excited to have this interactive exhibit at our library and hope our patrons will stop in and learn more about the role of pollinators in our ecosystem.”

Additionally, Simon invited, “Chad Lewis will be at the library on March 24 at 6 p.m. Chad is a researcher, author and lecturer on topics of the strange and unusual. He will be hosting a fun and engaging program about the ‘Bizarre History of Minnesota.’ Jumping to June, we will be hosting the MPCA’s ‘Karst and Water Pollution’ exhibit and presentations. This exhibit is in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Education’s (MDE) state library services and will be at the library from June 1 through 15.” She shared the de[1]scription of the program, which reads that “it examines the unique challenges for keeping groundwater clean in the karst geology of southeastern Minnesota…it explores some of the sources of water pollution and what all of us can do to ensure safe drinking water and healthy streams.”

The library is certainly a literary lifeline for children, as its staff works hard to create activities for the tiniest to the tallest – Simon pointed out that children’s story time will be held on the first and third Fridays of each month at 10:30 a.m. beginning March 18.

“It’s appropriate for ages six and under and will include songs, stories, and a small take-home craft. And the library’s summer reading program begins June 15 and has a theme of ‘Read Beyond the Beaten Path.’ We are planning for in-person programs this summer with take-home crafts. We have some fun presenters planned already.”

More details on the summer reading program will be available as the months zip by, Simon related, adding that there are even materials inside the library that can check people’s lives into the great outdoors. “Last but not least, we still have a Minnesota State Parks pass available on a first-come, first-served basis. It can be borrowed for a seven-day period and is good at any Minnesota state park. This program was just renewed for two additional years. And ALL library programs are free and open to the public.”

Spring Valley’s public library is located on East Jefferson Street, just off Broadway and behind First National Bank. The friendly library staff welcome patrons and visitors alike to stop in for a chat, a question or even a giggle. For more information, log onto the SVPL 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

Kiwanis Student Spotlight – Maddie Snikter

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Name: Maddie Snitker

Parents: Darren and Lisa Snitker

School Activities: National Honor Society, FFA

Activities/Work Outside of School: Outside of school I am an activity aide at the nursing home and really enjoy working there and seeing all the residents and my coworkers. I stay involved in my church and I help at Sunday school as well.

Your Favorite Class and Why? So far this year I am liking personal finance. I think it is a lot different than the college classes I have taken the past year and I think it has a lot of valuable and useful information for after high school.

Why is a Solid Education Important?  I think a good education is important to learn basic things as well as be more prepared for college and after high school. School also teaches you a lot of life lessons that I think are important and you learn a lot about yourself and others at the same time.

Immediate plans after High School Graduation: After graduating I plan to take real estate courses to get my real estate license and attend a four-year college probably for business administration in the fall.

Long-term Plans/Goals: Long-term after college and starting a career, I hope to own a business in real estate selling houses and helping people design their own custom houses.

 

Note: The Spring Valley Kiwanis Club annually recognizes the top academic performers at Kingsland High School. Kiwanis will recognize Madelyn and her parents during the March 9 meeting at the Spring Valley Community Center.