Spring Valley EDA

Tools for Economic Growth in Spring Valley, Minnesota.

Spring Valley EDA News

Spring Valley EDA to host “Breakfast for Business: Succeed with Social Media” Tuesday, October 11th

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The Spring Valley Economic Development Authority will be hosting a “Breakfast for Businesses” at 7:15 am on Tuesday October 11th.  The topic will be “Succeed with social media: Simple & Free Tips to Grow Your Business.”

“Breakfast is important,” says Chris Hahn, Spring Valley EDA Director, “but so is choosing the appropriate social media platform for your business or industry. Specific social media platforms offer different benefits, depending on the industry, and our presenter will share her insight and expertise in using the appropriate social media platform for your business.”

The event is a continuation of a Marketing in the Morning event held last year, that provided an overview of the various social media platforms businesses use to market to consumers.  This presentation aims to provide a “deeper dive” into Facebook, Google Business and possibly other social media tools, depending on what types of businesses preregister for the event.

Businesses are invited to attend and learn from guest presenter Laura Qualey, of Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA).  Laura has a background in sales, marketing, management and digital marketing and brings a wealth of knowledge for businesses large and small.  Before joining CEDA, Laura worked as a Marketing Director for a Minnesota based community bank and served as a board member for the Cannon Falls Education Foundation for almost 15 years.

A light breakfast will be provided by Some Like it Hot Cakes and Catering, so businesses are encouraged to attend and have breakfast, network, and learn some simple, specific tips to help them grow their specific businesses. The presentation will be 30-40 minutes with time for Q & A.

This event is free to attend, but registration is required due to limited seating and to allow so the presentation to be tailored to the audience on October 11th.

Click Here to Register

 

Spring Valley Kiwanis Club’s selects Patty and Joe O’Connell as 2022 Citizens-of-the Year

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The Kiwanis Club of Spring Valley has selected Patty and Joe O’Connell as their 2022 Citizens-of-the Year.  Club president Dave Phillips said many great nominations were submitted but that Patty and Joe stood out because of their long service to the community.

Patty and Joe will be recognized by the Kiwanis Club on Sunday, October 16, at the Spring Valley Community Center.  There will be an open house from 1 – 3:00 p.m., with a program highlighting their selection as the 2022 Citizens-of-the-Year at 1:30 pm.

Kiwanis International is a world-wide service organization with its’ guiding principle being, “improving the world one child and one community at a time”.  As such, the public has traditionally donated money to the club in honor of the selected Citizen-of-the-Year to be used for the clubs yearly Citizen-of-the-Year Scholarship which is given to a graduating Kingsland senior.   Donations this year may be brought to the community center on the 24th or sent to: Kiwanis Club of Spring Valley, P.O. Box 133, Spring Valley, MN 55975, in recognition of Patty and Joe.

Kingsland teacher anxious to teach ‘hilarious’ fifth-graders

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, September 1, 2022.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy 

“I will be teaching fifth-grade in the elementary school,” said new Kingsland teacher Rollins, elaborating on the reason he chose to stand before an array of young people who have achieved status of being in grade five in the course of their public educations, and admitting that his job ahead will mean that he’s got plenty of too-honest stories from youngsters that will likely be worthy of standup comedy— but probably not repeatable if he hopes to spare some parents embarrassment—adding, “While student-teaching in fifth-grade at Byron, I had a great experience. I anticipate that I will feel the same here at Kingsland. Fifth grade is one of my favorite grades because fifth graders are hilarious!”

He’s a recent graduate of public education himself, having rounded out his post-secondary lessons this past spring. “I graduated from high school in 2018, from Triton High School, and I graduated from Winona State Rochester in May 2022. This is my first year teaching, and elementary is the only teaching that I have done. Before coming to Kingsland, I did my student teaching in Rochester and Byron. I have also done coaching in high school and middle school. I chose to become an elementary teacher because I like keeping the same students all day. Having the same students all day allows me to get to know the students a lot better.”

Rollins stated that he decided upon Kingsland “because it is a small district and close to home.” “I anticipate that I will have a blast working on the Kingsland staff because the staff have made me feel very welcomed, and so have the students.

I anticipate that my first year is going to be a challenge because I have a lot to learn.”

He’ll be taking lessons from his students and teaching them at the same time, as he believes that interaction with others is very important to students’ betterment. “I believe that one of the most important things for students to learn while in school is how to communicate and work with others well. I hope that I create an environment for students that feels safe and welcoming. I also hope that I can create a positive relationship with each student that will last for a very long time. I am excited to get back in the classroom with my own group of students for the first time – I am excited to go to Whitewater for the fifth-grade field trip, and I also plan on spending a lot of time outside with my students before and after the snow – and I believe that this will be a year that I will never forget.”

Rollins moved south from his hometown to shorten the commute to his fifth-grade court jesters. “I have recently moved to Rochester to be closer to Kingsland. My mom, dad and brother live in Claremont where I grew up. I also have a couple dogs, goats, and a cat. In my spare time, I like to hang out with friends, hunt, fish and go on trips to state parks with my girlfriend, Madi, and my German shorthair pointer, Mav.”

He rounded out his statement about becoming a Kingsland instructor by declaring, “Go Knights!”

 

 

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

New Kingsland teacher looks to make connections’ with kids

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Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, September 1, 2022.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy 

 

“I’ll be in the elementary side of the school, teaching early childhood special education. I chose to teach early childhood because young children are so fun and happy to work with. I chose to become a teacher because I want to make connections with students and make sure school is a fun and safe place as it was for me,” stated the new Kingsland Elementary School instructor, highlighting that she’s especially ready to go back to preschool after getting her college diploma this spring.

Palkowski shared, “I graduated high school in May of 2018 from Eleva-Strum High School in Wisconsin and graduated from Winona State University this May. This is my first year teaching, so it’s my first school district as well. I have not taught any other subjects, but I was placed in a sixth-grade classroom while student teaching. Before coming to Kingsland, I student-taught in Cochran-Fountain City, Wisconsin, for one semester. I decided to come to Kingsland because it’s in a small community that reminded me of my hometown.”

She looks forward to the first day of school and getting to meet her new students. “I anticipate that I will work well with the fellow Kingsland staff, and I anticipate helping my students learn and grow. Most challenges I anticipate revolve around me being a first-year teacher with lots to learn, but I anticipate sharing many laughs while working with my students. I think the most important thing for children to learn while in school is to find joy and excitement in learning. I hope to make school fun a fun and safe place for my students. I want them to be excited to come to school each day.”

Palkowski currently lives with her boyfriend in Stewartville. “My parents and younger brother live in Wisconsin. I also have an older sister living in California and an older brother living in Colorado. In my spare time, I like to read, go for walks, try new restaurants and attend local events. I hope to attend some sporting events this school year.”

She concluded with enthusiasm, saying, “I am so happy to join the Kingsland community and can’t wait for a great year.”

 

 

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

Spring Valley discusses 2023 Farmer Street project

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The Spring Valley City Council held a regular meeting on August 8, with all council members present (Mayor Tony Archer, John Dols, Chris Danielson, Luan Ruesink, and Greg Brooks).  City Administrator/Clerk Deb Zimmer participated as well.  No visitors had signed up to address the council.

The council approved Resolution 2022-26, for the Farmer Street/County 8 Improvement Project, which is slated to occur next year.  The street project aims to make improvements on Farmer Street, from west of Section Avenue to the Wastewater Treatment Plant driveway.  The resolution set a public hearing for 6 p.m. at city hall on September 12, for anyone interested in hearing more about the project.  The total expected cost of the project is around $1.68 million, but Deb Zimmer explained, “This is a county/city project… Our cost, when you take out utilities and assessments, is $1.2 million, roughly.  The problem on this still will be assessments, as it was on Fremont.  If you use our normal assessment rate, it comes in about $196 per linear foot.  There are some things we can do… We’ll look at that more on the 31st.”  The council will hold a special meeting on August 31 to discuss budgetary matters.  The council may consider scaling back the scope of the street project, as a means of controlling the costs to citizens living on that street. 

Read the full article by Rich Wicks from the August 15, 2022 Edition of the Fillmore County Journal

From vaudeville to the yellow brick road, Brave Community Theatre celebrates five decades of productions

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From its first production in 1972, “A Roaring ‘20s Scrapbook,” to this year’s “Wizard of Oz,” Brave Community Theatre in Spring Valley has filled five decades with quality community theater.

Debi Neville, the current Brave Community Theatre (BCT) board president is also the founder. She started the community theatre in 1972 when she returned to her hometown after living in Minneapolis. Having studied theater in college, she wanted to bring something she was passionate about to her community. She secured a $250 donation as seed money and her dream grew into a local legacy.

Since that time, countless productions have taken place through the years, from stage performances during town celebrations to Christmas pageants and special events.

 

Click to read the full story by Melissa Vander Plas from August 8, 2022 in the Fillmore County Journal