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

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

Original article published in the Mower County Independent, Thursday, May 25, 2023.   Reprinted with permission and gratitude.

By Gretchen Mensink Lovejoy 

 

Members of the Spring Valley Business Alliance (SVBA) approached the Spring Valley City Council during the May 8 regular city council meeting to present a proposal for installing bollards and seating at the corners along the sidewalks on downtown Broadway Avenue.

“The Broadway Project” is, according to its proponents, an effort to slow traffic and make downtown Spring Valley a friendlier destination. SVBA member Dan Freeman approached the councilors and had fellow SVBA members unfurl two large “postcard” banners that show downtown Spring Valley as it stands today, and he explained that the SVBA was formed for “the whole purpose of fostering growth, improving and advocating for businesses.” SVBA members have proposed the project partly because Spring Valley is growing and has come to host numerous special events throughout the year, including the SVBA’s Wednesdays on Broadway monthly downtown farmers’ summer market event, Fins and Films – which is a draw for people coming from out of town and out of state, Ag Days, Christmas on Historic Broadway and the new SVBA winter market event.

Furthermore, though, business owners Alex and Jenn Slifka shared, downtown Spring Valley’s one-way street still bottlenecks into a rather dangerous place for pedestrians attempting to cross the street while motorists are in a hurry to get into or out of parking spaces and through downtown without having a crash themselves. Alex Slifka stated that “my wife’s business has quite a few older clients who have difficulty with access on Broadway,” noting that Jenn’s salon is among several businesses that older individuals frequent downtown because of the return of commerce to the once-empty storefronts.

Jenn Slifka added, “The main goal is to turn downtown into more of community gathering space. We still want people to park there, but a lot of people come flying through downtown.”

Freeman concurred that the project is a traffic maintenance attempt and a means by which to grow neighborliness and hospitality. “This is community-building, essentially. We have a busy schedule this summer. Wednesdays on Broadway…not to sound like ‘Field of Dreams,’ but we figured that ‘if we build it, people will come.’ And Wednesdays on Broadway has exceeded our expectations. I saw people I haven’t seen since I graduated high school. I see a lot of networking and a lot of catching up.”

Jenn Slifka said, “Our hope with The Broadway Project is if it works, we can get more music and events downtown. We’ve got the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Brave Community Theatre (BCT) on board with this project. We want to make it a community gathering place. We’ve asked the Spring Valley Garden Club for help.”

SVBA member Greg Melartin spoke up. “I’m part of the SVBA, but my business isn’t downtown. But I recently was in Oregon, and I saw what we’re proposing. It works. A city’s downtown is its heart, and this heart is pumping.  Let’s keep it moving.”

Councilor Luan Ruesink wanted to know if the additions the SVBA sought would be temporary throughout downtown, likely so that if the endeavor didn’t meet expectations, it could be shifted, and the group confirmed that “temporary” is the current operating word. Freeman told the council, “Rather than coming to you asking for you to give us money, we’re willing to put in money.”

Jenn Slifka interjected, “If we get some people interested in doing some art, maybe we can get people from the school to do some, or maybe we can [have help from the] garden club.”

City Administrator Deb Zimmer asked the councilors whether they felt that a special meeting might be useful in ascertaining how to collaborate with the SVBA to make the proposal work for Spring Valley. “We’ll have a special meeting to talk just about that.”

Ambulance co-director Sue Puffer stated that the Spring Valley Ambulance Service had had a very busy April. “We had 38 calls last month…we have six [emergency medical technician/EMT] students who passed their practical exams and have their national exams next. We had the pancake breakfast and served close to 450 plates. Tami Edgar has submitted her resignation after 21 years.” The co-director and the councilors each thanked Edgar for her dedication to being available when Spring Valley area emergencies arose and individuals needed her reassuring presence.

Spring Valley Fire Chief Dustin Johnson took his turn, telling the council that the fire department had participated in a missing persons search, dealt with vehicular accidents, held a live-burn house fire training, practiced automobile extrications and managed a controlled grass burn. He announced that longtime firefighter Mike Lee retired from the crew on April 30 after 30 years, and he and the council took the opportunity to extend their gratitude to Lee and his family for their respective dedication and understanding.

Also, the May law enforcement report encompassed “a lot of dog problems” and various junk violation concerns.

Resident Wayne Isenberg stood during his turn as a visitor, registering once more his frustration with neighbors who continually have a fire in their backyard and, apparently, do not respect the peace after dark while motoring about on a lawn tractor. Isenberg went on to point out that he has seen properties around Spring Valley that are not pleasing to his eye and that he feels that the City ought to be paying closer attention to such.

Further law enforcement conversations were ongoing about whether Spring Valley ought to maintain its own squad cars or turn over that responsibility to the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Department, which uses a lease-to-own program through Enterprise Fleet. Sheriff John DeGeorge had appeared before the council during the previous months’ meetings to elaborate on the concept and the potential savings that may exist with handing the keys over for the county to manage. He summarized that if the City were to do what others in the county that hold policing contracts through the sheriff’s department have done, keeping three squad cars in good working order should cost approximately $42,000 a year, or $14,000 each. He added that having the squad cars available to deputies assigned to patrol Spring Valley would be of benefit because no matter what vehicle deputies are driving, they’d be bound to the same hours of duty in Spring Valley for which the city has contracted, with travel time to and from town not included. The ongoing and growing shortage of law enforcement hiring candidates has exacerbated the department’s ability to find deputies who can be dedicated to one town’s contract.

Questions were raised as to whether transitioning to having the county operate leased vehicles would affect Spring Valley’s contract in that an officer may be patrolling Spring Valley but be called away to another location. DeGeorge responded that the City is paying for 19 hours of daily patrolling and that that is what is guaranteed. The topic wound to a close for the month as the council chose to table it until the June meeting.

Economic Development Authority (EDA) news given by EDA staff Chris Hahn involved an update on the improvements to the City’s disc golf course. Hahn reported that he and others had walked the course and checked the disc golf baskets and specific tenets of the course. Ruesink commented that she was “really impressed that this project included the high school students” in the creation of signs made for the course by the ag and art classes.

Other business included the council approving a renewal of the Kasten farm rental agreement. Spring Valley owns an acreage on the northwest end of town and has rented it out to a farmer who expressed interest in extending the contract to nine years. The council agreed to the extension. Spring Valley’s City Council gathers on the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Carnegie building downtown.

For more information, log onto the Spring Valley City website at www.springvalley-mn.com, or call 507-346-7367.

 

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

 

 

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