Spring Valley EDA News

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

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

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 

By Spring Valley EDA – July 19, 2022

 

There is a colorful new addition welcoming people to downtown Spring Valley! The City of Spring Valley unveiled its new Spring Valley Creek Mural on Monday, July 18th, at the S&S Bait Shop, located at 104 East Main Street in Spring Valley, MN 55975.

The Spring Valley Creek Mural is made possible through a Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) Paint the Town Grant, along with local community support and collaboration. Tim Penny, President of SMIF, addressed the audience at the official unveiling. “The only thing we require for the free paint that we provide is that it has to be collaborative, with lots of community members involved, and you certainly have that!” Penny added, “these murals are a point of community pride, and SMIF is happy to be a small part of that.”   

Osterud-Winter Foundation Trustee, Sue Kolling, shared that “one year ago, Steve Tammel and Springy (Steve Volkart, Owner of S&S Bait Shop) were standing right here during the Ag Days fishing contest. Steve looks at the wall and says, Springy, you need a mural! A year later, we have our mural!” Kolling added that she “can’t say enough about the community collaboration on this project. It has been amazing,” and offered a challenge to the community to develop the next project to let people know that Spring Valley is a great place to live.

Spring Valley Area Community Foundation Board Member Dave Foster also addressed the audience. He thanked the project partners and said the Foundation was “very pleased to be a part of this project.”

The Spring Valley Creek Mural is an 8′ x 16′ painting designed by local artist Andrea Hindt and painted with the help of community volunteers. Over the last few weeks, the mural has slowly taken shape indoors at the Spring Valley Community Center, where people could catch a glimpse of the work in progress at different community center events. The completed mural is displayed on the side of the S&S Bait Shop. It is visible to people crossing Spring Creek into Spring Valley’s Historic Downtown from the east on Fillmore County Road 1.

“There are still a few things I need to touch up,” says artist Andrea Hindt, “including adding the spots on the trout. I hope to get that done by this Wednesday for our Wednesdays on Broadway event.”

People are encouraged to scan a QR code added to the mural’s bottom right corner. The QR code directs people to the mural’s story, the various pieces of Spring Valley’s story that it incorporates, and a list of community partners who helped make it possible.

SMIF’s Paint the Town Grant is awarded to communities of less than 10,000 residents for projects that, among other things, will have a positive visual impact on the community. Projects require volunteer participation for at least 50% of the work. Chris Hahn, Economic Development Authority Director for Spring Valley, notes, “We were incredibly fortunate to have support from the Spring Valley Area Community Foundation, the Osterud-Winter Foundation, Spring Valley Public Library, Kiwanis Club, our local Ace Hardware, S&S Bait Shop, and all of the community members who donated their time, energy, and talents on this project.”

Questions regarding the Spring Valley Creek Mural should be directed to Spring Valley EDA Director Chris Hahn via email at director@springvalleyeda.org or call 612-327-9729.