Belle Plaine Cookout
Jun 23, 2006 News
State Senate candidate, Jessica Peterson and I handed out fresh picked
strawberries and chatted with citizens at the annual start of summer Cookout last Friday in Belle Plaine. We were across the street from Mayor Tom Meger, who handed out his famous Dill pickles on a stick. Dark clouds kept threatening rain but it held off until most of the berries were gone.
Cary Coop, JoAnne Gill, and Lois Lynch helped connect us with local folks.
The community in the far west of this legislative district is often like a trip back in time for me. I have the sense that I am visiting my childhood when times seemed simpler and life was easier. Whether it’s German Days or St. Patrick’s Day or the annual Cookout and Barbeque Days or perhaps the Memorial Day celebration where community pride is expressed by people from all walks of life. It is good that we have these small town gatherings to remind us that we are a community – not always in agreement, but a community just the same where we can celebrate each other.
After the cookout I rushed back to Northfield to the home of Bill and Janet McGrath for a Coleen Rowley fundraiser where we listened to Bonnie and the Clydes and talked with Coleen about her campaign to take the 2nd Congressional District seat.
Fishing Trip
Jun 23, 2006 News
Nothing seems so restorative to my busy mind as the company of good friends and pulling walleye from a beautiful lake beneath a clear blue sky. Once a year I have the pleasure of joining three friends from my work in the state alternative education association for a fishing trip. We sit for hours trawling for fish and renewal – renewing friendship, catching up on successes and challenges we all face. These are all men who nurture young people and co-workers to do the best they can. Minnesota’s system of alternative schools serves students who for a variety of reasons have fallen by the way side and without our efforts might not recover their footing.
We spend the evenings talking and playing cards in a remote cabin where we hear little but the wind in the trees, birds, and of course mosquitoes. It was a short trip, but one I have come to treasure every year.
End of Another School Year
Jun 9, 2006 News
It seems difficult to explain the end of year chaos teachers face trying to make sure all the many tasks are finished, reminding students to get those final assignments completed and in, sifting through papers and assignments, grading, putting things away so the custodial staff can clean and repair, and finally preparing and planning for what you will need next fall or for Summer School. Meanwhile students of all ages are focused on being out of school and the activities of summer and giving their minds a rest from the constrictions of programmed learning. Of course the learning never stops, many students will benefit from numerous activities and summer trips to stimulate their imaginations and creativity. Teachers will take a breather from the rigor and routines of school. Some will go to school themselves to improve their knowledge and teaching skill, others will read and plan for the coming year while others will travel and attend to personal tasks that may been neglected or put off over the year. I am proud of my colleagues who work hard to train and prepare the next generation for the complex world we all will face in the future.
Sunday, as a Northfield District Staff we said goodbye to two retiring Principal, Bruce 
Santerre (Pictured here with Susan Mattice) and Special Education/track coach, Pat Foley (pictured here with his sons and
family friend). Bruce Santerre brought wisdom, dedication and a gift for speaking to the heart of the school. I was impressed many times by his caring and passion for learning beyond the lesson plan, and an awareness of no matter what we teach we need to attend to the whole person before us. His leadership and voice will be missed in the district. I have known Pat Foley since January 1987 when I was hired to teach English at the ALC. He was an excellent team leader and set a tone for working with young people, that was at once supportive and challenging. Both retirees talked about the staff beyond teachers that do a great job making things work well in the district Bruce mentioned Keith Nohava, head custodian at the high school and Susan Mattice, secretary as examples of two people whose hard work made his job much more manageable.
Northfield schools, parents and students have been blessed with many hard working employees who strive to make our schools among the best in the state. When we lose some to retirement it serves as a reminder of how well we are served. As a slight after thought, I had the pleasure the following Thursday to watch Roger Jenni lead the 5th grade band in a concert and march around Bridge Square. The music was excellent though the parade was a bit of a wait as the police made their way through rush hour traffic to close Division Street for the marchers just in time to avoid the rain. After the march the concert featured several marches, which featured the various sections of the band, they all sounded great. The concert also featured two solos sung by one of the band members. 
I was very impressed with the whole concert, Roger’s energy and enthusiasm is infectious; he is amazing in the way he challenges and pulls from his students such great performances. In spite of the few raindrops Bridge Square was beaming with pride and thanks, a great way for anyone to end their school year.
