Meandering through Mini-School
By Norm Garneau
The year winds down. We approach the end of May and look forward to warm weather and summer and a sense of freedom and a change of pace.
It’s been another good year for Mini-School and one of the reasons for that is Roy Hawkins. Roy, who did such a great job during his three quarters in Mini-School, is missed by all. Roy always had something to share with his friends. His smile, his sincerity, his genuine concern for others makes him the special person that he is. Roy is one of the few adults I know who is comfortable enough with the word “love” to use it in his daily life. He not only was comfortable using the word, but was comfortable practicing the concept.
Since leaving Mini-School at the end of third quarter, Roy has been working at Phillips Jr. High in Minneapolis–helping kids who have been identified as potential dropouts. He has also signed a contract for next year to teach social studies and driver education, and coach football and track at Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Mini-School wishes good luck to a great
guy.
Anxiously awaited this spring is one of Roy’s innovations: the very first Mini-School Yearbook, complete with pictures of students, staff, and activities. Some production problems at the publishers have delayed its release, but it should be out before the end of May.
Thanks to Jay Davis and his crew of car-washers–Lester, Doug, Joanne, Brad Arnold, Mike Boquist, Roger Anderson, Dale Rosdahl, fan Nicholson, Kelly Donahue, Kelly Bjork, Scott Logelin, Sue Ruffenach and Rona Gruidl, who raised $218 at a car wash and to the advertisers– McDonalds, Mr. Steak, Glen Lake Bakery, Wendy’s, Perkin’s, First National Bank at Hopkins, Jordan Ford, Permatop, Country Kitchen, Streeter-Andrus, and Haug’s Super Valu — who took out ads in the yearbook, the price of the yearbook has been reduced to a mere $3 a copy.
Local businesses contributed to a successful Mini-School year in another way: Providing jobs for Mini-Schoolers in the afternoons, evenings, and on weekends. Among the employers are area Nursing Homes, K-Mart, Thompson Lighting Studio, Chanhassen Dinner Theater, Data Metalcraft, Minnetonka Ice Arena, Q-Petroleum, Country Club Market, Coast to Coast, T-Wrights, McDonalds, Burger King, Mai-Tai, Gray’s Bay Resort, Old Log, Kenny’s Market, Wendy’s, Advanced Circuits, Honeywell, Crown Auto, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Sambo’s.
Thanks to all these and many others for providing a beneficial learning and earning experience for our students.
Among those who contribute time, energy, and support to the program– but who work behind the scene as it were, and therefore get little recognition and credit–is the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer of Mini-School Boosters: Jane Garneau. It is in the role of Treasurer that most of her work is done–handling money raised by Mini-School fundraising projects, donations, and dispersing checks for field trips, projects and travel study. Thanks to a helpful and
lovely lady.
Another behind the scenes, but very important, helpful and co-operative person is Lloyd Troendle, the custodian who takes care of the Mini-School suite of rooms. The unique furniture and room arrangements I’m sure don’t make Lloyd’s job any easier, but never a word of complaint. Lloyd is a positive and reinforcing contributor to the program. Thanks, Lloyd.
Spring is traditionally a big quarter for Mini-School Travel Study Trips. The Appalachia Gang–Doug, Joanne, Marty Cook, Tim Scott, Dave Scott, Lisa Hastings, Tami Gerhard, Jeff Kinzer, Kirk LeBlanc, and Lynn Parkhurst–started things off with a very successful backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trail, which runs from Maine to Georgia. No, they didn’t hike the whole trail, but they did enjoy the challenge of some tough mountain hiking and experienced the beauty of a remote and semi-forgotten bit of Americana. They returned to Minnesota full of aches, pains, and pleasant memories.
Next out was the very first all women Mini-School canoeing trip–a four day excursion down the Rum River. Led by Jack Pine Savagesses Lester and Joanne, apprentice savagesses Nancy Wachs, Kelly Donahue, Sue Vold, Cindy Anderson, Sandy Borth, Andrea Meckstroth, Mary Nehring and Sue Quinn cruised out of Princeton on the Rum River 11 am on Tuesday, May 5, in five canoes, heading for adventure and ???? They’re not talking about the ????
Monday, May 11, 8 am Doug, Mike Fronius, Dale Rosdahl, Tom Austad, Mike Boquist, Lynn Parkhurst, Doug Snyder, Joey Reifenberger, and George Glaccum headed north for two weeks of wilderness canoeing in the Quetico area of Canada. One of the challenges of wilderness canoeing is finding your way through the maze of lakes and portages with a map and compass. If I know Doug, he’ll manage to “let” them get lost once or twice so they can enjoy the “thrill” and challenge of figuring out where they are and how to get where they’re going. Looks easy on the map, but it’s amazing how often those portages don’t seem to be where they’re supposed to be! And all Berg does is smile.
Be nice if the seniors are back by graduation.