By Doug Berg
Year 27 of the Mini-School Program has been characterized by the addition of 25 new kids to the program, 2 real successful trips during some of the finest autumn weather we’ve ever had, an air of enthusiasm and seriousness about Mini-School classes and projects, and a terrific kickoff to the calendar drive. As I write this my Com-mini-cations class is hard at work getting the fall issue together and Kristi Dahl, one of the editors, is giving me a hard time because my articles aren’t done yet. If this column has the appearance of being hastily and haphazardly written, that’s why. I don’t work well under pressure, especially pressure from Kristi.
On Friday, October 25th, I attended The MHS drama department’s production of Edgar Lee Masters Spoon River Anthology. In this play, which is a dramatization of a collection of poems by Masters, people from the grave comment, usually sardonically, on their lives in the mythical small midwestern town of Spoon River. Tony Cruikshank, Mini-School student extraordinaire, in his first role in a MHS production, performed admirably, as did the entire cast. Congratulations to Tony, directors Maggie Pistner and Barb Van Pilsum, and all the people involved in Spoon River. It was a wonderful performance.
As of this writing Mini-School kids have sold 250 Minnesota Weatherguide Calendars in our annual fund-raiser. We make $4.50 on each calendar sold, so with over $1200.00 raised, we’re off to a good start. We raised $2500.00 last year, so we’ve got a ways to go. As of this writing, Phil Lynott is leading the pack with 35 calendars sold. Kortnie Hansen, with 18 sold, is right behind. Lynott sold 75 last year and has pledged to sell 150 this year. Some of the new students are out to challenge him, but he’s a tough salesman.
In spite of all the new kids in the program the year has begun very smoothly. The new kids have fit into Mini-School very well and many of the returning veterans have taken on strong leadership roles. Marcelle Dorenkamp provides a quiet, strong role model for new kids. Everyone knows how important Mini-School is to her. Tony Kohman is the most dedicated can recycler Mini-School has ever had. Josh Day and Eric Thomas are real “can do” people. Kim Colway and Kortnie Hansen also. As mentioned, Kristi Dahl has taken on a strong leadership role in Com-mini-cations, as have Nicole and Carrie Tiggas, Clint Fero, and Molly Latterner. Lacey Landt provided good leadership on the Mark Warren Trip. She knows what trips are about. Maya Diedrich is a solid Mini-School student in all respects. So is Mike Phelps. Bill Zastera sees to the needs of Mini-School, especially trip needs, so does Mike Ennis. Everyone looks to Angie Peterson for leadership, and Emily Richards got all the Mini-School sleeping bags cleaned for free. These kids and more have truly made Mini-School their program and are taking good care of it.
The Mini-School past/present connection is alive and well. Josh Chowen, Tony and Ann Kohman, Josh Day, Sarah Goudy, Josh Shoberg and Tanya Schierman all have parents who were in Mini-School in Josh Day and Tanya Schierman’s case, both parents were in Mini-School. Justin Streeter and Chris Wegler have uncles who were in Mini-School. Matt Evans works for Heath Holste, former Mini-Schooler, and Jeremy Lamere works for Joe Reifenberger, another former Mini-Schooler. On November 13th, CAREER DAY, we are having a panel of former Mini-School students, Ginny Reifenberger DeMun (Nurse), Kathy Seamons Wilcox (Financial Credit Adviser), Joey Reifenberger (Heating & Air Conditioning), Ron Byers (Baker), and Brad Johnston (Artistic Fabricator) are going to speak to the current Mini-Schoolers. These folks, all successful in their own right, will have a lot to say to the Mini-School kids, as they were sitting in the same chairs 15-20 or more years ago.
As you will read somewhere else in this issue, the lease on my Quonset Hut has expired. For 12 years, it’s been a wonderful cabin on the St. Croix River for me and it’s provided a home base for trip experiences for hundreds of Mini-Schoolers. The old kitchen range has cooked hundreds of pancakes & pieces of French toast (Glow-Man still has the record-13 pieces of French toast w/out a burp), the Jotul woodstove burned many cords of oak keeping the likes of Young’un, Rockstad, Patty Heien, Adrian, Lisa, and Karen Kenefick warm and comfy, I’ve spent many a long weekend there editing and correcting rough drafts for Com-mini-cations. I’ve been happy to share my Quonset Hut with Mini-School. It’s been fun for me. It’s sad to leave the old hut. Josh Day, Tony Kohman, Phil Lynott, Mike Ennis, Justin Streeter, Chris Wegler, Austin Manship, Josh Stinson and Sothik Prak have been helping me and the National Park Service clean up the area and clean out the Quonset Hut. Everything that goes out of there has some good memories.
Randy, as is always true in the fall, has been doubly busy with the demands of the Mini-School program and the MHS Varsity Soccer team. Midway through the season Randy attained his 200th career victory as MHS Soccer Team coach. His 1996 Soccer team finished with a 18 win, 2 loss, 1 tie record. His team ranked 2nd in the state, made it to the state tournament, losing in the quarterfinals in a close game to number 1 ranked Stillwater. Congratulations Randy on a great season.
The lives of the Mini-School staff continue to be busy. While Pauline and Ramona spend a lot of time talking about children Alex, and Zackie, Joanne talks about her pup, Hazel, and I talk about the antics of my (actually my son’s-on loan to me) black cat, Viharos. Joanne keeps busy sprucing up her new house and yard, Randy with Mini-School, soccer, and 2 teenage daughters, and I with cabins, canoe racing, cats, and who knows what.
Mini-School continues to be a good place.
Thanks to all who make it so.