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By DEB BENTLY
Staff writer
Waseca County learned in March that its application for a $4.38 million grant to install fiber internet in four of its townships had been approved. It was a triumphant moment, given that the county had twice previously completed the lengthy and demanding application process, but had not received any funding.
Under the grant, Byron, Freedom, Vivian and Wilton townships–essentially the southwest third of the county–will be having fiber cable installed.
Like the two before it, the successful application was supported, completed and submitted by county leaders–including commissioner DeAnne Malterer and county administrator Michael Johnson–and staff of the Blue Earth based telecommunications company Bevcomm. Aside from area residents who wrote letters of support, relatively few people in the 500 homes and businesses within the affected townships were aware of the application or the possibilities it presented.
With the promise of the grant secured, Bevcomm began the process of public outreach by holding a “Bash” at the Waldorf Community Center the evening of Thursday, April 4; about 125 people attended.
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New family restaurant, Jessie's Joint, opens in Geneva
By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
Jessie and Erick Alvarado are being literal when they say their business along Central Avenue in Geneva is a “family” restaurant; at least to date, everyone who works there is one of the six members of their family. Jessie and Erick have lived in the Geneva area for the past three years with their offspring Gavin, 21; Isiah, 17; Julia, 15; and Jaxon, 10.
Both Jessie and Erick “grew up” in the restaurant and hospitality field. Jessie’s parents helped run The Creamery, a sit-down restaurant located in Otisco about 20 years ago. Erick’s family still operates a restaurant in his home region in Mexico. Both helped with busing tables and other simple tasks during their childhoods. Erick mentions that he’s always preferred being behind the scenes, although the term is open to interpretation, since restaurants in Mexico frequently have an “open” kitchen; customers can see every step as their food is prepared and served.
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
Two teams, each consisting of five NRHEG “ProStart” students, were among 18 teams which took part in state-level competition at St. Paul RiverCentre on March 14.
Both teams received positive feedback from the panels of judges evaluating the appearance, flavor, cooking skills and menu design of their work. Among the 90 students participating, NRHEG junior Peyton Curtis was one of four recognized in the “knife skills” category. Each of the winners received a set of five culinary knives. Curtis explained that judges watch for smooth, even cuts made in compliance with expected safety techniques and which lead to consistent, equal-sized finished pieces. His words were “precision, consistency, and form.”
When asked why “knife skills” was important enough to be its own category, Curtis said, “I think it’s because you can’t be a really good cook unless you have good knife skills. It’s one of the first steps to preparing good food.” Curtis mentioned that he frequently cooks at home, and perhaps that practice was helpful to him in catching the judges’ attention.
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
“When you hear the ‘C-Word,’ it’s a shock to the system,” says Geneva area resident Todd Utpadel, who says he sometimes has the sense cancer is all around him.
“It just kept hitting and kept hitting,” he says of the number of relatives and close friends the disease has taken. “When you feel useless, that’s when it’s time to look for a way to make a difference.”
Utpadel, a 1978 graduate of Ellendale-Geneva High School, and a founding member of the Snowy River Band, decided he would use music. A persistent performer at venues across southern Minnesota, he announced at Albert Lea’s Moose Lodge on New Year’s Day he has formed the group “Musicians Against Cancer,” and will be donating all tips he receives during 2024 to the Blooming Prairie Cancer Fund, which has a two-fold approach to fighting cancer. During 2023, it contributed $120,000 to the Eagles’ Cancer Telethon and also gave more than $30,000 directly to individuals battling the disease to help meet their expenses.
“My donations are specifically for the second part,” Utpadel reveals. “Of course research is important, but I choose to help people who need the support right now for everything they’re going through. For many of them, the cure won’t be found in time; they’re facing challenges from many directions at once, and one of them is their finances.”
Utpadel set himself a goal of raising $10,000 by the year’s end. His plans got a boost when Albert Lea’s Moose Lodge–a venue he plays fairly often–offered to match his receipts for the month of January up to $500. His “day job,” Owatonna Motor Company, did the same for February. A pair of private citizens is matching March’s the same way. The Blooming Prairie Servicemen’s Club has committed to helping with April. Utpadel says he hopes to find organizations which will continue the pattern for the remainder of the year.
He expresses gratitude to his wife, Sherry, Owatonna Motor Company, owner Bill Zaharia, and general manager Brandon Ratkowski for their patience and support, since his enthusiasm for the goal has him booking performances “rather ambitiously”--nine weekend nights in April alone.
“But this is not about me, and I’m not doing it by myself,” says Utpadel, mentioning “The Red Solo Cup Cancer Jam” scheduled for April 19 at the Albert Lea Moose Club. Utpadel has been in touch with many fellow musicians and has commitments from a range of people.
Among those who may come are some members of the Snowy River Band, which, over time, has opened for about 30 national acts including Waylon Jennings and John Michael Montgomery. Other performers with ties ranging from local to national have indicated an interest.
During a recent performance at Spare Time Entertainment Center in Owatonna, friends and fans Todd and Tracy Jerzak of Rochester made the trip to hear Utpadel play. “He’s a great musician,” said Todd enthusiastically. “He’s a traditionalist in that he likes some of the older music, but he includes the newer stuff, too.
“It’s just like him to play for no money,” interjects Tracy. “He has a good heart.”
“I’m a musician myself,” says Todd. “I play the guitar and banjo. I can imagine it’s a really good feeling to use your music to help people, to take away some of their worry and stress. It’s a great cause.”
Fans Deb and Gerald Herget, one-time Ellendale residents who now live in Albert Lea, say they request Utpadel’s schedule and attend every performance they can that is within a reasonable driving distance. Deb says her sister married Utpadel’s uncle, and so she not only remembers the days of the Snowy River Band, but was there on some of the night’s when a younger Utpadel was being taught his way around on a guitar’s strings.
As for his own skills as a musician, Utpadel indicates that using them for the good of others just makes sense, since it was the support and encouragement of family members, teachers and community members which helped him acquire and build them. As he and his siblings grew up on a farm south of Ellendale, he remembers his uncle teaching him to play guitar, the music instructors at school offering encouragement even from the time he was in elementary school, and his grandmother advising him, “You’ve been given a gift. Don’t mess it up.”
His musical career, he says, has “never been about money, anyway.” The chance to perform with other musicians, to combine their mutual skills to create something that brings them satisfaction and pleasure for the audience, “is more of a blessing than anything.”
On nights when he performs alone, Utpadel says he arrives at the venue about an hour ahead of schedule. He sets up a banner which lets people know their tips are being given to a cause, and being matched. “People appreciate that,” he observes. “It means that, when they put one dollar in the can, it’s almost as if they’re putting in two.”
Utpadel’s usual performance times are from 6 to 8 p.m. He says he plays and sings “straight through,” with no break. He typically includes older, traditional country songs, but also plays ballads and occasional gospel numbers. He says he gladly plays requests when he can find the needed music on electronic sources, and invites others to sing along or simply sing while he accompanies them. When children are part of the audience, he gleefully announces, “Okay, it’s time for the Grandpa Song!” He says young children take particular pleasure in “Baby Shark.”
“I try to play something for everyone, so every night is different,” he observes. “I try to include a little humor, maybe a few jokes. I pick on the help, I encourage children to go invite their grandmothers to dance.
“I like being around people. I like people. I hate to see anyone hurting. That’s why I wanted to start Musicians Against Cancer.”
Utpadel recommends that anyone interested in finding out more about Musicians Against Cancer, or about the Blooming Prairie Cancer Fund can find out more on Facebook. He will be performing at the Geneva Bar from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 5.
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By TRISTAN GEHRING
Staff Writer
The Pines Retreat Center along Highway 30 east of Ellendale is now officially open, and started taking bookings at its open house the afternoon of March 9. Approximately 165 people attended the open house. The crowd consisted of area residents and out-of-state visitors. The establishment’s first retreat date is booked for April. In 2023, Bev and Jim Dobberstein purchased what was once the Whispering Pines Supper Club, which had since been renovated into a house. The main building has now become The Pines, a retreat center for crafters of all stripes. Bev Dobberstein explains that, since she is a quilter, many of the stations are very suited to quilting tasks. However, she welcomes all ages, crafts and levels. The only limit is the crafters’ imagination.