Minnesota’s Small-Town Pride kicks off summer of pride

• East Central Minnesota Pride held June 3 in Pine City

For the eighth-straight year, Voyageur Park in Pine City, Minn. (pop. 3,123) will be the setting to East Central Minnesota Pride, a LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) pride event to be held Sunday, June 3, 2012 from Noon to 5 p.m.  There will be music, food and—this year—an all-inclusive ‘rendezvous’ of friends and community.

The event began in 2005, aiming to give LGBT people, those questioning, and their friends, family and allies an opportunity to meet and build community in an otherwise isolated part of the state.

“The hard part is the distance in rural areas, to meet people… where and how?” suspects Don Quaintance, of Isanti, Minn., one of the event organizers.   “The annual picnic allows us to gather together to celebrate how far we’ve come,” he said.

Without the event, he and other organizers believe there may not be as strong of an LGBT community in East Central Minnesota.   They say the event serves as a mechanism for civil rights engagement, as LGBT people across Minnesota are currently banding together for civil rights.

“The endeavor promotes tolerance through a community dialogue about LGBT issues,” said Nathan Johnson, of Pine City, and a candidate for State Representative in House District 11B.

Invited to come are several public officials, including Gov. Mark Dayton who attended in 2010, and other candidates vying for political office.  The band lineup this year returns Yasen Marie and Harley Wood, who has ventured into a solo career, as well as newcomers to the event, Chastity Brown and Nobody’s Weddin’.

Perhaps there are several ways in which East Central Minnesota Pride has improved the quality of life in this part of the State, taking on the weighty task of building a more LGBT-friendly atmosphere in rural Minnesota—specifically, the area ranging Forest Lake to Moose Lake, and from Milaca to Siren, Wis.

“Equality means being equal,” explained Quaintance, a senior and veteran.  “It is everyone being given a chance for the same thing.  Hopefully, pride allows those folks who are still living in the closet to come out, stand up and be counted.”

Given the measure on the ballot this fall to redefine marriage to discriminate against same-sex couples, Quaintance feels this year’s event is especially important.

“We are family, have families, and deserve the same respect and equality as all other loving couples.  This has nothing to do with the church.  This is a legal right,” he said.

Summer of Pride Kickoff

This, the first pride in the State to be held each year during Pride Month—June—really kick-starts the marriage debate leading up to the November amendment ballot.

Richard Carlbom, the campaign manager for Minnesotans United for All Families, said, “Minnesotans United is proud to participate in East Central Minnesota Pride.  Each summer, hundreds of Minnesotans gather to celebrate the belief that we should treat our friends and neighbors how we want to be treated.”

“This annual community event gives Minnesotans the opportunity to stand united together saying that freedom means freedom for everybody.   As former Mayor of Saint Joseph I know the importance of building supportive, rural communities,” said Carlbom.  “East Central Pride is a hallmark event that brings Minnesotans together to celebrate our diverse communities.”

Quaintance said that pride is about being “proud of whom you are.  God created us this way, this is His plan.  Take pride.  Vote ‘no’ on this year’s constitutional marriage amendment!”

Bigger cities across the globe, from Sydney, Australia to Minneapolis, have had prides for decades.  The gay pride in Pine City began when it was just one of two rural prides in the nation to be held.  The need has been evident in the event’s growth, from record attendance numbers to a record number of vendors, sponsors and supporters.

More than ever in the event’s history, there is a collaboration to bring about East Central Minnesota Pride, one that involves East Central Minnesota Men’s Circle, East Central Minnesota Purple Circle, East Central Minnesota chapter of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), Rural Aids Action Network, Rainbow Health Initiative and Out-Front Minnesota.  Several businesses throughout the region support and help sponsor the event as well.

The entire event is innovative in that it isn’t being done elsewhere in a small town, to this scale, and therefore, it was recognized at the Minnesota State Fair last year as an award-winner in the annual “Community Pride Showcase”.  It was shared as a way the Greater Pine City area is moving beyond current economic challenges with creative and proactive community and economic development innovations.

The other Minnesota gay prides are in Duluth-Superior, Fargo-Moorhead, Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud and the Twin Cities, each of which are in metropolitan areas.  Since Pine City’s pride has proven successful, other Outstate cities such as Brainerd and Willmar have tried their hands at pride as well.  The event and the ways in which it is planned and organized have served as a model for other small-town gay prides that have formed across the State and elsewhere in the U.S.

The next steps, according to organizers, are to evaluate the event and determine what improvements can be made, and how it can reach a wider LGBT audience in the East Central Minnesota area.  Also, organizers hope to make the event nonthreatening for those who are closeted living in the region, who may also wish to come out and meet other LGBT people living nearby.

A Pine City business owner, Dennis Burns, of DB Signs said, “I’m more than proud of the GLBT community in East Central Minnesota.  They all work very hard every year to put together the Pine City event.”

A Rainbow Rendezvous

This year’s event, themed “Equality Matters:  A Rainbow Rendezvous”, pays homage to the French Voyageurs who traveled long distances centuries ago to gather at the wintering post just 1.5 miles upriver from the park.

Before the United States was a country, voyageurs trekked through the wild woods of the future Minnesota, trapping and trading, and blazing a trail that would be walked upon by subsequent generations.  So important is the mark they left that Pine City has erected a 35-foot-tall carving along the picturesque Snake River’s North Shore.  The voyageur’s redwood shadow falls across the park that bears his name.

But, on June 3, that shadow will touch men and women who honor the voyageur’s spirit in their own way.

About Pine City

Pine City (pop. 3,123) is located just north of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, on I-35, between St. Paul and Duluth.  It was named “Outstanding Community” of 2009 by the Initiative Foundation and in 2010 and 2011, has been named a “Best Community in America” for music education by the NAMM Foundation.  Known for its progressive spirit, it is the county seat of and largest city in Pine County, which borders the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Pine City, Minnesota, makes a woodsy getaway so close by.  With its forests, river and lakes, the area appeals especially to outdoor enthusiasts.  Water lovers will find activities on the Snake River and several lakes, including 1,536-acre Pokegama Lake and 938-acre Cross Lake.

The Snake River beckons to canoeists.  Bring your own canoe or use one that East Central Minnesota Pride has provided courtesy of Snake River Outfitters (www.snakeriveroutfittersmn.com).  Paddle the 15-minutes it takes to arrive ‘back in time’—to 1804—to the North West Company Fur Post, and watch for bald eagles, loons, bears and deer while paddling upriver.

The NW Company Fur Post, a Minnesota Historical Society site, has activities planned throughout pride weekend, allowing folks to step out of the modern visitor’s center there into the recreated world of 1804.  Learn from costumed guides, stop at an Ojibwe encampment and take a short hike to the reconstructed post.  More information can be found out at www.mnhs.org/places/sites/nwcfp.

Area Sporting Goods Retailers/Bait Shops Walmart SuperCenter, 950 Evergreen Sq SW Tall Tales Bait & Tackle, 540 Main St S Holiday StationStore, 715 13th St SW Holiday StationStore, 570 Main St S

The dock on the Snake River at Voyageur Park makes a productive waterway to cast your line for muskie, walleye, bass, pike, catfish, perch, crappie and sunfish.   Be sure to buy a Minnesota state fishing license at a sporting goods store or a bait shop in Pine City before you cast your line.

Pine City is the county seat of Pine County.  Of the 87 counties in Minnesota, Pine County has the third-highest proportion of same-sex couples in the state behind just Hennepin and Ramsey Counties.

Nathan Johnson, Pine City’s city planner, noted that Pine City’s proximity to the Twin Cities, as well as its openness, has contributed to an increase in same-sex couples choosing to locate in the area.  Another reason for the concentration of gay couples in the Pine City area might be that the city lives up to its motto: “North. Nice and close.”

“People are coming here from the Twin Cities area, primarily, because of the great quality of life,” said Johnson.  “We are home to a health food store, gyms, a community theater and an arts center.”

“…Not to mention the recreational aspects of the Snake River and nearby lakes,” he added.  “And, one can buy anything from hummus to sushi here.”

The community has a long-held tradition of celebrating its richness.  Other annual Pine City community events highlight the culture of the area as well, such as the Czech and Slovak Booya Festival at the Sokol Camp just east of town, and the Festival of the Voyageur Fall Gathering and Rendezvous at the North West Co. Fur Post.

The 81^st annual Booya Festival will be held Aug. 19 and the 34^th annual Fall Gathering will be held Sept. 15-16, 2012. 

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Planning Commission changes dates, adds new faces

• Teich and Ovick appointed; Rinden, Kirchberg step down

Steve Ovick

The Commission passed a resolution at their last month’s meeting, April 24, whereby setting a new date for meetings—the fourth Tuesdays of each month—and officially declaring the Pine Government Center as the place for meetings.

Trevor Teich

New to the Commission is longtime Pine Citian Steve Ovick, 58, who will carry out the remainder of Mary Rinden’s term.  Rinden, whose term officially expires at the end of this year, will serve through the month of May.  She has served on the Commission since January, 2006.  Previously, she served from September, 1996 through 2000.

“In total, Mary has served nearly 10 years on the Commission,” said City Planner Nathan Johnson.  “She has had a great perspective, not only as a business owner and resident, but also as an advocate for downtown and for the betterment of the community.”

“Rinden was recognized as Citizen Planner in 2010 for her commitment to and effect on planning in Pine City,” Johnson said.

Ovick graduated from Pine City High School in 1971, after which attending the University of Minesota-Duluth where he earned a degree in sociology and criminology.  After, he returned to Pine City to work for the Pine County Sheriff’s Department in law enforcement.  He worked for the Department for 33 years, first as a patrol deputy working on the night shift, then promoted to sergeant lieutenant and, for the last 10 years, as chief deputy.  He retired in November of 2011.

“I have lived on the corner of Third and Tenth Street Southwest since 1978,” he said.  “When Mayor Robbins asked if I would like to serve on the Planning Commission, I did not hesitate to say yes.  We all live in a small town because we enjoy the lifestyle that a small town offers.  A city planning commission is an essential part of maintaining that quality of life.”

“Five generations of my family have called Pine City home,” said Ovick.  “I look forward to giving back to a community that has provided me with so much.”

Earlier this year, Trevor Teich, age 24, replaced Joe Kirchberg on the Commission.  Kirchberg served from 2006 until December 2011.

“I will miss Joe’s general interest in planning-related issues,” commented Johnson.  “He would commonly stop in [to City Hall] and want more details on agenda items.  I knew he was genuinely interested.”

Teich is a 2007 graduate of Pine City High School and resides in Pokegama Township with his wife, Larissa (Anderson) Teich.  He is employed by Lee’s Pro Shop where he specializes in trophies and plaques, and in his spare time he enjoys horseshoes.

During high school, Teich was on the student council and served as a student representative on the Pine City Area Chamber of Commerce as well as the school’s Wellness Committee.

Teich has taken an interest in planning and zoning matters, and says he looks forward to the experience of being on the planning commission.

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CLC to Host Veterans Career Expo & Celebration

Several thousand veterans are returning to Minnesota over the coming weeks.  The pictures and stories of reunited loved shared by our local media has touched all of us.  CLC now has an opportunity to give back to our veterans.  On Wednesday, June 13, from 4 – 7 p.m., CLC will be hosting a Celebrate Veterans Career Exploration event at our Brainerd campus.  The event is one of many being planned by the Brainerd Lakes Community to help veterans and their families through this time of transition and will provide planning and support that will lead to jobs for vets. 

All veterans and their families in the seven county surrounding region are invited to attend the career exploration event.  The event is expected to draw several thousand veterans and will provide an opportunity for them to explore career options while interacting with area businesses, service providers, and CLC instructors and staff.  It is an excellent way for us to give back to our communities and our veterans. Those veterans wishing to pursue educational options will have an opportunity to speak with admissions staff and enroll at CLC during EZ Enrollment on Thursday, June 28.

At the mid-point of the Career Expo a “Celebration of Veterans” will take place in the Chalberg Theatre.  The celebration will be led by our college veterans, military leadership, and congressional representatives.  During the celebration CLC student veterans will thank all our veterans for their service to our country. 

 

Pine City music again recognized for national excellence

• “Best Communities for Music Education in America” lists Pine City for 3rd straight year

The NAMM Foundation last week announced the results of its 13th annual “Best Communities for Music Education,” which acknowledges districts across the U.S. for their commitment to and support of music education in schools. This year, Pine City has been designated a “Best Community.” Pine City first appeared on the list in 2010.

Pine City was the only rural Minnesota school to be listed.  In the Twin Cities, Osseo Public Schools, Edina Public Schools, Brooklyn Center High School were also named to the list, which is sponsored by the NAMM Foundation.

176 schools appeared on this year’s list for demonstrating a commitment to providing music education for their students. According to the NAMM Foundation, this “Best Communities” designation represents not only a distinction worthy of pride, but a call to action for local music education advocates to help preserve their current music education programs.

NAMM Foundation Executive Director Mary Luehrsen says, “We applaud these communities that remain committed to a complete and quality education that must include music and the arts. We urge communities to celebrate the designation as a national recognition for their commitment to children and most of all, keep the music playing in their schools for years to come.”

Districts were measured across curricular and programmatic criteria as well as measures of public support of their music programs. It also weighs music education opportunities outside of the school.  Inclusion on the list the past three years has been bolstered by the presence of community arts organizations like Pine Center for the Arts, which offers a wide variety of music classes, lessons, and performances to students, adults, and seniors citizens.

Participants in the survey answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and other relevant factors in their communities‟ music education programs. The responses were verified with district officials, and advisory organizations reviewed the data.

Band director Bradley Mariska points out, “Whether it’s a recent performance of the elementary musical or our most highly qualified high school students preparing for the AP Music Theory Exam, we have talented students and a dedicated faculty that are here to make music an integral part of the education process.”

For choir director Jennifer Krinke, the award comes with a great sense of accomplishment. “I am always overwhelmed at the number of students that voluntarily take part in our program.  There is so much enthusiasm for music education in Pine City that we can barely fit the students on stage and in our classrooms.”

Band director Kevin Cahill is committed to teaching student valuable life skills. “Students in band learn a more than just notes on a page – they are learning the value of hard work and discipline.  Research also shows that students who take part in music do better in math and reading and are more successful in college.”

About Pine City Schools

Located one hour north of the Twin Cities on the I-35 corridor, Pine City Schools enroll approximately 1,600 students in their K-12 programs. The district is committed to providing students at all levels with quality academic instruction as well as outstanding programs in athletics and the fine arts. The schools enjoy strong community support and have initiated a variety of innovative programs to maintain the bond between the school community and the community at large. The High School is committed to offering a wide variety of college-level classes for students, including more than half a dozen Advanced Placement courses.

About the Pine City Music Department

The fine arts programs at Pine City have long been respected for their quality and levels of participation. Instructors collaborate closely to develop a curriculum that is student-focused and of the highest quality. Hundreds of students participate in ensembles starting as young as first grade, and classroom general music is offered to all students in grades K-6 by certified music instructors. The Pine City High School Wind Ensemble and Concert Choir have both received unanimous superior ratings at Large Group Music Contest each of the past seven years and annually place students in All-State Ensembles. The Department’s top jazz ensemble, Jazz One, participates in several jazz festivals annually, and has recently performed at the Minnesota State School Boards Association Convention. Pine City High School also offers academic courses in music, including Musical Theatre and Music Appreciation for credit through the Minnesota State College and University System. AP Music Theory testing was also added in 2010. Music specialists in Pine City include department chair Kevin Cahill, Joanne Cahill, Jennifer Hansmann, Jennifer Krinke, and Bradley Mariska. The instructors have a combined 101 years teaching experience, 99 of which are in the Pine City School District.

PTC’s Ever Green Club to show short film, Precious Waters: Minnesota’s Sulfide Mining Controversy

Pine Technical College’s Ever Green Club will be hosting a showing of Precious Waters: Minnesota’s Sulfide Mining Controversy on April 26 at 7:30 p.m. in room 20, the college auditorium. The short film, a project of the Friends of the Boundary Waters, is just 26 minutes long, but Eric Jensen, PTC biology instructor and Ever Green Club advisor says it is both powerful and inspiring.

“This film is really eye-opening, and I am very excited to show this to our students and the larger PTC community,” Jensen says. “It’s a powerful film, and it’s inspiring. I hope it will encourage people to carefully consider how human behavior can affect our natural environment,” Jensen adds.

The film scrutinizes the sulfide mining industry, its polluting effects, and its history of failed predictions as well as its impact on northeastern Minnesota. Pine City planner and PTC alum Nathan Johnson will facilitate discussion following the film. Johnson has worked with the Ever Green Club over the years to incorporate environmental sensitivity into the proposed update of the City’s comprehensive plan.

“Water is our most precious resource; it plays a vital role in our development and sustenance,” says Johnson. “Pine City can learn valuable lessons by taking a look at how water is managed and handled by other communities,” Johnson adds.

The Ever Green Club, established in 2006, is a student organization focused on encouraging environmental responsibility and healthy living.

Pine Technical College, established in 1965 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, serves more than 1,200 students and awards certificates, diplomas and associate degrees. PTC’s notable programs include accounting, American Sign Language, automotive technology, business administration, business technology, computer programming, computer science, early childhood development, gunsmithing technology, medical assistant, network administration, practical nursing, precision manufacturing/machining (CNC), public welfare financial worker, and many more.

PTC is a proud member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, which is comprised of 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 277,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 157,000 students in noncredit courses. PTC is accepting applications for new students in all programs; summer courses will start June 4. For more information about the showing of Precious Waters: Minnesota’s Sulfide Mining Controversy or for general information about the college overall, call 320-629-5100.

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Be the match for No. 56

NLX discussion at this month’s City Planning Commission meeting

Imagine having the option to travel the busy Interstate 35 between Pine County and the Twin Cities or the Twin Ports, or alternatively being able to use a 110 miles per hour passenger train service.

The Northern Lights Express (NLX) is proposed to do just that for the 155-mile corridor between Minneapolis and Duluth.   Plans are to upgrade an existing BNSF Railway freight line to allow trains to travel at high speeds connecting the State’s two largest metropolitan areas.

The NLX will be the first passenger rail service connecting the two major metros since 1986, when Amtrak discontinued the 50-mile-per-hour North Star.

“[It] is an active project,” said Kenneth Buehler, Chair of the NLX Technical Advisory Committee.  “We recently were granted five million dollars in Federal Railroad Administration Funds to match four million dollars in State Funds to begin our engineering.”

Buehler will outline the progress that NLX has made at this month’s City Planning Commission meeting, Tuesday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m.  He said, “The NLX is just completing a two and half year Environmental Review and we are starting aerial mapping of the right-of-way.”

The presentation will bring people up-to-date on the progress of the Joint Powers Alliance and, according to Buehler, “revisit the reasons this train is going to run!”

“Discussion about this line dates back at least a decade,” said Nathan Johnson, city planner for the City of Pine City.  “All indications say the project is still moving forward, as planned.  Now, we must best position the communities along the route, and nearby, to take full advantage of the line and all it has to offer us.”

Every $1 that communities invest in public transportation generates approximately $6 in economic returns, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

“This project will be an amenity to the residents of Pine County,” said Johnson, adding, “Not only will it be a convenience for us, and those trying to get here, there is the added benefit of jobs, and long-term economic development opportunities lie ahead for our area.”

PCHS grad, Tuck on TV

Jeff Tuckner, a.k.a. 'Tuck' made his debut appearance on the Discovery Channel's "American Chopper" last night. Look for him to help redress worn out vehicles to make them anything but lackluster!

Correction:  The show is called “Jesse James:  Outlaw Garage”.  Thanks, Amy Reitan, for the info.

Pine City Band Presents Annual Pops Concert May 4

• Featuring music of “Sky and Space,” guest conductor John Kleppe

The annual Pops Concert by the Pine City High School Bands is fast approaching and director Bradley Mariska has announced several exciting selections – and a pair of special guests – that will make the Friday evening concert an event not to be missed.

This year’s concert is Friday, May 4 at 7:30pm and will feature John Kleppe as guest conductor.  Kleppe is a 2007 graduate of Pine City High School who is now the Director of Bands in Ellsworth, Wisconsin.  Kleppe will lead the band in the “Theme From Superman,” a piece featured at Mariska’s first Pine City Pops Concert in 2005 – when Kleppe was a sophomore.   The concert will also feature guest vocalist Erin Gaffaney, a Pine City resident who teaches music at Braham Area Schools.  Gaffaney will sing the classic jazz ballad “Stormy Weather” with the jazz band.

The theme of this year’s concert, “The Sky – and Space Beyond” will include selections like “Stairway to Heaven” and music from “Star Wars” by the Wind Ensemble, while Jazz One will perform selections including “Bird Land,” “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and “Moon River.”

Several student soloists will be featured at the concert in both ensembles, as well as special recognition of the seniors; a total of 81 students are members of the senior high band program. Admission to the concert is free, which begins at 7:30pm.