Frederick, SD

Hello, all, from Heidi Marttila-Losure — I’m here to do my first blog entry! I like to follow several blogs on rural issues, and from time to time I hope to share what I read there with you.

I noticed this entry on the Blog for Rural America and thought it addressed many issues we should be discussing here in Frederick. The topic is an NPR story on Walsh, Colo., which resurrected its store by making it a community co-op:

About two years ago, the company that owned the store said they were closing down and moving out. For a time, that meant a half-hour drive out of town to shop. That’s when the community took over. A group of residents came together to form a co-op and sold $50 shares around town, and the store reopened.

That part sounds familiar, doesn’t it? But it was the next paragraph that intrigued me:

Rick Mills chairs the grocery store’s board. He also owns the auto supply store on Main Street. The grocery store, he says, brought in more than $1 million in its first year and has been the engine of the little economy. 

Whoa! $1 million! Now that’s in a town that’s more than double the size of Frederick, but still, it would be amazing if Frederick’s Community Store could bring in anything close to that, and become the engine of anything we could call an “economy.”

Heck, it would be nice if the Community Store were in the black, which, unfortunately, it is not.

I think the big difference is that many of the people who initially saw the need for a co-op store in Frederick and invested in it have moved away or passed on, and the people who are still here think the store will always be here, just barely hanging on, but hanging on nonetheless. In Walsh, people have a recent memory of not having a store, and it’s their investment that brought the store back to life. They know they have to support their local store or their investment will have been a waste — no one else is likely to travel to their little town to shop for groceries.

How can we make sure the Community Store continues to be a part of the community, and that we don’t end up driving a half-hour for milk and eggs?

Here’s my theory: One strategy is to dwell on the negative, threatening people with the imminent closure of the store if they don’t buy from there. But it seems to me that might start to build some resentment among customers — especially if there’s no other reason to shop there (they’ve had trouble with old merchandise, the prices are higher, and the selection is poor — all complaints I’ve heard about the store).

I think a better strategy would be to take a risk and make the store better. Does it need a facelift? Does it need to hold some customer appreciation events? Does it need to serve a hot lunch? What will make it a better, more positive shopping experience for its customers?

We can either focus on just how to make the store survive — in which case we’ll always be on the brink — or we can focus on how to make the store thrive.

I really think the store needs a facelift — it’s got a wonderful history, and it could really play off that history in redecorating. People love going to a place that evokes nostalgia (as long as they can also get the modern grocery goodies they also expect). Perhaps some historical photos? Nicer flooring? Taking out the old paneling? I’m no good at redecorating, though — anyone else out there agree, and want to help out?

The bank next door I think successfully pulled of a renovation some years ago that looks modern but celebrates its history.

If you’ve got more thoughts on what could make the Community Store better, please comment, and I’ll bring your comments to the next store board meeting!

Horizons and SDSU are presenting another great seminar. They have hosted several over the past months and always seem to have excellent topics and speakers. This looks like another good one.

Welcoming an Aging Population

Monday April 28th in

Webster Supper begins at 6:30 p.m

and the seminar is at 7:00 p.m.

Speakers are: Jim Seeber, NSU, topic is Economic & Social Aspects Welcoming Communities

Renee Oscarson, SDSU, topic is Meeting the Needs of the Elderly

Linda Nussbaumer, SDSU, topic Effects of Baby Boomers on Housing.

If you are interesting in riding along let Pat Mikkonen 329-2204 or Donna Sumption 329-2462 know. We do need to RSVP by April 21st

This is a great chance for you to get involved or get re-involved with moving FREDERICK FORWARD

They are truly trying to give us as much helpful information and opportunities to aid our community members/leaders into action. We all agree our town needs to move forward and have a more positive outlook for the future of Frederick.

There has been a lot of interest in the plans for the Auditorium, from those who remember it as a gymnasium and dance hall, to strangers who have only heard about it recently.

Those following the Horizons group and Frederick Forward are familiar with the idea of using the space as a ’Secret Garden’.

Moving forward with that in mind, we are currently working on locating blueprints, discussing options for initial cleanout, and will hopefully be contacting those that have expressed interest in working on the project in the near future.  Anyone with resources that might be helpful in the cleanup effort may be first on the list, but as we move forward there will be a lot of work in planning, design, fund-raising and organizing that will require volunteers from the community.  A few reminders might be necessary, but if all goes well, look for updates here on a semi-regular basis.

For inquiries, or interest in volunteering any time or other resources,    please send an email to: frederick.secretgarden@gmail.com

It’s a joy to see how the projects we conceived and planned in both Study Circles and LeadershipPlenty are coming into being through the direct efforts of the Strategic Plan committees.  It’s also a blessing to see how the individuals who have been a part of the Horizons program are affecting a wider audience.  Every Sunday after worship at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Frederick, members of the congregation gather for coffee and bars.  The women gather at tables on one side of the basement and the men at tables on the other side in a tradition that I found quaint and sweet when I first moved here 5 years ago.  I now see it as a very effective way for us to share ideas and cook up projects that might not necessarily emerge in a mixed group.  One of the earliest of these was the Frederick Lounge cleanup project last December.  That started at coffee and took off like a rocket.  We’re still working with the Frederick Lounge board on the next step for regaining use of the building for a business and/or cafe. 

 Another project that started with the “church basement ladies” was having someone to be a greeter for our worship services on Sunday.  Not that it’s a new idea, but we put it in motion.  It’s a nice co-action with the Welcome Wagon activities of the Horizons strategic plan.

 Another sharing of the wealth has come from efforts by one of the LeadershipPlenty instructors to bring sound leadership and planning principles into a local organization they attend.  The beauty of this is, once you learn something and see how effective it can be, it’s a part of your skillset to be applied everywhere you show up.  This will be the legacy of Horizons long after the program ends in June.

Stepping up to take responsibility for projects is a huge step. Kudos to all those who spoke up about the projects at the launch of our strategic plan. Thanks to all those who said ‘Yes” to chairing or co-chairing projects for our town. After all, this is “our” town. No one is going to come in and do these things for us — it takes the desire for people in the community to get things done and the sweat equity to make things happen. Just look at all of the things that have happened in this last year just because someone said, “What if….” and then followed through on that dream. We have been blessed by having the Horizons project providing us with training and with funds to help us get started. Cheryl Jacobs has turned over the bulk of the projects to us. We may feel uncertain about what we are doing, but haven’t we all felt that way at some time? Joining together, we can get a lot done!

Our monthly meeting was held on Sunday Feb 17th, I was so impressed that we had over 20 people there and even saw a few new faces. We talked about how to keep the momentum going on the projects that were laid out in our strategic plan. One of the things we have to do is keep the community informed on all the progress that has been done and what we are currently working on. The Project committee Chair/Co-Chairs presented a short list of things that will be worked on by the next meeting.
These are the Project Chairs/Co-Chairs
Business Develement - Marilyn Podoll, Janet Burkhart, Scott Campbell & Shirley Anderson
Secret Garden - Dale Groop, Dan Nickelson, Jim & Kay Durmire
Simmons Park Development - (still need someone)
Inflatable Theater Board - Tonya Zinter & Donna Sumption
Welcome Wagon - Connie Groop
Marketing Committee - Tracy Olson, Tamie Nickelson
Housing - Janet Burkhart
Finn Fest - Stacey Sumption, Stephanie Sumption, Kay Dumire
Helping Hands - Pat Mikkonen & Donna Sumption

If you are interested in being on any of these projects please let us know, We will be contacting those that signed up to help on projects during our study circles.
We will also be forming a Frederick Forward Board of Directors to oversee these committees.

So Please mark your calendars for the next Horizon meeting March 17th, 2008 Watch the Frederick web site fredericksd.com
for any change in the meeting date and time.

Trying to plan for a community dinner is difficult when you don’t know how many will be coming! We planned for 3 big roasters of soup and it was well received at the event on Sunday. We had about 85 attend but were also able to share some of the goodness with those who were not able to join us for the dinner. Donna took some to the elevator; we scooped up several containers to share with others in town. Extra pie was sent to the Community Store to go with the Monday morning coffee. Thanks to all who helped make it possible.

It’s always amazing to see how good planning makes an event like this happen. Food was very tasty; the Northern Lights building was gaily decorated and the local Horizons speakers stepped up to explain different parts of the our strategic plan. Being part of the group that explained what our plans are helped making everything concrete. I helped explain that in our community study of poverty, the definition looks at a lack of resources. We’re concerned that our senior citizens need help with some of their daily living tasks and want to do a survey to find out how the community can help. We also want to prepare welcome baskets to extend hospitality to people new to our area. This will help them understand what businesses and services are available. Anyone wanting to help with these areas is asked to contact me at 329-2176 or Krysti Mikkonen at 329-2027.

You may have seen the streets torn up and piles of strange looking things around town, or your water has been shut off for a period of time. Well that is all because the city is replacing water lines and installing new water meters. The city water lines have needed replacing or updating for a long time. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the progress of this you can contact any of the town council members, they are Dennis Kinslow, Tom Meyer or Scott Campbell.