Blogs

Editor's Note: Elle Kaskinen is a senior at St. Olaf College who will be working as an intern for Northfield.org this summer.

This Saturday March 13, come celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the Northfield Arts Guild with a celebration for the whole family. Starting at 5:00 pm on Saturday, the Arts Guild will be opening its doors to the entire community for an art extravaganza. This night of family fun will include artistic activities for all including a potluck style dinner, live music, silent auction, live auction, live music and dancing.  
    
Over the last 50 years, the Northfield Arts Guild has been supporting five different mediums of art including music, theater, visual arts, dance, and literature throughout the Northfield community. All proceeds from Saturday's event will be allocated toward the operating cost for events throughout the year.
    

On the draft winds of the Olympics it is timely to consider rating systems. For example, if a public organization were to be judged, what would the rubric be? How can an organization be a ’10?’

The Olympic skater we saw at Vancouver skating, jumping, and doing other elements was given a total score. They may have been flawless with their jumps and yet other elements could bring their score down.

Organizations must perform well too. Like athletes, they have to perform with a number of variables.

As a consultant, I am often asked to assist an organization develop one of the fundamentals. For example, a frequent request is to help with strategic planning. A clear plan and goals is important. However, I usually request that the organization also allow some time to discuss ‘the eight fundamentals of great organizations.’

February 25.  2/25.  Two 25s equals 50.  Oh, I get it now!  February 25 is a perfect day to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Northfield Arts Guild with a reading of new work by Northfield writers.  Come to the Northfield Arts Guild at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 25 to hear local writers Azna Amira, Olivia Frey, Paula Granquist, Rob Hardy, Amy Haslett-Marroquin, Leslie Schultz, Mary Steil, and Tim Taggart read poetry and prose on the theme of 50.  We’ll be downstairs in the dance studio.

Wilbert Joseph Eckardt of Northfield, Minnesota passed away February 19th at the age of 93 in the company of long time family friend, Marilyn Will. 

  Wib was born January 1st, 1917 in Greencastle, Indiana, the son of Lisgar and Ethel (Wilson) Eckardt. He attended public schools in Greencastle and in Belchertown, Massachusetts, before graduating from Moorestown Friends School in Moorestown, New Jersey, in 1934. He went on to graduate from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, in 1938. He married Jane (Brown) Eckardt in 1939.

The Minnesota Agricultural Interpretive Center (Farmamerica) at Waseca was commissioned in 1978 by the legislature to preserve and promote the strong heritage of Minnesota agriculture. This is done through experiential learning at a 120-acre site which encourages guests to take an agricultural journey that goes from 1850 to the present.

Staff and volunteers at Farmamerica help youth and others see the changes that have occurred in Minnesota agriculture over time. They are stewards of the public, nonprofit organization mission set forth by the Legislature.