Bridgeland Angler
Bridgeland Angler
April 2008
While listening recently to “Prairie Home Companion,” I heard Garrison Keillor describe March as a month that shows people who don’t drink what a hangover feels like. Whether you’re someone who drinks or not, it’s always nice to turn the corner into April. Here’s what’s new in the Bridgeland community:
Many people in Southeast and beyond were saddened to learn of the death of Nina Lee, a longtime Southeast resident who died on Feb. 23 at the age of 88. Nina owned Nina Lee’s Beauty Shop, a Dinkytown institution located above Gray’s Drug (now the Loring Pasta Bar) for 35 years. Many members of the community had their hair cut by Nina for decades, becoming very close friends. One of those good friends, Ardes Johnson, reports that Nina was able to remain in her own home on 13th Avenue Southeast until shortly before her death. She moved into Augustana Nursing home in South Minneapolis but was there for only a few days before she was moved to the hospital, where she died of congestive heart failure.
Nina was an avid gardener and was especially fond of her roses. She was also a devoted member of University Lutheran Church of Hope in Dinkytown. At her service, which was held at the church, Rev. David Preus, former bishop of the American Lutheran Church and a former pastor at University Lutheran, remembered Nina’s lively interest in her friends, family, golf, gardening, and the Southeast Minneapolis community. “Nina was one of God’s originals.” he said. “No fuss or feathers. Just steady, kind, thoughtful devotion to her family, to her friends and to her congregation. God has blessed us through the life of Nina Lee.” –
Another event that left many in the Bridgeland community saddened was the tragic death of architect Michael Schrock, a gentle and talented man who was killed when he was hit by a truck while walking along on a busy street without a sidewalk in Fargo, where he had traveled to help plan his father’s funeral.
Schrock had recently joined LSA Design and before that had worked for many years for Schrock DeVetter Architects, a firm that shared offices with Close Architects in the Seward neighborhood. Schrock worked with Close on several projects, including the Seward Co-op and the River Tower Condominiums plaza, which won a Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Award in 2006.
Schrock was an active volunteer with the Minneapolis chapter of the American Institute of Architects, serving as president in 2000, and he was a champion of Building Minnesota, a blog, podcast and public radio series focusing on architecture and design produced by Seward resident Todd Melby, who penned an excellent obituary of Schrock in late February. You can read it at www.buildingminnesota.blogspot. com.
Schrock was also a devoted member of Faith Mennonite Church, located in the Seward neighborhood in South Minneapolis. He is survived by his wife, Erin Geiser, and two sons, Atlee and Haven. –
Former Southeast resident, Jill Stever-Zeitlin has been named by the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) to the newly created position of executive director of planning. Stever-Zeitlin grew up in the Como and Prospect Park neighborhoods and graduated from South High School. She received her B.A. from Yale University and completed her M.B.A. at Harvard University. She worked for 15 years for McKinsey and Co., the consulting firm that recently helped MPS to formulate its new strategic plan. In her new position, Stever-Zeitlin will lead a two-person team that will support the implementation of the strategic plan. To learn more about the plan, visit the MPS website at www.mpls.k12.mn.us/Strategic_Planning.html. –
Speaking of new jobs, Peggy Metzer, CEO of the Cedar-Riverside People’s Center, has been appointed to the Health Policy Committee of the National Association of Community Health Centers, the only national health care organization dedicated to expanding health care access through the community-based health center model for people who are medically underserved. Dale Hedstrand, chair of the board of directors of the Cedar-Riverside People’s Center, said “We are exceptionally proud to have Peggy Metzer appointed to this prestigious committee.” –
Prospect Park author Debra Frasier enjoyed another career milestone on Saturday, March 15, when famed author Maya Angelou served as the narrator for Steve Heitzeg’s musical setting of Frasier’s much-loved book, “On the Day You Were Born,” which was performed by the Minnesota Orchestra as part of Target’s Free Family concert series. –
After 38 years of operation, the West Bank School of Music (WBSM) celebrated its first-ever Founder’s Day on March 16. School founder Warren Park, through an address read by WBSM Executive Director David Alderson, recalled the history and mission of the school, which Park said filled “a void in the world of music education. People in non-classical music had nowhere to go.” Musician and longtime faculty member Bill Hinkley received a lifetime achievement award, presented by Garrison Keillor, who referred to Hinkley and Judy Larson — Hinkley’s wife and longtime music collaborator — as “nobility in our midst.” Other awards were given to faculty volunteer Stephen Dewey, Board Vice President Barbara Bjork and Board President Greg McElroy.
The school will hold a faculty concert and fundraiser on Saturday, April 26, 6:30 p.m., near Lake of the Isles. Call 612-333-6651 to purchase tickets ($25 for adults; $12.50 for students 18 and under) and for the exact address of the event. –
If you love a really excellent party, enjoy buying wonderful art at great prices and like to support arts in the public schools, don’t miss out on the annual Marcy Arts Partnership (MAP) Gala, scheduled for Saturday, April 12, 6–11 p.m. at The Soap Factory, 518 SE Second St. There will be live music, aerial artists, food, wine and beer; and no end of fabulous art to bid on through both a live and a silent auction. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Get yours at marcy.mpls.k12.mn.us. –
Finally, in the latest presidential election news out of Bridgeland, Senator Amy Klobuchar enjoyed no peace as she attended First Congregational Church of Minnesota in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood with her family on Palm Sunday. While she tried to listen to the sermon, her cell phone kept ringing with calls from people trying to influence her vote as one of the state’s three uncommitted super delegates. Fortunately for Pastor Jennie Ott, Klobuchar had her phone set on vibrate. –
Do you have community news you’d like to share? Send it to Linda Lincoln at
lmlincoln@comcast.net.
last revised: April 7, 2008