HomeMy WebLinkAboutAboutTown_2001FallPRESORT STD
U.S.POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No.3932
Edina, MN
AboutTown Magazine
City of Edina
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.ci.edina.mn.us
AUTUMN•2001
About Town
Official Magazine of the City of Edina
Edina, Richfield
to Host Senior
Safety Seminar
See page
28 for
details
***ECRWSS***
POSTAL PATRON
CAR-RT-WS
7•AUTUMN 2001
night gained popularity in the 1930s,” Kirk J. Busse wrote
in his 1977 book “Show Houses—Twin Cities Style.”
“Virtually every [neighborhood theater] was engaged in
bank night or some other form of giveaway including
books, kitchenware, even furniture.”
As a result, the neighborhood theater became the center of
community activities—band concerts, weddings, funerals, high
school plays and graduations—all held in local movie theaters.
Theater owners also offered the use of their facilities to local
groups that needed space for meetings. One of the interesting
features of the new Westgate Theater when it opened in 1935
on Sunnyside Road across from the new Convention Grill was
a community club and card room that offered catering service.
During the 1930s, theater exteriors changed dramatically, too.
Theater marquees were controversial at first. “Nobody ever
thought of building a canopy over a sidewalk. It was City
property,” said local architect Jack Liebenberg, the designer of
the Edina Theater, which was built in 1934. When plans for a
theater were announced in what Busse called “the posh
Minneapolis suburb of Edina,” local objections developed
against the construction of a proposed flashy movie sign and
marquee. The opposition was strong enough to force the
architects to alter the sign into a tower format with a minimum
of lighting.
Liebenberg’s second design featured a small tower partially
surrounded by a concave wall. The curved wall was later
eliminated and the tower assumed more importance.
According to Liebenberg, “Travelers—lights that flash and give
the appearance of moving—were not allowed in Edina, and to
this day there are no flashing lights on the Edina Theater.” The
Village Council finally revised plans for the theater sign and
marquee on March 22, 1934.
The Edina Theater: Early ‘Streamline Moderne’ Example
Construction of the theater took only 90 days. While
excavating the site, workmen unearthed a large cache of
broken milk bottles—souvenirs of the Elgin Dairy, which had
occupied the site before the Norris Creamery bought it.
Despite the Great Depression, the builders spared no expense.
Originally estimated to cost $80,000, costs rose to $100,000 by
opening day.
By Joe Sullivan, Freelance
Writer and Edina resident
Asked to visualize an old movie
theater built between 1915 and 1929,
“Edinamites” past the age of 80 or so
might imagine an elaborate “picture
palace” with cherubs on the walls,
plush carpets on the floor and crystal
chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
With a few notable exceptions, such as the restored State and
Orpheum theaters in downtown Minneapolis, not many of
those old theaters are still standing.
The arrival of movie sound technology in 1928, and the
resulting growth in audiences, spurred a wave of theater
building and renovation that continued through the 1930s. The
extravagant theaters of the 1920s were terribly out of date and
none of them had been built to accommodate the new “talking
pictures.” Changing times called for a fresh approach, a
new style.
Art Deco Theaters Flourished During the 1930s
It was another kind of theater. The neighborhood and
small-town theaters—modest in scale, built or remodeled in
the 1930s in the “Art Deco” style—had an aura of streamlined
modernity and optimism.
Fortunately for us, Edina had two such Art Deco theaters. The
Edina and Westgate theaters were both built during the
“golden age of movies,” as the 1930s have come to be known.
Unfortunately, only one of the two—the Edina—has survived.
The Westgate’s building still stands, but it is now part of the
Edina Cleaners & Launderers plant.
In an article about neighborhood theaters entitled “Tickets to
Fantasy,” Herbert Scherer, an art librarian and assistant
professor of architecture at the University of Minnesota,
observed that movie-going was a weekly ritual about the time
of World War I.
“I don’t think it’s overstating it to say that going to the movies
was a religious ritual for a lot of people,” Scherer said in a 1998
interview with City Pages. “Movies cost a dime or not much
more. And [they] gave you a wonderful escape from the
heat—because theaters were [some] of the first institutions to
be air-conditioned—plus the dreariness of everyday life during
the Depression.”
The smooth, flowing lines and colored lights of the Art Deco
movie theater facades seem to personify the movies.
Prominent vertical signs and rows of flashing lights arranged
in streamlined curves were the most obvious characteristics of
Art Deco theaters.
The Art Deco style, originally known as “Streamline
Moderne,” was popping up in theater designs all over the
country along with inventive technical improvements. In
addition to air-conditioning, which was at a rather primitive
stage of development at the time, new acoustics, softer seats
and better lighting were introduced.
‘Bank Night’ Sold Theater Tickets
“Although giveaways were as old as show [business], bank
6•AUTUMN 2001
Ph
o
t
o
b
y
M
a
r
k
T
h
o
m
p
s
o
n
Min
n
e
a
p
o
l
i
s
T
r
i
b
u
n
e
ph
o
t
o
Edina’s Theaters –
From Art Deco To Multiplexes
This is a 1934 architect’s drawing of the proposed Edina Theater.
The original design had a high tower and included several shops on
each side of the theater lobby. The project called for 1,000 seats on
the main floor and 300 in the balcony. The theater was built on the
site of the Norris Dairy barns.
At the time, the Edina was one of the largest suburban theaters
in Minnesota. It had a full-sized stage, lofts and stage lighting.
The lobby was decorated with modern furniture. At one end
was a mural depicting the historic Edina Mill. There was a
built-in fireplace to keep the lobby cozy during the long
Minnesota winters. It had its own nursery and special
acoustical devices were available to aid the hard-of-hearing.
Snack bars were another innovation in theaters built during the
late 1920s and 30s. According to Minnesota Architecture
magazine, it was a University of Wisconsin professor named
Charles Glass who first came up with the idea of selling food in
theaters. He also organized a company that rented space in
theaters for confection stands.
In their book “From the Barber’s Chair,” Vern Swanson and
Tom Clark noted that the Edina Theater was 50th and
France’s first air-conditioned building, using water from an
artesian well to cool the theater. “The original, L-shaped
parking lot was huge, extending south behind the theater
building and east to France Avenue where the municipal
parking ramp and Arby’s Restaurant are now located,” they
wrote.
As a youngster growing up in southwest Minneapolis in the
early 1940s, some of my fondest memories are of walking to
50th and France on Saturday to see a matinee movie at the
Edina Theater. The White Grill was on 50th just east of France,
and on our way to the theater we would stop there for an
11-cent hamburger. A small blue-and-white pot of baked beans
cost only five or 10 cents more. Add the price of a ticket for the
matinee, which was 12 cents, and you had a pretty inexpensive
way to spend a Saturday afternoon. After the movie, we would
head for home through the peat bogs around Pershing Park
and re-enact the adventures of “The Purple Phantom” or “The
Green Hornet” we had seen at the theater.
Tornadoes Hit Edina Theater Sign in 1951 and 1981
The Edina Theater was hit by a tornado on July 21, 1951, and the
top one-third of its tall, vertical sign was bent over. It was repaired,
but 30 years later, on June 14, 1981, the sign was hit by another
tornado and destroyed. It was replaced by an exact replica of
the 1934 sign, which weighed 3,000 pounds and used 272 light
bulbs. The Edina Heritage Preservation Board has begun
discussions to protect the theater’s sign as a historical site.
The Edina became a two-screen theater in 1976. Deluxe
rocker-back seating was added in both auditoriums. A third
screen was added in the late 1970s.
9•AUTUMN 20018•AUTUMN 2001
The Edina’s current owner, Cineplex/Odeon, closed the
theater for extensive remodeling in 1989. Except for the
historic front facade and the ticket booth, which was moved
inside the foyer, the rest of the old cinema was demolished and
replaced with a larger, two-story “multiplex” building. Inside,
the new “Edina 4” has four wide-screen auditoriums—two
upstairs and two on the main floor. Patrons walk on marble
floors amid neon lighting and escalators whisk them upstairs.
The new four-screen cinema opened Dec. 12, 1989.
Jack Liebenberg, Art Deco Theater
Architect Extraordinaire
“The theater architect who was most active
in the Twin Cities area and whose work
was consistently of the highest quality was
Jack Liebenberg,” Scherer said.
In 1916, Liebenberg graduated cum laude
with the first graduating class of the University
of Minnesota’s School of Architecture. Later,
he taught architecture at the University for
about a year and one of his students was
Seeman Kaplan, who eventually became his brother-in-law and
business partner.
Liebenberg first met Kaplan’s sister Raleigh when he visited
the Kaplan home in Minneapolis as a dinner guest. In a 1957
interview by the Minneapolis Star, Raleigh remembered being
“bored to death” with the idea of cooking dinner for her
brother’s university professor. They were married in 1919.
From 1929 to 1941, almost all of Liebenberg’s more than
200 theater designs were in the Art Deco style.
In 1950, the couple moved into a new home at 5112 Ridge Road
in Edina, designed by—who else?—Jack Liebenberg. It was
one of more than 600 homes he designed during his 50-year
career as an architect, and was not the first Edina house he
designed. In the mid-1920s, Liebenberg had drawn the plans
for seven elegant model homes for Sam Thorpe’s new Country
Club development.
Seeman Kaplan died in 1963, but Liebenberg continued to practice
until his retirement in 1980. He died in Minneapolis in 1985.
Westgate Theater Opening Also Caused Controversy
In 1931, the Morningside Parent and Teacher Association
and the Woman’s Club officially expressed their disapproval
of a proposal for a neighborhood movie theater in the
then-independent village. The permit application was denied.
In June 1935, the Edina Crier reported results of a contest
staged by the businessmen at 44th and France. It was designed
to select a name for their growing commercial area. Westgate
was the name chosen by the judges. Mrs. Paul Brown, 4206
Sunnyside Road, who submitted the winning name, was
awarded a prize of $75.
Morningside eventually issued a permit for a theater on
Sunnyside near France and it opened in November 1935 as the
Westgate Theater.
Designed by Minneapolis architect Perry E. Crosier, the
Westgate was described in the October 1935 Edina Crier as
having “… indirect lighting for exterior and interior. The
interior decorations are modern in color and design, and the
The Edina Theater was offering $750 in Bank Night prizes in this
1939 photo. The building had retail spaces on both sides of the
theater lobby including the Brown Derby Café at right.
Jack J. Liebenberg
Mi
n
n
e
a
p
o
l
i
s
H
i
s
t
o
r
i
c
a
l
S
o
c
i
e
t
y
p
h
o
t
o
Mi
n
n
e
a
p
o
l
i
s
P
u
b
l
i
c
L
i
b
r
a
r
y
p
h
o
t
o
The “Yorktown 2” was Edina’s second twin-screen theater
when it opened in 1973 on York Avenue and Hazelton Road,
also near Southdale. Now known as the Yorktown Cinema
Grill, it serves food and drinks before and during the movies.
Edina’s first true “multiplex” was the rebuilt, four-screen Edina
Theater. The Centennial Lakes Cinema 8, which opened at
7311 France Ave. Aug. 17, 1990, was the second. Its four
auditoriums are short but wide, allowing for wide screens.
A 16-screen multiplex theater project is now nearing
completion at Southdale. In addition to the theater, five national
chain restaurants, including P.F. Chang’s Chinese Bistro, are
planned for the new wing of Southdale. Today’s Southdale has
181 tenants and serves more than 14 million customers a year.
Southdale general manager Christopher Cummins has said he
has no doubt that the center will be as successful in the new
century as it was in the last half of the 1900s.
Protecting Old Theaters from the Wrecking Ball
Growing interest in preservation of historic buildings has
resulted in increasing numbers of calls for the restoration of
older theaters. Restoration of the marquee of the Edina
Theater, damaged in 1951 and 1981 by tornadoes, and the
rebuilding of the theater’s auditorium in 1989 without
destroying its front facade, marquee, sign and foyer are fine
examples of what can be done to preserve older theaters while
updating them to be competitive with today’s multiplex theaters.
Background material and photographs for this article came from
the archival collections of the Edina Historical Society, Minnesota
History Museum, Minneapolis Public Library, Hennepin County
Library, University of Minnesota Libraries and the following
articles and publications: “Tickets to Fantasy” by Herbert Scherer;
“Show Houses—Twin Cities Style” by Kirk J. Busse; “From the
Barber’s Chair” by Vern Swanson and Tom Clark; Edina
Heritage Preservation Board meeting minutes; “History of
Architecture of Edina, Minnesota” by William Scott, A.I.A.,
and Jeffrey Hess; Minneapolis Star; Edina Crier; City Pages;
“Marquee on Main Street” by the University of Minnesota
Gallery; Minnesota Architecture magazine; the Charles
Dennison family photo album and personal interviews with
Christopher Cummins and Dave Stotts.
air-conditioning, projection, seating and high-fidelity,
wide-range sound are of the latest type.” With only 525 seats,
the new Westgate Theater was smaller than the Edina Theater.
‘Harold and Maude’ Film Set a Record at Westgate
In the 1970s, few neighborhood cinemas screened films for
more than a week. The greatest exception was Edina’s
Westgate. It entered the history books in 1973-74 after
showing the movie “Harold and Maude” for 114
consecutive weeks and two days, making it the longest-
running film in Twin Cities history to that date. During its
record-setting run at the Westgate, the film became a “cult
favorite” with a cadre of committed fans, some of whom
saw it many times.
The Advent of Multi-Plex Theaters
After 1940s antitrust legislation took control of movie theaters
away from film production companies, the theater-building
boom waned. The advent of television and the flight to
suburbia in the ‘50s permanently altered the economics of the
movie industry and gave birth to the “multiplex” theater.
Minnesota’s first twin cinema was the “Cinema I and II,” later
known as the “Southdale.” Built on Edina’s West 69th Street,
across from Southdale Center, it opened Sept. 21, 1966. Cinema
I seated 1,200 and Cinema II seated 750. There was an art
gallery in the lobby where movie-goers waiting for the next
feature could view paintings by local artists.
In 1975, one of Cinema I and II’s two auditoriums was divided
in half to make Cinema III and in 1980 the other auditorium
was also divided in two. Cinemas I and II seated 620 each while
Cinemas III and IV seated 360 each. In time, the art gallery
was replaced by video games. The theater closed Aug. 16,
1990, and was demolished soon after.
The Mann France Avenue Drive-in Theater opened in the
early 1960s at West 78th Street and France. Although it was
technically just south of the Edina/Bloomington border, it
was considered part of the Edina theater “scene.” The theater
was built on a landfill that had been there since the 1930s.
My son Denny worked there for a couple of summers while
he was in high school, “patrolling the perimeter” to discourage
movie-goers from climbing over the fences without buying a
ticket. The drive-in was replaced by the current high-rise
Minnesota Center office building that was built on the site
in the 1980s.
10•AUTUMN 2001 11•AUTUMN 2001
This is what the Westgate Theater building looks like today. After the
theater closed in 1977, its slanted floor was filled in and now
supports machinery for the Edina Cleaners and Launderers plant.
The former stage now serves as a loading dock. A narrow strip of
velvet drape that still hangs above the stage is the only remaining
clue to its original use. The original half-cylinder, arched ceiling is
still there although its acoustical tile has long since been removed.
In 1974, the marquee of
the Westgate Theater
offered best wishes to
Gerry and Elmer
Dennison, owners of the
Dennison Dairy Store
across Sunnyside Road,
upon their retirement.
The theater closed in
1977, apparently due to
dwindling profits, and
its vertical sign and
marquee were taken
down.
Ph
o
t
o
b
y
B
a
r
b
a
r
a
D
e
n
n
i
s
o
n
Ph
o
t
o
b
y
J
o
e
S
u
l
l
i
v
a
n
Fire Department To
Host Open House
13•AUTUMN 2001
Children can be firefighters for a day at the Edina Fire
Department’s Open House Sunday, Oct. 14.
The Open House, to be held just after Fire Prevention Week,
will follow a series of classroom presentations in local schools.
“Fire Prevention Week and the Open House are rewarding
programs, whether you are a resident or visitor, child or adult,”
said Fire Chief Marty Scheerer. “The knowledge gained
through attending these events could save your life or the life
of someone near and dear. Once a fire starts, there is no time
to develop a plan. Our open house gets people thinking about
fire safety and developing a plan for what to do should a fire
break out.”
The National Fire
Protection
Association
(NFPA) estimates
that approximately
80 percent of all
fire deaths in the
United States and
Canada occur in
the home.
Approximately 11 people per day die in home fires in the two
countries. “Many lives can be saved if people react immediately
when a fire or smoke alarm sounds,” Scheerer said. “We are
urging everyone to learn the theme of this year’s Fire
Prevention Week, ‘Know When to Go.’”
The three-hour Open House, which will begin at 1 p.m. at Fire
Station No. 1, 6250 Tracy Ave., will feature demonstrations and
games. Children will be allowed to try on gear, spray water
using a fire hose and climb through a fire safety house. Older
children and adults will enjoy demonstrations on the use of fire
extinguishers and sprinkler systems. In addition, the Special
Operations Team will set up some of its equipment and
firefighters/paramedics will have an ambulance open for
inspection. NSP will set up a display on power line safety and
the State Patrol is expected to land one of its helicopters at
nearby Countryside Park to show how it uses its search
cameras. Sparky the Fire Dog will likely make an appearance.
“The event is a positive experience for the entire community.
The day is action-packed, with many hands-on activities,” said
Scheerer, adding that approximately 1,000 people attend the
annual event. “Our firefighters enjoy the time spent with
the community, educating people about what we do and
fire prevention.”
For more information about the upcoming Open House,
contact the Fire Department at 952-826-0377.
12•AUTUMN 2001
Leaves
Keep fallen leaves out of the street to help prevent clogging
the storm sewer, which can lead to water runoff, backups
and flooding. In addition, leaves are also extremely slippery
when wet and can contribute to motor vehicle accidents.
In the fall, three street sweepers work eight to 10 hours per
day for four to six weeks. If residents rake leaves from their
yards into the streets, the street sweepers will not be able
to keep up.
Residents should compost their leaves or contact their
refuse hauler for proper disposal. Licensed haulers in the
City are Aspen Waste, 651-644-3488; BFI, 952-941-5174; and
Waste Management, 952-882-2300.
Edina Snow Removal Regulations
We’ve all seen the cartoons depicting one neighbor
shoveling snow out of the driveway, into the driveway of the
property owner next door. Aside from this practice
disrupting neighborhood peace, it is also illegal. Any snow
removed from your walkways, driveways or sidewalks must
remain on your property. Do not shovel snow into the
street or onto your neighbor’s property.
If you have a sidewalk, Edina law states that you must keep
it plowed or shoveled for the safety of you and your neighbors.
If a fire hydrant is located on your property, please
remember that you need to clear snow away from it. As
soon as the snow stops falling, clear away the snow so that
the hydrant is visible. The few minutes it takes to provide
access to a fire hydrant will save precious time in an
emergency.
Edina Snow Parking Regulations
Many Minnesotans have made the mistake of parking their
cars or trucks on the street during a snowstorm, only to
find later that their vehicles have been “buried” or “plowed
in.” Seeing a parking ticket on your windshield would only
add to the frustration. You can avoid a citation or tow by
following these rules.
No vehicle may be parked on a City street, highway or alley
under the following conditions:
• When 1 inch or more of snow has fallen, until it
has been plowed to the curbline.
• For six hours after the snowfall stops, unless
traffic signs specifically allow you to do so or if
you are engaged in certain job-related activities
as described in the City Code.
• From 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. Nov. 1 to March 31.
It is extremely important for residents to keep their vehicles off
the roadways during snow events. Edina’s Public Works
Department has a reputation for providing top-notch snow
removal services, but staff members need your help. Cars
parked on the street make it difficult for snowplow operators to
maneuver and also prevent the street from being thoroughly
plowed. By parking in driveways or lots, you will avoid parking
tickets and the expense and inconvenience associated with towing.
For more information, contact Public Works Coordinator
Steve Johnson, 952-826-0301.
It’s Not Only Neighborly ...
It’s The Law
14•AUTUMN 2001
VEAP Announces Holiday Programs
Help make the holidays brighter for area families in need
this season by making a donation to Volunteers Enlisted to
Assist People (VEAP), which serves the communities of
Edina, Bloomington and Richfield.
As part of VEAP’s Thanksgiving program, qualifying
low-income families will each receive a bag of pre-packed
groceries and a supermarket gift certificate to cover the
cost of perishable food items and items special to their
own Thanksgiving traditions. You can help by donating
gift certificates to Cub Foods or Rainbow Foods in $10 or
$20 denominations or food items such as dessert mixes,
muffin mixes, rice, boxed potatoes and the like. Money
to cover the cost of certificates or food items is also
appreciated.
Volunteers are needed to distribute food the Monday and
Tuesday before Thanksgiving and to deliver meals to
homebound seniors and disabled individuals and couples
Thanksgiving Day.
Donations for the Thanksgiving program need to be
received at the VEAP office by Nov. 15.
VEAP will also distribute bags of pre-packed groceries
and supermarket gift certificates for Christmas. Due to the
significant increase in usage of the local food shelf, VEAP
officials expect a 15 percent increase in individuals
requesting help with Thanksgiving and Christmas meals.
Volunteers expect to pack 1,300 grocery bags—each with
an estimated value of $25—and distribute gift certificates
valued at more than $38,000.
In addition to the Christmas meal, VEAP will also organize
a “Holiday Store” for qualifying families. Parents will come
to the store and select donated gifts for their children.
Following are suggested gifts to donate:
Riding, crib and tub, developmental, push-pull and
electronic toys are suggested for children ages birth
to 3. Popular brands include See & Say, Little Tykes,
Fisher Price, Playskool and Tyco.
Electronic, remote-controlled, building, cooking or
baking and talking toys are suggested for children
ages 4 to 7, as are multicultural dolls, Beanie Babies,
play tents, sleeping bags, children’s videotapes, music
players, games and puzzles.
Most gifts are needed for children ages 8 to 18.
Suggested gift items include cosmetic bags and
shaving kits, diaries and journals, stationery, compact
disc or cassette players, cameras, telephones, bed
sheets and comforters, jewelry boxes, electronic
games, calendars and daily planners, bath gel sets and
cosmetics, flashlights, tool sets, remote-controlled
vehicles, travel carry-on bags, fishing poles and tackle,
jerseys, T-shirts, wallets and billfolds, clock radios,
watches, desk lamps, videos, sleeping bags, blankets,
hockey sticks, ice skates, science kits, tackle and tool
boxes, skateboards, scooters, books and audio books.
Gift certificates for older children may also be
purchased. Suggested retailers are Target, GAP, Old
Navy, Southdale Center, Bath & Body Works, Kohl’s,
15•AUTUMN 2001
Mall of America, Sam Goody, Best Buy and local
cinemas. Gift certificates should be purchased in $15 or
$20 denominations.
New unwrapped gifts must be delivered to the VEAP office,
9731 James Ave. S., Bloomington, by Dec. 14, or to the
Armory, 3300 W. 98th St., by Dec. 17. Through the first part
of December, drop boxes will be available at Edina City Hall,
4801 W. 50th St., and Fire Station No. 1, 6250 Tracy Ave.
Volunteers are needed to pre-sort gifts, set up the Holiday
Store, help with gift and food distribution on Dec. 18 and 19
and deliver hot meals on Christmas Day.
For more information on the food or gift drives or to
volunteer, contact the VEAP office, 952-888-9616, 9 a.m. to
4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
MN Relay 1-800-627-3529
952-928-0444
Since 1896
7705 Bush Lake Road
EDINA
(952) 941-8601Wwww.northwesternmarble.com
FAX 952-941-0994
Visit our new state of the art facility
in Edina beginning 2001
Museum Takes Visitors Back
In Time Through Film
Viewers watch with keen interest as the first scene of a new
film plays on the screen before them. The scene is set in 1822
and two teenage boys from the Fort St. Anthony military
reservation are canoeing up Minnehaha Creek. They discover
Lake Minnetonka, which they had heard about from the
Dakotah Sioux tribe. In the process, the boys become the first
Caucasians to set foot on the western part of Richfield
Township, which would one day
become Edina.
The Edina Historical Society
recently finished “History of
Edina,” a 30-minute video made
possible by a generous donation
from resident Cuyler Adams in
honor of his late wife, Connie.
The video, written by Joe Sullivan
and filmed by Gene Updike,
chronicles the City’s history
through the early 1960s. Besides the
exploration of Minnehaha Creek by
Joseph Renshaw Brown and William
Snelling reenacted in the first scene,
historical topics in the film include
the coming of the Irish into the Cahill Neighborhood in
the 1850s after the west side of the Mississippi River was
opened for settlement, activity and development around
the former Edina Mill, establishment of the community’s
first schools (Cahill, Edina and Wooddale) and incorporation
of the village. The film also covers the transformation of the
creek and suburbanization of the community.
Besides the creek exploration, a reenactment of class at Cahill
School is included in the film. The rest of the film is made up of
pictures from the Historical Society’s collection; interviews with
John McCauley and Frank Cardarelle, descendants of the
community’s settlers; and footage of the interior of the Baird
Home, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The film will run continuously in the
Museum’s permanent display area on
days the facility is open. “People who
grew up in the area or are very
interested in the City’s background
will enjoy ‘History of Edina,’” said
Kathleen Wetherall, executive
director of the Edina Historical
Society. “We expect the video to be a
tool for teaching history to the
children of Edina in a way that will
engage their interest. Community
organizations, church groups and
organizers of class reunions will also
be eager to use the video.”
The Museum, located at 4711 W.
70th St. in Arneson Acres Park, is
open 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays and 10 a.m. to noon
Saturdays and by appointment.
For more information on the video or to arrange a tour of the
Museum, call the Edina Historical Society, 952-928-4577.
16•AUTUMN 2001
Tie A Red Ribbon During
Minnesota Chemical Health Week
By Kathy Iverson
Chemical Health Coordinator
Just before Thanksgiving, you might see white lunch bags
filled with red ribbons at area doctor’s offices, local
libraries, schools and Edina City Hall.
Do you know what the red ribbons symbolize? They are in
honor of Minnesota Chemical Health Week. The 13th
annual campaign will highlight the prevention of alcohol,
tobacco and other drugs. By displaying the red ribbons,
you are showing your support of prevention efforts in the
state.
We are proud to say that there are many prevention
accomplishments to celebrate this year. The local
asset-building initiative, Connecting With Kids, strengthens
our greatest resource—our kids—by involving them in our
community. Through that effort, we can foster strong
adult-child relationships. On a state level, there is also the
favorable settlement (especially for the children of
Minnesota) of the tobacco lawsuit, and new state laws for
both criminal prosecution and civil liability of adults who
provide alcohol to underage youth (Kevin’s Law and the
ZAP Bill). Additionally, Edina Chemical Health Partners
and the Tri-City Partners for Healthy Youth and Families
continue to focus their efforts in new and exciting ways to
engage our community in developing positive life skills.
You can be part of the campaign, too. Support efforts for
a healthier community. Build relationships with your
neighbors and the parents of your children’s friends. Talk
about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs with your children
and grandchildren. Model a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Take a red ribbon. We used to ask people to tie ribbons to
their car antennae, but there aren’t as many car antennae
now. That hasn’t led to a shortage of places that people
have used, though. We’ve seen the red ribbons on backpacks,
computer terminals, purses, classroom bulletin boards and
baby strollers. Get one today and show your support!
For more information on Chemical Health Week,
contact Iverson by calling 952-929-7627 or via e-mail,
menze002@tc.umn.edu.
Actors Joe Sullivan, Chanhassen, and Matt Sydeski,
Minneapolis, reenact the exploration of Minnehaha Creek
by Joe Brown and Will Snelling in 1822. The teenage boys
were the first Caucasians to set foot on the western part of
Richfield Township, which later became Edina.
You may qualify for up to $15,000 to make
repairs or necessary improvements to your
Edina home through the Hennepin County
Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program.
This program provides deferred repayment
funds on a first-come-first-served basis to
people who can show financial need. If you would like to receive information,
income guidelines, qualification summaries, interest rates, and applications,
please call Associate Planner Joyce Repya at the
Edina Planning Department, (952) 826-0462.
Dozens of Edina residents have protected the value
of their homes by using this program. If your primary
residence is located in Edina and needs repair or
structural improvements, please give Joyce a call.
Home Rehab Funds
for Qualified Edina Home Owners
CITY OF EDINA
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
17•AUTUMN 2001
19•AUTUMN 200118•AUTUMN 2001
Edina Family Center
Marks 20th ‘Birthday’
standards. DHS reviews the environment, staffing, policies
and parent handbook at the Family Center.
Although approximately 97 percent of school districts in
Minnesota have an ECFE program, Edina’s is one of the largest.
“We have continued to respond to the community’s needs,”
said Coordinator Nancy Delin, who has been with the
Family Center since 1990. “We have been successful
because we hold to our mission of creating a loving,
nurturing environment for families with young children. We
create an environment for parents to feel supported and get
good information.”
In ECFE programs, parents and children enjoy activities
together for a portion of the class time. Trained parent
educators lead discussions related to child development,
parental support and family issues while early childhood
teachers provide engaging learning opportunities and
activities to help children grow and develop.
Parents can also enroll children ages 2 and older in an
ECFE class with a child-only day where children attend
without their parents, further developing social,
emotional, physical and intellectual skills through the
curriculum.
The Family Center offers three types of childcare: sibling
care, block time and drop-in time. Sibling care is for
parents who need care for one child while attending an
ECFE class with another. Block time is childcare
scheduled in advance. Drop-in time is childcare
scheduled when something comes up at the last minute.
Childcare is available up to three hours a day, with a
Like a child’s birthday party, there will be cake, ice
cream, balloons and clowns when the Edina Family
Center celebrates its 20th “birthday” this school year.
As part of Community Education, Edina Public Schools
began offering a parent/child education program in the
fall of 1981. Three courses were offered for parents and
children ages 2-5 to enjoy activities together and learn
about child development, parental support and family
issues. A handful of one-time parent education classes
were also offered, covering such topics as discipline,
building self-esteem, sibling relationships and family
communication.
Three years later, state legislation allowed local school
districts to levy for Early Childhood Family Education
(ECFE) programs. Edina Public Schools chose to
participate and the program was expanded. The Family
Center continued to grow. A parents’ advisory council
was established and childcare, preschool and summer
programs were put into place. In more recent years,
School Readiness and “Hand-in-Hand,” a unique program
that brings together 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds who are
typically developing with those who have special needs,
were added.
Today, the Edina Family Center offers more than 60 Early
Childhood Family Education classes—compared with
three offered 20 years ago—with a long waiting list of
families who wish to participate. The Family Center
occupies more than 8,700 square feet at the Edina
Community Center, 5701 Normandale Road, and space at
the Good Samaritan United Methodist Church, 5730
Grove St.
Since 1989, the
Edina Family
Center has been
licensed by the
Department of
Human Services
(DHS). DHS is
responsible for
ensuring
compliance with
state laws
regulating learning
centers for young
children by setting
safety, health and
educational
Early childhood teachers provide engaging
learning toys and tools to help children
grow and develop.
The Edina Family Center, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary,
offers a School Readiness program. Among the many families who
benefit from this specialized program are those who speak English as
a second language.
A trained parent educator leads a discussion related to
child development.
continued on next page
Ph
o
t
o
b
y
P
o
l
l
y
N
o
r
m
a
n
Ph
o
t
o
b
y
P
o
l
l
y
N
o
r
m
a
n
Ph
o
t
o
b
y
P
o
l
l
y
N
o
r
m
a
n
Ph
o
t
o
b
y
P
o
l
l
y
N
o
r
m
a
n
Braemar Is Home Course For
‘Minnesota Golf Legend’
21•AUTUMN 200120•AUTUMN 2001
maximum of nine hours per week, for infants and toddlers.
Preschoolers can attend up to four hours a day, with a
maximum of 12 hours per week.
“ECFE is blending
high-quality
education for
children with
support and
services for parents,”
Delin said. “We
have a very talented
and experienced
staff, but parents
also get support
from one another.”
Because the Edina Family Center is nearing capacity, Delin
said the 20th anniversary is extra special. As a result,
several activities have been planned to mark the occasion.
An appreciation dinner and program will be held in
October for past and present Family Center staff, advisory
council members, Community Education Services Board
members, and Board of Education members. A family
birthday party will be held in May 2002, at Rosland Park
with live entertainment, petting zoo, face-painting, clowns
and, of course, birthday cake.
“This is an important year in the history of the Edina
Family Center,” Delin said. “I hope the entire community
will celebrate with us.”
Longtime Edina resident
Pat Sawyer made his mark
on the game of golf on a
national level, playing
alongside such greats as
Sam Snead and Bobby
Jones. Today, the 88-year-
old still plays golf every
Thursday afternoon with
his foursome at the City of
Edina’s Braemar Golf Course.
As the Minnesota Golf
Association celebrates its
centennial, Braemar Golf
Course staff, Sawyer and
others are celebrating the rise in golf over the past 100 years.
After years of tagging along with his father and brothers,
Sawyer first played the game of golf at age 7 at the Golden
Valley Country Club. The Minneapolis native played in his
first tournament at age 11 at the inaugural State Junior
championship in 1924 at Minikahda. He didn’t fare as well
as he would have liked in the tournament, but remained
dedicated to the sport.
Sawyer was one of just four boys on his high school team
and there were few other teams to play. He was part of
another team of four or five at the University of Minnesota.
By the age of 20, Sawyer had amassed a number of
championship hardware, having won two state amateurs, a
state high school championship, two state junior titles, one
Resorters Crown and two Pine-to-Palms. According to
information compiled by the Minnesota Golf Association,
he later went on to capture five straight Resorters titles
from 1947 to 1951 and added the 1946 and 1948 State
Amateurs to his list of victories.
Sawyer’s mastery in the state Open was just as impressive.
As a 22-year-old amateur, he won the tournament in 1935.
After turning pro the next year, he captured the title once
again on his home course, Golden Valley. Providing
evidence that his game held up over time, he won the Open
for a third time 20 years later, again at Golden Valley. He
competed twice in the National Amateur.
Sawyer worked as head professional at Golden Valley from
1935 to 1937. Then, in the summer of 1937, came the thrill
of his life – competing in the U.S. Open at Oakland Hills in
Michigan as a shy 24-year-old. Sawyer finished 14th in the
national Open, but says he felt as good as if he had won.
Decades later, fellow Minnesota Valley Country Club
members convinced Sawyer to join the Braemar Men’s
Club. He joined as an “honorary member” and has been
playing in the summer league every week since.
“Braemar is a great course,” said Sawyer, who spends his
retirement playing courses throughout the metropolitan
area. “So many of us hate to play it because it’s tough – a
lot of balls are lost out there! The staff keeps the course in
great condition and it’s easy to get to know everybody out
there. It’s a great place to play the game.”
A mother and child participate in a hands-on
activity in an Early Childhood Family Education
program at the Edina Family Center.
Pat Sawyer
No matter what you’re looking for in spirits, chances are any of
your three Edina Municipal Liquor Stores can help you.
Our knowledgeable and friendly staff will be happy to guide you
through our world class selection to find just what you want.
And while our products come from all over the globe, our profits
stay right here in Edina, keeping our parks clean, our roads
smooth and our taxes low. Truly the best of both worlds.
Think Globally.
Buy Locally.
Practice Moderation In Excess.
Edina’s Municipal Liquor Stores
Grandview (near Jerry’s Foods) • Southdale (next to Cub)
• 50th & France (next to Lunds)
EDINA LIQUOR
Ph
o
t
o
b
y
P
o
l
l
y
N
o
r
m
a
n
Ph
o
t
o
b
y
P
o
l
l
y
N
o
r
m
a
n
23•AUTUMN 200122•AUTUMN 2001
As Deputy Chief, Carlson is responsible for overseeing
Edina’s patrol and investigative divisions, recruiting and
hiring new officers, training officers, leadership development
and purchasing new equipment. He will also work with
residents and serve as a stand-in for Siitari.
Carlson jumped into his new position, beginning the process
of hiring new officers during his first month on the job. It is
one of his goals to improve recruiting efforts to attract
outstanding police officer candidates. Carlson looks forward
to establishing other goals to meet the department’s mission.
“The Edina Police Department has a solid reputation of
providing service courteously and quickly. When residents
say they have a problem, we work to address that problem
with them,” Carlson said. “I am proud to be part of that
tradition and look forward to serving the community in my
new position.”
Longtime Edina officer Ken Carlson has earned his
wings. Carlson recently traded in his golden lapel bars for
eagles, symbolizing his promotion to the position of
Deputy Police Chief.
Carlson began his new position July 2.
He succeeds Sylvester “Chip” Schwartz,
who retired in June after more than 30
years of service to the Edina Police
Department.
Carlson, a native of Edina, began his
career with the Edina Police
Department in 1979 as a dispatcher.
Later that year, he became a patrolman.
He was promoted to sergeant in 1995
and lieutenant in 2000. Earlier this year,
he completed a 10-week training
program for police management at the
Federal Bureau of Investigation
National Academy.
“Ken has 22 years of experience with
the Edina Police Department in a wide
variety of assignments, ranging from
dispatcher to Investigative Lieutenant.
This broad range of experience will
provide the knowledge base for Ken to
perform the duties of the Deputy Chief,”
said Police Chief Mike Siitari. “He has the necessary blend
of skills and abilities to successfully meet the challenges of
his new position.”
City Manager Gordon Hughes echoed the Police Chief’s
comments. “Ken’s appointment follows the tradition of
promoting from within whenever possible,” he said. “Ken
has demonstrated a long-term
commitment to our mission of protecting
and serving the community. The City is
fortunate to have officers of Ken’s
experience and abilities who we can
draw on for critical assignments in the
Police Department.”
Badge No. 126 has already had many
career highlights. Carlson is most
proud of a 1994 arson case he helped
investigate. He uncovered evidence
that tied a local arson to two others in
the metropolitan area. Without his
work and that evidence, the arsonist
may not have been convicted. Carlson
is also proud of the way the Police
Department responded to the 2000
armed robbery of the former Firstar
Bank, an incident in which Officer
Mike Blood was seriously injured.
“I am not only proud of the way our
officers responded to the robbery, but
also of the support the Police
Department received from the
community afterward,” Carlson said. “The community
really rallied for us. To me, that says a lot about the service
we provide.”
Ken Carlson Named
Deputy Police Chief
Longtime police officer Ken Carlson began his
new position as Deputy Police Chief in July.
EDINA
EDINA
The Edina Historical Society is raising money for its exhibits and
programs by selling Edina t-shirts. Cost is $12 each or 2/$20.
Stop by the Edina Museum today to buy your t-shirt!
952.928.4577
Show your community pride!
Ph
o
t
o
b
y
P
o
l
l
y
N
o
r
m
a
n
Ph
o
t
o
b
y
P
o
l
l
y
N
o
r
m
a
n
25•AUTUMN 200124•AUTUMN 2001
One of Fairview
Southdale
Hospital’s many
volunteers stops at
a family lounge
outside of the
medical facility’s
surgical center. A
family there is in
tears, concerned
about their loved
one undergoing
surgery.
The volunteer
spends some time
with the family in
the lounge. By the
time she leaves,
members of the
family are smiling and more at ease.
Although all volunteers at the hospital work to support patients
and their families, this one reaches out in a unique way. This
one is a friendly golden retriever named Shadow.
Modeled after a similar program at Fairview-University
Medical Center, a pet visiting program was implemented at
Edina’s Fairview Southdale Hospital in late 1999. Research has
shown that pets help reduce stress, lower blood pressure,
reduce heart attacks and decrease the frequency of hospital
and clinic visits.
The idea of pet therapy has been gaining
attention within the medical community
over the past few years and there is
research to support the idea. The Journal
of American Geriatrics Society published a
study in March 1999 stating that seniors
who own pets are generally more active
than those who don’t. The study also found
that seniors with pets exhibit a lower
occurrence of depression than those
without. In 1995, the American Journal of
Cardiology detailed a study that followed
the progress of 400 heart attack victims.
The study found that pet owners had a
significantly higher one-year post-heart
attack survival rate than non-pet owners. In
1992, Australian researchers concluded
that pet owners are at lower risk for heart
attack and heart disease than those
without animal companionship.
Director of Volunteer Services Sally Davis said findings such
as these, along with the success of pet therapy at Fairview-
University and other medical centers, prompted Fairview
Southdale to try the approach.
Shadow had occasionally come to the hospital with her late
owner, Shirley Anderson, who worked at the hospital as a
secretary for more than 30 years prior to her recent death.
Because of the canine’s temperament and staff’s familiarity
with her, Shadow was evaluated for the program and eventually
became its first canine visitor.
“It takes a very special dog to do this sort of thing. Most family
dogs would not be appropriate for a hospital setting,” said
Davis, pointing out that in order to be in a hospital, dogs must
not be bothered by noises or smells, follow instructions and
interact appropriately one-on-one and in groups.
Shadow is bathed and
brushed thoroughly the day
before her visits to the
hospital. One of Shadow’s
owners, Bud Anderson,
brings her to Fairview
Southdale every Tuesday at
2 p.m., ready to work with
her volunteer hospital
identification tag on her
harness. Two other
volunteers meet her and the
three do their work together.
Shadow carries a brown
wicker basket in her mouth
to each room. Inside are
cards for the patients. Each
card, paid for by local
resident and volunteer Gene
Johnson, has a picture of
Shadow with the message,
“Shadow says HEAL.”
“[A patient] was spending several days at a time at Fairview
going through chemotherapy in hopes of winning the grueling
battle of cancer. The pain was barely tolerable even with high
doses of morphine. It was only when Shadow ‘the four-legged’
volunteer with her basket of comfort cards in her mouth and
tail wagging came for a visit that [the patient] was able to cast
aside his ailments and receive what she had to offer. It did not
require an exchange of words that can be awkward and
straining at these times. It is the touch and bodily responses by
Shadow that are enough to create a moment of comfort and
serenity for any patient,” wrote the family of one patient in a
thank-you letter to the hospital.
The mother of another patient wrote, “No therapy or medicine
could do what [Shadow] can do. In fact, I would not have
minded if [Shadow] laid on my son’s bed with him!”
Davis said such feedback reinforces the validity of the
program. “The feedback from patients, families and staff has
been positive,” she said. “The pet visits boost morale for
everyone. Patients sometimes walk out of their rooms wearing
their gowns and IVs to see Shadow.”
Fairview Southdale’s pet visiting program was evaluated last
year by administrators and managers on the patient care units.
After a successful evaluation, the program was expanded.
Several other trained dogs are now visiting patients, including
Lexi, a rottweiler; Rex, a black Labrador and Cheng Kee, a
Sheba-Enu.
“Shadow helped set the stage for the local pet visiting
program,” said Bud Anderson. “She is a very special part of
our family—and the Fairview Southdale family.”
Volunteer Puts Paw Prints
On Fairview Southdale
Visiting Program
Another hospital volunteer gives
Shadow a treat in radiation
therapy. Shadow is one of four dogs
that is part of the hospital’s
pet visiting program. Dogs visit
lounges and the orthopedic,
oncology and radiation therapy
units of the hospital.
Shadow, a 6-year-old golden retriever, visits a patient at Fairview
Southdale Hospital. Shadow visits the hospital most Tuesday
afternoons, averaging 32 patient-room visits per week.
Ph
o
t
o
b
y
P
o
l
l
y
N
o
r
m
a
n
Ph
o
t
o
b
y
P
o
l
l
y
N
o
r
m
a
n
27•AUTUMN 200126•AUTUMN 2001
Construction is under way on the 36,000-square-foot
building that will soon be home to the Edina Senior Center
and Edina Community Library. Labeled a “cooperative
venture that serves as a model for other communities,” the
project is expected to be complete early next year.
The building anchors the Grandview Square redevelopment
project, which also includes an office building and
residential units. It is located at the former Kunz-Lewis site,
an area south of Eden Avenue and west of Minnesota
Highway 100. Opus Northwest Construction is overseeing
construction of the office building and library/senior
center complex. Ron Clark Construction is building the
townhouses.
The new library, part of the Hennepin County Library
System, will replace its current facility on West 50th Street
with needed upgrades and approximately 4,000 square feet
in added floor space. The extra space will house an
expanded meeting room, a large living room area with a
working gas fireplace, conference room and quiet study
area. More lounge seating will be available at the new
library and more space will be provided for computers. The
expanded library will provide more space for staff offices
and a children’s room.
“We’re very cramped right now,” said Senior Librarian
Marcia Wattson. “Though some patrons have expressed
some sadness about leaving behind a library they have
frequented for 30 years, people will grow to appreciate the
new facility just as much, if not more. In addition, our close
proximity to the Senior Center will increase our
connections with the senior population. It will be a nice
combination of activities.”
The approximately 17,000-square-foot Senior Center on the
building’s walkout level will be home for one of the most
vibrant and growing programs in the City’s Park and
Recreation Department. Members of the Senior Center
have been working on plans for a facility of their own for
more than a decade. The Senior Center is currently located
on the third floor of the Edina Community Center, 5701
Normandale Road.
Officials expect membership to grow once the facility
moves. “Based on what has happened in other communities
and because of Edina’s aging population, I believe we will
A ‘Grand View’:Construction
Of Library And Senior
Center Under Way
see a significant change in our membership numbers,” said
Senior Center Director Sue Weigle, adding that more than
600 seniors currently participate in exercise classes,
organized activities and scheduled seminars or receive the
monthly newsletter. Some have shied away from activities
at the current facility because of its third-floor location.
The new facility will result in additional City offices, as the
City will purchase the existing library. The City plans to
build a 4,100-square-foot addition and move the Police
Department into the renovated building. Once empty, the
lower level of City Hall will provide office space for other
City departments. That project is scheduled to be complete
sometime in 2003.
For more information on construction of the Edina
Community Library and Edina Senior Center complex,
contact the library, 952-922-1611, or Senior Center,
612-928-4580.
The City of Edina held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Edina
Community Library and Edina Senior Center July 9. Approximately
75 people attended the event the day construction crews began work.
11 Years, 1000’s Served
Thank You!
Locally owned & monitored
www.edinalarm.com
An Opus architect’s rendering of the library and Senior Center illustrates the “Old World” feel of the Grandview Square redevelopment project.
29•AUTUMN 200128•AUTUMN 2001
Edina,Richfield To Host
Senior Safety Seminar
Late last year, the clothes of an elderly Edina woman
caught fire as she was cooking. She fell and was
knocked unconscious. Although the fire did little
damage to her apartment, the woman died.
“When I walked into that apartment, the only thing
that was burned was the victim. This should not have
happened,” said Edina Fire Marshal Tom Jenson.
“This woman should be alive today—cooking,
talking with her grandkids and doing things
she enjoyed.”
“We have to work to get more information out to
seniors in our communities so that they know how to
prevent accidents and react in an emergency.”
The cities of Edina and Richfield Tuesday, Oct. 30,
will host “Falls, Fire and Frauds,” an educational
safety seminar for seniors. The event will be held
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Richfield Community
Center, 7700 Nicollet Ave. S. Sessions will be
presented by members of the Bloomington Public
Health Department, Edina and Richfield Police
Departments and the Edina Fire Department.
One of the sessions will cover fall prevention. “In
Minnesota, less than half of those 65 or older who are
hospitalized after a fall return home. Most falls occur
during the daytime and at home,” said Edina Senior
Center Director Sue Weigle. “We want to provide
seniors with the information they need to keep
from falling.”
To illustrate the seriousness of falls, Weigle offered
the following statistics:
• 25 to 33 percent of people over 65 fall each year.
• 40 to 50 percent of those who fall will fall again.
• Women fall more than men, but men are more
likely to die as the result of a fall.
• Hennepin County has one of the highest fall
mortality rates in the country. Between 1993 and
1997, nearly 800 people died from falls in the county.
In addition, Jensen will discuss kitchen safety, testing and
maintenance of smoke detectors, the use of space heaters
and how to plan an escape from a fire. In addition he will
remind participants of the City’s smoke detector installation
program. As part of a program sponsored by the
Hennepin County Health Department, the fire department
installs smoke detectors equipped with 10-year batteries
in single-family homes of qualifying seniors ages 62 and
older. Two paramedic/firefighters install the detectors,
one per floor outside of sleeping areas.
Edina and Richfield crime prevention specialists will give
an interactive presentation on fraud awareness. Each
participant will receive a “fanny pack” to carry their
personal belongings. “We want to teach people that it is
safer to carry their wallets and other belongings on their
person rather than in a purse,” said Molly Anderson,
Edina Crime Prevention Specialist. “Too often, purses
are snatched out of shopping carts or left sitting out in
the open where they are easy targets for thieves.”
In addition to wallet thefts, the police departments
will also discuss con games and telephone scams.
Before the safety seminar
concludes with lunch,
participants will have the
opportunity to see a
demonstration by a police
narcotics dog and visit
vendor booths, getting a close-
up view of police
firearms and firefighter gear.
“The Senior Safety Seminar is
going to be a good time.
Sessions will be short and
informative, lively and
entertaining,” Jenson said.
“We will allow plenty of time
for questions so that everyone
walks away having learned something valuable. Our
goal is to prevent some of the type of accidents that
claim lives.”
Cost for the safety seminar is $5 per person, which
includes morning snacks, a boxed lunch, fanny pack
and door prizes. Pre-registration is required by Oct.
12. Space is limited to 75 people.
For more information, call the Edina Senior Center,
612-928-4580, or the Richfield Community Center,
612-861-9360.
Hogan, a police narcotics
dog, will give a
demonstration at the
seminar.
3918 W. 491/2 Street • Edina • MN • 55424
Clinic Hours:Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Main Phone: (952) 915-8100
Internal Medicine & Geriatrics:Laurel Laden, M.D.
David Pautz, M.D., F.A.C.P.
Lou Roxanne Salet, M.D.
Patricia Sias, M.D., M.S.
Obstetrics & Gynecology:Sharon Kshettry, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
Board Certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist
Orthopedics:Peggy Naas, M.D.
Bone density testing available
New Patients Always Welcome!!!
31•AUTUMN 2001
According to figures generated by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 5.2 million tons of direct mail is sent each
year to mailboxes in this country. Of that, just 0.98 million tons
is recycled, resulting in 4.2 million tons of garbage. That adds
up to a sizeable “junk” mail problem!
For some residents, direct mail—catalogs, flyers, credit card
offers and advertising mail—is an interesting addition to daily
piles of mail. But many others consider it unwelcome and
unwanted. If you are interested in slowing the flow of unwanted
mail, the City of Edina’s Recycling Division urges you to follow
these simple steps:
• Register with the Direct Marketing Association’s free Mail
Preference Service. Send a postcard with your name and
address to Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 9008,
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008 or download, print and mail a
form found on the Association’s website, www.the-dma.org.
Your name and address will be added to a “do not mail”
list. Association members agree not to use your name in
marketing products and services, or trade or sell your
name to other marketers.
• Contact only those mailers from whom you do not wish
to receive mail. Look at the piece of mail to see if there
is a telephone number to call or write them a note or
e-mail message. Use simple language, such as, “Please
remove my name from your marketing database. In
addition, please do not pass along my name to others
through mail list sales or trades.”
• Contact consumer credit bureaus to remove your name
from lists for credit card solicitations. The nation’s
major bureaus, Equifax, Experian, Innovis and Trans
Union, established a toll-free number for individuals to
get off lists for such solicitations. The number is 1-888-5-
OPTOUT (1-888-567-8688).
• Ask your local utilities and service providers—telephone,
gas, electric, water, cable, newspaper, bank and insurance
companies—about their privacy policies. Find out what
information they will and will not share about you. Most
companies will restrict what they share about their
customers, but only if specifically told to do so.
Even after doing all of this, you might continue to receive
direct mail. “Pieces of unwanted mail should not be tossed in
the garbage. It should be recycled,” reminds City of Edina
Recycling Coordinator Solvei Wilmot. “We would be going a
long way in landfill diversion if all junk mail was recycled.”
For more information on reducing unwanted mail or the City’s
recycling program, contact Recycling Coordinator Solvei Wilmot,
952-826-0463.
30•AUTUMN 2001
‘Looking Glass:Our Country’s
History Reflected Through
Edina’s Pioneer Women’
When Amie Leah Cooper was born Oct. 5, 1839, Martin Van
Buren was President. There was a presidential election when
she was 2 and William Henry Harrison became President
March 3, 1841. Harrison caught pneumonia at his
inauguration and died less than a month later. His running
mate, John Tyler, became President. Our country had been
led by three different Presidents before Amie was 3.
Amie was born on a farm in
Lancaster, Penn. Her father, Milton
Cooper, was a successful farmer.
From what Amie wrote in her
memoirs, she had a lovely
childhood in a substantial brick
farmhouse. Members of the
Cooper family were Quakers, as
were most of their neighbors.
After the western side of the
Mississippi River opened for
settlement, Amie’s father packed
up his family in May 1857, and moved to Minneapolis. Amie
attended Union High School, where she was inspired to learn
and teach.
Amie became a teacher and taught for six years, always being
sought out because of her qualifications. During much of this
time, the Civil War was in progress.
In 1866, a year after President Abraham Lincoln was
assassinated, Amie married James Bull, a recent widower. She
moved to Edina where she lived a long and productive life.
To learn more about Amie’s life, visit the Edina Historical
Society’s winter exhibit, “Looking Glass: Our Country’s
History Reflected Through Edina’s Pioneer Women.”
The exhibit, which opens Nov. 1, will take visitors through
the 19th and 20th centuries. The lives of about 30 women
will be highlighted.
“We expect the exhibit to be a tool for teaching the children of
Edina history in a way that will truly engage their interest.
They will learn about national historical events while learning
about local women,” said Kathleen Wetherall, executive
director of the Historical Society. “We also expect to be able to
put this exhibit on loan in whole or in part to other businesses
in the Twin Cities because it will show the interaction of the
growth of the greater community of cities and towns in the
metropolitan area.”
The Museum, located at 4711 W. 70th St. in Arneson Acres
Park, is open 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays, 10 a.m. to noon
Saturdays and by appointment.
For more information about the exhibit or to arrange a tour, call
the Edina Historical Society, 952-928-4577.
City Offers Tips To Slow
The Flow Of Direct Mail
Amie Leah Bull
H. D. Lindner - Home Repair
Enjoy your perfect home!
Fix the little things.
50th & France
Since 1964 Ph. 612-581-3137