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Locally run, family owned
tradition continues with Arnold family
By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
The time was right.
Travis Blake, former owner of the Willows restaurant in New Richland, liked to joke that if he ever sold the place, he knew who he would offer it to first.
“I asked if he was really serious this time,” Julie Arnold, the new owner of the Willows said. “When he said he was really going to sell it, I asked myself, ‘If I’m not gonna buy it, then who?’
“It’s something to pass down to my son Chris, an opportunity for our family.”
Arnold, 57, originally from Denver, Iowa, settled in New Richland in the late '90s; she and her then husband Mark O’Brien raised three children, all of whom graduated from NRHEG. In 2008, only a year after the Willows was established, she applied with owner Jim Blake for a job at the restaurant.
“I’ve enjoyed the last 16 years getting to know all the different people,” Arnold said. “If it weren’t for the Willows, I wouldn’t know them. I’m looking forward to the years ahead.”
Arnold said former owner Travis Blake, who took over the business from his dad Jim Blake in 2016, plans to help through the transition in ownership, staying until the end of March when he plans to go full time with his own food-truck business.
“I think it would be different if I went out and said, ‘I want to buy a restaurant in an unknown community.’” Arnold observed. “I’m serving the community. I’m looking forward to [...] the future.”
Arnold first got her start in the food industry in the late '80s at McNamara's Pub and Grill in Faribault. She quickly rose from server to bartender to bar manager before leaving. She recalls holding nearly every job there is in the restaurant businesses, a career she says spans 25 years, broken apart only by her time as a stay-at-home mom.
Her children, Arnold stresses, are the most important element in her life.
The first person she consulted when deciding whether owning the restaurant would be desirable was her youngest son Chris and her husband John Arnold.
“I wanted John’s support because this job has long hours,” Arnold said.
“Chris, he’s the full-time cook,” Arnold said. “And I can teach him the rest of the businesses over the coming years… In five to ten years, he can take over.”
Chris, a 2021 NRHEG graduate, has worked for the Willows since he was 14 years old. His brother Nathan also helps out with various roles. “Nathan is our fix-it guy,” Arnold said. “He’s our maintenance man, always willing to help however he can.”
Asked if she had any plans for change, Arnold said no.
“Nothing huge, nothing dramatic,” she commented.
A new sign and logo as well as an updated back deck are the only things Arnold plans to do over the coming months.
“We’re in the same boat as Travis. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” Arnold explained. “I get told, ‘Okay, whatever you do, don’t get rid of this (menu item)… Because that’s why I come here.”’
The Willows’ hours will remain similar to what they were.
Sundays: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Mondays: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Bar hours subject to change.
Arnold said she hopes to put together some type of celebration in the coming months, nothing anytime soon, however. In the meantime she plans to continue enjoying her favorite aspect of the job, social interaction.
As a first-time business owner and one who built her skills from the ground up, she enjoys the opportunity to encourage members of the youthful community members who apply with her for their first-ever jobs.
“I tell them nobody’s perfect. Mistakes are going to be made. It’s nothing to be scared of. It might be a little scary at first… This too shall pass.
“The biggest hurdle is figuring out where everything is,” Arnold added. “And I always remind everyone, I only live a mile up the road. I can be here in five minutes.”
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Nearly 2,000 acres of grassland in Waseca and Steele counties were burned Sunday, March 3, while firefighting agencies from around the state, including planes and helicopters dropping fire retardant material, fought against the high winds and dry conditions which had prompted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue a “red flag” warning–meaning that the public should light no fires because of the high potential they would spread.
Firefighting efforts began before noon in an area northeast of Waseca near the county road known as the Snake Trail and continued until about 10 p.m., according to a release by the Waseca County Sheriff’s office. By the time it was under control, the fire had spread from northeast of Waseca to Deerfield township in Steele County.
Two firefighters were treated and released; one homeowner was also injured. Numerous residents were asked to evacuate their homes. The sheriff’s office reports that no structures were damaged or destroyed.
According to information shared by Waseca Fire Department chief Jason Forshee during a press conference on Monday, roughly 60 workers from the DNR, Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Waseca County Sheriff’s office and Waseca fire department followed up Monday morning to “assess the area” and “cool down any lingering hotspots.” At the same press conference, DNR representative Jake Froyum stated that the cooler, damp day on Monday was helpful in decreasing the likelihood any smoldering spots would reignite, but that staff would be making day-by-day decisions regarding continuing efforts at “mopping up.”
Law enforcement personnel from Waseca and Steele counties and firefighters from 11 local agencies, as well as planes from Brainerd and units from the state Fish and Wildlife Service all took part in efforts to control Sunday’s fire, which encroached “within feet” of about 12 area homes. A small number of area farmers also brought large-scale tilling equipment which helped protect homes and property by exposing bare earth over swaths of land 50 or more feet wide. According to Forshee, at the height of firefighting efforts more than 20 fire trucks were on site and up to 50 water-carrying vehicles referred to as “tankers.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office, the Waseca County Sheriff’s Office, the Minnesota Department of Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Waseca Fire Department.
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BURNSVILLE, Minn. — Two police officers and a paramedic were shot and killed in a Twin Cities suburb Sunday morning, authorities said, and the man who shot them is also dead.
Superintendent Drew Evans with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Burnsville police officers were called to a home at about 1:50 a.m. on 33rd Avenue South and East 126th Street, just west of the Interstate 35E - Highway 77 interchange.
The suspect, whom the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified Monday as 38-year-old Shannon Gooden, was inside and reported to be armed. Several others were also barricaded inside, including seven young children ranging in age from 2 to 15.
Evans said law enforcement "spent quite a bit of time negotiating with this individual," and paramedics came in for backup at about 5 a.m. Minutes later, dispatch ordered everyone to stay back after Gooden opened fire.
Burnsville city officials identified the victims as officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter/paramedic Adam Finseth. Sgt. Adam Medlicott, 38, was also shot but is expected to survive.
Gooden was reported dead at about 8 a.m., and the family members in the home made it out safely a short time later. A medical examiner said Gooden died by suicide.
Evans said details surrounding the timing and exchange of gunfire are not clear at this point in the investigation.
"Several officers did return fire," Evans said. "I will note this individual had several guns and large amounts of ammunition."
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The family of Adam Finseth, a paramedic who lost his life while trying to provide aid to wounded officers, has roots in the Hartland/New Richland Area.
Below is a letter from the family:
“Thank you to all in our community who have reached out to our family during this tragic event of losing our Adam. We are so grateful for your concern and prayers for us.
Because we are receiving so many inquiries about how and where to send condolences &/or memorials to Adam's family, this is to inform you of how we'd like to handle it locally and help Adam's family with the overwhelming amount of attention they are dealing with at this time.
You can send cards to Barb's address of PO Box 305, New Richland, Mn 56072 with the addressee as "The Family of Adam Finseth." Memorial checks can be made out to "Tara Finseth" (Adam's wife). They have not had time to decide on designated memorials yet.
All correspondence will be given to the family at a later date when they are able to give their attention to your heartfelt shared sorrow.
In Love, Faith, and Gratitude,
Barb, Jim & Brad Finseth”
Statement from Tara Finseth
Tara Finseth, Adam Finseth’s widow, wrote in her first public statement released on Sunday,
“To say that our family is devastated ot the loss of our Adam is an understatement. We are broken. Our children will grow up without their "papa." My soul mate is no longer here to wrap me in his arms and live out the life we had so intimately planned. His parents are without their son and his sister is without her big brother and best friend. So many friends and family are left with a void in their hearts. Adam was one of the most selfless and humble individuals you would ever meet. His dedication to his family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, community, and country was unwavering, His worm smile, contagious laugh and genuine personality will be deeply missed by so many, Although our forever hero Is no longer with us, his soul will live on through me, his children, family, friends, and community. We know he Is by our side everyday until we meet again In heaven, On behalf of our family, thank you for the overwhelming and heartwarming support during this very difficult time.”
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By TRISTAN GEHRING
Staff Writer
Ginger Thompson of rural Ellendale retired from Lerberg's Fitness Center and Gift Shop after 38 years on December 29, 2023. A reception was held at the Fitness Center with gifts, balloons and cake.
“It sure went fast,” Ginger recalled. “I can’t believe it’s been 38 years.”
Ginger enjoyed getting to know many kind people and Panther athletes over her two decades with the Fitness Center. She first got her start working at Lerberg's Gift Shop in 1985. “It was more like a department store,” Ginger described. “We had clothing for men and women, children too– Red Wing boots and Minnetonka Moccasins, hallmark cards, jewelry, perfumes, material and sewing needs, sheets and towels, and high school mascot clothing.”
The store had that, and much more, even offering free gift wrapping. “It was a great place to work and get to know everyone in town,” Ginger added.
Mary Lerberg was Ginger’s first employer there. “She was great to work for and taught me many things about business, and how to make attractive displays,” Ginger said.
Asked if she enjoyed the work, Ginger responded with an emphatic “YES.”