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By TRISTAN GEHRING
Staff Writer
Michelle Peterson, owner of Sonshine Gardens greenhouse in Clarks Grove, says she is often asked about the business name. “It has a double meaning – we have three boys, and we also wanted it to be an expression of our faith in the Son of God.” The greenhouse is open every year from mid-April to mid-June. “It's not a long time. I feel like we're kind of a hidden secret,” says Peterson. “If you didn't know we were here, check us out. It's worth the drive.” Sonshine Gardens greenhouse is located at 200 First Ave SW, Clarks Grove. Beginning in May, hours are Monday-Friday from 9 to 5, Saturday from 9-3, and Sunday from 11-3.
Michelle is the daughter of Nancy and Ken Gordman; both she and her husband, Mike, grew up in Clarks Grove and attended Albert Lea High School, although they didn't meet until after both of them had graduated. Michelle's best friend married Mike's brother, she explained, and the two met at that wedding. About a year later, they had their own wedding. They raised their three boys together, who are now 27, 33, and 35 years old, and started the business together around the same time their first son was born. “We used to do hydroponic tomatoes.” In 1997, Mike decided to focus on his excavating business – Peterson Excavating – and Michelle took over the majority of the operations for Sonshine Gardens, leading to its evolution into what it is today. “I like flowers more than tomatoes,” she said.
Peterson's hobbies are gardening, going to wineries, reading, and travel. She's been to about 40 of the 50 U.S. states, she says, and attends mission trips in Honduras. Michelle and her husband live in rural Clarks Grove on his family's farm and attend First Baptist Church. They are very active there – in addition to missions, both serve on numerous boards. Michelle teaches the younger kids, and they help support a religious camp in Iowa. Faith is very important to them both, Michelle says. While she's only ever left the country to go to Honduras so far, Michelle says her “bucket list” includes a trip to Italy. Her reading list includes a wide range of books – but her one rule is that it must have a happy ending. Michelle's favorite thing to do, she added, is to care for her three grandbabies. Michelle lives by the old adage, “Do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life.”
“I love this,” she said, gesturing to the greenhouse. “My favorite part is the excitement of other people when they come in and want to talk flowers.”
Sonshine Gardens sells everything typically offered at a greenhouse – from hanging baskets and bedding plants to herb and vegetable starts, perennials and shrubs. Everything sold in the greenhouse is grown there; the building was recently remodeled and expanded to accommodate more plants. Peterson also offers custom planting: If customers bring in a pot’ she will fill it any way they like. “We consider ourselves to be the best local prices,” she also explained. And because both husband and wife are also locally grown - “You get a little extra hometown service.”
As a successful business owner, Michelle has this advice for young people: “Don't be afraid to try something you wouldn't have thought you could do – I didn't have any training or anything for this. I just decided I wanted to.
“And, I think, try to stay humble.”
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Mary Routh (left), Charles Evenson, and Leann Fuchs, daughters and brother to well-known New Richland resident Winston Evenson, display the memorial painting of Winston which was set out for public viewing and then given to Charles during an event sponsored by WET Signs and Murals in Waseca.
The Memorial showing took place the afternoon of Saturday, April 20 at The Mill. It featured 70 memorial paintings done by Whtey Thompson, owner of WET Signs. Thompson used photographs as models as he created black and white paintings of people who died between January of 2023 and March of 2024. Also on display were color paintings Thompson has done over time.
Star Eagle photo by Deb Bently
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff writer
Waseca County learned in March that its application for a $4.38 million grant to install fiber internet in four of its townships had been approved. It was a triumphant moment, given that the county had twice previously completed the lengthy and demanding application process, but had not received any funding.
Under the grant, Byron, Freedom, Vivian and Wilton townships–essentially the southwest third of the county–will be having fiber cable installed.
Like the two before it, the successful application was supported, completed and submitted by county leaders–including commissioner DeAnne Malterer and county administrator Michael Johnson–and staff of the Blue Earth based telecommunications company Bevcomm. Aside from area residents who wrote letters of support, relatively few people in the 500 homes and businesses within the affected townships were aware of the application or the possibilities it presented.
With the promise of the grant secured, Bevcomm began the process of public outreach by holding a “Bash” at the Waldorf Community Center the evening of Thursday, April 4; about 125 people attended.
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By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
In a relatively brief meeting on April 15, members of the NRHEG school board heard about upcoming events and progress on various annual initiatives. Aside from typical actions such as payment of bills and receipt of donations, the agenda was very short.
Board members decided to have the “policy committee” meet to discuss the elements of a new “unpaid leave administrative regulation” brought forward by superintendent Michael Meihak. Meihak told board members the regulation deserves further consideration because it is meant to apply to school employees who work under any of three different contracts, each with different terms. He made clear this proposed policy pertains only to “unpaid” leave–that is, time beyond what employees have accrued under the terms of their respective contracts.
Meihak said employees have used unpaid time in the past when they wanted to extend time used for “personal” leave. For example, if an employee had three personal days available but hoped to be gone for four days, he or she might simply forgo pay in order to facilitate being gone the extra time. Employees might also consider requesting unpaid leave when their banked time off has been exhausted–for example in the case of an extended illness.
In a conversation after the meeting, leadership of at least one employee organization expressed concerns that certain elements of the proposed policy are in direct conflict with employee contracts.
Reports shared during the meeting revealed that prom is scheduled for May 4.
The City of Ellendale has raised $25,000 and the district Parent Teacher Organization has raised $10,000 toward an Americans with Disabilities compliant playground being planned for the Ellendale location. Elements of the playground can be installed as they become financially viable; the total cost for the intended finished project is about $125,000.
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) testing will continue at various grade levels into the month of May.
About 115 elementary-age students have signed up for summer T-Ball and baseball programs.
A day-long “Credit Union” activity for the junior class gave high-schoolers an increased understanding of the financial responsibilities surrounding home ownership and borrowing money. Board member Loren Schoenrock took part in the activity and recommended that it be continued. The event was made possible through the South Central Service Cooperative.
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New family restaurant, Jessie's Joint, opens in Geneva
By DEB BENTLY
Staff Writer
Jessie and Erick Alvarado are being literal when they say their business along Central Avenue in Geneva is a “family” restaurant; at least to date, everyone who works there is one of the six members of their family. Jessie and Erick have lived in the Geneva area for the past three years with their offspring Gavin, 21; Isiah, 17; Julia, 15; and Jaxon, 10.
Both Jessie and Erick “grew up” in the restaurant and hospitality field. Jessie’s parents helped run The Creamery, a sit-down restaurant located in Otisco about 20 years ago. Erick’s family still operates a restaurant in his home region in Mexico. Both helped with busing tables and other simple tasks during their childhoods. Erick mentions that he’s always preferred being behind the scenes, although the term is open to interpretation, since restaurants in Mexico frequently have an “open” kitchen; customers can see every step as their food is prepared and served.