Profiles for 2011 Winners
Duane R. Lund Award for Lifetime Achievement
Don Sanda awarded post-humously
Most, if not all of us knew Mr. Sanda. Some of you knew him as a teacher, a speech coach, a Sunday school teacher, a photographer and in my case and probably yours, a friend.
Don grew up and attended school in Henning and upon graduating he served in the U.S. Army. After Korea, Don chose to begin his career as a teacher by attending Concordia College in Moorhead. As many of you can attest, Don was not shy about his desire to get everyone to become a “Cobber.”
After college, Don began teaching in Staples and it was here that he spent his entire 34 year career and raised five sons and one daughter. While at Staples, he served as yearbook supervisor, Knowledge Bowl and speech coach, unofficial school photographer, National Forensic League coach and Dollars for Scholars (DFS) committee member.
To the best of my knowledge, Don was one of the founding members of DFS and continued to be an integral member to the end. Don sponsored numerous scholarships over the years, including several for his beloved speech team. He was also involved with the Retired Educators, who also sponsored a scholarship. I recently found out that the Retired Educators would take up a collection for the scholarship and if enough wasn’t collected Don would make up the difference himself.
Being on the DFS committee, Don was an important part of choosing the Harold Griffith scholarship recipients every year. Because of his passion for speech and Concordia, it got very interesting in our discussions of who should be the winners. Don’s opinion was that if a student was in speech and was attending Concordia, they should be the winner.
After retirement, Don continued as a speech coach and photographer for tennis and anything else he deemed worthy. Whenever pictures were involved, the question would arise as to who would get them processed and the answer would always be Mr. Sanda. Don would process the pictures at either Target or Walgreen’s, even if it meant staying there until closing to get them done. The next day finished photos would appear as if by magic, a bill never to be seen.
When I think of Don - still Mr. Sanda to many - I think of kids, speech, pictures and Dollars for Scholars.
Don was nominated for this award by the Staples and Motley Dollars for Scholars.
Submitted by Roger Houselog
Most, if not all of us knew Mr. Sanda. Some of you knew him as a teacher, a speech coach, a Sunday school teacher, a photographer and in my case and probably yours, a friend.
Don grew up and attended school in Henning and upon graduating he served in the U.S. Army. After Korea, Don chose to begin his career as a teacher by attending Concordia College in Moorhead. As many of you can attest, Don was not shy about his desire to get everyone to become a “Cobber.”
After college, Don began teaching in Staples and it was here that he spent his entire 34 year career and raised five sons and one daughter. While at Staples, he served as yearbook supervisor, Knowledge Bowl and speech coach, unofficial school photographer, National Forensic League coach and Dollars for Scholars (DFS) committee member.
To the best of my knowledge, Don was one of the founding members of DFS and continued to be an integral member to the end. Don sponsored numerous scholarships over the years, including several for his beloved speech team. He was also involved with the Retired Educators, who also sponsored a scholarship. I recently found out that the Retired Educators would take up a collection for the scholarship and if enough wasn’t collected Don would make up the difference himself.
Being on the DFS committee, Don was an important part of choosing the Harold Griffith scholarship recipients every year. Because of his passion for speech and Concordia, it got very interesting in our discussions of who should be the winners. Don’s opinion was that if a student was in speech and was attending Concordia, they should be the winner.
After retirement, Don continued as a speech coach and photographer for tennis and anything else he deemed worthy. Whenever pictures were involved, the question would arise as to who would get them processed and the answer would always be Mr. Sanda. Don would process the pictures at either Target or Walgreen’s, even if it meant staying there until closing to get them done. The next day finished photos would appear as if by magic, a bill never to be seen.
When I think of Don - still Mr. Sanda to many - I think of kids, speech, pictures and Dollars for Scholars.
Don was nominated for this award by the Staples and Motley Dollars for Scholars.
Submitted by Roger Houselog
Citizens of the Year
Frank Odell |
Gene Mattila
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The ability of the Veteran’s trip to DC Honor Flight to empower and encourage patriotism, as well as to demonstrate recognition and gratitude to veterans is truly inspirational.
In the words of one of the many nominations, “Frank Odell and Gene Mattila recognized and responded to the needs of our time and of our community. Together they researched, rationalized, relegated duties, raised funds, and eventually raised awareness, awareness of what truly is the common good. Any veteran will tell you how important it is to hear the clerk say, ‘Mail Call!’ It is time for us to send Gene and Frank a clear message delivered with a myriad of signatures. It says ‘You have forever changed our community’s appreciation of veterans and their families. Thank you ever so much. You did the right thing.’” – Robert Shaffer Alvin Jeske, a vet who went on the Honor Flight said that the experience “has touched my life personally in ways I shall never forget.” |
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Frank Odell was watching the news one night and
caught a short segment about an Honor Flight organized by the Waconia Lions Club. He thought it was a great idea and called the Waconia Lions Club to find out how to get started. When tackling a big project, Frank’s advice is to ask people to help, and he is quick to point out that many people joined the effort to plan an Honor Flight. Frank was influenced to serve by Duane Lund who said, “You will live in Staples and do get involved in the community.” Don Dravis asked him to join Lions, which along with Faith Lutheran Church, became the primary vehicles of his service to the community. At Faith, his experience with the Mission Builders in the building of the new church was an important event and learning experience, where he explored a mantra of “Look for people who can help, find a place where they can be successful, and enable them.” He was raised in Willmar, received his AA from Willmar Community College, BA at the University of Minnesota, Morris, and MA from Hamline University. He was influenced in his occupational choice of teaching by two speech and English teachers in high school. In his teaching career he put in the time to help students, to enable them to succeed, and to be there if they needed counseling. Frank’s advice to others would be, “Don’t be afraid to fail. If you stumble find people who can help.” Frank’s planning, attention to detail, and determination to make the experience meaningful are key reasons for the success of the trip. |
One of Gene Mattila’s mantras is, “You have a choice to become who you are as a human being.”
He was raised in Ely, where an important influence was his high school swimming coach. He talked Gene into coming out for swimming, showed him he had value, and taught him the importance of both hard work and teamwork. He enrolled at junior college at Vermillion to play football and signed up for an engineering curriculum because his friend did. He wasn’t prepared academically but his determination to succeed led him to receive his Mechanical Engineering Degree from the University of Minnesota. While working at the Erie Mining Company in Hoyt Lakes, he also coached high school football. The kids he coached made him aware that he should follow his own advice: “You always say the money doesn’t matter, and you must do what you love.” He returned to college to get a teaching degree. After Askov and Long Prairie he came to Staples Motley because he was attracted by the winning attitude of teams and wanted to work in that environment. He feels that success is measured more by how one acts toward others than by what a person owns. He talked with Frank and helped organize the student send-off for the first Honor Flight. He talked to students about its importance and greatly expanded the second flight send-off to include more participation from the community, Camp Ripley and the Veteran’s Honor Guard. All involved felt deeply affected. Submitted by Stan Carlson |
Youth of the Year
Philip Smithley
These last few years when a teacher has needed a role model for other students, or when community members have needed a student leader who is capable of leading by doing (and doing so quite cheerfully), their eyes have landed on one student - Philip Smithley. The nomination process alone can testify to his leadership abilities in that it was his peers who nominated him.
Philip is the son of Jeff and Kelly Smithley and brother to Casey, who incidentally was the winner of the 2008 Youth of the Year award. Philip says that his involvement at school and in the community at large has a lot to do with watching what Casey did, but he has also been influenced by his mom, other family members and friends who have been involved in so many activities and told him to try things. Philip’s advice to others who are considering getting involved in community activities is to try a bunch of things and find out what you enjoy.
Apparently Philip enjoys everything he tries because the list of his activities and achievements is staggering. They include the following: National Honor Society; Student Council; Class officer; Dollars for Scholars student representative; Target Beyond board member; Peer helper; jazz band; bell choir; pep band; percussion ensemble; polka band; Madrigal; all state concert band; all state men’s choir; officer and student conductor for a capella choir, symphonic band, and orchestra; Real Men Sing participant; fall plays; spring musicals; community theater; church adult choir, youth praise band, lector, extraordinary minister, vacation Bible school volunteer, mission trip participant and volunteer for many church service projects; Trick or Treat for food shelf; Staples Motley Youth Worker of the Year; Special Olympics Minnesota volunteer; MN ENABL volunteer; volunteer reader for story hour; and community band member in both Wadena and Staples.
Perhaps it is his work as a barista at the local Stomping Grounds coffee shop that has made Philip a great listener, or maybe it is his keen ability to make everyone feel at ease by his kindness and compassion that has made him a great barista. Either way, Philip’s peers state that he is a great guy and someone they look up to.
When asked how he even finds out about some of his volunteer opportunities such as helping an elderly person move their belongings to storage, he says he just talks with people and listens to what their needs are. Philip can put a positive spin on almost anything and no wonder people are so eager to give this guy a hug when seeing him! As the nominations for Philip state, “he is a great guy…a bright young man…who is a great choice and very worthy of this award”.
Philip was nominated by Andrea Koskiniemi and Andrew Nelson.
Submitted by Julie Nelson
These last few years when a teacher has needed a role model for other students, or when community members have needed a student leader who is capable of leading by doing (and doing so quite cheerfully), their eyes have landed on one student - Philip Smithley. The nomination process alone can testify to his leadership abilities in that it was his peers who nominated him.
Philip is the son of Jeff and Kelly Smithley and brother to Casey, who incidentally was the winner of the 2008 Youth of the Year award. Philip says that his involvement at school and in the community at large has a lot to do with watching what Casey did, but he has also been influenced by his mom, other family members and friends who have been involved in so many activities and told him to try things. Philip’s advice to others who are considering getting involved in community activities is to try a bunch of things and find out what you enjoy.
Apparently Philip enjoys everything he tries because the list of his activities and achievements is staggering. They include the following: National Honor Society; Student Council; Class officer; Dollars for Scholars student representative; Target Beyond board member; Peer helper; jazz band; bell choir; pep band; percussion ensemble; polka band; Madrigal; all state concert band; all state men’s choir; officer and student conductor for a capella choir, symphonic band, and orchestra; Real Men Sing participant; fall plays; spring musicals; community theater; church adult choir, youth praise band, lector, extraordinary minister, vacation Bible school volunteer, mission trip participant and volunteer for many church service projects; Trick or Treat for food shelf; Staples Motley Youth Worker of the Year; Special Olympics Minnesota volunteer; MN ENABL volunteer; volunteer reader for story hour; and community band member in both Wadena and Staples.
Perhaps it is his work as a barista at the local Stomping Grounds coffee shop that has made Philip a great listener, or maybe it is his keen ability to make everyone feel at ease by his kindness and compassion that has made him a great barista. Either way, Philip’s peers state that he is a great guy and someone they look up to.
When asked how he even finds out about some of his volunteer opportunities such as helping an elderly person move their belongings to storage, he says he just talks with people and listens to what their needs are. Philip can put a positive spin on almost anything and no wonder people are so eager to give this guy a hug when seeing him! As the nominations for Philip state, “he is a great guy…a bright young man…who is a great choice and very worthy of this award”.
Philip was nominated by Andrea Koskiniemi and Andrew Nelson.
Submitted by Julie Nelson
Chairman's Award
When Heather Rollins was notified that she was awarded the Chairman’s Award from the Staples Community Foundation, she said she was “shocked and surprised.” She went on to say she is very excited. However, she thinks the important thing is that she was able to help Virginia Goeden and that Virginia is okay today.
Heather knew that on Friday morning, Feb. 12, 2010, Virginia Goeden was to have her regular 7:30 a.m. hair appointment at the Family Hair Care Salon. When Virginia was not there as scheduled, she became very concerned. She called Virginia and there was no answer.
“There was no school that morning, so I thought maybe she changed her appointment.” Heather said. But when Julie Peterson came in about 7:50 a.m. she said that Virginia had confirmed her normal time the day before. That news made Heather even more concerned. Heather went on to say “I thought she had perhaps slipped on ice or something. I called her a second time.” Again, there was no answer. Heather then decided to drive to Virginia’s home.
Heather knocked on the door but there was no answer. The door was locked and she could hear Virginia’s radio playing inside. Her concern increased dramatically.
Living in a small town can help in situations like this. Heather’s husband, Mike and Virginia’s son Tim, were high school buddies and have worked on construction projects together since then. Heather called Mike for Tim’s
cell phone number. Tim told Heather where a spare key was hidden. With Tim still on the phone, she was able to get in the house where she saw Virginia on the floor. She told Tim she was going to hang up and call 911.
Heather covered Virginia with a blanket and held her until the EMT’s arrived. “I managed to hold it together until the ambulance arrived, but I could not answer any of the medical questions they were asking.”
When interviewed by Staples World staff shortly after this event, Heather said, “I just knew something wasn’t right. I could have just called and left it at that.” Fortunately for Virginia, she didn’t.
Heather was born and raised in Staples. She is the daughter of Keith and Sandra Card. She graduated from Staples Motley High School in 1995 and attended Northwest Technical College in Wadena for cosmetology. She married Michael Rollins in 1998. Together, they have two children, Keith, seven and Amy, five. She is currently employed at Shear Contact Salon.
Heather says she is a small town girl at heart, and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Staples and Virginia Goeden are very fortunate to have this “small town girl” as a resident of this small town.
Submitted by Bev Nelsen
Organization of the Year
Staples Rotary Club
As signified by the motto “Service Above Self,” Rotary’s main objective is service - in the community, in the workplace and throughout the world. One look at the service project list of the Staples Rotary Club and you can see that its members are indeed guided by this motto.
The Rotary Art Show is one of the more visible and enduring projects. For 47 years the club has provided a venue for artists to show their work and for the public to enjoy it. In the past two decades the show has included student art from area schools and the college illustrating positive collaboration efforts.
Another example of collaboration is the Veteran’s Park/Flag Pole project. The idea and fund raising originated in the Rotary Club, grew to encompass other local groups and now stands as its own organization.
The Rotary Flower Boxes are one way the club seeks to beautify the community every summer. Other ways are highway clean up, a pocket park and work at Living Legacy Gardens.
Service to youth remains a priority. The club is the chartering organization for local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. Each year the club sponsors a high school boy and girl to RYLA, the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp.
The Four-Way Test essay contest for high school students exposes youth to the principles by which Rotary members around the world think and act. The Four-Way Test asks:
1) Is it the TRUTH?
2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
The club awards scholarships through Dollars for Scholars, sponsors a cross country meet and has financially supported high school senior seminar projects, Christmas for Kids, Grad Blast and Diamond Club projects. The club and its members regularly donate to the local and college food shelves as well as the Staples Community Foundation.
International service projects have included a stove project in Guatemala, well and water projects in Guatemala and Madagascar and Books for Africa. An International Ambassadorial Scholar was chosen from our community.
The club was recycling newspapers long before curbside recycling became the norm. For many years members, often with help from Boy Scouts, would collect newspapers. Participation in the Chili Cook-off, Railroad Days parade and Relay for Life are annual events. The rose sale is a recent fund raising effort but long-time Rotarians will smile when mention is made of the pickle patch and the circus.
For nearly 90 years the Staples Rotary Club has enriched the community with these service projects and many more.
Nominations were made by Roger Houselog and Dan Orth.
Submitted by Brenda Halvorson
As signified by the motto “Service Above Self,” Rotary’s main objective is service - in the community, in the workplace and throughout the world. One look at the service project list of the Staples Rotary Club and you can see that its members are indeed guided by this motto.
The Rotary Art Show is one of the more visible and enduring projects. For 47 years the club has provided a venue for artists to show their work and for the public to enjoy it. In the past two decades the show has included student art from area schools and the college illustrating positive collaboration efforts.
Another example of collaboration is the Veteran’s Park/Flag Pole project. The idea and fund raising originated in the Rotary Club, grew to encompass other local groups and now stands as its own organization.
The Rotary Flower Boxes are one way the club seeks to beautify the community every summer. Other ways are highway clean up, a pocket park and work at Living Legacy Gardens.
Service to youth remains a priority. The club is the chartering organization for local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. Each year the club sponsors a high school boy and girl to RYLA, the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp.
The Four-Way Test essay contest for high school students exposes youth to the principles by which Rotary members around the world think and act. The Four-Way Test asks:
1) Is it the TRUTH?
2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
The club awards scholarships through Dollars for Scholars, sponsors a cross country meet and has financially supported high school senior seminar projects, Christmas for Kids, Grad Blast and Diamond Club projects. The club and its members regularly donate to the local and college food shelves as well as the Staples Community Foundation.
International service projects have included a stove project in Guatemala, well and water projects in Guatemala and Madagascar and Books for Africa. An International Ambassadorial Scholar was chosen from our community.
The club was recycling newspapers long before curbside recycling became the norm. For many years members, often with help from Boy Scouts, would collect newspapers. Participation in the Chili Cook-off, Railroad Days parade and Relay for Life are annual events. The rose sale is a recent fund raising effort but long-time Rotarians will smile when mention is made of the pickle patch and the circus.
For nearly 90 years the Staples Rotary Club has enriched the community with these service projects and many more.
Nominations were made by Roger Houselog and Dan Orth.
Submitted by Brenda Halvorson
Business of the Year
3M Fabrication Services
Established in 1968, the Staples 3M Fabrication Services Plant has provided employment to about 55 employees and has been a major contributor to the Staples tax base. The company has consistently out-sourced work to other local manufacturing operations. 3M has also been a major contributor to our community by supporting Staples Motley Schools, Central Lakes College, Freshwater Education District, City of Staples, area non-profits, Staples Fire Department, EMS Services, United Way, Old Wadena and literacy programs.
Parade watchers have enjoyed thousands of dollars of 3M products tossed to them. The Staples 3M Plant has developed a culture of “community” that has greatly benefited Staples and the surrounding area.
When 3M was looking for a location for another machine shop, several communities were in the running. Staples was on the list largely because of our vocational - technical school (now Central Lakes College). At that time, this school was part of the Staples School District. Mike Matanich was director of the school, Stan Edin was assistant director and the school was part of my responsibility as superintendent of schools.
The Staples “Vo-tech” had earned a national reputation because of the large number of machinists who were successfully employed in manufacturing in Minnesota and beyond. Governor Rudy Perpich told a large audience in St. Paul that, “The Staples Vocational - Technical School is the best in the country!”
When 3M had made up its mind to come to Staples, the company agreed to let the announcement be made in Staples. The Staples World announced that good news would be revealed at a free breakfast in the high school cafeteria. Dr. Reichelderfer, chairman of the school board, would make the announcement. He had provided the key leadership in getting the Vocational School started.
Doc asked the crowd, “If you could have a state industry locate in Staples, which would it be?” Scattered across the audience came the reply: 3M! 3M! 3M! He responded “You’ve got it!”
There was a spontaneous standing ovation that lasted for many minutes.
There are many good reasons the Staples 3M plant is deserving of recognition as the Business of the Year:
Submitted by Dr. Duane Lund
Established in 1968, the Staples 3M Fabrication Services Plant has provided employment to about 55 employees and has been a major contributor to the Staples tax base. The company has consistently out-sourced work to other local manufacturing operations. 3M has also been a major contributor to our community by supporting Staples Motley Schools, Central Lakes College, Freshwater Education District, City of Staples, area non-profits, Staples Fire Department, EMS Services, United Way, Old Wadena and literacy programs.
Parade watchers have enjoyed thousands of dollars of 3M products tossed to them. The Staples 3M Plant has developed a culture of “community” that has greatly benefited Staples and the surrounding area.
When 3M was looking for a location for another machine shop, several communities were in the running. Staples was on the list largely because of our vocational - technical school (now Central Lakes College). At that time, this school was part of the Staples School District. Mike Matanich was director of the school, Stan Edin was assistant director and the school was part of my responsibility as superintendent of schools.
The Staples “Vo-tech” had earned a national reputation because of the large number of machinists who were successfully employed in manufacturing in Minnesota and beyond. Governor Rudy Perpich told a large audience in St. Paul that, “The Staples Vocational - Technical School is the best in the country!”
When 3M had made up its mind to come to Staples, the company agreed to let the announcement be made in Staples. The Staples World announced that good news would be revealed at a free breakfast in the high school cafeteria. Dr. Reichelderfer, chairman of the school board, would make the announcement. He had provided the key leadership in getting the Vocational School started.
Doc asked the crowd, “If you could have a state industry locate in Staples, which would it be?” Scattered across the audience came the reply: 3M! 3M! 3M! He responded “You’ve got it!”
There was a spontaneous standing ovation that lasted for many minutes.
There are many good reasons the Staples 3M plant is deserving of recognition as the Business of the Year:
- 3M’s presence in our community has encouraged other employers to locate here. For example, Benson Optical now known as Twin City Optical.
- Approximately 75 percent of 3M’s 55 employees are both Staples Motley High School graduates and CLC/AVTI graduates.
- 3M outsources several hundred thousand dollars of work to other local businesses each year.
- Over the past 15 years, the plant has made significant investments in machine tool technology and has become 3M’s global precision machine shop, shipping product throughout the world each week.
- 3M has a history of supporting local efforts and encouraging its employees to get involved. Recently 3M provided financial support for a middle school science instructor to attend the Keystone Science Institute in Colorado, provided funding to Kinship, helped re-start the machine shop at the Staples Motley High School, sponsors the 3M NASCAR for Railroad Days, supports Dollars for Scholars, Veteran’s Park and many advisory committees in the community.
Submitted by Dr. Duane Lund