Junction Project has bold proposals

Dodd Ford Bridge renovation to begin this spring

The building facade could look like this building in North Mankato.

The old football field could look like this.

As reported in the last issue of the Red Cow Gazette, a team of 7 engineering students from MSU is assisting the Amboy Area Community Club to develop a proposal for the use of the Amboy Middle School that will benefit the community and make economic sense, to present to the Maple River School District.

The team has proposed installing a large solar panel array on the school’s old football field to generate electricity for Amboy and the surrounding communities. Solar electricity is a growing trend in Minnesota and Amboy could become a model for other small communities. A community garden could be constructed on the west side of the grounds.

The team has also explored the feasibility of constructing a new facade for the school that would look similar to the original high school before the 1909 fire and provide a visible link to Amboy’s past. Proposals also include a commercial kitchen which might make possible a Dinner Theatre experience unique to Southern Minnesota, and a new or renovated gymnasium. The remainder of the building might include offices for various Amboy functions, classroom facilities, etc.

Such a proposal would truly represent Amboy’s proud history and point to its bright future.

The historic Dodd Ford Bridge on CR 147 west of Amboy will soon have a new deck

Vol.9 Red Cow Gazette, Amboy, Minnesota 56010 Spring 2015 No. 1Funding and Content for the Amboy Red Cow Gazette is Provided by the Amboy Area Community Club.

FREE

The engineering plan for renovating the Dodd Ford Bridge involves moving the metal frame truss from the old abutments. New abutments will be built to support the new bridge decking constructed out of steel and concrete. The truss will then be reset on the concrete deck that will make the bridge capable of supporting 40 ton traffic.

The community has been asked to suggest ways to use the old stone from the abutments and the wood from the old wooden deck as a way of keeping the bridge’s original history alive.

The stone from the abutments might be used to build entrance walls on the road near both ends of the bridge. One suggestion for the use of the wood from the old wood deck has been to build an elevated bike path on the property near the bridge. If you have ideas, please contact the Dodd Ford Bridge Preservation Society, 507-380-0288 An example of an elevated bike path

Happy V a l e n t i nes Day!

Page 2 • Red Cow Gazette • Spring 2015

By Camille Dickerson

Many readers of the Red Cow Gazette have asked “Whatever happened to Imogene”? As you may remember Imogene had a column in which she counseled persons who were seeking advice, particularly in their relationships and love lives.The Red Cow Gazette is pleased to announce the return of Imogene. After a long absence, Imogene is now back in Amboy and is ready to begin dispensing her unique brand of wisdom. This reporter conducted an interview with Imogene recently in order to bring readers and fans up to date.When I asked Imogene where she had been she replied:“I have been traveling to exotic and foreign locals. I visited Maine...they have lobster there you know, you can pick the crustacean you will devour. I chose one that reminded me of my ex- husband, Herbert; He was delicious! I also spent quite a bit of time immersing myself in French culture. I attended Mardi Gras and lingered for a few weeks in New Orleans. Very...oh how shall I say it...lez a faire!”I asked Imogene about her current plans and her re-entry into rural Minnesota.“Well, I recently moved into the penthouse apartment high atop the grain elevator in Amboy. The view there reminds me so of my visit to that great American city, Cleveland, Ohio. It really is lovely and gives me the perfect vantage point to watch the ever growing, ever evolving community.”I pointed out that I was unaware of the existence of a penthouse and Imogene replied:“Of course it has not always been a penthouse, but with some alterations and a bit of creativity, (in addition to bric a brac from my travels), I have made it my home sweet home. Whether curled up on my bearskin rug in front of the fireplace or lounging in my outdoor hot tub, I have my finger on the pulse of our fair environs.”Finally, I asked what readers could expect from her upcoming columns.“I have a much more cosmopolitan outlook on life and I certainly am more a wellspring of wisdom and experience than I have ever been. My new byline is this: “‘No matter what the question, Imogene has a suggestion!”’We are looking forward to hearing more from Imogene in future editions of the Red Cow Gazette. If you would like to contact Imogene there is a box at the Cottage Cafe in Amboy, in which you may drop your question. In behalf of our faithful readers, this reporter would like to conclude this article by simply saying, “Welcome back Imogene”!You can email Imogene at: Imogenesadvice@gmail.com

IMOGENE IS BACK! COW TALES–

“Who’s That Bunny?” With Spring right around the corner, it’s time to celebrate Easter with memories and guessing game about Amboy Bunnies. Can you guess who these bunnies

are? They all have a history of doing Bunny Business in Amboy![Note: Numbered photos and hints]

1. Norman’s Café Bunny Night, April 1, 1972 This Bunny is one of Amboy’s favorite Grandma-bunnies… and you might have heard about her famous potato pancakes.

2. Norman’s Café Bunny Night, April 1,1972 Did you ever have a run-in with this Big Bunny? He kept watch over lots of young Bunnies from his office high above their playground.

3. Amboy Easter Egg Hunt in the Park, 1980This Lively Young Bunny and his Brother Bunnies may have given Big Bunny a few headaches (all the way to the tips of his ears) over the years.

4. 1978 Baby Boy BunnyThis Bunny is eager to hop on down to Amboy City Hall and help get new park equipment for the kids to play on. When is a Bunny going to join the Horsey, Ducky, Turtle, and Chipmunk in the Park?

5. Amboy Easter Egg Hunt, 1985Do you need help with your burrow? This Sweet Bunny will help you furnish and decorate your Rabbit Hole so it’s truly “Home Sweet Hole”

Telling the Story of our past to the generations of the future

D E

CBA

Red Cow Gazette • Spring 2015 • Page 3

Educational Archaeology There was a group that really dug the old Amboy middle school. Going deep into the underground of the building, there were several artifacts uncovered. No one really would admit where they were in the building, or how they got there, but their discoveries will keep you on the edge of your bleacher seats.

After several months, surviving only on mothballs, cobwebs, and crackers found in a large tin can, they had dug meticulously with their toothbrush and dental floss. The group was thrilled to uncover several things of interest, and when they immerged, excitedly reported their finds to the local All School Reunion Committee; Clearly, death from boredom is possible. The poor Husker that was found could prove this theory to be correct.

In the same area as the student, an ancient tablet was uncovered, made of paper stacked in a pile and bound at the edge, it had remarkably survived the years. There were glyphs etched on the front of the tablet, but they could not be completely deciphered, some resembled corn cobs. This is probably one of the first tablets known to exist in Amboy, notably pre Apple. A scribing instrument was also located, yellow in color with a lead substance, presumed to be used for marking on such tablet. A symbol “2” was found on the side of this scribing tool, its possible meaning is still being researched.

Everything appeared to be in black and white, including the article of clothing found still hanging in a hidden locker, boasting a large letter H. Inside the garment was a key pinned to the lining.

Digging deeper in this time capsule, they discovered stacks of items, something called books, with the inscription on the edge “encyclopedia”. There was a strange oval shaped metal box on the wall, you must have had to turn the crank handle to accomplish something, noting there was a small round hole in the opposite side. Also hanging near this instrument was a long flat square wood stick, with lines both long and short scribed into it along one edge.

A few coins and a ring with a large colored stone were also recovered. The mystery was why only one shoe was found, it was blue and made from a suede material, and found next to a stack of large round black hard disks. Much debate will surely ensue over these items and their use.

All in all it was a success. The group uncovered priceless artifacts that will be preserved and displayed in the Amboy museum for all to see and marvel over for years to come.

ANSWERS to Who’s That Bunny?:

1. D Grandma Bunny is Vi Schulz.2. E Big Bunny is Les Johnson, long-time Amboy School Principal3. C Lively Young Bunny is Brett Roman, one of Big Bunny’s favorite students4. A Baby Boy Bunny is K.C. Reuter, Amboy City Councilman5. B Sweet Bunny is Sandy Graf, wife of Jerry, owners of Graf’s Home Furnishings

(Family owned for over 60 years)

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Page 4 • Red Cow Gazette • Spring 2015

Feb 14 - Valentines Day Feb 17 - Mardi Gras March 8 -Daylight savings time changeMarch 17 - St. Patricks Day

LOCAL DATESMarch 15 - Firemen’s Pancake Fundraiser 9 am - 1 pmApril 3 - Easter Egg Hunt -10 am, Ridge SchoolApril 5 - Amboy UMC Easter breakfast - 9 amApril 12 - Jackson Lake Lutheran Church Springfest 10:30 am - 1 pmApril 25 - Presbyterian Church Salad Luncheon 12 noonAmboy Area Community Club Meeting 7 pm March 9, April 13

FIND THE ICONHarper Lostetter, Mapelton won $50 worth of Amboy bucks for finding the icon on the front page of the last issue of the Gazette.

In this issue look for an Easter Bunny icon. If you find it, mail your name and contact information to Amboy Area Community Club, PO Box 443, Amboy, MN 56010. Be sure to state where you found the Bunny. You will be entered into a drawing for a prize of $50.00 Amboy Bucks.

Its January 19th and its 32 degrees and for some reason I am awake in the middle of the winter. Spring? No it must be a January thaw in Minnesota. This winter I moved into the crawl space of the Depot Mercantile and so far so good. I have to admit that it has been nice and dry in here but some days it has been rather noisy. Lots of females laughing and talking, I should have recorded some of it on my phone. I could write a book on what I heard. But all that stopped about Dec 13th, but I did hear something about opening again on April 9th. I don’t think that was a dream. From my vantage point it looks like very little snow on the ground and it is mixed with dirt. It must be one of those open windy winters. I will send a text to some of my friends to see what the balance of winter may look like. Just like I thought—nothing from Phil in Punxsutawney, PA. I bet he has

had his fill of the lake effect snow coming off Lake Erie. It’s Feb 1st today and it’s half in between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and I am observing Imbolc Day today. It is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of spring. My other friends are reporting that winter is not over but the temperatures will continue to swing from above normal temps for a week or two and the swing back to the below zero temps for another week --- it’s all about the deep ocean currents and how they affect the path of the upper jet stream. I am getting tired but when I wake up again I will explain some more. See you in April. Marley the Marmot, alias the Weather Rodent.

Notes from my weather journal

Summer Story Hour at Amboy Libraryby Carol Fuller

We are again planning our Summer Story Hours for this summer. They will be held in the Amboy Library located in Amboy City Hall. Snacks and juice will be at 9:15am with story time and/or special entertainment to be at 9:30am. These are held on Wednesday mornings every other week throughout the summer. Children and their caregivers are welcome, and are encouraged to sign out library books for their summertime reading enjoyment.

Special entertainment for our Summer Story Hours will be:Wednesday, June 10 - “The Oldenburg Brothers Yo-Yo Program”Wednesday, July 8 - “Gator Alley and Company Large Puppet Show”Wednesday, July 22 - “The Reptile and Amphibian Discovery Zoo”Wednesday, August 19 - entertainment will be announced laterPlan to attend the Summer Story Hours!

March 20 - Spring Begins March 29 - Palm SundayApril 5 - Easter April 15 - Tax Day April 22 - Earth Day

Marley theMarmot