Litchfield High School marching band typically draws a large following to every parade at which they perform, so it was no surprise when thousands lined Litchfield streets for the inaugural Parade of Bands in June 2019.
Litchfield High School marching band leaped into action during the summer parade season of 2019.
Judges for the Litchfield Parade of Bands sit on an elevated platform positioned at the third and final performance area of the parade along Gilman Avenue. From the judges’ view, you can see the band performing and crowds lining the parade route in the festival’s first year in 2019.
The 2021 Litchfield Parade of Bands will feature 12 marching bands from across the state, in addition to the Litchfield high School marching band.
The Parade of Bands features three performance areas, with the last being the judges’ area.
Earning the top spot of grand champion at the Litchfield Parade of Bands was the Waconia High School Marching Band. The group also earned Best Drum Major, Best Drum Line and the People’s Choice awards.
The Litchfield Parade of Bands is coming back.
Shelved by the coronavirus pandemic last summer, the festival that brought 11 high school marching bands to compete on the streets of Litchfield in its inaugural year of 2019 will be back this summer, the Parade of Bands organizing committee announced recently.
“Everything has gone really well,” said Cathy Haugo, who is the committee’s logistics coordinator. “We were hesitant because of COVID, and yet once we made the decision to go ahead, things have fallen in place.”
Barring any unforeseen issues such as a spike in COVID-19 cases, the Parade of Bands will take place Tuesday, June 15, with 13 bands, including Litchfield, partiicipating.
Litchfield High School band director David Ceasar admitted he pushed hard for the committee to get the Parade of Bands back on the schedule for this summer. He was motivated by several factors, among them an effort to return to normalcy, the importance of scheduling and the need to fundraise.
“Essentially what happened was, I’m frustrated that we haven’t started up,” Ceasar said, adding that he encouraged the committee to, “Let’s put it out there and plan to do it, even if they tell us later we can’t do it.
“I don’t know the financial side of it, but I do know the band side, the kid side, the director side (and) they are champing at the bit,” Ceasar added.
Ceasar said that he’s been registering the LHS marching band for summer parades as he does every year, but in about half the cases there’s still uncertainty about whether events will happen. He thought it important — especially since the Litchfield Parade of Bands is still in its infancy — to commit to having the festival.
So, while other parade organizers have told him, “we’re almost out of time” for planning, Ceasar said he told fellow committee members, “Let’s get this thing started, because if we open up, we need to be ready to go.”
And so it began. Much of the organizational structure for the Parade of Bands remained in place, with most committee members returning, and with the over-arching backing of the Litchfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.
A big key in pulling off the event this year and keeping it sustainable for years to come, as it was in the initial year, will be financial support, according to Judy Hulterstrum, administrative coordinator for the committee and CVB director.
“Businesses have been hit hard (by COVID-19), but I have been absolutely amazed by the support so many different programs are receiving,” Hulterstrum said. “It is absolutely phenomenal what businesses are coming forward with. We know times are tough, but if you are able to support us, we would really appreciate it.”
Proceeds from the 2019 Parade of Bands will help fund this year’s event, Hulterstrum said, but the Convention and Visitors Bureau’s goal in creating the festival in the first place was to ensure an annual event that would bring visitors from out of town to enjoy Litchfield.
“This group (the Parade of Bands committee) is a very frugal group,” she said. “We spend wisely, work with what we have, within our means. But any support we receive will help to keep it going.”
Haugo said that, based on comments she’s received the past several months, she has every confidence that support for the Parade of Bands — financial and otherwise — will be in abundance, not just from the business community but residents.
“The first festival, there were a lot of $10 donations and $20 donations,” Haugo said. “Somehow, if people would understand, consider a contribution, no matter how small, that would be great. This has always been a grassroots effort, and we need that this year. We need it every year.”
When the Parade of Bands does step off this year, it will do so with a slightly revised format. Rather than the traditional competition with scores and ranking announced at the conclusion, bands will perform in a kind of exhibition format.
Though the Tri-State Judging Association will still score and offer critiques of each band, only two awards will be recognized — Peoples Choice and Grand Champion.
“We were ahead of the curve on most of this,” Ceasar said. “But we had this concept before (state marching band) directors even had a meeting about it. We knew there are going to be bands out there that can’t (because of COVID-19) put a band together for rehearsals. So, let’s allow people to come in and do exhibition only. That’s fostered this new thing, which is ratings.”
Rather than scoring for each band being announced, the scores and judging critiques will be given only to each band director for their band, and directors will be told whether their band’s score was enough for an “excellent” or “superior” rating.
In addition, no cash prizes will be given to award-winning bands. Instead, the Parade of Bands provides a $500 stipend for each band performing in the festival.
There is plenty of work to be done for the festival, which is now less than three months away, but the committee is excited about pulling those logistics together and seeing an enthusiastic turnout for the parade, Haugo said.
“I think people are looking for something to look forward to,” Haugo said. “Some hope. People, starting in September, were asking if it was going to happen. We’re going forward with it. A lot of people just loved the event two years ago, and they are going to be so happy to hear it’s back.”
- Updated
A developer’s drawing shows the front, back and side view of an patio home/apartment building proposed as Villages East Phase 2.
Answers to Litchfield’s housing shortage are on the way.
Two housing development plans received initial approval from the Litchfield City Council last week that could provide nearly 100 housing units.
The City Council unanimously approved plans for both developments. A preliminary plat for the bigger of the two developments, submitted by Gregg Schilling, calls for a mix of duplexes and apartment buildings and a total of 84 units in the northwest part of the city. The other development is a 12-unit apartment complex on the east side of the city.
“Just with these two things we’ve done tonight, there’s some brightness ahead for us,” Mayor Keith Jonson said.
Rod Lindquist of Quad Hospitality LLC applied for a waiver to allow a lot split, change in zoning and a site plan review for property at 1525 U.S. Highway 12 E., north of AmericInn hotel.
In a letter to Litchfield Planning Commission, Lindquist said that AmericInn ownership had approved sale of the 1-acre site for a multifamily housing development, and that the sale still left adequate room for AmericInn expansion, if it chose to do so.
Approval of the request clears the way for a multifamily townhome-style apartment development on the north side of the lot, which at this point is called Villages East Phase 2.
Currently zoned for general business, Lindquist sought a change to multifamily residential. The proposal includes a 12-unit apartment building with six two-bedroom patio-style attached homes on the ground floor and six one-bedroom apartments on the second floor of the structure. All of the units would be rentals, according to the site plan, similar in character to the Villages East complex located east of the proposed site.
Access to the unit would be from the existing frontage road that runs through the property.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning change, lot split and site plan review, but with a list of 12 conditions.
Among concerns for Planning Commission members was parking, with plans calling for a total of 25 parking spaces — six attached garage spaces, six detached garage spaces, seven surface parking spaces, and six spaces in front of the attached garages.
While the plan met zoning ordinance requirement of one space per unit, some commissioners wondered about the split of space availability between the two-bedroom units and one-bedroom units.
City Council members discussed the issue but agreed the plan met criteria before offering their unanimous approval.
The second housing development that came before the City Council was a preliminary plat for a Park Village Third Addition, which calls for 16 lots and two outlots. Schilling plans to develop duplexes on the property along Willmar Avenue North and the west side of a newly created Yale Avenue North, according to his plan. On the east side of Yale Avenue, he plans three four-unit apartment buildings. The plan also calls for three 16-unit apartment buildings in the development.
The 16-unit apartments would be the first phase of the plan, and construction of the duplexes and four-unit apartment buildings would follow later.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the preliminary plat, but it also made suggestions for the development and the new streets or street extensions that will have to be built to serve the development.
The commission suggested a bike lane be part of the newly constructed streets of the development and/or a sidewalk in front of the lots that front Willmar Avenue.
"They feel that pedestrian and bike safety in the area with the increased traffic is very important," city planner Hannah Rybak wrote in a memo to the City Council.
Schilling said he was OK with dedicating land to a bike path and sidewalk, if the city would pay for the necessary improvements. "The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council explore this possibility," Rybak's memo said.
The commission also noted that the preliminary plat did not include dedication of land for public use and that city staff had recommended Schilling pay a fee. However, commission members thought a fee would be unfair and suggested that instead, the dedication of land for a sidewalk and bike path would satisfy the public land requirement.
DeAnn Rothstein, co-owner of DeAnn’s Country Village Shoppe in downtown Litchfield, shows a mask created as part of an effort by group of 70 area women to help with a shortage of masks. Rothstein said she saw a social media post that talked about the need for more face masks due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and she saw a way to pitch in. She helped rally a team of local women — who dubbed themselves the Masked Mamas — and came together to make about 500 masks in a week. And they plan to continue making more, Rothstein said.
DeAnn Rothstein, co-owner of DeAnn’s Country Village Shoppe in downtown Litchfield, shows a mask created as part of an effort by group of 70 area women to help with a shortage of masks. Rothstein said she saw a social media post that talked about the need for more face masks due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and she saw a way to pitch in. She helped rally a team of local women — who dubbed themselves the Masked Mamas — and came together to make about 500 masks in a week. And they plan to continue making more, Rothstein said.
Bethany Lee, co-owner of the Tavern on Main in Litchfield, said the COVID-19 restrictions had a substantial impact on the restaurant’s financial picture.
It was this time last year, when Ecumen of Litchfield posted on their door an attention sign only allowing necessary visitors such as employee team members, immediate family and friends for time-sensitive reasons with limited movement in the building, as well as government officials or other support, in an effort to keep elderly residents safe from the coronavirus or COVID-19.
Dr. Tim Peterson receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Meeker Memorial Hospital. The hospital received its first shipment of the vaccine in late December and began vaccinating frontline workers.
Dr. Deb Peterson, chief medical officer at Meeker Memorial Hospital, was among the staff who received a vaccination in late December from the hospital’s first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
I am a fan of apocalyptic fiction.
Yup. Zombies.
My family has learned to tolerate this quirk. It seems like every zombie story starts out with an incident in a far-off place, so no one was surprised when I sent out a message about a situation in Wuhan, Hubei, China. This time my missive proved to be the bell ringer of things to come.
I knew COVID was more than a blip when the March Madness Final Four was canceled. Time stopped. That was the moment I knew COVID-19 was a big deal.
For me, the biggest change has been my work situation. Our office closed when Gov. Walz issued the stay-at-home order. I literally scanned my desk, threw a bunch of stuff in my tote and headed home. I've been here ever since.
It was an adjustment.
Beyond that, my gatherings with friends changed. I had lunch on the RiverSong Stage and visited in park shelters. I enjoyed cookouts in my friends' garage while social distancing and Zoom chats with others. I also became a serious fan of curbside service.
One of the highlights was our first in-person visit earlier this month with my Uncle Norman Johnson. He lives at Augustana Lakeside Apartments in Dassel. It had been a year since we met in-person because the facility has been closed to visitors. Norman received the COVID vaccines in January. Cassia, the parent company of Augustana Lakeside, extended vaccinations to residents' family members, so we were able to receive the Pfizer vaccines earlier this year. It was a wonderful gift.
IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Curious to know how the COVID-19 pandemic affected others? Here's what folks had to say on social media.
“I loved having the family at home and reconnecting, quality time.” — Robin Hoffmann
“It really hasn't.” — Braden Siltala
“I’ve watched while people who are frustrated turn on their neighbors and friends. This situation has caused rabid division in families, communities and our country. While we scream for rights and fair treatment for one class of people, we mock and distain those of another group who dare to hold a different opinion. I mourn the loss of civility, respect and freedom.” — Cheryl VanOrt
Assisted living and care facilities were hit hard with COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Nancy Rose reported they had to work harder to keep residents' spirits up. “We don't shut down even during the power outage years ago,” she said. “My husband farms, so life continues. (My) cousin blocked me on Facebook because of (my) opinion on masks. (A) friend blocks me because of other people's hate toward Asians and wouldn't talk with me about it.” — Nancy Rose
“We purchased the company my husband was working for. Our officially starting date was March 1, 2020. Than the shut downs happened and everything went on pause. Thankfully we were able to stay afloat. Purchasing a new business is scary, running a business in a pandemic was even worse.” — Niki Settergren
“My husband and I started a concrete and masonry business May 4, 2020. We started in a very hard time with this pandemic going on. We lost a few jobs due to COVID, but we managed to stay afloat and kept going strong. It was definitely hard but we are hoping for a better season this year, and so far, it's looking great! We made it through out first season and we'll keep moving forward.” — Heather Proctor
“I lost my father John Myllykangas to this nasty virus. He was only 64 and healthy. The battle that people go through as family just to feel a little connected to their loved one is horrible. I am an registered nurse who has worked with this virus since the beginning and it stole my father. There was nothing I could do but watch. Absolutely horrible.” — Jetta Myllykangas
Jill Struthers has six children age preschool through college. This is what she learned during the COVID-19 pandemic during the past year:
- How to have fun and beat boredom.
- How to get through something as a family.
- How to make learning fun.
- Distance learning can work. My son improved two grade levels in one semester (per teacher administered tests).
- Internet can get expensive.
- I save a lot of money ordering online and staying out of stores.
- There are a lot of people who won't follow the rules — even if it's to protect those around them.
- Science + politics = @#$@
- No sick kids. No doctor visits for an entire year (amazing — has never happened before).
- Don't trust anyone to do the right thing. Be smart. Gather info, and do what you believe is best for your family.
- Social media is powerful and can be dangerous.
- Many people are afraid to experience or acknowledge change.
- Vitamin D — gotta have it.
- Pandemics are good motivation for weight loss.
- You can never spend too much time with your family.
“I loved being home with my kids more. I had COVID in September and (I'm) still dealing with long-term effects from it.” — Sarah Wallace
“I never slowed down. Never stopped working. As an owner/operator running refrigerated commodities, I could run under an emergency provision to insure grocery store warehouses kept up their inventory. Getting my own meals was a bit of a challenge at times. I did OK but I have a few friends that really didn't do well being shut in so long. Seems to me the cure was worse than the sickness for so many. Depression drug and alcohol abuse took a toll. I don't believe we should have completely shutdown at all. I think politics played a huge role in this.” — Jim Caldwell
"I work front lines in the laboratory collecting swabs and performing tests. I worked many many hours in full PPE. I spent a lot of time away from home. I continued to do my lab duties in addition to the ones COVID created. I never got COVID. I have been 'exposed' every day pretty much. My opinions of masks are controversial to some but my education and training has given me all I need to know about when to/not to mask. It angers me that healthy people had to mask up. Things will get worse once masks are eliminated and not from COVID. I have seen many lives impacted from it whether it be jobs or illness. My husband and I both kept working our normal hours (and more). It was a very stressful year and I'm hoping things even out this year.” — Bailey Glimsdal
“I never stopped working. Two promotions, bought a retirement home and moved for work.” — Jenny Krueger
“Learned people are crazy and hoard massive amounts of toilet paper, ammo shortage, increase in mental health issues, lack of social interaction the list is huge. Don't forget the masks, and the dumbing of our children by forcing them to learn online.” — Mary Bollin
“It hasn't impacted me in any real way.” — Larry Hagen
“My wife and myself are classified as essential employees. As to the virus, my wife had it but fortunately very mildly. Personally the hording of toilet paper, meat and other products in a few cases by people driving in from outside our locality and our governor dictating our daily affairs as low points. On the positive, treatment and prevention were pushed for and hopefully will work, although with nowhere to go and all the time to do it, spending more time with my family was also good.” — Manford Peterson
“I've been home two weeks short of one year. I was on a wait list for nonemergency surgery on my hip. I lost my job because I couldn't perform all necessary duties and had to call off or change shifts because of my hip. I had to stay home to ensure I didn't take unnecessary risks of getting sick, therefore postponing my chance of surgery. A year of isolation, due to four months wait for surgery and prolonged recovery time due to complications, has definitely affected me financially and mentally. It's not 100% COVID-related, but it played a huge part of my isolation. Now I have increased depression, anxiety and a string uneasiness of leaving my home.” — Gwen Kieper
“Hearing all the nonbelievers voice their opinions about fake news regarding the virus. They didn't realize how it impacted peoples lives, both financially and emotionally, losing family and friends and seeing those who survived, go through the trials of the disease. Also those who felt our governor was wrong in his decisions, only not realizing how many lives were saved by his actions. It's easy to judge when you are not walking in someone else's shoes. If he had not done anything, where would we be now? I am glad we did not have to find out! We need to thank all the medical workers for a job well done and feel blessed we are now able to get a vaccine that will hopefully calm things down so we can meet our family and friends again.” — Barb Caron
“I am a volunteer driver for the county and, except for a brief period of time last spring when routine doctor visits were discouraged, I have kept driving, wearing a mask and taking other sanitary precautions. Most of my clients showed respect to me, a senior citizen, by properly wearing masks, but I was more worried about inadvertently spreading the virus to some of my medically fragile passengers. At home, I got lots of sewing and housecleaning done, and gave away dozens of cloth masks. I am disappointed in the residents of our county who turned basic sanitation into a political statement. We lost a lot of our elders and several of my friends got really sick with this stuff. Wearing a mask and being careful was no big deal. I did not become ill and was able to deliver a lot of people who don't drive to their doctor, dentist and mental health appointments.” — Amy Wilde
“I was lucky enough to be able to work from home. I switched to picking up my groceries curbside. The fastlane shoppers at Family Fare were wonderful. I so appreciate all they’ve done in the last year!” — Jayne Piepenburg
