by Rich Larson
Last night, Two Scouts Standing, LLP received the approval for a liquor license, which will allow them to re-open and operate Froggy Bottoms and
Lily PADio.
Neal Wilson, Cindy Wilson, and Michael Gasior, the three principals of Two Scouts Standing appeared before the City Council last night and outlined their desire to re-establish the restaurant as a key component to the Northfield dining scene.
“I never wanted to own a bar,” said Neal Wilson, “I want to own a pub. A pub is a place for the community to gather, and have conversation, and relax.”
Gasior, who has worked at Froggy Bottoms since 2015 said he has always felt that the restaurant was a second home for him, and he plans to establish the same type of philosophy and atmosphere so that employees and patrons will have the same type of experience.
Froggy Bottoms was put up for sale last spring after the city council denied a liquor license to the previous owner, Lisa Monet Zarza. Zarza created quite a bit of notoriety last year when she opened her Lakeville establishment, Alibi Drinkery, to the public, during the state ordered shutdown of all in-person dining.
Zarza operated the restaurant without a liquor license for a time, and then shut down in the spring after announcing that she intended to sell.
After the council voted unanimously to grant the new license, Gasior expressed a mixture of joy and relief.
“This feels pretty good,” he said. “We felt like it would go our way, but there was a bit of uncertainty, especially given the recent history.
“I’m very happy and very relieved.”
The trio plans to re-open Froggy Bottoms sometime in August.
The Northfield School District has jobs to fill
The Northfield School district is hiring.
Northfield Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann said that the district has several full-time and part-time jobs available. Most of the full-time teaching positions have been filled, but he said, there is a “real need” for substitute teachers.
He said there are a number of non-teaching positions open, highlighting the educational assistant jobs. Educational assistants generally work with smaller groups of students, and sometimes just one student, who have particular learning or behavioral needs. He said it’s an opportunity to develop good relationships with those students and “help kids become their best.”
There are also several special education positions available. There are child nutrition jobs available, and substitute custodian positions. Community Education is looking for early childhood screeners. One building is looking for a part time school nurse, and there are even a few coaching positions available.
Dr. Hillmann said there are also positions outside of the district that interact with students as well. He said Benjamin Bus is looking for drivers. Those are generally part time positions that require some time in the morning and then again in the afternoon. And he said there are Americorps Promise Fellow positions as well. These are tutoring jobs, generally in reading or in mathematics. The Promise Fellow positions are open to anybody, and part of the compensation package comes in help for someone to pursue further education. Those interested should contact the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative.
He said all the positions available are for people with a genuine interest in helping kids.
“I really encourage everybody to go to our website, and right at the top there is a link that says ‘EMPLOYMENT.’ If you want to make a difference, you want to do good things for kids every day, you want to join a very effective organization that loves serving the community, consider coming to work with us. Whether you’re looking for a regular position, you’re looking to dive a bus, or you’re looking to do some tutoring, we have a number of opportunities for people to serve kids starting in the fall.”
For more information click here.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Superintendent matt Hillmann can be heard here
New playground equipment going up at Memorial Park
And as Dundas continues to prepare to host the 2022 Minnesota State Amateur Baseball Tournament, Memorial Park is getting several upgrades. The ballpark itself has new seating, a new press box, a new sound system and improvements have been made to the playing surface. But the surrounding area is getting some upgrades as well.
Dundas City Administrator Jenelle Teppen said the City of Dundas has partnered with the Dukes to bring some aesthetic enhancements to the park. She said the city will make improvements to the driveway and the parking area, and most likely will make additions to the trails in the area. But the most obvious change the city is making is replacing the park’s playground equipment.
Teppen said the new equipment has been delivered, and a contractor is in place to actually build the new playground. But first the city is doing some work to the grounds, which is necessary because the area will be larger than before.
“It’s a little bit expanded. There is a little bit more equipment and it’s all placed within what the call a container which is the edging around the playground equipment. Then we fill in that area with engineered wood fiber.”
The city had hoped construction would begin today, but with wet weather expected, Teppen said construction will begin later this week, and will be completed by July 30.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Dundas City Administrator Jenelle Teppen can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. He can be reached at rich@kymnradio.net
