Dirt flies!

“It’s evident,” said architect Jim Jordan, “that everybody has a piece of ownership in this hospital.”

He was speaking to a crowd of smiling area residents who had gathered on a sunny May 1 to celebrate the beginning of Bigfork Valley’s building project - a project to create a structure which will be able to embrace the new medical technology available now and in the next decades.

Left to right: Carol Mills; Sharon Quandt; Dr. Michael Baich; Howard Sheppard; Senator Tom Saxhaug, District 3; Cathryn McGlynn, Itasca County Commissioner, District 2; Gail Blackmer; Dr. George Rounds; Ken Lundgren Blandin Foundation, Board of Trustees Chair; Mary Ann Holsman; Mike Marthaler; Carol Gilbertson; Tom Evensen; Vic Nelson; Dan Odegaard, CEO; and Janelle Bowers

Others also realized the importance of the local support that is allowing Bigfork Valley to grow into the future. Some would get to wield a shovel, pointed out Catherine McLynn, Itasca County commissioner for the Bigfork area, but it would be the whole community which had actually moved mountains to both have a vision for its hospital and see it come to reality.

“This area has always thought in a regional way,” added State Senator Tom Saxhaug.

It was a day to remember. The Second Wind Harmonica Band played as visitors browsed the building plans and artist’s conceptions. A large tent covered seating for the luncheon catered by the Huskie Cafe which would follow the program.

And there were speakers. Introduced by CEO Dan Odegaard, the invocation was given by Pastor Paul Olson of the Marcell Community Church. Dr. Rounds, chief of staff for the hospital, talked about the roots of the hospital and the dedication of the early doctors and midwives who traveled by boats and dog teams to reach patients. In 1941 a structure to offer medical care became a reality and now Bigfork Valley is designated as a critical access hospital.

“This is a dream come true,” said surgeon Dr. Baich who has shared his skills with the hospital for many years. A surgeon, he pointed out, is dependent on the facilities he works with, and better facilities make better outcomes. Bigfork Valley, he said, will have one of the best facilities around.

Volunteers were represented by Joyce Kraska, president of the hospital auxiliary. The all-volunteer group has been in existence since 1938, and finds ways to provide needed services and equipment to the facility. It’s a group for all ages and for any amount of time commitment, she said, urging anyone who “wants a part time job that pays nothing, but has a lot of job satisfaction” to give the auxiliary a chance.

Ken Lundgren, chair of the Blandin Foundation board of trustees and a major supporter of the project pointed out that the foundation supports organizations and communities that have shown and proven themselves to provide the most good to the greatest number of people. “This is,” he said, “a dynamic, working community.”

The program concluded with a blessing by Reverend Donald Bump of the Presbyterian Church of Cloquet.

There was still one important ceremony to complete before a barbecue meal, though. Golden shovels were handed out and together, board members and local dignitaries put the shovel to the earth. One, two, three...dirt flew into the air and the project began!