Heart-stirring celebrations, Cathedral Crafts

I wish to express my congratulations to the members of the Eustice family who organized and carried out the event at the fairgrounds last Saturday, Sept. 5. There really did seem to be “something for everyone,” in the community-focused way meant to memorialize who Don Eustice was and how he approached his position as an elected official.

 

There were face painting, a bounce house, and a fair-like atmosphere for the youngest in attendance, and a stirring program with Minnesota Appellate Court Judge Renee Worke as a speaker. In her brief talk, Worke shared that working under Don Eustice as an employee at the county law enforcement center shaped her future, convincing her that she should go to college and helping her build the self-confidence needed to complete her training as a lawyer.

 

My heart was also stirred on Friday during a memorial ceremony organized by the county sheriff’s office and held in front of the county law enforcement center, near a memorial stone that stands along the building’s south wall.

 

The heat on Friday was “oppressive” in the literal way that it seemed to press down on everyone present, sapping energy and making it difficult not to flee to shade or air conditioning.

 

But people endured and persevered in deference to the cause.

 

As reported elsewhere in this edition, flowers were laid and speeches were made, all in the respectful, deferential way that reflected the ceremony’s purpose. But I was inspired to tears when a long line of public safety workers, including deputies, police officers, and emergency medical workers stood at attention and held a salute during the playing of taps.

 

Again, my compliments to everyone who planned memorial events for Don Eustice this past week.

 

On a different topic, I am excited by the development that, after seeing Cathedral Crafts in action at three local churches (one of them twice, for a total of four times), I have been able to arrange for an upcoming visit to the company’s base of operations in Winona.

 

Cathedral Crafts is a company which builds, installs, and repairs stained glass windows–nearly all of which, of course, are in houses of worship. In fact, I just visited the company’s website. The “contact us” portion has “church name” as the first question.

 

I have reported on local work done by the company at All Saints in New Richland, North Waseca Lutheran and Sacred Heart in Waseca. Each time, the person in charge of the work crew has been the company’s operations manager, Caleb Penic. Even if you didn’t know he is the son of the current owners, only a few moments’ conversation with him about his work would leave you with the firm feeling he is doing what he was born to do: the enthusiasm and knowledge he exudes as he works are positively magnetic.

 

He has described some of the steps taken to refurbish stained glass, and now I have an appointment to visit and see some of those steps in progress–huge bonus, some of the windows I will see “on the table” will be from Sacred Heart in Waseca. Incidentally, thank you, Sacred Heart, for providing a perfect reason for me to make this appointment. I look forward to telling you some of what I learn and, of course, providing some pictures.

 

By the by, last time I reported on Cathedral Craft’s work at Sacred Heart, Caleb pointed out the large window in the east-facing wall above the balcony is highly unusual in that its design includes a World War I soldier. A photo of that soldier is among the “showcase” artwork that pops up when you access the company website.