‘Everybody’s working together’
NU hosts National Night Out
ECFE’s Alyssa Nissen sharing information with Jose Gonzalez while his daughter Mariam plays. Dylan Jackson
The Grand Center for Arts and Culture exeuctive director John Kellen operates a small printing operation during National Night Out. Photo by Dylan Jackson
Firefighter Tyler Gasow in front of Goosetown’s Engine 3. Photo by Dylan Jackson
Kids shooting arrows at the Cub Scout booth during National Night Out. Photo by Dylan Jackson
ECFE’s Alyssa Nissen sharing information with Jose Gonzalez while his daughter Mariam plays. Dylan Jackson
The Grand Center for Arts and Culture exeuctive director John Kellen operates a small printing operation during National Night Out. Photo by Dylan Jackson
Firefighter Tyler Gasow in front of Goosetown’s Engine 3. Photo by Dylan Jackson
Kids shooting arrows at the Cub Scout booth during National Night Out. Photo by Dylan Jackson
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NEW ULM – Over 20 booths, various food trucks, and a range of activities populated German Park Thursday night for New Ulm Night Out.
New Ulm Night Out, put on by United Way, Park and Recreation, and New Ulm's Police and Fire Department, has been a staple to New Ulm since its creation in 1998.
What began as National Night Out, which were individual neighborhood gatherings, slowly developed into one city-wide celebration of the entire town.
"We moved over to New Ulm Night Out because it really felt like this was our community and kind of like one large neighborhood," Sue Brandes said.
Brandes is both a member of the Brown County Yellow Ribbon Board and an admin worker for the New Ulm Police Department.
Brandes and the Brown County Yellow Ribbon booth were raising awareness about suicide prevention and mental health. They have a Shine the Light event on September 20, which will take place at German Park.
Along with the Brown County Yellow Ribbon stand, booths for Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE), Ridgeway, and more were present to provide information, build connections, and enjoy the community event.
ECFE worker Alyssa Nissen had a station with toys allowing kids to play while parents learned about the services ECFE provides.
Lacie Lampman and Alexa Sandbakken worked the Ridgeway stand, which is an assisted living community in New Ulm.
All of the booths were arranged by board chair Irene Achman and Brown County Area United Way. They assisted in contacting organizations and helping arrange the event layout, creating a wide range of information and services relevant to all members of the community.
"We have... everything from the young to the old, which is cool... They're all together and when you look around it's people from all over town," Achman said, "It's a great chance to connect."
Some of the attendees were the Weigel family.
"It's a good way to get the kids involved," Travis Weigel said.
Weigel was in attendance with his two kids Sydney and Jack, who enjoyed the bouncy house and popcorn.
Kids also enjoyed the presence of the arts at the event. Parks and Recreation had their Puppet Wagon set up.
John Kellen, executive director of The Grand, provided information about classes offered at The Grand and had a booth where kids could do printmaking. Music was provided by Schell's Hobo Band, combining New Ulm's Concert in the Park series with New Ulm's Night Out.
An Emergency Vehicle Fair was set up behind German Park, featuring vehicles from the police and fire departments, and an educational grease fire demonstration.
New Ulm Police Officer Andrew Achman said that the event allowed the departments to engage with the community.
"It's a fun time to get the community together. We're here for free information purposes and to give a face to the community," Achman said, "a lot of us live and work around here, so [the event allows] the community to see us and our equipment."
Volunteer firefighter Tyler Gasow enjoyed the joy that the vehicles brought to the community.
"We're out here to raise awareness and show them what we do on a daily basis. You get to see the people you give back to," Gasow said, “It’s also great to see people in awe of this equipment.
Police Chief David Borchert took a moment to recognize community members who gave back to the community by presenting the Good Neighbor and Lifesaver Awards.
Tom Paluch was nominated by Alan and Kelsey Woitas, who said that Paluch expresses his kindness and care by sharing produce from his garden, returning their garbage cans, and teaching useful skills.
Two lifesaver awards were presented. The first was to Evie Mages, Benjamin Rossow, and Taylor Hauenstein for their roles in preventing a drowning. The second went to Shanda Madsen, who performed CPR for her neighbor, and police officers (Landon Beck, Brady Murphy, and Rachel Chirhart) who responded.
"I think New Ulm's an awesome community to live in, and it's because everybody's working together," Borchert said.