Review Staff Writer

For ten years, teacher John Olson’s father, Charley, had prostrate cancer.  In November 2009, during a health exam, Charley learned that he had esophegeal cancer, which had spread to his lungs.  At that time, the doctors told the father of six that he had two to four months left to live.  The family took the news hard, but Charley has remained determine to “beat this thing.”  His mother, who had cancer in her early thirties, was given a similar prognosis and lived for another fifty years.

  Charley and his wife, Catherine, live in the small town of Perley, Minnesota, located north of Morehead.  Residents of the town decided a few weeks ago to hold a benefit dinner as well as a benefit silent-and-live auction for Charley.  The food for the dinner is being donated by local residents, the auctioneer and organizers are donating their time and services to the benefit.  100% of all proceeds will go to Charley Olson.  A couple of weeks ago Charley’s daughter called brother, John Olson, industrial arts teacher in Adrian, and asked if he had anything he could donate for the benefit.

  John Olson mentioned the benefit and request to his students. 

  “We can make something!” a chorus of voices exclaimed.  Randy Kruse, who owns a local welding shop, was there and offered to front the cost of the metal as well as loan a space in his shop.  In a whirlwind, it was decided to make a trailer, as well as a snow pusher.  Many of the boys in industrial arts had extra time on their hands, with other projects near completion, other homework done, and no outside commitments. 

  With so many willing to assist, it was decided that the project would be done by the senior boys in the industrial arts classes.  In just three work sessions, totaling more than twelve hours, the boys, John, and Randy, worked to create the items for auction.

  “This project could not have happened without Randy stepping forward to help with materials and providing a space and his expertise to us,” says Olson.  Randy said, “I wasn’t sure how it would be to have a bunch of teens in my shop, but the kids wanted to be there and they all worked hard and were very dedicated.”  As for the students, including Adam Diekmann, Brandon LeBrun, Brandon Aggen and Mitchell Lynn, it was neighbor helping neighbor.

  As the four boys were gathered for a “team” photo, they were asked to comment about the project.  At first, the four were silent, then all four spoke at once, and were in agreement, when they commented:  “We wanted to do the project because it was for a good cause.  We enjoyed doing it and it wasn’t hard. “  They added, “we all get along! “ This was followed by a group chuckle.  “Yeah,” they agreed, smiling, “it was fun!”

  The group worked very hard.  In less than two weeks, the group made two items for auction:  a 5’x10’ utility trailer, with a frame made with heavy 2”x3” tubing.  The trailer features include a tread-plate deck, end-gate ramp, with all wiring being covered (unexposed).  The second item is a box scraper style snow pusher, for a skidsteer, with an 8’ wide metal cutting edge.  The snow pusher will feature a large decal on each side, created by Behrends Signworks out of Worthington.  The decal features the Adrian Dragon Mascot, with the words “Dragon Force Snow Pusher,” and a “made by” the local Dragon crew.  [Note:  I saw the decal mockup and it is VERY cool!]  About the decal, Olson said, “I like the idea of the Adrian mascot and the sign saying it was made by the students of Adrian.  It shows how one small town worked hard to support another.”

  Olson could not find words enough to describe the incredible craftsmanship that went into items that the four senior boys made.  The quality of the materials and the work has made both items top-notch equipment that will last.  “The boys are very talented,” he said.

  Both the trailer and snow pusher will be painted on the Brad Lynn farm,  before being shipped up to Perley, Minnesota, for the February 20 benefit dinner and auction.  Local people have donated other items for the auction and those will also be sent up to Perley, as well as a handmade wooden ice chest made by Olson, and a deacon’s bench made by Olson’s son, Ethan.

  John Olson expresses deep gratitude for the heartfelt support and assistance he and his family has received, especially from his students.  “The senior students have been so good!” says Olson, “it makes you feel good about choosing to live in the town that we did.” 

  Catherine Olson, John’s Mom, told him, “it looks like you picked another good town to live in.”  The Olsons couldn’t agree more.