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April 4, 2016
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HOME & YARD
Home & Yard
page 1-2, 10
Classifieds
page 3-7
Going Out
page 8-9
Old Lake Ida schoolhouse to see new life
as ‘a place of connection and healing’
CAREY KEAVY
Correspondent
The old Lake Ida schoolhouse
hasn’t been used for decades, but
a local woman hopes to give the
building a new purpose through a
major remodeling effort.
Susie Bjorklund has a heart for
those who need comfort. For the
past 16 years, her life has been
enriched by those she has helped
through Freedom Farm, the therapeutic horse-riding facility she
founded in Waverly.
The remodeling of the Lake
Ida schoolhouse will provide
more space for the organization.
Although the plans include
keeping some of the historic appearance of the structure where
possible, the renovation isn’t a
complete “historic rehab,” and
there are no requirments to keep
any percentage of the original
structure intact.
An earlier addition that had
fallen into disrepair was demolished, and a new addition was
added.
The facility will have a modern interior, and will feature a
kitchen for gatherings.
The exterior of the addition
will also have a more modern appearance.
Most of the construction work
was completed by John Kraemer
& Sons, an award-winning building and remodeling firm based in
Edina.
A history of helping
Originally, this organization
began as an assistance project for
special needs adults and children,
but in the recent past, it has expanded into a place where veterans and troubled teens find solace
through both riding and volunteering their time to help with the
therapeutic program.
Bjorklund has always had a
passion for helping people, and
has seen many of those in her
program make great strides in
their lives. Teens and veterans
struggling with depression, anxi-
ety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other issues have
been able to find a new purpose
and joy.
“Students that are just completely not on track to graduate
and really so desperately hopeless are now on track to graduating. But, most importantly, it’s
their mental health, and they’re
having some joy in their lives,”
Bjorklund said.
Students can come to Freedom
Farm after school to complete
their homework, and then make
their way to the stables to volunteer. Bjorklund has witnessed
what she calls the “circle of love,”
when veterans help the teens, and
in turn, the teens help special
needs participants.
Bjorklund’s programs have
been very successful, and many
of those who participate enjoy
each other’s company. They enjoy meeting for coffee and chatting in the Freedom Farm office,
which can be less than ideal with
limited space and increased noise
levels as people mingle.
Space needed
Bjorklund quickly realized
that she would need to create a
space for the teens, veterans, and
families to have a place of their
own to spend time together. It
was because of that need, she
began to pursue learning more
about an old abandoned schoolhouse on Lake Ida, which is near
her property.
The Lake Ida schoolhouse
was in use from 1860 to 1972,
and many locals attended school
there while growing up.
After it became inactive, it was
owned by Wright County, and
was unused for many years.
Bjorklund knew in her heart
that one day she would renovate
the old schoolhouse, but says she
just didn’t know why or when.
Meanwhile, this beautiful historic landmark sat deteriorating,
and couldn’t be sold.
After contacting the proper
Remodeling of the old Lake Ida Schoolhouse is not only updating the original structure but a connected, larger addition.
channels, Bjorklund was able
to secure a 99-year lease from
Wright County, and began renovating the historic building.
This extensive revamp ranged
from replacing the old well to
gutting and replacing electrical
systems.
Remodeling is now nearly 75
percent complete, and has been
accomplished through donations
from various businesses and individuals. Bjorklund said that
they still need about $75,000 to
complete the renovations, and are
accepting donations through the
Freedom Farm website, www.
freedomfarmmn.org.
Bjorklund is also looking for
any photos of the original schoolhouse when it was in use, as she
hopes to post these photos in the
building upon completion.
Bjorklund said her dream is
that the Lake Ida schoolhouse
can be a place of connection and
healing for all involved.
She is hoping for community
involvement in any way possible.
“This is love, people! This is
what we need,” she said.
The old Lake Ida school is being renovated to provide space
for teens, veterans, and families in need.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Carpet Cleaning
• Residue-free
• Upholstery
• Area Rugs
• Odor Removal
Safe for
Kids &
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CleanSpaceMN.com
Suzie Bjorklund has been renovating the former Lake Ida
schoolhouse using donations from the community.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Remodeling of the former Lake Ida schoolhouse is about 75
percent complete.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
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