PUMPKINS from Pg 1
to adult, so that no one went without a violin.
They added a “music room” with space for the
Steinway grand piano acquired by Helen from one of
her employers.
The music room also houses a part of their book
collection, which further extends to nearly every other
room in the house. The size of the book collection
has been estimated at more than 5,000 volumes. In
addition to sharing the work of the pumpkins, the
Nyquists passed on their love of books and music to
the following generations.
Caring deeply for others
Nyquist remembers that when he was young, his
family took in a small boy whose entire family had
died in a tuberculosis outbreak. A couple of years
later, they took in another orphaned boy because
“that is what people did back then.”
In future years, his parents took in foster children
when the Hennepin County system was fi lled to
overfl owing. Nyquist recalled that they always had
“extras”, and all were treated equally as siblings.
Dan and Helen continued to open their hearts and
home to others in need over the years.
Nyquist recalled that once, many years ago, one of
Helen’s hospital patients had a very serious surgery
that left him in need of lengthy and concentrated
rehabilitation care. The man had no family or other
potential care givers. Helen’s solution was to bring him
home so that she could give him the care he needed.
He stayed with them for many months of recovery,
even as she was busy raising children, working, and
tending the needs of her own family.
Nyquist inspecting one of the violins.
At a different time, they counseled and provided
support for a blind Minneapolis man who was
struggling to fi nd a productive path in his early 20s.
The Nyquists thought he would fare better in the
country, and indeed he did. He landed a job that
eventually became the starting point of his career
in a boys’ home.
Currently, they provide land and space for a
Hmong family to have a sizable vegetable garden.
Musical friends, particularly students and
teachers, are frequently welcome to enjoy the music
room as temporary studio space. And children in
wheelchairs automatically get a free pumpkin.
Below market pricing and above
average diversity
Kristin and Elyssa Erickson making their 22nd annual
Visitors to the pumpkin patch could feel selection for a fall display.
overwhelmed by the stunning diversity of pumpkin
and gourd species, which can make for spectacular
displays of contrasting colors and textures. There
are smooth and “warty” varieties, colors ranging
from orange to white to gray and green, and every
size imaginable.
They feature an intriguing variety of names such
as, Cinderella, Red Warty Thing, Naked Bean,
Toad, Hooligan, Blue Doll, and more.
Prices are calculated based on costs without any
labor expense included. At the end of the season,
the profi ts are split up to support the grandchildren’s
education. Nyquist hopes to be doing this for many
years to come. But he also hopes the pumpkin
patch will be carried on even if he’s no longer in
charge, and that it can continue to delight future
generations.
Pumpkins awating future display.
Some of the pumpkin harvest.
PHOTO BY DEB COX-JOHNSON
Senior Connections HJ.COM
Senior
PHOTO BY DEB COX-JOHNSON
PHOTO BY DEB COX-JOHNSON
PHOTO BY DEB COX-JOHNSON
Connections November 2018
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