There it was. Up on the Big Marquee on the old Andria Theater. Patty Kakac, one of the shyest of the shy schoolgirls at District 460, headlining a concert. Wow. I stopped the car on Broadway and just about got rear-ended by some local who still doesn't get that Alex is a tourist town in the summer and traffic is prone to unusual movements. Sheesh.That's Patty Kakac on the far left, sitting behind Jane Anderson, Harvey Hiebel, Bruce Chan, Virgil Rolfsrud and Thom? Halstead circa 1958. The guy in the back center is Patty's brother, Bruce, sitting behind Gary Halstead and the toothsome Stephen Paul Rolfsrud. Darrell Williams is on the far right. Stan and Linda Rolfsrud and Patty's sister, Kathy, are elsewhere in the picture taken by an itinerant photographer.
I googled Patty Kakac, got her website and address. I emailed her and said I remembered her as a quiet, shy, religious and possibly mischieveous classmate of Steve's. Here's her reply:
Hi Stanley,
How nice to hear from you and get the update on your family. Yes, I was in Steve’s class. We had some great times in that school. He could tell a bit about the mischievous part. When Mrs. Salt was there (such a nice person but didn’t have any control over us) we sort of had a hey day. We turned out alright anyway. I’m curious about the photo? Do you have it? Would you be able to email a copy? We don’t have any pictures from those school days. Guess my parents could never afford to get any.
I also had a great time with your sister Solveig before she left for 7th grade. She must have been in 6th grade and I in 4th or maybe we were only a year apart. I can’t remember. I had your dad for 9th grade English and he remains one of my favorite all-time teachers.
Yes, I was a very shy kid. I am still a bit shy but not too shy on stage—tee, hee. I’m not religious anymore but am deeply spiritual, as you can see on the webpage, love the earth and nature. You were in my sister Kathy’s class, weren’t you? Where do you live? And what do you do?
Good luck to you too.
Here's what Patty's web site said. There's a lot more there. Google it yourself and listen to a couple of free songs she has composed. And while you're at it, order a couple of CDs. I think you'll enjoy her, sort of a Joan Baez voice.
Patty Kakac is a professional folk musician who uses her singing and song writing talents to address difficult issues in today's world. She has studied with Stevie Beck, and mentored with Larry Long and numerous folk musicians for over 20 years.
As a singer/songwriter she has written the music for several plays for Lakes Country Service Cooperative, Fergus Falls, MN; Educational video for Nursing Assistants, '24 Hours a Day" and she has recorded two albums/CD's featuring mostly original works; "Heart of a Woman" and "Patchwork".
She collaborates with playwright, Kathy Ray, of Playing on Purpose Productions, Barrett, MN and has written, directed and performed for 9 issue orientated plays for schools and community programs. She is also a performer and singer for "Women Through The Ages" a show of vignettes and music portraying women's stories, performed extensively throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Patty formed a local folk band, Patty and the Pinetones in 1982. Patty and the Pinetones performed at theater concerts, house concerts, yard parties, churches and schools, as well as opening for Bill Staines, The Kingston Trio, Larry Long, and Pop Wagner. She has performed solo for numerous concerts, folk festivals, house concerts, conferences, and community events including Valley City, ND Folk and Blues Fest, Two Harbors Folk Festival, Finn Creek Folk Festival, Northfield Arts Guild, and Northrop Auditorium for Jessie Jackson and with Garrison Keillor in Henning, MN. Patty now performs in The Granary Girls folk duo with Jodi Ritter.
Patty has conducted Artist Residences. Patty plays the guitar, autoharp, upright bass, piano, harmonica and penny whistle. Patty is a recipient of an 1999 Individual Artist Grant from the Lakes Region Arts Council to promote her music in both rural and metro Minnesota. Both Patty and Jodi are currently training with Larry Long in "Elder Wisdom, Children Songs"
Patty lives on a farm outside of Evansville, MN, is a farmer and gardener, raises chickens, keeps a husband and is guiding a young daughter. She conveys her love of the land in her music, in her home, in her remodeled granary which becomes a summer kitchen and treasures the rising and setting sun. Many of her songs are born while she works in the garden turning the soil.
