Tradition of Deceit (30 page)

Acknowledgments

I extend thanks to all of the Minnesota Historical Society staff who provided assistance while this project developed. Librarians and historic preservation staff at the Minnesota History Center helped identify resources and patiently dug out boxes of old files. Many organizations and individuals were involved in redeveloping and interpreting not only the Washburn Mill complex, but the riverfront area. The plans and proposals compiled over the years gave me a glimpse of the enormous and complicated effort to preserve and interpret the St. Anthony Falls Historic District.

The interpreters at the Mill City Museum did an amazing job of bringing the old ruin to life, and the shop staff always extended a warm welcome. Special thanks to Laura Salveson, Director, and David Stevens, Public Programs Specialist, for their thoughtful assistance. David's special exhibit
From Mill To Museum: The Hidden History of the Washburn Complex 1965–2003
provided great insight about the abandoned mill. I'm particularly indebted to Joby Lynn Sassily James, who once lived in the mill, for sharing her memories and photographs within the exhibit.

Thanks also to the Milwaukee artists and historians who helped me glimpse life in the Old Polish South Side: Kasia Drake-Hames, my talented
wycinanki
instructor; the staff at the Polish Heritage Center, Franklin; Principal Investigator Jill Florence Lackey and Executive Director Rick Petrie of the Old South Side Settlement Museum; and the helpful staff at the Basilica of St. Josaphat and Forest Home Cemetery, who have done so much to preserve and share the history of those special places.

I am grateful to the law enforcement professionals who offered suggestions and answered endless questions: Lieutenant Kevin Porter, Lannan Police Department; Corrections Officer Gale Borger, Walworth County; and the officers at the Eagle Police Department, especially Sergeant Gwen Bruckner and Chief Russ Ehlers. Any errors regarding police procedure are, of course, my own.

Warm thanks to Agent Fiona Kenshole, to everyone at Trans­atlantic Literary, and to Terri Bischoff and the Midnight Ink team.

I appreciate the friendship and support I've received from editorial assistant Laurie Rosengren; photographer Kay Klubertanz; and baker Alisha Rapp and the crew at the Prairie Café.

I am indebted to the Council for Wisconsin Writers and the Shake Rag Alley Center For the Arts for providing a residency in Mineral Point, Wisconsin; and to Katie Mead and Robert Alexander, and to Liz Rog and Daniel Rotto of Fern Hollow Cabin, for providing writing space when I needed it.

I wouldn't be able to do the work I love without encouragement from my extended family; from Scott Meeker, my husband and partner; and from my wonderful readers. Thank you all.

If you are interested in learning more about flour milling and the St. Anthony Falls area, I recommend
Mill City: A Visual History of the Minneapolis Mill District
, by Shannon Pennefeather (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2003.) To learn more about Milwaukee's Old South Side neighborhood, see
Milwaukee's Old South Side,
by Jill Florence Mackey and Rick Petrie (Images of America, Arcadia Publishing, 2013).

Geri Gerold © Kathleen Ernst

About the Author

Kathleen Ernst is an award-winning author, educator, and social historian. She has published twenty-nine novels and one nonfiction book. Her books for young readers include the Caroline Abbott series for
American Girl
. Honors for her children's mysteries include Edgar and Agatha Award nominations. Kathleen worked as an Interpreter and Curator of Interpretation and Collections at Old World Wisconsin, and her time at the historic site served as inspiration for the Chloe Ellefson mysteries.
The Heirloom Murders
won the Anne Powers Fiction Book Award from the Council for Wisconsin Writers, and
The Light Keeper's Legacy
won the Lovey Award for Best Traditional Mystery from Love Is Murder. Ernst served as project director/scriptwriter for several instructional television series, one of which earned her an Emmy Award. She lives in Middleton, Wisconsin. For more information, visit her online at http://www.kathleenernst.com.