Michelle loves so much about her hometown of Silver Lake, a town west of the Twin Cities that boasts a population fewer than nine hundred residents. She loves the tight-knit community. In her youth, she was among fifteen to twenty children in town who regularly played together. Most of all, she loves her family tradition of fishing.
While there are several lakes near Silver Lake, Michelle’s favorite is Collinwood.
“That’s where we would typically bring our family’s boat,” she recalls. “Fishing always brought joy to me.”
Her fondest childhood memory was — equipped with her own pole and Snoopy bobber — competing with her older sister and parents to catch the first fish. “Whoever did,” she says, “got a dollar.”
Naturally, her parents never won. The sister who didn’t catch the fish still received some money to buy a modest treat.
The town didn’t have a Dairy Queen, bowling alley, or anywhere else for kids to hang out; the only real places to get snacks were the pop and candy machines at the gas station.
These memories compelled Michelle to return to Silver Lake after earning her college degree in Mankato.
“I like the small town,” she says. “If you need something, you can always call the neighbor and get the help you need.”
After graduating and starting her new job, Michelle is ready to regularly resume fishing on the nearby lakes. Although she often goes with her boyfriend and dog, she also brings along nieces and nephews.
“I just love spending time on the lake, enjoying the great outdoors and sunshine,” she says. “We go wherever we hear they’re biting.”
More about Michelle
If you had a free day to do anything, how would you spend it? Sleep in and then spend the day at the lake– enjoying each other’s company and making memories with family and friends. Catching fish would be a bonus!
What is your favorite snack? Jerky and cheese
Why do you love your job? The people—the patients, the families, and the coworkers—are amazing. It is fun to see children excited to be at Camp Smile and learning about the importance of oral health! Plus, where else can you bust out in song or dance and have others join in?
Favorite fluoride flavor? Bubble gum
Favorite cartoon or animated movie? Finding Nemo