Striving to be a good neighbor on the hill

Two of St. Olaf College's brightest lights, President Susan Singer and Anton Armstrong, conductor of the St. Olaf Choir, delighted Out 'n About attendees Monday morning with insights into what "being a good neighbor on the hill" means to the Northfield community.

Singer told the crowd at St. John's Lutheran Church, many of whom are St. Olaf alumni, that "it's been a great year" at St. Olaf in sports, academics and activities.

"When you come to St. Olaf, you come to Northfield as well," said Singer. "The college and the city thrive together."

Armstrong, who has been on the music faculty at St. Olaf for 34 years, said he had big shoes to fill regarding his esteemed predecessors. "They were the holy trinity and I was the fallen angel," he joked.

Armstrong said the highly regarded Christmas Festival will be coming back home in December after moving all of the performances of the beloved chorale ensemble to Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. "So don't stop me in the produce section of Family Fare and Cub to complain about the venue," said Armstrong. "Let's just celebrate its coming back to campus."

The Out n' About conversations with Minnesotans speaker series is sponsored by St. John's Adult Ministry & Education and Northfield Area Retired Educators, NARE.