DJJD: Reese Rebounds, Scores Big at Heywood Award Banquet

True to the reputation he earned on the basketball court at , Brett Reese rebounded nicely from the roasting of a lifetime Wednesday evening.

Reese, the recipient of this year’s , did not sit idly to the jesting of friends and family about his frugality, lack of punctuality and frequent cell phone use.

When he had his opportunity to speak to the crowd of several hundred at the Heywood Award banquet at the , he walked into the audience with a wireless microphone in hand and confronted his accusers ... with his tongue firmly planted in cheek.

“We were served a roast that was overdone,” he said.

Reese—an accountant by trade who is better known for building businesses and being active in nonprofits in Northfield—is the 29th recipient of the Heywood Award. Given annually by the Heywood Award Committee, the honor goes to a resident who “remind us of our past and our promise to improve our community for the future.”

One personal trait Reese didn’t joke about was his affection for Northfield.

“I feel like I’m George Bailey, as it is a wonderful life here in Northfield,” he said, referring to the character James Stewart portrayed in the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. “There is no more special place than Northfield. I am glad to have been raised here. I am glad to raise my daughters here. I am truly blessed.”

Reese has been involved in many organizations, including the , the Northfield Downtown Development Corp., , , Rotary Club of Northfield, and the .

But unlike the fictional Bailey, Reese didn’t need an angel-in-training to show him his value in the community.

When the line of friends and family weren’t cracking jokes, they described Reese as a community-minded business person, a dedicated son, husband and father and a resident who strives to improve Northfield.

Hal Thorson, who graduated with Reese in the Northfield High Class of 1977, said Reese learned the determination needed to be a community leader by playing basketball both in high school and at noon pick-up games at .

Thorson used the example of how Reese dealt with missing a shot.

“I think the difference with Brett is that he would look at a miss as a new opportunity, whether that be another shot, a foul, a rebound,” he said.

Reese’s father, Bert, joined in the roast. But after having a laugh describing his son’s pre-teen and teen exploits, Bert said, “It has been a thrill and a joy to watch Brett grow up.” 

PREVIOUS HEYWOOD WINNERS

• 1983 – Al Quie
• 1984 – Robert Shumway
• 1985 – Bernie Hughes
• 1986 – Curt Oleson
• 1987 – Karl Rolvaag
• 1988 – Paul Johnson
• 1989 – John Machacek
• 1990 – Wayne Eddy
• 1991 – Ken Grism
• 1992 – Don McRae
• 1993 – Jean & Orv Perman
• 1994 – Dan Freeman
• 1995 – Sanford “Sam” Haugen
• 1996 – Dorothy Schilling
• 1997 – Shirley Nelson
• 1998 – Don Lindberg
• 1999 – Mary Lou Street
• 2000 – Jerry Skluzacek
• 2001 – Jim Sawyer
• 2002 – Marv Grundhoefer
• 2003 – Will Brosz
• 2004 – Orin DeLong
• 2005 – Gene Finger
• 2006 – Don Pavek
• 2007 – Chip DeMann
• 2008 – Scott Richardson
• 2009 – Maggie Lee
• 2010 – Will Healy