WELCOME MILLY!
The Summer of 2024's flood waters brought a uniquely formed branch to the shores of Mill Pond, visible out of the Library’s northern windows. While checking on the rising waters, one staff member remarked, “We should go out and put googly eyes on that branch and name it Milly!”. That was the beginning of Milly, the Mill Pond Monster.
The Evolution of Milly, the Mill Pond Monster
MMMMilly, the Mill Pond Monster
by Will Bjorndal
MMMMilly, Milly! (ding!)
Milly grew up in the Sargasso Sea
Deep under the waves, twirling, swimming free
But she thought she needed some new scenery
So she followed her nose up the Mississippi
Till she reached the Cedar River and Austin’s famous Mill Pond
Where she stuck around, and she made a home, cuz for that town how could one not be fond?
MMMilly Milly, the mill pond monster
And is she friendly? Oh yeah you bet sure
MMMilly Milly, the mill pond monster
MMinnesota’s least monstrous monster
MMMMilly, Milly! (ding!)
Milly fit in iMMMmmediately
When she landed that job at the library
Reading storybooks and shelving magazines
A kindly flipper to help you with technology
And when her shift ends she slips back into that famous mill pond
And all the people smile when they see her there, cuz of her how could one not be fond?
MMMilly Millly, the mill pond monster
And is she friendly? Oh yeah you bet sure
MMMilly Millly, the mill pond monster
MMinnesota’s least monstrous monster
MMMilly Millly, the mill pond monster
MMMilly Millly, the mill pond monster
MMMMilly, Milly! (ding!)
Milly
The Mill Pond Monster
The Austin Public Library wishes to thank Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative for the Operation Round up Grant, SELCO Regional Library System for the Community Collaboration Grant, and the people of Minnesota for funding through the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment Grant. We would also like to thank all of those who came together to bring Milly to life, including:
AUSTIN PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL -
RYAN STANLEY AND THE WELDING STUDENTS
DISCOVER AUSTIN
AUSTIN CULTURE & ARTS COMMISSION
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA EXTENSION OFFICE
TIM RUZEK - OUTREACH COORDINATOR FOR THE CEDAR RIVER WATERSHED DISTRICT
AUSTIN CITY PARK & RECREATION AND STREETS DEPARTMENT
CARTER ROSENTHAL, INNOVATIVE SIGNS
WILL BJORNDAL
AKKERMAN MANUFACTURING
RIVERLAND WELDING PROGRAM