By Lee Epps The Mabel-Canton trap team finished fifth in the state and Spring Grove 29th as the 2022 high school clay target season ended on June 25 at Prior Lake. Later in the day, there was a separate competition for the 100 All-State shooters to compete for individual honors, where Spring Grove seniors Camron Kraus and Carson Gerard both hit 98 of 100 flying clay … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Whoopee John, Wee Willie and Six Fat Dutchmen
Part three of a series Versatility was valuable for many dance bands that played in southeast Minnesota during the 1930s and 1940s. Local newspapers frequently advertised upcoming dances, emphasizing both “Old Time and New Time Music” or “Modern and Old Time Music.” “Old Time Music” included dances brought by European immigrants – waltzes, polkas, schottisches – the latter … [Read more...]
Always leave them with hope
Many years ago, I was in the audience when the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the legendary civil rights activist and election mobilizer, gave a speech. He often used the catchphrase, “Keep hope alive!” when he spoke, and he did so that time. The audience picked it up as a chant. “Keep hope alive!” they called. “Keep hope alive!” It was a memorable bit of political showmanship. A few … [Read more...]
Strinmoen voted SG baseball MVP, among four Lions honored
Jaxon Strinmoen was voted the Todd Oakes Most Valuable Player by his 2022 Spring Grove baseball teammates, one of four awards he received at the July 12 awards presentation. For the second season, the coaches honored him with the Willie Mays Gold Glove award for defense, and he earned a statistics award as the Ted Williams Batting Champion. His teammates also voted him the Lou … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Waltzing on Washington’s, Roosevelt’s birthdays
Part two of a series Dancing and dance bands provided both some physical and mental relief throughout some of the toughest, times of the 20th century. From 1929 to 1941 was the economic travail of the Great Depression, followed by The United States fighting in World War II (1941-1945). A Caledonia weekly newspaper published advertisements for 30 public dances during 1938 … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past The Blue Moon and the mystery of the Green Lantern
First of a series Clouds of dust filled the air from the automobile traffic heading from Spring Grove toward Eitzen on Houston County Highway 17, which in the 1940s, was not yet paved. Likely, no other building has ever drawn as many out-of-town visitors to Eitzen as did the Blue Moon Ballroom. Even a half-century after its demolition, visitors to the Eitzen Museum in the … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Houston was the area’s pre-eminent bicentennial city
In 1975, Lt. Gov. Rudy Perpich visited Houston to personally present the city with a bicentennial flag as an official Bicentennial community. In 1976, the entire nation was celebrating the nation’s 200th birthday. However, few Minnesota communities so extensively observed the occasion as did Houston, which enjoyed a year-long celebration. On Easter weekend, La Crescent drew … [Read more...]
McHugh again, Grinde are Lion Athletes of the Year
Juniors Addyson McHugh and Tysen Grinde were the 2021-22 Female and Male Athletes of the Year, respectively, as selected by the Spring Grove High School coaches. McHugh, a two-sport athlete, was the first repeat honoree in 12 years after being the first-ever sophomore girl recipient last year (2021). Grinde was a three-sport athlete on the football gridiron, basketball court … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Some good times during tough times
Radio shows, barn dances, homemade ice cream parties, weddings and card games provided some emotional relief during the economic hardships of the Great Depression (1929-1941). Both farm families and townsfolk enjoyed much-needed entertainment, as frugal as it had to be. It could have been as unorganized as fishing or impromptu challenges at horseshoe throwing or as cooperative … [Read more...]
Pieper is state runner-up high jumper
Caledonia/Spring Grove track & field standout Chris Pieper closed his high school career as the state runner-up in high jump at the 2022 MSHSL Class A State Championships at St. Michael on June 9-11. It was his second trip to the state meet where he earned All-State credentials in 2021 with a sixth-place finish. Clearing 6 feet, 4 inches last week, he improved two inches … [Read more...]