PART 2 of summer musicals in Spring Grove Ye Olde Gray Barn, for the past 41 Spring Grove summers, has been the venue for annual musical theatre productions. Don Vesterse performed in the first 16 shows, the first of 80 lifetime performances in three states. He christened the barn (as a stage) with a bottle of champagne in 1979. There have been approximately 166 barn … [Read more...]
Historic Memories of Fillmore County A very famous preacher once visited an old Preston Church
Continuing on, (decades ago), my siblings and I have almost reached the Preston Elementary School! At the intersection of Fillmore and Pleasant Streets, two beautiful churches sat on opposite corners. We walked on the north side of the street allowing us to pass by a splendid red brick building, the glorious Preston Presbyterian Church. Even at a young age we were struck by its … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past ‘Olde’ barn has hosted horses and hoofers for 41 summers
“Ye Olde Gray Barn” is not gray, but black. It is the “Gray barn” because the functional facility for draft horses was loaned by Dr. Jim and Karen Gray to an ambitious group of citizens, who in 1979 staged Annie Get Your Gun, the first of the often-acclaimed summer musicals in Spring Grove. Horse stalls have become dressing rooms every summer for 41 musicals – believed to be … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Recognizing teachers in 2020
This week is special because it is Teacher Appreciation Week. Each year for the past four years, the Fillmore County Journal has published a section dedicated to recognizing area teachers. Historically, with our circulation solely focused on Fillmore County, we would only recognize teachers working in the six school districts within the county. With our newspaper’s … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that.
Now that I am talking to my microwave, staying at home isn’t so bad. The microwave has a limited digital vocabulary. It only tells me to enjoy my meal, but it says it in a different tone depending on what I am heating up. It seems sad and sometimes disapproving if I am heating up junk food. It is happy and encouraging when I heat up healthy food. Hey, don’t fear for my … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Made in the Midwest
For decades, America has been battling the outsourcing of manufacturing and services to countries like Mexico, China, Philippines, and India. The United States has lost so many jobs to other countries for a variety of reasons, including labor costs, environmental restrictions, and tax incentives. Most people would be surprised to hear that some newspapers have fallen into … [Read more...]
Still hopeful
It’s amazing how creative and resilient humans can be. Here, in the midst of fear and tragedy, good arises. It was an odd Easter at home. But churches live streamed services. I heard the pastor play his trumpet and it was the most uplifting and triumphant sound coming right into my home. My parents, who are in their 90s and homebound pandemic or not, were able to attend church … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
By Jessi Jablonski Hummingbirds in your garden If you watch carefully, hummingbirds should be making their appearance in a few weeks after migrating north from the warmer climates. Many gardeners love to attract these tiny, skittish birds to their gardens. Not only do hummingbirds feed from the sugary mix that we put out for them, but they also are attracted to the sweet … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
By Wenda Grabau My brush with the virus A few days after my family’s return from a trip they had been on, symptoms reared their ugly heads. Coughing uncontrollably, nearly sleepless nights, sore throat, and fever all descended on our little home in the country. Doing his regular chores drained my husband’s strength. Life was not going as usual. After several days … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that.
The following is a true story. The names are not mentioned to protect the innocent from embarrassment. When I was in elementary school my sisters and I played with the three sisters who lived up the block. In the summer we built forts in a vacant lot, played kick ball, and had tea parties with our dolls. In the winter we went to their house to play school because in the … [Read more...]