Part one of a series Birds were singing on a bright and beautiful Sunday morning with healthy crops in the field, according to Margaret Goetzinger. June 16, 1946, was a special day for the family with Alvin Goetzinger’s baby daughter, Joan Kay, having been baptized that morning at Crooked Creek Peace Church. However, the day became very hot, humid and windy. By late … [Read more...]
The historic closing of “The Phantom of The Opera” on Broadway
By Grace Torgerson The chandelier has fallen for the final time and “The Phantom of The Opera” has closed on Broadway. “Phantom” is the longest running show in Broadway history, closing just weeks after it’s 35th anniversary. The original closing date was set to be in February 2023 but was later pushed to mid-April because of a huge increase in ticket sales. This increase … [Read more...]
Flying Farmer: The Closest Thing to Flying
The closest thing to flying Do you ever just want to do nothing? Can you really DO nothing? Doesn’t the word “do” negate the word, “nothing”? I have an idea for you to try. It’s a great summer activity of doing nothing and you just might like it! I’m going to call it, “the ultimate introverts hangout”! Aka, hammocking. Doing something together, by yourself. There’s … [Read more...]
What is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, is a U.S. federal holiday honoring and mourning the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Military. This day of commemoration started in the years that followed the Civil War. It became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many people observe the day by visiting cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day. I came from a … [Read more...]
Rock of Ages, let me hide myself in thee
By Pastor Paul Hauschild Chatfield and Root Prairie Lutheran Churches In May 2018 I went hiking in Israel with a dear friend of mine. I’ve led a couple of group tours there with church groups (and will again in April 2024), but this time I wanted something unique. The main part of the hike was on the “The Jesus Trail,” a 40-mile hike from Nazareth (the hometown of Jesus) … [Read more...]
This rite of passage involved a right, a left and another left
It was rush hour in a small town. I waited for the only other moving car to find a parking place and then I parked mine. I was hungry and there was but one eatery open – a bar. I walked in. Hamburgers were being made. There was enough grease in the air that I gained two pounds by inhaling deeply. I ordered a burger. The bartender told me that for an additional $1, I’d get a … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Her candy bar lasted seven days, his only minutes
If her father drove the horse and buggy to town for groceries, he would bring back candy for the children. However, if her mother went with him, there would be no candy. Mother thought they could not afford it during the Great Depression era of the 1930s. A long-time resident of Spring Grove, 98-year-old Beatrice (Hatling) Doely reflected on growing up on a farm between the … [Read more...]
She served a volleyball I refused to eat without ketchup
My sister made a sandwich of mustard and sugar on Wonder Bread. I ate it. The food delivery system during my formative years was primarily at home (or homes of others) or at school with occasional visits to Vivian’s Cafe, Minske’s (another cafe) and the root beer stand to enjoy a member of the Burger Family — Papa, Mama or Baby Burger. It was my duty to eat what I was … [Read more...]
What did I tell my comfort zone?
See – I have this thing called a comfort zone. She’s my favorite place to be – at least if I’m not thinking beyond today. She knows just what I like and she keeps me far away from what I don’t like. If something sounds like it might fall outside of her, we just avoid that. She and I are pretty tight. This week, I told my comfort zone to take a hike and we launched our silo … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Catching airborne cash registers, winning awards in Choice
They were married in the king’s palace in Norway. Otto and Caroline Bach, at ages 26 and 24 respectively, and his mother Otilia sailed to New York in 1885 with second-class passage purchased at a country store and post office in Newburg, Fillmore County, Minn., by Otto’s brother and previous immigrant, Mathias Johnson. The newcomers first settled in Newburg and later lived in … [Read more...]