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...]
Worrying productively
By Rev. Deanna Woodward Maple Leaf Parishes - Faith United Methodist Churches of Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston and Spring Valley I recently tried out some jokes on my family and on the congregation at Cherry Grove Cowboy Church. Despite their reaction (mostly groaning), I thought I’d share a few with you readers. Here are some jokes about farming: Why do cows like … [Read more...]
Like men’s body spray, the fetid smell lingered
Cheap gas! I hit the brakes and swerved off the road because a gas station, long out of business, left a sign proclaiming its ancient gas prices. There should be a law against leaving those signs standing. I’m sure the police had grown weary of responding to rear-end collisions in that spot. I parked and got out of my car, hoping to use the stop to stretch my legs. The odor … [Read more...]
A goodly Heritage
Farming Father’s Day Melodious bird songs, bright sunshine and the wide blue sky greeted us as my family awoke on this Father’s Day. We all set out to prepare to attend church. The grandchildren, their parents, my daughter and I busied ourselves to celebrate Father’s Day. From all appearances we could expect to spend the day happily with Father. One of our number was … [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...]
Is He sufficient?
By Pastor Kevin Barnhart Spring Grove Evangelical Free Who has had this happen…after spending an hour or more at the grocery store getting a million and one things you need and a few things you don’t piled into a cart all the while navigating one two or more kids who are helpfully adding unknown things into your cart, screaming about wanting to go and having a desperate need … [Read more...]
The road worked ahead and gave me some class
I was certain it was a trap to lure me out of hiding and bring me to justice for not turning in my slide rule. I struck out into the unknown. There had been bygone days when gas was cheap and I’d stay on a road just to see where it went. With so much road work ahead of me, I’m never sure where any road will take me. A GPS gives directions with a caveat on what could go wrong. … [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...]
Remember the sabbath
By Pastor Jeff Jacobs Unity Lutheran Parish - St. Paul, Saetersdal and St. Matthew’s, Granger In May, my colleague, Pr. Nissa Peterson, reflected on sabbath in this space, and I offer additional thoughts on that theme. Last fall I attended a conference on sabbath keeping in ancient Israel. The presenter’s theme was that sabbath is not merely “taking a break,” but deeply … [Read more...]
The grackle mob put out a contract on my door
I was skipping across the yard. It was more stumbling than skipping. The day traveled at warp speed as I filled a trailer with purposeless lumber. I was laser-focused on slaving away while trying not to be eaten by stable flies. It’s difficult to hit a small fly with a two-by-four. I hate to be interrupted when I’m working unless it’s by a bird, company, a ballgame, food, a … [Read more...]