Fortunately, there is an improvisation exercise using fortunately/unfortunately stories. Participants take turns articulating one sentence at a time in a build-upon story chain. Each sentence must start with either “fortunately” or “unfortunately,” and alternate between the two. In this activity, “fortunately” is used to suggest good luck for the character and “unfortunately” … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past Small schoolhouse blossoms into large opera house
Part five of a series Internationally acclaimed stage actress Ethel Barrymore appeared in a play at the Opera House in Spring Grove in 1918. A small town could attract touring entertainment if there was an appropriate venue for the performance. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, entrepreneurs in southeast Minnesota invested in some combination of traveling stage companies, … [Read more...]
Fresh off the Farm
“Recipe” for success: Raw milk benefits for your immune system “I love when my kids are sick,” said no mom ever. Playing mommy-nurse is hard. (Especially if you are sick!) My daughter had RSV as an infant. I spent countless nights watching her labored breathing, wondering what I could do to strengthen her struggling lungs. For many months after that, every cold she got … [Read more...]
Peering at the Past From roller skating to Duke Ellington
Part four of a series Thirteen of the nation’s most famous band leaders and their musicians thrilled audiences and dancers in Caledonia, starting with the 1952 appearance of “Duke Ellington and his World Famous Orchestra” and closed with the 1954 performance of “Harry James and His Music Makers, starring Buddy Rich at the drums.” In between were Lionel Hampton, Ray Anthony, … [Read more...]
Pastor Devotion – Giving all
By Pastor Pam Seebach Harmony, Mabel, and Newburg United Methodist Churches Every day when I retrieve the mail from our mailbox there are at least a couple of requests for charitable donations. Organizations around the country need (NEED!) my money. They need me to help protect the children, the trees, the birds, the animals. Other organizations want me to support their … [Read more...]
A Little of this, A little of that
Soon after wagon trains crossed the country, but B.C. (before computers) ; women saved recipes on index cards in special boxes. These were made of wood or metal and called recipe boxes. Don’t you love the logic of this? I collect recipes. I own 15 recipe boxes. The ones with advertising on them are the most valuable but most of them cost under $10. I used to organize recipes … [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...]
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...]