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...]
Pastor devotion – Guard your speech
By Pastor Stuart Weist First Baptist Church of Preston Have you ever heard someone tell you to “watch your mouth”? Well, I have because unfortunately, in my youth, my tongue would often get me in trouble. Those little backhanded comments to parents, speaking ill of bosses or coworkers, or simply venting my anger though vile language, I have been guilty of it all and once … [Read more...]
Fresh off the Farm
What are you thinking?! Five lessons I learned during my “impossible” marathon One year ago today, I did the craziest thing of my life. Eight months prior to that, I laughed at my friend when she excitedly suggested that we should run a marathon together. You name the limiting belief, I had it. And I believed it - 1,000% Maybe you’re there too. Unfortunately, I feel … [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...]
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...]