Southwest Sailor - December 2014

December 2014

Free Your Holiday Guide to Southwest Minnesota

Drift Busters The Southwest Ridgerunners Snowmobile Club keeps maintaining trails and having fun. See story page 9.

The Nutcracker Returns

Pioneer Village at Christmas

Valentine Inn holiday decorating

See page 3

See page 8

See page 10

Published by Tracy Publishing Company, Inc. • 207 4th Street • Tracy, MN 56175 • (507) 629-4300 • www.swmnsailor.com

2 – Southwest Sailor, December 2014

Opera House plans 19th Christmas show

By Carolyn Van Loh

Next to traditional meals and holiday sweets, music is an important element of the Christmas season. With the intent of stimulating more spending, merchants’ public address systems surround shoppers with festive songs. Churches and schools present programs featuring songs of the season.

The Opera House in Lake Benton has presented Christmas shows for the past 19 years. Mark Wilmes, program director and president of Lake Benton Opera House, Inc., explains how the tradition began.

“We needed money to get through the winter.” What started as a fundraising event has developed into a tradition.

The Christmas show’s original entertainers had performed in one or more Opera House summer musicals. The participants appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with cast members they had worked with. Now anyone is welcome to participate, regardless of age.

Rehearsals are kept to a minimum: Thanksgiving weekend, the night before and the morning of the show. Each year participants join their voices for three numbers. This year’s choir numbers are “Joy to the World,” “Christmas Sanctus” and “Morning Star.”

“We have a Christmas party for the participants, and the Opera House provides food at noon and between shows,” said Wilmes. “We have a good time.”

Wilmes’ love of the Christmas season contributes to the quality of

Emilirose Rasmussen, Ivanhoe, was one of the performers at last year’s Lake Benton Opera House Christmas show.

the performance. He will be singing the beloved traditional song “O Holy Night” for the 17th Christmas show this December. The program always ends with the audience joining their voices to sing an all-time favorite carol, “Silent Night.”

Opera House revival The website for the city of Lake Benton, proclaims the Opera House “one of the premiere historic buildings in Southwestern Minnesota.” The road to that declaration was a rough one.

In December 1895, just a year after a wooden building was constructed, a fire destroyed the structure. A group of citizens organized to rebuild, and a brick opera house was completed late in 1896.

The new building was “considered one of the finest” in the area because of its horseshoe-shaped stage, still one of its most endearing features, and its private boxes for important guests and the gas lighting system. Traveling troupes, school plays and concerts, public events and political meetings used the building over the years.

As time passed and interest in its programs began to wane, the Opera House fell into disrepair. A hailstorm in 1963, which exposed the Opera house to the elements, seemed to be the building’s final death knell.

When the structure was scheduled for demolition in 1970, citizens united to save the landmark. As much of the original ambiance as possible was retained when restoring the structure. Charles and Lois Lukens led the work. He did many physical jobs, but he looked to South Dakota State University’s theatre department for advice on the correct equipment, such as a new light board, to install. Other community members volunteered their time and expertise.

Their efforts were rewarded March 25, 1977, when the building was named to

the National Registry of Historic Places.

The Opera House’s schedule each year includes a drama in the spring, a musical in the summer, children’s theatre in the fall, and the Christmas Show the first Saturday in December.

Wilmes has been affiliated with the Opera House nearly 25 years.

“I started acting there in ’92. In ’98 I started doing some directing. My first musical was in the early ‘90s. In all, I’ve directed over 60 shows,” he said.

Repairs and maintenance are a continual concern. A few years ago patrons donated $100 each for new auditorium chairs, and a new roof was installed.

To improve the 120-year-old structure’s energy efficiency, windows and doors have been replaced. Wilmes thinks that the old windows were probably the original ones.

“We do a lot of the work with Southwest Minnesota Arts Council grants,” said Wilmes.

Although performers hail from a 45-mile radius of Lake Benton, the responsibility of maintaining the Opera House falls to those in the community.

The Support Lake Benton Opera House website says it well: “You can’t have a community theatre without a community.”

This year’s show will be presented at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Tickets for the Christmas Show are $10 across the board. No reservations needed.

Lake Benton Minnesota

Lake Benton Gifts Lake Benton Hardware 101 N. Center • Lake Benton

• Lawn & Garden décor

• Giftware •BaLLoons • free Gift wrappinG • napa auto parts

(507) 368-4283 or (800) 252-9602

Kjergaard Sports Where the Service and the Price are Worth the Trip!

ll Buy, Se e d or Tra

www.kjergaardsports.com

• Huge selection of High-Quality Optics: Scopes, Spotting Scopes, Rangefinders • Ammunition • Reloading Supplies, Calls & Electronics • Over 3000 Firearms on display • An increasing selection of Hunting Clothing & Accessories

Gift Certificates Available 1951 200th Avenue • Lake Benton, MN • (507) 368-4696 • Service (507) 368-4894 From Lake Benton, 4 miles North on Hwy. 75, 1 Mile East on Co. 13, 1/2 Mile North on 200th Ave. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9-8; Sunday 1-8 p.m.

LAKE BENTON GROCERY 104 E. Benton Street • Lake Benton, MN (507) 368-4585

• DELIVERY AVAILABLE •MEATS •PRODUCE •BAKERY

Lake Benton Opera House Southwestern Minnesota’s Premiere Community Theatre!

Christmas Show Saturday, dec. 6, 2014 Shows at 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

General Admission: $10.00 No Reserved Seats

Lake Benton, Mn For more information call (507) 368-4620 (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) or email lakebentonoperahouse@gmail.com

Ice Follies

This time of the year causes ice fishing people to lose touch with reality.

Anticipation and excitement starts to impact people’s ability to think clearly.

And when people are charged up about ice fishing, funny things can be the result.

Here are just a few examples, and I will call them ice follies.

If a ton of furnace coal costs $16, how much would 50 lbs. of that coal cost?

We were faced with that elementary math problem when we sought to buy 50 lbs. of hard coal briquettes from a co-op elevator in a town on Hwy. 212 in Minnesota. I asked the elevator manager if they sold coal, and he replied, “yes,” and told us we would have to load it ourselves. I asked him the price, and he said briquettes were $16 a ton. He told us where to drive and load the coal and bring it back and he would weigh it.

When we returned with our 50 lbs. salt sack full of coal, the manager was gone, and the assistant manager was running the desk. Two tall local farmers were also in the elevator office checking prices on corn and soybeans, and they stood off observing our business transaction.

The assistant manager looked up the price of coal, entered $16 a ton into his adding machine, then he hit some keys and entered our weight number (50 lbs.) and pulled the big lever arm down for the total. He tore off the tape, handed it to me and said, “You owe us $2.50.”

I paid the $2.50, and we walked out of the office and down the loading ramp.

Then I heard one of the farmers say to the other: “Boy those two guys are really stupid!”

After we got back into our 1960 Chevrolet fishing car, the driver said: “Did you guys get your coal, how much did it cost?” When we told him, he slammed on the brakes, turned the car around, called us a pair of idiots, and he drove us back to the elevator to get some of our money back. When we walked in the elevator office, the manager was back from lunch. And before we could say anything, he said he told the assistant manager we would be back, because nobody is that dumb! Ice fishing excitement totally numbed our math skills!

Fishing …with Joe

by Joe LeTendre

It was just too simple The call came telling us that the walleyes were hitting on Mille Lacs and our friend’s brother had used his GPS to mark the exact spot where the walleye bite was taking place.

We loaded snowmobiles, portable fish houses, power augers, and stoves and headed to the east shore of Mille Lacs just north of Isle, Minnesota.

We parked in an unplowed wayside rest lot, unloaded our sleds and houses, and took our spot behind the guy with the GPS. Before we jumped on our sleds, I noticed a group of about 20 fish houses about 2 miles southwest of our lake landing spot and mentioned that those people must be catching something, but I received no response from our guys.

On the lake we went, then off to the north for about 5 minutes. Then we took a southwest heading and seemed to be getting out a ways from shore. We turned again and headed almost due south, went a ways, and then we stopped.

Our leader stopped to check the GPS again. When we resumed our travel, our course seemed to be straight east in the direction of all those houses I had seen from shore. The leader slowed down. We were getting close to the spot. The leader turned left and drove past the outer most line of houses. Then he stopped and said: “This is it!” We didn’t use the GPS on the way back to the wayside rest; we just drove on the plowed road!

Stuck in reverse Long hours of ice fishing in finger numbing cold can make a task as easy as pushing the right button almost impossible. After working all day at the public school in Slayton, a friend of mine headed out to Keeley Island on Lake Shetek. He parked his Rambler station

Southwest Sailor, December 2014 – 3

Discover them at a lake near you wagon by the Lutheran Bible camp fence and walked out to his fish house.

He decided to quit fishing a couple hours after dark and headed back to his Rambler. The car was cold, but it did go into reverse when he pushed the button to the left of the steering wheel, but when he went to push a button into forward there was no response. He tried all the buttons, and the only one that worked was reverse, so he had no choice but to attempt to back his Rambler to safety.

Across a dike, around the curves of Valhalla Island, over a bridge, around a corner, across another dike, then a mile up a hill to Sagmoe’s corner at Hwy. 59.

On his trip he met two cars headed to Valhalla. Each car turned around and followed him to Sagmoe’s.

The guy who eventually gave my friend a ride home said he couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw taillights coming toward him in the opposite lane.

The magnetic attraction of ice fishing can put a person in some precarious situations.

Snowy Good Samaritan Even if you are not a person who fishes, ice fishing can encourage a person to do things that don’t make money and don’t seem to make much sense. Here is just one example.

When we arrived at the lake, three feet of brand new snow greeted us at the lakeshore landing. The lake road, that was plowed almost three cars wide the day before, was full of new snow, but there was a very big one-ton Ford flatbed with dual chrome stacks, a V-plow, and chains grinding toward us pulling a fish house off the lake. After he unhooked the house on the shoulder of the highway, he headed back on to the ice for another pull.

I said to a guy standing with us, “Now that guy knows how to take advantage of a situation to make some real money.”

I had trouble believing what the guy said to me in response.

“Gary doesn’t charge anyone anything.

He just loves to show off his truck and help people. This road plugs up a couple

Children and lavish costumes are part of the magic of “Nutcracker.”

•154 3rd St. Tracy, MN 56175 629-3084 •690 Main St. Walnut Grove, MN 56180 859-2154 •104 Sherman St. Garvin, MN 56132 746-4444 •535 1st Ave. Westbrook, MN 274-5962 •306 America St. Storden, MN 445-3900

Knakmuhs Real Estate Call (507) 629-4618 • 245 Morgan St. • Tracy, MN

If you are interested in buying or selling RESIDENTIAL • LAKE SHORE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Kerry J. Knakmuhs Broker Walnut Grove (507) 859-2154

Matt Knakmuhs Broker Associate Tracy (507) 629-4618

The magic of The Nutcracker returns to the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts, Friday through Sunday, Jan. 9-11.

Performances for the Prairie Dance Alliance production at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10; and Sunday, 2 p.m., Jan. 11, 2 p.m.

More than 100 elaborately costumed dancers will appear in the production, which is directed by Charlotte Wendel.

Principals are Eric Coudron as the Nutcracker and Cavalier Prince, Whitney Hart as the Snow Queen, Michael Stone as the Snow King, and Diane Cheeseman as the Doll and Sugar Plum Fairy.

The production is funded, in part, by a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council, through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature, with money from the state’s general fund.

See page four

Life • Health • MPCI • Commercial • Auto • Farm • Crop Hail • Home Owners

AGRICULTURAL

‘Nutcracker’ returns to Marshall

Fishing with Joe:

Serving All Your Insurance Needs Greg Carlson Agent Tracy (507) 629-3084

Zac Hammer and Dani Wendel had leading roles in the 2011 production of “The Nutcracker.”

Duane M. Peterson Broker Associate Tracy (507) 629-4618

www.knakmuhsagency.com

Nate Knakmuhs Salesperson Westbrook (507) 274-5962

Published by Tracy Publishing Company 207 4th Street, Tracy, MN 56175 (507) 629-4300 • FAX (507) 629-4301 www.swmnsailor.com tracypublishing@headlightherald.com Seth Schmidt – Publisher April DeSchepper – Ad Composition Kris Knott – Advertising Sales Kyleen Olson – Reporter Lisa Sell – Advertising Manager Carol Strand – Bookkeeper Alicia Swenhaugen – Office Manager Peggy Wichmann – Advertising Sales PUBLISHER’S LIABILITY FOR ERROR: The publisher shall not be liable for slight changes or typographical errors that do not lessen the value of an advertisement. The publisher’s liability for other errors or omissions in connection with an advertisement is strictly limited to publication in any subsequent issue or the refund of any monies paid for the advertisement.

4 – Southwest Sailor, December 2014

Mary & Joseph to travel to Springfield

Holiday home tour planned in Marshall The Lyon County Historical Society is planning its 23rd annual Holiday Home Tour in Marshall.

Homes on the Sunday, Nov. 30, 1 to 4 p.m. tour, will be Brad and Gina Meulebroeck, Ryan and Ann Schlenner, Matt and Jamie Wendorff, and Randy and Sima Wewetzer.

Tickets, $20 each, are on sale at the historical society’s museum (301 West Lyon St., Marshall), or at the Marshall HyVee store.

The historical society’s indoor Christmas Tree Walk opens Saturday, Nov. 22, and will remain lit until New Year’s Eve. Area organizations and businesses have decorated the trees.

The historical society’s heirloom quilt and knife raffle will continue through Dec. 23.

The Opland Singers are a Pipestone tradition at Christmas.

‘Step into Christmas’ The musical Christmas traditions of the Opland Singers continues.

The Opland Singers will present, “Step into Christmas,” on six dates in December at the Pipestone Performing Arts Center.

Performance dates are Friday through Sunday, Dec. 5-7, and Dec. 12-14.

Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays.

A blend of choreographed traditional and contemporary Holiday music is planned.

For ticket information, call 507825-2020 or email pipecham@ pipestoneminnesota.com.

See the Christmas nativity story come to life.

Local actors will again reenact the sights and sounds of the Christmas story, with Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus in a live manger scene with real camels, dancing angels, and more. Enjoy Christmas carols sung by the community choir. After the show refreshments are served at the Springfield Community Center.

The outdoor pageant is planned Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12-13, at Springfield’s Riverside Park. Performances begin at 7 p.m. The pageant is held outdoors, so spectators are advised to dress accordingly.

Fishing with Joe: Ice fishermen are unique Continued from page three

times a season, and Gary always shows up and hangs around helping people, he just loves to play in the snow and have people tell him how much they appreciate the help. He picks up enough money to cover his diesel fuel and people give him lots of free beer!” We didn’t fish that day, but we knew where we would go on the lake the next time we fished.

There’s nothing like it!

Some folks like to sit in a mall and watch the people pass by, but if you want to enjoy real winter fun watching people, ice fishing is the thing for you.

You will discover all kinds of new words that people use to describe their power augers. You will see super conservative men enter fish houses decorated with a rainbow of leftover pastel and psychedelic colors. When you enter

Shetek Lutheran Ministries provides many programmed retreats for youth, adults, senior adults, women’s groups, men’s groups and families throughout the year. Additionally, its setting provides an ideal location for: •Retreats •Conferences •Family Events •Church Group Meetings •Business & Board Meetings •Weddings and more!

a fishing shack, you might see a guy enjoying a good slug of Copenhagen as his feet rest on pink shag carpet. As you pass fish houses on Lake of the Woods, you will see cross-eyed eelpout who met their maker when a guy hit them between the eyes with a crescent wrench.

For ice follies fun, just head to a lake where there are ice fishermen.

The Christmas nativity is recreated each year in Springfield.

Happy Holidays from Minnwest Bank

UP-COMING EVENTS

Dec. 7 – Lutefisk Supper- 5:30 p.m.- Prepaid reservation only Dec. 19 – Stargazing Cross-country skiing 8-10p.m.

Dec. 28 – Snowshoe: Come try your winter paws out on the beautiful snowy grounds of SLM. Dec. 29 – Winter Fun Day Grade 3-6 Jan. 23-25 2015—SCRAPTACULAR (Scrapbooking & Stamping retreat)

For more information call (507) 763-3567 www.shetek.org Located 8 miles north of Slayton Whatever you choose to do, you will be surrounded by the beauty on Keeley Island, Lake Shetek of God’s creation.

Surprise your loved one this Christmas

The holidays are busy.

At Minnwest Bank, we take the hassle out of banking.

• 24-hour ATM •MoneyLine •Online Banking •Mobile Banking

•Airline Tickets •Motorcoach Tours •Vacation Packages •Amtrak •Cruises R 2015 TOUS GUIDE LE AVAILAB

tificates Gift Cer ble availa

Travel Southwest & Go With the Best

1500 Travis Road • Marshall, MN

507-532-5536 • Toll Free 800-669-1309 www.swtourandtravel.com

swcmar@starpoint.net

Southwest Coaches, Inc. Southwest Tour & Travel The Travel Company

Tracy 250 Third Street (507) 629-4780 Slayton 2565 King Avenue (507) 836-6141 Lake Wilson 300 Broadway Avenue (507) 879-3221

Southwest Sailor, December 2014 – 5

There’s no place like home When LaBron James announced in Sports Illustrated: “I’m Coming Home,” it hit a cord with my life here in Southwest Minnesota. After a summer of high school reunions, family get togethers, time with long time friends and former students, and too many funerals, I became acutely aware of the strengths of roots established and nourished over a lifetime. LaBron’s words echo the feeling many of us experience. “Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It’s where I walked, it’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart.”

Nearly all of us have memories that will live forever in our own minds and hearts.

Wm. G. Brown wrote: “The sweetest sounds to mortals given, are heard in Mother, Home and Heaven.” In this article I’ll try to share some thoughts about home.

• • • I’ve never strayed far from my homes in Southwest Minnesota in nearly 80 years. Save four years of college, I’ve only lived in three places: Slayton, Tracy and on Lake Sarah, never more than 10 miles in any direction from Lake Shetek.

Our roots run deep, although we know several who had lived in one town, one house, or one farm for that long or longer.

I’m readily aware that many experiences and friendships have immensely enriched my life. Attempting to look back I see connections through sports, teaching and working at Tracy Area High School for 50 years, serving over 21 years in the Minnesota National Guard, officiating boys’ and girls’ basketball

History

is

Life Bill Bolin is a retired history teacher and expert on area history.

games, 17 summers as naturalist at Lake Shetek State Park, four summers as recreation director at Slayton, several summers at the Tracy swimming pool, hunting, fishing, church and trying to follow all the activities of our children and grandchildren. We made it to a lot of State Fairs. Somehow through all these experiences, we are nourished by our many diverse relationships. They are etched into our being and are stored in our collective memories for life.

I often remember people, places and events from the early ‘40s well, but can’t sometimes recall where I put my billfold, checkbook, car keys, hearing aids, or grocery lists. Unfortunately for all of us those memorable people and places continue to be fewer and fewer. Maybe those most cherished people and times help explain my love affair with local and regional history.

• • • A few months ago four of us with roots from a Slayton of long ago spent a few hours driving through Slayton, street by street, recalling what we could collectively remember from those days over 60 years ago. We were chauffeured

by Tom Pryor, and his wife Lorrie

Right here at John’s Drug in Tracy

After growing up in Slayton during the 1940s, the author still feels strong ties to the community.

(Setterberg) Pryor. Our group included myself, Case Vos, who really helped out on the late 1930s and beyond, and Tupee (Natte) Turner, who has returned to Slayton and has a remarkable connection (she was a Slayton telephone operator) with those times gone by. Carolyn (Pryor) Sarrail from California didn’t miss a beat on the ‘40s. She provided us with great memories and produced a lot of laughs.

Maybe she’ll treat us with a poem!

I left Slayton in the fall of 1957, but having my only sibling, Carol (Bolin) Johlfs, in town for many years, plus my nieces and nephew, I seemed to check in nearly every month until Carol and

Jackets Bibs Gloves Boots Hats Goggles Tees Jerseys Hoodies Helmets

•HALLMARK COLLECTIBLE ORNAMENTS, CARDS & GIFTS •MEN’S & WOMEN’S FRAGRANCES •BOXED CHRISTMAS GREETING CARDS •RUSSELL STOVER CANDIES •JEWELRY-BLACK HILLS Gold & Sterling Silver

StoreHours: Hours:Monday Monday thru Friday, 9-5:30 Store thru Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; p.m.; Saturday, p.m.

Saturdays,99a.m. a.m. to to 1Noon

WE’RE WIRED TO PROVIDE GREAT SERVICE SEE US FOR ANY TYPE OF ELECTRICAL SERVICE...

•Residential •Farm & Agricultural •Commercial •Service Work

HEBIG’S ELECTRICAL George Hebig • PO Box 1183 • Tracy, MN 56175

Call (507) 629-4465 or Cell Phone 1-507-829-7194

Bolin:

See page six

Action Wear

MANY NEW GIFT ITEMS JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

Maria SchleppenbachGrogan R.Ph., Pharm. D.

Wally passed on. The sports of football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, crosscountry, and track helped keep me in touch with old friends. Officiating did the same. When Earl Halverson returned to teach in Slayton and retire in Fulda, I found a kindred spirit with whom I shared many friends, experiences and a love of history. Earl was to be with us on the Slayton tour but somehow we didn’t connect. But Earl and I were able to share some personal stories following the funerals of Jed Dommeyer, Chuck Terry, Alex Fisher and others.

Get Ready for Winter!

Guys • Ladies & Kids Sizes 15 % off

curren

t winter wear

up to 5 % 0 non-cur off rent winter wear

Gift cards make great gifts!

301 N. Hwy. 23 Marshall, MN (507) 532-9649

www.yourwaytofun.com

facebook.com/ActionSportsMarshall

6 – Southwest Sailor, December 2014

Bolin: Old memories vivid Continued from page five

Our street tour helped us recall who lived where, where they live now, and many stories and experiences from long ago that seemed like “only yesterday.”

Main Street in Slayton was especially fun. Do you remember the Silver Star, Palmer’s Place and the Grotto?

We thought we had one block pretty accurate until I asked, “Where was Nick Hirmer’s Meat Market?” Some familiar with Slayton nearly 70 years ago recall the Worthmore, three pool halls, jewelry stores, Buckle’s Variety, Muesing’s drug store and Eva and Don Roberts. The list goes on.

The “Most Special” place to me was “Jake’s Barber Shop.” It was the center point of Slayton sports, especially baseball. I realized early that it was a place for 10 to 12-year-olds to keep your mouth shut and ears open.

We talked a little about the canteen, later Schrantz’s Electric. Most of us were a little young, but it was very popular with older kids while it lasted. The forest of trees just south of the original Court House was a great place for “Capture the Flag” and “Kick the Can.” I was surprised that all of us remembered the “swimming holes” in Slayton. One along the railroad tracks southeast of the present hospital and the other on the south side of town just west of the Moran and Ford homes... if you knew where they were.

• • • Speaking to many Tracy graduates from the late 1950s and ‘60s, I discovered immediately the universal experience of pre-tornado and post-tornado, the deadly F-5 twister that took the lives of nine people on June 13, 1968. People

have told me that they came up from the basements and couldn’t recognize anything familiar because old reference points had been obliterated. On that day many lives were changed forever. I have come to realize how hard it is for many people to revisit spots where they and friends lived and played, and accept that those locales are changed forever.

The Tracy Elementary School was leveled and even the new high school on the south edge of town just starting to be built suffered a setback. Very soon the old high school was razed and then in a short time, no schools that Tracyites had attended even existed, making memories difficult to recall. I have to admit that it’s much easier to relate to graduates from the late ‘50s and the 1960s than those of later years, as memories shared are hard for others to even imagine.

Those 21 years living in Slayton, 34 in Tracy, and soon 24 at Lake Sarah have been very special experiences; people, events and memories that help you evolve as a person. Grandchildren often say, “Grandpa, tell us that story, again, about?” I cannot live long enough to tell all those stories, show them the special places, or describe the very special people in my life and why they were so special.

Hopefully these Sailor articles Seth Schmidt has asked me to write over the years well help them understand how in nearly 80 years in three similar but distinctly different places home is pretty much what you make it. My wife Sandy grew up in Tracy and taught in Slayton and Balaton. I grew up in Slayton and taught in Tracy. However, in the past 24

A home on Lake Sarah is special for the Bolin family, despite occasional snow plowing challenges.

years on a very private 7+ acres we have had the opportunity to slow down a little and even “smell the roses.” We often lament that we didn’t keep a daily diary from day one. However, the day this became our one and only home was Oct. 31, 1991 (you’ve got it – the Halloween Blizzard).

We do have many pictures, some lists, and unforgettable experiences, yet time relentlessly marches on. We recall planting hundreds of trees that had previously had been corn, beans or alfalfa. Now we have too many trees and are cutting several down. We purchased the property the day before the tornado hit Tracy. In 1969, we first planted hundreds of evergreens with about a 30-year life expectancy. They are now 45 years old. Time goes fast when you’re having fun. One of the main reasons why we should have kept a daily diary is that in 23 years we’ve never experienced two years that were the same. Every year brings something new and different. Just this year we saw a pair of Golden Eagles

for nearly a week. Also we saw our very first Glaucous Gull, of which the Cornell University’s ornithology website indicates that its range is from the Arctic south along the East Coast to maybe New Jersey – a few winter on the Great Lakes. We have wildlife experiences that most can only imagine.

While writing this article, I watch white caps rolling across Lake Sarah. I watch thousands of snow geese moving to the northwest on a southeast wind.

Sandy and I often feel our home is a tree house. Looking south/southwest to the lake, to our west is a beautiful marsh and to the north a dense woods, to the east we watch the sunrise and in the evening see the moon in all its splendor.

John H. Payne had it right when he wrote over 150 years ago: “Mid pleasure and palaces though we may roam, be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.”

SUMMIT PLACE

EE FOR FR S U N I S JO HMENT REFRES Distinctive gift items and home decor 181 Third Street • Tracy • 629-8178

NOVEMBER 28 & 29

DOWNTOWN TRACY, MN

OP SH LL A SM

& Saturday, too!

SHOP NOV. TRACY 28 & 29

30% OFF STOREWIDE Discount does not include letter jackets.

LIGHTS & BEYOND Hand painted furniture, accessories & gifts Lights and accessories for every home!

176 Third Street • Tracy • 212-2400

Buy 1 Item At Reg. Price

GET 2ND ITEM 1/2 PRICE f 70% of LG ces Applian & Friday ly Sat. on

AFFORDABLE APPLIANCE + New Appliances • Scratch N Dent Appliances • Furniture 3rd St. Tracy 507-212-0015

BUY 2 ITEMS–GET FREE DISHWASHER

Select group of dishwashers on this offer. See store for more details.

NOVEMBER 28 & 29

BONNIE’S BOUTIQUE

ER REGIST FOR And Clyde’s Cave L A I C E Women’s Clothing & Acccessories • Antiques & Collectibles SP 163 3rd St. Tracy 629-6044 DOOR ! !

E Z I PROGRESSIVE PERCENTAGE SAVINGS...

PR •Spend up to $50–Get 10% Off •Spend $51-$100–Get 15% Off •Spend Over $100–Get 20% Off

Southwest Sailor, December 2014 – 7

Holiday cookie marathon still sweet after 33 years

By Kyleen Olson

Thirty-three years ago Anne Williams had a brilliant idea. Why not do all of her Holiday baking with her four sisters and their mother? None had any idea of what the idea would grow into.

The event started with the six of them, Anne, Helen Guentter, Betsy Holm, Mary Eggersdorfer, Patty Peterson and their mother Susie Jenniges. It has grown to a total of 18 relatives last year. Added to the original five sisters, are two sistersin-law, five adult nieces, and two teens (children of the nieces) and little ones to boot. A fourth generation has joined the party.

The gathering was held at Anne’s home the first several years on the first or second weekend in December. For the rest of the sisters it was a treat to go up to the Twin Cities for the weekend. In between baking, the sisters would take turns doing Christmas shopping. After a few years they began to rotate hosting responsibilities. Eventually the baking weekend moved to Betsy’s house in New Ulm, as that was a more central location for all of the sisters. Plus, “she has a nice open kitchen space, which makes it easier,” comments Patty.

The ladies take steps to include the younger generations during their baking marathon. Youngsters are given “non-

Three generations enjoy the time baking together. From left are Amelia Matthes (granddaughter), Rachel Matthes (daughter) and Helen Guentter (mother).

There’s only one

BALATON

Bed and Breakfast

•Convenience Store •Live Bait & Tackle •Clark Gas •Café with Home-cooked meals •Broasted Chicken •Pizza •Subs & Wraps •Catering Available

CheCk out ou r daily SpeCia lS

alaton are enter

Lakeview Senior Housing (507) 734-6828

A 16-Unit Facility that overlooks Beautiful Lake Yankton!

551 Hwy. 14 E., Balaton, MN (507) 734-3511 • Fax (507) 734-2337

sisters will make 18 to 20 different cookie varieties. This totals around 1,188 total cookies. Including four different sugar cookies, ginger snaps, peanut butter blossoms, mint chocolate chip cookies, fudge puddles, molasses cookies, almond cookies and whipper snaps. On top of that they also put together cornflake wreaths, chocolate marshmallow treats, and a variety of candies.

At the end of the weekend they divide up the goodies. They have three options, a full share, half share or sampler. The sampler will include a few of each treat for those who don’t want many Christmas sweets. A full share will be tins full of each item, which totals to around 15 tins to take home.

Each year the family members return the tins from the year before so they are on the ready for that year’s baking marathon. They keep their eyes open for sales to replace ones that have earned retirement from the collection

•One or Two-Bedroom Apartments •Attractive and Secure Environment for Tenants •Privacy and Independence of having own apartment •24-Hour Emergency Response •Housekeeping and Maintenance •Outpatient Therapies •Kitchen Facility available for larger gatherings •Elder Waiver & Group Residential Housing Assistance Available •A la Carte Supportive Services available.

651 Hwy. 14 E., Balaton, MN For more information contact Lori Henkel, Housing Manager at (507) 734-6828

Visit us at www.balatoncarecenter.com

Cookie exchange: See page 11

A unique Bed and Breakfast, just blocks off the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Highway 14.

Four cozy Bedrooms nestled inside this 1910 Victorian-era Home.

Restoration includes nine-foot beamed ceilings and narrow oak floors and unique porches.

Across from Lake Yankton (507) 734-5877

B c c

•24 hour Nursing Care •Restorative Physical and Occupational Therapy available seven days per week •Pastoral Services •Activities, Programs and Special Events •Medicare and Medicaid Certified •Single Rooms available •On-site Therapies

Over 1,000 cookies During their cooking weekend, the

Four of the five baking sisters take stock of their cookie tins. Clockwise from upper left are Betsy Holm, Anne Williams, Mary Eggersdorfer, and Patty Peterson.

Balaton House

Open 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday thru Sunday

Colonial Manor Nursing Home (507) 734-3511

food touching jobs” like running tins back and forth from the kitchen to the sorting area, or unwrapping the caramels for the candies.

“They just get so excited to help,” exclaims Patty. Patty’s great-nephew was so happy after his weekend with his aunts one year, he couldn’t stop talking about it when he got home, Patty relates.

He associates Aunt Betsy’s with baking and being with his relatives.

To keep the kids occupied, they are also given their own baking projects.

One year when it was held the weekend of Thanksgiving they made Oreo turkeys with candy corn. In 2009, they each had their own gingerbread house kit to work on. Last year, each decorated an oversized gingerbread man cookie.

Throughout the weekend each sister is responsible for a meal.

“We try not to eat too much dough,” Patty says smiling.

In the 33 years that the sisters have been getting together, they have never canceled the event. Even in Minnesota with unpredictable weather, they still manage to get at least some of the family together. In 2009, Patty wasn’t able to make it due to a blizzard. That year the power went out and Betsy’s husband hooked up the generator and they kept baking! Out of the five sisters, Anne is the only one that has made it every year.

Don Swanjord, owner

231 Third Street • Balaton, MN 56115 (507) 734-3398 • balahse@frontiernet.net

In the yard, there is an original fish pond, perennial gardens and interesting rock structures.

Happy Holidays May the spirit of Christmas reside in your heart wherever you spend the holiday season.

For the time you’ve spent with us this year, we are sincerely grateful.

Steve Struchen AGENT

(507) 530-6272 Tyler Hansen AGENT

(507) 828-7050 tyler@ realestateretrievers.com

Sarah Hayenga, Broker 800 E. Main, Marshall, MN (507) 537-4321

8 – Southwest Sailor, December 2014

Vintage village showcases ‘Old-fashioned Christmas’

By Meredith Stanton Vaselaar

Pioneer Village in Worthington is decorated for the holidays. Wreaths of evergreens, ribbons of holly, and twinkling lights lend a cozy ambiance to the lost-in-time village. For 25 years, members of the Nobles County Historical Society, as well as volunteers, have made the yuletide special during the annual Christmas celebration. This year continues that tradition.

While there are many muchanticipated events during the two-day festival—music and singing, dancing and merrymaking, delicious coffee and hot chocolate to sip—there is much to enjoy. Two events especially make the celebration special: an early visit from Santa Claus and the horse-drawn wagon rides through the white snow.

This writer has it on good authority that the real Santa—and one of his many fabulous secret helpers—will be in residence at the village this year.

Simon Koster, “Kris Kringle,” who has portrayed the jolly elf at the village for the past five years, explains: “My young granddaughters know that I am the real Santa,” Koster chuckles. “They have it all worked out as to how I manage to do all my deliveries on Christmas Eve.” Koster has more than three decades of experience wearing the red suit.

“I used to have to wear a wig and fake beard. Now? For the past dozen years the white hair and beard have been real,” he says with a grin. Koster began his Santa vocation because he likes children and had a way with them. What began as a hobby at a few local businesses turned into regular gig during the holidays, often with dozens of appearances each year.

Santa Koster enjoys his annual visit to Pioneer Village.

“The people at Pioneer Village are wonderful! It is such a neat place to go. It is especially sentimental because the building that I am in used to be in Reading, it is the same building that when I was a child I roller skated in and had 4-H activities.”

The best part of being Santa is, of course, talking to the children.

“Sometimes the children are a little overwhelmed about talking to Santa,” says Koster, “I want the youngsters to be comfortable and have a good experience.

Usually, by the time the children reach me, they are ready and happy to confide their wishes to Santa.”

Koster loves his role.

“It is so much fun. I enjoy the heck out of it!”

When Santa is not busy listening to children’s wish lists, he sometimes takes a few minutes to join youngsters on the Christmas village’s horse-drawn wagon rides. The wagon rides, and sometimes bobsleds, if the snow is deep, are another much-anticipated Pioneer Village activity.

Holding the reins Glen Burnham is a second-generation draft horse-drawn wagon driver. His father, Allen Burnham (1923-2007), began giving rides some 20 years ago.

Glen began assisting his father after a few years. It is a tradition that Burnham takes seriously.

A distant era of horsepower, kerosene lanterns, and one-room school houses is evoked each December at the Pioneer Village in Worthington.

(Photo Courtesy Nobles County Historical Society.).

St. Nick is always a popular fellow during the Pioneer Village’s old-fashioned Christmas celebration. (Photo courtesy Nobles County Historical Society).

“My Dad did it before me, and now I do it. Our family has been doing this long enough that we are now giving second and third generations rides during the Pioneer Village celebration.”

29th Annual

Springfield Nativity Pageant 2014

Burnham owns a pair of Belgian draft horses, who pull the wagon through the snow.

“Sometimes, if the snow is really deep, we get out the bob-sled,” says Burnham,

“but most of the time we use the wagon.

We are on our third team of horses.” The muscular Belgians are ideal for the task.

Since the Pioneer Village Christmas event takes place in December, cold and snow are part of the experience. Visitors can snuggle into the wagon, with plenty of blankets, to take a horse-drawn ride, just as the early settlers would have done.

Getting the horses ready, and the wagon and equipment to and from the farm can be a lot of work, says Burnham, and takes multiple trips. Is it worth all the effort? “Yes,” says Burnham, “I like seeing kids that normally aren’t around horses. They love to pet them. Pioneer Village has a big Christmas draw and being a part of that has been wonderful.”

An Old Fashioned Christmas at Pioneer Village will take place Thursday and Friday, Dec. 4-5, Pioneer Village is located in Worthington, Minnesota.

For more information, call: 507-3763125. Check out the website: www. noblespioneervillage.com, or Facebook page for “Nobles County Minnesota Historical Society.”

Riverside Park Springfield, MN

Friday, Dec. 12 Saturday, Dec. 13

7:00 p.m. each evening

•Free of Charge… A gift from the Community of Springfield •40 min. Outdoor Pageant •Seating in the north Bleachers

183 North tyler St. • tyler, MN (507) 247-5504 Open Monday – Friday 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Closed Saturday & Sunday

Ready to fill all your family’s prescription needs.

Southwest Sailor, December 2014 – 9

Ridgerunner snowmobilers: ‘Let it snow, let it snow’

By Scott Thoma

Not everyone dislikes snow.

While winter often brings discontent to those who prefer green grass and clear highways, Southwest Ridgerunners Snowmobile Club members are apt to get excited when those white random patterns begin accumulating.

The club has just over 40 members, ranging from teenagers to riders in their sixth decade. All have one thing on their mind as winter supplants fall… let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

“We have a great group,” said Doug Anderson, the club’s Trail Coordinator for the past 20 years. “We’re a family club. We have members from just about every town in Lyon County. That’s what makes this group so unique.”

The club meets monthly the second Thursday of every month from October to March in Ghent, the location of a newly-purchased clubhouse and grooming shed. Fellow snowmobilers are welcome to attend a meeting to learn more about the club.

The Ridgerunners’ clubhouse in Ghent is northeast off Hwy. 68 on County Road 8 (North Collins Street). After a right turn onto East Barber Street, the clubhouse is the first building on the right.

Ridgerunners officers are Josh Anderson, president; Todd Pesek, vice president; Tim Louwagie, treasurer; Amanda Pesek, secretary; Doug Anderson, trail coordinator; and Peggy Anderson, historian.

A portion of the club’s $30 annual dues go to the Minnesota United Snowmobile Association, which works to preserve and promote the sport of snowmobiling.

The club, which was established in 1971, recently purchased a pair of used Tucker Snowcat Groomers that are used to groom 168 miles of trails primarily in Lyon County.

“We groom within the county, but all the trails in the state interconnect with one another,” explained Anderson.

“There are over 20,000 miles of snowmobile trails in the state. They are all like highways in that they cross and connect with each other.”

Through a state grant, Southwest Ridgerunners are reimbursed for grooming the trails, including a 1% refunded gas tax.

The Ridgerunners will help sponsor the third annual Snow Drag on Feb. 21 in Cottonwood, an event that replaced the former Fishless Derby that was held there for many years. Snowmobilers will compete in drag races throughout the day. The Southwest Ridgerunners and the Cottonwood Snow Drag Club run a concession stand.

Photo contest winner Sharon Hohler’s photo of an ice-encrusted wind vane on a barn cupola is the winner in the Sailor’s holiday photo contest.

The Snow Drag on Cottonwood Lake is a popular annual event for the Ridgerunners.

Snowmobilers pause during a group ride.

But it’s not all work for the club.

Members like getting onto their sleds and enjoying the winter outdoors, or just socializing at a restaurant after a long day of riding.

“Everyone has a good time,” said Anderson. “We get along well and we all enjoy the same thing… riding snowmobiles.”

Members aren’t required to ride the same type of snowmobile, as if they were sponsored by a particular company.

“There are all different brands and sizes of snowmobiles within our group,” Anderson remarked. “That makes it fun, too. We each talk about things we like or don’t like about our snowmobile.”

Snowmobile-related events are organized at the monthly meetings.

Sometimes riders go out into the wild white yonder on their sleds for a 100-mile trip, stopping along the way at several establishments that might include snowmobile dealerships, historical sites, or eateries.

“We’ve also done lengthy trips up north or out west,” said Anderson. “We usually try to do an overnight trip once a year. We plan those at our meetings.”

Club members participate in select summer parades and events to promote their sport.

• • •

Safety courses are required before a newcomer can join the club. Club officers Josh Anderson and Tim Louwagie are certified trainers and teach courses on snowmobile safety.

The next safety course for ages 11-15 will be held Dec. 6 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Merit Center in Marshall. Parents are welcome to sit in.

Anyone interested in joining can sign up online at swridgerunners.org or by calling Josh Anderson at 507-829-1479 or Doug Anderson at 507-530-1320.

Honorable mention: Ashtyn and Taylor Leonard, Christmas Eve 2013. taken by Shari Blegen.

Right: Karsynn Lily, daughter of Adam & Chrissy LeClaire and granddaughter of Dave & Patty LeClaire plaued her Nana’s piano last Christmas when she was 1-1/2 years old in her Christmas dress Photo by Chrissy LeClaire.

Cut Your Own

Christmas Tree!

PRE-CUT TREES GARLAND & WREATHS MADE FRESH DAILY SPRUCE TOPS • BOUGHS BIRCH BRANCHES & POLES EVERGREEN POTS • TREE STANDS EVERGREEN TRAIN RIDES Friday, Saturday & Sunday Bring Your Camera!

Pictures with Mr. & Mrs. Claus in Sleigh

Hacker’s

Christmas Trees, Nursery & Greenhouse Sleepy Eye, MN • (507) 794-2462

Two Tucker Snowcat groomers are used by the Ridgerunners to maintain snowmobile trails.

Monday thru Saturday 9-7; Sunday 10-5

www.hackerstreefarm.com

10 – Southwest Sailor, December 2014

‘Tis the season for…

15 Christmas trees

By Kyleen Olson

The Holiday season means something different to everyone. Whether it is making someone happy with a gift they wanted, watching your kids’ faces as they tell Santa what they want for Christmas, or even receiving the gift you have wanted all year. For Sis Beierman of the Valentine Inn in Tracy, it is the season itself that brings her such joy.

“What other time of year can everyone play music and enjoy being together?” she asks.

The Valentine Inn holds a lot of history for the town of Tracy. Built in 1902 as a single family home, it was then purchased and made into the town hospital. Dr. Valentine was the practicing doctor at time, thus the name Valentine Inn. It remained that way for 20 years before being turned into an apartment complex with six different apartments.

Sis and her husband, Joe, restored the building into it’s original glory.

Driving past the Valentine Inn Bed and Breakfast during the Holiday Season is quite a treat. Beierman has been decorating her business for Christmas for many years. “I have no idea how many lights I even put up!” Beierman exclaims.

“It kind of started because my birthday was at the end of November and my family would give me Christmas decorations to add to my display,” Beierman explains. She has so many

A wreath of silver and white hangs in the formal living room of the Valentine Inn.

decorations for Christmas that her family members have begun to give her Halloween decorations. With two store rooms full of decorations, she has plenty of decorations to fill her home.

“Every year it seems to get bigger!”

Beierman notes the best time to purchase Holiday decorations is right before Christmas and right after.

Setting up begins around the first or second weekend in November, as soon as her Halloween decorations have been taken down and put away. Beierman begins getting in the spirit by getting out her home magazines and looking for inspiration. “I like to look at the different displays and think, ‘I can try that this year,’” she comments.

Having a theme that the decorations can follow is key to a beautiful display,

Hotel & Restaurant 104 West Main St., Pipestone (507) 825-5871

Jewel of the Prairie Since 1888 •Antique, Modern & Jacuzzi Rooms •Kitchenettes •Weekly Rates •Wireless Internet ZI JACUZFFAIR A LOVECKAGE PA i Tub,

Jacuzzueen Bed, Q King orf Champagne & Bottle oinner for Tw+ oTAX D

Valentine Inn:

Sis Beierman puts the finishing touches on a Christmas display.

See page 15

Dar’s Pizza

the

Al oplAnD singers

Corner of Hwy. 30 & 8th Ave. SW Sunday–Thursday 4-11 p.m.

Friday & Saturday 4 p.m.-Midnight When you want the BEST Pizza Around… and the LOWEST price!

Beer • PoP • Pizza • ChiCken ShrimP • SandwiCheS Party Room for up to 80 people Game Room – Children Welcome!

We’re a Pipestone Tradition!

Step into

pipestone performing Arts center

(507) 825-4261

$155

eat in • Carry out delivery

36 GUEST ROOMS 2 BARS • 2 RESTAURANTS

BUYING GOLD & SILVER

sAnDy roemmich

AccompAnist

JeAnine olson

www.calumetinn.com

We Pay More

AssistAnt Director

musicAl Director

JessicA roskAmp proDucer

Bronwyn Jones

• More than Road Shows & TV Ads • Local Business 24 years • Honest & Reliable

Call for Prices: 507-825-4404 or 800-593-4404 Top Prices Paid • Looking for:

.999 Silver • 90% & 40% Silver • Sterling Flatware • Dental Gold Pre-1933 Gold Coins • 10K - 14K - 18K - Gold Class Rings

DecemBer evening shows on the

ALSO BUYING TOKENS MEDALS&

LIBERTY PAWN, COINS & ANTIQUES, INC. 224 W. MAIN STREET • PIPESTONE, MN

proDucer

mAry Ann yseth

Box office

pipestone county museum 507.825.2020 toll free: 877.722.2787

5, 6, 12 & 13 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday matineeS on the

7 & 14 – 3:00 p.m.

ticket prices

ADults: $15.00 stuDents: $5.00 fAmily: $35.00

638-12400-0184 12/12

Southwest Sailor, December 2014 – 11 Fudge Puddles Recipe (variation) ½ Cup butter, softened ½ Cup creamy peanut butter ½ cup white sugar ½ cup packed brown sugar 1 egg ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup milk chocolate chips 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 (14 ounce) can sweet condensed milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¾ cup pecan halves (optional) Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Cream butter, peanut butter, and white and brown sugars. Mix in one egg and ½ teaspoon vanilla. Stir the flour mixture into creamed mixture. Shape the dough into 48 balls, 1 inch each. Place each ball in on compartment of a mini muffin tin. For filling, put chocolate chips in double broiler over simmer water. Stir in milk and vanilla mix well. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes of until lightly browned. Remove from oven and immediately make wells I the center of each using melon baler. Cool in pan for 5 minutes. Then carefully remove to wire racks. Using a measuring cup fill each shell with the chocolate mixture. Top with a pecan half.

Peppermint Candies: Red and white peppermint candies Almond Bark Mix crushed peppermint candies in melted almond bark. Place in candy wrappers and refrigerate.

Pretzel Hugs Circle Pretzels Hugs candies Mint M&Ms Preheat oven 350 degrees. Place pretzels on parchment paper on cookie sheet in rows.

Place a hugs candy in the center of each pretzel. Bake for TWO minutes (keep a close eye on them) take them out when they just start to melt. Quickly place M&M on top of each one. Refrigerate.

Cookie exchange: Oven never cools off Continued from page seven

as well. Betsy’s husband made shelves specifically for their tins. There are five shelves and each shelf holds approximately twelve tins or boxes.

The oven is on from morning to night for at least two days. Some family members will arrive Thursday night to prep items for the weekend. Some sisters will also bring dough already made to save time. Especially the dough that needs to be chilled before baking, such as sugar cookies.

They try to add at least one or two new items each year. Sometimes they make the cut for the next year, sometimes not.

The sisters tried to omit items to make room for the new ones, “someone’s favorite was always one we tried to cut, now we don’t even try!” Patty explains.

They are aware of food allergies and preferences as well. Everyone gets something they like.

Well prepared One can imagine the supplies that are needed for a baking fest such as this.

In the past the sisters would bring the supplies they needed and ended up with a lot of one thing, and not enough of something else. Patty then came up with a master list of all the supplies needed for the weekend. The sisters will look for things on sale through out the year and stock up and let the others know what was purchased. Mary has the master list and does most of the shopping, then the family divides the cost.

The packing materials alone are quite a list. Ziplock bags, one roll of 40’ parchment paper, saran wrap and two

Peace on Earth Joy toonthe World Peace Earth

Betsy (left) and Mary put the finishing touches on the Fudge Puddles.

A circa 1985 photo show Anne, Susie, Betsy and Mary making cookies.

rolls of wax paper are just some of the items needed.

“We have to make a store run more

Peace Earth And thanks you, our loyal friends!

Joy totoon the World Joy the May you to and your familyWorld enjoy the many blessings that And thanks to you, our loyal friends!

only this special time of year brings.

And you,family our loyal friends!

Maythanks you andtoyour enjoy the many blessings that only this special time of year brings.

Theyou generosity and goodwill of people likethat you make it May and your family enjoy the many blessings The goodwill people like you make it only this specialand time ofus. year of brings. all generosity worthwhile for all worthwhile for us.

The generosity and goodwill of people like you make it Hospital: (507) 629-3200 all worthwhile for629-3200 us.

Hospital: (507) Clinic: (507) 629-3520 Clinic: (507) 629-3520 O’Brien Court: 212-4163 O’Brien Court: (507)(507) 212-4163 Hospital: (507) 629-3200 Clinic: (507) 629-3520 O’Brien Court: (507) 212-4163

then once during the weekend!” Patty explains, “One year there was a Rainbow Foods nearby, that was nice to have something open 24 hours!”

The sisters use parchment paper under all cookies. This helps from the cookies sticking to the pans and makes less of a mess. The nice thing about parchment paper is it can be reused a few times before being replaced. The wax paper is used for all candies.

In 2014 the sisters will be gathering the third weekend in November. They have four new little ones that have been added to the family. Not everyone will make it, but it is always nice to see those who can.

“We don’t get to see each other very often, so this is a nice event to get us all together at once,” Patty says smiling.

Place a holiday order with Howie for top quality specialty meats...

•Prime Rib •Fresh Turkey •Geese •Seafood and more!

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS

•Fresh fruit baskets •Meat/cheese trays •Holiday Meat Bundles •Gift Certificates

DELICIOUS....FROM THE DELI

•Lunch Specials •Hot Chicken – Take Out! •Vegetable & pasta salads, made from scratch

FAVORITE HOLIDAY TREATS

•Cookies •Candies•Bars •Breads •Lutefisk •Lefse •Eggnog •Fresh Oysters

FRESH FROM FOOD PRIDE’S BAKERY •Pull Apart Rolls •Breads •Buns •Muffins •Cookies •And More

Tracy

1105 Morgan Street – Tracy, MN – 507-629-3434 Store Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 7 Days A Week We Offer: Money Orders, In-Store Bakery & Deli, Postage Stamps, Full Service Carry-Outs

Phone Orders & Delivery

Tuesdays & Fridays. Call by 10 a.m. ($2 delivery charge) $5 minimum order

12 – Southwest Sailor, December 2014

Some Christmas aromas & tastes are unforgettable

By Carolyn Van Loh

Memories are a special part of family Christmases. Special foods served only in December feed those memories. My mother was half Norwegian and half Danish, so our Christmas Eve suppers had a distinct odor to them. You guessed it. The Larsen clan’s festivities always included lutefisk.

Since Mom fixed the Christmas Day turkey dinner for her family, her three siblings took turns hosting the festive meal on Christmas Eve. I remember one of those meals in the early Fifties when my cousin and I, the same age, were seated at a red and white child’s folding table and chairs at my cousin’s home. We were sharing the table with my younger sister and another cousin who was my sister’s age. Adults and older cousins were seated at the dining room table next to us. Our mothers saw that we weren’t left out when the food serving bowls circled the table. They never had to worry about putting the smelly white stuff on our mashed potatoes and then smothering both in melted butter.

As I get older, I’m realizing how much I don’t know about the history of my family, including their food traditions.

Researching anything today is as simple a doing a Google search on line. In a short time I learned more than I wanted, or needed, to know about lutefisk.

The Norwegian word lutefisk means “lyefish” because dried cod is soaked

Lutefisk isn’t the most glamorous looking dish, but it’s taste is memorable.

in a lye solution to hydrate it and make it edible (for some folks). The word’s spelling agrees with the pronunciation, so if you’re a Swede, spell it lutfisk, and spell it ludfisk if you’re a Dane.

The origin of this unique food is debatable, but one possibility is that some dried cod once fell into a bucket of lye.

Of course, the cod had to be salvaged, so someone cleaned up the fish by rinsing it in several baths of cold water before boiling it. As the saying goes, “The rest is history.”

Lye fish dates back to the 12th century when King Oysten built fishing shanties in Lofoten, Norway, where the best spawning ground for cod could be found. Dried cod became a staple food in the Vikings’ diet when they were at sea. On long voyages, the fish was also a trading commodity.

The Sons of Norway Recipe Box website offers helpful hints and ideas for aspiring lutefisk cooks. The site declares, “What a treat when prepared properly.”

In other words, know the cook! Cooks who value their aluminum cookware should not prepare lutefisk in them because the lye will darken the kettle. Lutefisk must

CREATE A WARM & WELCOMING HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH CHRISTMAS ITEMS FROM GREENWOOD NURSERY...

•Christmas Tree Ornaments & Holiday Decorations •Christmas Wreaths & Door Arches COM •Roping & Boughs •Poinsettias LATE ING IN NOVE •Holiday Planters With Dogwood MBER F R A •Door Swags & Door Charms SER & B A LSA •Spruce Tips •Amaryllis Bulbs AT BO M FIRS TH ST •Swags •Pine Cones ORE S!

be served hot on piping hot potatoes. In some parts of northern Norway, people enjoy melted goat cheese on their lutefisk.

Norwegians prefer a melted butter sauce, while their Swedish cousins like their lutefisk topped with a cream sauce.

Those who know their lutefisk often have a favorite method of preparation.

Some steam the fish; others bake it in the oven; some simply boil the fish, while others parboil it in cheesecloth. Modern cooks can even cook the fish in their microwaves. Not being a lover of lutefisk, I can’t recommend one method over another, but I do remember my deceased mother telling me that she had baked lutefisk in the oven rather than cooking it on the top of the stove. She said it was tasty and claimed there was no strong odor wafting through their apartment building. The “tasty” part may be true for lutefisk lovers, but I won’t guarantee the “no odor” claim.

I never developed a taste for the Scandinavian delicacy, if you can call an odiferous food soaked in lye a delicacy.

Besides, I’m not the adventurous diner than my 100 per cent German husband is. His curiosity stimulated him to take his first taste of lutefisk before we were married over 46 years ago. He doesn’t crave the fish, but he still enjoys eating it every few years.

Blending Scandinavian and German heritages brought a new fishy gourmet challenge for me on Christmas Eve-oyster stew, but that’s a story for another time.

Balaton sets Christmas night Downtown Christmas carolers, a band concert, a magic show, and a soup supper are all a part of “Christmas Night in Balaton.”

The Friday, Dec. 5 Yule celebration begins with open houses at many local businesses at 4:30 p.m. Santa will be at the Balaton Community Center from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Local young people will serve a soup supper from 5 to 7 p.m.

Times for other Christmas Night activities at the community center are carolers, 5 to 6 p.m.; community band concert, 6:15 to 6:45 p.m.; magic show, 7 p.m.; prize drawings, 7:30 p.m.

Calumet sponsoring ‘Festival of Trees’ A “Festival of Trees” display is planned at the Historic Calumet Inn of Pipestone.

Trees will be displayed beginning Wednesday, Dec. 3, through Thursday, Jan. 1.

Three décor categories are planned: Most Traditional, Most Creative/Original, Best Use of Theme.

Decorating of trees will start Saturday, Nov. 29, and continue through Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Businesses and organizations are invited to sponsor and decorate a tree for $180, a fee that includes the tree, and an hors d’oeuvres dinner for two.

Out-of-town guests and visitors at Calumet will judge the trees. A Festival of Trees banquet is planned Monday, Dec. 15.

From left: Angie Cohrs, Darcie Heezen, Lacey Johnson, Dr. Jon Heezen, Marilyn Bolin, Heather Dotterwick and Stacie Voss.

A GREAT SMILE IS SOMETHING TO BE MERRY ABOUT!

Start your holidays off with a smile that’s merry and bright by scheduling an appointment with Dr. Jon Heezen at Prairie Lakes Family Dentistry in Tracy.

PAINLESS DENTISTRY FOR ALL AGES • Cosmetic & Preventative Dentistry • Children’s Dentistry • 24 Hour Emergency Service • Convenient evening appointments • Accepting most insurance plans

212 3rd Street Tracy, MN 56175 Dr. Jon A. Heezen, DDS Call 507-212-0002 for an appointment

greenwoodnurserymn.com

611 S. 4th Street Tracy, MN 56175 2705 Cty. Road 6 Marshall MN 56258 Tracy Hours: M-F, 9-6; Sat, 9-4; Sun, 11-4 Marshall Hours: M-F, 10-7; Sat, 9-4; Sun, 11-4

We Accept Credit Cards Visit our web site: prairielakesfamilydentistry.com

email address: office@prairielakesfamilydentistry.com

638-12400-0185 12/12

Southwest Sailor, December 2014 – 13

‘Tastes of Seasons’ brings town together

By Kyleen Olson

Unique Danish gifts, such as these colorful characters, are available in Danebod’s Christmas shoppes.

Yearning for Kransekage?

Don’t miss Tyler festival A “Traditional Danish Christmas” will be celebrated at the Danebod Campus in Tyler, Saturday, Dec. 6.

Visitors are invited to shop Danebod’s “Julebutikker (Christmas shoppes). The shops will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. in Gymhall and Folk School.

Danish cookies (Kransekage, peppernuts, Sprintz, Kleijner, Brunkager) and Danish coffeecake will be sold.

Homemade Danish meat offerings will include liverpostej, and rullepolse.

Scandinavian crafts and gifts will also be available.

Danish rosettes and kringles will be served with an afternoon coffee.

Christmas displays and Aebleskiver

baking and handiwork demonstrations are also being cooked up.

Serving for a traditional Danish supper in the Folk School dining hall is planned from 4 to 6 p.m. The menu will have “Frikadeller (meat balls), Medisterpolse (sausage), pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, red cabbage, vegetables, salads, and dessert.

Seating is limited. Advance ticket purchases are recommended by calling 507-247-3000.

Holiday entertainment in the Danebod Lutheran Church and a traditional Danish dance around a Christmas tree is planned at 6:30 p.m.

For 26 years, Lamberton has been the place to be the Friday after Thanksgiving.

The area businesses gather together to welcome people from around the area to kick off the Holiday season.

Lamberton’s “Tastes of Seasons” begins at 5:30 p.m. Shoppers are given a punch card with area businesses listed in boxes. Visitors are encouraged to visit each business listed and get their card stamped or punched. At the end of the evening shoppers can turn the card for a drawing. Only if all the businesses have been “punched” will the card count for the drawing.

Each business sets up as if they are each having their own open house. Snacks, drawings, coupons, etc. are offered for visitors. The fire hall has hotdogs and pop, the bowling alley has slices of pizza, and array of other snack favorites are all through town. It is said that the best way to make sure to get all the punches is to walk up one side of Main Street, and down the other.

Horse-drawn wagon rides around town. Don Coulter volunteered his team of horses last year, and plans on doing so again this year. The fire hall has offered fire truck rides in the past, which has always been a hit.

Lamberton’s downtown decorations include large flowerpots lining the sidewalks. Last year they held a contest among local businesses and groups.

Shoppers check out the goodies in Lamberton.

A tree topper that resembled a small Christmas tree was put into each flowerpot and numbered. Businesses and groups signed up for a flowerpot and were encouraged to decorate it in the week before the event. As the patrons turned in their punch cards they were asked to put the number of their favorite tree on the back of the card. The votes were counted and the Friends of the Library won the $25.00 prize in 2013. A contest is planned against this year.

Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected at US Bank from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Children are invited to have a free picture taken with Santa.

About 20 businesses participate in the Taste of Seasons each year. Over 500 people have turned out for the Taste of Seasons in the past.

Peace on Earth Joy toonthe World Peace Earth

Peace Earth And thanks you, our loyal friends!

Joy totoon the World Joy the May you to and your familyWorld enjoy the many blessings that And thanks to you, our loyal friends!

only this special time of year brings.

And you,family our loyal friends!

Maythanks you andtoyour enjoy the many blessings that only this special time of year brings.

Theyou generosity and goodwill of people likethat you make it May and your family enjoy the many blessings The goodwill people like you make it only this specialand time ofus. year of brings. all generosity worthwhile for all worthwhile for us.

The generosity and goodwill of people like you make it Hospital: (507) 629-3200 all worthwhile us.

Sanford Tracyfor Balaton Clinic Clinic: (507) 629-3520 (507) 734-3456 O’Brien(507) Court: (507) 212-4163 Hospital: 629-3200 Clinic: (507) 629-3520 O’Brien Court: (507) 212-4163

GIFTS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY We’re stocked up for Christmas Gift Giving.

•Power Tools & Accessories •Home & Garden Gift Items •Housewares •Lights & Decorations •Cordless Phones

GIFT CERTIFICATES COMPLETE BUILDING & INFORMATION CENTER FOR

THE DO-IT-YOURSELFER TREATED LUMBER • PLYWOOD • BUILDING MATERIALS HARDWARE • HOUSEWARES • PAINT & SUPPLIES

14 – Southwest Sailor, December 2014

‘Winterfest’ promises frosty time in Luverne

Sailor holiday recipe winner

“Winterfest” is coming to Luverne Friday and Saturday, Dec. 4-5.

Friday activities include: • Puppet show story hour, Rock County Community Library, 10 a.m.

• Festival of Trees, Carnegie Cultural Center, 1 to 5 p.m.

• Wine & beer in-store tasting, Blue Mound Liquor, 4:30 p.m.to close.

• Eagles Winterfest Cribbage Tournament, Luverne Eagles Club, 6:30 p.m.

• The Hegg Brothers present “Holiday Jam,” Historic Palace Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6 • Winterfest Arts & Crafts Show.

Luverne Public Schools commons & Cardinal gym, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $3 admission.

• Kids’ in Kitchen with “Love the Holidays in Luverne” theme.

• Santa’s Workshop for grades K-4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Luverne Elementary Commons. Sponsored by 4-H. Children learn and enjoy making holiday crafts.

Shopping Center: “Elves” help children choose $2-$5 gifts to surprise their parents/family.

• Rock County Snow Masters. Free Swap Meet & Membership Drive. Rusty Nutz Vintage Snowmobile Club Show & Shine. Beginning at 10 a.m. Howling Dog Salon. Ride will be held, snow conditions permitting.

• Festival of Trees, Carnegie Cultural Center, 1 to 7 p.m.

• Hinkly House Christmas Open House, 1 to 5:30 p.m.

• Pictures with Santa by Myhre Studio, Luvenre Elementary School, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Proceeds presented to Rock County S.H.A.R.E. • Eagles Club Winterfest Buc Euchre Tournament, 2 p.m.

• Wine & beer in-store tasting, Blue Mound Liquor – 4:30 p.m. to close.

• Eagles’ Winterfest Steak Fry, at the Luverne Eagles Club from 6 – 9 p.m.

• “D-Light Full” 5K Run. Registration from 5 to 5:45 p.m. at Luverne Area Aquatic & Fitness. Race begins at 6 p.m.

Call Duff for more info 507-920-3345.

• Luverne Street Music “Holiday Concert” Historic Palace Theatre, Luverne Street Music Students & Staff Holiday Recital - 7 p.m.

• “D-Light Full” dance, Live band “Six to Midnight,” 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Blue Mound Banquet Center.

What’s it going to be for dessert around your holiday table?

Here’s a delicious treat that will please those who can’t make up their minds between pie or cake!

Pumpkin Pie Cake Marjorie Peterson Tracy, MN “I like this recipe because it is quick to make and very good warm or refrigerated.

It’s okay to make it the day before.”

An evening holiday parade in Tracy was such a hit in 2013, it’s being planned again on Nov. 29.

Holiday parade to twinkle in Tracy A Holiday Parade of Lights will cap off Yule festivities planned in Tracy Saturday, Nov. 29.

The 7 p.m. downtown parade will feature a host of illuminated floats created by local organizations, businesses, and families.

The Tracy Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring several other holiday events earlier in the day.

• Holiday Bazaar—Many Christmas crafts will be on display from a multitude of vendors. Bazaar hours are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Caboose.

• Free carriage rides—The equestrian transportation will run between The Caboose and the Tracy Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon.

• Pictures with Santa—Children of all ages are invited to meet St. Nick from 10 to 2 p.m. Greg Devereaux will be taking pictures of kids with Santa at the library.

• Soup Supper—The Tracy Lions Club will be serving homemade soups from 5 to 7 p.m.

• Christmas promotions—A number of Tracy stores will feature special holiday promotions that day.

Beat 1-29oz can of pumpkin, 5 eggs, 1-13oz can of evaporated milk, 1-1/4 cup of sugar, 3 tsps. of pumpkin pie spice Put in an ungreased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle 1 package of yellow cake mix over. Pour 1 cup of melted Oleo over cake mix and sprinkle with 1 cup of chopped nuts.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Serve with whipped cream.

Yule concert set at SMSU The Southwest Minnesota State University music department will present “A Very Prairie Christmas” Saturday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m., at the Schwan’s Community Center for the Performing Arts.

The concert will feature a host of musical ensembles from the college.

DON’S REPAIR South Fourth Street Tracy, MN (507) 629-3611 or Cell Phone 1-507-828-3362

DON JACOB

SPECIALIZING IN...

•Computerized Diagnostics •Transmissions •Radiators •Engine Repairs for cars and trucks

T’was the Night Before Christmas and… …Visions of Snowmobiles Danced in My Head Your Service Headquarters for Polaris and Arctic Cat.

24 HOUR ACCESS FITNESS CENTER Personal Trainer Depot s s e n t i F A cate Gift Cer tifi reat G A s e k a M Gift!

Christmas

Weight Training State-of-the-Art Equipment

DAY PASSES AVAILABLE ANY TIME!

Thank you for your patronage in 2014!

Sales and Service

It’s tune-up tIme!

Shetek marine At the end of the road at Valhalla Island in the BIG Dome Building

Ph. (507) 763-3171

600 Union Street– Tracy, MN 56175 Call 626-0883

Southwest Sailor, December 2014 – 15

Valentine Inn Continued from page ten

goal, what you want to go for, and stick to it,” Beierman comments.

“My decorations are like my fantasy land, they make me happy.”

Department 56 Winter White displays are set around on tables, tea carts and sills. Beierman also has the North Pole Village and Dickens Village that will be set out as well.

There are usually fifteen Christmas trees within her home during the Holiday season. “I’m not talking little trees either, I am talking 4 foot up to ten feet!” Her display is finished by Thanksgiving for her family.

“It gets us all in the Christmas mood,” Beierman says. Her family no longer exchanges presents they just enjoy the season.

The feeling you get when you enter the Valentine Inn is described in Beierman’s words, “The smells and sounds of Christmas greet you at the entry of the Valentine Inn as your eyes are filled with lime greens and red in the entry. The all white kitchen is done in red and green

A china cabinet is full of Beierman’s Department 56 Winter White collection along with red accents.

antique glassware, the living room is done in winter whites and icicles. Santas and snowmen smile at you throughout the home. The window seat graces a large sleigh of elves in pink, lime green and aqua with a wrap of snowy white.

A collection of Mark Roberts elves and santas grace the counters and table tops.”

Beierman likes to leave her display up

Santa and his elf offer greetings in the red and white kitchen.

for a couple weeks after the New Year.

Her Winter White display that adorns her fireplace mantle will stay up until well after Christmas and into February.

“It shows winter fun, and I will add some pieces of red for Valentine’s Day.”

“The season is never long enough,” Beierman comments.

“When it is all set up it is 100% enjoyable. Just baking and cooking and enjoying the season.”

MARSHALL, MINNESOTA $10.00 off

of any regular priced women’s clothing item of $50.00 or more

Kristi’s for women DOWNTOWN MARSHALL 507-532-3570

25% OFF

ALL ACCESSORIES Lamps Mirrors Pictures Vases Home Decor SALE RUNS THROUGH DEC. 24th

Void with any other offer, credits, layaways, exchanges, etc.

LARSONFURNITURE.COM

“Where Fitness is Fun!”

219 W. Main • (507) 532-3633 • (800) 967-2609

•BIKES & ACCESSORIES •FITNESS EQUIPMENT •CROSS COUNTRY SKIS & SNOW SHOES •GIFT CERTIFICATES

Holiday Gifts for Men & Young Men (507) 532-9520 Open Sundays Noon-4 p.m.

Beginning Nov. 30

•Dress or Casual •Shoes •Great Selection of Sweaters •Suits & Sport Coats •Jeans TF20

“Sales & Service”

MARCOTTE JEWELRY, LTD.

Downtown Marshall, MN (507) 532-2373 www.marcottejewelry.com

Your Source for Diamonds this Holiday Season because 1. Quality We offer the highest quality diamonds.

2. Service We service what we sell.

No long trips to get 3. Convenience what you want. offer a wide selection of diamonds, 4. Selection Wegemstones, gold, gifts & more! business with the 5. Locally Owned Doneighbors you trust.

Borch’s Sporting goodS

Gifts for the whole family & sports enthusiasts!

•Columbia •Northface Gift Cards available •Nike •Under Armour •Sporting Goods •Hunting/Fishing •Screen Printing & Embroidery & much more!

507-532-4880 • 1-800-732-2919

1309 E. College Dr. • Marshall, MN Hours: M-F 8:30-8:00; Sat. 8:30-5:00 Sun. 11:00-4:00

Ethnic Bakeware

We’ve got all the supplies for your favorite baking traditions…

•Lefse GriLLs •Lefse BakinG suppLies •krumkake Bakers •rosette sets •BeLGian Cookie iron •pLett pans •sandBakkeLse tins •pizzeLLe Bakers •BeLGian WaffLe makers •ÆBLeskiver pans •fattiGmand roLLers •BakinG stones & more Stop in to see our complete selection!

Free Gift Wrapping available.

Gift Certificates available.

We accept Christmas Cash.

Holiday Hours Nov. 30 - Dec. 23 Mon. – Fri. 9-8 Sat. 9-5; Sun. Noon-4 www.mistercoolsclothing.com

411 West Main • Downtown Marshall • 532-4401 Open Sundays Noon to 4 p.m.

16 – Southwest Sailor, December 2014

141 Mill Street – Currie, MN 56123 – (507) 763-3262 curriestatebank.com Member FDIC

You Know Us...We Know You”

Holiday Open House Friday, Dec. 12, 9 to 3 pm

at Currie State Bank in Currie Holiday goodies, sandwiches, coffee and hot cider served throughout the day.

Trinity Pre-School Children from Slayton to perform at 10 a.m.

Tracy Area High School Chamber Choir to perform at 12:15 p.m.

Register To Win A Turkey Ten turkeys will be given away on December 19.

Stop by Currie State Bank and register any time.

130 Third St. Tracy, MN 212-6688

www.murraylandagencyinc.com

141 Mill St. Currie, MN 763-3599

May all your hopes and dreams come true this holiday season.

For your faith in us, we are forever grateful.

We wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!