December Sailor 2021 by HeadlightHerald

December 2021

Free Your Holiday Guide to Southwest Minnesota!

A MURRAY COUNTY icon changes her focus. Page 2 Photo / Per Peterson, Tracy Area Headlight Herald

WINTER LANDSCAPES like this one in Murray County make the cold months in Minnesota easier to deal with and remind us that there is beauty around us, despite the frigid temperatures. Photo / Per Peterson, Tracy Area Headlight Herald

Published by Above the Fold Publishing, LLC • 207 4th Street • Tracy, MN 56175 • (507) 629-4300 • www.swmnsailor.com

‘THIS IS MY HISTORY, TOO’

2 – SOUTHWEST SAILOR, DECEMBER 2021

Janet Timmerman is stepping away from her duties at the Murray County Museum, but will never lose her appreciation of the past BY PER PETERSON editor, tracy area headlight herald

anet Timmerman’s home away from home for eight years has been the Murray County Museum. But despite her deep passion for local history, she has decided it’s time to step back to pursue other interests and is retiring from her position at the museum. “This is my history, too,” Timmerman said during a recent interview at the museum. “The rural history is my history, the history of my family’s lifestyle for generations. My family on both sides were farmers. The sense of place — I think that’s the greatest think about being out here.” The decision to retire wasn’t an easy one for Timmerman, but she has some ideas in mind that she wants to pursue. And if there was a silver lining to the pandemic that shut so much down in 2020, it was that she learned how well she can work from home. “I have books I want to write,” she said. “I want to spend some time putting some publications together; I want to write, and it takes time.” Among the books she wants to put together are a

JANET

JANET TIMMERMAN stands next to a TV from 1948 — one of her favorite pieces at the Murray County Museum. Photo / Per Peterson

continued on page 4

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A 100-MILE VISION

SOUTHWEST SAILOR, DECEMBER 2021 – 3

Casey Jones Trail supporters, SRDC are committed to expanding the trail all over the area

ABOVE: The Casey Jones State Trail near Currie is a popular attraction during the spring and summer months. RIGHT: SRDC Communications Specialist Jessica Welu and Friends of the Casey Jones Trail President Mick Meyers. Photos / Per Peterson

f the more than 600 miles that currently make up trails in Minnesota, 14 are located in southwest Minnesota. And supporters of Casey Jones are continuing their efforts to bolster the trail system locally and, in turn, help foster connections between southwest Minnesota cities and increase economic development. “There are people who use trails, and they’re doing it to get exercise —they’re riding their bikes for one thing or another — but the trails just don’t go anywhere, BY PER PETERSON editor, tracy area yet,” said Friends headlight herald of the Casey Jones Trail President Mick Meyers. “In southwest Minnesota, there are just 14 miles, and they’re not connected right now,” said SRDC Communications Specialist Jessica Welu. “Our area of the state doesn’t have that access, and it really should.” The Casey Jones Trail became Minnesota’s first designated trail in 1967. But Friends of the trail want to build on the existing infrastructure. The group’s goal is to build a connection from Luverne to Redwood Falls, which will stretch across Rock, Pipestone, Murray and Redwood counties.

Membership to the Friends of the Casey Jones Trail has increased by 36% in the last year, according to literature provided by the group. As of today, $840,000 has been secured through LCCMR 2021 funding to rehabilitate the north segment of the Currie Loop, and $700,000 has been secured through 2021 Legacy funding to complete paving of the final 2 miles to the City of Woodstock. The DNR is the managing agency for the Trail and has designated the Casey Jones as a Secondary State Trail Corridor with low/no priority for biennial budget or capital bonding requests, acquisition funding rehab and development; staffing commitment, marketing and promotion and other resources. The hope is to connect recognized anchors like the Pipestone National

VISION

continued on page 6

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Janet: Time to focus on her writing Continued from page 2

look into the life of Joseph LaFramboise, who ran the fur post in Murray County in 1833, as well as a history of recreation around Lake Shetek. Timmerman, who in 2019, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums, said she is drawn to local history because of its personal nature and how much small-town history means to the people she comes across. “People come into a little museum like this, and they want to see the things that their grandparents brought, or maybe the things their own family used,” she said. “This is kind of a repository for personal history. It’s a double-edged sword, because people think we should really have grandpa’s old spittoon, when we already have 25 of them or whatever.” Timmerman, born and raised on a farm near the Buffalo Ridge, has worked in the public history field for more than 25 years, including time at the History Center of Olmsted County in Rochester. In her position as the Murray County Museums coordinator, she has overseen the Murray County Historical Museum, Dinehart-Holt House, and End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum in Currie. She has also worked at Southwest Minnesota State University’s Center for Rural and Regional Studies, the Society for the Study of Local and Regional History in Marshall, and as a board member on the MN Alliance of Local History Museums. Timmerman’s work with the Murray

County Historical Society began in the late 1980s before she went to college, which is where her interest in local history reached a new level under the tutelage of historian and author Joe Amato. “He really pushed all of us in his classes to find your local story,” Timmerman said of Amato. “Every story’s local, local history is tied to national, so if you can find out that local story, it’s going to always be a bigger story than you expect. My senior paper was the “Draining of the Great Oasis,” which eventually morphed into bigger things.” Timmerman worked with Amato on various grant projects, and following that, also did a stint as assistant curator at the museum in Pipestone. “I worked there just long enough to know I didn’t know enough,” she joked. “I didn’t know the processes, I didn’t know the procedures — I just took the job because it was history.” Timmerman, whose original plan was to go into journalism, then went to work for the Center for Rural and Regional Studies for just short of four years before deciding to return to college to get her Master’s in history at Kansas State, where she spent two years. Timmerman has worn many hats throughout the years. Aside from her work with history and various museums, she served as an activity coordinator in a nursing home and as a worker at a crisis center. “I learned a lot of good crisis mediation skills,” she said. “I didn’t think I’d

‘

need those as a historian, but People come into the museum in 2013, the … everything just sort of built museum had been without a little museum staff for a while and Janet toward working with public like this, and they had little direction as to prehistory, history that connected people. Here, we gave genwant to see the vious affairs. In her eight erational connections to our years, she’s brought profesthings that their sional standards of musehistory, and people are willing to fund that.” grandparents ums to Murray County that Timmerman has a deep brought, or maybe will have a lasting impact respect, not just for items from on the future preservation the things their of history. She helped start the past, but for preserving them. own family used. the Dinehart Lunch Box “It’s not just giving things to Dinehart House This is kind of Lectures, the museum, but by donating Front Porch music concerts, a repository for and brought several other so we can continue to care for those things,” she said. “That’s personal history. interesting exhibits and proreally important.” grams to the museums.” Timmerman said she has Timmerman gave credit — JANET been slowly transitioning away TIMMERMAN to Etrheim and museum from the museum, cutting her employee Rose Moudry for hours from 30 down to about 10 their online work in 2020, this year. when the museum wasn’t able to be “Everyone has picked up the slack open to the public. and has done everything that I’ve “That made a huge difference, as to asked them to do, and things have been how many people saw our history and fine,” she said. “I’ve made up my mind or products,” said Timmerman, who — I’m not going to be a helicopter exwas officially done with her museum employee.” duties on Nov. 5 — eight years to the Murray County Museums Coordinaday since she first walked through the tor Jakob Etrheim will succeed Timmer- door. man. He has been the site supervisor at “I was the only staff member at that End-O-Line Railroad park and Museum time,” she said. “End-O-Line had an in Currie since 2017. Etrheim, who will interim director that was done, and the continue to oversee operations at Endstaff that was here had decided they O-Line for the time being, said Timmer- didn’t want to have anything to do man has made a profound impact to with putting the two museums togeththe museum world in Murray County. er, so they had resigned before I walked “It’s been an honor to have worked through the door. I kind of walked in for and with Janet for over four years and said, ‘Well, here I am, what do I do now,” he said. “When she came to first?’”

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Time for a (Christmas Tree) walk can place money in boxes which will be located near each tree. Three organizations/businesses/families with the most money in their box will win the 2021 tree walk, which is open to the public on Saturday, Nov. 20. First place is $150 in Marshall Cham-

ber Dollars; second place is $100 in Marshall Chamber Dollars; and third place is $50 in Marshall Chamber Dollars. Last year, more than $1,100 was raised for the Lyon County Historical Society’s mission of preserving and presenting Lyon County history.

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A tradition since editor, tracy area 2013, the Lyon headlight herald County Museum’s Indoor Christmas Tree Walk will once again take place. According to Museum Director Jennifer Andries, the first year of the tree walk was in conjunction with a craft and vendor show sponsored by MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers). After the first year, they planned the opening of the tree walk to happen on the third Saturday in November and end on New Year’s Eve. BY PER PETERSON

up with new themes every year. It is a great way for groups to get recognized and promote their business or mission. Families and individuals have decorated trees over the years as well.” The tree walk is set up as a contest to raise money for the museum. Voters

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In addition to the tree walk, the museum is decorated. “We decorate the outside, front entry, ice cream shop, Heritage Room, and a few other areas in the museum,” said Andries. “We have a lot of repeat groups and organizations that enjoy coming

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Vision: Group aims to expand regional trail system Continued from page 3

Monument and the Laura Ingalls Wider Museum. Welu said the SRDC, a group she’s been associated with for three years, is involved with growing the trail because it knows state trails can act as an economic driver. “Our region of the state is often overlooked in tourism,” Welu said. “But we actually have a lot going on here, and if we can find a way to connect some of those tourist attractions, that can help the entire region. Casey Jones goes across our region — from Luverne, all the way up to Redwood Falls. If we grow the trail we can get people coming over from Sioux Falls, from northwest Iowa, and pull in from the Cities as well. We just need to make sure the voice of this area is actually heard.” Meyers said as many as 8 miles of city trails are being worked on in Luverne to serve residents there. Those state trails are designed to connect the town to Blue Mounds State Park. The same thing is being done in Pipestone. “Probably by the end of next year, they (Pipestone) will have 5 miles — basically a trail that goes around the national monument,” Meyers said. “We want that connected to the main Casey Jones. In Slayton, we’ve got a lot of work to do there yet, but hopefully something will happen there.” The goal of Casey Jones is to connect cities like Luverne and Pipestone — to build off their respective trails and grow connectivity. “The emphasis of really getting this going kind of started with the SRDC,” Meyers said. “Out here in southwest Minnesota we’re more about soybeans and corn and cattle, and trails just … but they had maps up and asked where we should have more trails.” The Friends of the Casey Jones Trail, which has a membership of more than 40 people from around southwest Minnesota, is currently going through strategic planning to determine the next steps, but expanding trails is not cheap. In addition to land acquisition from those willing to donate property through easements, donations or purchases, 1 mile of trail development — including engineering, design and construction — now ranges from $250,000-$625,000 per mile, depending on topography, location and other factors. The legislative ask for this coming year is $900,000 to advance the trail another 2 miles outside of Woodstock toward the Murray County line, Welu said. “There’s also a group that’s looking at how do we get the Walnut Grove-Plum Creek Park section done,” she said. “We’re already having people that are coming into Walnut Grove looking for the Casey Jones Trail. If you go to Plum Creek Park, there’s actually a Casey Jones Trail sign there, but there’s no trail — there’s just trails

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within the park itself. Connecting Walnut Grove to Plum Creek Park would be a great opportunity.” Myers said part of the hurdle the Friends of the Casey Jones Trail has to overcome is not having much state land or wetlands to develop; most land in this part of the state is farmland, which unless the owner is willing to part with, is untouchable. He added that despite that, the hope for the group is to extend the trail to Walnut Grove in the next decade. “We’ve talked about that the past year,” he said. “We need to get organized and keep the pipeline full. You’ve gotta know where you’re gonna go, then you’ve gotta get the land under contract, one way or the other, then you’ve gotta start getting the funds to develop the trail.” Welu agreed that extending to Walnut Grove is important, and so is connecting the trail south to Luverne. Doing so, she said, would go a long way to bolstering tourism in this part of the state. “I think Luverne would be a huge connection,” she said. “From an SRDC perspective, then you’re getting close to connecting to South Dakota and to Iowa, and both of them have trail systems already built up. If we could connect to those trails, just imagine how much of an increase of tourism could come to this year. Right now, we have trails all the way around us, but not all in this area.” Welu said the SRDC is looking at redoing a region trails plan that will bring in all the trail groups from a nine-county area to visualize how they can connect all trails together, with Casey Jones serving as the fulcrum of all the trails. Those counties include Lyon, Murray, Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Rock, Redwood, Nobles and Pipestone. If you would like to contribute to the Friends of the Casey Jones Trail in any way, visit caseyjonestrail.org

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Our region of the state is often overlooked in tourism. But we actually have a lot going on here, and if we can find a way to connect some of those tourist attractions, that can help the entire region. Casey Jones goes across our region — from Luverne, all the way up to Redwood Falls. If we grow the trail we can get people coming over from Sioux Falls, from northwest Iowa, and pull in from the Cities as well.We just need to make sure the voice of this area is actually heard. — JESSICA WELU, COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST WITH THE SOUTHWEST REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

SOUTHWEST SAILOR, DECEMBER 2021 – 7

THOUGHTS ON DUCKS AND DUCK HUNTING From Above The Fold: It is our honor to once again be bringing our readers in the region the writings of the late Bill Bolin, an iconic and beloved historian, educator and coach in Tracy for many decades. Bolin passed away October 15, 2017, and he is missed by so many to this day. Bill started writing for the Sailor in 1997 in hopes of passing down many of his experiences, especially to his children, grandchildren and the many students he encountered in Tracy Area High School from his student teaching in 1956-57 until his final retirement in 2010. The Tracy Area Headlight Herald, with permission from Bill’s family, is reproducing his popular columns in this edition of the Sailor, as well as in editions yet to come:

Since the early 40’s I have experienced a love affair with duck hunting. The lakes, marshes, sloughs, potholes, passes, flooded cornfields and picked cornfields of Southwest Minnesota were very dear. Around age six, I began to tag along with my dad and his frequent hunting partner “Tink” Thompson of Slayton. Originally, I just followed their tracks but frequently was a retriever. Eventually, I carried an empty BB gun then a 22 with no bolt and finally, a 410 with no bolt. I probably got the bolt and shells around age ten. Eventually, I moved to Model 12 Winchesters, which both my son and I still use. My earliest memories are of Badger Lake, the “pass” between Lake Shetek and Armstrong, Current and Iron Lakes, Clear Lake (often referred to as Round Lake) and, of course, Tennis Shoe Pass between Sarah and Maria. I also recall many mallards in area cornfields and actually using corn shocks for a blind. In high school, I began to hunt by myself and like most kids; I liked to check out potholes where I could sneak up on them and “Arkansas” a few (shooting as they are sitting in the water). This ended when I crawled several hundred yards only to shoot into someone’s decoys. Most of the area potholes are now gone, but the memories are etched in my mind forever. I was always blessed with at least one wonderful hunting dog and sometimes two. The first was “Joe” a strong Chesapeake. She delivered a litter of pups on a muskrat house in Clear Lake. One pup rolled into the water at birth and somehow stayed afloat until one of dad’s friends picked it up and put it in his hunting coat. The mom and all the pups were put in a duck boat and all lived. The dogs Dad raised in those days were called Golden Labs (now Yellow Labs). All were strong dogs and excellent hunters. I remember Goldie, Teddy and Amber. My own family’s first dog was a Golden Retriever and we repeated the name Amber. A later golden, Prairie, was our best ever. She lived thirteen years and just after she died, my son went off to the Air Force for four years. Losing my best hunting partner and best dog greatly reduced my hunting experiences. I’m one who finds it unrewarding to hunt without a dog, as I wasn’t used to ever losing a cripple. Gary Clancy in the Oct. 22, 2004 Outdoor News expressed my feelings on losing a dog. “I miss her. Guess I will for a long, long time. After all, good friends are hard to find and impossible to forget.” Hunting partners share some of the most satisfying outdoor experiences possible and relationships developed in a duck blind or in the exhilarating moments just prior to sunrise and before sunset stir some deep human emotions.

History Is Life Bill Bolin

Emil Weise of Lakefield gave this poem, author unknown, to me years ago. Though it refers to deer, it sums up, for me, what duck hunting is all about! THE BANQUET As I, a humble hunter, Pursue the wily, deer, I stumble oft, I blunder; They scatter far, I fear. I nonetheless maintain my quest, Rewards still come to me. For nature gives her gifts to those Who will just pause to see. Man does not live by bread alone, Nor I by meat, it seems. But food for thought abounds out here: Enough for all men’s dreams. The stillness soothes the troubled mind, The peace renews the will, With clearer eyes we see ourselves, And those around as well. It’s special when you can share these moments with someone whose friendship you value. My son, Tom, began hunting at about the same age as I had and we shared some unbelievable days hunting ducks. Today about the only time I get out is when Tom comes down from Willmar. My earliest hunting partners in high school were John Terry, Dick Culshaw, Lefty Erickson and Jerry Johnson; however, even at a relatively young age I often went alone with two golden labs. In college, two of my early friends were hunters – Bruce Pagel from Bird Island and Vern Quevli from Bingham Lake (Windom High School). We had some incredible times together in the early to mid 50’s – many laughs and many ducks. Vern eventually settled in Arizona, but Bruce and I have hunted ducks together almost every year since 1953. It’s hard to believe that it will be fifty-one years this fall. Bruce graduated from Macalester but after our first year, I decided to go into education and transferred to Mankato State. Ironically, in 1957, I took a job at Tracy and Bruce signed with Balaton to teach math and coach. Our duck hunting became a high priority. What with both being single, finally having money for shells and gas, and a wealth of places to hunt through contacts made with parents of kids we had in class, we hardly missed a day and weekends became full-time duck hunting. Before I was able to take son Tom and after Bruce had left Balaton for Detroit Lakes, I often hunted alone with our Golden Labrador, Teddy. Soon I discovered others in Tracy who enjoyed duck hunting. At one time or another I hunted with Bob Shaw, Billy Pearson, Roger Jahns, Leon Moat, Dean Austin, Charlie Gorisch, Gale Otto, Jere Rambow, Bob Mickkelson, Willis Mattison, Wimp (never got skunked on Maria) Peterson, Jim Fritz, Al Hess, Dick Donaldson and a friend who taught firemanship training every fall in Southwest Minnesota, Al Albright. When Tom was old enough to hunt it was generally just the two of us. Occasionally, we would hunt with those listed above and enjoyed it when son-in-law Jim Vogel began to go with us. One day a friend from Fulda, Doug

Google image

Probst, stopped by and he, Tom and I had a fantastic hunt on a windy snowy afternoon. On another day, Tom and I stopped by the 3M cabin on Maria to see if Wimp was around. He wasn’t, but there we met Dick Brust who had arrived late and all the 3M guys were already out. He asked if Tom and I wanted to paddle out to a blind and throw out some decoys. Once we got situated, the wind began to pick up, the sky clouded over and the ducks really began to fly. We had a terrific time and filled out. Little did Tom or I know that we had been hunting with the #1 tax accountant of the 3M Corporation. That Christmas my wife received a huge box containing almost every type of Christmas tape, paper, etc. that 3M made. A short note said, “Enjoyed a great day

hunting ducks with your husband and son. My thanks, Dick Brust.” Nearly as much fun as “hunting” ducks is “talking” ducks and duck hunting. My experience has been that within minutes you are talking the same language, sharing similar experiences and voicing common concerns while demonstrating an enthusiasm and love for waterfowl. The immeasurable “northern flight” is gone, but we reminisce. Nostalgia runs deep in our veins. Every fall I enjoyed any and every conversation with Tup Wettestad, Shing Engerbretson, Charles Berdan, Jim Fritz, Al Hess, Wimp Peterson, Buck Rauenhorst, Leo Shoeman, Gay Stone, Paul Rignell and

BOLIN

continued on page 10

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10 – SOUTHWEST SAILOR, DECEMBER 2021

Bolin: The glory days of hunting Continued from page 7

his boys - Tim and Tom, Arlo Ziemke, Harlan Jacobsen, Hank Bergs, Doug Anderson, Al Zender, Cy Sanders and Don (Gassy) Verdeck – to name a few. Other old-timers I loved to share stories with were Mort Smith and Herman Becker who hunted Heron Lake plus Rudy Anderson, Charles Soupir and Dick Rasmussen. Some old Slayton friends, Chuck and John Terry, Don Grieme, Jerry Ling and Jim Shrantz plus some of their kids and close friends enjoyed several years of fantastic shooting on Iron Lake. All had some good memories to share. They worked hard to clear an opening in what were then massive stands of bullrushes and with my binoculars and spotting scope I watched with envy as flocks of twenty to thirty mallards would swing into their decoys. If all of the above people had recorded their experiences and stories, we would have a marvelous account of duck hunting in Southwest Minnesota. When our son Tom was in the USAF serving in England, I wrote him a long letter recounting many of our special days in the duck blind or cornfield. I have a copy of that letter somewhere, but I waited too long to do this article and have not had the time to attempt locating it. It’s remarkable what you can remember about duck hunting – a goldeneye on Lake Sarah, the first wood duck along a creek just southwest of the Big Slough, white winged scoters with Dick Donaldson and Tom off Dick’s point on Lake Fremont, Tom’s first duck - a

blue-winged teal at Robbin’s Slough, three black ducks (Black Mallards) that I’ve shot – all within 1 ½ miles of our present home on Lake Sarah, but years apart. My most recent highlight was when grandson, Josh Hook, shot a bluewing teal over decoys. One recalls the great times hunting the fast flying divers - canvasbacks, red heads, greater and lesser scaups (bluebills), ringnecks, buffleheads and ruddy ducks. Fox Lake and Robbins Slough were often fabulous as was Sarah and Maria and the pass between Clear Lake and (pardon me) Goose Turd Slough. My most memorable diver days were many, but if I had to narrow it down to three they would be: #1 Wimp Peterson, Tom Bolin and I hunting in a dense fog off what was then known as Schaeffer’s Point on the west side of Lake Yankton in Balaton. Those were the days of “bonus bills” and I believe the duck limit was six but you were allowed two additional bluebills. Now they are in a serious decline and waterfowl biologists have yet to determine why. We could hear them before we could see them and the window of opportunity was small in the dense fog. We’ll never know how many bills were on Yankton that day, but they sure were attracted to our decoy spread. We never lost a cripple as Wimp’s Golden Retriever, Goldie, was incredible. She would disappear into the fog and none of us could see either the downed ducks or dog but she returned with every one. It was a morning never to be forgotten. #2 Bruce Pagel and I set

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up on a small point on Spink Lake just east of Balaton. We were only a couple hundred yards south of Hwy. 14. It was during MEA break and we had decided to hunt Thursday and drive into the cities on Friday. It was an excellent decision as flock after flock came off Lake Yankton, made one swing and poured into our decoys. We filled out early on red heads, bluebills and ring necks. My dog’s tail wagged in excitement as it seemed to anticipate its next opportunity to retrieve. A tie for #3. It is hard to decide between some of the great days we had on Fritz’s pass between Sarah and Maria and those memorable shoots as divers came like jets from Fox Lake into Robbin’s Slough and minutes later would return to Fox – almost always in the same flight path. Roger Jahns and I would try to gauge their speed and manage a proper lead. It’s humbling to aim at the lead duck in a flock of seven and drop the back two. Anyone who has hunted divers, whether on a special pass or over forty - sixty decoys on big water, belongs to a certain fraternity. They have enjoyed duck hunting in a manner that most hunters never experience. It’s been a depressing decade for divers as few spend more than a day or two in Southwest Minnesota on their annual fall migration. Yet, they return in substantial numbers each spring on their journey north. I wish I knew why. One of the sad results of our present waterfowl situation is the lack of young hunters. The causes for this are many, but the one I personally suspect as the greatest culprit is lack of access. I grew up when I could hunt nearly anywhere. I’ve always claimed that I was denied permission only once, and that was because the owner’s pastor was coming out to hunt the next morning. I would guess that over ninety percent of my hunting was done by simply asking permission and being sure to share ducks, send a thank you note or drop off a little present around Christmas time. Today, the best hunting is on land that is owned by hunters (often from the Twin Cities), or purchased by locals strictly for hunting (sometimes leased). Nearly everyplace is posted and one wouldn’t think of even asking permission. In many cases, you realize that it is pretty much a rich man’s sport. Now many from Minnesota make annual trips to Canada and North Dakota to hunt ducks, some even going to once dry South Dakota that recently has had abundant rainfall and lots of water in certain areas. There are some excellent areas purchased by the DNR and United States Fish & Wildlife Service, but they are often crowded and restrictions often eliminate older hunters. I have had conversations with two different parties that experienced some fair success this fall. Both parties were from the Twin Cities and both groups owned duck hunting sloughs here in Southwest Minnesota. For most of my sixty-plus years of duck hunting only two places were completely off limits – Heron Lake and Lake Maria. Through my friendship with the Terry’s in Slayton, I sometimes hunted Maria. In addition, I found

friends that had access on the south side and over-the-years I developed a friendship with Wimp Peterson whose family owned the majority of the lake shore. Eventually, the state purchased an access in the northwest corner and with some work you could hunt anywhere on the lake. Maria and adjoining Mud Slough were always excellent places to build a blind and set out decoys. Maria basically became private hunting in 1936 when 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing) officials established the 3M Gunne Club and moved an 1870 farmhouse to the shore of Lake Maria. Some groups from 3M had hunted Maria as early as 1929. The 1937 Club dues records show the names of the eleven original members, some of whom advanced to the very highest positions in the corporation. The charter members were F.H. Camp, W.A. Thomas, H.P. Buetow, R.P. Carlton, G.H. Halpin, C.M. King, H.L. Murphy, B. J. Oakes, C.B. Sampier, A.G. Bush, and W. L. McKnight. Maybe you’ve heard of the McKnight Foundation! Heron Lake is another story, some of which I recounted in a previous Sailor article. I have experienced many wonderful days shooting mallards over decoys. Robbin’s Slough south of Tracy was excellent for over half-a-century, but lack of both emergent and sub-emergent vegetation has greatly diminished its potential. The same holds true for well over a dozen incredible shallow water lakes and marshes in our immediate area. I would guess other places in Southwest Minnesota would witness the same deterioration. Historically fabulous duck hunting spots have been destroyed by high water, rough fish and, no doubt, lack of attention. I believe the future of our hunting in Southwest Minnesota revolves around our success in restoring these areas. In my immediate area this would included Maria, Robbins, Clear Lake, Iron Lake, Sturslinger’s Slough, Hjermstad’s Slough, Lake of the Hills (Frost Lake – northwest of Garvin), Art Denin’s Slough (McKay Lake – northwest of Balaton), North and South Twin Lakes (west of Tracy), Long Lake and others. Current Lake was a terrific duck lake – deep and clean with rushes, but was turned into a recreational lake and the jury is still out as to which choice was best. In real estate and pitching baseball, the secret is said to be “location, location, location.” In duck and pheasant hunting, we could well substitute “habitat, habitat, habitat.” The one thing constant in life is change, but the changes have been so dramatic, so huge and so immediate that duck hunting, as anyone over fifty once knew it, probably, and sadly, is gone forever. It is in that vain that I decided to write some of my memories and experiences. No doubt, many of us will still enjoy a great day or two each season, but the duck hunting most of us older nimrods experienced most likely will never return. I urge those of you that have lived with a passion for waterfowl and waterfowl hunting – please record your experiences!

After 39 years of delivering

SOUTHWEST SAILOR, DECEMBER 2021 – 11

NEWS & NOTES to current and former Milroy residents, Rae Ann Flesner has decided to relax a little

BY PER PETERSON editor, tracy area headlight herald

ow long has Rae Ann Flesner been in charge of bringing current and former Milroy residents the monthly dose of news and tidbits? To put her impressive longevity into perspective, she used to save her work on floppy disks. “Since 1982 — how many years is that?” Flesner quipped about her work with the beloved Milroy Community News. For the record, it’s 39 years. Thirtynine years of filling people’s mailboxes and P.O. boxes with all the happenings, schedules, school information, council news, church news and anything else she has been able get her hands on, including photos of local graduates and other images. Now, after all those years of gathering and sharing the local news, Flesner has decided to turn over the Milroy Community News reins to Sharri Van De Wiele. “Francis Zupher was a retired teacher here in Milroy, and his wife was an English teacher here and he kind of got it started,” Flesner recalls. “He talked to me one time and wanted to know if we could do something for the residents. Lilian Welu piped up and said she’ll help. I really didn’t realize what I was getting into.” The rest is history — documented history, thanks to Flesner, whose “Local Log” and so much other news has been enjoyed by some 465 current and former Milroyites. If it’s going on in or around Milroy, she knows about it and has loved letting so many friends keep track of everything Milroy. “At one time we were as high as 500,” said Flesner of the newsletter distribution. Born in Milroy — in an apartment above the old bank — Flesner was no stranger to newsletters well before taking over production of Milroy Community News, as she would help the school in Milroy put together its newsletter. “I would even take them down to the Post Office for them,” she said. “I kind of learned how to fill out some of the paperwork at that time.” The newsletter, which is distributed at the end of each month except for June

RAE ANN FLESNER (right) has passed the Milroy Community News torch to her friend, Sharri Van De Wiele. Photo / Per Peterson

and July, is funded by donations, and the school’s mailing permit is used for distribution. “We had enough money to buy a nice copy machine; thank goodness it collates,” Flesner said. “We’ve been very fortunate with donations.” Flesner, who for 18 years also coordinated the Bloodmobile event in Milroy, said she has always enjoyed knowing that the people who receive the newsletter every month, no matter where they call home, truly appreciate it. No matter how much social media forums have infiltrated everyone’s lives, she knows full well that getting her newsletter has meant a lot to her readers. “The praise is nice; it builds you up a little bit,” she said. “I went to a class reunion for the Class of ’57, and they presented me with a very pretty plant. They said it was because of me doing the newsletter. I had someone call from Arizona and she said, ‘You know, Rae Ann, I wouldn’t have known that my best friend from high school had died if I hadn’t read it in the newsletter.’” So why step away from something she clearly enjoyed doing? “My husband (Ken) said I have to,” Flesner said with a sly giggle. “He’s done all the heavy lifting.” For her part, Van De Wiele is well aware she has some pretty big shoes to fill. She’s been reading the newsletter for years and is now putting it together. She has also been helping Flesner with the news gathering since as time has gone by email has been used more — something Flesner never really got into. “People used to call, or every time there was something in the paper, I’d cut it out and save it,” said Flesner. “I’m in training,” said Van De Wiele. “People send me the information; I’m putting things into a separate email, encouraging people to send things to milroynews@gmail.com . “The churches send me things, I just got something from the Lions Club, the Legion sends,

‘

The praise is nice; it builds you up a little bit. I went to a class reunion for the Class of ’57, and they presented me with a very pretty plant.They said it was because of me doing the newsletter. I had someone call from Arizona and she said,‘You know, Rae Ann, I wouldn’t have known that my best friend from high school had died if I hadn’t read it in the newsletter.’ — RAE ANN FLESNER the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), 4-H …” Van De Wiele, an administrative specialist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency since 1980, said she has found that people have come to expect the newsletter every month, almost relying on it so they can get their smalltown news fix. “As an example, it goes to Tucson, and this man said, ‘I didn’t get a newsletter this month.’ I said, ‘Remember, we take a couple months off.’ He said, ‘Oh, OK, I figured it got lost.’ I know people who turn immediately to the ‘Local

Log,’ because they want to catch up on what is happening and not happening.” The newsletter is indeed far-reaching. “Subscribers” hail from areas such as Washington, Virginia, Arizona and Mississippi. “I didn’t know that until I started doing labels,” Van De Wiele said. “I wouldn’t know that; it came in my mailbox once a month and I read it. When somebody I work with asked me what I’m doing tonight I say, ‘I’m working on ‘Community News.’ And when I tell them they go, ‘Milroy does that? Is there news?’ I say, ‘Oh, yah!’”

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HOLIDAY TREATS

12 – SOUTHWEST SAILOR, DECEMBER 2021

CRUSTLESS PIE A TREAT FOR THOSE WITH A GLUTEN INTOLERANCE The holiday season is a popular time to entertain. Food is often a focal point of holiday season entertaining. Individuals who navigate food allergies or intolerances may shy away from certain celebrations out of fear that a nibble of this or a bite of that may trigger an allergic response. In such instances, concern about ingredients can cast a pall over normally festive occasions. Those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerances must be mindful of the foods they consume. Meals or desserts containing gluten, a protein found in grains like wheat, semolina, rye, barley, graham, spelt, farina, and more, can trigger intestinal distress and other symptoms. With delicious pies, cakes and cookies on the holiday serving table, gluten is likely to make an appearance. However, with careful planning, people who cannot stomach foods that contain gluten can still indulge in their favorite holiday flavors. “Crustless Libby’s® Famous Pumpkin Pie” is a variation on traditional pumpkin pie served at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Without the crust, individuals who avoid gluten can still dive into that pumpkin-and-spice combination that’s so popular around the holiday season. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of Libby’s® Pumpkin. Crustless Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie Makes 8 servings 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1⁄2 teaspoon salt PEOPLE WHO CANNOT STOMACH FOODS THAT CONTAIN GLUTEN can still indulge in their favorite holiday flavors. “Crustless Libby’s® Famous Pumpkin Pie” is a variation on traditional pumpkin pie served at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings.

1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves 2 large eggs 1 can (15 ounces) Libby’s® 100% Pure Pumpkin 1 can (12 fluid ounces) Nestlé® Carnation Evaporated Milk Nonstick cooking spray Whipped cream (optional)

1. Preheat oven as directed below. Glass baking dishes without crust require a cooler oven, and in most cases, a longer baking time. 2. Spray baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or lightly grease bottom of baking pan or baking dish. 3. Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in a small bowl. Beat eggs in a large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. 4. Bake as directed below or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean. 5. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Cooking times 9-inch-round glass pie dish: 325 F; bake for 55 to 60 minutes 10-inch-round glass pie dish: 325 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes 8-inch-round cake pan: 350 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes 9-inch-round cake pan: 350 F; bake for 35 to 40 minutes 8-inch-square baking pan: 350 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes 8-inch-square glass baking dish: 325 F; 50 to 60 minutes 9-inch-square baking dish: 350 F; bake for 35 to 40 minutes 11x7-inch glass baking dish: 325 F; bake for 45 to 50 minutes 13x9-inch baking pan: 350 F; bake for 35 to 40 minutes 13x9-inch glass baking dish: 325 F; bake for 40 to 45 minutes TIPS AND TRICKS FOR CUTTING OUT COOKIES Baking is a holiday tradition in many households. The aroma of freshly baked cakes, pies and cookies wafts through the air of many homes this time of year, and that makes the holiday season even more special. Cookies are a tradition passed down through the ages. In medieval Europe, small, spiced cookies were exchanged as treats, and people still bake and share gingerbread cookies today. Cut cookies are some of the most popular cookies to make during the holiday season. Some families may have their share of favorite cookie cutter shapes and dough recipes. Certain techniques can make holiday baking sessions easier and ensure consistent results. • Work on a lightly floured, cool surface, such as a cutting board or stone counter top. Never work on a warm surface, which

can cause dough to spread and stick. • Roll out the dough between two sheets of baking or parchment paper. Betty Crocker recommends a thickness of about 1⁄8 inch, unless noted in the recipe. This prevents the dough from sticking, and parchment enables you to easily transfer rolled-out dough to a refrigerator or elsewhere. • When rolling out dough, portion it out into a few smaller amounts to roll out more easily. This will also help it to chill more readily. • Cookies cut most easily when the dough is chilled. Refrigerate the dough for as long as possible, ideally an hour or more — even overnight. The more chilled, the firmer the dough will be. • Rubber rolling pin rings that slip onto each side of the rolling pin can help ensure that the dough is being rolled out to a uniform thickness. • Dip cookie cutters into flour with each CERTAIN TECHNIQUES can make cut. Work from the holiday baking sessions easier and ensure center and move out consistent results. to the edges when cutting out your designs. Try to maximize space and avoid scraps and rerolling. • Some expert bakers say that metal cookie cutters cut cleaner than plastic ones. Whichever cutter you use, cut the cookie by pressing straight down; try not to twist or jiggle the cookie cutter when using it. Doughs with a high butter content can help, as the extra grease helps separate the dough from the cutters. • If cut cookies have gotten warmer, place them in the freezer for a few minutes to firm up again and then cook. This will guarantee the cookies will not spread or distort while baking. Extra steps may seem like they will take a lot of time. However, the extra effort and attention to detail will help produce cookies that win rave reviews.

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SOUTHWEST SAILOR, DECEMBER 2021 – 13

Nov. 20 - Dec. 31

9th annual Indoor Christmas Tree Walk, Lyon County Museum, Marshall. The Indoor Christmas Tree Walk is open during regular museum hours. The trees are decorated by area families, businesses, non-profit organizations and service organizations. You can vote for your favorite tree.

Nov. 26 - Dec. 26

Prairie Home Hospice Light up the Night, Independence Park, Marshall. Kickoff is Nov. 26 with a lighted parade through downtown Marshall followed by fireworks at Independence Park. Following that, events and activities will be held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 5-9 p.m. including horse-drawn carriage rides, hayrides, holiday carolers, holiday vendors, ice skating, sledding and a fire to warm up by. A drive through route will be available from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday evenings (conditions permitting). A free will donation to Prairie Home Hospice is appreciated.

Nov. 27

Tracy Kick-off to Christmas, Tracy. Photos with Santa at Greenwood Nursery 9 a.m. - Noon; Small Business Saturday shopping throughout town, Lions Club soup supper followed by the Lighted Parade at 6 p.m.

Nov. 27

2nd annual Lights at the Lodge Holiday lighting and luminaire walk, Hiawatha Pageant Park, Pipestone, 6 p.m. Join us for the lighting of the entrance gate and trees and a 1/2 mile luminaire walk followed by hot chocolate & cider and a bonfire by the Hiawatha Pageant Park Lodge.

Nov. 27

Balaton’s 33rd annual Holiday craft & vendor show, Balaton. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. trū Shrimp gymnasium. Great Christmas gift ideas, kids Christmas shopping corner 10 a.m - 1p.m.

Nov. 28

Light The Night and Santa Train, Luverne. Ellis & Eastern Railroad will bring Santa & Mrs. Claus to southwest Minnesota to kick-off the holiday season. The train will be at Rushmore depot for photos with Santa, followed by a spot at Adrian, Magnolia, and Luverne. There will be fireworks at Luverne city park at 7 p.m and the lighted displays will turn on at 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 3 - 4

Winterfest, Luverne. Craft show on Saturday, “Let’s get ready to crumble” Cookie Baking contest, Lumber Jack and Jill photo beard contest, entertainment around town as well as a choral concert by the Carnegie Minstrels at American Reformed Church. Outdoor activities including a snowmobile swap meet.

performance course led by trained volunteer instructors. Certification will become valid at age 12. You must complete one of the online courses at snowmobilecourse. com

Dec. 4

3rd annual Kindlemart - Marshall Area YMCA, 9 a.m. -2 p.m. Kindlemart is a regional Christmas Market featuring only youth entrepreneurs. Come and shop early for your Christmas wish lists.

Dec. 5

Holiday Home Tour 12-4 p.m., Marshall. The Holiday Home Tour is a fundraiser for the Lyon County Historical Society. Tickets are $20 each. For more information contact Jennifer at the Lyon County Museum 507-537-6580 or director@ lyoncomuseum.org

Dec. 10 & 11

Springfield Area Nativity Pageant 7 p.m., Springfield. The nativity comes to life at this annual, outdoor presentation. Local actors bring you 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. Christmas music is sung by the local community choir. The event is held outdoors, so please dress accordingly.

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Lake Benton Opera House Christmas Show, Lake Benton. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Reserve your tickets by calling 507-368-4620.

Dec. 4

Snowmobile safety training field day, Ghent, 10:30 a.m. The event is for youth ages 11-15. The youth will complete a one day classroom review and riding

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Holiday

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Friday, Dec. 10

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