split hoof tonight

Highlighting communities that have become part of
OUR STORY...small-town living at its best!
Vol. 1, Issue 3 • ourstorymn.com • $3.95
Late-Night Side-Splittin' Fun On
"SPLIT HOOF TONIGHT"
EXPOSED!
Aunt Minnie & Ronnie P. Silage
on AS THE CORN GROWS!
Finding “The Wow!” in
HUDSON, WISCONSIN!
Featuring OUR STORY's
Sponsors, 23 Town
Spotlights & More!
OUR STORY Discovers
SOUTH DAKOTA!
FUN-FILLED FESTIVALS OUTSIDE
Sweet Swine County!
2
Yea, yea, yea. We know…we know.
We should do this, we should that.
So if you think you know better,
send us an email. We’ll probably
look at it. We might publish it, we
might not. But keep it pithy. We’ve
got a lot to do.
If you feel you must, you’ll find
our email address on
www.ourstorymn.com. Good luck!
a dream that maybe I’ll see my
name there someday!
Do you
think that would be possible?
Dear OUR STORY PRODUCTIONS:
I sure am happy to see that you
like reading my emails! At
least I think you like them because you keep publishing them
in your magazine. I’m starting
to feel like I’ve become part
of the “OUR STORY Family” that
you talk about all the time!
My cousins here in Sweet Swine
County run out to get each new
issue of The Road to OUR STORY
just to read my letters to you.
I ‘spose I should thank you for
making me a bit of a celebrity
in the Mailer family.
Well, time to do chores. We’ve
had some danged crappy weather here in Sweet Swine County
lately. At least your magazine
and TV shows give me something
to look forward to, else I
could get downright depressed.
Until my next email, I remain,
Daly E. Mailer, Jr.
Anyway, I was just thinking...
Mr. Daly E. Mailer, Jr.
I happened to be looking around
on your website again and noticed lots of new stuff. When
I clicked on the “CONTACT”
tab on your homepage, I saw
the listing of all the people
who help you make everything
at OUR STORY. I was wondering how in the heck you get so
much done all the time! So it
sure was nice to see the names
of all the people who help out
at OUR STORY. I’ve kind of got
We are always very amused to read your
letters/comments here at OUR STORY.
Please keep them coming! Tell your
cousins to write to us, too. We appreciate
hearing many points of view about everything we’re doing at OUR STORY!
Best Regards!
The OUR STORY Staff
www.ourstorymn.com • www.ourstorymn.com • www.ourstorymn.com
3
www.ourstorymn.com • www.ourstorymn.com • www.ourstorymn.com • www.ourstorymn.com
www.ourstorymn.com • www.ourstorymn.com • www.ourstorymn.com • www.ourstorymn.com
www.ourstorymn.com • www.ourstorymn.com • www.ourstorymn.com
table f
It means what’s all in this magazine! Giddy-up!!
CONTENTS
Swine
Lighting,
Inc.
Earl Silo
declares
“Victory”
as the
King of Plaid!
Swine
Lighting,
Inc.
Cousin John
pontificates about
the latest
fashion trends
in the world of
suspenders!
OUR STORY Dish
Featured Stories
And Even More!
11Bobby Ray’s Weekend
Adventures
22Cockelbur Morning Show
10Pipestone’s Historic
Calumet Inn
40As the Corn Grows
6 Publisher’s Letter
43Sweet Swine Scoop
82Almost Breaking News
50Women of Sweet Swine
44Heeeere’s Split Hoof
Tonight!
Honor Flight Southwestern MN
Jerry Minar’s Music/New Prague
St. Charles Gladiolus Days Fest
Dakota Prairie Playhouse
Exposed! Ronnie P. Silage and
Aunt Minnie
60Split Hoof Tonight
s!
Visit u
Hudson’s Hot-Air Balloon Festival
Seasons on St. Croix
The Nova Wine Bar
90In the Passenger’s Seat
4
RELUCTANT PUBLISHER:
Jeff Rouse
OUR STORY Studios
Fairmont, MN 56031
Tel: 507.236.5607
Web: ourstorymn.com
[email protected]
City Spotlights
8 Mantorville, MN - “A 19th-Century Past; A 21st-Century Vision”
12 Kasson, MN - “Tree City USA”
14 Montgomery, MN - “The Kolacky Capital of the World”
16 Cannon Falls, MN - “A Scenic Riverside Community”
18 Le Sueur, MN - Downtown - “A Great Place to Grow”
20 Le Sueur, MN - “Home of the Jolly Green Giant”
24 Wanamingo, MN - “Poised for Tomorrow”
26 Worthington, MN - Downtown - “Worthington Loves You, Too”
28 Worthington, MN - “You’ll Come to Love Us”
30 Marshall, MN - Downtown - “A Community with a Big Future”
32 Marshall, MN - “Southwest Minnesota’s Overnight Headquarters”
34 Lake Crystal, MN - “The Place to Be”
36 Kenyon, MN - “Boulevard of Roses”
38 Tracy, MN - “Come Along for the Ride”
46 Jordan, MN - “Celebrating 157 Years of History--1854-2011”
48 Hendricks, MN - “The Perfect Place to Raise Children”
52 Madison, SD - “Discover the Unexpected”
54 Flandreau, SD - “The Heart of Eastern South Dakota”
56 Wabasha, MN - “Long on History and Rich in Heritage”
58 Hudson, WI - “Spirit of the St. Croix”
64 Lake City, MN - “Birthplace of Waterskiing”
66 New Ulm, MN - “A Little Bit of Germany in Minnesota!”
68 New Ulm, MN - Downtown - “A City of Charm and Tradition”
70 Nicollet, MN - “Celebrating Friendship–Past, Present and Future”
72 Jackson, MN - “Home of Historic Fort Belmont”
74 Jackson, MN - Downtown - “A Community in Motion”
76 West Concord, MN - “A Proud Heritage, A Bright Future”
78 Zumbrota, MN - “Bridging the Past and the Future”
80 Henderson, MN - “Where Birds of a Feather Flock Together”
84 Milbank, SD - “You’ll Like Milbank”
86 Red Wing, MN - “Come for a Visit, Stay for a Lifetime”
5
WHY-ME MANAGING EDITOR:
Bryan Peterson
HELPFUL EDITORIAL DIRECTOR—
STYLE & ENTERTAINMENT:
Denise Rouse
SUPER-CREATIVE DEPARTMENT
DIRECTOR—GRAPHIC ART & DESIGN:
Samantha Lund-Hillmer
GRAPHICS & OTHER SUNDRIES
CONTRIBUTORS:
Shelly Abitz
Nick Larsen Media
COOL CONTRIBUTING
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Thomas Dodge
Sarah Morphew
Wanda Nelson
Chip Pearson
COPY-CAT CHIEFS:
Shelly Abitz
Samantha Lund-Hillmer
Wanda Nelson
Bryan Peterson
POOFREADERS:
Samanta Land-Hillmor
Bryon Pederson
Jaff Roose
COLOSSAL CIRCULATION &
MARKETING DIRECTORS:
Wanda Nelson
Jeff Rouse
DIRECTORS, HOPEFUL SALES
PLANNING:
David Glader, Karla Grev
HOPEFUL SALES PLANNING
CONSULTANTS:
Andrea Christensen, Sherrie Knapp
MASTER WEBMASTER:
Nick Larsen Media
PERFECT PRINTER:
John C. Draper, Publisher
Pipestone Publishing Co. and
Page 1 Printers
COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF:
OUR STORY's Polaroid Instamatic
6
"Remember, it's not just the past
but the present
that becomes OUR STORY!"
Dear Readers,
In this issue, we “expose” Aunt Minnie and
Ronnie P. Silage. We even talked Ronnie—
Sweet Swine County’s “Poet Lariat”--into
letting us publish a few of his poems! Look at
our fun new page in the magazine devoted to
our hugely popular blog, Sweet Swine Scoop.
In each issue we’ll give you a sampling of a few
stories from the blog, but we hope you’ll check
it out on the Internet regularly, too at
www.sweetswinescoop.com! Of course, you’ll
always find many of your favorite characters
from our TV shows lurking somewhere in the
magazine. Have fun discovering! And don’t
forget to email us your thoughts and comments. We love hearing from you!!
We’re growing and growing at OUR STORY!
As you can see by the size of this issue, many
new communities have joined the OUR STORY
family. A special big welcome goes out to Hudson, WI, and the communities of Flandreau,
Madison, Milbank and Yankton, SD! We’re having a great time featuring exciting programs on
TV and our website about the many businesses
in these towns and areas, as well as sharing
more about each town’s history, points of interest and events.
Take a look at the latest changes on our
expanding website at www.ourstorymn.com.
Also, we’ve created some exciting regional
shows called “Spinning Wheels” (helpful info
about all kinds of transportation), “Speaking
of Health” (ongoing health and wellness info
offered by Mayo Health System), and “By Design” (informative shows on everything from
home to garden and beyond!). You can watch
them on TV or view them on our website.
Jeff Rouse
Executive Producer
Our Story Productions
As always, the crazy intrigue never ends on
our “reality” soap opera, “As the Corn Grows.”
7
Watch OUR STORY’s...
“Speaking of Health” is the program that helps you to learn
how to live a longer and healthier life! Watch Host Jason Howland talk with doctors and other providers from Mayo Health
System about important healthcare topics. When it comes to
speaking of health, Mayo Health System tells the expert story!
8
Guess what lovely charmers from the South have moved to
Sweet Swine County—The Savannah Sisters! Indeed, they gave
up their southern plantation home to join the pillars of Midwest society right here on a farm in OUR STORY Country. Join the “sistahs”
as they go sneakin’ around to daintily whiff out the excitement in
the mighty-fine towns of the area. A taste of their expert reporting is
below.
Why, I declare! You can even watch them on
www.ourstorymn.com!
Mantorville
“A 19th-Century Past,
A 21st-Century Vision”
9
ocated in the picturesque
Zumbro River Valley in southeastern Minnesota, Mantorville has
an extraordinarily rich architectural
heritage. This quaint town even shares the distinction
of being listed in the National Register of Historic
Places along with such other famous American
locales as Williamsburg, Gettysburg and Freedom
Square in Philadelphia. Mantorville was named after
brothers Peter and Riley Mantor who arrived in the
area in 1853. These early settlers recognized it as a resource-rich location because of the cool-flowing river,
hilly acres of woodland layered with easily quarried
limestone, and rich, unbroken prairie soil perfect for
farming. By 1854, a burgeoning Main Street business
district was being built from the local limestone—a
product that
soon was being shipped to
other areas of
the country.
Mantorville
limestone was
very soft and
easily worked
into buildings,
bridges and
roads. To this day, you may see that limestone in
many well-known historic structures including St.
Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, the Dodge County
Courthouse (built in 1871 and now the oldest in-use
courthouse in Minnesota!), and Hubbell House (built
in 1856 as a three-story hotel).
Today, Mantorville is a destination point for
visitors from around the U. S. and offers intriguing specialty shops, excellent dining, entertaining
live theatre, recreational activities, a vivid history
as a Civil War-era settlement, year-round festivals,
talented artists and much more.
Visit their website: www.mantorville.com
10
History Comes Alive At
PIPESTONE, MINNESOTA’S
Pipestone, Minnesota’s first
grand hotel was built by the Close
brothers—English land agents—
but their beautifully appointed
60-room hotel was completely destroyed in 1886 by a ravaging fire.
Town businessmen quickly began
construction in 1887 of another
structure at a different location on
the corner of Hiawatha Ave. and
Main Street. On Thanksgiving
Day in 1888, the new $30,000, 50room Calumet Inn was christened.
It was made from Sioux quartzite
found at quarries in nearby Jasper, and trimmed in darker stone
mined in Pipestone. At the turn
of the century, the trains were
bringing many travelers to the
burgeoning Pipestone area. To accommodate the influx, an addition
was added onto the hotel in 1900,
with yet another one in 1913 that
completed a fourth floor of rooms
atop the structure.
Now listed on the National
Register of Historic Places, the
Calumet Inn underwent a major
$3 million renovation in 1979.
Today, the Inn offers 40 wellappointed rooms (some furnished
with antiques and their own
kitchenettes), elegant dining, two
full bars, a banquet room, a gift
shop, and perhaps one or two
ghosts whooooo make your visit
excitingly intriguing! When you
are traveling to Pipestone for one
its many well-known festivals or
events, OUR STORY encourages
you to visit the beautifully historic
Calumet Inn. Say hello from us!
For pictures and more
information, visit the Calumet Inn
website at www.calumetinn.com
For much more about the
wonderful city of Pipestone, see
www.pipestoneminnesota.com
11
On each episode of The Cocklebur Morning Show, history
buff, Bobby Ray, shares with viewers the interesting discoveries he’s made over the weekend when traveling throughout
OUR STORY Country. That Bobby Ray is always on the go!
He sure does have the knack for finding incredible stories,
like the one below!
To watch any video broadcasts of Bobby Ray’s Weekend
Adventures, go to www.ourstorymn.com.
The Truman Historical Association celebrates the town’s rich
history in a fascinating year-round
exhibit at its downtown Historical
Museum. The first settlement in the
township was established in 1857
along Elm Creek. In 1862, many
of the settlements in the area were
burned during an Indian uprising, but residents soon returned
to rebuild their homes and farms.
In 1878, an east-west railroad was
built crossing the Martin County,
and settlers once again flowed into
the region, reclaiming the abandoned farms and planting new
fields across the vast prairies. Another rush of settlement occurred
with the opening of the northsouth railroad in 1899. The city of
Truman was born at this time when
that railroad was built to connect
Fairmont with Madelia.
The Truman Historical
Association is a nonprofit group
collecting and preserving artifacts
from Truman’s 100-plus years of
history. Association meetings are
the first Thursday of each month
at 7:00 p.m. Meetings are held at
the museum located at 109 West
Ciro Street (phone: 507-776-7889). Scheduled hours are Monday,
Wednesday, and Friday 1:00 - 4:00
p.m. in the winter; 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
in the summer. The museum will
also open by appointment for tours
and classroom visits. 12
Why I declare! Those Savannah Sisters are at it
again! This time they’re sneakin’ around Kasson,
Minnesota. La-dee-dah, ladies!
K
asson, Minnesota
13
I
ncorporated in 1870, the city of Kasson, Minnesota was named for Irish pioneer Jabez Hyde
Kasson. Kasson was primarily fertile prairie
at the time, and the early settlers immediately
began planting trees in the rich soil. Today, the city
is designated as the “Tree City USA” for its ongoing
tree propagating and maintenance program. Visitors are encouraged to
visit Kasson’s historic
attractions, including its
original limestone water
tower. Many other
historic buildings are
located along Main
Street in the central business district situated off
Mantorville Avenue and
Highway 57.
Located just 15 miles
west of Rochester on
Highway 14, Kasson’s
5,200 residents are
proud of their excellent
school system, their
faith-rich church life,
beautiful city parks with
pool, tennis courts, and
softball fields, and active
public library that offers
a popular summer reading program.
For more information on
Kasson,
please visit their
website:
www.cityofkasson.com
14
OUR STORY’s super-sleuth, Johnny Happening, is on a case
to sniff out the greatest communities and downtown areas in OUR
STORY Country. His amazing detective work always digs up
incredible results. A case in point is the town below. Johnny, we love
ya for this discovery!
To see the video broadcast about this town or any of our “Streets
of Minnesota” video broadcasts, go to www.ourstorymn.com.
Montgomery, MN
“The Kolacky Capital of the World”
Top left: Czech Dancers entertain during
Kolacky Days
Bottom left: Montgomery mural
Above: Kolaches with fruit filling
Center: 2010 Kolacky Days button
15
M
ontgomery is located just far
enough from the shadow of the
Twin Cities metro area to be a
community retaining its unique
flavor, yet with close access to “big-city life.” In
its rural setting, Montgomery is quiet and safe,
yet conveniently located only half way between
Burnsville and Mankato. The rich history of
Montgomery goes back to 1856 when an influx
of predominantly Czech immigrants settled and
cleared this area known as the “Big Woods.”
The Montgomery area still has the largest
Czech population in Minnesota. Those early settlers instilled a rich and proud legacy of ethnic
“Vitame Vas!”
(We Welcome You!)
heritage, hard work, perseverance, and a strong
code of ethics still found in Montgomery’s
community life today. The residents of Montgomery offer a resounding “Vitame Vas” (We
Welcome You!) to all visitors, especially during
their Kolacky Days Festival that dates back to
1929, when an estimated 6,000 people visited
Montgomery for the first Kolacky Days celebration. And just in case you don’t know what it is,
a kolacky is a small Bohemian dinner-roll-like
pastry that is folded around a sumptuous fruit
filling.
www.montgomerymn.org
16
Mrs. Tipton is always happy to read aloud the history reports
written by her students—they’re the smartest kids around! No red
knuckles from “ruler-smacks” in her classroom! Only shiny red
apples are handed out when Mrs. Tipton shares the facts her smartas-whip students wrote in their reports about area towns!
To watch the video broadcasts of "Inside Mrs. Tipton’s Classroom,"
go to www.ourstorymn.com.
A Scenic Riverside Community
17
T
Experience the
Cannon Valley Trail!
he scenic riverside community of Cannon
Falls is located at the junction of the Big
and Little Cannon Rivers along Highway 52
just 35 miles south of the Twin Cities. Cannon Falls
Township, settled in 1854, organized in 1858, derived
its name from the falls of the Cannon River, as it
was named by Zebulon Pike in 1806. Cannon Falls
was incorporated as a village in 1874, and adopted
its city charter on February 13, 1905. The post office
was first called Cannon River Falls during the years
from 1855 to 1859 and was served by a station of the
Chicago Great Western Railroad. The first Minnesota
Volunteers, under the leadership of Colonel William
Colvill, are credited by many Civil War historians
with saving the Battle of Gettysburg. This local hero
and his wife are buried in the Cannon Falls Cemetery
where a statue and monument were placed in 1909.
The 19.7-mile-long Cannon Valley Trail meanders through spectacular scenery on a former Chicago Great Western Railroad line that connected
the cities of Cannon Falls, Welch and Red Wing in
beautiful southeastern Minnesota. Paralleling the
Cannon River, the Trail gradually descends 115
feet in elevation from Cannon Falls to Red Wing.
It is the perfect trail for hikers to enjoy views of
overhanging cliffs, extensive wetlands, and nature’s magnificent displays of seasonal colors!
www.cannonvalleytrail.com
The four-block Cannon Falls Commercial Historic
District has 29 historically significant structures listed
on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of
these buildings—constructed from 1880 to 1915—
were made from local limestone. These late 19th- and
early 20th-century commercial buildings today form
the town’s retail, service, and banking center.
Music fans will be interested in knowing that
Cannon Falls is the home of Pachyderm Studio,
where many famous musicians have recorded their
music. Nirvana is probably the best known band to
use the site. Cannon Falls, as the western portal of the
Cannon Valley Trail, offers unlimited outdoor activities like hiking, canoeing, skiing, tubing, biking or
just “taking it easy” in laid-back Minnesota style! Its
residents and businesses offer open-armed, “hometown” hospitality and service that will make you
want to return again and again to this historically
rich community.
Log on and get to reading:
www.cannonfalls.org
18
And here’s another Southern-sweet story from the
Savannah Sisters. Join the “sistahs” as they sashay
around the mighty-fine town of Le Sueur, Minnesota.
Le Sueur, Minnesota
N
The historic W.W. Mayo House
amed after the 1700s French explorer, Pierre Le
Sueur, the town of Le Sueur rests in the “Valley of
the Jolly Green Giant” and is home to some important historical sites that include the W. W. Mayo
House—built in 1859 by pioneering Dr. William Worrall Mayo,
the founder of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Listed as a Minnesota Historical Site, history is brought to life here by costumed
interpreters as they portray the times of Dr. Mayo and his family.
Between 1874 and 1920, the home was lived in by a founder of the
Green Giant Company, C. N. Cosgrove. His son and grandson,
19
C.N. Cosgrove
W.W. Mayo
who became company presidents, were
born in the home, too. From 1936 to 1967,
the Le Sueur Public Library was housed in
the home. It has been restored and warmly
furnished to reflect the style of the 1860s.
Another important chapter in Le Sueur’s
history was the establishment in 1903 of
The Green Giant Company, a vegetable
canning industry that to this day has name
recognition around the world. The Le
Sueur Museum features a complete history
of the Green Giant Company and each August, Le Sueur holds the Giant Celebration,
a three-day festival commemorating the
important role Green Giant has played in
its community. Le Sueur’s beautiful setting,
vibrant village life and historically interesting sites make it a must-see destination
point for travelers from around the world.
You’ll find the information you need about
Le Sueur on their websites:
www.cityoflesueur.com or
www.lesueurchamber.org
20
Break out the fans and the sweet tea! Those saucy
Savannah Sisters went wild in Le Sueur, Minnesota!
“A Great Place To Grow”
e Sueur, Minnesota is located 50 miles south of the
Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area on Highway 169. With a
population of approximately 4,300, Le Sueur rests in the Minnesota River
Valley Scenic Byway. During the last Ice Age, glaciers carved the Minnesota River Valley, exposing ancient rock and setting the path for the
Minnesota River. Le Sueur is one of many towns that dot the length of
this beautiful valley that
is marked with museums
and historic sites offering vivid
stories of
early prairie
life.
Map of the Minnesota River Valley
21
OUR STORY recommends…
Le Sueur’s Annual
Pioneer Power Show!
The community is known locally as being in the
“Valley of the Jolly Green Giant.” A large billboard
proudly proclaims to travelers: “Welcome to the Val-
Experience Minnesota’s prairie-farmer life like
it used to be lived! Le Sueur’s annual Pioneer
Power Show is something
for the entire family and
includes events of all
kinds that will transport
you back to a by-gone
era. This is one festival
you have to see to
believe! Don’t miss
it this August!
ley” with the Green Giant logo. Now the Green Giant
label is owned by General Mills. The old canning
processing plant in Le Sueur was used until 1995, but
now is utilized for agricultural-related research for
corn varieties. It is interesting to note that the sugar
snap pea variety was developed by a scientist at the
Le Sueur plant.
For more info see: www.pioneerpowershow.com
Today, Le Sueur’s small-town atmosphere
provides safe, friendly neighborhoods, affordable housing, apartment living, as well as excellent
schools and medical services within a vibrant business community.
For more information on the
quaint community of Le Sueur, MN
please log onto:
www.lesueurchamber.org
22
Luverne
Sending Veterans to the World War II
Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota is a committee affiliated with the nonprofit organization
Honor Flight South Dakota. The committee’s
mission is to raise funds to provide an all-expensepaid trip for World War II veterans to visit Washington, D.C. and tour the National World War II
Memorial. Since the dedication of the memorial in
2004, the Honor Flight has recognized the service and sacrifice of American veterans by facilitating visits to the national memorial at NO
COST to a veteran. Most WWII veterans are now in their 80s and can’t easily
travel on their own. Honor Flight Guardians travel with the veterans in order
to provide assistance and to ensure that veterans have a safe, memorable, and
rewarding experience!
Please visit the Honor Flight website to see how you may help continue
this incredible opportunity for our veterans!
www.freedomveteransmemorial.org
23
Just when you thought you’d gotten the cockleburs outta your overalls, they’re
now on TV! That’s right, The Cocklebur Morning Show, filmed at OUR STORY Studios in Fairmont, MN is one weed you won’t want to pull! It’s a hit in Sweet Swine
County. So watch it grow with hosts Bobby Ray and Sally Sue while they deliver a
mix of news, entertainment and information about towns throughout OUR STORY
Country.
Below are two of the stories that were featured on The Cocklebur Morning Show.
To view the video broadcasts or find any of the guests who have appeared on
The Cocklebur Morning Show, go to www.ourstorymn.com.
Jerry
Squeezes Out Old-World Music
in New Prague
When Jerry Minar pulls out his Hengel concertina,
prepare for a toe-tapping good time! Minar could quite
easily be called “The King of the Concertina” at his
base in the Landmark Café in New Prague, Minnesota.
Settled in 1856 by immigrants primarily from southern
Bohemia, New Prague is steeped in Old World charm,
and Jerry Minar perpetuates that charm with a musical
tradition that had its roots in East Germany where the
first concertina was built in 1834.
A concertina is a free-reed musical instrument like the
various accordions as well as the harmonica. It has folding bellows with buttons typically on both ends of the
instrument that, when pressed by someone of Minar’s
talent (he’s been playing since he was a child), turn an
ordinary day into a “wanna-get-up-and-dance” extravaganza!
Under the tutelage New Ulm’s late, legendary concertina player and builder—Christy Hengel—Minar also
studied how to build the instruments. Minar ultimately
purchased Hengel’s business and moved it to New
Prague, where
he now makes
and maintains a large
collection of these
elaborately decorated
instruments.
Minar builds one concertina a month that may range
in price from $400 to $13,000 each. “There are 374 reeds
that vibrate in there to produce the sound,” he said.
“Many, many, many parts that have to come together,
plus they are beautifully engraved.” He continued, “My
wife does the decorating,” while smilingly pointing to a
concertina appointed with nearly 600 sparkling rhinestones.
For much more information, see the Czech Area Concertina Club website at www.concertinaclub.org. And
when you’re next in New Prague, stop in at the Landmark Café at 208 4th Ave. SW and tell Jerry Minar that
OUR STORY sent you!
24
When Professor J. Von Tron's time machine continues to
malfunction, she accidentally stays in the here-and-now while
journeying to towns and communities throughout OUR STORY
Country. But that’s OK. The Professor finds out that all of these
towns are making interesting history right now, just like they did in
the past and will in the future. Read about the Professor’s latest
time machine breakdown below.
And watch all the other places she’s visited on
www.ourstorymn.com.
WANAMINGO, MN
Poised for Tomorrow
25
anamingo is located in Goodhue
County in southeastern Minnesota
along the north fork of the Zumbro
River. The river flows west to east
through the community and provided
waterpower for a mill until the early
1900s. The early ecosystem of the area provided
habitat to bison, elk, deer, bear and prehistoric
hunter/gatherer peoples, evidenced by their stone
tools and projectile points that have been found on
nearby farm fields. Sioux and Dakota Indian tribes
populated this area when the first of many Norwegian immigrants began arriving in 1854, four years
before Minnesota became a state. The original village
of Wanamingo dates back to 1857, and was located
one mile west of the present-day Wanamingo. That
original site is now a ghost town and is referred to
locally as “Old Wanamingo.”
With a population of about 1,000, this lovely little
town about an hour’s drive south of Minneapolis
is well known for its annual Syttende Mai (May 17)
festival that celebrates Norway’s Constitution Day.
Included in the festivities are an “Uff Da” parade,
a coronation of King Ole and Queen Lena, pancake
and waffle breakfasts, live music, dancing, cultural
exhibits, a log-house tour and other events.
www.wanamingo.com
26
Oh, the mystery of it all! What face fronts the back of this
mysterious man announcing into a microphone? Who is this
oddly old-styled Hollywood broadcaster who seems to have
all the dirt about all the people and places throughout OUR
STORY Country, before any of the “rags” have even broken the
story? The man Behind the Mic gives us a taste right here of his
indelible reportage style.
For more, go to www.ourstorymn.com.
L
ocated on
State Highways 59-60
and I-90 in southwestern
Minnesota, Worthington rests at a high point between the Missouri and Mississippi basins. The first
settlers to Worthington were attracted by the prospect of bountiful harvests from the fertile prairie and
the beautiful lake Okabena. It was the railroad that
was actually responsible for the founding of the city,
though. Worthington was originally called Okabena
Station by the Chicago Northwestern railroad which
ran from Mpls/St. Paul southwest to Omaha. Okabena Station was a convenient location to get water
to replenish the steam engines because of the lake’s
close proximity to the tracks. Among the first settlers were those brought here by the National Colony
Company of Toledo, Ohio. This colony believed in
27
abstinence from alcohol and wanted a settlement
comprised of other families who shared their strict
moral standards. Today, Worthington attracts
visitors from around the world for its annual
Windsurfing Regata that takes place in conjunction
with the Unvarnished Music Festival. Travelers also
may view the historic Dayton House, the original
home of Dayton’s Department Store founder.
For more things to see and do
in the great town of Worthington,
be sure to log on to their website:
www.wgtn.net
Dayton House
28
Word about Sweet Swine County, and all the other great
counties and towns throughout OUR STORY Country, has
made its way around the world! Tourists are traveling in droves
to our area and regularly report back to us about what they’ve
experienced! This story about Worthington, Minnesota just
came in from Rudy the Runner, where he took a breather while
on his run to another finish line!
Worthington,
Minnesota
Loves You, Too!
Special Events:
Windsurfing Regatta,
International Festival,
King Turkey Day
and More!
19 Parks,
Lake Okabena,
Memorial Auditorium,
Camping, Disc Golf
and Shopping!
29
W
ith a population of over 11,000,
Worthington, Minnesota is located along Interstate 90 in Nobles
County near scenic 880-acre Lake Okabena. The
early settlers to the area followed the railroad,
which had built a station near the lake that originally had been named by the Santee Sioux Indians.
Now a regional economic hub in Southwestern
Minnesota, Worthington has a developed a strong
agricultural base that has expanded to attract large
corporations involved in processing, research, and
shipping to locate to the community. Worthington
is home to research companies that are actively
discovering new technologies in the bio-science
field, as well as several manufacturing companies
that are involved in building homes, commercial
buildings and plastic products.
Worthington has an excellent school system
that includes Minnesota West Community &
Technical College. There are two medical clinics located here as well as a hospital, and the city
boasts a healthy downtown retail sector with some
of the best shopping in the area. Thirty ethnically
diverse restaurants offer great culinary experiences and Worthington’s interesting year-round
festivals attract visitors from a wide area.
With an abundance of outdoor recreation
within 19 city parks, soccer fields, a hockey arena,
tennis courts, and a disc golf course, there are endless activities that contribute to making Worthington a great place to live!
Check out Worthington on the web:
www.worthingtonmnchamber.com
www.wgtn.net
30
Legions of fans are watching “the stars come out” in Sweet
Swine County and beyond! Yes, many infamous Our Story
celebrities are show-bizzily digging up all kinds of entertaining information about people, places and events in the area.
Celebrity Earl Silo, adored as the TV co-host of “Split Hoof
Tonight” and star of “Earl Steps Out,” is stepping out again right
here with this story about Marshall, Minnesota! You go, Earl!
“Southwest Minnesota’s Overnight Headquarters”
31
erving as the county seat for
Lyon County, Marshall is the
regional center of Southwest Minnesota. With a population of about 13,000, Marshall is well known for being the headquarters of the
Schwan Food Company. The company employs over
22,000 employees worldwide and is one of the largest
frozen-food manufacturers in the United States. Also
home to Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall has several times been selected as one of “The
Best Small Towns in America,” because it stands out
as a vibrant leader in education, industry, technology
and quality of life. Offering a multitude of opportunities for employment, the city’s population daily
expands to 24,000 as commuters from the area arrive
at their jobs.
The city of Marshall was founded in 1872 by the
Winona & St. Peter Railroad Company in the region
that until then was mostly populated by the Sisseton
branch of the Dakota Sioux nation. Lake Marshall
Township had been established in the area two
years earlier, and included a post office and several
farms, but with the advent of the railroad, the town
grew quickly. Today, Marshall’s vitality cannot be
understated. The city boasts a well-developed public
library system, excellent healthcare facilities, outstanding arts and entertainment events, sports and
recreation opportunities, and an ever-expanding
business and industry community. Plain and simple:
You’ll have to “headquarter” overnight in one of
Marshall’s fine hotels because there’s just too much
to see and do in one day!
Discover more about Marshall, MN today
on their websites:
www.marshallmn.com
www.marshall-mn.org
www.discovermarshall.com
32
Word about Sweet Swine County, and all the other great
counties and towns throughout OUR STORY Country, has
made its way around the world! Tourists are traveling in droves
to our area and regularly report back to us about what they’ve
experienced! This story just came in from Dort from Downunder about her visit to Marshall, Minnesota. “G’day Mate!”
right back atcha, Dort!
MARSHALL
M I N N E S O T A
33
L
ocated along the scenic Redwood
River, Marshall was named in honor of
Minnesota’s fifth governor, William R.
Marshall. By 1873, Marshall’s first newspaper, the Prairie Schooner, announced,
“Nine months ago the first house was erected. Now
there are 79 permanent buildings already constructed, and this number will be increased by others already planned.” Since those early days, Marshall has
grown into an important regional center that serves
as the retail, industrial, educational, and cultural hub
of Southwestern
Minnesota.
Marshall offers boundless winter- and summertime activities that include snowmobiling, hunting,
antiquing, birding, golfing, dining, shopping, and
year-round festivals. For history buffs, the Lyon
County Historical Museum is located in downtown
Marshall and has fascinating exhibits that showcase
Lyon County’s rich and varied history from the county’s formation in 1870 and dating back even further
to its earliest known inhabitants—the Dakota Sioux
Indians. The centerpiece of the museum’s collection
is the Schwan’s Dairy Lunch Counter, a real 1950s’
ice cream and soda fountain counter. Museum-goers
especially enjoy viewing the 1872 log cabin that was
dismantled and moved into the museum, where it
was reassembled as an exhibit reflecting the early
life of the pioneers. Each summer, visitors from far
and wide attend the Lyon County Fair, another great
event that makes Marshall such an interesting place
to visit!
For more information about Marshall,
visit these websites:
www.marshallmn.com
www.marshall-mn.org
www.visitmarshallmn.com
34
Word about Sweet Swine County, and all the other great
counties and towns throughout OUR STORY Country, has
made its way around the world! Tourists are traveling in
droves to our area and regularly report back to us about what
they’ve experienced! This story just came in from Frenchie
LeBeau about his visit to Lake Crystal, Minnesota. Sacré bleu,
Frenchie! You are zee man! Merci!
the place to be...
35
eflected in the blue waters of Crystal
Lake, the lake-side town of Lake Crystal
in Blue Earth County, Minnesota serves
as the southwestern gateway into the greater Mankato metro area. Initially, Lake Crystal was a railway
village and junction platted in 1869 and named for
the nearby lake the explorers John C. Fremont and J.
N. Nicollet described as having “unusual brilliancy
and crystal purity.” In the spring of 1854, New York
natives William Robinson and his brother-in-law
Lucious Hunt traveled from Wisconsin to Minnesota looking for a place to call home. While looking
at a site along the Blue Earth River, in the area now
known as Rapidan Township, a group of Indians told
them about a place with three lakes a little further
west. When the two men saw the lakes that would be
called Loon, Lily, and Crystal, they knew they were
home. Each claimed land about one-mile long and
a half-mile wide. Main Street Lake Crystal was the
dividing line between the properties. Hunt built his
home on the site where the Catholic Church is today,
and Robinson’s home was near the 1870 brick home
on Robinson Street, which is still occupied today.
People flock to Lake Crystal for its big summer
festival called “Duck Days.” The three-day celebration features live music, a carnival, food stands,
games, and ducks, of course! The Lake Crystal Area
Recreational Center also attracts many summertime
visitors at its pool, water slide, and
Jacuzzi while its gym and activity/
community room are used yearround.
Quack!
Quack!
For more information on
Lake Crystal:
www.ci.lake-crystal.mn.us.
36
When will Professor J. Von Tron ever get that time
machine fixed? Read about the Professor’s latest
breakdown in the lovely town of Kenyon, Minnesota.
O
riginally settled in 1855, scenic Kenyon,
Minnesota is located along the north
fork of the Zumbro River in Goodhue
County. Early settlers were attracted by the picturesque beauty, bountiful forests, clear waters and
fertile soil of the area. The town received its name
from James M. Le Duc—one of the four men who
platted the village—to honor his alma mater, Kenyon
College in Gambier, Ohio. A post office and a station
of the Chicago Great Western Railroad were established in 1856, and soon a burgeoning village was
growing with the additions of a hotel in 1857 and
school house in 1859. Eight of Kenyon’s residents
were enlisted to fight in the Civil War, and only four
returned alive.
“
Today, Kenyon
is well known for
its four-block-long
planting of tree
roses that grace
the main road
into town. Visitors from around
the area trek to
Kenyon in the
summertime to
view this beautiful “Boulevard of
Roses.”
37
ard of Ro
v
e
l
se
u
o
s”
B
Another interesting site is the lovely Victorianstyled M. T. Gunderson House. Built in 1895, this
historic mansion is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places and tours of the fascinating home
are available the third Saturday of every month. Visitors to Kenyon also are intrigued to see the fascinating Old Stone Church that was built by Norwegian
immigrants in 1875.
Find more info here: www.cityofkenyon.com
M.T. Gunderson House
38
Dort from Downunder found another “beaut” of a
town when she traveled to Tracy, Minnesota!
W
ell known as a prominent railroad center
that was established
in 1870, Tracy,
Minnesota garners
nationwide recognition today for
its annual Labor Day weekend Box
Car Days Celebration. Since 1927,
this annual event packs Labor Day
weekend with fun for the whole
family. Events include the grand
parade, the Miss Tracy competition, Fly-In Breakfast, 5K-10K race,
a karaoke contest, mud volleyball,
softball, horseshoe and golf tournaments as well as a bingo stand,
Tracy
Minnesota
“Come Along for the Ride!”
Tracy’s one-of-a-kind Wheels
Across the Prairie Museum—a
village that recreates life in the late
1800s and early 1900s. Opened
in 1985, this village includes a
school house that is furnished with
genuine artifacts, a barber shop,
summer kitchen, blacksmith shop,
chapel, post office and train depot
with a four-unit train exhibit that
a beer garden and a carnival.
Festival attendees especially
enjoy meandering through
39
highlights the life of Laura Ingalls
Wilder. Wilder took her first train
ride from Walnut Grove to Tracy
in the 1880s and details the event
in her book, By the Shores of Silver
Lake. See www.wheelsacrosstheprairie.org for more information.
Tracy also has plenty of great
recreational opportunities with
lakes, golf courses, hunting,
camping, biking and more. Tracy
residents are proud of their high-standard primary
and secondary ed schools, exceptional medical center, and public library that has been operating since
1880. In 2000, the Tracy Fine Arts Council (FACT)
was organized to sponsor local artists’ exhibitions
and children’s theater productions by Prairie Fire
Theater Company. FACT also co-sponsors the Fine
Arts Awards Banquet at Tracy Area High School, and
continues to encourage the growth of the arts in this
wonderful rural community.
Discover much more about Tracy at
www.tracymnchamber.com.
40
Ronnie P. Silage
played by Tom Dodge
Well known as the “Poet Lariat”
of Sweet Swine County, Ronnie P.
Silage catapulted to a certain kind
of fame when county residents read
the first poem (called “Bee”) in his
self-published book, Poems I Wrote
by Ronnie P. Silage. “Bee” really is an
allegory for Ronnie’s life:
O’ Bee!
When you stung me
I realized how
Hurtful the world can
Be.
After graduating from Purrdoo
University, Ronnie lived in a cabin
on Swine Lake until he sold it to
Lonesome Ron in exchange for
a guitar. At present, no one is
certain where Ronnie shacks-up.
He is proud of the fact that he is
the fifth cousin of Ernest T. Bass
from the Mayberry area. Ronnie has
long been infatuated with Prairie
Ann, who doesn’t seem
to notice that overtly
secret affection.
However, Ronnie
has become quite
noticeable of late since
he and Urban Katie
were kidnapped by the
Winking Bandit.
After their escape
and the subsequent capture of
the kidnapper,
Ronnie used his
portion of the
reward money
to establish an
entrepreneurial
venture with Mrs.
Swanson to produce
the new product called “Hotdish on
A Stick.” Ronnie is currently on a
worldwide promotional tour hawking what he believes will be the
world’s next great fine food. Stay
tuned!
3 Crows, 2 Squirrels
November dawns cold on the
grove.
A choir of three crows
hawks and heckles
Two squirrels, a pair,
a couple.
Getting about their
autumn task,
Their task of
building their larder,
Their larder for the
harder days to come.
Tom Dodge (aka: Ronnie P. Silage — Aunt Ella’s hired hand — “Poet Lariat” of
Sweet Swine County), grew up as his father’s hired hand on the family farm near
Truman, MN cleaning out the hog barns every Saturday of his youth. That’s a big
reason why Tom started his photography and writing career at the young age of 15.
Tom continues his freelance photography business, and writing for national publications and websites while pursuing his Walter Mitty dream of becoming a worldclass actor by playing Ronnie. Tom is THE MAN at providing voiceovers for OUR
STORY’s reality soap opera “As the Corn Grows” and many other programs.
41
Having joined OUR STORY’s roster of programs in the summer of
2008, the zany reality soap opera “As the Corn Grows” depicts the story
of a big-city girl (Urban Katie) who leaves behind her city life to move to
Southern Minnesota after inheriting a farm from her Aunt Ella. Executive
Producer Jeff Rouse says, “To the best of our knowledge, As the Corn
Grows is the first TV reality soap opera about rural Minnesota life. The
show gives viewers a tongue-in-cheek look at life inside Sweet Swine
County with a lovable cast of characters who bring new meaning to the
word, ‘corny’!” In this issue of The Road to OUR STORY, we’re happy to introduce you to some of the citizens of Sweet Swine
County who appear on “As the Corn Grows”! All episodes are easily viewed at www.ourstorymn.com! Aunt Minnie
played by Dianna Anderson
“Colorful” is the word that best
sums up “As the Corn Grows”
character, Aunt Minnie. She wears
make-up that can even make a
clown blush, and her clothes are
easily seen from two miles away
on the darkest of nights in Sweet
Swine County! Aunt Minnie is
also a crack shot with a rifle and is
trained in the marshal arts—no one
messes with her when she’s mad!
She’s not much in the kitchen,
though. The only things she can
cook are scrambled eggs (usually
with some shell bits), tomato soup
(from a can) and coconut cream pie
(from the freezer).
Now see if you can follow this:
As the story goes, Aunt Minnie’s
mother, Sophia, married Aunt Ella’s
widowed father, Axel, when he was
65 and Sophia was only 35. Minnie
was Sophia’s little daughter from a
previous marriage, but Axel loved
her as though she were his own.
He spoiled her terribly—to the
point she never even had to do
chores! Aunt Minnie’s life went
all topsy-turvy when her mother
suddenly dumped Axel for a Fuller
Brush salesman. She has always
hated her mother for leaving Axel.
When Axel died—still dejected—at
age 95, he was penniless from
having spent too $much$ on
spoiling Minnie. Aunt Minnie inherited the farmstead, but there was
little money to live on, so she finally
had to get a job. Being such a great
talker and a colorful personality,
her step-nephew Cousin John hired
her to be a call-in talk-show hostess
at KLUK TV.
It’s quite obvious that Aunt Minnie is in love with Cousin John, and
longs for the day when he’ll truly
admit his feelings for her, too. She
jealously clings to Cousin John,
and at present, is working with
him to get back her lost inheritance
from Aunt Ella’s estate. But that’s
another story.
Having been born and raised in the entertainment capital of Los Angeles,
“showbizzyness” comes naturally for Dianna Anderson! As a child, Dianna was
a member of the Screen Childrens Guild, but later segued into a 30-year-long career in law enforcement for Los Angeles County before retiring and moving with
her husband, Mark, to Fairmont, Minnesota. Dianna is well known in the local
arts scene and besides playing “Aunt Minnie” and some other characters on “As
the Corn Grows,” she greatly enjoys participating in Fairmont’s Civic Summer
Theatre productions. Dianna’s unique hobby is “co-wrangling” a flock of exotic
birds that she and her husband keep. She is an active member at Grace Lutheran
Church, enjoys traveling to discover all parts of Minnesota, and filling other
hours working as a cashier at Fareway Grocery Store. We think she should start
marketing energy pills—obviously she has a secret formula for them!
42
Author, Caroline the Librarian, is tirelessly doing research for
her new book "Memoirs of A Librarian" by visiting libraries all
around OUR STORY Country.
She has “shushed” her way through some towering rows of
books to discover a treasure trove of information in beautiful OUR
STORY-area libraries like the one she talks about below.
Make sure all of you bookworms watch every episode of
Caroline the Librarians show at www.ourstorymn.com!
New Richland
Public Library
Read
All About
It!
N
ew Richland, Minnesota owes it origins
to the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad
which reached the area in 1877, and the
Norwegian settlers who were attracted
to the rich farmland of Waseca County. From its very
beginnings, the founding fathers of New Richland
worked toward the betterment of the community
with an eye on progress and the promise of a bright
future for all citizens. To that end, they established the
New Richland Library where
residents of all ages may find a
great collection of reading mate“What is reading,
rials and much more. This pub–Walter
lic library has a large children’s
section, and the adult readers’
shelves contain many bestselling mystery and romance
novels, as well as an assortment of nonfiction,
Westerns, audio and
large-print books. In
the lobby area are two
computers and a copy
machine, and readers
enjoy being able to peruse current magazines
and newspapers at the
library.
Located at 129 S. Broadway, the New Richland
Public Library is part of the greater Traverse des Sioux
Library System that serves Minnesota in nine counties.
but silent conversation.”
Savage Landor
For more information,
visit the city’s website at
www.cityofnewrichlandmn.com.
43
T
he Road to OUR STORY has just completed a distribution agreement with the
publishers of #1-rated online magazine,
Sweet Swine Scoop! All 186 residents
who subscribe to The Road to OUR STORY magazine will now be able to read some of Sweet Swine
Scoop’s scoops right here! Of course, to read ALL
of Sweet Swine Scoop’s stories, you may visit their
blog-site at www.sweetswinescoop.com. Below
are a couple of the breaking news stories posted by
Sweet Swine Scoop!
Sweet Swine Scoop
If it happens in
Sweet Swine County,
it’s news to us!
Ronnie P. Discovers He Is
Related to Ernest T.
weet Swine Scoop has learned that
KLUK TV owner, Cousin John,
attempted a takeover of OUR
STORY PRODUCTIONS, the Midwestern
multimedia conglomerate. Cousin John
tried enlisting into his scheme most of
the staff at OUR STORY by offering them an
incentive package that included minimum
wage jobs at the newly reformed company
he planned to rename "My Own Story Productions,"
and a home on Swine Lake. Cousin John said, "They'd
be stupid to refuse!" While the high-paying positions
intrigued many of the OSP staff, the deal-killer was
theSwine Lake homes. One staff member said, "Those
supposed 'homes' were nothing more than outhouses
that had been converted into ice-fishing shacks!” The
OUR STORY staff (pictured below) ultimately turned
down Cousin John's offer.
Sweet Swine County’s Poet
Lariat, Ronnie P. Silage, recently
discovered documents in a Swine
Lake dumpster that traced the
Silage family back to North Carolina! Ronnie reports he was surprised to learn he
is a fifth cousin to Ernest T. Bass!
Readers will remember that
Ernest T. Bass is an ignorant and
obstreperous mountain man who
often wreaks havoc on the quiet
town of Mayberry, whose sheriff,
Andy Taylor, along with Deputy
Barney Fife, diligently police.
Hillbilly Bass, like his cousin Ronnie, often speaks
in rhyme, although we must add that Bass’ wild,
scruffy appearance is mostly at odds with his
better-groomed Sweet Swine County cousin.
Ronnie told The Daily Boar, "This is the biggest thing to ever happen to me! I can't wait to
tell Prairie Ann! I’m sure this will bump me up a
level in her esteem for me!”
Silage, Urban Katie's hired man, is well known
throughout Sweet Swine County for having
graduated from Purrdoo University (PU) where
he studied poetry and a few other things. Recently, he was seen promoting his book, Poems I Wrote
by Ronnie P. Silage, on “The Cocklebur Morning
Show”—Sweet Swine County’s #1 morning talk
show.
 Stories provided by Sweet Swine Scoop
Contributor—The Daily Boar Newspaper 
[Learn more about the ever-busy OSP worker
bees at www.ourstorymn.com/staff/.]
44
Swine
Lighting,
Inc.
Heeeeere’s.....
Move over, David Letterman!
OUR STORY PRODUCTIONS is excited to be the sole distributor of KLUK
TV’s hit late-night talk show, “Split Hoof
Tonight”! Filmed in Sweet Swine County
in front of a mostly alive, very discerning yet
agreeable studio audience, Split Hoof Tonight
has taken OUR STORY’s Midwestern TV and
Internet viewers by their eyeballs! The show’s
hosts, Cousin John, and his ever-ready sidekick, Earl Silo, prove that down-home banter
can be even more popular than that of their
big-league counterparts in New York and
Los Angeles!
fist-in the-air,
“one-of-these-days . . . tothe-moon!” blusterer. Split Hoof Tonight’s
viewers, however, have been quick to notice that
hidden beneath his many bristly chins, Cousin
John is at heart a “softy” who deeply loves his
family while also mostly tolerating his fellow
man.
With a biography so long that it scrapes dustbunnies off the floor, John Robert Olson (Cousin
John) is Sweet Swine County’s most successful
businessman (and ladies, may we add, Most
Eligible Bachelor!). As chief instigating editor of
the online blog, Sweet Swine Scoop, as well as being the sole owner of The Daily Boar newspaper,
Cousin John casts a big shadow in Sweet Swine
County. Together with his cousin, Urban Katie,
Cousin John co-owns KLUK TV & Radio, UnLtd.
He also owns Twillbegone
Savings & Loan, over 2000
acres of prime farmland
and, of course, the cornerstone of his portfolio is
Pluck ‘n’ Cluck, Inkleporated. The chicken
business’ headquarters office
still proudly
exhibits the
stuffed wild
rooster
(under donot-touch
Plexiglas)
that nearly
pecked Cousin
Cousin John—Sweet Swine County’s most infamous citizen—has often been referred to by locals as the
new “Great One.” Ever since his
near-death, light-at-the-end-ofthe-tunnel experience resulting
from a wild-rooster pecking
incident in 1981, Cousin
John admits to regularly
channeling the personality of Ralph Kramden, a
bus driver for Gotham
Bus Company. Sometimes, viewers may
wonder if Ralph
Kramden has actually “inhabited”
Cousin John—he
does exhibit a
similar penchant
for being a
short-tempered,
45
A night-time talk show without a band? NO WAY! Sweet Swine
County’s hottest musical group, Billy Gaits and The Broken Windows,
work their melodious magic during every single show! Yeeha! As all
the locals know, Billy Gaits and The Broken Windows have long been
the hottest ticket at the annual Sweet Swine County Fair’s “Herd ‘Em
In Concert.” With over 17 songs in their roster, Billy Gaits and his band
can pretty much play at least one pertinent song for every request you
can think of. Their primary goal is to increase their repertoire by one
song a month. By having the gig as “Primary Split Hoof Tonight TalkShow Band,” they’re being pressed to the limit. And they love it!
Swine
Lighting,
Inc.
John to death in 1981. People from far and wide
visit Pluck ‘n’ Cluck’s offices to see the rooster’s
enshrinement and to read the descriptive brass plate
below it that reads, “I lost! Bawlk, Bawlk-a-dooboo-hoo!”
residence is a virtual travel guide to the outside world since every square, square-inch of
its log walls are covered with travel brochures.
Initially, Earl just hoped to keep out the nasty
winter winds, but over time he started reading his insulation, and thinking deep thoughts
about traveling to the places he was looking at.
It didn’t take long for those thoughts to become
actual plans—plans of stepping out into the
world beyond Sweet Swine County . . . maybe
. . . sometime. But that’s another story, much of
which can be watched on “Earl Steps Out.”
Cousin John’s decision to host his own show
on KLUK TV emanated from a dream he had after
watching the program, “Sweet Swine’s Got Talent!”
In that dream he saw himself winning a silo-climbing race against a bunch of hogs. He knew right off
that the dream had a deep meaning and took it to
his KLUK TV Writers Dept. Chief, Peter Bryanson,
saying, “There’s an idea here. Do something with
it.” Split Hoof Tonight was born! From its very first
airing, the show was a hit. KLUK’s Writers Dept.
enlisted Sweet Talent Finders to cast a good foil for
Cousin John’s new show, and Earl Silo stepped in.
Recently, the Sweet Swine Scoop has reported that Earl Silo has been seen in the company
of well-liked and ever-respected reporter,
Clarice Plow. (Cousin John has eyes and ears
everywhere!) Recently, when Clarice was asked
by a The Daily Boar reporter if something was
under-hoof, she responded simply, “Ja, well,
there sure is only ONE Earl!” Oh, that Clarice!
Always so succinctly cryptic!
For a man with so much savvy-fare, it’s surprising to know that Earl Silo has actually never traveled outside Sweet Swine County. But his otherworldly Ed McMahon-esque quality
as Cousin John’s talk-show sidekick resonated with viewers so
much that Cousin John thought,
“$Ka-ching, Ka-ching$!” and immediately ordered KLUK’s staff to
develop a spin-off show for Earl. The
new program was named, “Earl Steps
Out.” And boy, does he (or at least
he’d like to!)!
Heeeeere’s more inside scoop:
Cousin John is played by real-life Mark Anderson.
Earl Silo is played by real-life Steve Fisher. Mark
and Steve have a tendency to believe they’re really
the characters they play, though. They’ve been
confused when fan mail comes to them under their
real names. Just the other day, Steve asked Mark,
“Say, Cousin John, who’s this MarkAnderson guy,
anyway?” Duh.
Earl Silo is a modest man who lives
in a 20’ x 20’ cabin on Swine Lake.
His very square, humble lakeside
46
Ahhhh...our Frenchie LeBeau put on a clean
apron and paraded around “magnifique” Jordan,
Minnesota!
E
stablished along
the wooded bluffs
and rolling hills of
Minnesota’s most
rapidly growing county (Scott
County), the community of Jordan enjoys a small-town
ambiance while being only minutes from the exciting Twin Cities
metropolitan area. Already by
the late 1850s, Jordan had a hotel,
churches, a school, tavern, post
office, two mills and a number of
fine new homes. It is said that the
town was named Jordan City after
the biblical “River Jordan.” In
1872, Jordan City and a neighboring settlement called Brentwood
were incorporated to form the
present-day Jordan.
Today, some of the Twin Cities’ leading attractions like The
Renaissance Festival, Mystic Lake
47
Casino and Valleyfair are located within 15 minutes of
Jordan. Even closer are the Scott County Fairgrounds,
a championship golf course and numerous recreational
parks. In Jordan’s historic downtown, you’ll find at
least five antique shops and three family restaurants
all within a city block. Fifteen of the buildings in this
downtown area on Water Street and South Broadway
are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Each year in June, Jordan area businesses promote the
community with a celebration called the Annual Jordan
Art Festival at which there are local and regional artists
sharing their work, arts demonstrations, entertainment,
a wine tasting, quilt show, food vendors and much
more. Jordan has a full range of urban land use services
and is the cultural and economic center of the immediate region.
Recently featured on OUR STORY’s
“The Women of Sweet Swine County” Episode 20!
Maureen Carlson’s
The Center for Creative Arts
in Jordan, MN
If you’re a Mixed Media Artist, Doll-Maker,
Polymer Clay Enthusiast, Sculptor, Beader, or
Storyteller—or maybe just Creatively Curious—
and if you are looking for a place for a getaway
to re-create yourself by using your artistic soul,
then you MUST visit The Center for Creative Arts
in Jordan! Maureen Carlson offers scheduled and
private classes, and retreats with internationally
recognized instructors—all grounded in the belief
that creativity is a doorway into self-discovery,
personal and spiritual growth, and joyful living!
You can discover other great info about Jordan at
www.jordan.govoffice.com.
www.maureencarlson.com
Golf course
Old brewery
Sand Creek Falls
48
This just in: Rudy the Runner literally stopped
in his tracks when he came upon the town of
Hendricks, Minnesota!
L
ocated in Lincoln County
in Southeastern Minnesota, Hendricks was
named for nearby Lake
Hendricks—which in turn had been
named for Vice President Thomas
A. Hendricks (who served
under President Grover
Cleveland). Hendricks sits
atop the Buffalo Ridge,
an elongated geographical area extending from
Watertown, South Dakota
running diagonally across
southwestern Minnesota and into
Iowa. Created by a glacial drift from the last ice
age, the Buffalo Ridge is now one of
the largest wind farm areas in the
United States. In fact, the energy
produced from the Buffalo Ridge
Wind Farm now accumulatively
offsets over a billion pounds of carbon dioxide and over 450,000 tons
of coal each year!
“The perfect place
to raise children.”
49
The residents of Hendricks have focused on
creating a town which is a perfect place for raising
children—their school district is one of the best in
the nation! Hendricks certainly has attractions and
events that will entertain you all year long. Relax
at the Lake Hendricks Park, play a round of golf at
Signature Golf Course, and make sure to view Hendricks’ unique homes that include the one-of-a-kind
stone house local implement dealer E. C. Johnson
built in 1902. Its outside walls are decorated with
pipestone, sandstone, granite, limestone and other
rocks from around the country.
Just three miles northwest of Hendricks is Singsaas Lutheran Church. Established by Norwegian
settlers on October 26, 1874, and now listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, this church is
one of the oldest Norwegian-styled prairie churches
in America that still holds weekly services.
For much more interesting information about
Hendricks log on to their website at:
www.hendricksmn.com
50
St. Charles, MN
Founded in 1854 along the
banks of the Whitewater River in Winona
County, St. Charles,
Minnesota is located
in the heart of some
of the richest farmland
in the state’s southeastern region.
Early settlers
were drawn
here because
of the scenic
river and the
beauty of
the surrounding limestone bluffs. St. Charles gained
extraordinary recognition when the award-winning
floriculturalist, Carl H. Fischer—the world’s leading
hybridizer of the gladiola flower—established the
Noweta Gardens here in 1945.
Today, St. Charles holds the title of “Gladiolus
Capitol of the World,” and draws visitors from far and
wide for its annual “Gladiolus Days Festival” that is
always held the weekend before Labor Day in August.
The festival honors the late Mr. Fischer for his distinctive achievements with an endless array of exciting,
fun-filled week-long events. The 2011 festival is
scheduled for August 22- 28. For more information
about this must-see event, visit the St. Charles website
at www.stcharlesmn.org.
51
Small-Town Stories with Big-Town Attitude!
OUR STORY Productions premiered “The Women of Sweet Swine
County”—filmed at OUR STORY Studios in Fairmont, MN—in the
summer of 2009. Television hasn’t been the same since! Hosted by
three sassy ladies from Sweet Swine County, this full-of-fun daytime
talk show jiggles with the latest and greatest news about the people,
places and events found all over OUR STORY Country. You want
style? These brazen ladies fling it at you! You want gossip? Well,
giddy-up, can we talk?! To wet your whistle, take a look below at two of
the stories they talked about on the show.
Come on, you KNOW you want more of The Women of Sweet
Swine County—do it at www.ourstorymn.com!
It’s All About Applause
at The Dakota Prairie Playhouse IN MADISON, SD!
Located on the north edge of Dakota State University, The Dakota Prairie Playhouse and Conference Center is a growing partnership in the arts between DSU and the community of Madison,
South Dakota. This incredible regional, multipurpose
facility was built to provide a venue for the performing
arts, as well as conference and trade shows. The complex
contains an 80-ft. x 80-ft. conference center, large enough
to accommodate banquet seating for 500 people, and a
theatre with continental-styled seating for 700 people. A
lobby joins the two facilities, which permits flexible use of
the facility by two different groups simultaneously. The
Playhouse has been the host for many educational and
entertaining events produced by groups such as the South
Dakota State University Prairie Repertory Theatre, along
with many productions from Dakota State University and
the Madison Community. The theatre is designed for a
wide range of performing arts including drama, dance,
and music, and continues to be the hub for great cultural
activities in the Madison area.
For information about the Dakota Prairie Playhouse
visit www.chamberofmadisonsd.com
“The play’s the thing . . . .”
–William Shakespeare
52
OUR STORY presents...
hether you are
looking for the
perfect summer
vacation get-away or are coming to
visit Dakota State University, Madison, South Dakota has a small-town
atmosphere but is large on attractions.
Visitors will find plenty to do at one
of Madison’s beautiful lakes, its historically reconstructed Prairie Village,
or other intriguing sites. With a population of about 6,600, the city of Madison was founded in 1880 when the
towns of Herman, which was located
not far from the current Lake Herman State Park, and Lake Madison
merged. Today, Lake Herman State
Park draws travelers to the shores of
Lake Herman where 72 campsites and
53
2 camping cabins combine with
other recreational opportunities
like boating, fishing, water sports
and picnicking to make for a funfilled family get-away experience.
You will truly enjoy shopping
in Madison’s historic downtown
where you can find everything and
anything—from antiques to boutiques, and bookstores to bakeries.
Enjoy shopping as it was meant to
be without endless parking lots,
warehouses of merchandise and
crowds hustling to get to the bottom of their shopping lists.
With a strong local economy,
productive workforce, adequate
infrastructure and motivated public and private sector, Madison’s
residents also enjoy a reputable
54
healthcare system, new schools,
a community center, a nationally
recognized state university and
plentiful cultural activities within
a burgeoning arts community. Discover the Unexpected in Madison,
South Dakota!
Find more information about
Madison at: www.madisonsd.com
Can
you about
believe
EarlMinnesota
Silo hasjust
ventured
This story
Redit?
Wing,
came inout
from
again!
he’swhere
in Flandreau,
South while
Dakota!
Baby
Rudy
theNow
Runner,
he took a breather
on his
run to
another
finish line!
steps, Earl!
L
ocated 40 minutes’ drive north of Sioux Falls
and seven miles east of I-29, Flandreau, South
Dakota was originally settled in 1857, making it
one of the oldest cities in the state. During the
“Dust Bowl” era, Flandreau was commonly referred
to as the “Garden Spot of the Dakotas” since it is
nestled along the banks of the Big Sioux River.
The city continues to flourish while serving as the
county seat of Moody County. Flandreau’s close
proximity to Sioux Falls, one of fastest growing
urban areas in the United States, affords residents
the luxury of small-town living with convenient
access to the cultural amenities and services of a
larger city.
While the weather of the northern plains is the
stuff of legend, living in southeastern South Dakota offers many advantages that include four
distinctly beautiful seasons in which a wide
variety of recreational opportunities are possible; low crime rates; and one of the lowest tax
rates in the nation. In 2004, a new elementary
school was completed; the town’s Industrial
Park was expanded; and a new $1.3 million aquatic cen-
To learn more about the town of
ter opened. The nearby Royal River Casino and Motel,
Flandreau, South Dakota, log on to
operated by the Santee Sioux Tribe, draws visitors from
www.cityofflandreau.com
throughout the area. All in all, if you’re looking for a
great quality of life, Flandreau has it!
55
#1 Sweet
Swine County
Bestseller!
“The book is a poetic personification of Pierson’s persona!”
-- Ronnie P. Silage, Poet Lariat of Sweet Swine County
“A page-burner if there ever was one!”
-- Cousin John, owner KLUK TV
“The best bathroom-time reading we’ve found
in a long time!”
-- The Daily Boar
Available for all
occasions:
bachelorette parties,
birthdays, fund raisers
& other events
Bringing belly dance
Southern Minnesota:
American Tribal Style
(ATS), Tribal Fusion,
Wild Wings,
Cabaret, Sword,
Egyptian & Skirt
to
56
Word about Sweet Swine County, and all the other great
counties and towns throughout OUR STORY Country, has
made its way around the world! Tourists are traveling in droves
to our area and regularly report back to us about what they’ve
experienced! Traveling bird-watcher, Ellen Seesmore, also
focused her binoculars on Wabasha, Minnesota lately and
spied all kinds of great things!
WABASHA
MINNESOTA
“Long on history and rich in heritage!”
OUR STORY recommends ...
Sept. 17 - Oct. 31, 2011
For info: www.wabashamn.org
57
erving as the county seat for Wabasha County, Wabasha, Minnesota is the oldest city
on the upper Mississippi River. It has been
occupied continuously since 1826 when it
was named in honor of an Indian Chief of
the Sioux Nation, Chief Wa-pa-shaw.
Located 70 miles southeast of Minneapolis/St. Paul, scenic Wabasha is a fascinating
destination point for travelers who wish to
experience a variety of four-season activities
in a true-to-life river town.
Wabasha’s historic district has more than
50 buildings listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. By taking the town’s historic
walking tour, visitors will discover many attractions that make Wabasha so interesting and
history buffs will especially enjoy the Arrowhead
Bluffs Museum and the Wabasha County History
Museum.
The Wabasha area is a prime year-round nesting
spot for the American Bald Eagle. Located in downtown Wabasha, The National Eagle Center houses
live bald eagles as well as a golden eagle, and offers
educational programs for visitors who come here to
have a “Nose to Beak” experience with the bird that
famously represents America’s National Symbol of
Freedom.
Film-goers will remember that Wabasha was the
setting for the very popular movies “Grumpy Old
Men” and “Grumpier Old Men,” starring Jack
Lemmon, Walter Matthau and Ann-Margret.
Wabasha celebrates the “Grumpy Old Men
Festival” on the last Saturday of February each
year.
Wabasha dishes up generous hospitality to
guests from around the world with exciting cultural and artistic experiences, unique
shopping, fine dining, and hotel accommodations to fit every taste and budget.
Wabasha’s friendly residents encourage you
to visit for a day, a week, or a lifetime!
For more to see and do: www.wabashamn.org
58
Oh, Ellen! You know how to work a camera! But
it’s easy when you’re shooting a town as lovely as
Hudson, Wisconsin!
HUDSON, Wisconsin
“Spirit of the St. Croix”
59
T
hree words: Location, location, location!
And Hudson, Wisconsin has it in spades!
Nestled between the picturesque St. Croix
River and the bluffs of Western Wisconsin, Hudson maintains its quaint rivertown charm while being one of the fastest-growing
communities in the state. Founded in the summer of
1840 by Louis Massey and Pete Bouchea, the settlement was originally known as Willow River, then
Buena Vista, and finally, Hudson—so named by its
first mayor, Alfred Day, because of his impression
of the similarity between the bluffs and the Hudson
River in his native New York.
Just across the St. Croix River only 20 minutes’
drive east of the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area,
Hudson is the gateway into The Badger State. The
St. Croix is recognized as one of the most beautiful rivers in the United States. In 1972, Congress
designated the St. Croix River as a protected scenic
river way, preserving the beauty of the shoreline for
generations to come. The residents of Hudson treasure this beauty and the architectural quality of their
town, and have succeeded in listing many downtown buildings on the National Register of Historic
Places—all of which are pointed out on The Historic
Walking Tour. Also, Hudson’s clean environment
and healthy lifestyle is reflected in the endless array
of outdoor activities a visitor may find here that
include golfing, boating, cross-country skiing, snowtubing, biking and fishing. Hudson’s Phipps Center
for the Arts serves as a strong anchor for an exciting
cultural life and Hudson’s many specialty shops, antique stores, fine restaurants, historic B&Bs and other
visitor amenities make it a “must see” destinationpoint for a day, a week or a lifetime!
For much more information
about this distinctive community,
visit the Hudson Chamber of Commerce
website at www.hudsonwi.org.
Earl Says:
“For the BEST coffee
in Hudson, WI
ya gotta go to
Bert’s Coffee Cafe!”
(See more info about Bert’s on page 63!)
60
The 2011 Hot-Air Balloon Festival, Hudson, Wisconsin
When Pigskins Fly!
Hudson, Wisconsin is the place to be each year
on the first full weekend in February when thousands
gather in the St. Croix River Valley to watch the skies
being “colored” by hot-air balloons. The Hudson Hot Air
Affair is the premier winter ballooning event and
festival in the Midwest, and this year’s celebration—called “When Pigskins Fly” because
it fell on Super Bowl Weekend—was no
exception!
The Hot Air Affair was started
22 years ago by volunteers and the
Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau to give
a boost to the community in the
midst of winter’s doldrums. The
61
festival is currently sponsored by Hudson Hot Air
Affair, Inc.—a nonprofit volunteer community organization. They’re experts at curing the winter blahs
with a delightful fun-filled extravaganza
of events to accompany the balloon
lift-offs that include a costumed
torchlight parade, marching
kazoo bands, smooshboarding, and chili
cook-off.
Each year about
40 colorful hot air
balloons launch in
mass ascensions on
Saturday and Sunday
mornings during the
festival. They also
light up the night
sky during Saturday
evening’s Moon Glow or
Field of Fire. Traditionally, balloonists from Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South
Dakota, Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska
have participated. But over the years,
the event also has drawn aeronauts from
New Mexico, California, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, Michigan and Missouri.
Start planning now for next year’s exciting
February fun in scenic Hudson!
Visit www.hudsonhotairaffair.com for
more information and to view pictures of past
festivals.
OUR STORY’s late-night talk show, “Split Hoof Tonight,” is filmed at OUR
STORY Studios in Fairmont, Minnesota in front of a discerning, yet agreeable
studio audience (and maybe one or two mice—the studios are in an historic
1890s building!). Hosted by Cousin John and his incomparable sidekick, Earl
Silo, a roster of star guests from all around OUR STORY Country make appearances that you won’t want to miss! Heeeeeere’s Cousin John!
For a hoof-splittin’ time make sure you watch all the episodes at
www.ourstorymn.com.
food.” Prepare to be “wowed” when you visit SEASONS
on St. Croix!
For more information about SEASONS on St. Croix,
their artists and all upcoming events, visit the gallery’s
“art-full” website at www.seasonsonstcroix.com or call
715-381-2906.
Historic Hudson, Wisconsin rests like a crown along
the scenic St. Croix River, and one of its sparkling gems
is SEASONS on St. Croix—a museum-styled gift store
and art gallery in which 160 artists offer an eclectic mix
of work within a trendily renovated 1940s creamery.
Gallery owner, Ruth Misenko, has expertly focused on
developing a colorful,
inviting venue for local,
regional and national artists to display their work.
The gallery showcases
contemporary crafts and
fine art made from clay,
glass, metal, fiber, wood, as
well as watercolors, pastels,
oil and acrylic paintings,
jewelry, and photography.
Misenko and her friendly
staff have brilliantly
designed a unique space that
brings art admirers together
with artists—visitors may view
the creative process firsthand
while watching and interacting
with artists working in their
studios adjacent to the gallery
space.
SEASONS on St. Croix
has twice received top-rated
national awards in the retailing and merchandising industries for
its imaginative management, store
displays and design, art education
and artist-mentoring programs. Each
month, art lovers are invited to attend
a “First Friday” gallery opening and
reception when the gallery’s artists
exhibit creations based on a common
theme, as was done recently with the
show, “CrEATe … art inspired by
62
Culinary expert and, dare we say, “wine aficionado beyond belief,”
Betty Thompson, always is preparing some tantalizing dish for us on her
show, “Cookin’ it up with Betty.” In the midst of cooking, our dear ol’ Betty
does have the habit of getting distracted, though. She just has too many
memories of the great restaurants she’s enjoyed around OUR STORY
Country. One of these days, we’re hoping Betty actually finishes showing
us how she makes her delicacies—from beginning to end. Stay tuned. In
the meantime, read below about what Betty found so tantalizing recently.
Betty would love you to tipple through her video episodes at
www.ourstorymn.com.
Well, kids, we all know how I like my food AND my
wine! On that front, let me raise my glass and say cheers
to The Nova Wine Bar in Hudson, Wisconsin—it’s wonderfully wine-tastic! Located near the banks of the beautiful St. Croix River and the historic
Downtown, The Nova Wine Bar
and Restaurant, and its adjacently
connected Casanova Liquors, serve
up all kinds of whistle-wettin’
delights in great style! Tucked into
the limestone cliffs on Coulee Road
just 1/2 mile north of I-94 from
Exit 1,Casanova Liquors has been
an important part of the history of
Hudson since 1896, when it was
busily brewing beer until—oh
dear me, must I even say it—The
Prohibition! Ultimately, it became
a bottling company and distribution center. In 2003, all
that changed when new owners purchased the building
and converted part of it into The Nova Wine Bar and
Restaurant which they opened in the summer of 2004.
The Nova Wine Bar and Restaurant is like a glorified
living room even your grandma would love! Comfortable seating abounds, and a fireplace crackles with
ambiance perfect for sipping the over 30 wines you can
purchase by the glass. (You can easily run next door
to Casanova Liquors to buy wines by the bottle to take
home once you’ve tasted something you love!) In fact,
there are over 200 bottles to choose from while nibbling
on tantalizing appetizers and
superb dinners. For you musiclovin’ oenologists, you’ll hear it
live most Friday and Saturday
nights. An outdoor patio is perfect
for summertime tête-à-têtes, when
a crisp, fruity Viognier makes so
much sense, don’t you agree! Oh,
lest I forget, there are also many
varieties of beer, and the friendly
staff is well-versed in knowing just
which ones compliment their food
impeccably! Take it from me, your
favorite “Cookin’ It Up With Betty”
hostest with the mostest: Run, Run, Run to The Nova
Wine Bar and Restaurant. Combine it with all the other
great things to see and do in Hudson! And say hello to
everyone in town from Betty Thompson at OUR STORY!
If they don’t know me, tell them to watch my show!
For hours of operation and all kinds of delicious details, see The Nova’s website at www.thenovaofhudson.
com, or give them a ring at 715-386-5333.
in Hudson, WI
63
Small-Town Living at Its Best!
OUR STORY’s primary goal is to innovatively report on all aspects of the incredible life we share in the Midwest!
Via our cable-TV programming, on our Internet website and in this magazine, we seek to relate—often with a
tinge of humor—the latest and greatest “goings-on” in OUR STORY’s “family” of communities.
Just take a look at this ever-expanding OUR STORY family below! Wow!
Adrian
Albert Lea
Alden
Amboy
Arlington
Balaton
Belle Plaine
Beresford
Blooming Prairie
Blue Earth
Canby
Cannon Falls
Edgerton
Emmetsburg, IA
Eyota
Fairmont
Flandreau, SD
Fulda
Gaylord
Henderson
Hendricks
Hudson, WI
Jackson
Janesville
Jordan
Kasson
Kenyon
Kiester
Lake Benton
Lake City
Lake Crystal
Lakefield
Lamberton
Le Center
Le Sueur
Luverne
Madelia
Madison, SD
Manterville
Mapleton
Marshall
Milbank, SD
Mongomery
Morton
New Prague
New Richland
New Ulm
Nicollet
Olivia
Pipestone
Red Wing
Redwood Falls
64
Sanborn
Sherburn
Slayton
Sleepy Eye
St. Charles
St. James
St. Peter
Springfield
Tracy
Trimont
Truman
Tyler
Wabasha
Wabasso
Walnut Grove
Wanamingo
Welcome
Wells
West Concord
Windom
Winnebago
Winthrop
Worthington
Yankton, SD
Zumbrota
Rather than take a breather, Rudy the Runner donned
a pair of water skis and went out and about in Lake City,
Minnesota!
65
L
ocated 65 miles south of the Twin
Cities on the Mighty Mississippi,
Lake City, Minnesota rests on the
western border of 21-mile-long
Lake Pepin—the widest spot on
the Mississippi River between sandstone
bluffs formed in the early Paleozoic eras.
Lac de Pleurs (Lake of Tears) was the name
originally given to Lake Pepin by Father
Louis Hennepin, who camped on the shore
of the lake in 1680. He christened the large
body of water Lac de Pleurs after observing
Sioux Indians weeping near the lake over the
death of a chief’s son. The native peoples that
lived in the area refused to travel on Lake
Pepin in bark canoes because of the large
“creatures” that would rise from the depths
of the lake and puncture the thin bark skin of
those canoes. They would only travel on Lake
Pepin in stout dugout canoes that were made
by hollowing out a large log. On April 28,
1871 it was reported that “a lake
monster is seen swimming in
Lake Pepin.” Since then, many
people have described sightings
of an unidentified creature surfacing from the depths of Lake
Pepin. The locals have given this
shy and elusive creature a name:
“Pepie.”
and has over 600 boat slips. The
area is known for its spectacular
scenic views and is a haven for
tourists looking for excellent
fishing, sailing, golfing, birding, bicycling, snowmobiling,
hiking and many other activities. Grounded in history, rich
in natural resources, and served
by volunteerism and civic
service, Lake City is a fantastic
place to live, work, conduct
business, and visit!
With a population of 5,339,
Lake City is renowned as the
“Birthplace of Water Skiing,”
since it was here that Ralph
Samuelson invented the sport
in 1922. Considered one of the
best sailing lakes in the nation,
Lake Pepin is also prized for
excellent water activities of all
kinds. Lake City is home to the
largest small-craft municipal
harbor on the Mississippi River,
Much more great information
about Lake City is available at
www.lakecity.org.
Did You Know?
The Lake City Marina is the largest small-craft harbor
on the Mississippi River. At one time, Lake City’s
clamming industry provided pearls to two
button factories. At times, up to
400 pounds of clams were
harvested per day!
66
Word about Sweet Swine County, and all the other great
counties and towns throughout OUR STORY Country, has
made its way around the world! Tourists are traveling in droves
to our area and regularly report back to us about what they’ve
experienced! This story just came in from our English fan,
Kate, about New Ulm, Minnesota. Obviously, she had a spiffing
good time here! Cheers, Kate!
New Ulm M
innesota
67
L
ocated along the Minnesota River in Brown
County, New Ulm was settled by German
immigrants four years before Minnesota
became a state in 1858. Today, New Ulm is
a progressive community of nearly 14,000
residents who share great pride in their German heritage—much of which is reflected in the architecture
of its buildings and especially in the neatness and
care visible in the town’s trim yards and well-kept
houses. New Ulm has many vibrant industries, retail
stores, progressive parochial and public schools, a
private college, healthcare facilities and other points
of interest.
There is always much year-round fun to experience in New Ulm! You can dance your lederhosen
off at New Ulm’s many German-styled festivals like
Oktoberfest, The Bavarian Blast at the Brown County
Fairgrounds, Fasching in February and Riverblast
around Labor Day. Ride bicycle through the scenic
river valley or explore the oak-shaded bluffs and
sand-bottomed pool at Flandrau State Park. Stroll
around downtown and hear and see history – and
New Ulm’s 45-foot-tall Glockenspiel – come alive.
Toast one of America’s oldest brewing traditions at
the August Schell Brewery. Or take in the breathtaking views from high atop the famous Hermann
Monument. You’ll want to go back to New Ulm again
and again because there’s always something special
brewing!
68
And not to be outdone by Kate from (gasp)
England, Dort from Downunder traveled to New Ulm,
Minnesota and found even more fun stuff!
(She says you’ll to find more about New Ulm’s Guten
Tag Haus and George’s Ballroom on pg. 91, too!)
N
ew Ulm, Minnesota is nestled just 90
miles southwest of
the Twin Cities in the
heart of the scenic
Minnesota River
Valley in Brown County. Incorporated as a town in 1857 by German
immigrants, New Ulm has long
held historical significance in the
state. The first steamboats passed
by the fledgling settlement in 1853,
going up river with troops to lay
out the site for Fort Ridgely. When
New Ulm’s resident, John Lind,
New Ulm
“A City of Charm and Tradition”
visitors revel in year-round fun
while attending events like “The
Shopping Opener” that kicks off
downtown’s holiday season in
early November. By December, the
city is adorned with natural evergreen boughs, wreaths and lights
in preparation for welcoming Santa
to town with a Parade of Lights. St.
Nick’s sidekick, Krumpus, also appears to hand out treats and regale
kids with tales about German and
Lind House
was elected as the 14th governor of
Minnesota in 1899, the city gained
in cultural and social prominence
as well as political influence.
Today, New Ulm’s burgeoning and architecturally interesting downtown area is visited by
people from around the world who
wish to experience the flavor of its
German heritage in many one-of-akind shops and restaurants. Long
known as “The City of Festivals,”
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Hermann
Austrian holiday legends. In February, downtown’s
German-styled Mardi Gras—called Fasching—is
hosted by the well-known Concord Singers and features a costume ball, German food and music.
New Ulm is always a place where friends old and
new are greeted with a warm “Guten Tag”!
Glockenspiel
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I say, Kate! Where have you gone on your holiday
this time? Oh dear readers, she’s in the town of
Nicollet, Minnesota!
Celebrating Friendship—
Past, Present and Future!
N
icollet, Minnesota is named after the
famous Upper Mississippi River Basin
explorer, Joseph Nicollet, who surveyed
the area in the 1830s. At that time, the area was covered with what the early explorers called “The Great
that he described in his notebook as being “full of
Woods,” and it had long been
beauty.”
home to the Sisseton Sioux
In 1856, the village of
Indian tribe.
Nicollet was platted near
Nicollet be-
Swan Lake, which is one of
friended the
the most significant waterfowl
tribe’s chief,
breeding areas in the Upper
Sleepy Eyes, and
Midwest. Many Indian burial
was able to freely
mounds can also be found in and around the Swan
explore the land
Lake area that lies within greater Nicollet County.
OUR STORY Creates Several New Regional Shows
Under the Banner: “On the Road to OUR STORY”
Journey along with OUR STORY as we take you down the highways
and byways throughout the OUR STORY region in our quest to uncover
the many fascinating and informative stories that make for great TV
programs and magazine articles! Right now, you can watch the premiere
episode of “Spinning Wheels”—one of several new regional programs in
our roster—on our website at www.ourstorymn.com.
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The county resembles an
isosceles triangle with 104
miles of Minnesota River frontage and includes 245,000 acres of farmland,
24,000 acres of forest, and 12,000 acres of wetlands.
With a population today nearing 1,100, the town
of Nicollet retains the flavor of its historic past while
journeying into the future. Visitors travel from
throughout the area to shop at Nicollet’s well-known
meat market—the largest of its kind in Southern Minnesota—as well as to attend the annual Friendship
Days Celebration that is sponsored by the Nicollet
American Legion, Chamber of Commerce and area
businesses. During the festival, Nicollet’s residents
welcome visitors with friendly hospitality that culminates with the Grand Parade followed by music in
the park.
Cattails are just one of the many plants you will find
in the wetlands near Nicollet, MN.
Spinning Wheels is an informative
TV program about transportation.
The premiere episode features
our host, Jeff Hagen, interviewing Tom Hawkins—President/
CEO of Hawkins Chevrolet in
Fairmont, MN. Tom is the expert in “all things wheels”! And if it has wheels, OUR
STORY spins an interesting story about it!
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Pull out the duct tape! Professor J. Von Tron's time
machine has a loose something-or-other! Lucky for
her, the Professor landed in the town of Jackson,
Minnesota.
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I
n 1856, the first white settlers—three brothers from Indiana—arrived in the Jackson area.
They quickly established a trading post and
proposed a town name of “Springfield” because
of the spring near the large one-room log cabin
they erected near the Des Moines River. Forty settlers, primarily from the Webster City, Iowa area,
soon followed those enterprising brothers and tried
earnestly to develop a community. Their efforts were
hampered by the exceedingly harsh winter of 1857,
as well as ongoing difficulties with warring bands of
Indians, and soon the area was completely depopulated because of continuing hardships. Later in 1857,
the Minnesota State Legislature renamed Springfield,
Jackson, and designated it as the county seat for the
also newly named Jackson County. Settlers trickled
back to the area, but during the Sioux Uprising in
August of 1862, these beleaguered people took flight
to Iowa. For the second time, the community was
entirely deserted. However, following the Civil War
in 1865, a new era of resettlement began, encouraged
by the sense of safety offered by an ongoing military
presence in a newly built stockade.
From those early days of hardships, Jackson has
grown into a vibrant and prosperous agriculture
and industrial community located just off of I-90 at
exit 73. Jackson has a 230-acre Industrial Park where
several primary private industrial employers provide
nearly 1,300 jobs to local and area residents. Visitors
to Jackson will be intrigued by its many well-preserved historic sites, as well as great recreational fun,
shopping opportunities and a quality of life second
to none!
www.jacksonmn.com
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Norma the Waitress loves to pour you a cup of coffee while
talking about the latest great little town she and Chef Randy have
visited somewhere in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. If
you’re lucky, you might even get to take a sip in-between all the
banter. She’s one gal who likes to chew the fat! Waitress Norma
and Chef Randy have something fascinating for you to read right
here!
Watch more of "Just Ask Norma the Waitress" at
www.ourstorymn.com.
Jackson, Minnesota
“A Communit
y
in Motion”
H
ere’s a word to the wise:
Take Exit 73 off of Interstate
90 and drive into Jackson,
Minnesota! You’ll be glad
you did!
Jackson is a historically rich community
along the Des Moines River that features ten
well-kept parks with playgrounds and picnic
areas. If you’re looking for shopping, recreation and entertainment, few towns of this
size can offer you as much to do and see.
You will definitely enjoy meandering
around the historic Main Street District
where you can view the Jackson County
Courthouse and the Art Deco-styled
State Theater.
History comes alive at Fort Belmont
where several points of interest include the
stockade and log cabin, 1873 Lysgard farmhouse, 1902 Delafield church, a blacksmith shop
and sod house. Year-round festivals and events like
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Rhythm of the River
during the annual
July Town & Country Days celebration
offer visitors heaps
of fun.
When those long,
gray winter days begin to take their toll,
the Jackson County
Library perks things
up with its “Hot
Reads for Cold
Nights” program.
With 15 places of
worship, a progressive public education system that
includes Minnesota
West Technical and Community College, an outstanding healthcare facility, numerous restaurants
and lodging choices like the history-rich Old Railroad Inn, Jackson certainly lives up to its motto as
being “A Community in Motion”!
The historic Old Railroad Inn
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Professor J. Von Tron's time machine needs a jump
start. But that’s OK. She’s in the friendly town of West
Concord, Minnesota.
WEST CONCORD
“A Proud Heritage, A Bright Future”
I
to Concord—after the capital of New Hampshire—
with the influx of more settlers from the East. By 1870,
Concord had 14 businesses including a hotel. However,
in 1885, the Chicago Great Western Railroad bypassed
Concord three miles to the west, and slowly businesses
migrated to that new community named West Concord.
n 1854, James Monroe Sumner established the
first settlement in Dodge County when he built
a log cabin in a wooded area to house his family. Shortly after, a few other pioneers moved to
this vicinity that by then was being called Sumner’s Grove. In 1856, the settlement’s name was changed
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Today, West Concord is a lively little community
that reveres its heritage in a well-maintained Historical Society Museum located in a former 1902 schoolhouse that has ten display rooms full of interesting
historical memorabilia. West Concord is also well
known for its annual family-oriented summertime
community festival called “Survival Days.” All of its
residents give a hearty open-armed welcome to visitors from around the state as they come to celebrate
West Concord’s history with events that include
nightly dances, car and motorcycle shows, a tractor
pull, softball and volleyball tournaments and much
more! The 2011 festival will be held on July 22-24.
Make your plans to attend now!
For more information about the “good life”
you’ll find in West Concord, visit their website at
www.westconcordmn.com.
Clarice Plow’s “tell all” book about “The
Women of Sweet Swine County” is STILL
#1 on the New Pork Times best-seller list!
That Clarice sure knows how to please a
crowd!
Survival Days Car Show
West Concord Historical Society
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Once she gets it up, up, up, Professor J. Von Tron's
time machine goes down, down, down. She crashlanded in the town of Zumbrota, Minnesota.
“Bridging the Past and the Future”
79
I
OUR STORY recommends...
n 1856, members of the Strafford Western
Immigration Company traveled west from
Massachusetts to establish a new settlement. Coming upon the beautiful Zumbro
River Valley, they found the location which
would become the City of Zumbrota. The predominately German and Scandinavian settlers began the
work of building churches, schools, shops and grain
mills. Zumbrota’s famous covered bridge (the only
one remaining in Minnesota) was originally installed
in 1869, and the railroad arrived in 1870. Zumbrota’s
Main Street, a symbol of small-town heritage, is
thriving even today. The city is now home to over
3,100 residents and about 210 businesses. Zumbrota
is located about 20 miles north of Rochester and 40
miles south of the Twin Cities on the fast-growing
Highway 52 corridor.
For early summer fun, nothing beats Zumbrota’s “Covered Bridge Music & Arts Festival”!
You’ll even get to help judge the singing finalists of
the hugely popular Covered Bridge Idol Contest!
The 2011 fest is June 17th-19th. Take it from us,
you don’t want to miss this great event!
www.ci.zumbrota.mn.us
Log on for more info at www.ci.zumbrota.mn.us
Top: Historical Society
Right: Old State
Theater
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Spottingham, England's one and only Lady Dot has traveled
the entire world and is convinced that, by far, the most interesting
stories and exciting communities are in OUR STORY Country!
You are “spot on,” Lady Dot! Here is a story about one of the
towns Lady Dot would have “tea for two” in any day of the week!
Follow Lady Dot wherever she travels at
www.ourstorymn.com.
son Coronation, Sauerkraut Idol,
Cabbage Toss, and the World
Champion Sauerkraut eating
contest.
T
he historic and lovely
little town of Henderson, Minnesota certainly
offers big-time fun
throughout the year!
Nestled in Sibley County in the
gorgeous Minnesota River Valley
and close to the 446-acre Ney
Nature Center, one of Henderson’s two most famous festivals is
the annual “Sauerkraut Festival.”
Long rated as one of the greatest
events in Southern Minnesota
(it’s been going on for over 80
years!), this three-day festival will
be held in 2011 on June 24, 25 and
26. Take the family and watch
at least some of the incredible
goings-on that include a Kraut
Car Cruise, 5K Kraut Run, Tractor Ride, Kiddie Parade, Grand
Parade, Car Show, Miss Hender-
And just when you thought a
summer couldn’t be packed with
more entertaining things to do,
Henderson spoils visitors and
residents again with its “Hummingbird Hurrah.”
Scheduled in 2011 for three
days from August 19-21, the
Hummingbird Hurrah offers you
a chance to bid adieu to rubythroated hummingbirds before
they depart for Central America.
This festival celebrates these tiny
birds during the peak of their fall
migration with a series of events
sponsored by Henderson Feathers and the Henderson Chamber
The scenic Minnesota River Valley in Henderson, MN
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Beautiful Downtown Henderson
of Commerce with cooperation
from the Minnesota Audubon
Society.
You’ll flap your wings
with pleasure at the
endless things this festival
offers like the hummingbird
banding station (offering photo
opportunities), hummingbird
garden tours, presentations about the birds and
the native plants that attract
them, as well as kids’ activities,
book signings and a vendor mart
that includes artists, crafters and
environmental organizations
offering interpretive goods
and services that promote a
healthy environment.
And this ain’t
the half of it,
friends! There’s
September’s Heritage Days and
October’s Fall Crawl, too. Flock
to Henderson any time of the
year and you’re bound to have an
interesting adventure!
www.hendersonmn.com
“Where birds of a feather flock together!”
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OUR STORY sends out Almost Breaking News reporter, Ronny
P. Silage, to cover live events. But our dear Ronny always seems
to show up for a live event on the wrong day, when it isn’t so “live”
anymore. Oh, that Ronny! We love him anyway! Still, he never
fails to find a great story, like the one he reported on below.
Mantorville, Minnesota
Mantorville, Minnesota is the place to be each October for
its “Fall Festival”! There are ghosts and candy galore, along
with heaps of food, fun entertainment and shopping!
Go “junking” for antiques in Mantorville Square and
Memorabilia. Meet the talented artists at the Mantorville Art
Guild, Ed Gallina’s Art Gallery, and
Jim’s Little Shoppe of Art. Riverside
Gifts has endless items for yearround gift-giving for all occasions. Dine on tantalizations at
the Hubbell House, the Schoolhouse Cafe, or the County Seat
Coffee House. And you must,
must, must take in some theatre at the Opera House. Have
a treat at the Chocolate
Shoppe. Stop at the Mantorville Saloon for cider and wine
tasting. Visit the Mantorville
Brewing Company
for a free
sample of Amber Ale. Bring your
kids along for the Pumpkin Face
Coloring Contest, hay-wagon
rides, and run screaming into the
night after listening to scary ghost
stories. Doll up your pet for the
one-of-a-kind Pet Costume Contest, too! Who could ask for more?!
Mantorville’s Fall Festival is just one
of several great annual events the
townsfolk and area businesses host.
Read about all the others at
www.mantorvilletourism.com.
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~Your gently used & fabulous~
clothing • purses
shoes • jewelry
ed by
Own omen
The Wweet
of S e!
Swin
Sho
Cons p!
ig
Enjoy n!
!
105 West 1st Street • Fairmont, MN
tel: 507.236.1977
Watch OUR STORY’s...
OUR STORY turns homes, gardens and imaginative
businesses inside out to uncover stories for programs
you’ll love to watch about design! If it’s somewhere in the
world of design, OUR STORY finds it!
84
Dort from Downunder must be riding on a kangaroo! She’s
already made it to Milbank, South Dakota!
You’ll Like Milbank
85
Located in northeast South Dakota on the south fork
of Whetstone Creek, Milbank is a growing community
that is proudly maintaining its historic traditions.
This quiet community is along the Yellowstone
Trail—the first transcontinental highway—known today
as US Highway 12. The community lies 178 miles west
of Minneapolis and 124 miles north of Sioux Falls, SD
on Highway 15.
Founded in 1880 when the Chicago, Milwaukee and
St. Paul Railroad began laying tracks in South Dakota,
Milbank was named after railroad director Jeremiah
Milbank. The city was incorporated in 1894 and is
governed by a mayor and city council. With a population of about 3,640, Milbank is surrounded by bountiful farmland and enjoys recreational opportunities on
nearby Big Stone Lake. Milbank’s residents are proud
of their wonderful community that has much to offer
its visitors with three hotels, interesting attractions and
many beautiful parks.
Learn more about Milbank’s history, attractions and
events at www.milbanksd.com
86
With the way his feet fly, Rudy the Runner feels
right at home in Red Wing, Minnesota!
Come for a visit, stay for a lifetime!
Red Wing, Minnesota
www.redwing.org
Situated alongside the Mississippi River and surrounded by
limestone bluffs that rise dramatically above the landscape, the
city of Red Wing, Minnesota in
Goodhue County is an amazing
destination point for the discerning traveler. Red Wing is impressive for its many historically
and architecturally significant
buildings reflecting its mid-19th
Century beginnings as a river-
front trade point and continued
development as a community
with a diversified and progressive industrial base, and a variety
of locally supported civic institutions. In 2008, Red Wing garnered
special attention when it was
listed on the National Trust for
Historic Preservation’s distinctive destinations list. Red Wing
was added for its “impressive
architecture and enviable natural
87
environment”—an honor given
annually to only 12 communities
nationwide. Serving as the headquarters for Red Wing Shoes,
Riedell Ice and Roller Skates, and
Red Wing Stoneware, Red Wing
has a long and important history
as being a regional center for
business, industry and tourism.
Red Wing continued on page 88
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Red Wing continued from page 86
Before the railroads had
crisscrossed the area, in the 1850s
settlers arrived in Red Wing on
Mississippi River steamboats to
establish farms on the locally rich
soil. They grew wheat and soon
produced more of this crop than
any other county in America. By
1873, still 14 years before Red
Wing’s incorporation as a city,
area farmers led the country in
storing and exporting more than
1,000,000 bushels of wheat. These
settlers—of German, Irish, Norwegian and Swedish ancestry—
built small mills, factories and
workshops similar to the ones
they were familiar with in New
England, from where many had
arrived. Early industries were
tanning and shoemaking. The
first area shoe factory opened in
1861, marking the beginning of
Red Wing’s important leather
and shoe industry. Soon other
businessmen were manufacturing goods that included farm
equipment, bricks, barrels, boats,
furniture, pottery and buttons.
Ancillary service industries in
retailing and hospitality followed,
and tourism to the scenic area
began to boom. Both Hamline
University and Gustavus
Adolphus College were initially
founded in Red Wing before
moving to their respective locations in St. Paul and St. Peter.
One of the first ski-jumping
clubs in North America was
founded in Red Wing in 1887.
89
Called the Aurora Ski Club, its
members introduced a style
of jumping called “Red Wing
Style” that continued into the
1950s, when the club was finally
disbanded. The first recognized
North American ski-jumping
distance record was set in Red
Wing in 1887 on McSorley Hill
by Norwegian immigrant, Mikkel
Hemmestvedt, when he flew a
distance of 37 feet.
Perhaps Red Wing’s most
treasured heritage resulted from
the development of fundamental industries and a particular
civic-mindedness of its citizenry
during the first decade of the
20th Century. Historic park developments and key
governmental buildings were built during this local
manifestation of what was called the “City Beautiful
Movement.” In 1977, Red Wing established a Heritage Preservation Commission with the expressed
purpose of identifying historic, architectural, and
archaeological resources, and to develop strategies
for their preservati on and continued use. These preservation efforts led to the recognition of 22 sites in
the community being placed on the National Register
of Historic Places. In addition there are three National Register Districts and three locally designated
historic districts. Red Wing’s downtown Third and
Hill Streets intersection has been termed “the most
architecturally significant intersection in Minnesota”!
Red Wing continues to rank as one of the leading
manufacturing cities of Minnesota. There is a twounit—550 megawatts each—nuclear power plant
located within the corporate limits of Red Wing that
supplies power to a huge area of the Midwest. A significant governmental change occurred June 1, 1971,
when the City of Red Wing and Burnside Township
were consolidated into a new municipality known
as Red Wing. This action combined the land area
and human resources of these two communities into
one unified government with the potential to bring
a maximum of modern governmental service to the
entire area.
Travelers are hard-pressed to find a more interesting, beautiful and vibrant community than Red
Wing. The city’s residents welcome one and all to
explore all that Red Wing has to offer—where, when
you come for a visit, you’ll want to stay for a lifetime!
For information on events, attractions, lodging
and everything in between,
log on to Red Wing’s website:
www.redwing.org
90
Drive around in OUR STORY’s official automobile with a motorist who has a keen eye for finding hitchhikers and other folks
with the most fascinating stories! When you take a spin down
the road with this driver, you’re bound to discover more interesting stories and places than you could ever imagine!
Watch all of the In The Passenger’s Seat “road shows” at
www.ourstorymn.com.
RED WING, MN
During the 1870s, Red Wing, Minnesota was considered to be the wheattrading center of the world. At that time,
11 civic-minded businessmen recognized
the need for building a first-class lodging
establishment. On Thanksgiving Day in
1875, the community finally celebrated
the opening of the spectacular St. James Hotel.
The four-story Italianate structure was outfitted in grand style
with handsome furnishings, Brussels’ carpets in the lobby and
English velvet carpet in the second-floor ladies’ parlor. On opening night, guests marveled at the hotel’s modern features, including steam heat, hot and cold running water, gas on every
floor and a state-of-the-art kitchen.
Located within walking distance from the Red Wing
train depot and the steamboat docks, the hotel was booked
to capacity every night with travelers and boarders. The
St. James’ cooks developed such a fantastic reputation that
the railroad adjusted its timetables to allow passengers to
disembark and enjoy dinners at the hotel. Luminaries such
as President Rutherford B. Hayes were known to indulge
on the fantastic kitchen fare.
Now owned by the Red Wing Shoe Company, the St. James
Hotel underwent a detailed restoration in 1975. The hotel boasts 61
guest rooms—no two alike—and continues to offer guests the same
medley of Old World service, cutting-edge amenities and culinary
delights that it did on opening day more than 130 years ago.
For more information about this historic hotel, visit
www.st-james-hotel.com.
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OUR STORY Productions
109 W. First Street
Fairmont, MN 56031
ou are now departing the world of Sweet Swine
County where fantasy and reality collide on The
Road to OUR STORY—Small-town living at its best!
“Remember it’s not just the past but the present
that becomes OUR STORY!”
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