Wells Depot Museum

Betsy Hermanson from the Wells Depot Museum greeted us in the parking lot on Wednesday afternoon. She chatted with us as she led us into the restored depot, which is the Wells Museum. Since we had plenty time to set up, we took a short tour of the museum while Betsy enthusiastically explained some of the special pieces on display. Her husband, Ross, helped her get the building ready for visitors.

End view of restored Depot at Wells, MN

Every year U.S. citizens log thousands of miles to visit the many great places in our country, but let me put in a plug for the many museums found in small towns throughout the land. Although our interstates are wonderful, they unknowingly help us speed past many small jewels worth seeing.
Wells Depot Museum is one of those jewels.

Early arrivals pictured above.

We were concerned that the nice weather might keep people away doing "spring" activities.

Well, the audience was small, but they arrived early to visit and stayed late after the show to visit, ask questions, and tell stories. It was a fun group of people and an interesting afternoon for all of us.

Beginning of program featuring my book, A Farm Country Christmas Eve

We can't blame it on the interstate if we do not take an hour or two to turn off to see real America, and now, with the help of websites, you can check out the whereabouts of small museums that are near your route to other destinations. Wells Depot Museum is only about 15 minutes north of I90 if you take exit 146. Admission is free, but they welcome donations. Visit when you can and donate what you can afford. They offer a variety of gifts, including t-shirts. Nancy bought one for a future quilt.

Once again, we thank Betsy Hermanson and Sheila Treptow for arranging the event.
Nancy and I hope they invite us back soon.

No, this isn't an illustration from my book, If  I Were a Farmer: Field Work. It's a picture of the real thing. On our drive home, we were treated to many views of farmers doing field work.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Wells Elementary School

Above, Molly waits patiently as I autograph a book,

 and below, Ethan poses for a picture with me and his new book.

First, I wish to thank Tracy Frank, the principal at Wells Elementary School, Betsy Hermanson from the Wells Historical Society, and Sheila Treptow, Wells Public Library Director, for coordinating programs for K-6 at the elementary school and for adults at the Wells Museum on the same day, May 6, 2011.

In the morning I did A Farm Country Thanksgiving for grades 5-6, A Farm Country Christmas Eve for grades 3-4, and If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure for K-2. In the afternoon we drove a few blocks to perform at the Wells Historic Depot, which is the site of the museum. More about that in tomorrow's article.

As expected, the kids were great and asked questions and shared some stories after the show.

Above, the small auditorium easily accommodated 135 K-2 and about 15 of their teachers,

and below, third and fourth grade students volunteer to answer questions after the show.

Fifth and sixth grade students at the first morning show.

Also, I wish to thank Jackie Leesch, the secretary at the school, for managing things to help Nancy and me set up, and I especially wish to thank all the teachers who, as they passed us in the hall, took the time to stop, introduce themselves, and chat with us briefly. Their friendliness and enthusiasm  made us feel very welcome.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Lake City Library

On Saturday, April 30th, Nancy and I waited for the rain to subside a bit before we unloaded our equipment at Lake City Library, Lake City, MN. Since we were early, we had time to visit with Sherry Mooers, the librarian, and we discussed whether or not the cold, windy, rainy weather would keep people away. Well, the turnout was low; however, the spirits of those who attended were high and we had fun.

After the show, the children enjoyed sticking their hands in the oats as their grandmother and I watched.

And I enjoyed signing a few books as William waited patiently.

Before and after the show we talked to some interested audience members who were more than a little familiar with farming. Katie Schmidt, who grew up on a farm on the bluff near town, Dorey, the grandmother of the children who attended, and Lesley Ann Gerken shared some stories with us.

We thank Sherry Mooers for inviting us to do our show at Lake City Library. We hope to return soon.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Easter Dandelion and Mother Clucks

On Easter morning as I survey winter damage to my rose bushes, I spot the large yellow blossom on the south side of the house. I kneel close to it, and then I lean closer to gather the many large leaves in my hand. A slow, steady pull brings Mr. Dandelion up by the root, but as I hold the plant, the pungent odor of earth and plant make me pause.
Memory:
All winter I eagerly watch as Mom assembles goose eggs into neat rows in assorted containers of oats. She places them point down in the oats to keep them still and cool. Under a table in a cool corner of the "other room," shoeboxes, old dishpans, and assorted sizes of cardboard boxes, all without tops, store the eggs until spring.


In spring Mom picks out some hens that aren't laying, we call them clucks, to sit on the eggs in nests made of orange crates tipped on their sides. Each crate has ample straw and is on one end of a small pen in the hay barn, which by this time is empty of hay.


Then the magic begins. We feed and water the cluck as she sits on the eggs, keeping them warm and guarding them as if they contain her own offspring. 


The eggs hatch and as the goslings grow, mother cluck is a fierce protector and provider too, but the hay barn floor yields nothing as mother cluck scratches to uncover morsels for them as if she were scratching the dirt. 


As as they grow beyond her care, I feel a tinge of sadness for the mother cluck.


But the goslings need fresh greens with lots of protein. 
"Fill the pail with dandelion leaves," Mom says as she hands me a small pail and knife. "Cut them close to the ground and be careful with the knife."
I don't have to go far. The backyard is full of yellow blossoms all the way to the road bank. When I return with a full pail, my overalls have green knees, but I am eager for mom to cut the leaves so I can feed them to the goslings.
Mom reaches into the pail to draw out a handful of leaves, holds them firmly on a wooden plank by the milk house, and with a long knife she quickly slices the leaves into small pieces. When finished, I follow her to the hay barn where the goslings are waiting.
"Pa pa pah, goosey!" She greets them cheerfully, saying the phrase rapidly and repeating it several times. The goslings respond with chatter that lets us know they are hungry.
We talk to them as they eat their greens. "Pa pa pah. Pa pa pah." Everyone is happy.


But since I have no goslings to which I can feed my freshly picked dandelion, I toss it on the garden to be plowed under later in the day.

Crown of Life Lutheran School

This morning my wife Nancy and I drove to West St. Paul to do a show for K-2 that included my book, If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure. 

Although there weren't many farm kids in the audience, they still got into how to teach a newborn calf how to drink out of a pail (above) and (below) sticking their hands deep into a coffee can of oats to feel the coolness of the grain.

Some students asked questions after the show:
A second grade student asked, "Did Nancy (from my book) eat a pig after it got big?"
My answer: "Yes, farm animals are raised to give us meat and other products." Then I briefly listed some products provided by other farm animals.

Some bought books (above), and others felt more oats (below).

The students listened to the story and watched the screen with intensity. They told me after the show that they liked the story of Nancy and her kitty Dusty.

I thank Mrs. Grundmeier for inviting me to come and also Principal Plath and all the teachers for having me at their school. The kids at Crown of Lutheran School were great and Nancy and I enjoyed our visit. We hope to return soon.

Photograph by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Winona Historical Society

Winona County Historical Society hosts a monthly "Food for Thought" series during lunchtime at the new wing of the Winona County Museum, which was dedicated last fall during a visit by Governor Pawlenty.
Jennifer Weaver, assistant director at the Museum, invited me to speak for an hour and I eagerly scheduled April 20, 2011, at noon.
The facilities were beautiful and the people were really enthusiastic about rural history and the history of their city. It was a fun group.

Nancy set up our book display below a fine grouping of historical details.

We arrived early as did a number of people who introduced themselves and visited with me and Nancy before the show. In the picture above I am showing Orlin Brommer the illustrations in the original Christmas book that I wrote. 

Orlin lives in Wisconsin and writes a column for the Winona Daily News.

He is pretty humble about it and calls it his "Ramblings," but after Nancy and I returned home, I read a number of his articles and I found them fascinating. His articles display details from routine things of the past and his style is a special cross between fiction and memory that you don't want to miss. To find the articles, just google his name.

The audience enjoyed the show on a big screen. After the hour program, many stayed to ask questions, buy books, and tell stories. Their enthusiasm made the day fun and the knowledge they shared was educational for all.

Allan Aldinger (left) gave me some copies of photos and stories from his childhood after I signed a book for him. I love to see these photos and read the stories. I am always looking for information to put in my shows.

I thank Jennifer Weaver for inviting me to speak and for purchasing books to have available to sell at the museum's fine gift shop. Nancy and I plan to return sometime soon to check out the museum more thoroughly.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson

Title I Night at Mabel-Canton

In spring and fall each year Mabel-Canton School hosts a Title I Night which features entertainment and ice cream. For this spring's event on April 18, Media Coordinator Laura Schulte invited Tom Savre (guitarist, songwriter, naturalist) and me to entertain the group.

Tom performed songs he had written containing bird calls and animal sounds, and as he sang, children and adults  followed his lead by joining in and doing their best to imitate his calls. His performance was both fun, engaging, and educational as audience members learned the sounds of local birds and animals.

 Tom was a hard act to follow, but he sure put everyone in a good mood, and the audience seemed to be eager to listen to my story, If I Were a Farmer: Nancy's Adventure.

After my show, people visited with each other and ate the ice cream served at the event.

As I visited with kids and adults (background), other students came over to talk to Nancy and browse my books after they had finished their ice cream.

I got to sign lots of books and visit with parents and their children.

Several parents commented how they enjoy Title I Night because they never quite know what entertainment they will experience. They said they really enjoyed Tom's music and my stories. They were very kind.

Nancy and I would like to thank Media Coordinator Laura Schulte and Title I Coordinator Sarah Holdmeyer, who were responsible for selecting the entertainment and contacting Tom and me.

The evening's program was fun and educational. Everyone was friendly and eager to visit. I hope we return soon.

Photographs by Nancy A. Fredrickson.