Den and I are kind of semi-retired, I guess you could say. We do a fair amount of volunteer work both here in Manchester as well as back in my hometown of Mt. Pleasant. By volunteering you get to meet some really nice people and see how things work behind the scenes in events and happening.
When we found out that RAGBRAI was to have it's "next to the last" "over-nighter" in Mt. Pleasant this summer, we figured we could help out and see some of the action as well. So, early on we let some of the organizers know that we would be available.
This year the ride started in Council Bluffs where the riders dipped their rear tires in the Missouri River and then headed east on the assigned route for this years gathering finishing by dipping the front tires in the Mississippi in Burlington. Along the way there was a skillet throwing contest in one town and Brighton turned out offering "whoopie pies". Along the roads for miles and miles there were signs telling about the "great whoopie" in Brighton. You saw folks in some of the wildest outfits, neon-bright colors and to be quite honest some of those folks really should have given all of that spandex a pass. One fellow from Denver made the ride in a Speedo telling everyone that would listen that it made him more aero-dynamic. Check out these sites online http://ragbrai.com/ and http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=RAGBRAI&template=landing as they have some pretty good pictures and stories.
Some of you might remember that they came through Manchester a couple of years ago. That year Den and I worked the beer garden selling tickets. I had heard about RAGBRAI for years but never gotten close enough to witness the event, so we were kind of excited when it went through Manchester and actually, right past our house . (Maybe I should explain here that while I have a bicycle, I would never ride in anything like this as about ten minutes into the peddling my "bum" goes numb and all of the fun goes out of it at that point. So I applaud those who ride and remain on the side lines to do it.) On a whole, I think that the event, as far as Manchester was concerned, went rather well.
If your town is going to play host to one of these events, I would suggest getting all of the information that you can about the expectations and needs of these riders and their support. I can tell you that it is not the event for the tender young "event planner" to cut his teeth on.
While working at the Camper's Store as a volunteer I had the chance to become reacquainted with one of my classmates from let's just say "years ago". She and the rest of the Henry County Heritage Trust are involved in preserving the birth place of James Van Allen (http://www.agu.org/inside/awards/vanallen.html). It is Dr. Van Allen for whom the radiation belts that surround the earth are named. I would love to be learned enough to tell you all of the wondrous things that this man was involved in over his life but let's just let Wikipedia tell you.
* James graduated as valedictorian of his 1931 graduation class from Mt. Pleasant Community High School.
* He went on to college at Iowa Wesleyan College and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1935.
* He then went on to the University of Iowa to achieve his masters in 1936.
* In 1939 Van Allen received his Ph.D. in nuclear physics from the University of Iowa. His doctoral research was on measuring the cross-section of the deuteron-deuteron reaction. Margie what the heck it is that, let's allow the computer to solve that one as well by visiting this site, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deuterium). Needless to say his achievements go on and on from there.
Dr. Van Allen's birthplace has remained a place of interest and holds much of the family memorabilia. However, it is not able to sustain itself on it's own merits to the point of being self sufficient. It was recently sold at auction to Lee Pennibaker who thought to demolish the home for the land value. Wise and good person that she is she rethought the whole thing and now is donating the house to the Henry County Heritage Trust. The home, built in 1862, by George Clinton Van Allen, Dr. Van Allen’s grandfather, making it one of the oldest structures in Mount Pleasant, is to be preserved however not at it's original location. The house is to be "raised" and relocated to the site of the Henry County Historical Museum, who's location is the oldest existing grade school in Mt. Pleasant, Saunders Elementary. They are planning a full foundation for the old house and should move it sometime during the month of August. With restoration to be completed in the month of September. I would expect that this home would not be ready for viewing until after the Old Threshers gathering over labor day. I will keep you posted. It will be one of those Iowa treasures that deserves a visit.
I hope to see you out exploring "Across Iowa and Maybe a Bit Beyond".
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Fenelon Place Elevator and Mathias Ham House, Dubuque
Bob Welsh and the gift shop attendant at the Ham House. Bob is a storyteller, singer and banjo player and performs at Civil War reenactments around the tri-state area.
Oldest surviving log cabin in Iowa or so they say. This one is described in the writing. This is a Dog-Trot log cabin seem more frequently in the south. The kitchen is on the right and the living quarters are on the left. In the middle is a kind of breezeway that the family dogs liked to lay around in, thus, Dog Trot.
An example of what a "badger hole" might have looked like in the early 1800's. Illegal mining was done in the area looking for lead. This would have been the kind of shelter that these men would have constructed.
One of the two cars returning to the lower station at the Fenelon Place Elevator in Dubuque, just off of the 400 block of Bluff St..
Lead mining was done in several different ways. The Indians did what we might call strip mined just on the surface. The white man would did holes sometime many feet beneith the surface. The vain always ran east and west of lead. This is a depiction of an mine entrance. The wooden bucket was called a kittle and using a "Pigtail" hock was used to lower the miners and their tools into the mine and as well as raise the lead pieces to the surface.
Rear view of the Ham House
The front of the Ham House. NO filter was used on this shot, the sky was that blue when Denny took the picture.
We woke up to a beautiful morning with the birds tuning up and the sky so blue it hurt your eyes. Buddy knew we were getting ready to take a day trip and by now he had resigned himself to staying cool at home when it is so warm outside. We wanted to take in a couple of sights in Dubuque but first we grabbed a breakfast sandwich at Hardee's and then a stop to see what was being offered at the Manchester Farmer's Market. Our friend, Mike Henderson and his family were there with fresh veggies and homemade breads. Irene was there with her soaps and many more. Thank goodness we brought the cooler with our picnic lunch in it as we purchased so much that we completely filled it. If you haven't stopped in on a Saturday morning to check it out, you really should. Sweet corn will be coming soon so, make it a point to be there.
One of those places that is kind of a wee thing but of historical significance is the Fenelon Place Elevator Company. OK, I know, when you get in most elevators you see an OTIS sign, not Fenelon but that is another story. This is something that only Dubuque has. It is located off of the 400 block of Bluff Street. But wait, let's start at the beginning. Back in 1882, Dubuque was an hour and a half town (get this, everything in town shut down for an hour and a half for everyone to go home and have a nice lunch). When I was working for Motorola and Honeywell and the like it was 30 minutes or less and then you were back on the job and working. I thought things were supposed to have been so rough back then........ Anyway, Mr. J. K. Graves, a former mayor, former State Senator and also mining promoter and banker lived up high on the bluff and worked at the bottom. Driving his horse and buggy to and from work involved a half hour ride each way and the good man didn't have time to eat his lunch and get in a nap as well. What to do? Well, remembering things that he had seen on trips to Europe, he came up with this elevator system between home and work to shorten the trip. It became the method for many others to make the same trip up the hill. The venture had several fires and each time Mr. Graves rebuilt until 1893 when a bad recession made it impossible for Mr. Graves to again rebuild. This time ten neighbors got together and formed "Fenelon Place Elevator Company" and took it over. So, let's see, that was 116 years ago and it is still in operation today. $2.00 per adult buys you a round trip ticket to the top and back. At the top you are blessed with a beautiful view of the city of Dubuque and views of Illinois and Wisconsin. Visit it online at www.dbq.com/fenplco/. This wonderfully restored area of Dubuque is filled with the beautiful architecture of years gone by. Many of the old homes have been converted into galleries and boutiques. Just up the street is The Redstone Inn. Margie, this place is so pretty to see on the outside, we just have to find a time to stay there. http://www.theredstoneinn.com/history.htm
We also wanted to see the Mathias Ham House off of Lincoln Street. This 1856 mansion shares the grounds with several other historic "saves" from around the Dubuque area and is located very near Eagle Point State Park. Unlike the Montauk mansion this home was not preserved by the family that built it. The story of Mr. Ham is kind of sad and filled with loss and disappointment but then life is kind of like that sometimes.
On the same location is an example of a "dog trot" log home that has been moved twice and now is owned by the Dubuque Historical Society. It was discovered some years back when a group of men were preparing to side a house in town. When they were removing the old siding they discovered the log home beneath. Calls were made and history dug into and the home was acquired and moved to Eagle Point Park and rented out for events and gatherings. As often happens when a building becomes "public in use" it was abused and that is what was happening to this very old log cabin. The Dubuque Historical group took it over and had it moved to it's present location where it is lovingly cared for and still the public can enjoy looking and learning with one of the docents from the mansion.
The sight also offers a recovered one room school house from the area.
Our "period dressed" docent was Bob Welch. His knowledge of the house and era were extensive. For a $5.00 charge each, a visitor can take a step back in time. As I said before, the Mathias Ham home is not furnished with the furnishings of the Ham family but everything in the home is of the period. Built of quarried limestone, the Italianate villa style home is wonderfully well preserved and deserves a visit. Open 11AM-4PM daily.
As I have said near by is Eagle Point State Park, a beautiful place and every time that we have been there, it is filled to the brim with people and activity. It is one of the hot spots for company picnics, weddings and other get togethers. We had brought our picnic lunch of my own dilled potato salad and tequila lime chicken breast sandwiches. Some cold lemonade topped it off nicely. Many picnic tables and benches come complete with a fantastic view of the Mississippi River below.
We enjoyed our days adventure and met some really nice people from places like Keokuk and across the river in Illinois. You just never know what surprises are out there for you. Hope to see you out and exploring "Across Iowa and Maybe a Bit Beyond".
God Bless,
Linda
Saturday, July 4, 2009
"Montauk" Historic Governor's Home
One of the gowns worn my Mrs. Anna Larrabee and displayed in what was their bed chamber.
The Larrabee's dining room. The children ate at this table when they had learned to conduct themselves as proper young ladies and gentlemen. Until then they ate in the kitchen and practiced their manners. This table has no leaves but is made larger by removing the half rounds of the top and replacing them with a larger size. There are five sizes. Note the glasses, you most often see cobalt but look at the color of these. The wee swans are salt sellers and the small rounds are butter pats.
"Montauk" the home of Iowa's twelfth governor, Wm. Larrabee. Built in 1874.Montauk Historic Governor's Home
You know I am human, right. Well, being human I do make mistakes and last week's piece had a mistake that I need to correct for all of the history buffs out there. Iowa became a state in 1846 not 1848. I guess I failed Iowa history 101.
Hey, I hope everyone had a great long weekend and lots of fun celebrating our nations birthday. We did opt out of going camping this weekend as we figured with almost all of the local campgrounds, having had flood damage last summer, would be WAY full this weekend. We will make up for missing it, so count on seeing us out there in the next few weeks. Still, not having gone camping we still have had a great time on the fourth.
Despite the rain Den, Buddy and I bundled in to the car with bag chairs for each of us (you heard right, Buddy get's his own chair for parades), a cooler filled with liquid refreshments and a few snacks and we grabbed our "bumbershoots" and hit the road. It was raining softly but "The Weather Underground" assured us that it was clearing in Independence so we should be driving out of the rain. Let me tell you those guys are just throwing darts, Margie. It was raining when we arrived and barely let up the entire hour or so that we stood watching the parade. The marchers were braving the wet with banners held high, horns tooting and drums firing out the rhythm. Ronald McDonald was there as were the Shriners and their "Wee Winnie's". Winnebago's, cute though I couldn't tell if they were Braves or Chieftains. Pretty well soaked, especially Buddy, we made our way back to our car and headed out to see one of Iowa's Historic sights.
The pretty little town of Clermont in northeast Iowa was home to the twelfth governor of our state. Do you have any idea how many governors Iowa has had? Well, Margie, I looked it up, we have had 41 governors. The twelfth one was Governor William Larrabee. He came here from Connecticut. Mrs. Larrabee's father was a sailing man and the Montauk lighthouse on the Long Island, New York coast was a beacon to him that he was finally home. It was this lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in the state of New York, for which the Larrabee home in Clermont is named.
Larrabee came to own some 200,000 acres of farmland in the state of Iowa and adjoining states, of which, 100,000 were in Iowa. My husband grew up on one of the farms that the Larrabee family owned in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Montauk and it's buildings are set high on the hill over looking the town of Clermont and the Turkey river. It was built in 1874 and was the Larrabee family's third home. The home was designed by the same architect that designed the Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien. The house is built of brick inside and out. Yes, Margie, the walls between the rooms are brick. Made it kind of tough to modernize back in 1910 as the electrical conduits had to be run where it shows. All of the pictures and artwork (of which there a great deal) had to be hung from "picture rails" installed around each of the rooms. It was built with running water and had a hot water system that served the kitchen, two bathrooms, and six bedrooms (each with a marble sink and running water). The house has twelve rooms all with very high ceilings and almost each with two entrances. The Larrabee's had seven children and two that never married. Anna Larrabee died well into her 90's in the 1960's having lived almost her entire life in this wonderful old home. Upon her death the house and it's contents were willed to the state of Iowa and is now one of the places that your family and you might enjoy touring. The admission is free of charge. Their tours start every 15 minutes from 12:00PM until 4:00PM and are handled by three very knowledgeable and friendly docents. http://www.clermontia.org/VTOURmontauk.htm
The area offers lots of things to see and do, check it out at http://www.clermontia.org/. We intend a return visit so we might see you there.
There are lots of things "Across Iowa and Maybe a Bit Beyond" that are easy day trips if you care to do a bit of exploring. So, I hope to see you around the next corner enjoying the great state we live in!
Gov. Larrabee's desk. Think of the old secretary desk only more commanding. When Gov. Larrabee was away he would close the desk up and lock it. There was a mail slot for mail to be deposited in his absents but when he returned everything was as he left it with the exception of the accumulated mail.
The Larrabee's dining room. The children ate at this table when they had learned to conduct themselves as proper young ladies and gentlemen. Until then they ate in the kitchen and practiced their manners. This table has no leaves but is made larger by removing the half rounds of the top and replacing them with a larger size. There are five sizes. Note the glasses, you most often see cobalt but look at the color of these. The wee swans are salt sellers and the small rounds are butter pats.
One of the gowns worn my Mrs. Anna Larrabee and displayed in what was their bed chamber.
God Bless,
Linda
You know I am human, right. Well, being human I do make mistakes and last week's piece had a mistake that I need to correct for all of the history buffs out there. Iowa became a state in 1846 not 1848. I guess I failed Iowa history 101.
Hey, I hope everyone had a great long weekend and lots of fun celebrating our nations birthday. We did opt out of going camping this weekend as we figured with almost all of the local campgrounds, having had flood damage last summer, would be WAY full this weekend. We will make up for missing it, so count on seeing us out there in the next few weeks. Still, not having gone camping we still have had a great time on the fourth.
Despite the rain Den, Buddy and I bundled in to the car with bag chairs for each of us (you heard right, Buddy get's his own chair for parades), a cooler filled with liquid refreshments and a few snacks and we grabbed our "bumbershoots" and hit the road. It was raining softly but "The Weather Underground" assured us that it was clearing in Independence so we should be driving out of the rain. Let me tell you those guys are just throwing darts, Margie. It was raining when we arrived and barely let up the entire hour or so that we stood watching the parade. The marchers were braving the wet with banners held high, horns tooting and drums firing out the rhythm. Ronald McDonald was there as were the Shriners and their "Wee Winnie's". Winnebago's, cute though I couldn't tell if they were Braves or Chieftains. Pretty well soaked, especially Buddy, we made our way back to our car and headed out to see one of Iowa's Historic sights.
The pretty little town of Clermont in northeast Iowa was home to the twelfth governor of our state. Do you have any idea how many governors Iowa has had? Well, Margie, I looked it up, we have had 41 governors. The twelfth one was Governor William Larrabee. He came here from Connecticut. Mrs. Larrabee's father was a sailing man and the Montauk lighthouse on the Long Island, New York coast was a beacon to him that he was finally home. It was this lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in the state of New York, for which the Larrabee home in Clermont is named.
Larrabee came to own some 200,000 acres of farmland in the state of Iowa and adjoining states, of which, 100,000 were in Iowa. My husband grew up on one of the farms that the Larrabee family owned in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
Montauk and it's buildings are set high on the hill over looking the town of Clermont and the Turkey river. It was built in 1874 and was the Larrabee family's third home. The home was designed by the same architect that designed the Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien. The house is built of brick inside and out. Yes, Margie, the walls between the rooms are brick. Made it kind of tough to modernize back in 1910 as the electrical conduits had to be run where it shows. All of the pictures and artwork (of which there a great deal) had to be hung from "picture rails" installed around each of the rooms. It was built with running water and had a hot water system that served the kitchen, two bathrooms, and six bedrooms (each with a marble sink and running water). The house has twelve rooms all with very high ceilings and almost each with two entrances. The Larrabee's had seven children and two that never married. Anna Larrabee died well into her 90's in the 1960's having lived almost her entire life in this wonderful old home. Upon her death the house and it's contents were willed to the state of Iowa and is now one of the places that your family and you might enjoy touring. The admission is free of charge. Their tours start every 15 minutes from 12:00PM until 4:00PM and are handled by three very knowledgeable and friendly docents. http://www.clermontia.org/VTOURmontauk.htm
The area offers lots of things to see and do, check it out at http://www.clermontia.org/. We intend a return visit so we might see you there.
There are lots of things "Across Iowa and Maybe a Bit Beyond" that are easy day trips if you care to do a bit of exploring. So, I hope to see you around the next corner enjoying the great state we live in!
Gov. Larrabee's desk. Think of the old secretary desk only more commanding. When Gov. Larrabee was away he would close the desk up and lock it. There was a mail slot for mail to be deposited in his absents but when he returned everything was as he left it with the exception of the accumulated mail.
The Larrabee's dining room. The children ate at this table when they had learned to conduct themselves as proper young ladies and gentlemen. Until then they ate in the kitchen and practiced their manners. This table has no leaves but is made larger by removing the half rounds of the top and replacing them with a larger size. There are five sizes. Note the glasses, you most often see cobalt but look at the color of these. The wee swans are salt sellers and the small rounds are butter pats.
One of the gowns worn my Mrs. Anna Larrabee and displayed in what was their bed chamber.
God Bless,
Linda
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Sturgis Falls Celebration
Marine Corp Band, Quanico all dressed up.
Marine Corp Band, Quanico, in their civies warming up.
One of the high school bands in the area. Quite good.
The oldest orchestra in Iowa and the oldest member is 62, hey, I'm almost that old.
Mary and her birthday cake. One of Betty's chocolate Cream cakes. It has a brown sugar whip cream icing and Marlene sprinkles crushed Heath bar candy and shaved chocolate on the top. Yummy isn't the word for this it is way beyound yummy.
Cindy Parkin, Mary Franken, Lorna Parmenger and a couple of Mary's friends from Cedar Fall. Cindy, Mary and Lorna are first cousins (their mothers were sisters).
Some of Mary's friends, myself, Alan Parmenger (Lorna's husband) Dan Parkin (Cindy's husband) as we all had lunch at Betty's Bread Basket and Tea Room to celebrate Mary's 70th birthday.
Sturgis Falls Celebration
Have you melted and ran down in your shoes yet? No, well I bet it has felt like it a time or two over the past few weeks. Yep, the "dog days of summer" are upon us. Buddy doesn't care for the name that we have hung on this part of summer when the air gets so thick you feel like you're drowning and even a cool shower doesn't make you feel any fresher. It somehow makes it sound like his species is responsible for the discomfort. None the less, they are with us and that brings some of the events that usually happen around this time every year.
Back in 1976 during our nation's celebration of the bicentennial Blackhawk County started what has become an annual event known as Sturgis Falls Celebration. True to it's roots it occurs around the week just prior to the 4th of July. This year it ran from June 26th through the 28th. This year's theme was "Dancing In The Streets".
Now wait, wait just a second here, where the heck is Sturgis Falls any way? Well, let's see, back in 1845 (Iowa became a state in 1848) William Sturgis staked his claim to the area that today encompasses nearly all of the downtown area of Cedar Falls, ergo Sturgis Falls Celebration. Now William only remained in this location for about three years and moved on to who knows where but the settlement that got started on this spot remained and the name became Cedar Falls. I bet he wouldn't recognize the place today, Margie.
The celebration has loads of entertainment on several stages over the three days. My favorite is this year on the evening of the 27th at Overman Park Band Shell. Each years the leaders of this celebration invites one of the Marine Corp bands to play for our enjoyment. This year from 7:00PM through 8:30PM the U. S. Marine Band, Quantico provided the music. Lots of flags were be present as you can well imagine with the U. S. Marines and the date being so close to our Independence Day. The US Marine Corp, Quanico Band entertain the crowd at the Overman Park Band shell. The Marines playing for the occasion is always a big favorite and the crowd was on it's feet for many of the numbers played.
Hey, what else goes on during these three days, you might ask. Check this web site out and it will let you see what kinds of things were planned for this year and last and I just bet next year as well. http://sturgisfalls.org/entertainment/default.htm
These are some things to do and see for all ages and levels of activity:
Carnival complete with funnel cakes and cotton candy
Street Fair
Talent Competition, come on, give it a try, you ARE the next American Idol, admit it.
Parade, Den is one of those folks that has got to show up if there is a parade. He just loves parades.This is the Cedar Falls Municipal Band, oldest concert band in Iowa with it's oldest member, 62 years young.
One of the local high school bands.
1/2 Marathon and 5K run, OK so it is the before mentioned "Dog Days of Summer" (sorry about that, Buddy) they drink lots of Gatorade, what can I say.
Entertainment galore
All of the entertainment is free of charge, always has been, I understand that they are a non-profit enterprise. Plan this as one of your must attend events on your 2010 calendar. Bring your sun screen, blanket or lawn chair (for seating to listen to the bands), insect repellent might be nice and your wide brimmed hat. You can find food and drinks at the vendors all around the area but you can bring your own.
We celebrated our friend, Mary's 70th birthday with lunch at Betty's Bread Basket in Manchester on Friday afternoon. Mary was joined by nine friends and relatives from Appleton, Wisconsin, Barrington, Illinois and Cedar Falls, Iowa to celebrate. Betty's is always a special place to celebrate. It makes you feel special when the napkins are pretty colors, pressed and starched and stuck in those cute little napkin rings. How can you be doing anything but celebrating when a chef salad has a bed of fresh greens, topped with a tender sliced of grilled chicken breast, grapes, strawberries, pineapple, sugared pecans, dried cranberries, and finished off with one of her house dressing and a slice of that mouthwatering cranberry orange bread. Oh, don't get me started and don't ask me when you come in which entree to choose, you can't go wrong with any of them. Everyone had a great time and later some of the ladies went shopping at The Quiltmakers Shoppe where they chose kits for sewing project and parused the seemingly endless array of fabrics. Meanwhile Den took the guys for a tour of the KMCH studio where he plays "In House Engineer" for sporting events part-time during the school year.
Another Happy Birthday at Betty's.
We met our friend Mary who lives in Cedar Falls and our friends from Chicago and Appleton for a day of fun and perspiration at the Sturgis Falls Parade in the morning and later we listened to "Milk and Honey" rock out tunes from the 60's and 70's followed by the Marine Corp Band so we had quite a day.
We ate our evening meal at the Overman Park food vendors tents with grilled chicken breast sandwich, corn dog, funnel cake, pork tenderloin and of course an ice-cream sandwich.
Buddy was waiting for us when we arrived home. There are no dogs allowed in the parks for this and there would have been too many feet that could have gotten him stepped on. I love him too much to put him in harms way.
Sunday morning sunshine woke the three of us up with our tummies growling. I am thinking what's for breakfast and Den chimed in with the answer to my unspoken thoughts, "Hey, what do you say we go try out Jude's Cafe and see what her buffet is like?" I'm game and Buddy figured that there was a tidbit or two in there for him so we showered and Den shaved and Buddy met us at the door. We left without him yesterday but, it is cooler today and he was thinking that even a short car ride was a great thing. Den and I stuffed ourselves on scrambled eggs, biscuits, ham, sausage and more for a bit over $9.00 each and all the return trips to the buffet as we wanted.
We are kind of up in the air on which of the many choices available for the weekend of the 4th. We might even sit this weekend out and just enjoy visiting with neighbors, grilling on the deck and maybe even make some homemade ice-cream.
I hope to see you all out there checking out all there is to see and do "Across Iowa and Maybe a Bit Beyond".
God Bless,
Linda
Have you melted and ran down in your shoes yet? No, well I bet it has felt like it a time or two over the past few weeks. Yep, the "dog days of summer" are upon us. Buddy doesn't care for the name that we have hung on this part of summer when the air gets so thick you feel like you're drowning and even a cool shower doesn't make you feel any fresher. It somehow makes it sound like his species is responsible for the discomfort. None the less, they are with us and that brings some of the events that usually happen around this time every year.
Back in 1976 during our nation's celebration of the bicentennial Blackhawk County started what has become an annual event known as Sturgis Falls Celebration. True to it's roots it occurs around the week just prior to the 4th of July. This year it ran from June 26th through the 28th. This year's theme was "Dancing In The Streets".
Now wait, wait just a second here, where the heck is Sturgis Falls any way? Well, let's see, back in 1845 (Iowa became a state in 1848) William Sturgis staked his claim to the area that today encompasses nearly all of the downtown area of Cedar Falls, ergo Sturgis Falls Celebration. Now William only remained in this location for about three years and moved on to who knows where but the settlement that got started on this spot remained and the name became Cedar Falls. I bet he wouldn't recognize the place today, Margie.
The celebration has loads of entertainment on several stages over the three days. My favorite is this year on the evening of the 27th at Overman Park Band Shell. Each years the leaders of this celebration invites one of the Marine Corp bands to play for our enjoyment. This year from 7:00PM through 8:30PM the U. S. Marine Band, Quantico provided the music. Lots of flags were be present as you can well imagine with the U. S. Marines and the date being so close to our Independence Day. The US Marine Corp, Quanico Band entertain the crowd at the Overman Park Band shell. The Marines playing for the occasion is always a big favorite and the crowd was on it's feet for many of the numbers played.
Hey, what else goes on during these three days, you might ask. Check this web site out and it will let you see what kinds of things were planned for this year and last and I just bet next year as well. http://sturgisfalls.org/entertainment/default.htm
These are some things to do and see for all ages and levels of activity:
Carnival complete with funnel cakes and cotton candy
Street Fair
Talent Competition, come on, give it a try, you ARE the next American Idol, admit it.
Parade, Den is one of those folks that has got to show up if there is a parade. He just loves parades.This is the Cedar Falls Municipal Band, oldest concert band in Iowa with it's oldest member, 62 years young.
One of the local high school bands.
1/2 Marathon and 5K run, OK so it is the before mentioned "Dog Days of Summer" (sorry about that, Buddy) they drink lots of Gatorade, what can I say.
Entertainment galore
All of the entertainment is free of charge, always has been, I understand that they are a non-profit enterprise. Plan this as one of your must attend events on your 2010 calendar. Bring your sun screen, blanket or lawn chair (for seating to listen to the bands), insect repellent might be nice and your wide brimmed hat. You can find food and drinks at the vendors all around the area but you can bring your own.
We celebrated our friend, Mary's 70th birthday with lunch at Betty's Bread Basket in Manchester on Friday afternoon. Mary was joined by nine friends and relatives from Appleton, Wisconsin, Barrington, Illinois and Cedar Falls, Iowa to celebrate. Betty's is always a special place to celebrate. It makes you feel special when the napkins are pretty colors, pressed and starched and stuck in those cute little napkin rings. How can you be doing anything but celebrating when a chef salad has a bed of fresh greens, topped with a tender sliced of grilled chicken breast, grapes, strawberries, pineapple, sugared pecans, dried cranberries, and finished off with one of her house dressing and a slice of that mouthwatering cranberry orange bread. Oh, don't get me started and don't ask me when you come in which entree to choose, you can't go wrong with any of them. Everyone had a great time and later some of the ladies went shopping at The Quiltmakers Shoppe where they chose kits for sewing project and parused the seemingly endless array of fabrics. Meanwhile Den took the guys for a tour of the KMCH studio where he plays "In House Engineer" for sporting events part-time during the school year.
Another Happy Birthday at Betty's.
We met our friend Mary who lives in Cedar Falls and our friends from Chicago and Appleton for a day of fun and perspiration at the Sturgis Falls Parade in the morning and later we listened to "Milk and Honey" rock out tunes from the 60's and 70's followed by the Marine Corp Band so we had quite a day.
We ate our evening meal at the Overman Park food vendors tents with grilled chicken breast sandwich, corn dog, funnel cake, pork tenderloin and of course an ice-cream sandwich.
Buddy was waiting for us when we arrived home. There are no dogs allowed in the parks for this and there would have been too many feet that could have gotten him stepped on. I love him too much to put him in harms way.
Sunday morning sunshine woke the three of us up with our tummies growling. I am thinking what's for breakfast and Den chimed in with the answer to my unspoken thoughts, "Hey, what do you say we go try out Jude's Cafe and see what her buffet is like?" I'm game and Buddy figured that there was a tidbit or two in there for him so we showered and Den shaved and Buddy met us at the door. We left without him yesterday but, it is cooler today and he was thinking that even a short car ride was a great thing. Den and I stuffed ourselves on scrambled eggs, biscuits, ham, sausage and more for a bit over $9.00 each and all the return trips to the buffet as we wanted.
We are kind of up in the air on which of the many choices available for the weekend of the 4th. We might even sit this weekend out and just enjoy visiting with neighbors, grilling on the deck and maybe even make some homemade ice-cream.
I hope to see you all out there checking out all there is to see and do "Across Iowa and Maybe a Bit Beyond".
God Bless,
Linda
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Bowman Family Reunion and Steamboat Days
Second floor bedroom in the Phelps House in Burlington, Iowa
Front parlor table and lamp. Phelps House, Burlington Iowa
Juggling in the rain at the Snake Alley Craft Fair
One of the pottery booths. Note the wonderful old home behind it.
Rich and Liz Robertson of Dubuque's Crickett Hill Pottery. Rich is Den's first cousin.
Mom, Adella Ruth Gates-Capps
Barb Lynchard, Shelby (Martha's grand-daughter) and Sandy Gates-Copeland
Amanda Copeland (daughter of Sandy and Bill Copeland) and Martha Lynchard-Settles. In the back ground is Mom and Carolyn Bowman (Dave Bowman's wife (cousin to Mom))
Randy Settles, husband to Martha Lynchard-Settles
David Bowman, Mom's cousin.
Dwight and Frett's son and his girl friend.
Bill Bowman and Dwight Cocran, Mom's cousins.I was born and raise in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. "Mt. Idy", as some of us fondly call it, is the Henry County seat and the home of the Mt. Pleasant Panthers, Iowa Wesleyan Tigers, the Fellowship Cup and the Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Reunion. Growing up in "Mt. Idy" wasn't much different from growing up around Manchester, I would expect. Where ever I have lived or will live, Mt. Pleasant will always be home to me and I bet you feel the same way about your hometown.
This weekend was our annual Bowman Family Reunion. My cousin Martha has managed this dwindling event for a number of years and this is the first year that I have been able to attend. There has always been either time or space that didn't allow me to be there so I really enjoyed it this time. My mother's mother was what you would likely call Amish in this day and age. Her maiden name was Bowman and they lived in west central Illinois. What is left of the family there is really up in years and come to think of it so am I. My Granddad, Mom's father, raised five children in a three room house in a small town outside of Mt. Pleasant called Trenton, Iowa. He had a threshing and clover hulling crew among other things. Life was simple and they all worked hard. My Mom, here visiting with her cousin's wife, is the only one remaining of her sibling. Of the off-spring there are eight cousins and who knows, I have lost track of grand whatever's. We had a potluck held where we are in out of the heat and sun of an Iowa summer.
After the day with long lost relatives Sunday brought us to Steamboat Days in Burlington, Iowa. Burlington has a long and rich history. It was the original territorial capital of the Iowa Territory back in the 1838. The name Hawkeye and it relationship to Iowa has it's roots in Burlington.
Steamboat Days are an annual event held around the third weekend of June each year, it should be noted that last year it was cancelled due to the flooding. SBD is like a street fair along the Burlington Mississippi River front. It starts about midweek and ended this year on Sunday the 20th with a huge fireworks display over the water. There are lots of things to do and see for all ages. There are bands (Hootie and the Blowfish kept everyone hopping, singing and dancing from the main stage Saturday and Sunday), Pepsi sponsored kid's events, talent show, street dancing and on Sunday, the final day, they line Snake Alley ("the crookedest street in the world"for it's serpentine twists (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_Alley) with craft vendors. The fellow as juggling in the rain.
This is one of my favor parts of the events as is the crafts event that happen in the city park during Old Threshers in Mt. Pleasant over Labor Day. The booths offered beautiful pottery from some of the local talent, lapidary, charcoal art, floral arrangements, antiques and much more. Please think about putting this event on you calendar for next summer.
We drove from "Mt. Idy" in a light rain Sunday morning and walked the craft booths. The rain became harder but to tell you the truth, at nearly 90F it wasn't that uncomfortable. Mom should not get soaked so we did use the umbrellas. We purchased some carved wooden kitchen tools and fell in love with the bowls carved from burls. About half way we found some folks that we knew. Richard and Liz Robertson (Rich is Den's first cousin) of Cricket Hill Pottery in Dubuque. I have got to get with Liz on one of her wall pockets. She had arranged some flowers in it that just set it off perfectly.
As the rain got harder we found that the Phelps House (http://www.discoverourtown.com/IA/Burlington/Attractions-686.html) was open for a tour and decided to go in and see it. The historical society had done a wonderful job of maintaining this historic home that dates back to 1851 and is furnished with the treasures of the family that had owned it for most of it's existence. We finished our tour (which by the way cost us $3.00 each) just as the rain became the hardest. Den ran to bring the car as Mom and I huddled under the "bumbershoot". (Buddy, the traveling Shih Tzu stayed behind at Mom's and stayed dry. It was too warm and wet to bring him out.)
Iowa is a great place to live with something exciting around every corner if you really look. Hope to see you out exploring.
God Bless,
Linda
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
"Take Me Out To The Ball Game"
"Take Me Out To The Ball Game"
We have had quite a week starting with getting a call that an elderly friend of ours who had driven up to River Falls, Wisconsin to visit friends had fallen and broken her dominate arm just above the wrist. She needed help in getting herself and her car back to Cedar Falls. So we met the friends who assisted in the shuttle in Rochester and took her the rest of the way back to her home, getting her mail picked up, car unloaded and "fridge" stocked. We were just glad to know that she is OK or will be and that she is where she is comfortable and has access to her normal doctor, church and friends. That was Monday, so the week started out with a "bang".
Sunday we were invited to join friends that live in Cedar Rapids for a Kernel's baseball game. If you haven't been to one of these, it is a great evening's entertainment for about $9.00 a ticket (or that was the price for the seats that we had). We decided to make a day of it, deciding that we deserved a day off after this past weeks adventures. We hit the Olive Garden as we were both in the mood for "Soup, Salad and Breadsticks". They keep filling you up with this one and I have always loved their "Pasta e Fagioli" with a wonderfully crisp salad and warm bread sticks. Den opted for "Zuppa Toscana" for his soup. We topped it off with Tiramisu. Italy is so generous with the foods and flavors that they have shared with all of us. I like Olive Garden because I don't have to ask what region of Italy the cuisine is from. The north is more French with lots of creamy sauces and mild flavors, the south is spicy and hot when you are eating Sicilian foods. Some regions like to add fennel to meats and sauces and if you aren't a fan of fennel, and it does tend to be a love/hate thing, you can be pleasantly surprised or woefully disappointed. Being a comfort food lover, I tend to like to stay out of Sicily.
After stuffing ourselves, we took a walk around Noelridge Park at the corner of Collins Road and Counsel Street NE. They had just put the bedding plants in about a week ago and thing were not as lush as they usually are when we stop at this beautiful spot. The iris and peonies were in their final flush and the new beds looking all babyish with new plants it was just a pleasant wonder from one planting bed to another to see what they had chosen this year. This is one of those holding hands kind of places, a place where you can sit in the shade and dream a while. But we had a ball game to get to.
We met our friends at their house and drove over to Veterans Memorial Stadium together. The day had started out foggy after the rain of the previous two days and cool but Sunday evening was perfect. The game was between the top two farm teams in Iowa, as I understand it, the Kane County Cougars, the top ranking and the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the second ranked team. There was lots of extra things for the kids to enjoy as well with the Tiny Spirits cheer team, the first pitch by one of the kids, the racing pizza wedges and eyeballs. These form kind of an intermission between tense inning changes.
The game was hard fought with the Cougars shutting the Kernels out of any points and the Kernels holding the Cougars to only 2. We cheered but the Kernels still lost.
The Kernels are a farm team for the Anaheim Angels and therefore a professional ball club as are many of the teams in the area. Sure, it isn't Yankee Stadium but this is Iowa. Visit the Kernel's site, http://www.kernels.com/ for home game dates and other events as well as ticket prices and sales.
I learned that the tournament games in the movie "The Final Season" were all staged and shot at this ball park. This movie is one of my favorite of resent times. I'm old enough to have seen a great many movies, you have to remember.
This same weekend I was torn between attending this game with our friends that we had committed to weeks ago and attending the rope pull that the Greeley team was having the same day. I hope Dave Kruse and his crack team of pullers won the day without our cheers from the sidelines. As I understand it the next one will be in Hiawatha. We will have to see about the date and time on that one.
Hope to see you around the corner, enjoying the great state of Iowa and all of the treasures that it offers.
God Bless,
Linda
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Motor, Iowa June 6 2009
Notice the ball at the peak of the roof line. This is an old roof cap. It was an iron bar affair that brought the two sides of the roof line together and the ball served as ornamentation as well as anchor to the thing. The old mill was missing the cap as well as many of the shingles.
Mill, impleller by the blue canopy.
Cooperage, see the docks carved out of the sandstone.
One of the 3 mill stones. Note the groves cut into the stone to allow the product to come away from the process and the shoot to the right that allows the product to fall into the waiting cooperage barrels below for shipment.
What is left of the old bridge.Motor, Iowa
The weekend turned out to be kind of chilly and damp but still not too bad as a whole. Cool enough that Buddy, the traveling Shih Tzu, couldn't ride along.He enjoyed the trip from his favorite spot, the rear window of our car. We got up early as we planned breakfast at the Savory in Manchester and then Den had an appointment to leave some hazardous discards with the folks manning the reclamation at the Delaware County Fair Grounds. We left, among other things several mercury vapor tubes that Den had from his years of working at the TV station in Fort Dodge, while working his way through college. Sometimes we have to get rid of the past, other times we need to treasure and protect it.
The Savory provided us with sustenance for our morning travels with lots of food served with a smile at a fair price. We then checked out the new location and visited the Manchester Farmer's Market. Picked up so wonderful cinnamon rolls from Mrs. Mike Henderson and pumpkin bread from Mrs. Reinert. Boys (Den and his youngest brother, Dan) have to keep their strength up.
We were headed toward Motor, Iowa. Yes, Margie, there is or was a Motor, Iowa. It is way back in the hills along the Turkey River in Clayton County. http://www.motormill.org/ The gravel roads that we took leaving Elkader kept narrowing to the point that it seems if we were to have met another vehicle we would ...............well, you get the picture. I, having seem Deliverance a time or two, was expecting to start hearing Dueling Banjos any time. (I think there was a fella getting ready to tune-up his banjo just before we left........ could have been mistaken about that.)
Upon arrival, I was totally enamored with the place.
HISTORY:
Back in 1867 three gentlemen had a dream and together they made it happen. (Isn't that the way dreams are supposed to work!!!!) John Thompson, JP Dickerson and James Crosby formed a partnership to build a grist mill, saw mill, farm and town at Hastings Bottom, the site of an earlier sawmill. The men changed then name to Motor for whatever reason. The venture started out costing them $50,000 to build the mill and another $40,000 to equip it and build the other out-buildings. This all happened between 1867 and 1869.
With lots of work and sweat from stone masons from the neighboring areas there was a dam built upstream of the site that was 200 feet wide and 12 feet high and produced 250 horsepower even at low water. There was a cooperage, inn and dray barn and many farms around on both sides of the river. An iron bridge was built over the Turkey River at the mill site. This venture went well for several years until northeast Iowa was hit by an insect attack and a flood that wiped out the entire crop at least once. The entire affair was sold to a farmer and was used as a dairy farm until The Motor Mill Foundation took it over and began reconstruction.
You have got to see the inside of this amazing building. The original timbers are huge walnut trees, or were. It appears that it must have taken 40 team of oxen to lift them into place. You can see the mortise and tendon work everywhere. Some of old equipment is still there to see like the impeller for the old mill and milling stones. You can see the shoots that the finished product would have taken off these stones and into the coopered barrels below for shipment to Dubuque and other points of use to make what is reputed to be the best of breads.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The foundations offers tours and answers to the many questions that are flying around in your head seeing all of this. Check out the website above for more information and I just bet that these folks would welcome some skilled help in their restoration efforts as well as just plain encouragement.
We finally left in time to head toward Prairie Du Chein and a walk around Cabalas. Didn't buy much but it is always kind of fun to see what is going on there.
It was getting on toward lunch time and since Den and his youngest brother, Dan, are still growing boys.................... By mutual agreement we headed to McGregor and the Old Man River Restaurant and Brewery http://www.oldmanriverbrewery.com/. It occurs to me that you must think that I am a big beer drinker but, fear not, Never more than one. We feasted on really great Philly rib-eye sandwiches and Brew City fries and headed out for Pike Peak State Park. I am kind afraid that this will get to you a day or two too late to enjoy but watch for it next year. McGregor Beer and Wine Fest, June 13th 1:30PM- 4:30PM. They are striving to make this an annual event. Something to add to your list of things to see and do. McGregor is getting to be a very fine place to visit for antiquing, great river views and great food.
Pikes Peak is one of our favorite camping places and the view of the river and Wyalusing State Park on the Wisconsin side are spectacular. Fall color from this point is always eye popping. New shower have been added to the campgrounds for the convenience and pleasure of the campers.
We took off for Guttenberg from here and took in the boats working their way through Lock and Dam #10. Guttenberg is always a pleasure if just for the drive. The rising hills offer so many views of the farming areas all round, a must for your fall color trips and the history of the town itself is a treasure trove.
This has been a great weekend day trip and Buddy wants you all to know that he had a really great time seeing the sites from his rear window view. Hope to see you around the corner Across Iowa and Maybe a Bit Beyond.
Linda
The weekend turned out to be kind of chilly and damp but still not too bad as a whole. Cool enough that Buddy, the traveling Shih Tzu, couldn't ride along.He enjoyed the trip from his favorite spot, the rear window of our car. We got up early as we planned breakfast at the Savory in Manchester and then Den had an appointment to leave some hazardous discards with the folks manning the reclamation at the Delaware County Fair Grounds. We left, among other things several mercury vapor tubes that Den had from his years of working at the TV station in Fort Dodge, while working his way through college. Sometimes we have to get rid of the past, other times we need to treasure and protect it.
The Savory provided us with sustenance for our morning travels with lots of food served with a smile at a fair price. We then checked out the new location and visited the Manchester Farmer's Market. Picked up so wonderful cinnamon rolls from Mrs. Mike Henderson and pumpkin bread from Mrs. Reinert. Boys (Den and his youngest brother, Dan) have to keep their strength up.
We were headed toward Motor, Iowa. Yes, Margie, there is or was a Motor, Iowa. It is way back in the hills along the Turkey River in Clayton County. http://www.motormill.org/ The gravel roads that we took leaving Elkader kept narrowing to the point that it seems if we were to have met another vehicle we would ...............well, you get the picture. I, having seem Deliverance a time or two, was expecting to start hearing Dueling Banjos any time. (I think there was a fella getting ready to tune-up his banjo just before we left........ could have been mistaken about that.)
Upon arrival, I was totally enamored with the place.
HISTORY:
Back in 1867 three gentlemen had a dream and together they made it happen. (Isn't that the way dreams are supposed to work!!!!) John Thompson, JP Dickerson and James Crosby formed a partnership to build a grist mill, saw mill, farm and town at Hastings Bottom, the site of an earlier sawmill. The men changed then name to Motor for whatever reason. The venture started out costing them $50,000 to build the mill and another $40,000 to equip it and build the other out-buildings. This all happened between 1867 and 1869.
With lots of work and sweat from stone masons from the neighboring areas there was a dam built upstream of the site that was 200 feet wide and 12 feet high and produced 250 horsepower even at low water. There was a cooperage, inn and dray barn and many farms around on both sides of the river. An iron bridge was built over the Turkey River at the mill site. This venture went well for several years until northeast Iowa was hit by an insect attack and a flood that wiped out the entire crop at least once. The entire affair was sold to a farmer and was used as a dairy farm until The Motor Mill Foundation took it over and began reconstruction.
You have got to see the inside of this amazing building. The original timbers are huge walnut trees, or were. It appears that it must have taken 40 team of oxen to lift them into place. You can see the mortise and tendon work everywhere. Some of old equipment is still there to see like the impeller for the old mill and milling stones. You can see the shoots that the finished product would have taken off these stones and into the coopered barrels below for shipment to Dubuque and other points of use to make what is reputed to be the best of breads.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The foundations offers tours and answers to the many questions that are flying around in your head seeing all of this. Check out the website above for more information and I just bet that these folks would welcome some skilled help in their restoration efforts as well as just plain encouragement.
We finally left in time to head toward Prairie Du Chein and a walk around Cabalas. Didn't buy much but it is always kind of fun to see what is going on there.
It was getting on toward lunch time and since Den and his youngest brother, Dan, are still growing boys.................... By mutual agreement we headed to McGregor and the Old Man River Restaurant and Brewery http://www.oldmanriverbrewery.com/. It occurs to me that you must think that I am a big beer drinker but, fear not, Never more than one. We feasted on really great Philly rib-eye sandwiches and Brew City fries and headed out for Pike Peak State Park. I am kind afraid that this will get to you a day or two too late to enjoy but watch for it next year. McGregor Beer and Wine Fest, June 13th 1:30PM- 4:30PM. They are striving to make this an annual event. Something to add to your list of things to see and do. McGregor is getting to be a very fine place to visit for antiquing, great river views and great food.
Pikes Peak is one of our favorite camping places and the view of the river and Wyalusing State Park on the Wisconsin side are spectacular. Fall color from this point is always eye popping. New shower have been added to the campgrounds for the convenience and pleasure of the campers.
We took off for Guttenberg from here and took in the boats working their way through Lock and Dam #10. Guttenberg is always a pleasure if just for the drive. The rising hills offer so many views of the farming areas all round, a must for your fall color trips and the history of the town itself is a treasure trove.
This has been a great weekend day trip and Buddy wants you all to know that he had a really great time seeing the sites from his rear window view. Hope to see you around the corner Across Iowa and Maybe a Bit Beyond.
Linda
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