Visit Bluff Country

By Hannah Wingert

While walking around Harmony recently, you may have noticed some new signs up around town. They’re part of the Harmony Historical Society’s new walking tour and were unveiled on June 16 at a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Some of the members of the Historical Society had seen historical walking tour signs in other towns, including Decorah and thought it would be a great idea for Harmony as well. Harmony resident Vicky Tribon heard about a $10,000 grant available through the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, or SMIF, and brought it to the attention of the Historical Society. Tribon helped with the grant process and in early 2017, the grant was approved. The grant terms stated that the project must be done by September 1, 2017, but the street and sidewalks of Main Street in Harmony were under construction during the summer of 2017 so they were unable to meet that deadline. “The SMIF people were so gracious,” Historical Society secretary Mary Lou Zombory expressed. “They extended it (the deadline).”

The project took well over a year to complete and included extensive research into the history of Harmony. “We were blessed with ladies from the town years ago who documented everything with journals, newspaper clippings, pictures, and more,” Zombory said. Former Harmony resident Ida Johnson kept detailed journals of everyday life in Harmony, which were very useful for the Society members as they researched information for the walking tour signs.

Historical Society Members Sharen Storhoff, Marv Wicks, Ralph Beastrom, and Mary Lou Zombory along with other individuals worked hard to curate the information for the signs. “It was hard picking which things would go on the signs, but we had to narrow it down,” Zombory said. After the information for each sign was decided on, Zelda Productions of Decorah, Iowa, took care of the graphic design. Ten signs in total were created. Nine of those were 2’ x 3’ sloped signs that were placed strategically at locations in Harmony where the history portrayed on that sign could be visualized. A larger 12’ x 2’ sign showcasing the timeline of the City of Harmony from 1848-2017 was installed at the visitor’s center where the walking tour begins.

“The main thing is that we don’t want the history to be lost,” Zombory said. “We need to keep the history alive.” Although the project was a lot of work, it was also a lot of fun for those who worked on it as they learned more about the history of Harmony.

Members of the Historical Society visited the Decorah historical walking tour several times during the span of the project to get tips and ideas for the Harmony project. Harmony has the distinction of being the first town in Minnesota to create its own historical walking tour. That meant that MnDot had to figure what policies and procedures to set up for signage placed on a MnDot right of way. Those policies and procedures can then be applied to future similar projects in other Minnesota cities.

When spring came and it was time to install the signs, the society ran into some more delays with unexpected snowstorms through April. Once the weather finally improved enough to pour the concrete pads, members of the Lions Club helped to install the signs around Harmony. When the signs were up, they were left covered, waiting to be unveiled at the June 16 ribbon cutting.

The day of the ribbon cutting was a beautiful day, albeit hot, and was well-attended. Among the speakers were Representative Greg Davids and Harmony Mayor Steve Donney. “I would like to thank Cliff Johannessen and the whole historical society for putting this project together,” Donney said.

“HAHS (Harmony Area Historical Society) is continuing with efforts to restore the history of Harmony,” Society president Cliff Johannessen said. Their next project is the restoration of the grain elevator that sits beside the visitor’s center.

Walking tour maps can be picked up at the Harmony Visitor’s Center and other select locations around town.

The third weekend in May is fast approaching and that means it’s time to mark your calendars for the annual Whalan Stand Still Parade. This year you are invited to come “Wheeling Through Whalan” on Saturday, May 19. The festivities begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. Of course, the highlight of the day is when the parade stands still from 11 a.m. until 12 noon. Walking around the parade allows you to get up close and personal with the parade units. Take time to look at the cars, tractors, floats, and other performers and visit with the participants. The 2018 Stand Still Parade grand marshal is Mike McKinley. Mike has been a faithful supporter and contributor to the success of the Stand Still Parade for the past several years. You will be able to find him at the start of the parade behind the American Legion color guard. Be sure to stop and say hello.

It’s not all about the parade. There will be great entertainment throughout the day. From 10-11 a.m., The RavensFire Band will be performing traditional Irish, Scottish, Folk, and Americana music on the main stage. Also from 10-11 a.m., just down the street from the main stage, enjoy the music of Wellespring — Anna Lee Roberts, a “cellist, vocalist, music therapist and explorer of all stringed instruments.” The Lanesboro High School band will keep everyone energized with a variety of music during the parade. From noon to 3 p.m., The Rutabaga Brothers will entertain with toe-tapping R&B music on the main stage.

Don’t forget about the great food that is available all day. There is something for everyone! Purchase your tickets and enjoy Egg McWhalans, hot dogs, brats, hot turkey sandwiches, popcorn, pop, water, and fruit. For those with a sweet tooth, tasty desserts and ice cream treats will be available. If you are looking for a Norwegian delicacy (and who isn’t?), give the lefse and rommegrot a try.

Many other activities are taking place throughout the day. Stop by the artisans and vendors at their booths along the trail. Visit the tent housing the Basket Raffle and pick a basket that you would like a chance to win. Try the “Duck Pluck.” You may be a lucky duck and win a cash prize. Kids of all ages will enjoy the petting zoo. Are you interested in a friendly competition? Consider signing up to take part in the bed races.

Come “Wheeling Through Whalan” — by car, bicycle, motorcycle, truck, in-line skates, scooter, or even on foot—on May 19, 2018, to enjoy a full day of family fun!

Visit the website for more information: www.standstillparade.org.

Are you ready to hear some blues on the Root River Trail? Stop in at the Whalan Stand Still Parade on Saturday, May 19, in Whalan, Minn. The Stand Still Parade festivities begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m. The parade will stand still from 11–12 noon. There will be musical performances throughout the day, including The RavensFire Band, Wellespring, and the Lanesboro High School band. But, hold on to your hats, because starting at noon the Rutabaga Brothers take the main stage with their brand of the rockin’ blues. The Stand Still Parade in the village of Whalan is the band’s kick-off performance for the 2018 season. When the parade stops standing still, get ready for the rockin’ blues of the Rutabaga Brothers.

The Rutabaga Brothers describe themselves as “an upbeat and danceable R & B combo that puts taps in your toes and smiles on your faces.” You can expect selections by such artists as Wilson Pickett, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Huey Lewis, Charlie Musselwhite, Eddie Floyd, Etta James, B.B. King, Jimmy Reed, and more. When you think of the blues, you may think about songs that are about loss or hard times. According to “A Brief History of the Blues,” the blues is also about “overcoming hard luck, saying what you feel, ridding yourself of frustration, letting your hair down, and simply having fun.” The Rutabaga Brothers agree with that assessment, “That’s the secret to the blues: Listening to it makes you feel happy.”

The Rutabaga Brothers is an eight-piece ensemble formed in 2011 and features some of Southeast Minnesota’s most seasoned musicians. Band members include: Damon Prestemon – keyboard, vocals; David Harrenstein – bass, keyboard, vocals; Craig Johnson – percussion, Gary Marcoux – guitar, John Gaddo – percussion, bass, keyboard; Keith Zeller – guitar, vocals; Lee Loerch – harmonica, Nathan Davidson – saxophone.

Come to the festivities starting at 10 a.m. and stick around to get a dose of the blues at this year’s Stand Still Parade — Saturday, May 19 in Whalan, Minn.