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Good Earth Village celebrating 50 years
– all year long

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By Mary Whalen

Located just north of Spring Valley, Minn., Good Earth Village remains one of the “best kept secrets” of the area, but the camp staff members are hopeful the word is getting out in 2019 as opportunities to celebrate the 50th anniversary begin!  Years of praying, planning, and constructing were necessary before this family friendly campground began, so those making plans for the celebration decided to take the entire year to commemorate, acknowledge and remember the last 50 years.  Good Earth Village (GEV) is inviting everyone to join with them!

The History of Good Earth Village began when 500 acres were gifted by the late Dr. Lowell Colvin Barr, who gave credit for the inspiration to donate the land to Mr. Ham Huus. The mission statement expresses a core value commitment which is followed still today, “Exploring God in Creation, growing faith in community, engaging the world as followers of Christ.”  The idea of preparing visitors to carry the values focused on during camp and utilizing these values as they head back into their everyday lives is a key reason this Christian camp is so successful, plus everyone agrees that the food served is delicious!

There will be many chances for people to observe the 50th anniversary, yet the weekend gathering of GoodStock is an extra significant event since not only are staff from years ago invited back for a time of reunion, but everyone is welcome to join the fun.  Tyler Anderson, director of Retreat Services, remarks, “This is the first time we have done something to this scale with our weekend GoodStock event.  Good Earth Village used to host a Bluegrass and Gospel Festival in the early to mid ‘80s and we have the old posters and pics!  So this celebration gets us back to hosting a music festival for the public to help celebrate our 50th anniversary!  Our staff and board of directors are very excited.  We recently started doing weekly Band Announcements for GoodStock on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pg/goodearthvillage/posts/ and will be continuing to announce our performers and update our website with that information.”

Keeping up to date with all that is offered plus sharing individual stories is an important way to celebrate Good Earth Village.  Stories from camp counselors and campers as well as their parents abound and the GEV staff look forward to hearing them.

Staff  witnessed the sharing of stories on Monday, May 13 when a full house gathered for a “Lunch and Learn” with Al Batt.  The meal prayer included a musical rendition of a blessing set to the “We’re gonna win Twins” fight song led by Paul Little,  Food Service and Hospitality manager, who also introduced everyone to onion salad.  At the closing of the meal, Al Batt was invited to the microphone.  Al is a gifted wordsmith and lover of the feathered creatures in this world.  Sharing his stories of battling cancer and the joy of pigeons he witnessed, Al reminded everyone that all people are fighting some sort of battle.  He mentioned that we “don’t get to pick what’s wrong with us” then mused, “I’d go with hay fever!”  His inclination to being “wisely frugal” led him to discuss the ideas that, “I loved my dad, just never believed I become him,” had the audience remembering their parents and a life growing up where sharing stories was an everyday occurrence.  Paraphrasing a quote from Muriel Rukeyser, Al stated, “The universe isn’t  made of atoms, it’s made of stories,” mentioning how God loves to hear our stories.

The stories filling Log Lodge entertained and inspired those gathered and snippets of birding lore enlightened and challenged both avid birding folks as well as those who knew little about ornithology.  A word originating in the late 16th-century, Latin ornithologia, meaning “bird science” from the Greek “ornis’ (bird) and “logos” (theory, science, thought) became a focus for Al early in his life and for 50 years he’s been sharing his enthusiasm in southern Minnesota and throughout the world.    

Listing the many species of birds he’s seen this spring, Al shared tidbits about different techniques for feeding and planting flowers to make yards and gardens more appealing to the feathered creatures.  This 50th anniversary event offered a touch of what Good Earth Village has been living since its beginning – there is a harmony possible when human beings and nature are given the opportunity and the time to experience each other.

The chance to assist with projects at GEV has also been present for 50 years, and property manager Steve Atwood welcomes any one who wishes to lend a hand a chance to do so.  An ideal way to celebrate the joy of volunteering is being offered this entire year.  “Good Earth Village has decided to offer a chance for people to help with 50 different projects,” mentions Steve.  “I have put together a list of 51 for each year to commemorate our camp’s existence, so people of every age and every level of skill level can become a part of our anniversary year.  We count on those who volunteer and I hope folks will contact the office if they are interested in helping out.”

Preparations are being made for upcoming public activities and, of course, GEV has summer camps for youth beginning soon.

The celebratory events actually began in March with the Healthy Partnerships Workshop for the Congregation Leaders, the Annual Meeting, and a Lunch and Learn, with Damon Ramaker sharing his knowledge and dog sledding dreams.  In May, the Open House and on the 13th, the second Lunch and Learn, with Al Batt sharing his love of birds filled Log Lodge took place.  Now is the time for “saving the date” for upcoming events!

The schedule provides a rich variety of experiences: Women’s Day will be Saturday, June 29; GoodStock, a family filled weekend of faith, fun and music is planned for August 16, 17, and 18; Flapjacks, Flannel, and Firewood in September; 2019 Rekindle: Fall Youth Retreats are taking reservations for grades 3-5 from September 27-28 and October 18-19, and for grades 6-9 from October 4-5; and the Sixth Annual Good Gifts Gala is October 24 at the Rochester Golf and Country Club.  See registration and program details for all of these events by contacting Good Earth Village at 25303 Old Town Drive, Spring Valley, Minn. 55975; calling the office (507) 346-2494, emailing  info@goodearthvillage.org or visiting the GEV website. goodearthvillage.org.

Calling for parade entries
for Fountain’s 150th Anniversary Parade

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We would like to invite you to participate in our 2019 celebration. Fountain residents are excited to announce their 150th Year Celebration on July 27, 2019.  The Grand Parade will be at 4 p.m. on Main Street in Fountain. The highlight of the celebration will be an indoor event with the “Fabulous Armadillos” band in the evening. Some of our other events include: Fire department waterball fight, bean bag tournament, tractor pull, Show and Shine Car Show, pedal pull, free bouncy house and games for kids, Pharkel Sisters market, antique appraiser workshop, food vendors, and beer garden.

If you are interested in entering a unit in the parade, please contact the Fountain Parade Committee at The First State Bank of Fountain.  Phone (507) 268-4321.

Norwegian Expert on Historical Photography and Norwegian Migration Speaks at Vesterheim

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Sigrid Lien from Bergen, Norway, author of “Pictures of Longing—Photography and the Norwegian-American Migration” will visit Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American museum and heritage center, on May 6. Lien will give a slide show presentation about her research from 7-9 p.m. in Vesterheim’s Amdal-Odland Heritage Center at 523 W. Water St., Decorah, Iowa. She will also be available for a book signing in the Museum Store from 2-4 p.m. on the same day.

In her book, Lien brings more than 250 photographs into focus as a moving account of Norwegian migration in the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. Between 1836 and 1915 more than 750,000 Norwegians emigrated to North America. Developments in photographic technology and distribution at the turn of the nineteenth century made it possible for them to keep up contact with their homeland and present detailed records of their encounter with a new country. Writing home, the newcomers sent thousands of pictures— “America–photographs,” as they are called in Norway.

This excellent study brings these people and the experience of immigration to life, and the exhaustive research presents a gold-mine of material for anyone interested in Scandinavian-American history, immigrant history, history of the Midwest, Norwegian history, and the history of American photography.

Lien is professor of art history and photography studies at the University of Bergen, Norway, and a leading authority on Norwegian photography. She has published extensively on modern and contemporary visual culture and is the author of the first extensive history of photography in Norway.

This presentation is supported by the Bernice Rise Trust.

Vesterheim, the national Norwegian-American museum and heritage center, in scenic Decorah, Iowa, showcases the best in historic and contemporary Norwegian folk and fine arts, and explores the American immigrant experience. This national treasure includes world-class exhibitions and 12 historic buildings. It is also a center for folk-art education, offering a wide variety of classes in authentic Norwegian folk art every year. For more information on the museum’s exhibitions, classes, events, membership opportunities, and ways to donate, check Vesterheim’s website at vesterheim.org, call (563) 382-9681, or write to Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, 502 W. Water St., P.O. Box 379, Decorah, IA, 52101-0379

International Festival of Owls

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Have you ever been interested in the lives of owls? The International Festival of Owls in Houston is the place to be! There will be speakers that will come with live owls and teach you about their feeding habits, habitat, nesting, and more. The International Festival of Owls will run from March 1-3, 2019, and there will be activities taking place all three days.

At the festival, some events will include: programs, art, fun things for the kids, and different projects that you can do with your family. Artists will come and create things dedicated to owls. Experts will come to teach you about the owls. All food and crafts will be related to owls in some way. There will be breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the event. Come enjoy the show, and the owls!

For more information, visit https://www.festivalofowls.com.

Rattlesnake Jubilee

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Saturday, September 15, 9:30 – 4:00 at the Houston Community Center in Houston, Minn.

Just like it is important to look both ways before crossing a busy street, when you live in the bluffs of southeast Minnesota it is important to know rattlesnake safety and what to do if an issue arises. The Rattlesnake Jubilee is an event designed to increase education and decrease fear around snakes, especially timber rattlesnakes.

For instance, did you know that only 1 person every 5-6 years dies from a timber rattlesnake bite in the United States, while dogs kill roughly 20-30 people _per year_ and lightning kills an average of 49 people _per year_ in the U.S?

Dr. Dan Keyler, an international expert in venomous snakebites and rattlesnake researcher, will be the featured speaker. He will discuss the life history and habitat of timber rattlesnakes as well as what to do if bitten. Local resident Marty Ambuehl will share his story of what it was like to be bitten by a rattlesnake several years ago. Stephen Winter will give a presentation about the volunteer rattlesnake responder program in the region, so you know you have someone to call if a rattlesnake shows up in a location that poses a safety concern.

Jim Gerholdt will be giving two live snake presentations, so you can learn to identify timber rattlesnakes as well as the local non-venomous snakes. Pre-registration is required for a very special field trip to view wild rattlesnakes on private property with Minnesota DNR personnel and other experts. Throw in people selling books, snake-themed cookies and snacks, T-shirts; free snake crafts for kids, and it will be a very fun and educational event for all ages.

Cost to attend the event is $7 for adults, $4 for ages 4-15, and free for ages 3 and under and members of the Friends of the Houston Nature Center. The field trip by bus is $15/person if registered by Sept. 7, $20 after that date, and is limited to only 20 participants.

For more information or to register for the field trip, visit www.houstonnaturecenter.com. Sponsored by the Friends of the Houston Nature Center and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Harmony Historical Society unveils walking tour signs

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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.