This is a Blog site created by Bob Reed (in Florida) for folks who live--or used to live--in Marcus, Iowa. Its purpose is to exchange notes, news, remembrances, and thoughts about life in and about Marcus, or news about one's family, friends or acquaintances.
Monday, July 31, 2006
August 2006 discussion
This discussion thread is closed. You may click below to read and catch up, but go to the current thread to continue the conversation.
Gina Rassel shares the blogspot bumpersticker. Stop by the drug store and pick one up!
I am so very sorry about Maryhill Church! I heard about it on the news in Iowa City this weekend. I remember driving by that church on the way to Cherokee many times, and going there for bake sales, etc. And I have a well-worn, cherished copy of the Maryhill Church Cookbook from 30 or more years ago. So please extend my condolences to the pastor and congregation, and my prayers go out to all of you.
Any chance someone in the Marcus area could take a couple of pictures of the new Marcus Junction site and post it on the blog? I checked the Marcus website. It's not there either. It's getting some trade attention in the alternative energy field as being one of the newest sites in Iowa to offer B2 and E85 fuels. Nice to see Marcus staying on the cutting edge in this area.
With all of the ethanol and biodiesel plants going up in our state I presume the truck traffic on Hwy. #3 alone will increase considerably in the next few years. Great to see Marcus people sensing that opportunity and acting on it. (For those of you who don't live in the area, the Marcus ethanol plant was one of the first in the state to be constructed. Great opportunities for our home community are springing from that.)
Marcus High School Class of '51 is having their 55th class reunion on August 11-12 during the Marcus Fair. Friday night they will meet at Marcus Bowl, Saturday they will ride in the Fair Parade, and Saturday night they will meet at Danny's Sports Bar in Cherokee.
I hope everyone in Marcus enjoys the Fair weekend. I wish I could be there to eat a coney and some pie at the Methodist food stand! I guess my mom and dad can take care of it on my behalf. Congratulations, Marcus, on the 70th Annual Marcus Community Fair.
THE HOLY NAME REUNION WAS HELD THIS WEEKEND AND WAS A HUGE SUCCESS.
FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MARCUS GOLF COURSE WAS GREAT. SEEING PEOPLE MEETING EACH OTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ANY WHERE FROM 20 TO 50+ YEARS WAS SO EXCITING TO WATCH. THE HUGGING YELLING AND JUST PLAIN FUN IS JUST HARD TO EXPLAIN. THE GOLF COURSE WAS PACKED.
THEN LAST NIGHT AT MASS IT WAS OVERFLOWING. MSGR ROGER AUGUSTINE MARCUS HOLY NAME 1950 CELEBRATED THE MASS WITH FATEHR EUGENE MURRAY ST LAKE ST MARY'S 1957 ASSISTING. AMD OTHER HOLY NAME STUDENTS WERE AL KOSSE 1950 AND GERALD MEYLOR 1945 WERE THE MASS SERVERS, CANTOR WAS RAY BRADY 1954, ORGANIST STEVE MHS 1969, LECTORS JACQUE BENTZ BIRD 1951, DICK BIRD 1949, USHERS BUD BUSCH 1955, MARK ROETHLER 1958, & MERLE SPIELER 1958, GIFT BEARERS SISTER MARY JOEL KRAMER 1939, SISTER MARY DONARD COLLINS 1949, EUCHARIST MINISTERS, LINDA HOYT SPIELER 1961, LEONE ALESCH SAND 1960, PHYLLIS BURCH RAPAGNANI 1961, & BONNIE COLLINS MEANS 1947.
THE PROGRAM CONSISTED OF A WELCOME BY JACK CLARKSON 1958, SINGING OF THE SCHOOL SONG "UPWARD AND ONWARD HOLY NAME" WITH STEVE SMITH MHS 1969 AT THE PIANO. IT WAS SUNG TWICE AND THE SECOND TIME EVERYONE GOT INTO THE ACT. I THINK THEY HEARD US IN REMSEN. A VISIT BY SISTER INFERIOR BECAUSE MOTHER SUPERIOR HAD A MIGRAINE (SOME MEMORIES FROM THE PAST) AND WHAT A COMEDIAN SISTER WAS. SHE PICKED ON LEON BENTZ,DICK BIRD,JACK HUESER AND DON ALESCH. THELMA GRAVENISH TALKED ABOUT THE HISTORY OF HOLY NAME SCHOOL. JOANNE ALESCH CORCORAN 1961 AND PHYLLIS BURCH RAPAGNANI 1961 A READING ABOUT FORMER SCHOOL DAYS AT HOLY NAME AND A 'BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE' IN CLOSING BY JACK CLARKSON.
THE ATTENDANCE SATURDAY NIGHT WAS 288. EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME AND A LOT OF THE FORMER CLASSMATES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN HERE FOR MANY YEARS TALKED ABOUT 'OUR TOWN' AND HOW NICE IT WAS AND THE FRIENDLY PEOPLE AS THEY WERE AT THE FAIR AND UP AND DOWN MAIN STREET.
NOW SOME WANT TO KNOW WHEN WE WILL DO THIS AGAIN.....I GUESS THAT SAYS IT ALL.
The Marcus Historical Society has been being formed as a nonprofit organization. It plans to capture the years of our ancestors.
That history is like the shadow of a high-flying cloud moving over the landscape on a summer day. It’s difficult to rein in.
But once we forget, we kill our ancestors once and for all. To not remember them and their accomplishments in Marcus is to state that they did not—and we do not—exist.
For we are the products of their toil. We are the beneficiaries of their work. The Society will collect and capture the past, knowing that we are simply part of the story that started before we arrived on the scene, the story in which we are but a chapter, the story that will finish long after we have gone.
As we sail swiftly into an uncharted future, we must take with us glimpses of the past, the only compass that can give us our bearing. Join the Society now and help out on the journey! Your membership is tax deductible.
Here’s how to do it. Print this application and mail with your check to the address given.
MARCUS HISTORICAL SOCIETY PO Box 321 Marcus IA 51035-0321 Membership Application
Mailing Address (if different from above): ______________________________________________________________________ City: ___________________________________State: _____ Zip: _______ Email Address: ___________________________________
Type of Membership (check one): ( ) Individual - $10/yr ( ) Family - $15/yr ( ) Sustaining - $25/yr( ( ) Pioneer - $50/yr ( ) Century - $100/yr ( ) Founder – $500 lifetime membership – only available until October 1, 2007!
If Family Membership or higher level, please list the names of other family members (spouse, children under age 18, must live in same household): _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________
Do you subscribe to the Marcus News? (circle one) Yes or No
What a great way to spend a day as we returned to Marcus in time for the parade and to spend some time at the Marcus Fair. A cruise around town brings back memories of former classmates and neighborhood friends. A walk down Main Street sparks the imagination and you are almost convinced that the J & D Cafe, Bentz's, Ladenthin's Drug Store, Mabel's Variety or McKernan's is just around the corner. Thank goodness for the familiar: The Marcus News and Farmers State Bank. Our past shapes our future. Our small-town lives with home-town values were instilled, and stayed with us, and brought out the best in each, as was evident in visits with local merchants, residents and returning visitors, especially on Fair weekend. And, as was evident at the large gathering of "Holy Namers"... Each and everyone of the attendees at the Holy Name Class Reunion Saturday evening, August 12, 2006 should stand and applaud... the event was a Success! Hearty thanks to Jack Clarkson and Marcia Drefke for the stamina and effort in getting the event together, including the catered dinner and enough seating for all. A pat on the back to each of you who showed up, or meant to... 288--that's quite a crowd, quite a lot of laughter and, and an entire book of stories about Sister Mary Hyacinth and Sister Mary Joselita. Thank you for an evening of fun and the opportunity to see those "old families faces". Marcus is still a great little town with a big personality with a very proud past and a promising future. It will never be "too big", or "too small". The Marcus Historical Society is a concept long-overdue. We hope that everyone will ask, plead, beg or borrow the "family archives" hidden in attics and back bedrooms and basements and will share them with any and all Marcusites. Sherri (Mrs. Gerald) Ogren indicated an interest in obtaining a building for housing these items. Who can help? Who will save the Marcus News building? Who will uncover and restore the Sjostrum Park arch? Who will preserve the fine history standing in the midst of the present? We will be watching the blogsite for the encouraging news... don't just save the planet. Save Marcus. David and Patti (Wallin) Snyder Clear Lake, Iowa
I stumbled across this site while trying to find information on my maternal great grandfather and grandmother. I remember going with my mother on Memorial Day to decorate their graves and those of my mothers other relatives including Mary Ellen Kelly and her family. I grew up in LeMars so Marcus is very familier to me. Makes me homesick to read all of the comments of the bloggers.
I agree with Kristi Ames. The Marcus Fair was one of the best yet. It is such a let down for those of us that still live in Marcus when the Fair is over. I am already looking forward to next year! Gina Rassel
Earlier today I read this article about Tom Wurth, Marcusite turned Nashville star. You can listen to Tom's music on his MySpace page. I've been thinking lots about the state of music these days, and it's got me thinking about the other fabulous musicians I know from Marcus. There are lots of them. To name a few, Kenny Drefke plays with a service band abroad, Matt Erickson plays with the Offut AFB band and lots of others have interesting music careers. I've not even mentioned those who are out there in the field teaching music - so many Marcus/MMC natives are doing this good work. I often think of how lucky I am to be from Marcus - and count my blessings twice when I think of the number of fine musicians from our little burg. Any other Marcus related music links we should be checking out?
Kurt Once upon a time there were dance halls in Marcus---and Fielding--and Remsen. That time was in the 1930s and'40s--and everybody danced. It was the Big Band era of Tommy Dorsey and Glen Miller et al. who had hit records and were all over the radio--and juke boxes. Those famous 21-piece national aggregations never appeared at the Japanese Gardens in Marcus(run by the Nagles) but a hall in Fielding once booked Lawrence Welk, his accordian and small orchestra. That South Dakota boy was in the very early stages of his career. Marcus booked "territory bands" who played for dances once a week. There was Tommy Tucker and his band and Little John Little (who was of course, fat)and his orchestra. And the young folk danced to The Six Fat Dutchmen out of Sioux City. My brother's band--Graveyard Reed and His Ten Tuneful Tombstones--was composed of local MHS boys and alumni. And Jimmy Smith--our town's finest musician--and his orchestra played for a lot of local dances like the Fireman's Ball--a yearly fundraiser--into the early '50s. The Avalon Ballroom in Remsen--"The Paris of Northwest Iowa"--(so labled because you could buy liquor by the drink in that town)--was THE place to be on Thursday nights in those days. Folks came from all over NW Iowa to "trip the light fantastic" at the Avalon. And I tried to work my way through college with Bob Reed and The Varsity Men--a 17-piece group that did one-nighters in dying ballrooms in S.D., Nebraska, and Iowa in the early '50s. Alas, Elvis and rock-and-roll and television pretty much killed the Big Bands and the dance hall custom during that time. Country western was "cowboy music" in those days and while it was listened to, most folks didn't dance to it in western Iowa. Was it too rural? Today even wedding dances with combos seem to have become a casualty of the times in small town America. Pity. Bob Reed
I don't know Kurt. Did you ever check out open wedding dances in the Avalon in Remsen? Those northern Europeans didn't two-step, they polka'd all night long. And I think it's still going strong today. Quite a bit of interesting culture right there, I'd say. It was good to see you and your mom in Marcus. She's looking great! Another great fair, great weather, what a nice place to call home.
As a new member of The Marcus Historical Society (MHS)I would like to relate my experience that I have had as a volunteer (and as a board member's spouse) with the Grand Meadow Heritage Center. (remember the Grand Meadow school?)
To store family momentos and artifacts in an old building with a flat roof with no climate control is a constant battle. Keeping things from deteriorating from the constant change in humidity and temperatures is tough to do - shiny things get rusty and porous things get mildew. If the MHS is charged with maintaining the integrity these things it, would be money well spent to have a new facility that is energy efficient, handicap accessible, and easy to maintain. Also make it big enough to have everything on one floor. Stairs make it difficult to maintain the displays and are a challenge for elderly visitors.
Again, we all wish you would identify yourself. But it seems the historical society will be having a meeting with a state archivist sometime in September. Maybe June Diaz could offer more info because I think she had the connections to get this expert to come. I don't have the date or time on me, but it sounded like it would be quite an interesting meeting that anyone who can should attend.
Also, while I was sitting at the historical society's booth with my dad, a woman from another northwestern Iowa town stopped by and I learned so much from her about her town's efforts to preserve local history. Again, my memory is shot and I can't remember the name of the town. (Ask my dad ... he'll remember.) But I do remember thinking that so many small towns are doing exactly what Marcus is doing, and it would be interesting for the society members to learn from other towns around them. No reason to reinvent the proverbial wheel. Visit other towns -- see what works and what doesn't. See what you like and what you don't like. And for all I know they've probably already done just that. But again, it's not just visits, it's digging underneath and interviewing other historical societies to find out what missteps they might have taken and what they wish they had done differently and what has worked.
What really struck me while sitting there though were the stories that people had as they did come through. (The items are wonderful -- don't get me wrong. I fell in love with a 1920s Holy Name cookbook with all those old family names in it.) But it is the stories that people tell when they SEE these things that really put all of these old pieces of the past into perspective. Having someone right there in front of you telling you stories about these items is the magic part of it all.
Here's one story that I loved ... and I won't give names ... just the story. Some of you will know the family anyway.
One woman came by with her nephew (she was in her 90s). She said the nephew had grown up in Chicago and came to visit "the country" every summer growing up. I guess it was his family's way of keeping him out of trouble. So every summer when he came to Marcus, his uncle (the woman's husband) gave the boy a pig to take care of and then show at the Marcus Fair. The money the boy saved from the sale of that summer pig was enough to get him into college. She said that her nephew credited his success in life to those summers in Marcus -- without them he never would have gone to college.
Actually, there are probably several families who have stories similar to this one...
It just seems that all of these things are sitting around in people's attics and mildewy basements now. Many will be thrown away if no atempts are made to save them. And again, they could all be sold at auction and leave Marcus forever anyway. Who knows. It does seem like a worthy effort. I applaud their efforts and their sincere love for a town's past and its future...
June, I was home for just a few days and it was crazy busy, but I did want to tell you that one of my daughters grabbed up one of your books at the Pizza Ranch. As soon as I saw them there, I knew they were yours! Just loved it!
I knew all of your members had done and will continue doing all sorts of research. Did the archivist have any concrete suggestions? It would be interesting to hear what he had to say about the efforts in Marcus.
P.S. Great idea about scanning all those old photos, Kurt. I wonder if the Marcus News has the cabability to do that -- it would be an admirable effort on their part to get involved in a community activity of newsworthy record. It would be an interesting archive to house there until a permanent place is established. People in town could bring in their photos, record the data, and scan the photos. Then the hard drive could be downloaded to the historical center's site for visitors to research and access ... maybe even on-line! I know ... I know ... so who's going to do it? High school students for a class service project for the town of Marcus? They are experts at techy stuff.
I know. It is quite an undertaking...just a gigantic meal for thought that needs to be digested...
Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry about Maryhill Church! I heard about it on the news in Iowa City this weekend. I remember driving by that church on the way to Cherokee many times, and going there for bake sales, etc. And I have a well-worn, cherished copy of the Maryhill Church Cookbook from 30 or more years ago. So please extend my condolences to the pastor and congregation, and my prayers go out to all of you.
ReplyDeleteBeverly
Any chance someone in the Marcus area could take a couple of pictures of the new Marcus Junction site and post it on the blog? I checked the Marcus website. It's not there either. It's getting some trade attention in the alternative energy field as being one of the newest sites in Iowa to offer B2 and E85 fuels. Nice to see Marcus staying on the cutting edge in this area.
ReplyDeleteWith all of the ethanol and biodiesel plants going up in our state I presume the truck traffic on Hwy. #3 alone will increase considerably in the next few years. Great to see Marcus people sensing that opportunity and acting on it. (For those of you who don't live in the area, the Marcus ethanol plant was one of the first in the state to be constructed. Great opportunities for our home community are springing from that.)
Fred
Im going back for the fair this week and was wondering if there is place in town to access the net (wireless) Thanks. scottstowater@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThe library if it is open ...
ReplyDeleteMarcus High School Class of '51 is having their 55th class reunion on August 11-12 during the Marcus Fair. Friday night they will meet at Marcus Bowl, Saturday they will ride in the Fair Parade, and Saturday night they will meet at Danny's Sports Bar in Cherokee.
ReplyDeleteThe library has internet access, but not wireless. Saturday's hours are 10 A.M. until 4:30 P.M.
ReplyDeleteI hope everyone in Marcus enjoys the Fair weekend. I wish I could be there to eat a coney and some pie at the Methodist food stand! I guess my mom and dad can take care of it on my behalf. Congratulations, Marcus, on the 70th Annual Marcus Community Fair.
ReplyDeleteJennifer Smith Hoesing
MARCUS HOLY NAME ALL SCHOOL REUNION
ReplyDeleteTHE HOLY NAME REUNION WAS HELD THIS WEEKEND AND WAS A HUGE SUCCESS.
FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MARCUS GOLF COURSE WAS GREAT. SEEING PEOPLE MEETING EACH OTHER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ANY WHERE FROM 20 TO 50+ YEARS WAS SO EXCITING TO WATCH. THE HUGGING YELLING AND JUST PLAIN FUN IS JUST HARD TO EXPLAIN. THE GOLF COURSE WAS PACKED.
THEN LAST NIGHT AT MASS IT WAS OVERFLOWING. MSGR ROGER AUGUSTINE MARCUS HOLY NAME 1950 CELEBRATED THE MASS WITH FATEHR EUGENE MURRAY ST LAKE ST MARY'S 1957 ASSISTING. AMD OTHER HOLY NAME STUDENTS WERE AL KOSSE 1950 AND GERALD MEYLOR 1945 WERE THE MASS SERVERS, CANTOR WAS RAY BRADY 1954, ORGANIST STEVE MHS 1969, LECTORS JACQUE BENTZ BIRD 1951, DICK BIRD 1949, USHERS BUD BUSCH 1955, MARK ROETHLER 1958, & MERLE SPIELER 1958, GIFT BEARERS SISTER MARY JOEL KRAMER 1939, SISTER MARY DONARD COLLINS 1949, EUCHARIST MINISTERS, LINDA HOYT SPIELER 1961, LEONE ALESCH SAND 1960, PHYLLIS BURCH RAPAGNANI 1961, & BONNIE COLLINS MEANS 1947.
THE PROGRAM CONSISTED OF A WELCOME BY JACK CLARKSON 1958, SINGING OF THE SCHOOL SONG "UPWARD AND ONWARD HOLY NAME" WITH STEVE SMITH MHS 1969 AT THE PIANO. IT WAS SUNG TWICE AND THE SECOND TIME EVERYONE GOT INTO THE ACT. I THINK THEY HEARD US IN REMSEN. A VISIT BY SISTER INFERIOR BECAUSE MOTHER SUPERIOR HAD A MIGRAINE (SOME MEMORIES FROM THE PAST) AND WHAT A COMEDIAN SISTER WAS. SHE PICKED ON LEON BENTZ,DICK BIRD,JACK HUESER AND DON ALESCH. THELMA GRAVENISH TALKED ABOUT THE HISTORY OF HOLY NAME SCHOOL. JOANNE ALESCH CORCORAN 1961 AND PHYLLIS BURCH RAPAGNANI 1961 A READING ABOUT FORMER SCHOOL DAYS AT HOLY NAME AND A 'BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE' IN CLOSING BY JACK CLARKSON.
THE ATTENDANCE SATURDAY NIGHT WAS 288. EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME AND A LOT OF THE FORMER CLASSMATES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN HERE FOR MANY YEARS TALKED ABOUT 'OUR TOWN' AND HOW NICE IT WAS AND THE FRIENDLY PEOPLE AS THEY WERE AT THE FAIR AND UP AND DOWN MAIN STREET.
NOW SOME WANT TO KNOW WHEN WE WILL DO THIS AGAIN.....I GUESS THAT SAYS IT ALL.
JACK CLARKSON HOLY NAME CLASS OF 1958
Nice job Jackson. It appears that I missed the big one, business and schedule interfered. Jack, don't forget "down the middle in the short grass"
ReplyDeleteTHE MARCUS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
ReplyDeleteThe Marcus Historical Society has been being formed as a nonprofit organization. It plans to capture the years of our ancestors.
That history is like the shadow of a high-flying cloud moving over the landscape on a summer day. It’s difficult to rein in.
But once we forget, we kill our ancestors once and for all. To not remember them and their accomplishments in Marcus is to state that they did not—and we do not—exist.
For we are the products of their toil. We are the beneficiaries of their work. The Society will collect and capture the past, knowing that we are simply part of the story that started before we arrived on the scene, the story in which we are but a chapter, the story that will finish long after we have gone.
As we sail swiftly into an uncharted future, we must take with us glimpses of the past, the only compass that can give us our bearing. Join the Society now and help out on the journey! Your membership is tax deductible.
Here’s how to do it. Print this application and mail with your check to the address given.
MARCUS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PO Box 321 Marcus IA 51035-0321
Membership Application
Please Print
Full Name: ___________________________________Phone: (___)__________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
City: ___________________________________State: ____ Zip: _________
Mailing Address (if different from above):
______________________________________________________________________
City: ___________________________________State: _____ Zip: _______
Email Address: ___________________________________
Type of Membership (check one):
( ) Individual - $10/yr
( ) Family - $15/yr
( ) Sustaining - $25/yr(
( ) Pioneer - $50/yr
( ) Century - $100/yr
( ) Founder – $500 lifetime membership – only available until October 1, 2007!
If Family Membership or higher level, please list the names of other family members
(spouse, children under age 18, must live in same household): _______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
_______________________
Do you subscribe to the Marcus News? (circle one) Yes or No
Here's a link to a copy of the application form that will conveniently print.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to spend a day as we returned to Marcus in time for the parade and to spend some time at the Marcus Fair. A cruise around town brings back memories of former classmates and neighborhood friends. A walk down Main Street sparks the imagination and you are almost convinced that the J & D Cafe, Bentz's, Ladenthin's Drug Store, Mabel's Variety or McKernan's is just around the corner. Thank goodness for the familiar: The Marcus News and Farmers State Bank. Our past shapes our future. Our small-town lives with home-town values were instilled, and stayed with us, and brought out the best in each, as was evident in visits with local merchants, residents and returning visitors, especially on Fair weekend. And, as was evident at the large gathering of "Holy Namers"...
ReplyDeleteEach and everyone of the attendees at the Holy Name Class Reunion Saturday evening, August 12, 2006 should stand and applaud... the event was a Success! Hearty thanks to Jack Clarkson and Marcia Drefke for the stamina and effort in getting the event together, including the catered dinner and enough seating for all. A pat on the back to each of you who showed up, or meant to... 288--that's quite a crowd, quite a lot of laughter and, and an entire book of stories about Sister Mary Hyacinth and Sister Mary Joselita. Thank you for an evening of fun and the opportunity to see those "old families faces".
Marcus is still a great little town with a big personality with a very proud past and a promising future. It will never be "too big", or "too small". The Marcus Historical Society is a concept long-overdue. We hope that everyone will ask, plead, beg or borrow the "family archives" hidden in attics and back bedrooms and basements and will share them with any and all Marcusites. Sherri (Mrs. Gerald) Ogren indicated an interest in obtaining a building for housing these items. Who can help? Who will save the Marcus News building? Who will uncover and restore the Sjostrum Park arch? Who will preserve the fine history standing in the midst of the present?
We will be watching the blogsite for the encouraging news... don't just save the planet. Save Marcus.
David and Patti (Wallin) Snyder
Clear Lake, Iowa
I stumbled across this site while trying to find information on my maternal great grandfather and grandmother. I remember going with my mother on Memorial Day to decorate their graves and those of my mothers other relatives including Mary Ellen Kelly and her family. I grew up in LeMars so Marcus is very familier to me. Makes me homesick to read all of the comments of the bloggers.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kristi Ames. The Marcus Fair was one of the best yet. It is such a let down for those of us that still live in Marcus when the Fair is over. I am already looking forward to next year!
ReplyDeleteGina Rassel
Earlier today I read this article about Tom Wurth, Marcusite turned Nashville star. You can listen to Tom's music on his MySpace page. I've been thinking lots about the state of music these days, and it's got me thinking about the other fabulous musicians I know from Marcus. There are lots of them. To name a few, Kenny Drefke plays with a service band abroad, Matt Erickson plays with the Offut AFB band and lots of others have interesting music careers. I've not even mentioned those who are out there in the field teaching music - so many Marcus/MMC natives are doing this good work. I often think of how lucky I am to be from Marcus - and count my blessings twice when I think of the number of fine musicians from our little burg. Any other Marcus related music links we should be checking out?
ReplyDeleteJennifer Smith Hoesing
Kurt
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time there were dance halls in Marcus---and Fielding--and Remsen. That time was in the 1930s and'40s--and everybody danced. It was the Big Band era of Tommy Dorsey and Glen Miller et al. who had hit records and were all over the radio--and juke boxes.
Those famous 21-piece national aggregations never appeared at the Japanese Gardens in Marcus(run by the Nagles) but a hall in Fielding once booked Lawrence Welk, his accordian and small orchestra. That South Dakota boy was in the very early stages of his career. Marcus booked "territory bands" who played for dances once a week. There was Tommy Tucker and his band and Little John Little (who was of course, fat)and his orchestra. And the young folk danced to The Six Fat Dutchmen out of Sioux City. My brother's band--Graveyard Reed and His Ten Tuneful Tombstones--was composed of local MHS boys and alumni. And Jimmy Smith--our town's finest musician--and his orchestra played for a lot of local dances like the Fireman's Ball--a yearly fundraiser--into the early '50s.
The Avalon Ballroom in Remsen--"The Paris of Northwest Iowa"--(so labled because you could buy liquor by the drink in that town)--was THE place to be on Thursday nights in those days. Folks came from all over NW Iowa to "trip the light fantastic" at the Avalon. And I tried to work my way through college with Bob Reed and The Varsity Men--a 17-piece group that did one-nighters in dying ballrooms in S.D., Nebraska, and Iowa in the early '50s.
Alas, Elvis and rock-and-roll and television pretty much killed the Big Bands and the dance hall custom during that time. Country western was "cowboy music" in those days and while it was listened to, most folks didn't dance to it in western Iowa. Was it too rural? Today even wedding dances with combos seem to have become a casualty of the times in small town America. Pity.
Bob Reed
I don't know Kurt. Did you ever check out open wedding dances in the Avalon in Remsen? Those northern Europeans didn't two-step, they polka'd all night long. And I think it's still going strong today. Quite a bit of interesting culture right there, I'd say.
ReplyDeleteIt was good to see you and your mom in Marcus. She's looking great!
Another great fair, great weather, what a nice place to call home.
As a new member of The Marcus Historical Society (MHS)I would like to relate my experience that I have had as a volunteer (and as a board member's spouse) with the Grand Meadow Heritage Center. (remember the Grand Meadow school?)
ReplyDeleteTo store family momentos and artifacts in an old building with a flat roof with no climate control is a constant battle. Keeping things from deteriorating from the constant change in humidity and temperatures is tough to do - shiny things get rusty and porous things get mildew. If the MHS is charged with maintaining the integrity these things it, would be money well spent to have a new facility that is energy efficient, handicap accessible, and easy to maintain. Also make it big enough to have everything on one floor. Stairs make it difficult to maintain the displays and are a challenge for elderly visitors.
Do it right the first time.
Again, we all wish you would identify yourself. But it seems the historical society will be having a meeting with a state archivist sometime in September. Maybe June Diaz could offer more info because I think she had the connections to get this expert to come. I don't have the date or time on me, but it sounded like it would be quite an interesting meeting that anyone who can should attend.
ReplyDeleteAlso, while I was sitting at the historical society's booth with my dad, a woman from another northwestern Iowa town stopped by and I learned so much from her about her town's efforts to preserve local history. Again, my memory is shot and I can't remember the name of the town. (Ask my dad ... he'll remember.) But I do remember thinking that so many small towns are doing exactly what Marcus is doing, and it would be interesting for the society members to learn from other towns around them. No reason to reinvent the proverbial wheel. Visit other towns -- see what works and what doesn't. See what you like and what you don't like. And for all I know they've probably already done just that. But again, it's not just visits, it's digging underneath and interviewing other historical societies to find out what missteps they might have taken and what they wish they had done differently and what has worked.
What really struck me while sitting there though were the stories that people had as they did come through. (The items are wonderful -- don't get me wrong. I fell in love with a 1920s Holy Name cookbook with all those old family names in it.) But it is the stories that people tell when they SEE these things that really put all of these old pieces of the past into perspective. Having someone right there in front of you telling you stories about these items is the magic part of it all.
Here's one story that I loved ... and I won't give names ... just the story. Some of you will know the family anyway.
One woman came by with her nephew (she was in her 90s). She said the nephew had grown up in Chicago and came to visit "the country" every summer growing up. I guess it was his family's way of keeping him out of trouble. So every summer when he came to Marcus, his uncle (the woman's husband) gave the boy a pig to take care of and then show at the Marcus Fair. The money the boy saved from the sale of that summer pig was enough to get him into college. She said that her nephew credited his success in life to those summers in Marcus -- without them he never would have gone to college.
Actually, there are probably several families who have stories similar to this one...
It just seems that all of these things are sitting around in people's attics and mildewy basements now. Many will be thrown away if no atempts are made to save them. And again, they could all be sold at auction and leave Marcus forever anyway. Who knows. It does seem like a worthy effort. I applaud their efforts and their sincere love for a town's past and its future...
June,
ReplyDeleteI was home for just a few days and it was crazy busy, but I did want to tell you that one of my daughters grabbed up one of your books at the Pizza Ranch. As soon as I saw them there, I knew they were yours! Just loved it!
I knew all of your members had done and will continue doing all sorts of research. Did the archivist have any concrete suggestions? It would be interesting to hear what he had to say about the efforts in Marcus.
Good luck! I admire your efforts!
P.S. Great idea about scanning all those old photos, Kurt. I wonder if the Marcus News has the cabability to do that -- it would be an admirable effort on their part to get involved in a community activity of newsworthy record. It would be an interesting archive to house there until a permanent place is established. People in town could bring in their photos, record the data, and scan the photos. Then the hard drive could be downloaded to the historical center's site for visitors to research and access ... maybe even on-line! I know ... I know ... so who's going to do it? High school students for a class service project for the town of Marcus? They are experts at techy stuff.
ReplyDeleteI know. It is quite an undertaking...just a gigantic meal for thought that needs to be digested...