Reminiscing how rural NRHEG was 60 years ago

It's time to reminisce about what Rural America was like in the New Richland Hartland Ellendale Geneva area 60 years ago, give or take 10 years.

 

A. Card playing was very popular at the Saint Olaf Lake Store, at the Heartland gas station, at  the American Legion in New Richland, plus at a few other gatherings of New Places. Card playing was a form of gambling as there were no area Casinos; thus, the card playing was for money.

 

Card playing was also a neighboring activity with neighbors, friends or relatives gathering at some house, followed by a later in the evening snack. The card playing was done for fun in the time of the year when there was no field work.

 

B. Social night outings began Saturday night in the fall with dinner out evening meal, plus “maybe a little dancing, including a drink or two” at the Monterey BallRoom by Owatonna, the Creamery Restaurant in Otisco, Fox Inn in New Richland, Kernies Supper Club by Ellendale or a location further away.

 

Usually the area natives were home and snoring after a big meal, drinks and dancing by mid-night. I guess you could say they were all “Cinderella” type people.

 

C. Church Activities were a must (especially Sunday morning) attend. You could sit in the same pew, take Communion, visit with the preacher and discuss with your fellow church attendees where they were going next Sunday Night.

 

D. Ball games were a very much important part of Rural activities. Waseca Braves or Owatonna Indians were Semi-Professional Baseball teams drawing 500 to 1,000 fans per game.

 

There were softball games in all the area towns with area leagues and each area church sponsoring a team of members from that church.

 

 What is at the farmer area night out location now?

 

A. The Monterey BallRoom by Owatonna is an event type center with mainly wedding type events.

 

B. The Creamery Restaurant in Otisco is now apartment housing.

 

C. Kernies by Ellendale is now a Retreat Center with bookings for small retreats sleeping up to ten.

 

The Fox Inn at New Richland is open with food and drinks under the name “The Willows.” The ownership recently changed. Genie and I have been there since the new ownership and gave it a “Simon Says Thumbs Up” rating.

 

Have you been watching any of the play-off professional baseball games? If so, you have noticed a fan with a sign on which the only letters are “OMG.” What do these letters mean?

The only child of the Indian Tribal Chief living by Beaver Lake was named “OMI.”

 

When Englishmen John Goodness went to America to find a place where England could form a colony, he found a good area by Beaver Lake.

 

In scouting for this place, John Goodness met Omi and they became good friends. So good, John asked the Chief permission to marry Omi. The chief talked to Omi and she said yes to becoming Omi Goodness. The chief was very happy because John and Omi would probably have a son and then the chief would have an heir to take his place.

 

About a year after their marriage, Omi gave birth to stillborn siamese sons. Omi passed away shortly afterwards. John couldn't handle this, so he went back to England.

 

The chief summoned his medicine man to create an everlasting Memorial for his daughter Omi Goodness.

 

The medicine man created an everlasting memorial.

 

“Anyone, no matter how closely aware of Beaver Lake, in any exciting event would utter, “Omi Goodness.”

 

The signs you're seeing at the play-off games are the creation of Omi Goodness shortened to “OMG.” 

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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in New York. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.