Archive for the ‘Iowa’ Category

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We’ll hear from Mr. Spaulding next week. For now…1969!

August 1, 2009

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(If you haven’t read the first post about Mr. Spaulding and would like to do so, click here.)

Mr. Spaulding will be in touch with me early- to mid-next week. At that time I’ll post about him again.  Until then, here’s a blast from the past.

Dart Dec 11 1969 light and dark levels past 1400

The "Dart" portion of the "Rolfe Arrow," December 11, 1969. * To decipher all of the text, click photo once and then again to enlarge.

More specifically, I should say a blast from 1969, which is one of the years Dave Spaulding taught most of the high school science (and some math) classes for the Rolfe Community School District.

Whether you are a Rolfe High School alum or an alum of another school district, I’ll bet the image at the left will help you reminisce about how “mature” and “higher order thinking” anyone in high school is/was, whatever the generation.  (I wonder if the drawing portrays how Mr. Spaulding felt when he presided over study halls.)

The “Dart” was the school student-written/designed portion of the local weekly Rolfe Arrow newspaper.  In high school I was in awe of the motivation, confidence and skill I assumed to be possessed by members of the “Dart” staff.

Whether you were in high school before, during or after the ’60s, enjoy!

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This particular microfilm copy (above) was part of the December 11, 1969, issue of the Rolfe Arrow, published a month after the Rolfe grain elevator burned in “Watercolor and Fire in Rolfe, Iowa.”  (The Rolfe Arrow on microfilm is available at the Pocahontas, Iowa, Public Library.)

* Permission to post granted by the Pocahontas Record-Democrat.

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Posted in Iowa, Mr. Spaulding, Rolfe | 1 Comment »

Bubbles In The Wine 101 (The Prerequisite)

July 23, 2009

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In the mid-1970s my father, Deane Gunderson, wrote several articles which he titled “Bubbles in the Wine.”  Fortunately for my family, and anyone else interested in reading them, one of my sisters, Marti Gunderson Carlson, typed up the articles and compiled them in a book.  The intro to the book states the following:

“Bubbles in the Wine” is the title of the column written by Deane C. Gunderson between February 27, 1975, and May 26, 1977, for the Rolfe Arrow, published then in Rolfe, Iowa.

My father and me (Louise) on November 15, 1975. I purposely did not crop closely in case anyone wanted to "relive" a visual of Rolfe's Presbyterian Church. The last service held in this church was its Commemorative Sunday, April 30, 1995. (Click photo to enlarge.)

My father and me (Louise) on November 15, 1975, the same year Daddy began his "Bubbles In The Wine" column. The last service held here in Rolfe's (Iowa) Presbyterian Church was its Commemorative Sunday service, April 30, 1995. Soon thereafter this church was razed, I believe in 1996. (Click photo to enlarge.)

Mr. Gunderson’s topics, about matters of personal interest, are many and varied.  The themes reflect his involvement in farming, education, sports, Iowa State University, politics, etc.  The spectrum includes historical accounts as well as current events.  Some of the subjects are as topical today as when they were first published.

He occasionally invited guest columnists to provide their perspective into a particular area in which they were knowledgeable.

This compilation brings information, insight, history, and wit, to the reader.  To one who knows the author and the community serviced by the publication, this gathering of words brings enjoyment.

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Periodically I’ll post Daddy’s “Bubbles In the Wine” articles about everything from…A to Zeman.

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Posted in Deane Gunderson, Iowa, Rolfe | 2 Comments »

Blue Hat and Iowa Corn (Part II)

July 10, 2009

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(If you haven’t yet read “Part I” and would like to do so before reading this post, click here.)

~ Submitted by Clara Gunderson Hoover

Ear of Iowa Corn, watercolor by Marion Gunderson, 1949

"Ear of Iowa Corn" watercolor by Mother (Marion Gunderson), 1949. Sizes/Pricing: Medium limited edition --- 11.75" W x 10" H, $25. Grand limited edition --- 22" W x 18.75" H, $50. Largest --- 24" x 20.5" (same size as the original, usually a special order), $70. (Click photo to enlarge.) *

In July 2008, Hal and I were back at Okoboji for our annual reading marathon.  I didn’t want to impose on the Carmichaels, but one day while on my walk I finally went to their house and knocked on their door.  They invited me inside and showed me Mother’s painting, Ear of Iowa Corn (1949).  They also showed me two paintings by Cathrine Barr.  I was excited to see all three paintings and asked if I could get my camera and come back to take photos.  They seemed glad to let me do this. more…

Posted in Ear of Iowa Corn, Iowa, Marion Gunderson, Okoboji, Watercolor image | 3 Comments »

Blue Hat and Iowa Corn (Part I)

July 8, 2009

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Almost dusk after RAGBRAI bicyclers had passed through Rolfe, Iowa, on July 23, 2007. (Click photo to enlarge.)

The view from Highway 15, looking east into Rolfe, Iowa, at almost dusk after RAGBRAI cyclists had passed through on July 23, 2007. (Click photo to enlarge.)

~ Submitted by Clara Gunderson Hoover

When RAGBRAI went through Rolfe on July 23, 2007, most of our family spent the day in town and enjoyed the many bicyclers and onlookers who talked with our father and visited his Cy sculpture on Garfield Street.  In fact, my husband Hal and I had just concluded our Okoboji vacation in time to be in Rolfe for RAGBRAI. more…

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Posted in Deane Gunderson, Ear of Iowa Corn, Iowa, Marion Gunderson, Rolfe, Watercolor, Watercolor image | 1 Comment »

Savoring Independence Day

July 4, 2009

Grain elevator, Rolfe, Iowa. Photo taken by Clara Gunderson Hoover, June 2009. (Click photo to enlarge.)

Grain elevator, Rolfe, Iowa. Photo taken by Clara Gunderson Hoover, June 2009. (Click photo to enlarge.)

INDEPENDENCE DAY, celebrating:

Who: the Second Continental Congress
What: the Declaration of Independence
Where: Philadelphia
When: July 4, 1776
Why: to declare the Thirteen colonies “Free and Independent States… Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown” of King George III. *

* http://www.answers.com/topic/independence-day

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Posted in Grain Elevator, Iowa, Rolfe | 5 Comments »

Lake Okoboji and the Taco House — Two Spices of Life

July 3, 2009

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West Lake Okoboji and Taco House beef and black olive nachos. (Click photo to enlarge.)

West Lake Okoboji and Taco House beef and black olive nachos. (Click photo to enlarge.)

Although there are a couple of restaurants in the Lake Okoboji (Iowa) area that every once in awhile are my that-day choice of where I’d like to eat, the when-in-doubt default is always the Taco House.

According to a couple of current Taco House employees, the Taco House, as we know it today, has been in existence (same building, same recipes) since 1983, having changed ownership about six years ago.  Previous to 1983, there was a different structure that housed the Taco House. more…

Posted in Iowa, Okoboji | 8 Comments »

The Farmers Coop and a String Bikini — Part II

July 1, 2009

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(To read Part I before reading this Part II, click here.)

~ Submitted by Marti (Martha Gunderson) Carlson

The mornings, in particular if it was raining, often found several regulars from the farming community gathered around the front office for coffee and pastries – and very colorful and/or funny stories, not all necessarily fit for feminine ears. more…

Posted in Grain Elevator, Iowa, Rolfe | 5 Comments »

The Farmers Coop and a String Bikini — Part I

June 30, 2009

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~ Submitted by Marti (Martha Gunderson) Carlson

My very pleasant baptism into the working world started the summer of 1966 following high school graduation when I reported to the Farmers Cooperative* Company in Rolfe, Iowa – in a dress and heels! more…

Posted in Grain Elevator, Iowa, Rolfe | 5 Comments »

A Makeover for Santa

June 27, 2009

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When I show prints of Mother’s (Marion Gunderson) Santa, right off the bat I explain that Santa isn’t one of Mother’s best works.  As a matter of fact, the original had been passed by and left in a portfolio in a closet at Gunderland until Christmas Day of 2003.  Santa needed a makeover.

Christmas Day, 2003 -- Katie and Santa. Mother had just returned to the Rolfe Care Center after having Christmas dinner at the farm.

Christmas Day, 2003 -- Katie (our younger daughter) and Santa. Mother had just returned to the Rolfe Care Center after having Christmas dinner at the farm. Click photo to enlarge.

Mother moved to Rolfe’s (Iowa) nursing home the fall of 2003.  In December that year she was still well enough to spend a few hours with family at Gunderland (the farm) on Christmas Day.

After she returned to the Rolfe Care Center that day, several of us family members perused Mother’s portfolios.  I fell in love with Santa.  Within days, Mother granted me permission to have Santa in my home.

In November of 2004 I had Santa matted and framed.  Later that month, I took Santa to the Rolfe Care Center so Mother could visualize the mats and moulding I had chosen for Santa. more…

Posted in Iowa, Marion Gunderson, Rolfe, Santa, Watercolor image | 1 Comment »

Watercolor and Fire in Rolfe, Iowa

June 25, 2009

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Rolfe grain elevator watercolor by Marion Gunderson, circa 1950. Click photo to enlarge.

Rolfe, Iowa, "Grain Elevator" watercolor by Marion Gunderson, circa 1950. Limited edition prints size 13.25" W x 17.25" H are $35. Click photo to enlarge.

Mother (Marion Gunderson) painted this Rolfe, Iowa, Grain Elevator watercolor in approximately 1950. As the article below describes, this grain elevator burned on November 12, 1969. I was in eighth grade that fall. The only recollection I have of the elevator and/or it burning was that my father (Deane Gunderson) took me into town that night. Staying in the car, we watched the blaze from a distance, probably near/at the golf course.

As can be expected, viewing the colors of this watercolor image online, the colors and detail look different in contrast to the actual print and original painting.

Rolfe elevator fire article 1200 W

Click photo to enlarge (and then, if your computer allows, click again to enlarge even more). Posted with permission from the Pocahontas Record-Democrat.

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I obtained this article copy by looking through microfilm at the Pocahontas (Iowa) Public Library. (It’s easy as pie to view the microfilm, entertaining, and free.) I did not include the article’s photos because on the microfilm they are almost 100% blackened.

If anyone has a photo of this grain elevator before, during or after the fire, I would appreciate seeing it (and posting if permission would be granted).

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The Updike Grain Company. Click photo to enlarge. From the collection of the Rolfe Pro Cooperative.

The Updike Grain Company. Click photo to enlarge. From the collection of the Rolfe Pro Cooperative.

The article includes history regarding previous Rolfe grain elevators. One mentioned in particular is the Updike Grain Company, shown in this black and white photo.  The Updike Grain Company was destroyed by fire on November 29, 1914.  Before it was destroyed, it was located on the site where the future Charlton Grain Company elevator (in Mother’s watercolor) was built.  Also shown in this photo is the J. & W. C. Shull Lumber and Coal.

The last paragraph of the article mentions C. L. Gunderson (Charles Lewis), my great-grandfather.

For information about prints availability, please click here.

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Posted in Grain Elevator, Iowa, Marion Gunderson, Rolfe, Rolfe Grain Elevator, Watercolor image | 3 Comments »

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