Optimism for Starbuck Depot

From Blaine Pederson

President, Starbuck Depot Society

The seasonal shut down of the Starbuck Depot and Museums is complete and we extend our gratitude to all the people that made 2024 possible.  The end of year thank you notes are in the works and for those that don’t receive one in the mail, please know that we don’t take the great support from our area for granted.   As many community organizations are experiencing, “keep on keeping on”, is getting to be more challenging every year, and if you follow the Starbuck Depot on Facebook you will get an idea of how much happens there.   But we look forward to the 2025 season with optimism and enthusiasm.  That historic and nostalgic place draws a lot of people from out of town, we know because we experience it. But, as with any organization things don’t go as smoothly as expected.  Our experience with the Starbuck 2020 Street Project assessments brought out a lot of interest and community awareness to the importance of the Starbuck Depot that regular publicity probably could not have done.  It opened a good conversation with those involved with this issue at the city.  And it also resulted in new people gaining an understanding that this organization needs to remain a vital part of the Starbuck area going into the future, it can be done by working together.

A lot has been accomplished over the past few years with a small group, just imagine the possibilities with a little larger group!  There is so much potential… We will be organizing and planning for 2025 over the next few months and we need to hear from you. There are a lot of ways for you to help.

Gladys Brang left an incredible monetary gift in the Brang trust, but more importantly was her love and spirit for her hometown.  There is a photo in the depot building of Gladys with several members of the original depot group.  You could see that look in their eyes, that spirit still exists today.

Thank you and a call for help

From Terry Duhn,

Long Beach

First off I would like to say a big Thank You to any and all of the volunteers that helped in so many ways to make Morning Glory Gardens look beautiful in the Summer of 2024. Everything from the 17 people that planted 2000 plus flowers in less than three hours or those that tried to keep up pulling the weeds that seem to love all the rain and heat. Dorrich Dairy donated compost and we thank Brad and Greg Vold for that help. This year unfortunately there were only 2 weddings. You have probably noticed the sign is down. Hopefully we will be able to get it back up after it was repainted by Volunteers if we can find a warm day to paint the posts. Thanks again to all who have helped and to all of you that have made monetary donations THANK YOU

Now I will ask for your help again. One of the complaints I have received is about the Granite walkway to the  chapel and around the garden. The wedding party shows up on Friday to practice and the Bride is wearing loafers or tennis shoes but on Saturday the wedding party shows up  for the wedding in high heels and the heels get buried in the granite. The other drawback with the granite walk is it is very difficult to get a wheel chair down to the chapel, causing some ADA issues. The walkways were put in place in 2002 and have seen there lifetime.

In the Pope County Tribune October 7 issue, Mayor Mike Pfeiffer had a column telling all about paving the way to Morning Glory Gardens. The donation from the CASH For BASH that the Rotary shared with every community in Pope County gave a huge jump-start to this project.

If you would like to help with this project, please go to longbeachmn.com.  Note you have to go to the paver project bar at the top of the page about the paver project to find the form to submit your order. There are three choices. You can order a  6”x12” for a $125 donation , a 12”x12” paver for $250, or a 12”x16” paver for $500. You can dedicate and have it engraved with a special day or a remembrance of your wedding date or most anything you can dream up. If you just want to make a monetary donation to the project for $10, $20, $50 whatever you care to donate, it will be very much appreciated.

This project will be completed in the fall of 2025, but to get your engraving of dates or spelling correctly done on your paver, please submit your form early. Thank You in advance for your help. If you have any questions please do contact me at 320-292-1668.

Consider your vote, then choose

From John Messenger,

Glenwood

Tomorrow Americans who haven’t already voted will go to the polls in an election that, without a doubt, will determine the direction of our country.  The choice couldn’t be more stark: Will we choose a rude, crude amoral candidate in the thrall of big money who intends to subvert the Constitution and Rule as an autocrat?

Or, will we choose a candidate who will work for ALL citizens and do everything to preserve our Democratic Republic and the rule of law?

I ask that you look deep into your heart of hearts and ask yourself: “Is the direction I choose for our great country?”

Gremmels column is refreshing

From Carol Fingerson

Sandpoint, Idaho (former Glenwood resident)

When I read such hateful, full-of-lies letters to the editor, it is refreshing to read Paul Gremmels’ column.  His talent must come from his mother, Ruth, who was special too.  I wish he would write every week.

One thing is necessary…

From Inga Mae B. Urke,

Starbuck

After reading the two last Tribunes and being appalled at the number of writers who were so quick to judge and determine who they feel is not a Christian.  I then have to ask them if THEY are Christians themselves?  We are specifically told in the Bible that we are to judge no one–that is up to God and only God!

I feel very strongly that the most important thing in this upcoming election is that people PRAY about their decision before they go to vote.   I heard a TV preacher on Daystar for the first time last week and I was totally impressed how he asked his entire congregation to get down on their knees to pray about the election and they all did!  He was Jack Hibbs who is known for Bible teaching and emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit and ministers to 16,000 on campus worldwide.   Every voter needs to have concern over the many killings and rapes of young girls that have happened from these illegal aliens and how can any professing Christian approve of that and want it to be allowed to continue to happen?   Please think about it and by all means PRAY before you go to vote!