From Where I Sit

By Pat Spilseth, Columnist

Whenever I visit Glenwood, the first thing I look forward to is driving down the big hill always keeping my eyes on beautiful Lake Minnewaska at the bottom of the hill. Three newscasters from channel 4, WCCO, spent several days in Glenwood this past week enjoying the friendly people and catching fish on the picturesque lake. Two small cities, Glenwood and Starbuck, border the lake about seven miles apart; it’s a great canoe ride or a short drive by car.Once I reach the stop lights on Main street, it’s a habit of mine to turn left. Many years have passed since I lived here, but I still remember my favorite dime store on the corner where Lee Sorset usually stood, smiling and waving to folks. Half way down the block was Setters Drug Store with its soda fountain bar and swivel seats. It was a favorite for every kid in town to order lemon-lime cokes from Janet, Diane and Bonnie and get the latest news. Across the street was the Corner Drug Store where I was lucky to work with Audrey and our grinning, teasing pharmacists Jim, Larry and Marv. Then came my weekend delight, the movie theatre with its coveted double seats and Merlin selling popcorn and candy snacks. Across the street was Larson’s furniture on the corner, the Pope County Tribune offices and the lumber yard. As I drive toward the lake, past the Gilman and Larson houses where my classmates lived, I see the beach with its diving towers and lifeguards. I expect to see Gail Setter in her black swimsuit, with her nose covered in white zinc oxide, still teaching swimming lessons.

As I drove through Glenwood’s tree-lined streets, I passed the Carnegie library where Mrs. Serrin monitored which books were appropriate reading for me and constantly shushed our noisy talking. Back  then, we had to be quiet in the library. Across the street was  the Pope County courthouse on the hill in the middle of town and the sheriff’s office and residence. A cement wall enclosed the block, a perfect place to sit and chat with friends.

Time changes everything. Things are different today. Folks have aged, passed on, and businesses have changed names, some gave up and closed; a few opened new stores. However, the mainstays remain: the Pope County courthouse, library, the Catholic and Lutheran churches, the Lakeside Ballroom and beautiful Lake Minnewaska.

How great it was to be a kid growing up in a small town on the lake! We biked to the park, swam at the beach and played in the woods all day long coming home for lunch and supper when the whistle blew telling us it was time to get home. Kids didn’t wear  watches: we had the loud whistle from the fire station to tell us it was noon or supper time. We had separate play clothes, Sunday shoes and school clothes.

Kids were taught to obey the Golden Rule: Do onto others as you would have them do onto you. If you didn’t have money, you didn’t buy things. Mothers brought cookies to new neighbors, hot dishes to the sick and checked on elderly neighbors to see if they needed anything. Moms baked angel food birthday cakes from scratch (not a mix) with seven minute frosting and candles for parties at home. It was a rare treat to go out to a restaurant for dinner. Special occasions were treasured. Parents reprimanded naughty kids setting off fireworks behind the garage and spanked them if they smoked cigarettes. When I said a naughty word, Mom washed my mouth out with sudsy Ivory soap. Neighbors strolled the sidewalks and sat on front porches visiting with friends. Most folks knew everyone in town and were well aware of how they conducted their personal lives.

Kids were expected to have chores to do at home. Girls dried the supper dishes, dusted and scoured the sinks. Boys mowed the lawn and washed the car. We were rewarded with a modest weekly allowance. I think I got 25 cents which covered my costs for a movie and sweet treats. We couldn’t have too many sweets or too much money. Dentists didn’t have Novocaine or fluoride in the watch; those dental drills and the pain we suffered with cavities were great warnings to avoid too much sugar. We were taught “Early to bed; early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” Well, not wealthy…that might be sinful.

A big lesson was “Pride goeth before a fall.” Play had to be balanced with work. “Moderation in all things” and “Buck up!” were sayings often heard at home. Weakness was not tolerated. Strong hearts, bodies and minds were important. Remember the three monkeys with hands over eyes, mouth and ears symbolizing “Hear no evil, speak no evil and see no evil?” Many homes had that statue visible to teach a lesson.

Often I heard Mom or Dad say “Money doesn’t grow on trees” when I’d ask for something to buy downtown. We didn’t have much money, but I never felt poor. There was plenty to eat. I had a bike and swings; swimming in the lake was free and I could play safely in the woods by the big rocks we kids christened the Giant Chair and Table and wade in First Creek. Life was wonderful!

Do you remember life like I do? More next week…what a place to grow up!

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To contact Pat, email: pat.spilseth@gmail.com.