Polkas, border rivalry, and beliefs

By Steve Henry, a columnist for the Chippewa Herald in Chippewa Falls, WI

Growing up in Minnesota was probably no different than growing up in Wisconsin. Well, not quite.

The things that I remember included school, church, and dance halls. Every small town around had a dance hall, and weekends were generally devoted to polka music.

I never did fully master the polka dance, but whenever a shottische was played, we’d grab one of our gals and head for the dance floor. We’d whirl her around until a good sweat was worked up and then gladly head back to our booth and sit out the rest of the evening.

Whoopie John and the Six Fat Dutchmen were talked about often as two of the leading polka bands. Both bands originated in New Ulm, the hotbed of polka music.

Other attractive stars included movie greats John Wayne and Betty Grable. Many happy moments were enjoyed seeing them on the Silver Screens at the Paramount, Eastman, and Grand theaters. For 50 cents or a quarter, you could get into the movie houses, which also featured a newsreel and a classic cartoon such as Donald Duck or my favorite, the Road Runner. Remember “Beep, beep!”

Saturday afternoons were reserved almost exclusively for the gun battles of the Old West, with cowboys such as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, the Cisco Kid, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, Tom Mix, and others. Not only did we, as kids, enjoy the movies, but once we left the theaters, we were ready to hitch on our toy gun belts and imitate our heroes.

Dad and Mom ran a neighborhood grocery store. The store was open seven days a week and served the needs of our neighbors living within a four- or five-block area. Our customers were comprised of railroad and quarry workers, and assemblers from the Char Gale manufacturing plant.

Grocery shopping was much simpler back then. The customers would hand a slip to either Mom or Dad with the items needed. My parents would pick out the items needed, bag them and either collect the money or write in a book the amount of the purchase to be paid once pay day arrived.

It was a simple system of trust. That’s what I admire most about these neighborhood grocers – including my folks – there were three other such grocery stores within walking distance. Just imagine, each store made a decent living for their families.

So, I was Minnesota-bred. I still retain some of the border battles that often spiced the conversations between Minnesotans and Wisconsinites. A high school classmate reminded me of such humor, declaring “that Minnesota was settled by a lost tribe of Norwegians seeking refuge from the searing heat of Wisconsin’s winters.” Or, “at 50 below, all motion stops in Minnesota, hell freezes over, and Minnesota’s public schools open two hours late.” Or for a further jibe, “Minnesota got its name from the Sioux word meaning ‘they eat fish soaked in lye.’”

Be careful what you wish for. Two good old boys, one from Minnesota and the other from Wisconsin, died and ended up at Heaven’s gate. St. Peter met them and told them their rooms were not ready yet. He then sent them back to Earth and told them they could be whatever they wanted to be. The Wisconsin guy said “he’d like to be an eagle and fly over the beautiful country side.” Poof! And he was gone. The Minnesota guy said “he’d like to be a cool stud.” Poof! And he was gone. When the rooms were finished, St. Peter sent an angel to fetch the two guys. The Wisconsin guy was found flying over the Grand Canyon. The Minnesota guy was found on a snow tire in Alaska.

A belief list:

I believe that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, doesn’t mean they do love each other.

I believe that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I believe that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something different.

I believe that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.